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THE  PAPERS  OF 
SIR  WILLIAM  JOHNSON 


Prepared  for  publication  by 

MILTON  W.  HAMILTON,  Ph.D. 
Senior  Historian 


The  Division  of  Archives  and  History 

ALBERT  B.  COREY,  Ph.D. 
Director  and  State  Historian 


VOLUME  XII 


ALBANY 
THE  UNIVERSITY  OF  THE  STATE  OF  NEW  YORK 

1957 


Y95r-DS6-2000 


THE  UNIVERSITY  OF  THE  STATE  OF  NEW  YORK 

Regents  of  the  University 

With  years  when  terras  expire 

1969  John  F.  Brosnan,  A.  M.,  LL.  B.,  J.  D,  LL.  D.,  D.  C.  L, 

Vice  Chancellor    --------------  New  York 

1963  Mrs.  Caroline  Werner  Gannett,  L.  H.  D.,  LL.  D.    -    -  Rochester 

1961  Dominick  F.  Maurillo,  A.  B.,  M.  D.,  LL.  D.    -     -     -     -  Brooklyn 

1962  Jacob  L.  Holtzmann,  LL.  B.,  LL.  D.,  D.  C.  L.  -    -    -    -  New  York 
1968  Edgar  W.  Couper,  A.  B.,  LL.  D.  ---------  Binghamton 

1964  Alexander  J.  Allan,  Jr.,  LL.  D.,  Litt.  D.  -----    -  Troy 

1967  Thad  L.  Collum,  C.  E. _-..._  Syracuse 

1966  George  L.  Hubbell,  Jr.,  A.  B.,  LL.  B.  -------  Garden  City 

1958  T.  Norman  Hurd,  B.  S.,  Ph.  D.  -    -    -    -    -    -    -    -    -  Ithaca 

1960  Charles  W.  Millard,  Jr.,  A.  B.  ---------  Buffalo 

1965  Chester  H.  Lang,  A.  B.,  LL.  D.  ---------  Schenectady 

1970  Everett  J.  Penny,  B.  C.  S.     ----------  White  Plains 


President  of  the  University  and  Commissioner  of  Education 
James  E.  Allen,  Jr.,  Ed.  M.,  Ed.  D.,  LL.  D. 

Deputy  Commissioner  of  Education 
Ewald  B.  Nyquist,  B.  S.,  LL.  D.,  Pd.  D. 

Associate  Commissioner  for  Higher  Education 


19  5 

mi 


State  Historian  and  Director,  Division  of  Archives  and  History 
Albert  B.  Corey,  A.  M.,  Ph.  D. 


11 


CONTENTS 


Volume  XII 


PAGE 

Illustrations     v 

Preface    vii 

Indian  Affairs  to  Treaty  of  Fort  Stanwix,   1  766-1  768 1 

Indian  Affairs  and  Land  Development,  1  769-1  774 681 


ill 


ILLUSTRATIONS 


Indian  Council  at  Johnson  Hall Frontispiece 

From  the  painting  by  E.  L.  Henry.  Courtesy  of  the  Knox  Gelatine  Company, 
Johnstown,   New   York. 

PAGE 
Medal  Presented  to  Indians  in  1766 20 

Courtesy  Fort  Ticonderoga  Bulletin 

Cantonment  of  Forces  in  North  America,  March  29,  1766     36 

From  original  in  British  Museum 

Sir  Henry  Moore 200 

Portrait  by  Sir  Joshua  Reynolds.  Photograph  courtesy  of  Frank  T.  Sabin, 
London;  the  picture  is  in  a  private  collection. 

Sir  Guy  Carleton 324 

First  Lord  Dorchester,  Governor  General  of  Canada.  Copy  by  Mable  B.  Messer, 
painted  in  1923,  from  original  portrait  that  hung  in  Rideau,  since  burnt.  Courtesy 
of  Public  Archives  of  Canada. 

Major   Robert   Rogers 356 

From  an  old  print 

Fort  Michilimac1?inac,  1766 438 

Manuscript  map  by  Lieutenant  Perkins  Magra.  Courtesy  of  the  William  L. 
Clements   Library. 

Hugh    Wallace 474 

Painting  by  Daniel  Huntington,   1905,  from  a  miniature.  Courtesy  of  the  Chamber 
of  Commerce  of  the  State  of  New  York. 

Samuel   Wharton 482 

From  the  woodcut  of  a  miniature  painted  in  England,  in  possession  of  the  His- 
torical Society  of  Pennsylvania 

Coldsbroiv  Banyar 656 

Portrait  by  John  Trumbull  in  Albany  Institute  of  History  and  Art 

Samuel  Stringer 714 

Portrait    probably    painted    by    Ezra   Ames,    in    1806.    Courtesy   of   the   Masonic 
Temple,  Albany. 

Thomas   Hutchinson 912 

Portrait  by  John  Singleton  Copley.  Courtesy  of  the  Massachusetts  Historical 
Society. 

Daniel  Campbell 1006 

Portrait  by  Thomas  Mcllworth  in  the  Henry  Francis  du  Pont  Winterthur 
Museum 

V 


PREFACE 

Volume  XII  of  the  Sir  William  Johnson  Papers,  covering  the 
years  1766-1774,  to  the  death  of  Sir  William,  completes  the 
second  chronological  series.  It  supplements  papers  and  letters 
originally  published  in  volumes  V-VIII,  containing  originals  or 
copies  of  letters  which  were  destroyed  or  were  unknown  at  the 
time  of  the  former  publication.  Nearly  300  new  items  for  these 
years  have  since  come  to  light  and  many  of  these  are  incorporated 
in  this  volume.  These  so  expanded  the  original  plan  that  it  has 
been  found  necessary  to  take  out  of  this  volume  the  lengthier  docu- 
ments —  journals,  accounts  and  land  papers  which  would  fall  in 
its  chronological  scope  —  for  publication  in  the  addenda  volume 
which  is  to  follow. 

The  documents  in  this  volume  are  drawn  principally  from  such 
large  collections  as  the  Indian  Records  in  the  Canadian  Archives 
at  Ottawa ;  the  Gage  Papers  in  the  William  L.  Clements  Library, 
Ann  Arbor,  Michigan;  the  Banyar  Papers  and  others  in  the 
New  York  Historical  Society,  and  the  Gratz  and  Cadwalader 
Collections  of  the  Historical  Society  of  Pennsylvania.  The  hold- 
ings of  many  other  libraries  and  individuals  have  added  richly  to 
the  content  of  the  volume,  and  these  are  all  cited  in  footnote 
references.  Grateful  acknowledgment  is  likewise  extended  to  all 
who  have  permitted  their  holdings  to  be  published.  The  editor 
especially  thanks  those  who  have  shown  their  interest  by  calling 
his  attention  to  many  new  or  fugitive  items. 

Readers  and  students  of  Sir  William  will  find  here  documents 
of  much  interest  as  well  as  those  which  may  throw  new  light  on 
well-known  events.  There  are  many  documents  which  deal  with 
the  episode  of  Robert  Rogers  and  the  post  of  Michilimackinac,  the 
meeting  with  Pontiac  at  Fort  Ontario,  and  the  Treaty  of  Fort 
Stanwix.  Sir  William  is  shown  vainly  attempting  to  establish  a 
centralized  plan  for  the  management  of  Indian  Affairs.  The  ap- 
proaching Revolutionary  conflict  is  reflected  in  letters  which  show 
the  royalist  sympathies  of  the  Johnsons,  and  their  criticism  of  the 


VII 


agitators.  While  it  is  apparent  that  Sir  William  would  have  been 
a  Tory,  like  his  son  and  nephew,  had  he  lived,  yet  he  might  well 
have  so  modified  policies  and  so  influenced  both  Indians  and  gov- 
ernment as  to  have  profoundly  affected  the  course  of  history. 

The  broad  interests  of  Sir  William  are  reflected  in  the 
correspondence  of  these  later  years.  Not  only  was  he  involved  in 
the  extensive  land  speculations  of  the  time,  but  he  was  building  an 
empire  and  establishing  its  institutions  in  central  New  York. 
Church  and  missionary  activity  enlisted  his  active  support,  the 
introduction  of  new  settlers  and  the  development  of  agriculture 
and  industry  were  prime  concerns.  He  was  promoting  the  creation 
of  Tryon  County,  establishing  its  county  offices  and  building  its 
courthouse  and  jail.  The  new  Masonic  lodge  at  Johnstown  was  a 
principal  interest,  reflecting  his  social  and  gregarious  bent.  At  the 
same  time  his  seat  at  Johnstown,  Johnson  Hall,  was  more  and 
more  the  center  of  a  community  under  his  personal  and  paternal 
care.  In  addition,  Indian  relations  were  becoming  increasingly 
tense.  Less  able  to  travel  than  formerly  due  to  his  ill  health,  he 
was  constantly  holding  conferences  at  Johnson  Hall.  It  was  at 
one  of  these  on  July  11,1  774,  that  he  suddenly  passed  away.  The 
description  of  this  portentous  event,  as  reported  by  Guy  Johnson 
in  a  letter  to  Gage,  is  the  final  document  in  this  volume. 

One  of  the  significant  documents  of  this  volume  is  Sir  William's 
will.  It  has  been  printed  elsewhere  but  is  here  corrected  and 
annotated  from  all  known  copies.  Another  document  of  great 
interest,  the  inventory  of  Johnson  Hall  after  his  death,  had  to  be 
deferred  to  the  addenda  volume.  Other  documents,  subsequent  to 
his  death,  will  also  be  published  since  they  deal  with  his  vast  estate 
and  his  policies. 

The  addenda  volume  likewise  will  include  a  chronological 
listing  of  all  published  documents  with  their  locations.  An  index 
volume  is  planned  to  conclude  the  series. 

Albert  B.  Corey 

Director,  Division  of  Archives  and  History 

and  State  Historian 


vm 


SIR  WILLIAM  JOHNSON  PAPERS 


GAGE'S   INSTRUCTIONS   TO   ROBERT   ROGERS 

Copy1 
New  York,  10th.  January,  1766. 

Instructions  to  Major  Robert  Rogers,  Commandant  of  the 
Post  of  Michilimackinac. 

His  Majesty's  pleasure  having  been  signified  to  me,  that  you 
should  be  appointed  to  the  command  of  Michilimackinac,  or  some 
other  post  in  the  upper  country,  I  do  by  these  presents,  appoint  you 
to  be  Captain  Commandant  of  the  Garrison  of  Michilimackinac, 
and  you  are  hereby  authorized  to  take  the  command  of  the  said 
garrison,  and  the  officers  and  soldiers  that  compose  the  same  are 
required  to  obey  you  as  their  commanding  officer.  You  are  there- 
fore to  take  the  said  charge  upon  you,  and  carefully  and  diligently 
to  discharge  the  duty  thereof,  by  doing  and  performing  all  and  all 
manner  of  things  thereunto  belonging.  And  you  are  to  observe 
and  follow  such  orders  and  directions  as  you  shall  from  time  to 
time  receive  from  his  Majesty,  myself,  or  any  other  your  superior 
officer,  according  to  the  rules  and  discipline  of  war.  And  for  your 
better  guidance  and  direction,  in  the  great  trust  reposed  in  you,  you 
are  herewith  furnished  with  such  orders  as  have  been  given  out, 
during  my  command,  to  the  officers  commanding  posts,  to  which 
you  will  pay  due  attention  and  obedience ;  I  can't  recommend  too 
strongly  to  you,  the  strictest  economy  in  the  small  expenses  that 
may  unavoidably  be  incurred  at  this  post  now  put  under  your 
command.  But  nothing  new  or  chargeable,  must  upon  any  ac- 
count, be  undertaken  by  you,  of  your  own  head. 


1  Printed  in  Journals  of  Major  Robert  Rogers,  F.  B.  Hough,  ed.,  pp. 
216-18,  from  the  Johnson  Manuscripts ;  original  destroyed  by  fire.  See 
Johnson  Calendar,  p.  297. 


2  Sir   William  Johnson  Papers 

As  in  the  course  of  your  command,  you  must  necessarily  have 
some  intercourse  with  the  Savages.  I  have  thought  proper  in  this 
particular,  to  put  you  under  the  direction  of  Sir  William  Johnson, 
Bart.  His  Majesty's  sole  agent  and  Superintendent  of  the 
Northern  Indians,  and  he  will  furnish  you  with  proper  instruc- 
tions for  your  guidance  in  your  transactions  with  the  Indians,  who 
reside  near,  and  may  visit  the  said  post  of  Michilimacknac,  to 
which,  and  all  such  future  orders  as  he  may  judge  necessary  to 
send  you,  upon  this  subject,  you  are  to  pay  the  strictest  attention 
and  obedience. 

You  will  as  frequently  as  possible  report  to  the  officer  com- 
manding at  Detroit,  under  whose  immediate  command  you  are,  — 
( Michilimackinac  being  a  post  dependant  thereon,)  the  state  of 
the  troops  under  your  command,  sending  the  proper  returns  and 
acquainting  him  of  every  occurence  relative  to  the  better  conduct- 
ing His  Majesty's  affairs  in  that  country,  that  you  shall  think  it 
necessary  he  should  be  informed  of.  You  will  likewise  correspond 
with  Sir  William  Johnson,  giving  him  notice  of  every  thing  you 
shall  think  worthy  his  knowledge,  relative  to  the  conduct  and 
temper  of  the  Indians. 


FROM   GEORGE   ARMSTRONG 

Philad:  10".  J  any.  1766 
Sir, 

I  take  the  liberty  to  inform  You  I  am  lately  return'd  from  the 
Nation,  from  whence  I  brought  Seven  Couple  of  Hybernian  Fox 
Hounds  &  if  You  have  the  least  desire  for  any  of  'em  Please  to 
signify  it  to  me,  by  Sr.  Calaghan  O'bralaghan  the  bearer  of  this, 
&  I  will  send  'em  to  You  by  the  first  safe  Opportunity.  I  am  sorry 
to  inform  You  that  I  Labour  at  present  under  the  fashonable 


1  In  Historical  Society  of  Pennsylvania,  Gratz  Collection. 


Indian  Affairs,   1766-68  3 

disadvantage  of  a  foul  Yard  but  hope  soon,  with  the  assistance  of 
Docr.  Antoin,  to  be  able  to  ride  the  Fringes  once  more. 

Am  Dr.  S'. 
SR.  WM.  JOHNSON  Your  Affectionate 

ADDRESSED:  MULROONY 

To 
The  Honble. 
Sr.  Wm.  Johnson  Barr1. 
Johnson  Hall 

INDORSED:2 

Philadelphia  Janry.  10*.  1766 


Co11.  George  Armstrongs 
Letter  — 


2  In  Sir  William's  hand. 


FROM  THOMAS  MONCRIEFFE 

New  York,  January  20ih.  1766.  — 

DR.  SR.  WM.  _ 

I  Receivd  a  Letter  of  yours  Dated  the  18th  of  July,2  In 
October  Last.  This  will  be  Given  you  by  Major  Rogers,3  He  has 
Overcome  all  his  Distresses,  If  He  can  be  Encouraged  on  this  Side 
of  the  Water,  For  he  has  met  with  Powerfull  freinds  on  the  Other. 
He  Desires  I  woud  mention  him  to  you,  Your  Disposition  to 
Serve  Mankind,  is  well  known,  &  needs  Little  Prompting.  The 
Interest  he  has  made  at  home,  Might  have  Done  Something 
better  for  him,  than  Sending  him  to  Michillimakina,  However 
there  He  is  to  be  Set  Down;  &  to  be  Subordinate  to  you.  If  He 
has  not  too  Great  Conceptions  of  the  Place,  &  its  Advantages,  In 


1  In  Historical  Society  of  Pennsylvania. 

2  Not  found. 

3  Major  Robert  Rogers,  commandant  at  Michilimackinac. 


4  Sir  William  Johnson  Papers 

all  Probability  He  will  Do  very  well,  &  be  Soon  Extricated  from 
all  his  Difficultys.  You  know  him  as  well  as  I  Do,  &  I  am 
Persuaded  will  be  Inclind  to  Do  him  all  the  Service  in  your 
Power,  that  is  Reasonable.  What  think  you  of  the  Gentlemen 
Writers  Now?  Have  Not  they  Brought  the  Country  into  a  fine 
Situation.  Have  not  they  Brought  themselves  under  a  Premunire ; 
Nothing  to  be  Done  Now  amongst  that  Learned  Body,  All 
Stands  Still,  I  beleive  they  woud  be  Glad  to  Lay  the  Devil  they 
Raisd,  Now  they  find  it  Clashes  with  their  Interest,  For  Dam'n 
me,  If  I  will  Beleive  there  was  one  Spark  of  Patriotick  Virtue  in 
all  their  Maneuvres.  Dr.  Sr.  I  heartily  Wish  you  Good  Health, 
Good  Spirits ;  And  a  Good  Shelaly  Ever  in  Terrorem  to  Raskals. 
Major  Rogers  will  tell  you,  Your  Son4  is  Safe  Arrivd. 

I  am  Dr.  Sr. 

Most  Sincerely  Yours 
INDORSED : 6  MONCRIEFFE5 

New  York  Janrx.  20th.  1  766  — 


Major  Moncreifs  Letter 


FROM  THE  MERCHANTS  AND  INDIAN  TRADERS  OF  MONTREAL 

Contemporary  Copy1 

Copy  of  a  Memorial  from  the  Merchants,  and  Indian  Traders 

of  Montreal,  dated 

Montreal,  22d.  ]an».%  1766. 

To  Sir  WM.  Johnson  Bar*.  Superintendant  of  Indian  Affairs.  — 

Sir 

We  beg  leave  to  lay  before  you  a  subject  of  the  last  Importance 

to  ourselves,  equally  interesting  to  the  Publick,  and  which  we  ap- 


4  John  Johnson  arrived  in  London  November  18,  1  765. 

5  Thomas  Moncrieffe,  captain,  and  afterward  major  in  the  59th  British 
regiment  in  the  French  and  Indian  War.  Aide-de-camp  to  Amherst  in 
1759. 

6  In  Sir  William's  hand. 

1  In  Canadian  Archives,  Indian  Records,  Vol.  7. 


Indian  Affairs,   1766-68  5 

prehend  comes  immediately  under  your  Department.  Just  relieved 
from  a  War  in  the  upper  Country,  by  wch.  we  and  many  more  of 
his  Majesty's  Subjects,  residing  in  this  Province  have  been  very 
great  sufferers  and  encouraged  by  the  Proclamation  of  our  gracious 
Sovereign,  We,  last  Spring  sent  a  very  considerable  Quantity  of 
Goods  to  Michillimacinac,  but  instead  of  a  general  Permission  to 
winter  among  the  Indians,  as  formerly,  to  which  they  were  all 
equally  entitled  by  their  Passes  from  Governor  Murray,2  only 
some  few  Particulars  have  been  allowed  such  Indulgence, 
whereby  we  are  &  must  be  great  Sufferers,  and  unless  some  Step 
be  taken  to  prevent  the  like  Partiality  hereafter,  it  will  be  the 
Ruin  of  many  Individuals,  and  a  Hurt  to  Commerce  in  general.  — 

But  we  have  still  more  Cause  to  be  alarmed  at  an  attempt  that 
is  intended  to  be  made  to  deprive  us  of  that  Trade  more  effectually 
by  a  pretended  Purchase  made  by  Mr.  William  Grant  of  the  Post 
of  La  Bay3  with  an  exclusive  Priviledge  of  Trading  there,  which 
we  imagine  cannot  be  valid  for  the  following  Reasons. 

That  by  the  Copies  of  the  Original  Priviledge,  the  Confirma- 
tion thereof  by  his  most  Christian  Majesty,  and  the  Deed  of  Sale 
to  Mr.  William  Grant  attested,  which  we  take  the  liberty,  Sir,  to 
inclose  for  your  Perusal,  the  exclusive  Trade  of  the  said  Post 
appears  to  have  been  granted  by  the  French  Governor4  to  Mon- 
sieur Rigaud  de  Vaudrieuil5  and  his  Lady  at  a  very  Critical 
Period,  on  the  Eve  of  the  country  of  Canada's  falling  under  the 
British  Empire,  and  only  confirmed  by  his  most  Christian  Majesty 
the  15th.  January  1760  at  which  time  Quebec  had  actually  been 
in  our  possession  four  months,  and  a  great  Part  of  the  upper 
Country  conquered  before  the  Original  Priviledge  was  granted.  — 


2  James  Murray  was  appointed  governor  of  Canada  and  commander  in 
chief  of  the  British  forces  in  Canada  on  Nov.  21,1  763.  He  retained  both 
these  offices  until  1  766. 

3  Green  Bay,  Wisconsin. 

4  Intendant  is  meant. 

5  Pierre  Rigaud,  Marquis  de  Vaudreuil.  See  Doc.  Rel.  to  Col.  Hist. 
N.  Y.,  7:817,  Sir  William  to  Lords  of  Trade,  March  22,  1766,  re- 
counting this  deal. 


6  Sir  William  Johnson  Papers 

That  no  Possession  was  ever  taken  by  Monsieur  Vaudrieuil  by 
Virtue  of  the  said  Priviledge  consequently  he  never  had  any  real 
Property  therein ;  and  when  the  Country  was  totally  reduced,  the 
said  Deed  of  Priviledge  was  required  by  General  Amherst,  and 
actually  given  up  to  him,  which  is  a  convincing  Proof  that  his 
Excellency  did  not  consider  it  as  private  Property.  — 

That  the  Post  of  La  Bay  is  entirely  Indian  Lands,  and  accord- 
ing to  the  Limits  laid  down  in  said  Priviledge  at  a  moderate  Com- 
putation it  contains  1 0,000  Indians,  we  can't  help  observing  that 
when  they  find  Mr.  Grant6  is  the  only  person  allowed  to  trade 
with  them,  and  that  the  said  Priviledge  is  disposed  of  to  him 
Exclusive  without  their  Consent,  or  knowledge,  contrary  to  the 
Faith  of  all  Treaties,  and  the  most  Solemn  Promises,  they  will 
certainly  be  very  much  disatisfied,  and  we  are  fearful  it  will  be 
the  Cause  of  another  War. 

And  Lastly  — 

That  any  Priviledge  whatever  of  an  Exclusive  Trade,  or 
Monopoly  of  any  kind  being  directly  contrary  to  our  Constitution, 
undoubtedly  wth.  the  Conquest  of  the  Country  fell  to  the 
Crown.  — 

And  further  we  are  assured  by  our  most  gracious  Sovereign's 
Proclamation  dated  the  7th.  October  1  763  "that  the  Trade  with 
the  sd.  Indians  shall  be  free,  and  open  to  all  his  Subjects  whatever 
on  Condition  of  their  giving  Security  to  observe  such  Orders,  and 
Regulations  as  may  at  any  time  be  established  for  the  benefit 
thereof.  —  And  further  his  Majesty  forbids  on  pain  of  his  royal 
Displeasure  all  his  loving  Subjects  whatever  from  making  any 
Purchases,  or  Settlements,  or  taking  Possession  of  any  of  the 
lands  not  included  within  the  Limits  of  the  said  three  new  Govern- 
ments therein  pointed  out  wlh.  out  his  special  Leave,  and  License 
for  that  purpose  first  obtained,  —  And  does  further  strictly  enjoin 
and  require  all  Persons  whatever  who  have  either  willfully,  or 
inadvertently  seated  themselves  upon  any  lands  within  the  said 
Countries,  which  having  not  been  ceded,  or  Purchased  by  his 


6  William  Grant. 


Indian  Affairs,   1766-68  7 

Majesty,  are  still  reserved  to  said  Indians,  forthwith  to  remove 
from  such  Settlements."  —  by  which  we  see  with  gratitude,  his 
Majesty  ever  attentive  to  the  Welfare  of  his  Subjects,  will  not 
allow  any  Individual  to  possess  himself  of  the  smallest  Tract  of 
land  not  included  within  the  limits  of  the  Government.  —  and  we 
do  not  doubt  Sir,  you  are  fully  sensible  of  the  bad  effects  of  of  a 
Monopoly  of  any  kind,  and  more  particularly  here,  as  almost 
every  House  furnishes  a  Trader,  whose  sole  Support,  and  Depend- 
ance  is  upon  a  free,  and  open  Trade  with  the  Indians  — 

The  pretended  Proprietor  may  urge  that  his  Majesty  never  in- 
tended by  his  Proclamation  to  divest  any  Individual  of  his  Prop- 
erty ;  yet  the  very  Condition  of  the  Priviledge  considered  with  the 
Critical  Period  at  which  it  was  granted,  we  humbly  hope  will 
convince  you  Sir,  of  the  necessity  of  his  having  his  Majesty's 
approbation  before  he  can  avail  himself  thereof.  — 

We  are  credibly  informed  his  views  are  to  get  immediate 
Possession  in  hopes  that  he  may  thereby  induce  his  Majesty  to 
consider  it  as  a  real  Property,  and  confirm  the  same  to  him.  — 

We  have  done  our  selves  the  Honour  by  this  Post  to  write  to  his 
Excellency  the  Honble  Thos.  Gage  a  Circumstantial  Detail  of  this 
Subject,  requesting  he  will  condescend  to  give  the  Officer  com- 
manding at  Michillimacinac,  early  in  the  Spring,  such  Orders  as 
the  nature  of  the  Subject  requires,  or  he  may  Judge  necessary 
to  prevent  such  Monopoly  taking  place,  at  least  till  his  Majesty's 
pleasure  shall  be  known.  —  And  if  you  Sir,  as  Superintendant  of 
Indian  Affairs  for  the  Northern  District  will  be  pleased  in  Con- 
cert with  his  Excellency  to  take  such  measures  as  may  remove  this 
Grievance  for  the  present,  and  countenance  the  application  we 
make  this  Post  by  our  Agent  to  the  Lords  of  Trade,  or  otherwise 
as  you  may  think  most  effectual,  it  will  be  doing  the  Public  a 
Service,  and  laying  an  Obligation  on  a  Province  almost  worn  out 
with  a  Succession  of  Misfortunes.  — 

We  beg  leave  to  assure  you  Sir  in  the  most  hearty,  and  solemn 
manner  that  our  only  view  in  laying  these  Affairs  before  you,  is 
to  preserve  inviolable  a  free,  and  open  Trade,  which  his  Majesty 


8  Sir  William  Johnson  Papers 

has  most  graciously  been  pleased  to  promise  to  all  his  American 
Subjects.  — 

We  further  beg  leave  to  inform  you  Sir,  that  many  of  us  have 
a  large  Quantity  of  Goods  that  we  intend  sending  to  Michil- 
limacinac  the  approaching  Spring,  and  request  you  will  condescend 
to  inform  us  upon  what  Footing  the  Trade  will  be,  that  we  may 
govern  ourselves  accordingly.  —  We  have  the  honor  to  be  most 
respectfully  —  Sir 

Your  most  obed1.  &  hble  Servts. 
Signed  by  all  the  principal  Merchants  of  Montreal  as  appears  by 
the  Original  in  the  Superintend1*.  Office  — 


TO  THOMAS  GAGE 

A.  L.  S.1 

Janry.  25*.  1766  — 
Private 
Dear  Sir  — 

I  have  to  acknowledge  the  receipt  of  yr.  favours  of  the  30th. 
Ult°.2  &  13th.  Ins'.,3  the  former  with  the  agreable  news  of  our 
being  in  possession  of  the  Illinois,  on  wh.  I  congratulate  You  & 
hope  we  may  peaceably  enjoy  it,  &  that  Mr.  Smallman4  & 
Mc.Kee5  may  be  a  means  of  contributing  thereto,  altho  their 
Journey  is  now  somewhat  late,  and  could  ye.  expence  have  been 
undertaken,  it  was  doubtless  better  to  have  sent  them  with  the 
Troops.  I  have  heard  from  Mr.  Croghan  on  the  Occasion,  &  Sent 
directions  for  Mc.Kee  respecting  the  Condolence  with  the  Shaw- 
anese.  — 


1  In  William  L.  Clements  Library. 

2  Johnson  Papers,   1  1  :988-89. 

3  Not  found. 

4  Major  Thomas  Smallman. 

5  Alexander  McKee,  deputy  agent  for  Indian  affairs  at  Fort  Pitt. 


Indian  Affairs,   1766-68  9 

Touching  your  last  favour  I  must  own  it  Surprised  me  a  good 
deal  to  find  the  papers  for  some  time  past  filled  with  Govr.  Rojers6 
and  his  great  appointments.  He  was  a  Soldier  in  my  Army  in 
1 755,  and  as  we  were  in  great  Want  of  Active  Men  at  that  time, 
his  readiness  recommended  him  so  far  to  me  that  I  made  him  an 
officer,  and  got  him  continued  in  the  Ranging  Service,  where  he 
soon  became  puffed  up  with  pride  and  folly  from  the  extravigant 
encomiums  &  notice  of  some  of  the  Provinces,  this  spoiled  a  good 
Ranger  for  he  was  fitt  for  nothing  else,  neither  has  Nature  calcu- 
lated him  for  a  large  Command  in  that  Service,  he  has  neither 
Understanding,  education,  or  principles,  as  I  could  sufficiently 
Shew,  the  Character  You  have  given  of  Him  is  extremely  Just 
and  I  am  astonished  that  the  Government  could  have  thought  of 
Such  an  Employment  for  him,  but  since  it  is  so,  I  am  of  Your 
opinion  he  should  be  tied  up  in  such  a  manner  as  may  best  prevent 
him  from  doing  Mischeif,  and  I  wish  I  could  well  point  out  how 
it  is  to  be  effected.  I  apprehend  it  will  cheifly  depend  on  the 
Words  of  his  Commission  or  Appointment.  If  he  is  appointed 
Commd1.  of  Michilimackinac  &  a  Deputy  Agent  for  Indian 
Affairs  in  that  Quarter  under  the  Superintendant  &  bound  by  his 
Orders  (except  where  those  of  the  Commdr.  in  Cheif  for  the  time 
being  interfere)  in  everry  thing  relative  thereto,  and  oblidged  to 
transmit  regular  Reports  from  time  to  time  of  all  Transactions,  I 
think  he  will  not  have  it  in  his  power  to  do  so  much  harm  as  other- 
wise, but  to  prevent  him  from  doing  any  is  impossible,  for  he  has 
been  concerned  in  Trade  during  the  time  he  was  in  ye.  Service, 
and  will  again  with  those  of  his  connections  in  that  Quarter  where 
by  his  being  Commd1.  he  will  have  it  in  his  power  To  confine  the 
Trade  in  a  great  degree  to  himself  &  Freinds,  neither  can  I  think 
he  would  stick  at  saying  any  thing  to  the  Indians  to  effect  any  of  his 
purposes.  —  The  like  objections  will  be  against  him  if  appointed 
for  any  other  place.   I  wish  the  Government  would  revise  the  case, 


6  Major  Robert  Rogers. 


10  Sir  William  Johnson  Papers 

and  put  him  on  full  pay  or  give  him  some  little  appointment,  as  a 
Barrack  Master  or  Fort  Major  &ca.  of  which  there  will  be  doubt- 
less some  Establishment,  in  such  Offices  it  would  be  out  of  his 
power  to  do  harm  either  in  Acclts.  or  otherwise,  but  as  a  Commd1. 
&  Indian  Agent  it  will  be  extremely  difficult  to  check  him  or  detect 
him.  —  if  after  all,  nothing  else  can  be  thought  on  I  shall  on  yr. 
being  pleased  to  signify  to  me  the  power  contained  in  his  Com- 
mission lay  before  You  such  Articles  as  may  in  some  measure  tye 
up  his  hands,  for  I  presume  he  may  not  set  out  for  his  Post  this 
Winter,  in  the  meantime  as  I  observed  before  the  only  thing  to  be 
done  at  present  is  to  point  out  from  whom  he  is  to  take  his  orders 
respecting  Indian  Affairs,  the  Channel  thro  which  his  reports  are 
to  be  transmitted,  &  to  limit  his  Expences  to  some  Pipes,  Tobacco, 
&  some  liquor,  unless  when  he  may  be  ordered  to  meet  any  body 
of  Indians,  but  not  of  himself  to  incurr  any  other  Expences,  or  to 
Assemble  or  treat  with  the  Indians,  and  whenever  they  shall 
address  him  to  Send  a  faithfull  copy  of  their  Speeches,  &  to  take 
care  of  all  their  Belts  Calumets  &ca.  — 

I  am  extremely  Sorry  for  the  Death  of  the  Duke  of  Cumber- 
land, &  hope  it  may  have  no  ill  consequence  on  public  affairs,  I 
have  no  letters  from  the  Lords  of  Trade  by  this  Packet,  but  from 
other  letters,  there  is  reason  to  think  the  affairs  of  my  Department 
will  be  at  last  taken  into  consideration.  The  Government  at  Home 
begin  to  resent  the  conduct  of  the  Colonists,  &  I  wish  it  may  open 
their  Eyes  to  revise  or  give  a  Check  to  the  cause  of  it,  for  without 
that,  in  half  a  Century  or  much  less  we  may  be  cutting  our  own 
throats,  and  this  Country  may  be  parcelled  out  amongst  the  Mari- 
time Powers  of  Europe,  the  Misguided  Common  People  dont 
conceive  their  Danger,  they  only  hear  One  Side  of  the  Argument, 
&  that  greatly  exaggerated  by  some  Interested  Cheifs,  Whose 
Violent  party  Principles  have  deceived  themselves,  or  their  private 
Views  led  them  to  raise  the  Genr1.  Spirit  of  Discord,  which  is  now 
extending  itself  over  the  Whole  Continent,  and  daily  disturbing 


Indian  Affairs,  1766-68  1  1 

the  peace,  without  any  visible  motive,  or  prospect  of  Success,  but 
apparently  tending  to  render  us  odious  to  the  Mother  Country.  — 

I  am  with  the  most  perfect  Esteem 
Dear  Sir 
Your  verry  obedient 
His  Excellency  &  most  Humble  Servant 

Genrl.  Gage  —  WM.  Johnson 


INDORSED : 


Sr.  Wm.  Johnson 

25*  Jan'y.  1 766. 
received  2d.  Febr)\  - 


answd. 


TO  THOMAS  MONCRIEFFE 
Cop})1 

Johnson  Hall,  Jan.  30,  1766 

Dear  Sir, 

Major  Rogers  delivered  me  your  favor  of  the  20th  inst.,2  by 
which  I  am  surprised  to  find  that  my  letter  of  July  was  three 
months  on  the  road.  Indeed,  the  irregularity  of  the  Posts,  and 
miscarriages  of  letters  are  become  very  frequent  of  late,  and  a  sub- 
ject of  general  complaint  from  most  of  my  correspondents. 

I  have  known  Major  Rogers  ever  since  1  755,  and  should  be 
glad  the  Government  had  made  a  better  or  more  adapted  appoint- 
ment for  him.  As  Michilimackinack  is  pointed  out,  he  must  go 
there,  where  I  hope  he  will  act  a  proper  part,  prove  of  service  to 
the  public  and  extricate  himself  out  of  his  difficulties,  and  deserve 
a  better  character  than  the  public  has  for  some  time  bestowed  upon 
him,  the  particulars  and  causes  of  which  you  are  so  well  acquainted 


1  Printed  in  Journals  of  Major  Robert  Rogers,  ed.  F.  B.  Hough,  pp. 
218-20.  Original  destroyed  by  fire.  See  Johnson  Calendar,  p.  299. 

2  Ante  pp.  3-4. 


12  Sir   William  Johnson  Papers 

with,  that  I  need  say  no  more  than  to  assure  you  that  your  recom- 
mendation will  always  have  due  weight  with  me.3 

I  heartily  thank  you  for  your  honest  remarks  and  candid  senti- 
ments on  our  American  disputes.  They  have  been  always  mine, 
and  I  trust  we  shall  never  differ  in  opinion  thereon.  The  unconsti- 
tutional steps  pursued  to  obtain  a  constitutional  redress,  can 
hardly  be  parallelled,  and  I  fear  they  have  kindled  a  fire  which 
all  their  engines  may  not  extinguish,  not  withstanding  all  the  paper 
puffs,  and  the  distresses  which  they  threaten  Great  Britain.4  If  I 
could  find  one  instance  of  patriotic  disinterestedness  and  modera- 
tion —  of  respect  for  the  Crown  and  its  officers  and  unpreju- 
diced sentiments  of  liberty  I  should  esteem  them;  but  when  long 
experience  induces  me  to  think  that  opposition  and  bravado  are 
their  darling  passions,  I  cannot  but  condemn  their  doctrine,  and  I 
shudder  at  the  licentiousness  it  might  introduce.5  A  country  with- 
out fleet,  army,  or  even  numbers  equal  to  the  smallest  Kingdom, 
and  they  too,  scattered  over  an  extensive  tract  of  country,  with 


3  In  the  original  draft,  in  place  of  the  preceding  sentence  the  following 
had  been  written  and  then  erased:  "I  am  sorry  to  say,  he  does  not  appear 
much  esteemed,  for  it  gives  me  a  sensible  pain  to  find  a  useful  active  man, 
struggling  under  the  disadvantages  of  distress,  and  a  bad  name,  and  he 
would  have  done  much  better,  if  not  exalted  too  much  by  the  people  here, 
who  appear  now  foremost  in  debasing  him."  —  Note  by  F.  B.  Hough,  ed. 

4  In  the  original  draft,  the  following  had  been  here  written  and  erased: 
"I  am  not  friend  to  any  act  which  may  bring  difficulty  or  distress  on  a  free 
people ;  but  I  love  the  British  Constitution,  and  would  not  add  £  1  00  a  year 
to  my  estate,  to  produce  the  smallest  diminution  of  the  British  Rights,  I 
love  a  monarchy,  such  as  England  is,  but  not  such  as  they  would  make  it." 
—  Note  by  F.  B.  Hough,  ed. 

5  This  passage  as  first  written,  in  the  original  draft,  and  then  partly 
erased,  was  as  follows:  "But  when  I  know  by  long  experience,  by  good 
information,  and  even  from  their  own  history,  that  it  is  not  liberty  but 
faction  they  court,  and  that  their  sentiments  and  conduct  so  strongly 
resembles  that  of  those  who  once  overcast  the  British  Constitution,  I  shudder 
at  the  licentiousness  they  would  introduce;  and  if  they  were  absolved  from 
all  British  tyes,  cannot  but  consider  them  as  a  prey  for  the  first  maritime 
power,  or  rather  as  fallen  to  the  share  of  all  the  maritime  powers  in 
Europe." 


Indian  Affairs,   1766-68  13 

few  sea  ports,  and  those  few,  with  all  their  commerce,  liable  to  be 
totally  obstructed  by  the  smallest  squadron,  must  certainly  fall  a 
sacrifice  if  left  to  themselves,  to  one,  or  other,  or  all  the  maritime 
powers,  which  makes  me  astonished  at  the  extravagant  speeches 
I  daily  hear  (no  doubt  brought  from  good  authority)  of  their 
strength  and  resolutions.  In  a  country  where  we  are  denied  the 
liberty  of  altering  our  thoughts,  it  is  scarcely  safe  to  say  much,  and 
I  can  say  little  further  than  to  express  my  wishes,  that  moderation 
may  become  more  in  esteem,  and  that  the  public  may  at  length  be 
convinced  by  serious  reflection,  that  their  violent  conduct  is  in  no 
wise  calculated  for  procuring  them  redress.  or  esteem  from  the 
mother  country.  I  sincerely  thank  you  for  all  your  good  wishes, 
and  if  you  approve  of  my  sentiments,  shall  expect  a  continuance 
of  your  friendly  correspondence. 

Be  assured  of  my  unalterable  esteem,  of  my  best  wishes  for 
your  prosperity,  and  that  I  am  Dear  Montcrieffe,  your  Sincere 

Friend, 

William  Johnson. 


TO  JOHN  BROWN 

A.L.S} 

Johnson  Hall  Feb'y.  4th.  1766 
Sir  — 

If  You  have  got  any  Hornbooks  &  Primmers  in  English  please 
to  Send  me  a  Dozen  of  Each.  I  had  a  great  Number  of  them  on 
board  of  Bogerts2  Sloop  now  frozen  up  at  ye.  Mannor,  but  are 
some  how  lost  or  mislay'd.  if  you  should  not  have  any  of  them,  be 


1  In  St.  George's  Episcopal  Church,  Schenectady,  N.  Y. 

2  Henry  I.  Bogert,  sloop  captain. 


14  Sir  William  Johnson  Papers 

so  good  to  purchase  so  many  for  me  any  where  else,  and  You  will 
oblidge  —  Sir 

Your 

Humble  Servant 
WM.  Johnson 
PS.     I  have  wrote  lately 
to  York  concerning  ye. 
Affair  of  the  Church, 
expect  it  will  have  a  good 
Effect,  —  but  this  to  yr.  self.  — 

ADDRESSED: 

To 

Mr.  John  Brown 
Mc*. 
In  Schenectady 

3pray  Send  2  Boxes 
of  Spermaceti  Candles 

Y» 

WJ  — 

INDORSED: 

WM.  Johnson 
Letter  1  766 


3  On  the  outside  of  sheet  with  the  address. 


Indian  Affairs,   1766-68  15 

FROM  THOMAS  GAGE 

Contemporary  Copy1 

Nerv  York  Fefry.  10th.  1766  — 
Dear  Sir, 

Mr.  Croghan  has  delivered  Me  your  Favor  of  the  3 1 st.  Ulmo.  ;2 
What  You  propose,  relative  to  the  Meeting  with  Pondiac  &ca, 
at  Ontario3  in  the  Spring  seems  very  proper.  I  Expect  every  day 
to  receive  the  Originals  of  the  Dispatches  brought  by  last  Packet, 
what  is  become  of  the  Man  of  War  they  were  Sent  by,  I  can't 
Conceive.  But  I  perceive  by  the  Duplicates,  that  there  is  a  Report 
of  the  Board  of  Trade,  which  I  am  to  Communicate  to  You,  I 
understand  by  Mr.  Conway's4  Letter  that  it  relates  to  Meetings 
with  the  Indians,  that  Such  proposals  Should  be  always  trans- 
mitted to  them,  with  an  Estimate  of  the  Expence  that  will  prob- 
ably Attend  the  Meetings.  What  You  propose  now  at  Ontario, 
will  not  Stay  for  their  answer,  but  You  may  Acquaint  them  of  it, 
and  Send  an  Estimate  as  well  as  You  can  Ascertain,  when  the 
Report  comes  to  Hand,  it  shall  be  transmitted  to  You:  I  Shall 
be  glad  You  would  inform  Me  of  the  Time  You  would  fix  for  the 
Meeting,  and  the  Quantity  of  Provisions  You  would  require, 
There  is  a  large  Stock  at  Niagara,  rather  Stale  that  might  be  used 
on  Such  an  Occasion,  and  Save  a  great  Expence  to  the  Crown, 
in  transporting  More.  I  can  hear  no  Tidings  of  the  34th.  Regim*. 
Since  they  left  the  Natchis  in  August  last.  The  last  Letters  from 
West  Florida,  or  New  Orleans,  are  Dated  in  October,  arising 
I  conclude  from  the  Difficulties  about  the  Stamp  Act,  which  has 
Delayed  the  Sailing  of  Vessels.  The  gaining  of  Pondiac  &  his 
Friends  is  certainly  worth  our  Attention.    He  has  great  Influence 


1  In  William  L.  Clements  Library. 

2  See  Johnson  to  the  Lords  of  Trade,  Jan.  31,1  766,  Doc.  Rel.  Col. 
Hist.N.  Y.,  7:808-11. 

3  Oswego. 

4  Henry  Seymour  Conway,  one  of  his  majesty's  principal  secretaries  of 
state. 


16  Sir   William  Johnson  Papers 

at  the  Ilinois  as  well  as  with  his  own  People ;  But  his  power  Alone 
was  not  Sufficient  to  gain  us  possession  of  Fort  Chartres.  Capt 
Stirling5  Says,  he  should  certainly  [have]  been  Opposed,  had  he 
not  Arrived  so  Suddenly,  upon  them,  that  they  had  not  time  to 
Consult,  and  in  their  fright  Sent  Pipes  of  Peace ;  as  Soon  as  they 
discovered  his  Numbers,  they  grew  Insolent,  but  he  had  gained 
the  Fort.  He  Says  further,  that  none  of  the  Chiefs  of  those 
Villages  had  been  with  Mr.  Croghan,  or  attended  his  Congress. 
The  Parliament  probably  will  have  too  much  other  Business  on 
their  Hands  respecting  America,  than  to  Settle  Matters  con- 
cerning your  particular  Department,  but  the  King  &  His  Ministers 
will  have  that  Confidence  in  You,  as  to  Approve  of  any  Steps 
You  take  that  shall  be  so  highly  Conducive  to  the  Service,  as  You 
report  the  Plan  to  be,  Which  You  make  Mention  of;  and  I  am 
of  Opinion  You  may,  without  more  Hesitation  put  it  in  Execu- 
tion; Reporting  the  Same  to  the  Board  of  Trade.  Very  large 
Sums  have  indeed  been  Expended,  in  getting  Possession  of  the 
Ilinois,  Mr.  Croghan's  Account  alone,  with  his  losses  are  very 
Considerable.  That  Gentleman  is  certainly  better  Acquainted 
with  the  Indians  of  the  Ohio  &  Mississippi,  than  any  other  Person, 
and  therefore  the  most  proper  for  that  District;  He  must  give  in 
a  Memorial  concerning  his  Losses,  which  must  be  transmitted 
to  the  Treasury  — 

I  inclose  You  a  Certificate  of  Lieut  McTavish6  being  on  Half 
pay,  and  am  to  Acquaint  You  that  they  have  all  been  rejected 
hitherto,  unless  Personal  Application  was  made,  &  it  will  not 
Answer  for  Ll.  McTavish  to  come  from  Scotland  to  demand  his 
Lands  — 

I  inclose  You  the  Size  of  the  largest  Dye  made  here  for  Casting 
Indian  Medals,  in  form  like  those  formerly  Sent  You  to  Niagara, 
the  Same  Device.    There  is  no  person  to  be  met  with  here,  who 


5  Captain  Thomas  Stirling  of  the  42nd,  or  Royal  Highland  regiment. 

6  Jon.  McTavish  of  Inverness,  Scotland.   See  Johnson  Calendar,  p.  277, 
for  his  petition  for  lands. 


Indian  Affairs,   1766-68  17 

can  make  them  Neater  or  better  than  those  Sent  You  as  Above. 
You  will  Judge  if  they  will  Answer  — 

I  don't  know  how  far  they  will  consider  You  as  a  reduced 
Officer,  not  being  on  Half  pay,  hitherto  they  have  only  given  to 
those  Actually  receiving  Half  pay.  And  I  certify  they  are  on 
that  Establishment  — 

I  am, 

Dear  Sir, 
Sir  Wm.  Johnson  Bar1.  &ca. 

INDORSED : 

Copy,/, 
To  Sir  Wm.  Johnson  Bar1. 
/at 

Johnson  Hall 
New  York  1 0*  Feb*.  1 766 


FROM  ROBERT  ROGERS 

Copy1 

New  York,  February  14,  1766. 
Sir: 

I  have  received  orders  from  General  Gage  for  taking  command 
of  the  troops  and  garrison  at  Michilimakina,  a  copy  of  which 
orders  Mr.  Croghan  will  forward  to  you  with  this  letter.  I  hope 
for  your  approbation,  and  that  I  shall  have  your  assistance  for 
any  thing  that  may  offer,  that  is  in  your  Department,  as  I  shall 
ever  be  happy  to  receive,  so  I  shall  take  pleasure  in  obeying  your 
commands.  I  shall  send  up  my  Journals2  for  your  perusal,  by  the 
Post.  The  Packet  is  hourly  expected,  should  she  bring  any  intelli- 
gence worthy  your  notice,  I  shall  do  myself  the  honour  to  com- 


1  In  Journals  of  Major  Robert  Rogers,  F.  B.  Hough,  ed.,  pp.  220-21 . 
Original  destroyed  by  fire.  See  Johnson  Calendar,  p.  300. 

2  "Probably  referring  to  the  volume  printed  in  London  in  1765,  which 
we  here  republish." — Hough's  note. 


18  Sir   William  Johnson  Papers 

municate  it  to  you.  The  London  Papers  inform  that  your  son  had 
the  honour  of  a  knighthood  conferred  upon  him  at  his  arrival  in 
London. 

I  am  with  great  Respect,  Sir,  your  most  Obedient  and  most 
Humble  Servant, 

Robert  Rogers. 


FROM  GEORGE  CROGHAN 
Copij1 

New  York,  Feb.  14,  1766. 

On  my  aravel  here  I  delivered  Your  honours  Letter  to  the 
General  who  read  itt  with  great  attention  then  tould  me  he  would 
be  glad  to  see  me  another  Time  as  he  was  very  busey  then. 

this  morning  he  tould  me  that  you  had  wrote  him  that  I  was  to 
go  to  the  Ilinois  this  Spring  wh  he  much  aprov'd  of  &  that  you  had 
wrote  him  concerning  Your  making  the  Necessary  apointments  in 
the  Departments  agreeable  to  the  plan  settled  by  the  Lords  of 
Trade  wh  he  said  he  had  herd  of  being  putt  in  Execution  att 
home  as  was  intended  wh  he  said  he  bliv'd  was  owing  to  the 
several  Changes  in  the  Ministry,  Butt  said  he  was  of  opinion  Your 
Honour  would  make  all  the  apointments  necessary  agreeable  to 
that  plan  wh  he  had  wrote  to  you. 

We  had  a  good  deal  of  conversation  on  the  Trade  at  the 
Ilinois  Country  that  seems  to  be  his  great  object  to  secure 

the  possession  of  that  Country  &  he  prest  me  to  prepare  to  go 
there.  I  tould  him  I  wold  have  no  objection  to  going  there  pro- 
vided a  regular  and  uniform  plan  wold  be  observed  So  as  to  settle 


1  An  extract  printed  in  Illinois  Historical  Collections,  1  1  :155;  original 
in  New  York  State  Library  was  destroyed  by  fire.  According  to  Johnson 
Calendar,  p.  300,  it  also  mentioned  "losses  which  he  suffered  by  advancing 
sums  for  the  Indian  service,"  and  recommended  "Mr.  Smallman,  Mr. 
McDugall  and  Capt.  Burns  for  commissaries  at  Detroit,  Labay  and 
Oswego,  respectively." 


Indian  Affairs,   1766-68  19 

Maters  with  those  distant  &  almost  unknown  Nations  on  a  perma- 
nent footing  and  that  I  would  prepare  myself  for  the  Journey  as 
soon  as  I  receive  Your  Honours  Instructions. 


TO  MERCHANTS  AND  TRADERS  AT  MONTREAL 

L.S} 

Johnson  hall  Feby.20ih.  1766. 

Gentlemen  — 

I  have  just  received  your  Letter  of  the  22d.  ult°.2  (with  the 
enclosures)  concerning  the  purchase  of  La  Baye  &ca.  lately  made 
by  Mr.  Wm.  Grant  which  you  represent  as  a  very  affecting  cir- 
cumstance and  desire  my  Interest  and  representations  against  it. — 

You  may  be  assured  that  I  am  sensible  of  your  Situation  and 
the  disadvantages  you  must  labour  under  should  that  Grant  take 
place,  that  I  foresee  the  ill  effects  of  an  exclusive  Trade,  or 
Monopoly  to  Commerce  in  General,  and  would  prevent  it  by  all 
means  in  my  power.  But  I  am  hopefull  that  your  apprehensions 
are  greater  than  the  Case  requires  as  I  have  some  reason  to  think 
that  such  a  Grant  will  not  be  permitted  to  take  place  for  the 
reasons  you  have  assigned,  more  especially  in  consideration  of  its 
powers  and  extent,  That  it  is  beyond  the  Limits  of  any  of  our 
Governments,  &  that  it  was  not  purchased,  or  conquered  by  the 
French.  —  Were  it  within  any  of  the  Provinces,  A  purchase  from 
a  French  Proprietor  having  good  title  must  take  place,  but  the 
Title  of  the  Orig1.  Proprietor  being  materially  defective  and  his 
Grant  containing  powers  for  making  Settlements  in  and  enjoying 
an  exclusive  Trade  throughout  an  Extensive  tract  of  Country 
which  his  Majesty  appears  earnestly  disposed  to  protect  from  any 
encroachment  or  Settlement  whatever,  I  have  little  doubt  but 
that  he  will  prevent  a  Grant  which  however  agreable  to  the  French 


1  In  University  of  Montreal,  Montreal,  Canada;  copy  in  the  Johnson 
manuscripts  in  New  York  State  Library  was  destroyed  by  fire.  A  French 
translation  accompanied  this  letter. 

2  Ante  pp.  4-8. 


20  Sir  William  Johnson  Papers 

Constitution  is  not  so  consistent  with  ours,  especially  when  it 
affects  a  Corherce  which  His  Majesty  intends  shall  be  free  &  open 
to  all  his  Subjects.  — 

I  make  no  doubt  of  Gen1.  Gages  accordation  in  Sentiments  with 
me,  I  shall  probably  hear  from  him  on  that  Head  &  you  may  be 
assured  of  my  good  Offices,  in  my  next  Letters  to  the  Lords  of 
Trade,  for  it  would  give  me  much  pleasure  if  my  representations 
could  be  a  means  of  preventing  any  Scheme  prejudicial  to  Com- 
merce, &  to  the  Trading  interest  in  Canada.  — 

I  am, 

Gentlemen, 
Your  hearty  Wellwisher, 
and  verry  Humble  Servant 
To  the  Merchts.  &  Traders  Wm.  Johnson 

at  Montreal  &c 

INDORSED : 

Johnson  Hall  Feby  10  1766 
Sr.  Wm.  Johnsons  Letter 
to  the  Merchts.  in 
Montreal 


TO  THOMAS  GAGE 

A.  L.  S.1 

Johnson  Hall  Feb^y.  20ih.  1766 
Dear  Sir  — 

Since  my  last  I  have  received  your  favours  of  the  3d.2  &  1 0th. 
Ins'.3  and  am  glad  that  my  Sentiments  respecting  the  Posts  have 
in  General  met  with  your  approbation.  — 

Those  Posts  You  intend  to  retain  are  doubtless  necessary  as 
also  Fort  Stanwix  for  keeping  up  a  Communication,  I  shall  make 


1  In  William  L.  Clements  Library;  draft  in  New  York  State  Library 
was  destroyed  by  fire. 

2  Johnson  Papers,  5  : 30-3 1 . 

3  Ante  pp.  15-17. 


MEDAL  PRESENTED  TO  INDIANS  IN  1766 
Courtesy  Fort  Ticonderoga  Bulletin. 


Indian  Affairs,  1766-68  21 

the  proper  use  of  it  to  the  Indians,  which  will  doubtless  be  verry 
agreable  to  them  with  regard  to  the  Posts  yu.  purpose  to  abandon. 
—  The  Manner  you  intend  to  restrict  Major  Rojers4  will  best 
conduce  to  prevent  his  taking  too  much  upon  him,  which  other- 
wise he  might  do.  — 

I  think  I  mentioned  to  You  in  a  former  letter  that  L*.  Govr. 
Fauquiere5  had  applyed  to  me  for  to  mediate  a  Peace  between  the 
Six  Nations,  &  Cherokees  at  the  particular  desire  of  the  latter, 
&  informed  me  that  the  latter  were  about  to  send  Deputys  hither  to 
treat  with  them  concerning  it,  on  this  Head  altho  I  was  well  ap- 
prised of  the  Sentiments  of  the  Six  Nations  I  nevertheless  con- 
sulted them,  but  found  as  I  expected  that  they  did  not  incline 
thereto  from  the  old  grudge  they  bear  them,  and  their  great  in- 
veteracy which  in  my  opinion  will  defeat  the  design  of  a  Peace, 
as  I  experienced  many  years  ago,  when  I  endeavoured  to  accom- 
modate a  matter  of  that  nature,  &  besides  that,  the  Deputys  from 
the  Southward  are  not  yet  arrived  as  was  promised  by  Govr. 
Fauquiere,  wh.  makes  the  thing  worse.  —  I  find  that  the  Northeren 
Indians  are  not  only  Jealous  of  our  Mediation  but  also  determined 
to  continue  the  War,  unless  the  Cherokees  &  Catabaws  will  Sub- 
mit themselves  &  their  Country  to  their  mercy,  wh.  I  dont  appre- 
hend they  will  yet  readily  agree  to.  In  point  of  Policy  it  is  for  our 
Interest  that  this  War  should  be  carried  on  provided  it  does  not 
affect  his  Majesties  Subjects,  as  it  takes  &  engages  the  attention 
of  many  restless  Inds.  to  the  Northward  who  have  great  Influence, 
and  must  be  at  War  in  one  Quarter  or  another,  however  I  wrote 
both  to  the  Ll.  Govemour  of  Virginia  &  to  Mr.  Stuart6  on  the 
Subject  that  I  shall  nevertheless  if  the  Deputys  arrive  use  all  my 
Influence  to  effect  a  Peace. , — 

I  have  received  a  letter  from  Sir  Hen?.  Moore7  intimating  his 
desire  to  see  me  at  this  Juncture,  it  would  give  me  great  pleasure 


4  Major  Robert  Rogers,  commandant  at  Michilimackinac. 

5  Francis  Fauquier,  lieutenant  governor  of  Virginia,  1  758-1  768. 

6  John  Stuart,  southern  superintendent  of  Indians. 

7  Governor  of  New  York.   Letter  not  found. 


22  Sir  William  Johnson  Papers 

to  undertake  the  Journ'y.  as  it  would  afford  me  the  Satisfaction  of 
Seeing  You  and  him,  and  I  could  wish  I  might  be  of  any  use, 
but  my  constitution  is  greatly  changed,  for  Six  years  past,  I  have 
been  at  different  periods  attacked  with  a  Violent  disorder  in  the 
Bowels,  wh.  often  produces  a  Dilirium  and  from  several  Symp- 
toms I  expect  a  return  of  it  daily  which  has  oblidged  me  to  apply 
to  Doctor  Magrah,8  should  it  attack  me  on  the  Road  at  such  a 
Season  as  this,  It  might  prove  fatal.  I  must  therefore  of  necessity 
postpone  my  Journey,  the  rather  as  there  is  no  Sledding,  Albany 
River  is  Shut  up,  no  other  Carriage  can  yet  go  on  the  Road,  & 
my  Wound  which  everry  Year  grows  more  troublesome  will  not 
permit  me  to  undertake  a  Journey  on  Horseback,  I  have  wrote  to 
Sir  Henry  on  the  Subject  by  this  Conveyance. 

I  am  pleased  to  find  by  your  letter  of  the  1 0th.  that  You  approve 
of  my  meeting  with  Pondiac  &  the  Cheifs  of  ye.  Westeren  Nations 
at  Ontario,9  I  now  Send  orders  to  Mr.  Croghan  to  forward  Belts 
with  my  Messages  to  Him  &  the  rest,  whilst  I  send  others  by  way 
of  the  Lakes  to  prevent  a  Disapointment.  —  as  the  Indians  are 
Slow  in  their  Motions  on  these  occasions  they  may  not  arrive  at 
the  fixed  place  before  June,  or  July  next,  a  Conference  wl\.  him 
and  the  rest  may  contribute  to  consolidated  wl.  has  been  hitherto 
done,  He  is  a  fellow  of  Ambition  &  forwardness,  &  those  kind 
of  People  will  make  an  Interest  amongst  all  Indians  —  whether 
he  had  Sufficient  to  obtain  possession  of  the  Illinois  I  cant  pretend 
to  say,  I  know  from  a  variety  of  proofs  it  was  the  cheif  obstacle 
to  our  acquiring  that  Country  till  last  Year,  but  I  dont  consider 
his  power  alone  as  the  cause  of  our  Success,  &  I  apprehend  Cap1. 
Sterling10  may  have  been  misinformed  by  the  French  (whose 
Study  it  is  to  misguide  us)  with  regard  to  the  cause  of  his  gaining 
possession  of  Fort  Chartres,11  for  I  know  the  Indians  were  well 


8  Dr.  Redmond  Magra. 

9  Oswego. 

10  Captain  Thomas  Stirling  of  the  42nd,  or  Royal  Highland  regiment. 

11  Fort  Chartres  was  located  on  the  Mississippi  River  near  La  Prairie  du 
Rocher  in  present  Randolph  County,  Ind. 


Indian  Affairs,   1766-68  23 

acquainted  with  all  his  Motions,  and  had  the  Majority  been  actu- 
ally disposed  to  oppose  him,  it  is  evident  He  could  never  have 
reached  that  place,  neither  are  they  to  be  Surprised  by  any  body 
we  can  send  by  so  tedious  a  Rout,  &  thro  so  many  Nations.  The 
French  will  doubtless,  tho  falsly  assert  that  the  Cheifs  did  not 
attend,  or  approve  of  it,  because  they  like  to  create  misunderstand- 
ings &  avail  themselves  thereby,  doubtless  many  disliked  it,  & 
none  more  than  the  French  as  appears  by  their  Letters,  but  the 
Cheifs  &  the  Majority  were  willing  to  try  our  bounty  otherwise 
we  could  not  have  got  it.  I  only  mention  this  in  Justice  to  Mr. 
Croghans  endeavours.  — 

I  should  be  sorry  that  the  Parliament  did  not  find  time  for 
attending  to  affairs,  the  importance  of  which  have  been  felt  here 
severely,  but  as  You  observe  it  is  highly  probable  they  may  be 
otherwise  engaged,  if  so,  my  hands  must  be  greatly  tyed  up,  for  it 
will  be  out  of  my  power  to  consult  the  Board  on  any  occurring 
Matter,  and  without  that  my  Risque  is  evident.  In  the  present 
case  there  is  some  difference,  &  Mr.  Croghan  will  be  the  best 
Person  certainly  to  go  to  the  Illinois  &  introduce  the  Commissary 
who  is  to  reside  there  to  the  Indians  Acquaintance,  there  will  be 
some  Expence  attending  his  Journey,  as  no  Man  can  go  empty 
handed  amongst  the  Indians.  —  I  am  verry  glad  You  approve  of 
these  appointments,  which  I  shall  report  to  the  Board  of  Trade, 
and  for  the  present  confine  the  expence  to  those  of  most  impor- 
tance ;  as  Fort  Pitt,  Illinois  Michilimacinac  Detroit  &  Niagra,  for 
which  as  I  formerly  mentioned  I  have  pitched  upon  Several  per- 
sons whose  names  I  shall  transmit  in  my  next,  as  also  an  Estimate 
of  the  quantity  of  provisions  as  near  as  I  can.  It  would  doubtless 
be  a  Saving  to  give  them  the  provisions  You  mention  to  be  at 
Niagra,  but  as  they  would  certainly  take  notice  of  it,  I  apprehend 
it  might  give  them  offence,  as  I  once  experienced  on  such  an  occa- 
sion. — 

The  size  of  the  Dye  you  sent  is  verry  large  but  most  of  the 
Workmanship  of  that  nature  done  at  New  York  is  so  ill  executed 
that  it  is  observed  even  by  the  most  distant  Indians  I  believe 

this  work  is  better  finished  at  Philadelphia,  by  some  Meddals  I 


24  Sir   William  Johnson  Papers 

have  seen  wh.  were  struck  there,  the  French  Meddals  are  much 
thicker  than  those  made  here,  the  paper  I  now  send  enclosed  is  a 
good  Size,  and  as  I  know  the  Inds.  are  fond  of  Shewing  them  in 
all  places  they  go  to,  &  enquire  the  meaning  of  ye.  Inscription  I 
could  wish  that  on  the  Reverse  was  inscribed,  Pledge  of  Peace 
&  freindship  with  great  Brittain  confirmed  in  1766,  but  of  this 
as  You  please.  — 

I  hope  shortly  to  receive  the  report  You  Mention,  and  that  you 
will  be  so  kind  as  to  favour  me  with  any  other  particulars  neces- 
sary for  my  Government  or  Information.  — 

I  am  with  the  greatest  Respect 

Dear  Sir 
Your  most  Obedient,  and 
most  Humble  Servant 

WM.  Johnson 
His  Excellency  Genrl.  Gage  — 

P.S.     You  will  excuse  Sir  the  liberty  I  take  of  enclosing  a  letter 
for  Major  Moncrieffe12 


INDORSED : 


Sr.  Wm.  Johnson 
Febn\  20*.  1  766 
received  March  3d. 
Answd.  — 


12  Major  Thomas  Moncrieffe. 


Indian  Affairs,  1766-68 


25 


j^Jj^ 


<^ 


In  Testimony  of  Peace  and 

Friendship  with  6?  Britain 

confirmed 

in 

1766 


26  Sir  William  Johnson  Papers 

FROM  SAMUEL  KIRKLAND 
A.L.S} 
Kaunandausaga,2  Feby.  21 K  1766 

To  the  HonBle  sr.  Wm.  Jonhson.  — 
Sir  — 

I  beg  leave  to  trouble  Your  Honour  wh.  a  short  Ace*,  of  my 
present  Situation.  —  Not  doubting  it  may  be  agreeable,  &  find 
place,  tho  amidst  a  crowd  of  Business,  —  as  I  have  always  had  ye. 
strongest  Evidence,  &  experienced  so  largely  of  Your  Honours 
Kindness,  Condescention  &  good  will  towards  my  Mission. 

I  lately  spoke  to  The  Head-Men  &  Warriours  of  this,  &  several 
other  small  adjacent  Castles,  —  when  I  acquainted  ym.  more 
fully  wh.  my  Design,  Intention  &  Desire.  —  requiring  of  ym.  w'. 
was  their  disposition  wh.  regard  to  my  settling  among  them,  — 
whether  they  would  receve.  &  embrace  ye.  word  of  God.  —  I 
offed  them  several  Arguments  to  enforce  ye.  Matter,  &  desird 
ym.  to  give  it  due  Consideration,  equal  to  its  importance.  —  In  yr. 
Answer  to  me,  said.  —  They  had  considered  well  ye.  whole  of  my 
speech  —  were  intirely  satisfied  wh.  my  Design  woud  have  ml  pro- 
ceed in  learning  yr.  Language  —  yl.  They  would  receve.  ii"  em- 
brace ye.  word  of  God,  when  I  shoud  be  able  to  speak  to  them.  — 
This  was  deliver'd  to  me  in  ye.  presence  of  eight  persons,  &  that  ye. 
greater  part  were  thus  Minded,  —  Tho'  there  are  Numbers  who  I 
know  are  resolutely  determind  never  to  hear  any  thing  I  shall 
say.  —  This  however  appears  something  encouraging,  that  ye. 
poor  wretches  are  not  able  to  perform  w*.  they  have  promisd, 
being  so  given  to  drink,  &  having  no  proper  form  or  kind  of  Gov- 
erment.  —  Their  present  treatment,  &  behaviour  towards  me  is 
far  better  than  ever  before,  and  do  much  to  ye.  Comfort  &  peace 
of  My  Life.  — 

I  cant  yet  feel  willing  to  give  up  ye.  Cause,  'till  I  have  acquired 
a  tolerable  knowledge  of  yr.  Language,  &  make  a  short  trial.  — 


1  In  New  York  State  Library. 

2  Kanadesaga,  a  Seneca  village  near  Geneva,  N.  Y.    See  Beauchamp, 
Aboriginal  Place  Names,  p.  158. 


Indian  Affairs,  1766-68  27 

Tho  my  apprehensions  are  something  dark  &  discouraging  wh. 
respect  to  yr.  ever  truly  embracing  Christianity.  Their  Condition 
appears  to  me  most  miserable.  Yet  I  can  scarcely  find  one  who  is 
in  any  Measures  sensible  of  it.  —  or  thinks  wh.  ye.  least  concern 
wh.  will  become  of  yr.  Children  &  ye.  succeeding  Generations. 
They  imagine  all  will  be  well  if  they  keep  close  to  thir  Traditions 
—  wch.  are  almost  entirely  lost  &  forgotten.  — 

I  purpose  down  some  time  in  ye.  Spring  (God  willing)  when 
I  hope  to  find  Your  Honr.  in  health  &  prosperity.  —  The  Bearer 
Sochichooware  (who  is  one  of  my  best  friends)  knows  I  have  here 
acquainted  Your  Honr.  wh.  their  Answer  to  me  ye.  other  day,  as  I 
told  them  it  would  be  agreable.  —  I  add  no  more,  save  my  most 
humble  renewed  Thanks  &  Wishing  Your  Honr.  every  Blessing 
of  Life  &  those  from  above.  — 

Your  Honours 

Most  most  obief.  &  obligd.  humb1.  Serv*. 
m      „      ,, „na    T  S.  KlRTLAND3 

The  Honble.  SR.  WM.  Johnson 

ADDRESSED : 

To  The  Honourable 
Sr.  Will™.  Johnson  Bar1. 

Johnson-Hall 
by  Soojechoowa 

INDORSED:4 

Kanadissegey  Febr>\ 
21st.  1766 


Mr.  Kirtlands  letter 
<P  a  Young  Indn.  & 
Ansrd.  March  16th.  1766 
by  ye.  Same  Indn. 


3  Samuel  Kirkland,  missionary  to  the  Indians,  originally  spelled  his  name 
as  signed  here.  By  1  769,  however,  he  had  adopted  the  spelling  "Kirk- 
land," by  which  he  is  generally  known.  See  Johnson  Papers,  6:774-75; 
and  7:xii. 

4  In  Sir  William's  hand. 


28  Sir  William  Johnson  Papers 

TO  GEORGE  CROGHAN 
Extracts1 

Johnson  Hall,  Febry.  21,  1766 

I  have  just  received  a  letter  from  Genl  Gage2  wherein  he 
approves  of  Your  going  to  the  Ilinois,  he  says  nothing  on  the 

head  of  the  Expense  Attending  that  journey  but  altho'  I  have  not 
heard  from  you  as  I  expected  I  presume  you  spoke  to  him  about  it. 
However  I  have  mentioned  it  in  my  answer  to  him,3  he  writes 

that  Capt.  Sterling  has  represented  he  would  not  have  succeeded 
had  he  not  come  unexpectedly  upon  them,  &  before  they  knew  his 
force  or  should  take  measures  to  prevent  him,  also  that  no  Chiefs 
from  that  Country  Attended  you.  It  is  easy  to  acct.  for  the  motives 
of  his  representation  &  I  have  answered  the  General  pretty  fully 
on  the  Subject,  but  in  justice  to  you,  I  thought  it  best  to  give  you 
this  Information  of  it. 

•J*  *j»  *j*  •$*  flS 

As  the  General  approves  of  my  Meeting  with  Pondiac  &  the 
Chiefs  in  that  Quarter  at  Oswego,  I  think  it  best  that  you  do 
imediately  find  a  proper  White  Man  in  whom  you  can  Confide 
accompanied  by  2  or  3  Good  Indians  to  invite  him  to  meet  me  at 
Oswego  in  June  next  together  with  a  Sachem  &  a  Warrior  from 
each  tribe  of  the  Twightwees,  Chipeweighs,  Ottawas  &  Hurons, 
&  Powtowatamies.  The  Article  of  Expense  will  not  admit  of 
much  more  Coming  from  any  Nation  &  these  will  be  sufficient  for 
the  purpose.  You  will  Give  plain  directions  to  the  person  who 
carries  the  Message  to  inform  them  that  I  do  it  —  to  open  the 


1  First  paragraph  was  copied  by  Dr.  C.  E.  Carter  and  printed  in 
Illinois  Historical  Collections,  11:  156;  the  second  paragraph  is  from  a 
copy  in  Oneida  Historical  Society,  Utica,  N.  Y.  The  original  was  destroyed 
by  fire.  According  to  Johnson  Calendar,  p.  302,  the  rest  of  the  letter  dealt 
with  "appointments  of  Indian  commissaries,  silver  trinkets,  'colly  flower' 
and  turnip  seeds." 

2  Feb.  10,  1766,  ante  pp.  15-17. 

3  Feb.  20,  1  766,  ante  pp.  20-25. 


Indian  Affairs,   1766-68  29 

Road  to  us  &  to  renew  &  Confirm  all  their  late  Engagements,  & 
your  Messenger  should  give  me  the  Earliest  Notice  whether  they 
will  attend  &  the  time  when  as  Nearly  as  possible  to  prevent  my 
being  disappointed.  I  would  have  you  to  send  off  the  Message 
without  delay  as  it  is  a  long  Journey  &  the  Collecting  the  Chiefs 
of  so  many  Nations  will  take  some  time.  —  I  shall  also  write  by 
way  of  the  Lakes  to  LA  Coll.  Campbell4  to  direct  Miny  Chien5 
by  my  desire  to  meet  Pondiac  &  accompany  him  to  Oswego. 


FROM  JOHN  CAMPBELL 
Copy1 

Detroit  Feb.  24*.  J  766. 

Sir, 

I  am  to  acknowledge  the  favor  of  your  letter  of  the  19th. 
Aug.2  &  to  assure  you  that  it  gives  me  -great  pleasure  to  receive 
your  directions  concerning  Indian  affairs  which  I  shall  strictly 
observe.  I  have  had  little  or  no  trouble  with  Indians  since  Mr. 
Croghans  departure  from  hence.  They  meet  with  so  much  trade 
here  that  they  seem  to  be  very  well  satisfied.  I  have  had  few  or  no 
visits  from  any  of  them  all  this  winter,  so  that  I  had  no  opportunity 
of  conversing  with  any  of  their  chiefs  or  to  form  any  notion  of 
their  disposition  at  present,  but  from  what  has  happened  lately, 
I  have  very  great  reason  to  be  disobliged  at  some  of  them  —  On 
the  4th.  inst  two  of  our  men  were  barbarously  murdered  at  a  small 
Post,  at  the  river  Rouse3  about  4  miles  below  this,  by  some  Indians 
of  the  St.  Joseph  Potowattomies  that  had  been  here  the  day  before 
they  committed  this  mischief  —  Trading  with  the  merchants,  the 


4  Lieut.  Col.  John  Campbell,  of  1  7th  regiment,  at  Detroit. 

5  Meni  Chesne,  interpreter. 

Printed   in   Illinois  Historical  Collections,    11:157-58,   from   Pontiac 
Miscellanies  in  Massachusetts  Historical  Society. 

2  Johnson  Papers,  1  1  :906-08. 

3  River  Rouge. 


30  Sir  William  Johnson  Papers 

poor  offenceless  victims  were  at  work  cutting  firewood  at  a  small 
distance  from  their  Post  when  they  were  fired  on  by  the  savages  — 
&  wounded  one  of  the  men  who  was  instantly  seized  on  &  killed  on 
the  spot  in  a  barbarous  manner  —  stabbed  him  with  a  knife  &  cut 
his  head  almost  off  with  the  filling  one  of  the  men  had  cutting 
wood  —  They  carried  the  other  man  prisoner  a  few  miles/but  as 
he  could  not  travel  so  fast  as  they  wanted,  killed  &  scalped  him. 
The  moment  I  heard  the  alarm  guns  fired  on  board  the  vessel,  laid 
up  at  said  Post  I  immediately  ordered  a  strong  Party  to  repair 
thither  as  quick  as  possible,  who  returned  soon  thereafter  with  an 
acct  of  the  mischief  done  which  I  must  own  surprised  me  very 
much  —  but  as  I  suspected  the  St.  Joseph  Indians,  I  ordered  the 
same  Party,  the  following  night  to  march  2  hours  before  day-light 
to  go  in  pursuit  of  the  villains  &  to  carry  with  them  6  days  provi- 
sion with  directions  to  steer  their  course  towards  the  St.  Joseph, 
having  provided  them  proper  guides,  well  acquainted  with  the 
woods,  as  I  did  not  then  hear  of  their  killing  the  man,  they  took 
prisoner.  I  was  in  hopes  the  party  would  be  able  to  overtake  the 
delinquents  with  the  prisoner,  the  1 st,  or  2nd.  day's  march  —  but 
the  officer  that  commanded  the  party,  after  travelling  2  days  in  pur- 
suit of  them  thought  it  vain  to  proceed  any  farther  as  all  the 
Cabbins  they  came  to  were  deserted  by  the  Indians  therefore 
concluded  all  the  Indians  that  way  were  apprised  of  this  design 
&  the  party  returned  here  the  4th.  day  without  any  intelligence  of 
the  offenders.  A  few  days  thereafter,  several  Indians  brought  me 
intelligence  concerning  the  affair  &  told  me  that  it  was  some  of  the 
young  men  of  the  Pottowattonies  of  St.  Joseph  (&  two  of  them 
were  chiefs'  sons)  that  committed  the  murder  as  already  related  — 
I  have  since  prohibited  any  trade  with  that  nation  of  Indians  until 
they  deliver  up  the  murders ;  but  I  fear  it  will  not  have  the  desired 
effect  as  they  can  employ  other  Indians  to  dispose  of  their  peltry. 
It  is  a  most  provoking  to  loose  men  in  this  manner  without  being 
able  to  get  the  least  satisfaction  from  the  rascally  offenders,  nor  do 
I  believe  it  is  possible  to  prevail  on  any  other  nation  of  Indians  to 
revenge  this  insult.  I  would  be  much  obliged  to  you  for  your 
opinion  &  advice  how  to  act  in  case  they  do  not  deliver  up  the 


Indian  Affairs,   1766-68  31 

Murderers  as  I  think  it  should  by  no  means  be  passed  over  with 
impunity. 

I  had  the  pleasure  of  receiving  some  weeks  ago  a  letter  from 
Maj.  Farmer,4  informing  me  of  his  arrival  at  Fort  Chartres  with 
the  34th.  Regf.  The  2nd.  of  Dec.  last5  I  am  in  hopes  our  being 

in  possession  of  the  Illinois  will  effectually  put  a  stop  to  French 
intrigue  &  be  the  means  of  preserving  peace  &  tranquillity  among 
the  nations  of  Indians  to  the  west-ward.  I  had  a  letter  from  Capt. 
Howard  lately  by  which  I  am  glad  to  find  every  thing  remains 
quiet  at  Michilimacinack. 

I  am,  with  the  greatest  regard,  Sir,  your  most  obd't  &  humble 
servant, 

John  Campbell6 


TO  THE  EARL  OF  SHELBURNE 

Cop})1 

Extract  of  a  Letter  from  Sr.  Wm.  Johnson  — 

dated  Febx.  28,  1766 
Indian  Boundary 

In  my  last  Letters  I  mentioned  what  the  Indians  then  inclined 
to  agree  to  with  regard  to  the  boundary  between  us  and  them  and 
they  have  often  applyed  to  me  since  to  know  if  I  was  impowered 
to  settle  it,  I  long  to  hear  from  the  Lords  of  Trade  on  that  and 
other  heads. 

When  I  have  orders  for  the  purpose  I  make  no  doubt  of 
procuring  their  accordation  to  such  a  Tract  as  will  be  agreable, 
they  having  already  agreed  as  you  find  to  cede  a  vast  Tract  west- 
ward to  above  Fort  Pitt,  and  the  only  difficulty  that  arises  on  the 


4  Major  Robert  Farmar. 

5  Farmar's  account  of  his  expedition  is  told  in  his  letter  to  Gage,  Dec. 
I  6- 19,   1765,  printed  in  Illinois  Historical  Collections,   1  1  :  131-34. 

6  Lieutenant  John  Campbell,  commandant  at  Detroit. 

1  Transcript  in  William   L.   Clements   Library.    Another  transcript  in 
Canadian  Archives,  Shelburne  Papers,  Vol.  5  1 . 


32  Sir  William  Johnson  Papers 

east  Branch  is  from  the  residence  of  so  many  Tribes  there,  which 
difficulty  ray  endeavours  shal  not  be  wanting  to  overcome,  So  as  to 
make  Tohicon  the  boundary  to  the  north  east  &ca.  and  with  the 
assistance  of  a  propper  present  &  some  good  medals,  struck  on  the 
occasion  for  the  cheif  Sachems,  and  principal  Warriors  I  do  not 
despair  of  effecting  it. 


TO  THOMAS  GAGE 

A.  L.  S.1 

Johnson  Hall  March  K  1766  — 
Dear  Sir  — 

Since  I  had  the  pleasure  of  writing  to  You  last,  Mr.  Perthuis2 
Interpreter  arrived  here  from  Montreal  being  dispatched  by  all 
the  Coghnawageys  to  inform  me  that  a  certain  Mr.  C artier3  is 
arrived  there  to  take  possession  of  the  Lands  on  which  they  live,  by 
virtue  of  a  purchase  from  Mr.  Sl.  Paul  who  claimed  it  by  descent 
from  one  that  had  a  Grant  for  it  many  years  ago.  The  case  (as  I 
understand  it  from  Perthuis)  is  this,  —  The  Person  from  whom 
Mr.  Sf.  Paul  derived  his  Claim  had  a  Grant  of  it  (I  think)  from 
Lewis  the  1 4th.  but  on  a  representation  of  the  Jesuits  pointing  out 
the  Advantages  to  be  derived  from  the  Establishment  of  the  Inds. 
there,  the  King  made  the  then  Proprietors  Grant  Void,  &  Granted 
it  to  the  Indians,  or  the  Jesuits  in  trust  for  their  use.  Since  the 
Reduction  of  Canada  You  may  recollect  that  ye.  Jesuits  Title 
was  annulled  by  the  Court  of  Officers  at  Montreal  &  about  that 
time  Mr.  Sf.  Paul  went  to  France  &  is  now  returned  with  a  Con- 
firmation of  the  Original  Grant  in  his  favour  dated  1  750,  which 
Grant  or  Confirmation  he  has  Sold  to  Mr.  Cartier  who  has  com- 
menced a  Suit,  &  is  determined  to  obtain  possession,  &  turn  the 


1  In  William  L.   Clements  Library;  the  draft  in  mutilated  form,  was 
printed  in  Johnson  Papers,  5 :45-46. 

2  Louis  Perthuis. 

3  Rene  Cartier   (Cartie). 


Indian  Affairs,   1766-68  33 

Indians  of  these  Lands,  and  from  Perthuis  Ace*,  the  Judges  have 
declared  it  must  go  against  the  Indians,  &  Judgment  is  only 
awarded  as  he  says  until  they  hear  from  me.  —  from  the  circum- 
stances of  the  date  of  the  new  Grant  compared  with  the  time  Mr. 
Sf.  Paul  went  to  France  to  obtain  it,  which  was  in  1  760,  Perthuis 
affirms  it  is  conjectured  that  ye.  Year  1  760  has  been  artfully 
changed  to  1  750,  but  be  that  as  it  will  the  Indians  express  the 
highest  discontent,  &  fixed  resolution  to  go  to  the  Westward, 
where  they  may  in  all  likelyhood  Stirr  up  fresh  disturbances,  I 
must  therefore  beg  the  favour  of  yr.  Sentiments  and  advice  thereon, 
&  that  you  will  act  therein  as  seems  best  to  You.  —  Three  days 
ago  I  recd.  a  Packet  from  Lord  Adam  Gordon  &  my  Son4  with 
the  agreable  news  that  his  Majesty  was  pleased  to  give  my  Son  a 
most  gracious  reception  &  to  conferr  the  honour  of  Knighthood 
upon  him  imediately  on  his  Arrival,  asking  him  a  variety  of 
Questions,  he  mett  with  the  same  reception  from  the  rest  of  the 
Royal  Family,  and  he  expresses  his  great  obligations  to  Several  of 
the  Nobility  &ca.  for  the  Notice  they  have  shewn  him,  &  par- 
ticularly to  ye.  Civilities  he  has  received  from  Lord  Gage,  for 
which  I  am  in  Duty  bound  to  make  You  my  most  Gratefull 
Acknowledgments.  There  is  verry  little  news  in  my  letters,  &  the 
Bearer  Just  going  off,  I  have  only  time  to  assure  You,  that  I  am 
most  respectfully 

Dear  Sir 

Your  most  Obedient 

&  verry  Humble  Servant 
His  Excellency  WM.  JOHNSON 

Genrl.  Gage 


INDORSED : 


Sr.  Wm.  Johnson 
March  1st.  1766 

received  March  9th.  — 
Answd. 


4  John  Johnson.    These  letters  of  John  and  Lord  Adam  Gordon,  prob- 
ably dated  Dec.  1 2,  or  14,  1  765,  have  not  been  found. 


34  Sir   William  Johnson  Papers 

FROM  THOMAS  GAGE 

New  York  March  3*.  1766 
Dear  Sir, 

I  am  very  sorry  to  find  by  your  Letter  of  the  20th.  of  FebrJ\2, 
that  you  are  in  Expectation  of  a  fresh  Attack  of  your  old  Dis- 
order, which  will  prevent  me  having  the  Pleasure  to  see  you  so 
soon  as  I  could  wish. 

Major  Rogers  has  got  his  Instructions  from  me,  of  which  I 
shall  take  an  opportunity  to  transmit  you  a  Copy,  that  you  may  be 
a  Judge  of  what  it  will  be  Necessary  for  you  to  direct  him  in  your 
orders  to  him  relative  to  your  Department. 

I  find  the  Virginians  were  Intent  on  bringing  about  the  Peace 
between  the  Northern  Indians  and  the  Cherokees,  to  prevent  the 
latter  from  taking  Revenge  for  the  Murders  committed  in  Virginia 
hopeing  by  Such  a  Material  Service  to  gain  their  Friendship,  for  I 
believe  the  Govr.  will  not  be  able  to  give  them  the  Satisfaction 
they  require,  and  seem  to  have  a  Right  to  demand. 

The  sooner  Mr.  Croghan  Sets  out  with  the  Person  whom  you 
intend  to  nominate  for  Commissary  at  the  Ilinois  the  better;  it's 
very  proper  they  should  be  there  as  early  as  it  is  possible,  and 
what  you  shall  Judge  necessary  for  them  you  will  inform  me  of 
and  it  will  be  supplyed  them  immediately. 

I  will  enquire  whether  there  is  any  good  Engravers  at  Phila- 
delphia; the  Dye  in  my  Possession  was  done  by  one  de  Bruhls3 
who  was  reckoned  the  best  in  these  Parts  of  the  world. 

There  are  Reports  here  by  Letters  from  Pensacola  that  the 
34th.  Regf.  had  got  up  to  the  Ilinois;  I  hope  it's  true,  as  they 
carried  a  large  Quantity  of  Presents  with  them,  and  many  other 
things  which  Cap1.  Stirling4  was  in  need  of. 


1  In  Harvard  University  Library. 
^  Ante  pp.  20-25. 

3  Michael  De  Bruls  of  New  York.   See  negotiations  with  him  for  engrav- 
ing Sir  William's  coat  of  arms  in  1  765.  Johnson  Papers,  3:vii-ix. 

4  Captain  Thomas  Stirling  of  the  42d  regiment. 


Indian  Affairs,   1766-68  35 

I  am  to  beg  the  Favor  of  you  to  send  off  a  trusty  and  diligent 
Indian  with  all  Dispatch,  with  the  inclosed  Letters  for  F :  Stanwix 
and  F:  Ontario  &ca.  The  last  has  Inclosures  to  be  forwarded  to 
Niagara  and  Detroit  on  Business  of  great  Moment  to  his 
Majesty's  Service.  —  Affairs  here  are  very  Critical  as  you  will 
learn  by  Letters,  and  indeed  by  the  Publick  Papers ;  for  they  are 
bold  enough  to  publish  their  Designs  openly. 

I  am  with  great  Regard 
Dear  Sir, 

Your  most  obedient 
SR.  WM.  Johnston  humble  Servant, 

Thos.  Gage 

P:S:  I  wish  you  Joy  of  your  son's  safe  arrival,  and  of  the 
gracious  Reception  he  met  with,  and  the  honor  His  Majesty  con- 
ferred upon  him.5  T.  G. 


INDORSED:6 


March  3<  1 766  — 

Genr1.  Gages  Letter 
recd.  the  15th.  12  a  Clock 


FROM  HARRY  GORDON 

Copy1 

New  York  4th.  March  1766 
Sir 

Altho  we  have  had  Variety  of  Operations  here  this  Winter,  yet 
they  never  have  appeared  to  me  worthy  of  laying  before  you, 
neither  indeed  could  I  presume  to  write  of  matters  that  I  have  not 


5  John  Johnson  arrived  in  London  November  18,  1  765.    On  November 
22  he  was  presented  to  the  king  and  knighted. 

6  In  Sir  William's  hand. 

1  Printed    in    Illinois   Historical   Collections,    11:161-62.     Original    in 
mutilated  form  was  printed  in  Johnson  Papers,  5  :48-50. 


36  Sir  William  Johnson  Papers 

understood.  I  could  not  perceive  any  feasible  Design,  altho  there 
was  certainly  one  intended.  It  is  impossible  to  think  these  People 
thought  of  a  War  against  the  Mother  Countries,  yet  they  have 
gone  such  Lengths,  that  they  must  look  foolish,  if  Matters  are  not 
settled  to  their  Desire,  not  to  go  further;  In  these  Commotions 
I  have  endeavoured  to  be  a  good  Citizen,  as  far  as  my  other 
Duties  would  permitt ;  I  have  said  long  ago  that  the  Colonies  have 
been  hardly  dealt  with ;  but  never  was  for  breaking  off  the  Chain 
of  Rule,  and  throwing  away  the  Links  of  mutual  compacts.  It 
has  this  Good  that  I  hope  the  Chain  will  be  made  so  strong  as 
not  to  be  broke,  and  those  Links  be  made  of  mutual  Interest. 

The  news  of  the  safe  Arrival  of  our  Friends2  in  England  was 
communicated  to  me  by  my  Lord  Adam  from  Falmouth.  But 
since  I  have  not  heard  but  by  publick  Rumour  on  which  I  never 
depend.  That  they  are  well  &  esteemed  is  enough  for  me,  as  I 
wish  well  to  good  People. 

We  have  entered  into  some  Resolutions  concerning  our  Posts 
which  the  General  will  acquaint  you  of  or  has  already.  Two 
Reasons  are  strongly  for  them,  having  some  Troops  together,  and 
diminishing  Expence;3  By  your  Proceedings  I  do  not  doubt  but 
these  Reasons  will  prove  safe.  Many  People  talk  of  Matters 
they  do  not  understand,  the  Management  of  our  Allies  the  Indians 
is  a  Subject  of  Dablers,  yet  extremely  seldom,  in  my  Opinion,  do 
they  hit  on  the  Sense  of  the  Matter  —  and  least  of  all  when  they 
say  it  can  be  done  or  ought  to  be  at  no  Expence.  Gen1.  Gage  I 
really  think  understands  it  better  than  many  others  who  pretend, 
and  he  is  of  a  contrary  Opinion  when  not  infested  or  pestered  by 
that  of  the  late  Commdr.  in  Cheif,4  who  still  continues  to  throw 
Squibs  to  this  Distance. 


2  Sir  William  Johnson's  son,  John,  and  Lord  Adam  Gordon. 

3  The  Rockingham  ministry  was  in  favor  of  concentrating  the  troops  in 
the  East.  Lord  Barrington's  Plan  for  the  West,  May  1 0,  1  766,  printed  in 
Illinois  Historical  Collections,  1  1  :2 34-43,  states  the  reasons  for  this 
scheme. 

4  General  Amherst. 


Indian  Affairs,   1766-68  37 

I  sincerely  wish  you  Joy  of  the  good  Accounts  from  England, 
and  am  happy  my  Freind  who  does  me  the  Honour  to  call  me  a 
Relation  likewise,  is  usefull  to  so  worthy  a  Young  Gentleman  as 
all  the  World  allows  yr.  son5  to  be.  Lord  Adam  is  warm  some- 
times whimsical  a  little  but  of  the  warmest  Freindship  —  which  the 
good  Sense  of  his  Companion  will  make  agreable  &  usefull  to 
both. 

Be  so  good  as  remember  me  kindly  to  Lieu1.  Johnson,"  and 
allow  me  to  be  as  I  am  with  Truth  and  sincere  Respect  Sir  Your 
most  obedf.  and  most  humble  Servant 

Harry  Gordon 

Sir  William  Johnson 

We  have  no  Accounts  lately  from  the  Illinois.  I  hope  Croghan 
will  set  out  soon. 

/INDORSED: 

New  York  4th.  March  1  766 
Letter  from  Cap'.  Harry  Gordon 


FROM  THOMAS  GAGE 
n  .jL/.y3. 

New  York  March  9*.  1766. 
Dear  Sir, 

I  had  this  Day  the  Pleasure  to  receive  your  Letter  of  the  Ist. 
Ins1.  ;2  And  am  a  good  deal  Surprized  at  what  you  tell  me  con- 
cerning the  Claim  of  Mr.  Cartier  to  the  Lands  of  S*.  Lewis's 
Falls.  You  may  depend  upon  it  that  the  whole  is  a  Trick.  If  the 
Ancestors  of  Mr.  Sl.  Paul  had  ever  a  Grant  of  these  Lands,  or 
that  they  have  been  confirmed  to  this  Gentleman  again  in  the  year 


5  John  Johnson. 

6  Guy  Johnson. 

1  In  Harvard  University  Library. 

2  Ante  pp.  32-33. 


38  Sir   William  Johnson  Papers 

1750,  as  is  alledged,  That  both  the  Original  Grant  as  well  as  the 
late  Confirmation  must  be  found  in  the  Registers  of  the  Govern- 
ment. It  was  there  I  found  the  Grant  to  the  Jesuits,  of  these  Lands, 
in  Trust  for  the  Indians,  and  in  Case  the  Indians  should  remove, 
the  Lands  were  to  revert  to  the  Crown.  This  Grant  was  made 
by  Louis  the  14th.  about  fourscore  years  ago,  and  is  it  probable, 
that  when  Lands  were  so  plenty  in  Canada  as  they  were  at  that 
time,  that  the  King  of  France  should  have  taken  them  from  the 
Ancestors  of  Mr.  Sl.  Paul  for  the  uses  Mentioned,  without  giving 
them  an  equivalent  in  Lands  elsewhere;  if  he  took  them  at  all 
from  them,  which  I  do  not  believe?  And  is  it  consistent  with  com- 
mon Sense,  that  after  the  Jesuits  with  the  Indians,  had  lived  upon 
the  Lands  for  such  a  Number  of  years  without  Interruption  from 
the  present  Mr.  S*.  Paul,  or  any  of  his  Ancestors,  when  the 
Scheme  of  forming  a  Barrier  of  Indians  against  the  English  & 
their  Indian  Allies  was  compleated  (on  which  account  the  Plan 
of  assembling  Indians  in  this  Manner  was  adopted,  tho'  under 
Pretence,  of  converting  Savages  to  Christianity)  that  the  French 
should  undo  all  they  had  done,  by  confirming  Mr.  Sf.  Paul  in  the 
year  1750  in  a  pretended  Grant  of  Lands,  of  which  Louis  /4th. 
had  divested  his  Ancestors.  By  these  means  they  would  have 
drove  away  the  very  Indians  they  had  taken  so  much  Pains  to 
get  amongst  them,  and  from  firm  Friends  made  them  bitter 
Enemies.  Neither  Mr.  Sf.  Paul  or  any  of  his  Agents  laid  any 
Claim  to  the  Lands;  during  the  Contestation  between  the  Jesuits 
&  Indians,  in  the  Time  of  my  Government :  And  the  Indians  had 
often  laid  their  Claims  prior  to  that  Time  before  the  French 
Governors,  if  I  mistake  not  much  about  the  Time  of  this  pretended 
Confirmation  in  the  year  1  750.  You  may  be  assured,  that  the 
whole  is  a  Fraud  between  the  Jesuits,  Mr.  Sf.  Paul,  Mr.  Cartier, 
and  the  French  Ministry  to  perplex  us  and  make  us  at  Enmity  with 
these  savages,  whom  we  have  attached  to  us,  by  doing  them 
Justice.  I  am  satisfied  Mr.  Sl.  Paul  can't  prove  any  Claim  made 
by  him  to  the  French  Governors,  during  any  Contestation  between 
the  Jesuits  and  Indians;  in  one  of  which  the  Jesuits  were  Abso- 
lutely forbid,   letting  out  any  more  Farms,  and  this  particular 


Indian  Affairs,   1766-68  39 

happened,  if  my  Memory  does  not  fail  me,  since  the  year  1  750. 
You  may  Judge  from  thence,  whether  Mr.  Sl.  Paul  would  not 
then  have  put  in  his  Claim,  had  any  such  Confirmation  as  is  now 
pretended  been  given  to  him.  Mr.  Sf.  Paul  went  to  France  after 
the  Conquest  of  the  Country,  and  there  you  may  depend  upon  it 
all  this  Matter  has  been  cooked  up,  when  the  Jesuits  had  given 
them  an  Account  of  their  suit,  and  of  their  being  cast  in  it.  And  if 
the  French  Ministry  would  enter  into  such  a  Business,  they  might 
Date  a  sham  Grant,  and  sham  Confirmation,  in  any  year  that 
would  Answer  their  Purpose.  If  the  latter  was  given,  as  you 
apprehend  in  the  year  1760,  which  Cartier  has  altered  by  chang- 
ing the  Figure  of  6  into  a  5,  it  could  not  be  registered  in  the  Books 
of  the  Government  in  Canada,  but  must  be  registered  in  France, 
where  it  may  be  looked  for  if  requisite.  But  if  any  such  Con- 
firmation was  given  in  1750  it  should  be  found  amongst  the 
Registers  of  the  Province.  Upon  the  whole,  I  think  it's  absolutely 
Necessary  you  should  lay  all  this  Matter  before  the  Govr.  of 
Quebec  without  Delay,  and  desire  that  the  Indians  Right  may  be 
defended  in  the  best  Manner,  and  carried  as  far  as  it  will  be 
proper  to  pursue  it,  of  which  the  Lawyers  will  be  the  best  Judges. 

You  may  send  Govr.  Murray3  an  Extract  of  this  Letter  leaving 
out  some  Tautologys  which  have  escaped  me  in  the  hurry  of 
writing.  I  am  most  thoroughly  convinced  that  the  whole  of  the 
Affair  is  a  Piece  of  Roguery. 

I  am  now  to  acquaint  you  that  the  341^.  Reg1,  got  to  Fort 
Chartres  on  the  4th.  of  Decr.  and  the  Detachment  of  the  42d. 
under  Capf.  Stirling4  went  down  the  Mississippi  soon  afterwards; 
there  was  not  Provisions  sufficient  to  maintain  the  whole,  and 
Cap1.  Stirling  could  not  get  back  to  F:  Pitt  till  the  Ohio  should 
be  free  of  Ice  in  the  Spring.  The  French  I  fear  will  give  us  Busi- 
ness enough  in  that  Quarter,  They  have  two  Settlements  opposite 
to  us,  and  are  debauching  the  Inhabitants  and  Indians  over  to  their 


3  James  Murray,  governor  of  Canada. 

4  Captain  Thomas  Stirling  who  took  possession  of  Fort  Chartres,  October 
9,  1  765.   See  Illinois  Historical  Collections,  1  1  :  107-1  1 . 


40  Sir  William  Johnson  Papers 

side  of  the  River.  Major  Farmar5  and  his  officers  I  apprehend  not 
very  knowing  in  the  Treating  or  Management  of  Indians,  so  that 
I  wish  Mr.  Croghan  was  set  out.  Cap*.  Murray6  writes  me  word 
from  F :  Pitt  that  he  had  condoled  with  the  Shawnese  for  the  Loss 
of  their  Chiefs,  which  they  took  very  well.  Mr.  Croghan  should 
have  some  Instructions  how  the  Shawnese  should  act  respecting 
their  taking  Revenge  or  not  of  the  Indians  who  killed  the  Chiefs. 
He  had  best  first  see  how  Affairs  are  in  that  Quarter.  I  understand 
from  Ll.  Fraser7  that  Pondiac  was  at  the  Ilinois;  had  also  gone 
over  to  the  French  side,  and  had  many  Conferences  with  the 
French.  That  Rogue  I  fear  will  make  his  Advantage  of  us  both. 
We  are  just  now  in  a  situation  for  him  to  play  his  Tricks  with  both 
French  and  English. 

I  am  very  glad  that  you  have  heared  from  your  son8  and  of  his 
gracious  Reception  being 

Dear  Sir,  Your  most  obedient, 
humble  Servant, 

Thos.  Gage 
SR.  WM.  Johnson 

INDORSED:9 

N  York  March  9*.  1 766 


From  General  Gage  — 

concerning  Mr.  Cartiers  Claim 

to  the  Caghnawaga  Lands  in  Canada. 


5  Major  Robert  Farmar. 

6  Captain  William  Murray,  commandant  at  Fort  Pitt. 

7  Lieutenant  Alexander  Fraser. 

8  John  Johnson. 

9  In  Guy  Johnson's  hand. 


Indian  Affairs,   1766-68  41 

FROM  JOHN  PENN 
Copy1 
Philadelphia,  11th  of  March,  1166. 

Sir: 

It  was  with  a  very  great  Concern  that  a  few  days  ago  I  re- 
ceived certain  Information  by  Captn.  Samuel  Barrit,2  that  on  the 
1  1  th  of  January  last,  a  Mohawk  Indian,  in  his  return  from  the 
Cherokee  Country,  was  Murdered  on  the  Road  between  Fort 
Cumberland  &  Fort  Bedford,  in  this  Province. 

This  unhappy  affair  will  no  doubt  give  great  Offence  to  the 
Indians  of  the  Six  Nations,  and  may  be  attended  with  very  bad 
consequences.  But  I  shall  think  it  my  indispensable  duty,  from 
motives  of  Justice  as  well  as  good  Policy,  to  give  them  all  the 
Satisfaction  in  my  power  for  this  Injury,  and  I  beg  you  will  be 
pleased  to  take  the  first  Opportunity  to  acquaint  them  that  I 
heartily  condole  with  them  on  this  occasion,  and  that  all  means 
shall  be  used  for  apprehending  the  Murderer  and  bringing  him  to 
Condign  Punishment.  I  intended  to  have  issued  a  Proclamation, 
offering  a  Reward  for  that  purpose;  but  as  there  appears  by 
Captn.  Barrit's  deposition,3  a  Copy  of  which  you  have  enclosed, 
very  great  reason  to  think  the  Murder  was  commited  by  one 
Samuel  Jacobs,  who  is  supposed  to  have  fled  to  the  back  parts  of 
Maryland  and  Virginia,  I  shall  suspend  the  Proclamation  till 
better  means  have  been  tried  to  apprehend  him,  for  which  purpose 
I  have  written  to  the  Governors  of  Maryland  and  Virginia,  to 
request  they  would  cause  a  strict  search  to  be  made  for  him 
throughout  their  respective  Provinces. 

If  we  should  be  so  fortunate  as  to  secure  this  Lawless  Villain, 
I  will  immediately  acquaint  you  therewith,  that  you  may  have  it 
in  your  power  to  satisfy  the   Indians  of  our  good  disposition 


1  Printed  in  Pennsylvania  Colonial  Records,  9:306. 

2  Captain  Lemuel  Barrit  of  Cumberland  Valley,  Pa. 

3  See  deposition  of  Lemuel  Barrit,  March  6,   1  766,  Johnson  Papers, 
5:52-54. 


42  Sir  William  Johnson  Papers 

towards  them,  and  our  desire  and  readiness  to  do  them  the  strictest 

Justice  upon  all  Occasions. 

I  am,  with  great  Regard,  Sir, 

Your  most  Obedient  humble  Servant, 

John  Penn. 
Sir  William  Johnson. 


FROM  JOHN  JOHNSTON 

A.L.S} 

Philadelphia  March  13th.  1766  — 

DR.  Sir  — 

I  Received  Your  most  affectionate  Letter  Dated  the  15  of 
Last  Instant  three  Days  ago:2  the  reason  of  my  not  Receiving 
Your  Letter  Before  this  time  was  By  reason  of  my  Being  absent 
from  Philadelphia]  Recreating  my  Self  with  my  friends  at  a 
Country  Village;  I  Return  You  my  hearty  thanks  for  Your  Good 
advice  Both  to  me  and  my  Brother  in  which  I  have  Accordingly 
Applyd.  to  the  most  knowing  Gentlemen  my  friends,  for  their 
Good  advice  — 

They  Neither  of  them  Commend  my  p[  ]  By  Leaving 

my  Substance  in  Such  an  unsettled  mann[er]  as  they  Say  the 
Difficulty  would  be  if  Long  Before  this  the  principle  part  of  my 
moveable  Substance  is  not  Confisticated:  So  as  my  not  Being 
present  it  would  Lie  in  the  Breast  of  him  or  them  to  make  a  full 
Delivery  in  whoes  power  it  now  is/I  immagine  She  is  Some  what 
Cooled.  Long  Ere.  this  time  which  prehaps  May  be  a  means  of  her 
Behaveing  Better  for  the  future  I  shall  remain  a  Little  Longer  in 
Philadelphia  with  my  friends  who  Treat  me  with  a  Great  Deal  of 
kindness  — 


1  In  Historical  Society  of  Pennsylvania. 

2  Not  found.     See  letter  of  Francis  Wade,  Feb.  28,   1  766,  concerning 
his  efforts  to  deliver  this  letter.   Johnson  Papers,  5  :43. 


Indian  Affairs,  1766-68  43 

The  people  in  this  parts  are  most  Notoriously  ridged  against 
Mr.  Croghan  By  reasons  of  an  Inveaterate  Antipathy  they  have 
taken  against  him  as  I  have  heard  many  of  them  Express 
[himSelf]  themselves  in  a  most  shocking  manner  —  I  happend.  By 
Chance  on  my  Journey  to  fall  in  with  a  number  of  Quakers  who 
raised  a  Dispute  with  me  Concering  the  State  of  Indian  affairs 
which  Some  most  notorious  Lies  the  Alledged.  Concering  the  Con- 
ducting of  Indian  affairs  which  I  resented.  And  for  my  pains  I  was 
Very  much  Oblidged.  to  them  to  Come  of  with  whole  Bones: 
they  are  a  Cursed  Sett  all  together :  it  is  my  Oppinion  they  one  and 
all  have  but  a  Small  regard  for  any  one  who  Belongs  to  our 
Service  — 

for  my  part  I  think  I  Could  not  tarry  amongst  them  By 
reasons  of  their  Showing  what  they  would  do  if  in  their  power/ 1 
shall  Sir  waite  Your  Good  Advice  to  one  who  is  Somewhat  un- 
fortunate at  present  whither  I  had  Best  return  or  not:  So  as  to 
Secure  what  Little  I  have  if  requisite :  and  no  Sign  of  her  amend- 
ment: I  Likewise  return  You  my  poor  but  hearty  thanks  for  the 
Good  Inclinations  You  my  Dear  friend  Sir  William  have  So 
kindly  Expressd.  to  me  in  Your  Letter:  that  if  it  was  in  Your 
power  it  should  not  be  wanting  in  You  to  Serve  me:  Although 
not  Deserving  of  So  much  of  Your  favor:  they  have  in  Some 
Measure  Mortified  me  But  however  I  shall  Endeavour  to  put 
the  Best  face  on  things  as  possable  although  if  it  should  Be  that  I 
should  Be  Reduced  to  the  Last  Extremity  a  Spirit  which  I 
Brought  into  the  world  with  me  — 

Pardon  me  Dear  Sir  for  taken  the  Liberty  to  Express  My  Self 
So  freely:  I  Conclude  By  Being  Your  Your  Sincear  Devotd. 
and  humle.  Ser*. 

John  Johnston 
To  Sir  Wm.  Johnson  Bar'. 

P.  S.  please  Sir — to  let  my  Brother  know  there  is  Letters  by 
this  Oppery.  for  him  — 


44  Sir  William  Johnson  Papers 

FROM  THOMAS  GAGE 
Contemporary)  Copy1 

New  York  17ih.  March  1766 

Sir 

As  there  is  an  Intention  to  Sow  Indian  Corn  or  other  grain  at 
Fort  Schloser2  for  the  use  of  the  Cattle  on  the  Carrying  Place 
of  Niagara ;  It  may  perhaps  be  necessary  that  the  Senecas  Should 
be  apprised  of  it,  and  told  on  what  Account  it  is  done,  and  that 
it  is  not  undertaken  with  a  view  to  make  or  begin  any  Settlements 
there.  Without  these  precautions,  they  might  possibly  take  Um- 
brage at  it.  I  have  Entered  into  a  Contract  with  L'.  Phister3  for 
the  Transporting  Every  thing  belonging  to  the  King  over  that 
Carrying  Place  for  £  1 00  Sterling  ^9  annum,  and  the  Estimate 
given  Me,  of  said  Expence,  amounts  to  £  1 300  Y.C.4  He  is  to 
live  at  Fort  Schlosser  and  will  also  trade  with  the  Indians,  & 
proposes  to  Cultivate  some  Ground  near  the  Fort  for  his  own  Use, 
and  to  maintain  the  Cattle  — 

The  Indians  as  well  as  the  French  are  removing  fast  from  the 
Ilinois  to  the  New  French  Settlements  on  the  Opposite  Side  of 
the  Mississippi.  If  this  Emigration  Continues,  we  Shall  have  no 
Method  to  Support  Our  New  Acquired  Settlement,  but  by  Send- 
ing People  there  to  Settle  on  the  deserted  Lands ;  for  it  will  not  be 
possible  to  Support  Our  Garrisons,  by  Sending  them  Provisions 
from  Pensylvania  or  Mobile,  and  I  Apprehend  We  Shall  have 
Enough  to  do  for  some  Time  to  Come,  to  parry  the  Intrigues  of 


1  In  William  L.  Clements  Library. 

2  At  Little  Niagara. 

3  Lieutenant  Francis  Pfister  of  the  60th  regiment. 

4  York  currency. 


Indian  Affairs,  1766-68  45 

the  French  in  that  Quarter,  who  will  not  fail  to  take  every  ad- 
vantage of  Our  weakness  — 

I  am, 

Sir, 
&ca 
Sir  Willm.  Johnson  Bar1 

INDORSED: 

Copy 

To  Sir  William  Johnson  Bar1, 
at 

Johnson  Hall 
New  York  1  7th.  March  1 766 


FROM  WILLIAM  GRANT 

Contemporary  Copy1 

Copy  of  a  letter  from  William  Grant  to  Sir  William  Johnson 
relative  to  his  purchase  of  La  Baye  &c  with  an  exclusive  trade 
from  Monsieur  Rigaud  de  Vadreuil,  dated 

Montreal  20th.  March  1766. 
Sir  — 

Though  I  have  not  the  honour  of  being  known  to  you  I  hope 
you  will  excuse  this  trouble  as  it  is  occasioned  by  seeing  a  letter  of 
yours  dated  [20]  Febr>\  last,  and  addressed  to  the  Merchants  & 
Traders  of  Montreal  concerning  La  Baye,2  a  Tract3  of  land 
granted  by  the  French  King  to  Monsieur  Rigaud  de  Vadreuil, 
and  purchased  of  him  by  me.  I  imagine  those  Gentlemen  have 
misrepresented  the  nature  of  this  affair  to  you,  as  I  cannot  think 
from  the  general  Character  of  Sir  Wm.  Johnson  that  he  wou'd 


1  In  Canadian  Archives,  Indian  Records,  Vol.  7. 

2  Green  Bay,  Wisconsin. 

3  See  Doc.  Rel.   to  Col.  Hist.  N.    Y.,   7:817;  and  ante  pp.    19-20; 
37-39. 


46  Sir   William  Johnson  Papers 

join  with  any  set  of  People  who  attempt  to  hurt  the  Property  of 
any  of  his  Majesty's  Subjects.  —  to  all  aggrieved  the  Laws  are 
equally  open;  he  who  has  just  Cause  to  complaint,  will  meet  with 
Redress.  — 

Permit  me  Sir  to  inclose  you  authenticated  Copies  of  the  Deeds 
by  which  Monsieur  Rigaud  de  Vadreuil4  became  Proprietor,  and 
possessed  of  Lay  Baye.  —  the  first  is,  the  Grant  made  to  him  in 
consequence  of  an  Order  of  the  most  Christian  King  by  Vadreuil 
(his)  Governor  General  &  Bigot0  Intendant  of  Canada  Signified 
to  them  by  Berrier6  his  Minister,  and  Secretary  of  State  in  a 
letter  bearing  date  at  Versails  26tJl.  January  1 759.  —  The 
second,  —  the  King's  farther  approbation  and  confirmation  of  the 
Grant  signed  by  himself,  dated  at  Versails  15th.  January  1760. — 
the  third  a  Certificate  dated  at  Montreal  1  1 th.  of  January  1  766 
by  Sixteen  of  the  principal  Gentlemen,  and  Inhabitants  "that  these 
Deeds  are  in  form,  that  Monsieur  de  Vadreuil's  Titles  are  just, 
that  he  was  in  Possession  of  Lay  Baye  many  Years  before  he 
obtained  a  Grant  thereof  from  the  King,  and  that  by  the  Laws, 
and  Customs  received  in  this  Country  before  the  Conquest,  it  was 
his  property,  known  to  be  so,  &  now  ought  to  be  regarded  as 
such." 

You  know  well  Sir,  Canada  and  its  Dependencies  were  not 
conquered  until  September  1  760,  and  not  added  to  the  British 
Dominion  until  the  definitive  Treaty  of  Peace  February  1  763,  by 
the  Article  of  which  "it  is  Ceded,  and  guaranteed  to  his  Majesty 
by  the  most  Christian  King,  and  the  Subjects  of  France  have 
liberty  to  dispose,  and  sell  their  Property  to  British  Subjects" 
consequently  the  acts  of  the  French  King  before  these  dates,  are 
certainly  valid,   and  binding  throughout  all  the  Countries  then 


4  Louis  Phillippe  Rigaud,  marquis  de  Vaudreuil.  A  footnote  in  the  copy 
at  this  point  refers  to  the  deeds  transmitted  to  Sir  William  by  the  merchants 
and  their  memorial  as  copied  in  the  Indian  Records. 

5  Francois  Bigot. 

6  Nicolas  Rene  Berryer  (Berrier),  minister  of  justice. 


Indian  Affairs,   1766-68  47 

ceded  by  him  to  Great  Britain.  On  the  strength  of  the  Capitulation 
1 760  and  Treaty  of  Peace  1  763  several  others  of  his  Majesty's 
Subjects,  as  well  as  myself  have  bought  Lands  in  Canada  of 
French  Proprietors,  and  I  believe  all  of  us  imagine  we  are  to 
enjoy  all  their  Rights,  and  Priviledges  as  expressed  in  our 
Grants. — With  this  view  I  have,  and  am  to  pay  Monsieur  de 
Vadreuil  a  very  considerable  Sum  of  Money,  too  much  for  me  to 
lose,  while  the  laws  of  my  Country  will  protect  me.  — 

I  cannot  think  the  meaning  of  his  Majesty's  Proclamation 
October  1  763  is  to  deprive  any  of  his  new  or  old  Subjects  in  the 
Countries  ceded  to  him  of  their  Rights,  and  Properties,  he  has 
been  pleased  to  prescribe  bounds  to  his  present  American  Govern- 
ments, but  still  reserves  to  himself  the  Sovereignty  of  the  Lands  — 
without  those  limits,  especially  what  is  given  to  him  by  treaty  with 
France,  and  may  at  any  time  constitute  new  Governments  through- 
out the  whole  — 

Most  of  the  Grants  of  lands  in  Canada  have  the  exclusive  right 
of  trade  with  the  Indians,  and  many  others,  much  more  contrary  to 
our  Constitution,  and  Customs.  —  Lands  were  never  bought  by  the 
French  Government  of  the  Indians,  but  always  granted  by  the 
King  as  Sovereign,  and  Father  of  all  the  nations  under  his  Pro- 
tection. —  I  hope  when  you  consider  this  matter,  my  Claim  will 
appear  equitable  &  well  founded ;  &  I  flatter  myself  you  will  grant 
me  your  Protection,  rather  than  endeavor  to  distress  me.  —  I  shall 
fullfill  the  conditions  of  my  Grant  to  the  utmost  of  my  power,  and 
carefully  observe  all  Rules,  and  Regulations  which  are,  or  may  be 
thought  necessary  by  you,  his  Majesty's  Commander  in  Chief, 
and  Commissaries  for  the  maintaining  of  Peace  and  tranquility 
among  the  Indians,  towards  which  my  retaining  my  property  in  La 
Baye  will  contribute.  — 

It  will  always  give  me  the  greatest  pleasure  to  serve  Sr.  Wm. 
Johnson  for  whom  I  have  the  utmost  respect,  and  the  Honour  to 
be  his  —  Most  Obed1.  &c  —  (Signed) 

William  Grant 


48  Sir  William  Johnson  Papers 


TO  THOMAS  GAGE 

A.  L.  S.1 

Johnson  Hall  March  22<*.  1766 
Dear  Sir — 

I  have  had  the  favour  of  your  letter  of  ye.  9th.  Ins1.,2  wherin 
you  have  particularly  Stated  the  Affair  of  the  Indian  Lands,  but 
since  my  letter  on  ye.  Subject  I  find  on  a  farther  enquiry  into  it 
that  the  Lands  in  Dispute  are  not  those  which  were  decreed  to 
them  by  the  Military  Court,  but  a  Tract  in  the  Rear  of  their 
Grant,  which  however  is  attended  with  all  ye.  Circumstances  of 
the  other  except  that  the  Indians  have  no  Actual  French  Grant 
for  it,  but  the  King  of  France's  letter  in  1727  that  such  Lands 
should  not  be  permitted  to  be  occupied  by  Mr.  Sf.  Paul  or  any 
other  French  Claimant  contrary  to  their  Interest,  but  that  it  should 
be  theirs,  as  this  however  makes  the  case  in  some  measure  different, 
I  have  represented  it  Accordingly  to  Govr.  Murray,3  and  I  hope 
he  will  take  it  into  due  consideration.  — 

As  You  have  received  news  of  Pondiacs  being  at  the  Illinois, 
I  think  it  would  be  best  that  Mr.  Croghan  should  meet  &  treat 
with  him  there,  as  this  would  not  only  prevent  the  necessity  of 
my  calling  him  down,  but  would  enable  whatever  present  he 
carries  up  to  thither  to  make  the  better  appearance,  and  should 
he  be  now  actually  at  Illinois  it  will  be  impossible  to  expect  him 
this  way  during  the  Summer  so  as  to  have  any  time  before  him,  & 
the  Potawattamies  of  Sl.  Joseph,  Twightwees,  &ca.  to  return 
Home,  all  which  I  submit  to  your  consideration.  — 

I  Judge  it  improper  at  this  time  that  the  Shawanese  should  go 
about  revenge,  as  it  may  obstruct  the  Communications,  &  render 
our  People  liable  to  much  Danger,  I  shall  therefore  give  Mr. 
Croghan  Instructions  upon  that  Head,  &  I  wish  he  was  gone  on  his 


1  In  William  L.  Clements  Library;  draft  in  mutilated  form  was  printed 
in  Johnson  Papers,  5  :91 . 

2  Ante  pp.  37-40. 

3  James  Murray,  governor  of  Canada. 


Indian  Affairs,   1766-68  49 

Journey,  wh.  will  only  wait  Your  approbation  of  what  I  now  pro- 
posed, &  your  orders  to  him  concerning  the  Expences  as  men- 
tioned in  my  last.  — 

I  should  be  glad  you  would  order  me  three  or  four  Hundred 
weight  of  Gun  powder,  &  lead  or  Ball  Equivalent  for  the  use  of 
the  Several  Nations,  who  daily  come  begging  some  for  to  hunt 
with,  and  which  they  cannot  be  well  denyed.  — 

I  am  with  the  most  perfect  Esteem 
Dear  Sir 

Your  most  Obedient 
&  verry  Humble  Servant 
His  Excellcy  GENRL.  GAGE  —  WM.  JOHNSON 

INDORSED : 

Sr.  Wm.  Johnson 
March  22<*.  1 766. 
Answd. 


WARRANT  AND  INSTRUCTIONS  TO  ALEXANDER  McKEE 

Contemporary  Copy1 

[Johnson  Hall,  March  24,  1766] 
Copy  of  Warrant,   and  Instructions   to  Alexander  McKee  ap- 
pointed Commissary  at  Fort  Pit  — 

By  Sir  Wm.  Johnson  Bar1.  Superintend1,  of  Indian  Affairs  for 
the  Northern  Department  —  North  America  &c  &c  &c.  — 

In  Pursuance  of  the  Intentions  of  Government  for  the  better 
Regulation  of  Indian  Affairs,  I  do  by  virtue  of  the  Powers,  and 
Authorities  to  me  given  by  his  Majesty,  and  with  the  Consent,  and 
Approbation  of  his  Excellency  Major  General  Gage  constitute, 
and  appoint  you  the  said  Alexander  McKee  to  be  a  Commissary 
to  reside  at  Fort  Pit  for  the  management  of  all  Indian  Affairs 
there,  and  for  the  Inspection  of,  and  Correcting  Abuses  in  the 


1  In  Canadian  Archives,   Indian  Records,  Vol.   7.    Identical  Warrant 
and  Instructions  for  Benjamin  Roberts  are  not  reproduced. 


50  Sir   William  Johnson  Papers 

Indian  Trade  in  that  Place.  —  You  are  therefore  carefully,  and 
diligently  to  discharge  the  said  Duty,  by  doing,  and  performing  all 
and  all  manner  of  things  thereunto  belonging,  to  which  end  you 
are  now  furnished  with  Instructions.  —  And  you  are  to  observe, 
and  follow  all  such  Orders  as  you  shall  from  time  [to  time]  receive 
from  myself,  or  my  Deputy  for  the  Western  District  for  all  which 
this  shall  be  your  sufficient  authority.  — 

Given  under  my  Hand,  and  Seal  at  Arms  at 
Johnson  Hall  the         day  of         1 76  " 

W  J 

You  are  on  Receipt  of  your  Warrant,  and  these  Instructions 
to  proceed  immediately  to  Fort  Pit  where  you  are  to  reside  as 
Commissary,  on  your  arrival  there,  you  are  to  acquaint  the 
Indians  that  you  are  appointed  an  Officer  in  my  Department  to 
inspect  into  the  Trade,  prevent  abuses  therein  and  transact  all 
business  with  them  under  my  direction,  that  an  Interpreter,  and 
Smith  are  also  appointed  to  act  for  them  gratis  in  their  respective 
Capacities  under  your  directions.  — 

You  are  to  shew  your  Warrant,  and  communicate  your  instruc- 
tions to  the  commanding  officer,  applying  to  him  for  Quarters  in 
the  most  convenient  Place  for  the  Reception  of  the  Indians,  and 
for  yourself  the  Interpreter,  and  Smith,  —  with  Provisions,  and 
Fire  wood.  — 

The  Inspection  of  Trade,  Correcting  abuses,  Redressing 
Grievances,  gaining  intelligence  of  all  ill  designs,  and  securing  the 
Friendship  of  the  Indians,  being  the  principal  objects  of  your 
appointment,  you  will  diligently  apply  your  self  to  discharge  these 
important  trusts,  to  wch.  end  you  are  immediately  to  inform  your- 
self of  the  means  in  wch.  trade  has  been  hitherto  carried  on,  and 
the  most  reasonable  Prices  of  Goods,  and  Peltry,  the  Strength, 
Connections,  and  Interests  of  the  sev1.  Tribes  about  you  with 
their  Sachims,  Warriors  &c,  all  Which  you  are  to  report  without 


2  Date  left  blank  in  copy.  McKee's  accounts  were  rendered  for  the 
previous  year  to  March  24,  Johnson  Papers,  5:100-01,  and  the  previous 
commission  in  the  Indian  Records  was  so  dated. 


Indian  Affairs,  1766-68  51 

delay  to  the  Deputy  Agent  for  the  Western  District  —  And  you 
are  to  make  regular  Entries  of  all  Occurences,  and  transactions  a 
fair  Copy  of  wch.  in  Folio  you  are  to  transmit  to  my  said  Deputy 
every  three  months,  or  oft'ner  if  the  Service  require  it.  —  You  are 
also  to  keep  an  exact  account  of  the  quantity,  and  value  of  Goods, 
and  the  like  of  Peltry  traded  off  at  your  Post,  as  well  as  such  as 
pass  to  other  Garrisons  transmitting  the  same  annually  to  my  said 
Deputy  —  And  for  your  further  Government  with  regard  to  trade 
&c  you  are  furnished  with  a  Copy  of  Regulations  to  which  you 
are  to  see  that  due  Obedience  is  paid.  — 

You  are  not  to  incur  any  Expence,  without  Orders  from  me,  or 
my  Deputy  beyond  what  is  absolutely  necessary  for  Pipes, 
Tobacco,  or  a  Dram  occasionally  to  the  Indians,  and  you  are  to 
satisfy  any  Indians  who  may  be  troublesome  on  that  head  by  ex- 
plaining to  them  the  expence  the  Government  is  at  by  these 
appointments,  and  shewing  them  the  nature  of  your  Office,  and 
that  whatever  Presents  may  be  occasionally  bestowed  on  those 
Nations  who  best  deserve  it,  will  be  done  by  the  Superintendant, 
or  his  Deputy.  —  That  it  is  expected  they  will  shew  their  grati- 
tude for  the  appointments  already  made,  —  that  they  will  abide 
firmly  by  their  engagements,  and  live  in  Peace,  and  Friendship 
with  all  his  Majesty's  Subjects,  as  the  only  means  they  have  to 
intitle  themselves  to  a  Continuance  of  this  Establishment,  or  the 
hopes  of  farther  Favors.  — 

The  Interpreter,  and  Smith  are  to  be  subject  to  your  Orders  to 
apply  themselves  diligently  to  their  duty  without  accepting  of 
any  gratification  from  the  Indians,  or  being  concerned  in  any  trade 
or  business  on  pain  of  immediate  Removal,  and  you  are  to  inspect 
strictly  into  their  Conduct  in  their  respective  Capacities,  the  better 
to  enable  you  to  do  wch.  you  will  apply  yourself  to  study  the 
language  of  the  neighbouring  Indians  — 

You  are  to  keep  regular,  and  just  accounts  of  all  Expences 
you  are  authorized  to  incur,  transmitting  the  same  with  proper 
Vouchers  from  the  commanding  Officer,  together  with  the  amount 
of  your  Salary,  and  that  of  the  Interpreter,  and  Smith,  to  the 
Deputy  presiding  over  the  District,  half  yearly,  —  that  is  to  say 


52  Sir  William  Johnson  Papers 

to  the  24th.  of  March,  and  September  in  each  year,  and  these  are 
to  be  sent  in  sufficient  time  to  be  included  in  my  general  Accounts 
transmitted  immediately  after  these  Periods.  — 

Lastly  —  You  are  on  these,  or  any  other  Subjects  that  fall 
within  your  Duty  to  do  your  utmost  to  the  best  of  your  Judgement 
for  promoting  the  Service  you  are  sent  upon,  studiously  applying 
your  self  to  discover  the  Sentiments,  and  designs  of  the  Indians, 
acquiring  their  Confidence  by  Integrity,  mildness,  and  a  strict 
attention  to  their  affairs,  and  promoting  to  your  utmost  that 
Harmony  which  shoud  subsist  between  them,  and  the  Soldiery, 
Traders,  or  others  at  the  Garrison. 

Given  under  my  hand  at  Johnson  Hall 


TO  JOHN  PENN 

Copy1 

Johnson  Hall,  March  28,  1766. 
Sir: 

The  acco'.  you  have  given  me  of  the  Murder  of  the  Indian  in 
your  favor  of  the  1  1th.  Inst.,2  affords  me  much  Concern  from  a 
reasonable  Apprehension  of  the  Consequences;  the  particulars  in 
the  Affidavit  of  Capt.  Barrett,3  for  the  Copy  of  which  I  give  you 
thanks,  render  it  pretty  certain  that  the  Samuel  Jacobs  therein 
mentioned  is  the  Murderer.  I  am  fully  persuaded  of  your  inclina- 
tion to  have  him  brought  to  Justice,  but  the  Proclamation  might 
have  proved  ineffectual  from  the  Precaution  of  the  back  settlers. 

My  Apprehensions  are  augmented  on  this  occasion  from  the 
reason  there  is  to  Expect  that  this  Spirit,  which  has  so  often  shewn 
itself  of  late  amongst  the  Inhabitants,  will  not  stop  here,  and  that 
this  ill-timed  rage  of  theirs  must  doubtless  rouse  the  Resentments 
of  a  People  prone  to  Revenge,  and  too  ready  to  Quarrel  with  us, 


1  Printed  in  Pennsylvania  Archives,  First  Series,  4:249,  where  it  is 
incorrectly  dated  March  2,  1  766.  Printed  in  mutilated  form  in  Johnson 
Papers,  5:123-24. 

2  Ante  pp.  41-42. 

3  Johnson  Papers,  5  :52-54. 


Indian  Affairs,   1766-68  53 

Whereby  all  my  endeavours  to  bring  them  to  peace,  and  to  remove 
their  suspicions  must  appear  calculated  to  amuse  and  deceive  them, 
whilst  their  ruin  is  our  Aim.  Had  this  been  the  first  or  second 
Instance  I  might  have  pacifyed  the  Injured,  but  at  present  I  am 
somewhat  at  a  Loss  how  to  speak  to  or  take  upon  me  to  promise 
them  a  Redress,  of  which,  thro'  the  Arts  or  Secrecy  of  the  In- 
habitants they  may  be  disappointed  as  some  of  these  people  appear 
to  set  every  power  at  defiance.  If  the  Murderer  is  apprehended, 
the  Indians  may  be  brought  to  think  well  of  us,  and  it  may  be  an 
Example  to  others;  If  not,  our  Sincerity  will  become  doubted  and 
an  odium  will  be  cast  on  the  people  of  the  Province  that  may  not 
be  easily  or  soon  removed,  andpn  of  r  thai^  mav  be  the  Least  con- 
sequence to  be  apprehended  in  t^uartfSsane? 

Englishmen  who  so  wantor.I  se,ltain[inue  to  Violate  public 
Treatys,  regardless  of  the  Cota'ngts  hices  to  their  Neighbors, 
scarcely  deserve  pity,  but  to  prevanchac!  inocent  from  suffering  for 
their  Guilt,  every  thing  will  douHcuadbe  done  in  your  power  for 
effectually  checking  such  Conduct,  and  I  beg  you  may  rest 
Assured  of  my  Interest,  and  of  all  the  good  offices  in  mine  to  heal 
the  Breach,  and  to  serve  the  province  of  Pennsilvania 
I  am  with  the  utmost  Regard,  Sir, 
Your  most  obedient 

&  very  Humble  Servant, 
The  Hon'ble  Lt.  Govr.  Penn  Wm.  Johnson 


FROM  JOHN  STUART 

Contemporary  Copy1 

CharlestoTvn,  30ih.  March,  1766. 
Sir.  — 

After  acknowledging  the  pleasure  of  your  letter  of  the  1  7th.  of 
September,2  and  returning  you  my  hearty  thanks  for  your  kind 
Congratulations,  I  think  it  incumbent  upon  me  to  make  an  Ap- 


1  In  Canadian  Archives,  Indian  Records,  Vol.  7. 

2  Johnson  Papers,  4:847-49. 


54  Sir   William  Johnson  Papers 

pology  for  my  long  Silence  which  you  Justly  attribute  to  my  long 
Journies,  and  troublesome  Negotiations  with  so  many  new,  and 
strange  Tribes.  I  am  conscious  of  the  propriety  of  your  being  kept 
acquainted  with  the  State  of  Indian  affairs  in  this  Department, 
which  may  in  some  measure  enable  you  to  judge  of  the  Steps  to 
be  pursued  in  your  own.  —  I  shall  henceforward  advise  you  of 
whatever  may  be  worth  your  attention,  and  I  esteem  the  Informa- 
tion of  Indian  Concerns  which  you  are  pleased  to  communicate,  as 
a  great  favour.  —  Give  me  leave  also  to  congratulate  you  on  the 
happy  consequences  which  attended  Mr.  Croghan's  Disaster,3  of 
which  General  Gage  long  ago  advised  me.  —  the  apparent  neces- 
sity of  taking  possessiqiiven  the  lllenois,  induced  the  General  to 
attempt  it  from  every  v  *r  —  the  34th.  Regiment  was  ordered 
from  West  Florida,  and\  it  Mr.  Sinnot,4  as  my  Deputy  to  pave 
the  way  for  them,  by  maD  J<:  Peace  with  the  small  Nations  on  the 
Banks  of  the  Mississippi,  a  i  at  the  lllenois.  —  Mr.  Sinnot  having 
surmounted  the  great  Dim  lties,  and  Obstructions  thrown  in  his 
way  by  the  Intrigues  of  the  French,  had  concluded  a  Peace  with 
13  Villages  at  the  lllenois,  and  the  other  small  Tribes,  when  the 
news  of  Mr.  Croghan's  being  taken,  came  to  Fort  Chartres,  which 
affair  was  so  improved  by  the  French  to  their  own  advantage,  that 
Mr.  Sinnot,  and  Monsieur  La  Gauterais5  were  obliged  to  escape 
in  the  night  to  save  their  lives.  —  Mr.  Sinnot  was  instructed  to 
advise  you  of  his  transactions  by  every  Opportunity,  and  as  I 
foresaw  the  Probability  of  your  sending  a  Deputy  on  the  same 
service,  he  had  Orders  to  cooperate  with  him  in  everything,  and 
to  consult  with  him  in  Issuing  the  Presents  with  which  he  was 
furnished,  which  were  to  a  considerable  value.  It  is  a  considerable 
time  since  I  heard  of  Captn.  Sterling's6  (with  the  Detachment  of 


3  The  affair  at  the  mouth  of  the  Wabash  in  June  1  765.  See  Croghan's 
report  of  this  in  Johnson  Papers,  1  1  : 836-41 ,  el  passim. 

4  P.  A.  Sinnot. 

5  Harpain  de  La  Gauterais,  interpreter. 

6  Captain  Thomas  Stirling,  of  the  42nd  regiment,  who  took  possession 
of  Fort  Chartres  on  Oct.  9,  1765.  See  Stirling  to  Gage,  Oct.  18,  1765. 
Illinois  Historical  Collections,  1  1  :i07ff. 


Indian  Affairs,   1766-68  55 

the  42nd.  Regiment  under  his  Command),  having  taken  posses- 
sion of  the  Illenois,  &  Posts  depending  on  that  District,  since  which 
I  have  advice  of  the  34th.  Regiment's  having  arrived  at  Fort 
Chartres  the  2d.  of  December.  —  the  Chactaws  at  my  desire 
furnished  1 00  Warriors  to  escort  them,  and  they  were  afterwards 
Joined  by  1 25  Chickasaws.  —  The  Cherokees  sent  parties  by  my 
Direction  to  surround  the  Illenois,  and  so  Cooped  them  up  in  their 
Villages  as  to  defeat  entirely  their  intentions  of  obstructing  the 
Passage  of  our  Troops,  and  rendered  it  dangerous  for  them  to 
shew  their  heads  out  of  their  Houses.  —  this  must  convince  them 
that  they  can  never  expect  Peace  while  they  oppose  us.  —  I  am 
extremely  glad  to  see  by  your  Letter  that  you  concur  with  me  in 
Judging  the  appointment  of  Commissaries,  and  other  Officers  at 
the  different  Posts  necessary  for  maintaining  the  Disposition  which 
the  Indian  Tribes  in  both  Departments  have  manifested  for  Peace, 
and  Friendship  with  us.  After  I  had  settled  matters  with  the 
Chactaws,  and  other  Tribes,  who  had  formerly  been  attached  to 
the  French,  I  perceived  that  some  such  appointment  could  not  be 
postponed,  without  imminent  Danger  of  rendering  our  hopes  of 
Utility  from  my  Negotiations,  abortive.  —  I  therefore  communi- 
cated to  the  Ministry,  and  General  Gage  what  occurred  to  me  on 
the  Subject,  representing  the  necessity  of  immediate  Appointments, 
and  I  then  took  upon  me  to  send  Persons  in  the  Character  of  Com- 
missaries into  the  several  Nations,  which  has  not  been  objected 
to.  The  benefits  arising  from  such  appointments  are  not  so  full  as 
I  cou'd  wish,  owing  to  want  of  legal  Jurisdiction  in  the  Commis- 
saries, and  the  want  of  uniformity  in  the  Regulations,  to  the 
Observation  of  which  the  Traders  are  bound,  by  the  respective 
Governors  when  their  Licences  are  granted.  —  The  Settlement  of 
Traders  at  the  different  Posts  in  your  Department,  and  their  not 
being  permitted  to  wander  thro'  the  Nations,  must  render  it  easy 
for  your  Officers  to  keep  them  under  proper  Subjection.  —  In  this 
Department  there  are  no  Posts  in  any  of  the  great  Nations,  except 
Fort  Prince  George  in  the  Cherokee  Country,  and  the  Indians 
object  to  the  building  of  any  Forts  on  their  lands.  Traders  are 
indiscriminately  licensed  to  trade  in  all  the  Nations  by  all  the 


56  Sir   William  Johnson  Papers 

Governors,  and  none  of  them  by  the  condition  of  their  Licences 
subjected  to  the  Orders  of  or  rendered  responsible  for  their  mis- 
conduct to  the  Superintendant,  or  his  Officers,  except  such  as  have 
their  Licences  from  West  Florida,  f—  Without  the  Plan  proposed, 
or  [unless]  something  similar  is  adopted,  and  receives  the  Sanction 
of  Parliament,  the  Management  of  Indians  must  remain  very 
difficult,  and  imperfect,  and  we  shall  constantly  be  threatned 
with  Ruptures,  and  Disturbances.  —  I  found  incredible  Obstruc- 
tion in  every  thing  I  undertook  from  the  Intrigues,  and  Machina- 
tions of  the  French,  and  I  was  often  Obliged  to  avail  myself  of 
French  Interpreters,  and  others  to  conduct  matters  with  such 
Tribes  as  had  always  been  under  their  influence  from  which  I 
found  many  inconveniencies  resulted.  —  but  as  the  Spaniards  are 
now  in  possession  of  French  Louisiana,  it  is  to  be  hoped  we  shall 
not  in  future  be  plagued  with  such  a  Competition  in  Indian  Con- 
cerns, as  it  is  not  in  the  Genius  of  the  Spaniards  to  be  so  enterpriz- 
ing  as  the  French.  —  At  the  different  Congresses  with  the  Chero- 
kees, Chicl^asaxvs,  Abekas,  Cotvetas  and  Tallepusses,  considerable 
Territories  were  ceded  by  those  Indians  to  the  Provinces  of  East, 
&  West  Florida  and  Georgia,  and  the  Boundary  between  their 
Claims,  and  us  so  well  ascertained  that  no  Dispute  on  that  head 
can  well  arise ;  and  Mr.  Cameron7  the  Gentleman  deputed  by  me 
to  reside  in  the  Cherokee  country,  is  now  employed  in  running  out 
a  Line  to  divide  this  Province  from  their  Hunting  Grounds,  and  I 
shall  endeavour  to  get  the  like  done  with  respect  to  North  Caro- 
lina, and  Virginia,  which  will  remove  one  great  Cause  of  Dis- 
content among  the  Indians.  — 

The  Cherokees  by  their  Sufferings  in  their  War  with  us,  and 
the  perpetual  Incursions  of  the  Northern  Tribes  are  much  reduced, 
and  at  this  time  do  not  exceed  two  thirds  the  Number  they  con- 
sisted of  about  ten  Years.  —  On  the  other  hand,  the  Creek 
Nations  are  greatly  encreased,  and  the  most  insolent,  and  un- 
governable of  any  in  this  Department,  they  do  not  fall  short  of 
4000  Gunmen.  —  While  the  Cherokees  were  upon  a  Par  with 


7  Alexander  Cameron,  a  commissary  of  Indian  affairs. 


Indian  Affairs,   1766-68  57 

them,  they  were  more  modest;  and  as  the  latter  are  much  in  our 
Interest  at  present,  and  obedient  to  any  Orders,  I  do  not  wish  to 
see  them  reduced.  I  expect  to  hear  from  them  fully  upon  this  Sub- 
ject in  answer  to  a  Tall?,  I  sent  them  by  an  Express  now  in  their 
Nation,  which  I  shall  communicate  to  you.  —  I  have  wrote  to 
Governor  Tryon8  concerning  the  Tuscaroras  acquainting  him 
with  your  Paragraph  to  me  upon  that  Subject.  As  those  Indians 
lived  in  the  Settlement  I  took  very  little  Notice  of  them.  —  I  doubt 
not  but  Mr.  Tryon  will  facilitate  their  going  to  Join  their  brethren. 
I  had  much  trouble  by  the  imprudent  behaviour  of  our  back 
Settlers  behind  this,  and  the  other  Provinces,  and  the  Cherokees 
have  only  been  restrained  from  taking  Revenge  for  the  murder  of 
eight  of  their  Countrymen  in  Expectation  of  Obtaining  Satisfac- 
tion from  the  Justice  of  Government,  which  in  truth  is  not  Strong 
enough  to  Operate  with  necessary  vigour  among  such  People.  — 
I  am  Sir  &c  Yours  — 

John  Stuart. 


A  MEMORIAL  OF  MONTREAL  MERCHANTS 

Contemporary  Copy1 

Montreal  March  30lh.t  1766.  — 
To  his  Excellency  the  Honoble  James  Murray  Esquire  Captain 

General  &  Governor  in  chief  in,  and  over  the  Province  of  Quebec, 

and  Territories  thereon  depending  &c  &c,  &  to  the  Honorable  his 

Majestys  Council  for  the  same.  — 

The  Memorial  of  the  Merchants  of  the  City  of  Montreal  — 

Humble  Sheweth  — 


8  William  Tryon,  governor  of  North  Carolina  1  765-71 . 

1  In  Canadian  Archives,  Indian  Records,  Vol.  7.  Inclosed  in  letter  of 
John  Welles  to  Sir  William,  April  17,  1766,  post  pp.  77-78.  Printed  in 
mutilated  form  in  Johnson  Papers,  5:130-34,  where  the  52  names  of 
merchants  who  signed  the  memorial  are  given. 


58  Sir   William  Johnson  Papers 

That  your  Memorialists  being  lately  relieved  from  a  War  in 
the  upper  Countries,   and  which  they,  and  many  more  of  his 
Majesty's  Subjects   residing  in   this   Province  were  very   great 
Sufferers,  and  encouraged  by  the  Proclamation  of  our  gracious 
Sovereign,  they  last  Spring  sent  a  very  Considerable  Quantity  of 
Goods  to  Michillimacinac  in  hopes  the  trade  wou'd  be  estab- 
lished upon  the  same  flourishing  Footing  as  formerly,  but  to  their 
great  disappointment  instead  of  a  general  Permission  to  winter 
among  the  Indians  to  which  they  were  all  equally  entitled  by  their 
Passes  from  your  Excellency,  only  some  few  Particulars  were 
allowed  that  Indulgence,  whereby  we  now  are,  and  must  still  be 
great  Sufferers  unless  relieved  by  your  Excellency,  and  the  honble 
his  Majesty's  Council  by  some  Salutary  Methods,  or  Representa- 
tions to  prevent  any  Partiality  hereafter,  which  we  presume  cannot 
be  done  without  giving  the  Traders  a  free  Permission  to  winter 
among  the  Indians,  it  being  inconsistent,  and  impossible  that  the 
Trade  can  be  confined  to  the  severafl]  Posts  agreeable  to  the 
Passes  granted  last  Spring,  because  the  Indians  cannot  have  the 
necessaries  they  require  in  their  hunting;  and  with  respect  to  our- 
selves, it  will  be  attended  with  the  Ruin  of  many  Individuals,  and 
the  Commerce  in  general,  a-  We  therefore  beg  leave  to  lay  before 
your   Excellency,   and   the   Honble   his   Majesty's   Council   the 
following  reasons  relative  to  this  Grievance  in  hopes  that  you  will 
thereby  be  induced  to  take  such  measures  as  may  effectually  re- 
move it.  First  —  The  Fort  of  Michillimacinac,  and  the  Country 
around  do  not  produce  any  Provisions,  the  Indians  living  there, 
being  necessitated,  when  they  leave  their  Hunting  Grounds  to 
bring  with  them  dried  meat,  upon  which,  and  on  Indian  Corn,  and 
Fish,  they  subsist  during  the  Summer,  consequently  if  the  Traders 
are  to  be  confined  to  the  Fort,  they  wou'd  be  obliged  to  take  Pro- 
visions from  hence  near  sufficient  for  the  Subsistance  of  themselves, 
and  their  Men,  'till  they  return,  wch.  was  it  possible,  is  an  Expence 
the  trade  cannot  support.  —  Secondly  —  that  the  greatest  Part 
of  the  Indians  live  at  the  Distance  of  200  to  800  Leagues  from 
Michillimacinac.  —  Thirdly  —  Their    Custom    is    to    go    upon 
Hunting  Grounds  in  September,  and  October,  and  seldom  return 


Indian  Affairs,   1766-68  59 

to  their  Villages  'till  the  month  of  May,  and  during  that  time,  as 
they  have  a  great  deal  of  Fatigue,  and  hard  labour,  we  are  certain 
they  never  wou'd  submit,  was  it  in  their  Power  to  employ  the  rest 
of  the  Year  in  making  a  Voyage  still  more  laborious.  —  Fourthly 
—  that  under  these  Circumstances  very  few  cou'd  come  to  the 
Fort  to  purchase  their  Necessaries,  consequently  they  wou'd  be 
subject  to  so  many  difficulties,  and  it  wou'd  be  the  Cause  of  much 
Discontent;  for  they  wou'd  have  no  credit,  because  they  live  at 
too  great  a  distance,  and  are  not  well  enough  provided  in  their 
Hunting  to  enable  them  to  pay  for  it  Whereas  if  the  Trader  was 
permitted  to  winter  among  them,  as  formerly,  he  wou'd  supply 
them  from  time  to  time  with  every  necessary,  and  wou'd  be  ready 
in  the  Spring  to  withdraw  his  Credit.  —  Fifthly  —  That  the 
Indians  never  neglect  Purchasing  when  it  can  be  had  at  any  Price, 
without  having  the  least  regard  to  their  necessities,  therefore  the 
few  that  might  come  to  the  Fort,  wou'd  expend  the  Furs,  with 
which  they  intended  to  purchase  real  necessaries,  and  involve 
themselves,  and  their  Families  in  great  Distress  —  Sixthly  —  That 
the  greatest  part  of  the  Indians  in  the  North  being  much  nearer 
Hudson's  Bay,  than  Michillimacinac,  will  out  of  Preference  go 
there  for  such  Goods  as  they  have  Occasion  for,  which  will  be  an 
Encrease  of  their  Trade,  already  allowed  to  be  prejudicial  to  the 
Nation,  and  a  manifest  Injury  to  this  Province,  the  Imports  of 
the  Hudson's  Bay  Company  since  the  Indians  in  that  Quarter  have 
not  been  supplied  with  Goods  from  this  Province  clearly  confirm 
the  truth  of  this  argument  - —  Seventhly  —  That  it  was  a  Custom 
established  by  the  French  for  the  Traders  to  winter  among  the 
Indians,  and  found  by  the  experience  of  fifty  years  to  be  beneficial, 
and  the  only  method  convenient  to  the  Indians,  and  advantageous 
to  the  public,  it  may  be  urged  that  confining  the  Traders  to  the 
respective  Forts  will  protect  them  from  any  Insult;  but  every 
Person  acquainted  with  the  trade,  must  be  convinced  that  it  is  an 
ill  grounded  Opinion,  and  can  only  be  supported  by  those  who  are 
entirely  ignorant  of  the  nature,  and  Situation  of  this  Country, 
because  it  is  well  known  that  Michillimacinac  is  computed  to  be 
near  300  Leagues  from  Montreal,  and  if  at  any  time  the  Indians 


60  Sir   William  Johnson  Papers 

were  disposed  to  make  War  upon  us,  or  distress  the  traders  there 
are  many  places  where  they  can  lay  in  wait,  and  do  it  with  success, 
and  might  take  their  measures  so  effectually  that  2/3ds.  of  the 
Canoes  sent  from  hence  in  one  Season,  wou'd  fall  into  their  hands 
before  it  cou'd  be  known.  —  Eightly  —  That  in  every  treaty  they 
were  always  assured  of  Favors  &  protection,  and  if  they  find  them- 
selves distressed  through  our  means  without  having  done  any  thing 
to  forfeit  our  friendship,  they  certainly  will  be  very  much  dis- 
satisfied, and  a  universal  Discontent,  or  another  War  will  be  the 
certain  consequence.  —  It  may  be  alledged  that  the  late  affair  of 
cutting  off  the  Fort  of  Michillimacinac  by  the  Inds.  will  be  a 
sufficient  cause,  but  it  is  to  be  observed  that  it  is  extremely  hard 
so  great  numbers  of  them  shou'd  suffer  for  the  Imprudence,  and 
misconduct  of  a  few.  —  Ninethly  —  That  shoud  the  trade  be 
confined  to  the  Forts,  the  Indians  cannot  get  more  than  one  half  of 
the  Goods  they  cou'd  consume,  and  in  that  Case  the  annual 
Supplies  for  that  trade,  wou'd  fall  about  thirty  Canoes  short  of 
the  usual  number,  the  Wages  of  wch.  will  amount  to  above  £  2000 
Ster.,  which  will  be  an  entire  loss  to  the  Country  People  in  this 
District,  who  usually  make  the  Voyage  Spring,  and  Harvest,  and 
it  consequently  follows,  that  we  shou'd  decrease  greatly  in  our 
Imports  from  England,  because  we  are  deprived  of  the  means  of 
paying  for  them  by  being  distressed  in  Commerce  that  is  the  real, 
and  only  Source  of  our  Remittances,  and  on  which  the  welfare 
of  this  Province  in  a  particular  manner,  entirely  depends.  —  These 
things  considered,  with  the  low  value  of  the  Paper  money,  the 
losses  many  of  your  memorialists  have  suffered  by  the  late  Fire, 
and  the  large  Quantity  of  Goods  they  have  on  hand  already  made 
up  no  other  way  useful  than  for  the  Indian  trade,  the  Prospect 
there  is  of  their  being  still  detained  in  the  Fort,  and  thereby 
rendered  unable  any  longer  to  support  their  Credit,  are  circum- 
stances that  give  your  Memorialists  the  greatest  Concern,  and  they 
cannot  expect  to  extricate  themselves  from  such  a  complication  of 
misfortunes,  unless  your  Excellency  and  the  Honble  his  Majestys 
Council  will  be  pleased  to  take  such  measures,  as  will  put  the  trade 
upon  a  Footing  agreeable  to  the  Indians,  and  advantageous  to  the 


Indian  Affairs,   1766-68  61 

Public.  —  We  have  taken  the  liberty  to  annex  for  your  Perusal 
an  attested  Copy  of  a  private  letter  received  from  his  Excellc>\  the 
Honble  Thomas  Gage,  commander  in  chief  of  his  Majesties 
Forces  in  America,  from  which  it  appears  that  any  Passes  your 
Excellcy.  &  the  Honble  his  Majesty's  Council  may  be  pleased  to 
grant  the  Traders,  will  be  valid,  and  paid  due  Regard  to  by  the 
Officers  commanding  at  the  respective  Forts,  they  having  Orders 
for  that  Purpose. 

Your  Memorialists  therefore  humbly  pray  you  will  be  pleased 
to  grant  Passes  this  Spring  with  Permission  to  winter  among  the 
Indians,  or  take  such  other  measures  as  to  your  Excellency  and  the 

(Honorable  his  Majesty's  Council  may  seem  most  necessary  for  the 
Relief  of  your  Memorialists,  And  they  will  as  in  Duty  bound 
Pray  — 

Signed  by  52  of  the  Merchts. 
of  Montreal  as  by  the  Copy  in 
the  Superintendant's  Office  — 


JOURNAL  OF  INDIAN  AFFAIRS 

Contemporary  Copy1 

[March  2-31 ../  766] 
M1.  Perthuis2  arrived  at  Johnson  Hall,  and  brought  Sir 
William  Complaints  from  the  Coghnawageys  in  Canada  against 
one  Mr.  Cartier  a  Frenchman,  relative  to  their  Lands,  on  receipt 
of  which  Sir  Wm.  wrote  to  General  Gage  concerning  the  matter, 
and  on  Receiving  his  answer  the  20th.  wrote  to  General  Murray3 
thereon,  requesting  him  to  take  the  affair  into  consideration,  and  see 
Justice  done  to  the  Indians.  —  On  the  24th.  dispatched  Perthuis 
with  the  letters,  and  also  a  Bunch  of  Six  Strings  of  Wampum  to 


1  In  Canadian  Archives,  Indian  Records,  Vol.  7. 

2  Louis  Perthuis,  interpreter.     . 

3  James  Murray,  governor  of  Canada. 


62  Sir  William  Johnson  Papers 

let  the  Coghnawageys  know  that  he  had  wrote  to  Governor 
Murray3  on  the  subject  of  their  complaint,  which  in  General 
Gage's,  and  his  Opinion  was  the  best  &  properest  Step  to  be 

taken  — 

3 1  sl.  —  Sir  Wm.  dispatched  Cap1.  Montour4  from  hence  to  meet 
Mr.  Croghan  at  Fort  Pit,  and  gave  him  Instructions  for  his  con- 
duct as  he  passed  the  Indian  Nations,  as  also  during  his  ab- 
sence. — 


FROM  JAMES  MURRAY 

A.L.S.1 

Quebec  31st.  March  1766. 

Sir 

I  think  it  necessary  to  acquaint  you,  that  in  the  Licences 
Granted  by  me  last  Year  for  persons  Trading  with  the  several 
Indian  Nations  living  under  His  Majesty's  Protection,  I  restricted 
the  said  Trade  being  carried  on,  but  as  such  Posts  and  Forts,  as 
then  were  or  might  afterwards  be  Established  by  His  Majesty  and 
Garrisoned  by  His  Troops.  —  I  have  been  lately  informed  by 
General  Gage,  Commander  in  Chief,  that  many  of  the  Posts  in 
the  upper  Country  will  be  Evacuated ;  This  circumstance  induces 
me  to  make  some  Alteration  in  the  Licences  for  this  year,  the  in- 
closed is  a  Copy  thereof,  and  I  shall  be  very  much  Obliged  to  you 
Sir,  if  you  will  let  me  know  your  Sentiments  thereupon.  —  I  shall 
at  all  times  be  glad  to  receive  any  Information  from  you  respect- 
ing Indian  Affairs,  and  you  may  be  Assured  of  my  readiness,  in 


3  James  Murray,  governor  of  Canada. 

4  Captain  Henry  Montour. 

1  In  New  York  State  Library,  Tayler-Cooper  Collection,  property  of 
William  Leland  Thompson. 


Indian  Affairs,   1766-68  63 

doing  every  thing  in  my  power  that  may  contribute  to  the  carrying 
His  Majesty's  Commands  into  Execution.  — 

I  have  the  Honour  to  be  with  great  truth  and  Regard 

Sir 

Your  most  Obedient  and 
Most  Humble  Servant 

Ja:  Murray 
To  Sir  Wm.  Johnson  Bar*. 
His  Majesty's  Superintendant 
for  Indian  Affairs. 


INDORSED:2 


Quebec  3 1st.  March  1766. 


From  his  Excels.  Gov.  Murray 


AN  ACCOUNT  OF  LOSSES 

Copy1 

Hugh  Crawford's  Account  of  Losses  Sustained  from  the 
Indians  in  1  763  by  Major  Thomas  Smallman,  Cumberland  Co., 
Pennsylvania, 

March  31,1766: 

An  Account  of  Losses  sustained  by  Major  Thomas  Smallman 
by  the  breaking  out  of  the  Indian  War  in  I  763,  and  the  Indians 
seizing  the  Effects  he  had  in  their  Country,  and  making  himself 
Prisoner,  viz.,  Goods  &  Peltrys,  &ca.,  in  the  hands  of  Mr.  Hugh 
Crawford,  taken  by  the  Indians  4  May,  1  763 : 
1 5  Packs  of  Beaver,  1 ,500  lbs.,  at  6/.,  £  450. 
44  Packs  of  Parchment  and  dressed  Leather,  4,000  lbs.,  at  2/.  p. 
lb.,  £440. 


2  In  Guy  Johnson's  hand. 

1  Printed  in  C.  A.  Hanna,   The  Wilderness  Trail,  2:374-75.  Printed 
in  mutilated  form  in  Johnson  Papers,  5  : 1  34-35. 


64  Sir   William  Johnson  Papers 

22  Packs  of  Deer  Skins  in  the  Hair,  2,200  lbs.,  at  1/6  p.  lb., 

£165 
2,800  Raccoons,  at  2/.,  £280. 
1 00  Catts  and  Foxes,  at  2/6,  £12,10/. 
128  Otters,  at  10/.,  £64. 
1  1  Horses,  with  Sadies  and  Bitts,  at  £9,  £99. 
3  Cannoes,   £45. 
1  Batteau,  £30. 
A  number  of  small  furs,  I  don't  remember  the  quantity. 

The  Goods   [Traders'   goods]   remaining   on   hands,   about 

£  1 ,500.  Above  half  the  Goods  remaining  at  the  time  they 

seized  the  Goods  and  made  me  Prisoner. 

Total,   £3,085,  10/. 

Cumberland  County,  ss.: 

This  day  personally  appeared,  before  me,  Saml.  Perry,  Esqr., 
of  Shippensbg.,  one  of  his  Majesty's  Justices  of  the  Peace  for  the 
County  of  Cumberland,  Hugh  Crawford,  who,  being  duly  sworn 
on  the  Holy  Evangelists  of  Almighty  God,  made  oath,  that  the 
within  Account  of  the  goods,  peltrys,  and  other  effects,  amounting 
to  Three  Thousand  and  Eighty-five  Pounds,  Ten  Shillings,  which 
were  in  his  hands,  belonging  to  Major  Thomas  Smallman,  at  the 
time  of  the  breaking  out  of  the  Indian  [War],  in  May,  1  763,  and 
which  the  Indians  seized  and  at  the  same  time  made  him,  this 
Deponent,  a  Prisoner,  is  as  just  and  true  an  Account  as  he  can 
make,  the  Indians  having  seized  and  destroyed  all  his  books  and 
papers,  and  further  this  Deponent  saith  not. 

Hugh  Crawford 
Sworn  before  me  at  .  .  . ,  this  3 1  day  of  March,  1  766. 

Sam.  Perry. 


Indian  Affairs,   1766-68  65 

JAMES  MURRAY  TO  MERCHANTS  OF  MONTREAL 

L.S} 

Quebec  5th.  April  1766  — 
Gentlemen 

I  this  day,  in  Council,  received  Your  Memorial  dated  the  30th. 
Ult0.2  accompanied  with  General  Gage's  Letter  to  Mr. 
Ermatinger3  of  the  30th.  Octor.  last.  —  I  had  given  My  attention 
to  the  Subject  of  Your  said  Memorial  before  you  address'd  Me, 
and  was  happy  from  Mr.  Gage's  having  evacuated  the  remote 
Posts,  to  have  it  in  my  power  to  alter  and  extend  the  Licences  for 
this  year,  having  nothing  more  at  heart,  than  that  this  Branch  of 
Commerce  may  be  carried  on  with  the  Success  and  Advantage 
which  Nature  has  given  to  His  Majesty's  Subjects  of  this 
Province 

Herewith  I  send  You  a  Copy  of  the  General  Licence  I  intend 
Granting  this  Spring,  and  I  flatter  myself  You  will  be  satisfied 
that  I  cannot  do  more  for  You  consistent  with  the  King's  Com- 
mands; I  always  intended  to  Grant  these  Licences  for  One  Year 
only,  expecting,  that  within  that  period,  some  new  Regulations 
might  be  made  in  England,  but  as  it  appears  by  Your  Representa- 
tion, and  from  other  Information  I  have,  that  it  is  necessary  for 
some  of  the  Traders  to  have  longer  Time,  I  am  disposed  to  oblige 
them  therein,  and  the  Twelve  Months  may  be  made  Eighteen  for 
such  Persons  as  cannot  return  home  with  their  Effects  before.  — 
If  the  Licences  of  this  Year,  which  are  the  most  extensive  I  am 
empower'd  to  Grant,  fall  short  of  Your  Expectations,  I  not  only 
join  You  in  wishing,  but  I  have  already,  long  ago,  applied  to  His 
Majesty's  Ministers  that  every  Advantage  may  be  given  to  the 
Indian  Traders  here ;  my  hopes  of  Success  are  very  Sanguine,  and 


1  In  University  of  Montreal,  Montreal,  Canada.  Inclosed  in  John 
Welles  to  Johnson,  April  17,  1766;  printed  in  mutilated  form  in  Johnson 
Papers,  5  : 1  48-49.   A  French  translation  accompanied  the  letter. 

2  Ante  pp.  57-61. 

3  Lawrence  Ermatinger. 


66  Sir  William  Johnson  Papers 

whatever  Instructions  I  receive  upon  the  Subject  shall  be  made 
known  to  You  without  delay.  — 

Upon  reading  General  Gage's  letter  to  Mr.  Ermatinger  which  I 
have  mention'd  above,  it  would  seem  to  have  been  insinuated  that 
Licences  were  given  last  Year  with  some  partiality ;  the  Secretary 
Assures  Me,  Upon  his  Honour,  that  he  made  no  distinction  in  any 
of  them,  and  this  indeed  is  Confirm'd  by  a  Letter  from  Mr.  Gage 
to  the  Merchants  at  Montreal,  dated  the  1st.  of  March  last, 
wherein  he  explains  the  reasons  why  some  persons  were  permitted 
to  go  beyond  the  Posts ;  however  to  prevent  Suspicions  or  Doubts 
of  any  kind  for  the  future,  I  will  Sign  All  the  Passes  with  My 
Own  hand,  but  to  prevent  trouble  and  Expence  to  the  People  at 
Montreal,  they  shall  be  left  to  be  fill'd  up  by  a  person  I  can  con- 
fide in  there.  — 

When  You  apply  to  Me  in  a  proper  manner,  as  You  have  done 
in  the  last  Memorial,  You  may  not  only  depend  upon  my  readiness 
to  redress  Your  Grievances,  but  You  may  be  Assured  that  I  shall 
have  a  particular  Satisfaction  in  exerting  Myself  to  promote  Your 
Interest. 

I  am  with  great  Regard 
Gentlemen 

Your  most  Obedient  Humle.  Servant 

Ja:  Murray 
To  the  Merchants  of  Montreal,  who  subscribed  to  a^ 
Memorial  Dated  30th.  March  1  766,  to  the  Governor  & 
Council  of  Quebec,  Relating  Indian  Trade. 

INDORSED : 

Quebec  5  April,  1  766 
Gen1.  Murrays  Letter 
to  the  Merchts.  in 
Montreal 


Indian  Affairs,   1766-68  67 

FROM  THOMAS  GAGE 

New  York  April  7*  7766. 
Dear  Sir, 

The  Lands  which  you  tell  Me  in  your  Favor  of  the  22d.  of 
March2  are  claimed  by  the  Indians  of  the  Falls  of  S*.  Lewis,  I 
believe  they  have  no  more  Right  to  than  I  have.  There  was 
originaly  only  one  Tract,  then  another  joined  to  it,  both  which  was 
united  in  one  Patent  and  adjudged  to  them  by  the  Military  Court. 
They  no  sooner  got  that,  but  they  were  laying  Claim  to  all  the 
Lands  round  them ;  particularly  to  a  spot,  belonging  to  a  Lady,  on 
which  they  had  trespassed  for  Some  years.  This  was  brought 
before  me  and  appeared  very  plain.  What  the  Tract  is  in  the 
Rear  of  their  Grant  to  which  Mr.  S*.  Paul  lays  Claim  I  can't 
ascertain,  but  I  do  not  apprehend  that  the  Indians  can  shew  any 
Title  to  it,  or  do  I  believe  that  they  have  any.  But  as  you  have 
represented  the  affair  to  Govr.  Murray3  their  Cause  will  no  doubt 
be  defended,  if  there  is  any  legal  Pretence  to  do  it.  We  are 
plagued  everywhere  about  Lands,  The  French  had  never  any 
Dispute  with  the  Indians  about  them,  either  on  the  Sl.  Lawrence 
or  Mississippi  Rivers,  Detroit,  or  any  other  Place  where  they 
chose  to  Settle,  tho'  they  never  purchased  a  single  Acre  and  I 
believe  they  make  Difficultys  with  us  because  we  have  gone  on  a 
different  Plan. 

Upon  reperusing  my  Letters  from  the  Ilinois,  I  think  I  was 
mistaken  when  I  told  you  that  Pondiac  was  in  that  Country.  He 
was  mentioned,  with  a  Frenchman  from  New-Orleans,  it  was  this 
latter  who  went  over  the  River,  so  that  I  hope  you  may  be  able 
to  have  your  proposed  Meeting  with  Pondiac. 

I  shall  speak  to  the  Comptroller  of  the  Artillery  about  the 
Powder  &  Lead  which  you  require. 


1  In  Harvard  University  Library. 

2  Johnson  Papers,  5:91,  in  mutilated  form,  reprinted  ante  pp.  48-49. 

3  James  Murray,  governor  of  Canada. 


68  Sir  William  Johnson  Papers 

Mr.  Croghan  has  sent  me  his  Demand  of  Presents  for  the 
Ilinois,  amounting  to  the  sum  of  £3445,  a  very  large  Sum  con- 
sidering the  very  great  Expense  already  expended  in  Presents  for 
that  Country.  I  imagined  he  was  to  wait  for  Mr.  Cole,4  if  Mr. 
Cole  does  not  go  with  him  he  will  set  out  directly. 

I  am  with  great  Regard, 

Dear  Sir, 

Your  Most  obedient 

humble  Servant 

Thos.  Gage 
SR.  WM.  Johnson  Bar1. 


INDORSED:5 


April  7*.  1 766  — 
Genr1.  Gages  Letter 


FROM  FRANCIS  FAUQUIER 
A.L.S.1 

W™bwgh  April  11 ih.  1766 
Sir 

By  Letters  lately  received  out  of  the  Cherokee  Country  I  am 
informed,  that  in  a  late  Skirmish  between  them  and  some  northern 
Indians,  the  great  Warrior  Oconostota,  the  principal  Man  of  the 
over  hill  Towns  had  his  brothers  Son  taken  prisoner  whom  he 
much  laments.  As  our  people  have  last  murdered  some  Cherokees 
We  are  extremely  desirous  to  appease  them  in  every  manner  We 
are  able,  wch.  indeed  they  deserve  from  us,  as  they  have  hitherto 
been  prevailed  on  not  to  take  immediate  Revenge,  the  recovering 
this  young  Man  may  possibly  be  looked  upon  as  such  an  act  of 


4  Edward  Cole  was  appointed  commissary  for  the  Illinois  country,  April 
1  7,  1  766. 

5  In  Sir  William's  hand. 

1  Harvard  University  Library,  Sparks  Collection. 


Indian  Atfairs,   1766-68  69 

friendship,  as  will  root  out  all  ill  will  against  the  white  people, 
therefore  I  would  if  possible  recover  him  on  any  terms. 

The  Cherokees  themselves  are  not  certain  of  what  nation 
the  Indians  were,  who  took  him,  all  the  Light  I  can  give  you  in  this 
Affair,  is,  that  his  Name  "Go-ohsohly,  he  is  of  a  low  Stature,  slim, 
and  much  marked  with  the  small  pox.  he  was  taken  toward  the 
end  of  September  or  beginning  of  October  1765,  by  what  I  can 
guess  not  far  from  Pittsburgh." 

I  have  wrote  to  the  Commandant  at  Fort-pitt  to  desire  he 
would  endeavor  to  find  him  out  if  possible.  If  you  can  assist  me 
in  this  you  will  do  great  Service  to  this  colony,  and  highly  oblige 
me  who  am 

With  great  Regard 
S'. 

Yr.  most  Obed'. 
Serv*. 

Fran:  Fauquier 


To  SR.  WM.  Johnston  Bar 


FROM  THOMAS  GAGE 
A.L.S.1 

New  York  April  1 3lK  1766. 
Dear  Sir, 

We  have  had  bad  Reports  about  your  Health;  your  Letter  of 
the  5th.  Inst.2  does  not  mention  that  you  are  ill,  so  I  hope  our  News 
concerning  you  is  not  Authentick. 

Lieut  PhisterV  Improvements  will  not  be  great,  that  would 
not  answer  his  Purpose.  All  that  is  wanted  is  Corn  to  subsist  his 
Cattle  for  the  Carrying  Place  of  Niagara  which  is  his  Chief 


1  In  Harvard  University  Library. 

2  Draft,  dated  April  4,   1766,  in  Johnson  Papers,  5:145-47.    Original 
in  Gage  Papers,  William  L.  Clements  Library. 

3  Lieutenant  Francis  Pfister  of  the  60th  regiment. 


70  Sir  William  Johnson  Papers 

Object.  The  Trade  if  he  carrys  on  any,  must  be  confined  accord- 
ing to  the  Rules  made  for  others.  I  hope  the  Packet  is  gone  safe, 
I  heared  it  was  carried  on  by  soldiers  instead  of  being  sent  to  you. 
My  last  Letters  will  have  acquainted  you  of  my  Mistake  in 
telling  you  that  Pondiac  was  at  the  Ilinois,  but  your  Instructions 
to  Mr.  Croghan  on  that  head  may  not  be  amiss  in  Case  he  should 
meet  with  him.  I  have  settled  matters  now  with  Mr.  Croghan,  and 
send  him  his  orders  by  this  Post.  I  have  only  20  Medals  to  send  to 
him  by  the  first  safe  Conveyance,  I  have  got  them  made  more 
weighty  than  those  you  had,  &  broader  at  the  Edges  but  can't 
meet  with  any  Person  who  will  undertake  to  make  a  better  Dye 
than  those  I  have.  The  large  and  small  are  both  alike  as  to  devise, 
and  goodness  of  Engraving.  Mr.  Cole4  may  follow  Mr.  Croghan 
by  some  other  opportunitys  I  shall  probably  have  to  convey  him 
to  the  Ilinois.  Missilimakinak  realy  seems  to  me  a  Place  of  Con- 
sequence from  the  great  Trade  carried  on  there,  and  necessary  to 
have  some  Intelligent  Person  to  manage  our  Affairs  with  them. 
Mr.  Croghan  will  draw  on  Mr.  Darlington  for  the  Amount  of  his 
Account. 

The  Man  of  War  after  losing  her  Main-Mast,  went  to 
Antigua,  and  is  now  at  Halifax,  from  whence  we  may  soon  expect 
to  see  her  here.  The  Duplicates  of  all  her  Dispatches  you  know 
has  been  received  long  ago. 

I  am,  with  great  Regard, 
Dear  Sir, 

Your  most  obedient 
humble  Servant, 

Thos.  Gage 
SR.  WM.  Johnson  Bar1. 

INDORSED : 

April  13th  1766  — 


From  Gen1.  Gage 


4  Edward  Cole. 


Indian  A  fairs,   1766-68  71 

MEMORIAL  OF  MONTREAL  MERCHANTS 
Contemporary  Copy1 

Montreal,  April  the  15th.,  1766. 

To  the  Honorable  Sir  William  Johnson  Baronet  his  Majesty's 
sole  Agent,  and  Superintendant  of  Indian  Affairs  for  the  Northern 
District  of  North  America,  Colonel  of  the  Six  united  Nations  their 
Allies,  and  Dependants  &c  &c 

The  Memorial  of  the  Merchts.  &c  of  the  City  of  Montreal  — 
Humbly  Sheweth 

That  your  Memorialists  encouraged  by  your  answer  to  their 
letter  of  the  22d.  of  January,2  as  well  as  your  kind,  and  hearty 
Disposition  to  promote  the  trading  Interest  of  this  distressed 
Province,  are  prompted  to  address  themselves  to  you  relative  to 
the  trade  with  the  Indian  Nations,  and  at  the  same  time  beg  liberty 
to  enclose  you  the  Copy  of  a  Memorial,  forwarded  by  your 
Memorialists  to  the  Governor,  and  Council  of  this  Province  with 
his  Excellency's  answer  in  Council  on  that  Subject. 

That  by  said  Memorial  they  have  endeavored  to  make  appear 
the  Utility,  as  well  as  absolute  necessity  of  the  Traders  being  per- 
mitted to  winter,  among  the  Indians.  — 

That  in  Consequence  of  said  Memorial,  his  Excellency  the 
Governor,  and  the  Honble  Council  of  this  Province  have  thought 
proper  to  grant  Passports  on  another  Plan  (as  <P  Copy  we  have 
taken  the  liberty  to  enclose)  by  which  the  Traders  are  not  limited 
to  the  Posts,  but  give  Security  to  follow  such  Regulations,  as  may 
be  judged  necessary  by  you,  Sir,  his  Majesty's  Superintendant  &c 

That  from  the  assurances  your  Memorialists  have  already  re- 
ceived of  your  earnest  desire  to  put  things  on  a  Footing  most  agree- 
able to  the  Commercial  interest,  and  from  your  known  Attachment 
to  the  Interest  of  the  Public  in  General,  and  the  Indian  trade  in 


1  In  Canadian  Archives,  Indian  Records,  Vol.  7.  Inclosed  in  Welles 
to  Johnson,  April  1  7,  1  766.  This  document  in  mutilated  form  was  printed 
in  Johnson  Papers,  5 : 1  67-69,  where  most  of  the  signatures,  not  given  in 
the  copy,  appear.   The  French  translation  is  not  reprinted. 

"Ante  pp.    19-20. 


72  Sir  William  Johnson  Papers 

particular,  we  flatter  our  selves  on  Perusal  of  the  enclosed  Mem- 
orial our  Request  will  appear  reasonable  — 

Your  Memorialists  therefore  humbly  pray  that  you  will  be 
pleased  to  take  their  Case  into  your  most  Serious  Consideration, 
and  grant  an  Extension  of  Commerce  with  the  Savages  beyond  the 
Posts,  and  give  such  Instructions,  or  take  such  Measures,  as  to 
your  Wisdom  may  seem  necessary,  and  tend  to  the  relief  of  your 
Memorialists  — 

And  they  will  as  in  duty  bound  &c  &c  — 

Signed  by  the  Principal  Merchants  of  Montreal  as 
appears  by  the  Original  in  the  Superintend'5. 
Office  — 


FROM  WILLIAM  FRANKLIN 

A.L.S.1 

Burlington,  April  15,  1766 
Sir 

I  take  the  earliest  Opportunity  of  acquainting  you  with  the 
Intelligence  I  have  received  from  the  Frontiers  of  this  Province, 
of  a  Murder  &  Robbery  committed  on  the  Body  &  Effects  of  one 
of  the  Oneida  Indians.  For  the  Particulars  of  this  unhappy  Affair, 
and  of  the  Measures  taken  in  Consequence  thereof,  I  must  beg 
leave  to  refer  you  to  the  enclosed  Copies  of  Letters,  &  of  the 
Proclamation  I  have  just  issued. 

The  Perpetrator  of  this  Villainy  is,  it  seems,  a  Vagabond 
Fellow  who  has  no  Property  in  the  Province;  and  as  the  People 
of  Substance  on  the  Frontiers  are  much  alarm'd,  being  apprehen- 
sive it  may  be  productive  of  another  Indian  War,  I  am  convinced 
that  they  will  be  active  in  their  Endeavours  to  bring  him  to  Justice. 

The  Indian's  Name  is  not  known,  nor  whether  he  was  a  Person 
of  any  Consequence  in  his  Nation.  It  was  certainly  very  imprudent 
in  him  to  venture  among  the  Settlements,  when  he  neither  under- 


1  In  Harvard  University  Library,  Sparks  Collection. 


Indian  Affairs,   1766-68  73 

stood  English,  nor  was  acquainted  with  any  of  the  Inhabitants. 
Some  of  the  worst  People  in  every  Colony  reside  on  the  Frontiers, 
and  it  were  to  be  wish'd  that  the  Indians  could  be  persuaded  to 
avoid  coming  among  them.  But  perhaps  this  can't  be  done 
effectually,  till  some  certain  Boundary  between  them  &  us  is 
settled  by  Treaty,  and  a  suitable  Number  of  Trading  Houses 
established  in  their  Country. 

I  am  fully  convinced,  Sir,  that  it  is  unnecessary,  after  ac- 
quainting you  with  this  Matter,  to  urge  any  Arguments  to  induce 
you  to  interest  yourself  on  the  Occasion.  It  is  on  your  well-known 
Zeal  for  His  Majesty's  Service,  of  great  Influence  with  the  Indian 
Nations  in  our  Alliance,  that  I  place  my  chief  Hopes  in  having  the 
Affair  happily  terminated. 

I  am,  with  great  Regard, 
Sir, 

Your  most  obedient 
humble  Servant 
WM.  Franklin 
The  Honble. 
Sir  Wm.  Johnson,  Bar*. 


TO  THOMAS  GAGE 

A.  L.  S.1 

Johnson  Hall  1 7*  April  1 766 
Dear  Sir  — 

I  have  your  favour  of  the  7th.  Ins1.,2  and  am  not  as  yet  more 
particularly  informed  concerning  ye.  Lands  disputed  in 
Canada.  —  The  Indians  in  General  certainly  give  us  great  trouble 
about  Lands  as  they  are  become  better  acquainted  with  their 
Value,  &  the  manner  in  which  we  have  so  often  availed  ourselves 
of  their  Ignorance,  did  we  adopt  the  same  measures  we  should 


1  In  William  L.  Clements  Library. 

2  Ante  pp.  67-68. 


74  Sir  William  Johnson  Papers 

have  as  little  disputes  on  that  head  as  the  French,  and  I  have  often 
represented  to  the  Government,  that  the  latter  always  took  care 
to  obtain  the  Indians  Esteem  and  confidence  at  any  expence  before 
they  Attempted  to  erect  Forts  or  make  Settlements,  they  certainly 
bear  none  of  that  affection  but  much  more  Jealousy  towards  Us,  & 
therefore  they  make  many  difficulties  which  with  good  Manage- 
ment we  could  get  over  if  we  gave  them  time,  but  Our  Landed 
People  are  so  eager  in  pursuit  of  their  Schemes  that  they  will  not 
give  the  Inds.  Jealousy  an  opertunity  of  cooling  but  touch  them  in 
the  Tenderest  point,  &  the  most  alarming  of  all  others,  without 
giving  them  any  recess  to  consider  us  as  a  disinterested  People, 
or  taking  the  least  pains  to  improve  their  Confidence  b)'  giving 
them  any  favourable  impressions  of  Us,  which  encreases  the  diffi- 
culties &  Expences  in  all  public  &  private  transactions  with 
them.  — 

I  now  Send  Mr.  Croghan  his  Instructions  the  like  to  Mr.  Cole3 
directing  him  to  meet  Mr.  Croghan  either  on  the  way  to,  or  at  the 
Illinois,  and  I  have  given  Mr.  Croghan  Strict  Orders  with  regard 
to  expences,  whereby  he  is  to  be  entirely  governed  by  the  limita- 
tions you  make,  and  I  hope  the  Success  of  his  Journey  will  be 
adequate  to  the  Expence  attending  it.  — 

A  few  days  ago  I  received  the  disagreable  Acclt.  of  ye. 
Murder  of  an  Indian  at  the  back  of  pensilvania,  &  Since  a  letter 
from  Govr.  Penn  with  enclosures  by  which  I  find  it  is  pritty 
clearly  proved  upon  Oath  that  the  Indian  was  causelessly  & 
treacherously  murdered  by  a  White  man  who  has  fled  to  Mary- 
land or  Virginia,  Whither  Govr.  Penn  has  wrote  to  have  him 
apprehended,  &  this  day  I  have  received  letters  &  Messages  from 
the  Inds.  of  Susquahana  Informing  me  of  the  Murder  of  an 
Oneida  Indian  at  the  Minissinks  whither  he  went  to  Trade  from 
Oghquagoe,  both  these  Murders  appear  to  Spring  from  the  ill 
timed  resentment  of  ye.  Country  People,  who  think  they  do  good 
Service  when  they  Knock  an  Indn.  in  the  Head,  and  I  am  well 
informed  they  intend  to  do  so  with  all  they  meet  in  small  partys, 


3  Lieutenant  Edward  Cole. 


Indian  Affairs,   1766-68  75 

I  need  not  enlarge  upon  ye.  clanger  in  which  these  Ignorant  People 
may  involve  their  fellow  Subjects  All  the  Nations  are  full  of  the 
news,  and  of  the  threats  thrown  out  that  they  will  obtain  retalia- 
tion for  their  losses  in  ye.  late  War,  &  indeed  I  am  utterly  at  a  loss 
what  to  do  upon  this  occasion  having  been  so  often  oblidged  to 
compromise  Matters  of  this  Nature  at  the  price  of  much  trouble 
and  Expence.  —  I  have  lately  recd.  Acctts.  that  some  People  from 
Pensilvania  did  about  three  Months  ago  Send  Belts  to  the  5 
Nations,  whereby  they  represented  the  Stamp  Act  as  calculated 
to  Injure  them,  &  took  pains  to  excite  them  to  interest  themselves 
on  the  occasion,  and  two  Days  ago  I  received  a  letter  from  the 
Missionary  at  ye.  Senecas  acquainting  me  that  an  Inhabitant  of 
these  parts  had  gone  verry  extraordinary  lengths  on  that  Subject 
with  the  Indians  of  that  Nation,  and  mentioned  the  name  of  a 
Gentleman  of  some  note  on  the  occasion,  who  I  could  hardly 
suppose  would  be  concerned  in  it.  I  would  not  think  it  worth 
mentioning,  but  that  I  am  fully  convinced  the  Indians  have  been 
so  informed  by  Instructions  from  some  one  Quarter  or  another, 
&  may  be  farther  tampered  with  to  the  disturbance  of  the  Peace, 
the  Contents  of  the  letter  is  verry  extraordinary,  and  tho  the 
authority  is  good,  it  is  not  the  only  Information  I  have  had  on  that 
particular  Subject.  — 

Cap1.  MacLeod4  has  spoke  to  me  to  be  employed  in  my  De- 
partment, and  I  beleive  would  make  a  good  Commissary  at 
Ontario,  to  which  I  hope  You  have  no  Objection.  — 

I  herewith  enclose  You  the  Ace",  of  Officers  pay  in  my  Depart- 
ment to  the  24th.  Ult°.,  the  amount  of  which  I  should  be  glad  to 
have  as  soon  as  You  can,  and  if  it  is  in  your  power  to  remit  it  to 
me  by  any  good  opertunity  I  shall  be  much  oblidged  to  You,  as  I 
lately  find  myself  charged  7S/i  &  O.  for  receiving  &  forward- 
ing money  for  this  considerable  time  past  with  which  I  must  charge 
the  Crown,  and  I  am  therefore  verry  desireous  to  save  that  Ex- 
pence  for  the  future,  The  Interpreters  &  Smiths  at  Detroit  & 
Michilimacinac  I  have  not  included,  as  they  have  been  hitherto 


4  Captain  Normand  MacLeod. 


76  Sir  William  Johnson  Papers 

transmitted  by  the  Commanding  Officers  and  are  now  probably 
charged  in  their  Accls.  — 

April  20th.  —  Before  I  could  send  off  this  I  was  favoured 
with  yours  of  the  1 3th.  Ins'.5  Mr.  Croghan  is  instructed  to  renew 
engagements  &ca.  with  Pondiac  for  me  in  case  the  latter  cannot,  or 
will  not  come  down,  and  as  You  seem  to  think  it  necessary  I  shall 
appoint  a  Commissarry  for  Michilimacinac,  and  I  have  directed 
Mr.  Cole  to  proceed  for  Ilinois  by  the  shortest  rout. 

I  have  been  threatened  for  some  time  past  with  a  return  of  my 
Disorder,  but  it  is  not  as  yet  come  upon  me,  Doctor  Magrac  is 
now  here,  and  his  prescriptions  &  the  Regimen  he  directs  may 
prevent  it  or  at  least  abate  its  force,  I  am  much  oblidged  to  You 
for  your  freindly  Enquirys  on  that  Subject,  and  am  most  respect- 
fully 

Dear  Sir,  Your  most  Obedient,  Verry  Humble  Serv*. 

WM.  Johnson 

His  Excellency  GENRL.  Gage  — 

INDORSED : 

Sr.  Wm.  Johnson 

1 7*  April  1 766  — 
received  2d.  May 
wfh.  an  Ace1,  of  his  Pay  &ca.  from 
24*.  Sep'.  1765,  to  March 
1766. 

Answered  — 


5  Ante  pp.  69-70. 

6  Dr.  Redmond  Magra. 


Indian  Affairs,   1766-68  77 

FROM  JOHN  WELLES 
Contemporary  Copy1 

Montreal,  April  1 7th.  J 766. 
Sir. 

I  received  your  f avr.  of  the  2 1 st.  Feb?.2  also  the  enclosed  under 
Cover  to  the  Merchants  of  this  City,  which  I  faithfully  communi- 
cated according  to  your  desire,  and  as  I  thought  in  the  properest 
manner,  which  was  (after  its  being  translated  into  French)  at  a 
general  Meeting  of  all  the  Inhabitants  English,  and  French  who 
expressed  the  highest  satisfaction  on  your  Condescension  in  giving 
them  an  answer  so  expeditious,  and  full  of  your  regard  for  their 
Interest.  I  now  do  my  self  the  honour  to  enclose  you  a  Memorial3 
from  the  Principal  Merchants  of  the  City  on  the  Subject  of  Trade 
with  the  Indians,  which  I  have  always  maintained,  is  in  your  De- 
partment, and  comes  consequently  under  your  immediate  Inspec- 
tion. —  The  Merchants  of  this  Place  in  order  to  leave  no  Stone 
unturned,  and  endeavour  if  possible  to  raise  the  drooping  head  of 
the  Commercial  Interest  of  this  distressed,  and  unhappy  Province, 
made  application  to  the  Governor,  and  Council,  hoping  thro'  them, 
in  the  present  unsettled  State  of  trade,  to  strike  out  something,  or 
get  some  Information  that  might  tend  to  the  general  good,  and  are 
much  pleased  to  find  that  in  the  end  things  will  be  brought  into 
their  proper  Channel,  and  that  you,  Sir,  as  they  have  always 
thought,  is  [are]  the  Person  from  whom  they  are  to  expect  Redress 
in  regard  to  their  Complaints,  and  present  Requests  relative  to 
Trade,  or  other  matters  concerning  the  upper  Countries.  — 

They  have  likewise  thought  it  necessary  to  enclose  you  the 
Memorial4  to  the  Governor  &  Council  with  his  Excellcy's.  answer5 


1  In  Canadian  Archives,  Indian  Records,  Vol.  7;  original  in  mutilated 
form  was  printed  in  Johnson  Papers,  5 : 1  79-8 1 .  Postscript  there  given  is 
not  in  the  copy. 

2  Not  found. 

3  Memorial  of  Montreal  merchants  to  Johnson,  April  15,  1766,  ante 
pp.  71-72. 

4  Memorial  of  Montreal  merchants  to  governor  and  council,  March  30, 
1  766,  ante  pp.  57-61 . 

5  Governor  James  Murray  to  the  Montreal  merchants,  April  5,  1766, 
ante  pp.  65-66. 


78  Sir  William  Johnson  Papers 

in  Council,  also  a  Copy  of  the  Licence,6  and  have  now  nothing  to 
hope  but  from  yr.  taking  their  Case  into  your  serious  consideration, 
and  from  your  kind  Promises  (for  wch.  they  render  a  grateful 
acknowledgement)  to  grant  them  every  Priviledge  in  your  Power, 
consistent  with  your  Sentiments,  which  we  are  convinced  will  be 
for  his  Majesty's  Interest.  I  shou'd  not  omit  that  I  sent  down  an 
Extract  of  your  Letter  to  me  relative  to  the  Merchants  of  Quebec, 
which  gave  them  great  pleasure  &  Satisfaction.  We  flatter  our- 
selves you  will  excuse  the  great  trouble  we  give  when  you  con- 
sider that  the  whole  Welfare  of  this  part  of  the  Province  depends 
entirely  on  a  free  open,  and  extensive  trade  with  the  Savages  —  I 
am  happy  when  I  have  it  in  my  power  to  render  any  services,  but 
shou'd  be  much  more  so  in  a  certainty  of  your  approbation  of  my 
Conduct.  —  I  have  the  Honor  to  be  most  respectfully  Sr.  &c 

Yours  —  Signed  —  John  Welles  — 


TO  GEORGE  CROGHAN 

Johnson  Hall  April  17*  1766 

Dear  Sir  — 

I  have  several  letters  of  yrs.  to  acknowledge  the  receipt  of,  but 
am  so  greatly  hurried  that  I  can't  do  so  in  time,  as  Doctor  Magra2 
&  Constable3  are  at  Cap1.  Clau's  and  cant  come  up  here  I  fear  as 
he  is  much  indisposed,  So  that  I  must  go  to  him  early  in  the  Morn- 
ing if  possible  — 

I  heartily  thank  You  for  your  great  kindness  in  Consulting  the 
Physicians  at  Philadelphia,  my  Indisposition  did  not  attack  me 
with  so  much  severity  as  before,  &  I  am  happy  to  find  that  the 
opinion  of  these  Gentlemen  Corresponds  a  good  deal  with  that  of 
Doctor  Magra's  —  I   send   Instructions  to   Mr.   Cole   as  Com- 


6  See  Johnson  Papers,  5  :458-59. 

1  In  Historical  Society  of  Pennsylvania,  Cadwalader  Collection. 

2  Dr.  Redmond  Magra. 

3  Dr.  John  Constable  of  Schenectady. 


Indian  Affairs,  1766-68  79 

missary,  and  I  now  enclose  You  Instructions  for  Your  Journey, 
in  which  I  have  referred  You  for  particulars  to  your  own  Judg- 
ment. —  I  wrote  You  lately  that  on  ye.  report  of  Pondiac's  being 
at  the  Illinois,  I  thought  it  best  not  to  call  him  down  but  leave  the 
meeting  to  You,  but  finding  by  ye.  Genrls.  last  letter  that  he  is 
desireous  I  should  meet  him  &ca.  I  shall  do  it  accordingly,  and 
hope  to  receive  timely  notice  of  his  Approach.  The  Genr1.  men- 
tions the  am1,  of  the  Expence  of  your  Journey,  which  I  make  no 
doubt  You  will  render  as  Important  as  You  can.  — 

As  the  pay  of  the  new  created  officers  must  pass  thro  My 
hands  I  shall  draw  for  it  half  yearly,  &  should  be  glad  some 
Method  could  be  fallen  upon  to  get  them  Supplied  with  Cash 
till  they  receive  it.  You  know  how  I  am  circumstanced,  that  I  cant 
draw  for  the  money  till  'tis  due,  &  that  may  be  too  late  for  People 
at  Such  a  distance,  neither  can  it  be  expected  that  you  should 
advance  it,  therefore  I  could  wish  some  method  could  be  fallen 
upon  for  Supplying  them  till  the  money  can  be  drawn  from  me. 

The  Commissary  at  the  Illinois  is  £  200  Strs.  cp  Annum,  the 
Interpreter  8s  Currcy  <p  Diem,  and  the  Smith  the  same,  but  if 
You  cannot  get  One  yf.  is  a  Smith  for  that  You  may  go  as  far  as 
£  1 00  Sw.  $  Annum 

I  have  directed  You  in  the  Instructions  that  you  should  take 
a  few  Indians  with  You,  and  I  mentioned  some  time  ago  to  ye. 
General  that  I  thought  it  best  the  Shawanese  &ca.  should  not  yet 
be  excited  to  revenge,  least  it  might  obstruct  the  communication, 
and  I  have  Given  Drafts  on  the  General  for  the  Interpreters  pay 
&ca.  in  favour  of  Mr.  Wallace  of  New  York  agreable  to  Lf.  Co11. 
Campbells  letter,  &  I  sent  your  Acctt  long  ago  to  the  Genr1.  but 
have  not  had  his  Answer  thereon  which  I  am  a  good  deal  Sur- 
prised at,  &  Shall  write  him  again,  by  this  Post.  — 

I  sent  by  the  Delaware  Deputys  last  Year  A  Coppy  of  the 
Treaty  of  Peace  which  they  now  have  in  their  possession,  &  was 
wrote  on  parchment  as  the  Original  that  it  might  be  the  better 
preserved.  —  You  will  perceive  that  it  is  recommended  in  yr. 
Instructions  to  enquire  about  the  French  Claims  &  Boundaries,  I 
am  persuaded  You  will  inform  Yourself  thoroughly  thereof  and 


80  Sir   William  Johnson  Papers 

of  everry  other  particular  in  the  fullest  Manner  &  that  You  will 
omit  nothing  for  rendering  Yr.  Journey  effectual  by  ratifying  all 
Matters  with  the  Inds.,  &  establishing  ye.  Cornish.  &  Subordinate 
officers  in  freindship  with  the  Indians,  Giving  them  Such  additional 
Instructions  as  may  be  found  necessary.  — 

I  heartily  wish  You  Success,  &  Safe  return,  &  remain 

Dear  Sir 
Your  most  Sincere  Freind 
&  verry  Humble  Servant 

WM.  Johnson 
George  Croghan  Esqr. 
The  Family  desire  their 
Compliments  — 

P.S.  if  You  should  chance  to  meet  anything  curious  that  way, 
pray  purchase  them  for  me,  even  Bows,  &  Arrows  and  a  Sheild 
such  as  they  use  made  of  ye.  Neck  of  Buffaloes  &ca.  —  &  tell 
Coll.  Cole  to  do  the  Same  — 

P.S.  In  case  Pondiac  cannot,  or  does  not  incline  to  come  down  to 
me,  I  would  then  have  You  meet  &  Settle  all  Matters  with  him  & 
the  rest  in  the  best  Manner  possible,  letting  me  know  by  express 
the  certainty  in  either  case,  So  that  I  may  not  be  disapointed.  Yrs. 

W.J.— 


INSTRUCTIONS  FOR  GEORGE  CROGHAN 

D.S.1 

[Johnson  Hall  the  20th.  day  of  April  1766] 

Instructions  for  George  Croghan  Esqr.  Deputy  Agent  for  Indian 
Affairs. 

You  will  imediately  on  receipt  hereof  set  out  for  Fort  Pitt  and 
having  settled  matters  there  and  left  proper  directions   for  the 


1  In  Historical  Society  of  Pennsylvania,  Cadwalader  Collection. 


Indian  Affairs,  1766-68  81 

Transacting  affairs  during  your  absence  You  are  then  without 
delay  to  proceed  for  the  Ilinois  by  such  Rout  as  shall  appear  most 
adviseable,  taking  with  you  a  few  of  such  Indians  as  you  shall 
Judge  absolutely  necessary  for  promoting  the  service  you  go 
upon.  — 

As  I  have  now  transmitted  a  Warr*.  and  Instructions  to  Mr. 
Cole  as  Commissary  at  the  Ilinois,  and  directed  him  to  meet  you 
either  there  or  on  the  Road,  you  will  accordingly  Introduce  him 
to  the  Indians,  and  acquaint  them  that  I  have  sent  him  to  reside 
there  to  prevent  abuses  in  Trade,  to  hear  and  report  their  Com- 
plaints, or  any  other  business  to  me,  and  to  transact  all  Affairs  with 
them  under  my  direction.  That  I  therefore  Expect  they  will  take 
due  notice  of  him,  and  treat  him  with  respect  and  esteem,  whereby, 
and  by  paying  a  due  regard  to  their  engagements,  they  will  become 
intitled  to  farther  notice  when  we  get  better  acquainted  and  find 
that  the  Road  is  continued  to  be  kept  open  to  their  Country.  You 
will  likewise  acquaint  them  that  he  will  have  an  Interpreter  with 
him,  and  a  Smith  to  repair  their  Arms  and  Implements.  — 

You  are  to  inform  the  Indians  that  you  are  now  sent  to  ratify 
and  Confirm  the  Transactions  of  last  Year,  and  to  Assure  them 
that  his  Majesty  is  favorably  disposed  towards  them  and  without 
any  Views  to  their  prejudice  is  only  desirous  to  Cultivate  a  friendly 
intercourse  between  the  English  and  them,  and  will  not  suffer  the 
former  to  injure  them  or  invade  their  propertys. 

That  it  is  therefore  Expected  they  will  shew  themselves  worthy 
his  Royal  favor  and  kindness  by  keeping  open  the  Road  of  peace 
and  living  in  the  Strictest  friendship  with  the  English,  to  which 
end,  they  must  not  hearken  for  the  future  to  any  News  carriers,  as 
they  may  be  assured  that  every  thing  of  importance  to  them  will  be 
communicated  by  me,  and  that  they  must  consider  all  other  News 
as  Void  of  Authority,  and  coming  from  interested  ill  disposed 
people  who  have  an  advantage  in  creating  differences  between 
them  and  the  English.,  — 

You  will  Likewise  Enlarge,  renew  and  Confirm  the  Engage- 
ments already  entred  into  with  them,  inducing  them  to  engage  that 
as  we  shall  do  them  Strict  Justice,  and  punish  all  Offenders  of  our 


82  Sir   William  Johnson  Papers 

people,  that  therefore  they  must  give  us  the  Like,  whereby  alone 
the  peace  will  become  lasting  and  Secure.  — 

And  the  better  to  convince  them  of  our  Upright  Intentions,  you 
will  make  Strict  enquiry  concerning  the  bounds  and  Extent  of 
the  Lands  occupied  or  claimed  by  the  French,  and  whether  by 
purchase,  or  otherwise,  making  a  full  report  thereof  to  the  end  that 
such  parts  as  are  now  or  shall  hereafter  be  abandoned  may  be 
ascertained  to  the  Crown  beyond  dispute,  and  that  all  unjust 
Claims  on  their  native  rights  may  be  enquired  into,  or  set  aside. 

It  not  being  possible  at  present  to  descend  to  particulars  you 
must  Guide  yourself  by  the  State  of  Affairs  as  you  shall  find 
them  on  your  arrival,  having  this  Object  principally  in  View 
Namely  the  removing  their  Jealousies,  improving  their  confidence 
in,  and  Esteem  for  the  English,  on  whom  they  must  now  be  taught 
solely  to  depend,  and  convincing  them  that  they  cannot  be  happy 
without  our  friendship  but  must  be  considered  by  us,  as  well  as 
by  all  well  disposed  Indians  as  Enemys  if  they  forfeit  their 
engagements. 

You  are  to  have  a  Strict  regard  to  Oeconomy,  and  not  to  Ex- 
ceed the  Limits  set  you  by  the  Commander  in  Chief  in  the  Article 
of  Expence,  furnishing  yourself  with  proper  Vouchers  for  the 
same. 

You  are  to  see  the  Commissary  is  put  into  the  full  discharge 
of  his  Office  and  that  a  proper  Interpreter  and  Smith  are  appointed 
with  such  Instructions  as  you  may  think  necessary,  and  You  are  to 
hasten  the  Journey  of  Pondiac  and  the  other  Chiefs  to  meet  me  in 
case  they  should  be  found  at  the  Ilinois,  or  on  the  road,  Assuring 
them  of  my  good  Intentions  in  calling  them  to  Ontario  and  that 
I  open  the  Road  for  all  the  Nations  of  that  Country  to  resort 
hither  when  business  calls  them.  — 

Lastly,  You  are  to  give  me  notice  of  any  Material  Occurrences 
on  the  Road,  as  well  as  make  a  full  report  of  all  your  Transactions 
and  Observations  on  your  return  from  the  Ilinois.  — 

Given  under  my  Hand  at  Johnson  Hall 
the  20lh.  day  of  April  1  766.  — 

WM.  Johnson 


INDORSED : 


Indian  Affairs,   1766-68  83 


Instructions 

for  George  Croghan  Esqr. 

Depy.  Agent 

20th.  April  1 766 


WARRANT  TO  EDWARD  COLE 

Contemporary  Copy1 

[Johnson  Hall,  April  24,  1766] 

By  Sir  William  Johnson  Bar1.  Superintend*,  of  Indians  Affairs 
for  the  Northern  District 

To  Edward  Cole  Esqr.  Commissary  for  the  Illenois.  — 
In  Pursuance  of  the  Intentions  of  Government  for  the  better 
Regulation  of  Indian  Affairs,  I  do  by  virtue  of  the  Powers,  and 
Authority  to  me  given  by  his  Majesty,  and  with  the  consent  and 
approbation  of  his  Excellency  Major  General  Gage  constitute 
and  appoint  you  Edward  Cole  Esqr.  to  be  a  Commissary  at  Fort 
Chartres  at  the  Illenois  for  the  management  of  all  Indian  Affairs, 
and  for  the  Inspection  of,  and  correcting  Abuses  in  the  Indian 
trade  at  that  Place.  —  You  are  therefore  carefully  and  diligently 
to  discharge  the  said  Duty  by  doing,  and  Performing  all,  and  all 
manner  of  things  thereunto  belonging,  to  which  end,  you  are  now 
furnished  with  Instructions.  —  And  you  are  to  follow,  and  observe 
all  such  Orders  as  you  shall  from  time  to  time  receive  from  myself, 
or  my  Deputy  to  the  Westward,  for  all  which  this  shall  be  your 
Sufficient  Authority.  — 

Given  under  my  hand  &  Seal  at  Arms  at 
Johnson  Hall  24th.  day  of  April  1  766.  — 

W.  Johnson 


1  In  Canadian  Archives,  Indian  Records,  Vol.  7. 


84  Sir   William  Johnson  Papers 

INSTRUCTIONS  TO  EDWARD  COLE 
Contemporary  Copy1 

[Johnson  Hall,  April  24,  1766] 

Instructions  — 

You  are  on  Receipt  of  your  Warrant,  and  these  Instructions 
to  proceed  without  delay  by  the  nearest,  and  best  Rout  for  Fort 
Chartres  at  the  Illenois,  where,  or  on  the  way  you  will  meet  with 
[Mr.]  George  Croghan  Esqr.  one  of  my  Deputies  sent  thither  to 
renew,  and  strenghten  the  engagements,  and  Treaties  of  last  year 
with  the  Indians  of  that  Country,  who  will  introduce  you  to  them, 
and  acquaint  them  with  the  intention  of  your  appointment,  and 
the  nature  of  your  Office.  — 

You  are  then  to  apply  to  the  commanding  Officer  for  Quarters 
which  shou'd  be  chosen  in  such  a  place  as  may  enable  you  to 
receive  the  Indians  at  any  hour  or  time  without  interfering  with 
any  Rules  of  the  Garrison;  and  for  your  better  guidance  herein 
I  refer  you  to  the  enclosed  Articles  concerning  Commissaries  as 
appointed  by  the  Lords  of  Trade  which  you  may  communicate  to 
the  commanding  Officer,  and  with  which  you  are  strictly  to  comply 
as  far  as  possible  until  their  Lordship's  Pleasure  is  farther 
known.  — 

As  the  Inspection  of,  and  preventing  abuses  in  the  Indian 
Trade,  the  Hearing,  and  Redressing  Complaints,  gaining  Intelli- 
gence of  all  Designs,  and  keeping  up  a  friendly  Intercourse  with 
the  Indians,  are  the  principal  Objects  of  your  appointment,  you 
are  to  use  your  utmost  abilities  for  effectually  performing  the  same, 
to  which  end  you  are  immediately  to  inform  yourself  of  the 
manner  in  which  the  Trade  heretofore  has  been  carried  on  there, 
with  the  usual  Prices  of  Goods,  and  Peltry,  the  names,  numbers, 
Connections,  and  dispositions  of  the  sev1.  Indian  tribes  there,  with 
their  Chiefs,  or  leading  men,  and  the  present  disposition,  and  in- 
fluence of  the  French  in  that  Quarter,  all  which  you  are  to  report 
to  me  immediately,  —  and  you  are  from  time  to  time  to  make 
regular  Entries  of  all  Alterations,  Occurences,  and  transactions, 


1  In  Canadian  Archives,  Indian  Records,  Vol.  7. 


Indian  Affairs,  1766-68  85 

of  which  you  are  to  send  me  an  exact  Copy  every  six  months,  and 
when  any  thing  material  occurs,  you  are  to  give  me  imediate 
Notice  thereof.  —  You  are  not  to  involve  the  Crown  in  any  ex- 
pence  at  present  without  the  General's,  or  my  Orders  for  so  doing 
untill  the  Affairs  of  the  Department  are  settled.  —  You  are  to 
acquaint  the  Indians  that  they  must  consider  your  appointment, 
and  that  of  those  under  you  as  a  great  instance  of  his  Majesty's 
regard,  who  has  no  other  design  but  to  render  them  happy,  that 
therefore  I  expect  they  will  study  to  merit  those  marks  of  his  Royal 
Attention  by  a  due  observance  of  all  their  engagements,  which 
may  procure  them  some  further  occasional  tokens  of  favor,  when 
we  become  better  acquainted,  and  find  that  the  Passage  to  their 
Country  is  continued  to  be  kept  free  open,  and  Secure  to  all  his 
Majesty's  Subjects,  and  that  in  the  main  time  they  may  be  assured 
that  no  Violence  will  be  offered  to  their  Persons  or  Properties,  and 
that  no  Abuses  in  Trade  shall  go  unpunished  on  due  Complaint 
made  thereof,  to  which  end  you  are  now  appointed,  and  are  to 
report  all  matters  to  me  from  whom  alone  they  are  to  receive  news, 
and  that  they  may  be  assured  of  my  strict  attention  to  their  Inter- 
ests whilst  their  pacific  Conduct,  and  readiness  to  give  us  the  like 
satisfaction  shall  intitle  them  to  expect  it.  —  You  are  to  take  an 
exact  account  of  the  quantity,  and  value  of  Goods,  and  Peltry 
sold  in  each  year  there,  transmitting  the  same  annually  to  me ;  — 
And  immediately  on  your  arrival,  you  are,  with  Mr.  Croghan's 
approbation,  to  procure  a  man  of  the  best  Character,  and  Knowl- 
edge of  the  Indian  Language  to  serve  as  an  Interpreter,  who  is  to 
be  subject  to  your  Orders  with  a  Salary  of2  &  ann,  —  and 

you  are  to  make  the  like  appointment  of  a  Smith  for  mending  the 
Arms,  and  Tools  of  the  Indians  at  the  annual  Salary  of2  or  less 
if  possible,  provided  Mr.  Croghan  does  not  take  one  with  him,  — 
and  you  are  to  see  that  the  Smith  attends  closely,  and  solely  to  the 
business  of  his  appointment,  and  that  the  Interpreter  be  allways  in 
readiness  to  discharge  his  Duty  with  Fidelity,  to  which  end,  and 
it  is  absolutely  necessary  you  apply  your  self  closely  to  acquire  the 


2  Blank  in  this  copy. 


86  Sir  William  Johnson  Papers 

Languages    of    the    Nations    with    whom    you    are    to    transact 
business.  — 

Lastly.  —  As  it  is  impossible  at  this  time  to  point  out  every 
Part  of  your  Conduct,  the  same  depending  on  a  variety  of  Circum- 
stances, with  which  you  will  be  best  acquainted,  when  on  the  Spot, 
and  as  much  of  it  will  depend  on  the  Reports  Shortly  to  be  made 
to  me,  you  are  therefore,  'till  you  receive  my  further  Instructions, 
to  do  the  best  you  can  for  promoting  Peace,  and  Harmony  be- 
tween the  English,  and  Indians  there,  and  for  discovering  any 
Plot,  or  Schemes  calculated  to  disturb  the  public  tranquility, 
guided  by  Justice,  Impartiality,  and  the  utmost  disinterestedness  in 
all  your  actions,  winning  on  the  Indians  by  mildness,  Candor,  and 
Affability,  and  preventing,  to  your  utmost,  all  Quarrels  or  disputes, 
between  them,  and  the  Soldiery  at  the  Illenois.  — 

Given  under  my  hand  and  Seal  at  Arms  at 
Johnson  Hall  the  24th.  of  April  1  766.  — 

W.  Johnson 


TO  JAMES  MURRAY 

Contemporary  Copy1 

Johnson  Hall  May  3d.  1766. 
Copy. 
Sir  — 

I  have  had  the  favour  of  Your  Letter  of  the  3 1 st.  March2  with 
the  Licence  inclos'd,  and  I  am  much  Obliged  to  you  for  the  polite 
manner  in  which  You  are  pleas'd  to  consult  Me  on  that  occasion 

The  manner  in  which  Your  Licences  are  drawn  up  will  admit 
of  no  exception  or  addition  except  with  regard  to  the  places  where 
the  Indian  Trade  is  to  be  carried  on,  which  in  all  the  passes  from 
the  other  Governments  are  confin'd  to  the  Forts  or  Garrisons  where 


1  In  University  of  Montreal,   Montreal,  Canada;  copy  in  the  Johnson 
manuscripts  in  New  York  State  Library  was  destroyed  by  fire. 

2  Ante  pp.  62-63. 


Indian  Affairs,   1766-68  87 

Commissarys  are  to  reside  agreeable  to  the  Intentions  of  His 
Majesty,  and  to  the  Lords  of  Trade's  Plan  for  the  Regulations 
of  Indian  Affairs,  which  I  have  reason  to  expect  will  be  speedily 
put  in  execution,  This  restriction  is  intended  as  well  for  the  pro- 
tection of  The  Traders,  as  to  prevent  the  Frauds  they  might  be 
guilty  of,  if  left  to  themselves  in  the  Indian  Country,  which  with 
many  other  Irregularities  they  often  commit,  and  many  of  the 
French  Traders  particularly  from  Motives  of  Interest  or  Disaf- 
fection have  acted  such  parts  as  to  render  this  restriction  highly 
necessary  and  whatever  may  be  alledged  of  the  French  Indulgence 
to  Traders  to  go  into  the  Indian  Country,  it  is  not  consistent  with 
good  Policy  for  us  to  continue  that  practice  neither  will  the 
Indians  in  general  desire  it,  when  they  find  the  Advantages  result- 
ing from  a  Trade  under  due  Inspection,  and  as  none  of  the  Posts 
to  which  those  of  Your  Government  were  Used  to  resort  are  to  be 
evacuated,  it  will  therefore  be  no  new  Inconvenience  to  the 
Traders  if  restricted  to  these  Posts  as  before. 

I  shall  be  very  glad  to  hear  that  we  Agree  in  Sentiment  on  this 
Subject,  as  I  am  with  great  Esteem 

Your  Excellency's  &c. 
(Sign'd)  WM.  Johnson 
His  Excellency 
Governor  Murray 

indorsed: 

Copy  — 
Sir  Will"1.  Johnson's  Letter 

To 
Governor  Murray  — 


88  Sir   William  Johnson  Papers 

FROM  THOMAS  PENN 
Contemporary  Copy1 

London  May  10th.  1766. 

Dear  Sir,  — 

I  have  just  received  your  Letter  of  the  28th.  of  Feb?.,2  and  defer 
answering  that  part  of  it  relating  to  the  Indian  Boundary  'til  I 
have  conferred  with  the  Lords  of  Trade,  which  I  shall  do  before 
the  next  Packet  sails. 

I  enclose  you  a  Copy  of  the  Memorial  as  it  is  presented.  I  con- 
sider'd  it  with  Mr.  Wilmot,3  whose  knowledge  of  things  of  this 
sort  is  very  great,  and  we  both  consulted  my  Lord  Dartmouth 
upon  it,  who  as  well  as  Mr.  Wilmot  was  of  opinion  it  was  best  to 
have  but  one  Memorial  referred  to  the  Board  of  Trade,  that  they 
would  report  on  all  they  could,  and  the  rest  might  be  done  by  the 
Treasury  or  Secretary  at  War. 

It  is  but  lately  presented,  and  the  American  Affairs  not  having 
been  agreed  to  in  the  House  of  Commons  'til  Thursday  it  could 
not  be  considered  but  next  Week  if  possible  I  will  endeavour  to 
bring  it  on,  &  get  every  thing  done  for  you  that  I  possibly  can  of 
which  I  will  inform  you  by  the  first  opportunity  and  am  with  great 
regard 

Dear  Sir 

Your  affectionate  Friend 
&  most  obed*.  Servant 

THO:  PENN 

Sir  Willm.  Johnson  Bar1. 

Your  Son4  is  in  Ireland.  I  thought  it  very  necessary  to  imploy  Mr. 
Wilmot.  I  congratulate  you  on  the  Success  we  have  met  with  in 
all  our  endeavours  for  the  Service  of  America. 


1  In  Historical  Society  of  Pennsylvania,  Penn  Letter  Books. 

2  Not  found. 

3  Probably  John  Eardley  Wilmot,  privy  councillor. 

4  John  Johnson. 


Indian  Afiairs,   1766-68  89 

TO  GOLDSBROW  BANYAR 
A.L.S.1 

Johnson  Hall  May  13th.  1766 
Dear  Banyar  — 

Altho  I  have  near  cracked  my  knowledge  Box  in  endeavouring 
to  find  out  the  cause  of  your  coolness,  or  (I  will  rather  call  it) 
silence,  I  am  yet  at  a  loss  to  account  for  it,  &  so  great  & 
unexpected  a  change  in  one  whom  I  so  much  esteemed  & 
confided  in.  Is  it  on  Ace1,  of  the  times  being  so  critical,  or  the 
Peoples  being  so  Violent  that  You  would  not  write  me?  if  not, 
convince  me  thereof  by  a  few  lines,  &  I  shall  be  satisfied,  otherwise 
I  must  Imagine  that  I  am  considered  as  a  Dangerous  Correspond', 
tho  I  cannot  bring  myself  to  think,  that  any  who  know  me  well, 
will  Judge  me  so.  —  Now  I  will  talk  to  You  a  little  upon  busi- 
nes.  —  know  then,  that  the  Pattent  whereon  I  live  adjoins  that  of 
Sacondaga,  And  as  I  find  by  a  Survey  lately  made  (by  order  of 
the  Patentees)  that  they  take  away  some  cleared  Land  from  one 
of  my  Tenants,  I  would  be  glad  You  would  Send  me  the 
Boundaries  of  that  Pattent,  &  Sign  it  as  Usual,  The  Gentlemen 
who  run  the  courses  thereof  Say  that  they  took  them  from  the  old 
Survey  of  Mr.  Collins,  &  not  from  the  Patent,  so  that  I  have 
reason  to  doubt  the  Survey.  — 

I  find  by  Said  Gentlemen  who  are  Concerned  in  that  Patent, 
that  Cap1.  Edward  Clark  (my  old  Acquaintance)  has  a  part 
therein,  and  that  You  have  ye.  disposal  thereof,  if  so,  &  that  it  is 
to  be  sold,  pray  let  me  know  it,  &  the  lowest  price,  also  the 
Quantity.  —  He  has  also  a  4th.  part  of  Northampton  Patent 
which  lyes  along  the  Sacondaga,  or  Branch  of  Hudsons  River,  if 
that  is  to  be  sold  likewise  be  so  good  as  to  inform  me,  &  the 
price.  — 

Excuse  all  this  trouble,  &  believe  me 

Your  Sincere  Welwisher 
&  Affecte.  Freind 

Wm.  Johnson 
Golds  Borrow  Banyar  Esqr. 


1  In  New  York  Historical  Society,  Banyar  Papers. 


90  Sir  William  Johnson  Papers 

My  Complim15.  to  Mr.  Colden  &  Family,  Doctor  Middleton  &  to 
all  my  old  Acquaintance.  — 

INDORSED : 

May  13.  1766 


letter  frm.  Sr.  Wm.  Johnson 


TO  THE  MERCHANTS  AND  TRADERS  OF  MONTREAL 

Contemporary  Copy1 

Johnson  Hall,  May  1 5lK,  1766.  — 
Gentlemen.  — 

I  have  received  the  Memorial2  you  were  pleased  to  address  to 
me  concerning  the  Indian  Trade,  on  which  Article  I  wish  it  was  in 
my  power  to  write  satisfactorily.  —  The  Government  from  a  sense 
of  the  many  Risques  to  which  Trade  is  liable,  if  carried  on  in  the 
Indian  Country,  the  Opportunities  which  it  might  give  to  Injustice, 
and  the  different  Principles  of  Policy  which  induced  the  French 
to  permit  trade  every  where,  have  thought  proper  to  direct  that  it 
shou'd  only  be  carried  on  at  certain  Posts  expressed  in  the  Plan 
for  Regulating  Indian  Affairs,  much  approved  of  by  the  present 
Ministry;  and  the  several  Governors  have  granted  their  Licences 
accordingly,  neither  have  the  Lords  of  Trade  made  any  Excep- 
tion, or  adverted  to  the  different  System  for  the  trade  in  Canada. 
—  I  am  well  convinced  from  reasons  too  many  to  be  comprized 
within  the  Bounds  of  this  letter,  that  this  Restriction  upon  the 
Indian  Trade,  will  in  a  short  time  be  found  most  agreeable  to 
both  Traders,  and  Indians,  and  that  the  present  contrary  opinions 
of  the  latter  are  founded  on  a  Custom,  which  had  better  be  broke 


1  In  Canadian  Archives,  Indian  Records,  Vol.  7. 

2  The  memorial  dated  April  15,   1  766,  from  the  merchants  and  traders 
of  Montreal,  ante  pp.  71-72. 


Indian  A  fairs,   1766-68  91 

than  kept,  and  which  are  not  consistent  with  the  Policy  of  our 
Governm1. 

Under  these  Circumstances  you  will  perceive,  that  whatever  my 
Inclination  may  be,  it  is  not  in  my  Power  to  do  any  thing  contrary 
to  the  Intentions  of  his  Majesty,  and  the  Lords  of  Trade's  Plan, 
the  Regulations  proposed,  which  can  be  of  no  use  if  the  Traders 
are  permitted  to  go  at  discretion  beyond  the  Reach  of  the  proper 
Officer  who  is  to  have  the  Inspection  of  the  trade.  — 

As  this  Plan  was  wisely,  and  deliberately  calculated,  and  is 
greatly  approved  by  those  now  in  Power  at  home,  I  must  be  silent 
on  that  head,  and  hope  it  may  not  affect  your  particular  Interests 
so  much  as  you  suppose,  as  I  am  your  real  Welwisher,  and  heartily 
disposed  to  serve  you  in  every  thing  consistent  with  my  Duty.  — 
I  am  Gentn.  —  Yours  &c 

W:  Johnson 
To  the  Merchts.  of  Montreal  — 


FROM  THOMAS  GAGE 

Contemporary)  Copy1 

New  York  19*.  May  1766  — 
Dear  Sir, 

Four  or  Five  Indians  have  been  lately  killed  by  two  white  men 
who  went  from  the  Settlements  near  Fort  Pitt  down  the  Ohio, 
after  some  traders  Boats ;  I  inclose  You  a  Copy  of  the  Speech  of 
some  of  the  Shawnese  Chiefs  to  Capt.  Murray2  on  this  Matter, 
and  his  Answer.  These  Cursed  Villains  will  Sooner  or  later  bring 
us  into  a  War;  I  have  ordered  Capt.  Murray  to  tell  the  Indians, 
that  I  am  very  Sorry  they  could  not  come  up  with  them,  &  put 
them  to  Death,  and  that  I  shall  do  Every  thing  in  my  Power  to 
Apprehend  them  &  bring  them  to  Punishment;  It  is  Supposed 
that  they  are  gone  to  Fort  Chartres  where  their  Actions  might  not 


1  In  William  L.  Clements  Library. 

2  Captain  William  Murray,  commandant  at  Fort  Pitt. 


92  Sir  William  Johnson  Papers 

be  known.  I  have  Sent  Orders  to  the  Officer  Commanding  there 
to  apprehend  them  &  Send  them  guarded  by  the  Indians  to  Fort 
Pitt.  Capt.  Murray  will  Send  their  Descriptions  to  the  Ilinois  as 
well  as  to  Me,  to  be  forwarded  to  all  the  Governments.  I  most 
Sincerely  Wish,  that  the  Indians  had  killed  them  that  we  might 
Shew  them  our  approbation  in  the  Punishm1.  of  Such  Execrable 
Villains,  the  Indian  Acco*.  of  the  affair  is,  that  the  two  Murtherers 
were  in  distress  not  having  come  up  with  the  Boats  &  were  relieved 
by  one  of  their  Hunting  partys  composed  of  Five  Men,  a  Child  & 
a  Squaw,  the  Villains  took  the  opportunity  when  they  were  all 
Asleep  to  Murder  the  Men,  Stole  their  Canoe,  Blankets  &ca,  & 
went  down  the  Ohio  — 

I  am,  with  great  Regard, 
Dear  Sir 
&ca 

Sir  Wm.  Johnson  Bar1. 

INDORSED : 

Copy./ 

To  Sir  Wm.  Johnson  Bar1, 
at 

Johnson  Hall 
New  York  19th.  May  1766 


FROM  JOHN  TABOR  KEMPE 

A.Df.S} 

New  York  May  23*.  1766 
Dear  Sir 

The  Bearer  hereof  Mr.  Wetherhead  is  a  Friend  of  mine  he 
waits  on  you  to  take  your  sentiments  respecting  a  Purchase 
[intended]2  of  Lands  proposed  to  be  made  of  one  of  the  five 


1  In  New  York  Historical  Society,  Kempe  papers.    Original  letter  in 
mutilated  form  printed  in  Johnson  Papers,  5  :2 1  8-1 9. 

2  Words  italicized  and  in  brackets  are  crossed  out  in  the  manuscript. 


Indian  Afairs,   1766-68  93 

Nations,  and  to  crave  your  Countenance  and  Assistance  therein  — 
I  am  informed  [the  Gov]  his  Excellency  the  Govr.  is  inclined  to 
make  the  Purchase,  and  to  favor  him  and  his  Associates  with  a 
Grant,  and  that  the  Indians  are  [desirous]  disposed  to  sell  the 
Lands  to  them.  [/  shall  I  should  betray  the  Confidence  I  have 
[justly]  have  in  your  Friendship  —  to  declare  acquaint  to  you  — 
not  —  did  I  not  acquaint  you  that  I  am  myself  interested  —  / 
should  be]  —  It  would  bespeak  a  want  of  that  Confidence  I 
ought  to  have  in  your  Friendship,  did  I  not  [deel]  acquaint  you 
that  I  am  myself  interested  [/lerez'n]  in  the  application,  as  I  cannot 
but  assure  myself  you  will  readily  lend  me  your  friendly  aid 
herein  [as  far  as  is-in-as  far  as  is  right,  —  /  must  and  more 
especially-It  is  the  only  way  I  can  have  of  making  my  office 
of  any  advantage  to  me,  especially  when-especially  too  when 
it  is  considered  that  as  a  public  officer,  in  this  Way  only,  I  can 
mafye  my  office  —  as  this  may  continue  —  /  fynow  of  no  competi- 
tors for  these  Lands,]  not  only  on  my  own  Account  but  [because  I 
have  to  —  am  but  illy  supported  in  my  office,  have  no  other  way 
of  —  ]  as  an  officer  of  Government,  illy  supported,  and  who 
[has]  having  had  much  Trouble  [concerning,]  in  the  Affairs  of 
these  very  Indians  does  not  stand  before  them  as  an  Indifferent 
Purchaser. 

Let  me  take  this  oppertunity  of  acknowledging  the  Receipt  of 
£  1 1 4. 1 1 .6  by  the  Hands  of  Mr.  Mortier,  being  the  amount  of 
the  Costs  [  —  and  his]  in  Klocks  affair,  and  the  two  Ejectm,s.  — 
Causes  of  the  Tenants  of  the  Connajoharie  Indians  (except  in  the 
Ejectm1.  causes  the  Council  Fees  usually  allowed  for  attending  at 
Albany,  which  I  presume  were  by  some  Mistake  ommitted  in 
transmitting  the  Acctts.  in  order  to  their  passing  for  Paym1.  —  [/ 
received  it  in]  I  received  it  ab*.  the  Middle  of  February,  [but  hav- 
ing been  a  good  deal  out  of  Town,  and  married  into  the  Bargain] 
and  should  have  acknowledged  it  before  but  I  have  been  greatly 
out  of  Town  and  much  engaged  ever  since,  [/  am] 

ITis  a  long  time  since  I  heard  anything  [of  the  Indian  Complaint] 
from  you  respecting  the  Kayaderosseras  Patent,  —  It  is  rumored 


94  Sir  William  Johnson  Papers 

much  obliged  to  you,  to  inform  me  whether  it  be  so,  [for]  least  as 
the  Stamp  Act  is  repealed  and  we  shall  soon  go  on  with  Business, 
I  be  blamed  for  [  —  ]  not  proceeding  according  to  the  order  I 
formerly  received  — 

I  am 

Dear  Sir 

with  great  Respect 
Your  much  obliged 
&  most  humble  Ser1. 

J.  T.  Kempe 

INDORSED : 

May  23 :  1  766 


Draft  Letter  to  Sir  Wm.  Johnson 
by  Mr.  Wetherhead  — 


/^May 


INDIAN  PROCEEDINGS 

Contemporary  Copy1 

[Johnson  Hall  May  24-27,  1766] 

24th.  Delivered  a  large  Bunch  of  White  Wampum  to  Lieu1. 
Williams2  of  the  1  7th.  Regiment  then  going  to  Michillimacinac  to 
deliver  it  to  the  Chiefs  of  the  Chippaweighs  &c  living  at  S*.  Mary's 
thereby  to  remind  them  of  their  engagements  entered  into  with  him 
at  Detroit  the  year  before  last,  recommending  to  them  a  strict  Ob- 
servance of  all  their  Promises  with  an  Assurance  of  his  Friendship, 
and  Care  of  their  Interest,  so  long  as  they  continued  to  deserve  it 
&c  —  At  the  same  time  sent  by  him  a  new  Flagg  for  the  Chief 
of  the  Chippaweighs,  a  large  Silver  Broach  with  a  Ribbon,  and 
a  large  Silver  Jewel  to  hang  to  his  breast,  the  latter  was  sent  as  a 
Testimony  of  Sir  Wms.  regard  for  him.  — 


1  In  Canadian  Archives,  Indian  Records,  Vol.  7. 

2  Lieutenant  Samuel  Williams. 


Indian  Affairs,  1766-68  95 

24th#  —  On  this  day  Adam,  and  another  old  Sachim  of  Oghquago 
arrived  here  being  sent  to  acquaint  Sir  Wm.  of  the  murder  of  one 
of  the  Oneidas  by  a  White  man  living  at  the  Minisinks  without 
any  Cause,  but  from  mere  dislike  to  Indians.  —  they  brought  Sir 
Wm.  several  letters  from  their  Chiefs  signifying  their  Concern, 
and  uneasiness  on  the  Occasion,  lest  it  shou'd  cause  a  fresh 
Rupture,  as  the  deceased  was  a  very  good  man,  and  had  great 
Connections,  and  had  always  been  a  firm  Friend  to  the  English, 
accompanying  their  Armies  every  Campaign.  —  that  this,  and  the 
murder  of  some  other  Indians  of  the  Confederacy  which  had 
lately  been  committed,  wou'd,  they  fear'd  Shake  the  Covenant 
Chain,  happily  brightened,  and  renewed  last  Year,  and  make 
those  who  were  not  yet  thoroughly  acquainted  with  us,  look  upon 
our  Treaties  and  Professions  of  Friendship  in  a  very  unfavorable 
light.  — 

3  Strings  of  Wampum. 
Sir  Wm.  answered  their  sev1.  Letters  in  the  best  manner  he 
cou'd  to  reconcile  them,  and  also  condoled  the  Deaths  of  those 
murdered,  in  the  usual  way,  and  in  such  manner  as  he  judged 
would  be  most  agreable  to  them,  viz1,  with  Wampum,  black 
Strouds  &c,  and  acquainted  them  that  he  wou'd  immediately  let 
the  Governor  of  this  Province  know  of  the  murder,  who  he 
assured  them  wou'd  take  every  necessary  Step  to  have  the 
murderer  apprehended,  and  Justice  done  therein,  and  lastly  gave 
them  a  strict  Charge  to  prevent  their  young  men  from  doing  any 
thing  rash,  and  dismissed  them  with  a  Present. 

Three  Strings  Wampum 

Same  day  Wanughsissa,  and  another  old  man  came  here  with  a 

Belt  of  Wampum,  requesting  in  the  name  of  all  the  Seneca  Nation 

that  a  Smith  might  be  sent  to  them  to  mend  their  Tools,  for  the 

want  of  which  they  were  much  distressed.  — 

A  Belt  — 
To  which  Sir  Wm.  answered  that  until  they  had  fullfilled  their 
Promises  made  to  him  last  Summer,  and  Delivered  up  all  the 
Prisoners  yet  among  them  they  had  no  Right  to  expect  such  Indul- 
gence, particularly  so  as  he  was  now  sending  a  Smith  to  Niagara, 


96  Sir  William  Johnson  Papers 

and  another  to  reside  at  Oswego  by  whom  they  might  have  their 
Work  done.  —  however,  on  their  firm  assurance  of  bringing  in  all 
the  Prisoners  yet  among  them,  that  he  wou'd  send  a  Smith  to 
reside  there,  and  work  for  them.  — 

A  Belt  — 
Then  acquainted  them  with  the  General's  Resolution  of  abandon- 
ing some  of  the  Posts,  namely  Fort  Schuyler,3  Royal  Block 
house,4  Fort  Brewerton,5  and  that  at  Oswego  Falls,  and  that  the 
General  had  given  the  transportation  of  the  Kings  Provisions, 
Stores  &c  to  a  Gent  who  was  to  reside  at  Fort  Sclosser,6  plant 
Corn  &c  which  were  for  the  use  of  the  Oxen,  Horses  &c,  and  that 
no  other  Settlements  were  intended  to  be  made  there,  so  that  they 
might  entertain  no  more  evil  thoughts  on  that  account,  and  de- 
sired the  Messengers  to  inform  the  sev1.  Nations  thro'  which 
he  passed  of  the  first  news,  and  the  Senecas  in  particular  with 
the  latter.  — 

2  Strings  of  Wampum 
May  12th.  Old  Laurence  chief  of  Schohare  aged  78  Years,  with 
his  Wife,  and  Nephew  named  Nicolaus  son  of  Catharine  chief 
Woman  of  Scohare  came  here,  and  made  Sir  Wm.  a  Present  of  a 
Mine  above  Scohare  up  the  Creek  above  the  upper  Settlements 
a  good  way,  and  about  300  Yards  from  the  Creek  on  a  Hill,  as- 
suring him  at  the  same  time  that  it  was  never  sold,  and  that  he  had 
it  a  long  time  in  view  to  present  him  with  it,  and  some  Land  about, 
and  that  now  he  had  taken  a  Journey  on  purpose  on  that  Occasion, 
as  he  never  expected  to  come  this  way  again,  being  quite  feeble 
with  age.  —  at  the  same  time  gave  Sir  Wm.  a  Sample  of  the  Stone 
about  the  Mine,  which  was  full  of  Verdigreaze.  —  Sr.  Wm. 
thanked  him,  and  told  him  he  much  doubted  it's  being  yet  unsold, 


3  On  the  site  of  the  present  city  of  Utica,  N.  Y. 

4  Royal  Block  House  at  east  end  of  Oneida  Lake  at  the  mouth  of  Wood 
Creek.  See  Doc.  Rel.  to  Col.  Hist.  N.  Y.,  7:557  for  erection  and  destruc- 
tion of  these  forts. 

5  In  Oswego  County,  N.  Y.,  on  Oneida  outlet,  opposite  the  present  village 
of  Brewerton. 

6  Fort  Schlosser  at  Little  Niagara. 


Indian  Affairs,   1766-68  97 

on  which  he  again  assured  him  it  was  never  sold.  —  then  gave  him 
a  Present,  and  told  him  he  would  again  enquire  into  the  matter  —?S 

27th.  Takarihogo  Sachim  of  Conjohare  brought  Sir  Wm.  the 
Wampum  sent  from  Cayuga  by  that  Council  to  let  the  Mohawks, 
and  him  know  that  they  had  lost  their  chief  Sachim  the  English- 
man, and  that  the  Conjohares  requested  he  woud  acquaint  the 
Mohawks  with  the  News,  which  he  did  immediately,  whereupon 
their  chiefs  came  to  consult  with  him  concerning  the  Condolence 
which  was  settled  agreeable  to  Custom.  — 


PETITION  OF  WAPPINGER  INDIANS 

Contemporary  Copy1 

Copy  of  the  above  Petition2  to  Sir  Wm.  Johnson  Bar1.  Superin- 
tend1, of  Indian  Affairs  for  the  Northern  District  in  North 
America  bearing  Date  29th.  May  1  766.  — 

Stockbridge  29th.  May  1766  — 
Most  Humbly  Sheweth  —  That  we  your  Petitioners  being 
duly  authorized  and  empowered  by  all  the  Indians  of  our  Tribe 
M ohafyunmich  to  go  to  Great  Britain  and  lay  our  Grievances 
before  his  Majesty.  —  We  do  from  our  experienced  knowledge 
of  your  uprightness,  and  Justice  to  us  in  all  our  transactions, 
and  from  a  knowledge  you  have  of  a  Series  of  the  most  unjust 
Oppression  which  we  have  laboured  under  for  a  considerable 
time  past,  must  humbly  request  that  agreeable  to  your  Conduct 
to  us,  and  all  other  Indians  hitherto,  you  our  friend  and  Pro- 
tector will  aid  and  assist  us  by  recommending  us  to  the  notice  of 
the  King  of  great  Britain  in  as  favorable  a  manner  as  the  Justice 
of  our  Cause,  our  Poverty,   and  our   Ignorance  of  the  Laws 


1  In  Canadian  Archives,  Indian  Records,  Vol.  7. 

2  Mentioned  in  Journal  of  Indian  Affairs  under  date  of  June  8,   as 
delivered  to  Sir  William  by  Samuel  Star  of  Ridgefield,  Conn,  post  p.  1  22. 


98  Sir  William  Johnson  Papers 

Customs  and  manners  of  that  Country  will  admit  of  —  And  we 
as  in  Duty  bound  shall  Pray  — 

(Signed)    Jacob  Checksaunikun 

Solomon  Wisaunpauwaunnut 
John  Naunautiphtaunk 

his 
Daniel  X  Nimham  in  behalf 

mark 
of  himself  and  all  the 
Indians  of  his  Tribe 
Wappinger 


FROM  JOHN  STUART 
Contemporary  Copy1 

Charlestown  June  the  Ist.  1766  —     • 

Sir  — 

I  had  the  pleasure  of  writing  to  you  the  30th.  March2  last,  since 
which  I  have  not  been  favored  with  any  of  yours.  —  I  now 
enclose  you  a  Copy  of  a  Tall?,3  I  lately  received  from  the 
Cherokee  Nation,  by  it  you  will  perceive  how  much  they  are 
harrassed,  and  distressed  by  the  Incursions  of  the  Northern  Tribes 
what  they  alude  to  when  they  say  that  the  Northern  Enemy  Strike 
the  White  People  as  well  as  them,  will  be  explained  to  you  by 
inclosed  Abstract  of  Mr.  Camerons  Proceedings  in  a  letter  to  me,3 
by  which  you  will  also  see  that  I  have  been  busy  in  ascertaining  the 
Boundary  lines  between  this  Province,  and  the  Indian  Hunting 
Grounds.  — 

Although  it  wou'd  give  me  some  pleasure  to  give  relief  to  the 
Cherokees  from  their  Sufferings  by  the  War  with  your  Indians,  yet 


1  In  Canadian  Archives,  Indian  Records,  Vol.  7.    Printed  in  mutilated 
form  in  Johnson  Papers,  5:233-35. 

2  Ante  pp.  53-57. 

3  In  Indian  Records,  Vol.  7. 


Indian  Affairs,   1766-68  99 

I  cannot  help  doubting  with  you  of  the  Propriety  of  such  a 
measure  in  a  Political  point  of  view  with  regard  to  the  interest  of 
the  Southern  Provinces.  —  for  the  Creek  Nations  are  very  inso- 
lent and  ungovernable,  and  have  of  late  been  endeavoring  to  form 
a  Confederacy  among  the  great  nations  in  this  department.  —  The 
murder  of  the  Cherokees  by  the  Inhabitants  of  Augusta  County  in 
Virginia,  for  which  no  satisfaction  has  been  obtained,  nor  is  their 
Strength  of  Government  in  that  Province  able  to  bring  the 
Offenders  to  Justice,  and  the  encroachments  by  the  Provinces  on 
their  Hunting  Grounds  gave  just  grounds  for  Complaint.  —  The 
Creeks  avail  themselves  of  these  accidents  to  inflame  their  minds, 
and  the  Mortar4  has  offered  them  a  Reinforcement  of  700  men 
to  enable  them  to  do  themselves  Justice,  in  this  Situation,  it  may 
not  be  good  Policy  in  us  to  be  too  active  in  mediating  between 
them,  and  their  Northern  Enemies.  I  shall  take  the  sense  of  the 
different  Governors  upon  the  Subject,  as  the  Provinces  of  Georgia, 
South  Carolina,  and  North  Carolina  are  more  connected  with  the 
Cherokees,  and  more  immediately  contiguous  to  them  than 
Virginia,  which  Province  wou'd  be  glad  to  amuse,  and  divert  them 
from  demands  of  Justice,  by  such  Acts  of  kindness.  —  Whatever 
the  Sense  of  the  different  Governors  may  be  on  this  Matter, 
I  shall  take  the  earliest  opportunity  of  communicating  to  you.  — 
You  see  they  mention  sending  Deputies  to  the  Northern  Nations  to 
sue  for  Peace.  I  think  at  all  Events,  your  interposition  to  procure 
safety  to  the  Persons  of  the  Deputies,  will  be  very  proper,  and  you 
will  be  best  Judge  what  notice  may  be  proper  to  take  of  the  murder 
of  Welch  by  the  Shawanese.  The  Bad  Consequence  which  Mr. 
Cameron  apprehends  from  the  murder  of  Traders  by  these  Parties 
is  not  altogether  improbable.  — 

I  have  had  no  late  accounts  from  the  Nations  in  this  Depart- 
ment, contiguous  to  West  Florida,  but  I  conclude  that  everything 
there  is  peaceable.  —  I  have  the  Honor  to  be  Sr.  &c. 

John  Stuart 


4  Otis  Mico,  a  Creek  chief. 


100  Sir  William  Johnson  Papers 

FROM  THOMAS  GAGE 

A.L.S} 

New  York  June  2d.  1766. 
Dear  Sir, 

I  take  the  Liberty  to  inclose  you  a  Letter  for  Major  Rogers, 
imagining  he  will  certainly  call  on  you  in  his  way  to  his  Post, 
if  he  shall  have  passed  you,  you  will  be  so  good  to  send  it  after 
him  by  the  first  good  opportunity:  I  am  likewise  to  beg  of  you, 
for  very  particular  Reasons,  which  I  can't  now  mention,  that  you 
will  give  the  stongest  Orders  to  your  Interpreters  and  Commissarys 
to  watch  Major  Roger's  Transactions  with  the  Indians;  and  that 
they  send  you  Information  if  he  holds  any  bad  Conversations  with 
them.  As  he  speaks  no  Indian,  and  can't  employ  any  under  you  in 
any  such  Business,  he  can  only  have  Recourse  to  the  French  to 
interpret  for  him.  Your  People  can  have  an  Eye  over  him  in  any 
private  Conferences  in  which,  he  may  employ  the  French  to  inter- 
pret for  him  with  the  Indians,  and  may  afterwards  get  from  the 
Indians  the  Result  of  their  Conversation.  I  hope  no  such  thing 
will  happen,  if  it  does,  it  will  be  Chiefly  at  the  Detroit,  par- 
ticularly with  Pondiac,  Tho'  if  he  begins  there,  he  will  no  Doubt 
do  the  same  at  Missilimakinak.  Your  People  should  keep  their 
Instructions  Secret  and  not  divulge  what  you  write  them  on  this 
Subject. 

Your  Ace1,  shall  be  paid  as  soon  as  it  is  possible.  I  assure  you 
I  have  been  obliged  to  borrow  for  my  private  uses,  not  being  able 
to  sell  Bills.  The  Stamp  Act  is  repealed,  but  I  don't  find  that 
People  are  yet  inclined  to  pay  their  Debts.  I  wish  when  all  is 
cleared  up  that  the  real  Truth  does  not  appear,  that  they  are  not 
able  to  pay. 

The  Shawnese  were  applied  to  for  to  transport  some  Provi- 
sions from  Fort-Pitt  to  the  Ilinois       their  Misunderstanding  with 


In  Harvard  University  Library. 


Indian  Affairs,  1766-68  101 

the  Kikapous  made  them  decline  it.  The  Mingoes  undertook  it, 
and  are  gone  with  a  small  Cargo. 

I  am  with  great  Regard 
dear  Sir, 

Your  most  obedient 
humble  Servant, 

Thos.  Gage 
SR.  WM.  Johnson 

INDORSED:2 

New  York  June  2d.  1 766 


Genr1.  Gages  Letter 


With  a  remarkable  Enclosure 


2  In  Sir  William's  hand;  third  line  in  hand  of  Guy  Johnson. 


FROM  THOMAS  WHARTON  ET  AL 

Cop])1 

Philad*.  June  6ih.  1766. 
Sir 

We  beg  leave  to  communicate  to  you  the  enclosed  Paper,2  con- 
taining Reasons  for  establishing  a  Colony  at  the  Illinois  with  some 
Proposals  for  carrying  the  same  into  immediate  Execution.  It  is 
our  Opinion  that,  if  these  proposals  should  be  agreed  to,  great 
Benefit  must  necessarily  result  therefrom  to  the  British  Crown  and 
Nation. 

If  you,  Sir,  should  be  of  the  same  sentiments  with  us,  who, 
from  your  great  knowledge  and  Experience  in  Indian  and  other 
Public  Affairs,  are  every  way  best  qualified  to  judge  of  this  Sub- 


1  Printed    in    Illinois    Historical    Collections,     11:247-48;    original    in 
mutilated  form  was  printed  in  Johnson  Papers,  5  :240-41 . 

2  Printed  in  Illinois  Historical  Collections,  1  1  :248-57. 


102  Sir  William  Johnson  Papers 

ject,  we  then  earnestly  request  you  to  transmit,  and  recommend  our 
Proposals  to  his  Majesties  Ministers.  And  we  do  hereby  authorize 
you,  to  assure  them  that  we  the  Subscribers,  (together  with  some 
others  who  are  shortly  to  be  admitted  into  our  Company)  are 
ready  and  willing,  to  enter  into  those  Engagements  which  are 
mentioned  in  the  said  Proposals  for  the  speedy  settlement  of  the 
Countrey,  on  receiving  the  encouragement  desired  for  that 
Purpose. 

We  are,  very  respectfully,  Sir  Your  most  obedient  Servants 

Tho  Wharton         Joseph  Wharton 

John  Morgan  Jon  Hughes 

Jos.  Wharton  Junr  John  Baynton 

Jos.  Galloway  John  Baynton  for  Sam1.  Wharton 

John  Baynton  for  Geo.  Morgan 

ADDRESSED : 

To  The  Honble.  Sir  William  Johnson  Bar1.  His 
Majesty's  Superintendant  of  Indian  Affairs  for  the 
Northern  District  of  America  at  Johnson-Hall 

INDORSED : 

Philadelphia,  June  6th.  1  766.  Letter  with  Enclosures 
from  Messrs.  Baynton  Wharton  Morgan  Hughs  &ca. 


FROM  THE  COUNCIL 
Df.x 

New  York  Wlh.  June  1766 
Sir 

His  Excellency  having  yesterday  laid  before  the  Council  two 
Petitions,  one  of  Francis  Pfister,  a  reduced  Lieutenant:  the  other 
of  James  Duane  and  his  Associates,  [copies  whereof  are  inclosed],2 
I  was  directed  by  his  Excellency  to  inclose  you  Copies  thereof,  and 
to  desire  your  Opinion  and  Information  as  to  the  first;  Whether 

1  In  New  York  State  Library,  Colonial  Land  Papers. 

2  Words  italicized  and  in  brackets  are  crossed  out  in  the  manuscript. 


Indian  Affairs,   1766-68  103 

the  Lands  prayed  for  are  vacant,  if  so  whether  they  are  already 
purchased,  [if  not  whether  there]  and  if  they  are  whether  the  [are 
any  and  what  Objections  to  passing  the  Grant  prayed  for  —  And 
as  to  the  second  —  Whether]  Indians  lay  any  Claim  to  the  Lands ! 
And  as  to  the  Second ;  whether  there  are  any  Lands  in  the  Situa- 
tion described  in  the  Petition  vacant,  and  if  there  are,  as  the 
Petitioner  desires  only  leave  to  purchase,  —  whether  there  are 
any  &  what  objections  to  the  granting  [to]  such  Leave ;  The  Peti- 
tions are  inclosed  and  I  beg  your  Answer,  [by  the]  I  am 

INDORSED : 

10  June  17[66] 

Draft  of  Letter  to  Sir  William 

to  be  copyed  with  the  two  Petitions 

referred  to  &  sent  to  Sir  Wm.  Johnson 


FROM  WILLIAM  BENSON 
A.L.S.1 

Albany  13th.  June  1766 
HonBle.  Sir 

I  am  Order'd  by  The  Worshipful,  The  Master  Warders,  and 
Brethren  of  Union  Lodge  N°.  1  of  Albany  To  Express  their 
desire  that  your  Honr.  and  the  other  Bretheren  at  Johnson  Hall 
wouR  Honour  them  (if  Convenient)  with  Your,  and  their  Com- 
pany at  the  Festival  of  Sl.  John,  which  I  am  desir'd  to  inform 
You,  that  they  intend  to  Celebrate  in  Public,  by  Proceeding  from 
the  Lodge  room  to  Church. 

I  am  Honble.  Sir  Your 
Most  Humble  Servt 

WM.  Benson 

Secret^. 
To  the  Honble. 
Sir  William  Johnson  Bar't 


1  In  Historical  Society  of  Pennsylvania,  Gratz  Collection. 


104  Sir  IVilliam  Johnson  Papers 

ADDRESSED: 

To 

The  Honourable  Sr.  Wm.  Johnson 

at 
^  fav  Rev°.  M'.  Brown/2  Johnson  Hall 
INDORSED  : 

Albany  13th.  June  1766 


Mr.  SecrT.  Bensons  letter 
Ansrd.  1  7th.  June 


2  Reverend   Thomas    Brown,   rector   of   St.    Peter's   Church,   Albany, 
1  764-68.   See  Doc.  Hist.  N.  Y.,  3:1  153,  for  biographical  sketch. 


TO  THOMAS  GAGE 

Johnson  Hall  June  1 4th.  1766 
Dear  Sir  — 

Your  letter  of  the  2d.  Ins1.2  with  the  enclosure  Arrived  here 
two  Days  ago,  and  has  given  me  an  opertunity  of  making  a  verry 
extraordinary  6c  alarming  Discovery  not  to  be  mentioned  at  this 
time,  altho  I  imagine  from  some  expressions  in  Yours  that  you 
may  have  some  Conjectures  on  the  Subject,  Yet  be  assured  that  it 
is  of  such  a  nature,  as  I  think  Should  be  imediately  made  known  to 
the  Ministry,  and  requires  a  speedy  Interview  between  usytho, 
how  to  effect  it  I  am  realy  at  at  a  loss,  being  in  a  weak  state  of 
Health  for  some  time  past,  &  confined  to  a  Regimen  which  will 
by  no  means  admit  of  my  going  to  New  York.  —  How  the  Dis- 
covery was  made,  I  shall  hereafter  explain  to  You,  it  is  Sufficient 
at  present  yl.  I  assure  You  of  its  importance,  and  that  if  it  is 
possible  for  me  to  expect  You  at  Albany,  I  shall  notwithstanding 
the  pain  it  may  give  me  meet  You  with  pleasure  there.  Was  my 
health  anything  better  I  should  imediately  go  to  New  York  with- 

1  In  William  L.  Clements  Librarj'. 

2  Ante  pp.  100-01. 


Indian  Affairs,  1766-68  105 

out  a  Moments  Hesitation,  but  I  am  persuaded  You  will  excuse 
me  on  that  consideration,  and  that  if  it  is  possible  for  You  to  come 
that  length,  I  shall  then  have  it  in  power  to  convince  You  that 
Your  Journey  was  to  a  verry  Material  purpose.  —  I  hope  You 
will  excuse  the  freedom  which  my  present  State  compels  me  to 
use  with  You,  &  that  You  will  as  soon  as  possible  favour  me  with 
Your  Answer  hereon. 

This  Moment  I  received  Your  favour  of  the  9th.  Ins1.3  concern- 
ing the  late  Affair  at  Detroit  &ca.  &  at  ye.  same  time  I  have  a  long 
letter  from  Ll.  Co11.  Campbel4  who  is  at  a  loss  what  to  do  with  the 
two  Indians  Prisoners  at  Detroit,  as  Pondiac  and  the  rest  are  verry 
sollicitous  to  obtain  their  liberty.  I  have  also  another  from 
Cap1.  Howard0  who  has  sent  me  a  List  of  the  Traders  whom  he 
permitted  to  go  to  Lake  Superior  &ca.  with  his  reasons  for  so 
doing,  namely  that  many  of  ye.  Nations  had  complained  that  they 
could  not  subsist  during  the  Winter  without  them,  &  that  the 
Traders  were  extremely  Sollicitous  for  Such  permission,  &  repre- 
sented that  it  might  otherwise  occasion  a  Quarrel.  I  see  plainly 
how  it  is  now  throughout  ye.  Continent.  People  expect  to  do  now 
as  they  please.  I  have  wrote  Sundry  times  to  the  Board  of  Trade 
&  represented  ye.  dangerous  tendency  of  such  a  practice  under  the 
Brittish  Government,  In  which  I  hope  I  shall  be  seconded  by 
everry  disinterested  person,  who  knows  the  Chicanerey  used  on 
these  occasions,  and  the  Various  Interests  &  Infamous  practices  of 
the  Majority  who  go  there,  and  whose  freinds  impose  on  the  Gov- 
ernment at  home  with  the  most  dangerous  &  fallacious  Arguments. 
The  Indians  are  set  up  to  this,  and  would  be  soon  reconciled  to 
Trade  at  the  Posts,  &  find  it  much  for  their  Interest,  but  for  ye. 
Artifices  of  many  who  live  by  the  distresses  in  which  they  involve 
the  Colonists,  and  who  will  be  supported  both  here  &  at  Home  by 
the  Trading  People.    Walker6  is  arrived  at  Montreal  with  Mr. 


3  Johnson  Papers,  5  :243-44. 

4  Lieutenant  Colonel  John  Campbell,  commandant  at  Detroit. 

5  Captain  William  Howard,  commandant  at  Michilimackinac. 

6  Thomas  Walker. 


106  Sir  William  Johnson  Papers 

Conways7  letter  to  Governour  Murray.8  —  it  is  time  the  Govern- 
ment were  undeceived  &  convinced  of  ye.  narrow  Motives  which 
are  the  foundation  of  most  of  the  representations  laid  before  them. 
—  If  Traders  are  necessary  in  Lake  Superior  a  Post  is  absolutely 
necessary  there,  but  if  they  are  permitted  to  trade  without  inspec- 
tion, all  our  Skill  will  not  be  able  to  overcome  the  indiscretion  of 
some,  &  the  Villainy  of  Others,  together  with  the  licentiousness  of 
the  Frontier  Inhabitants.  I  have  wrote  home  so  often  on  all  these 
Subjects,  that  I  am  heartily  tired  of  it.  I  have  no  doubt  however 
that  You  will  represent  these  Affairs  in  their  true  light,  &  in  the 
Strongest  Colours.  —  Your  last  brought  me  under  Cover  a  Letter 
for  Ll.  Roberts9  which  I  shall  forward,  He  set  of  some  time  ago 
for  Niagra.  —  Ontario  will  not  be  a  place  of  much  Trade  for 
some  time,  but  it  is  nevertheless  a  place  of  much  resort  of  the 
Indians  of  Influence,  whose  Councils]  &  conduct  Operates 
Strongly  on  the  rest,  I  Judged  it  therefor  adviseable  to  appoint 
Cap1.  MacLeod10  for  that  place,  where  I  beleive  he  will  Answer 
verry  well,  &  Lf.  Jehu  Hay  at  Detroit,  So  there  only  remains  one 
for  Michilimacinac,  which  from  yr.  last  letter  Should  I  think  be 
imediately  appointed.  ■ — 

There  are  several  Land  Affairs  now  in  Agitation  in  these  parts, 
be  assured  of  my  looking  out  for  a  good  place  agreable  to  yr. 
letter  of  the  16lh.  Ult0.11  &  that  I  shall  do  all  in  my  power  to 
obtain  A  Tract  to  yr.  Satisfaction,  as  I  am 

Dear  Sir 

Your  most  Obedient 

&  verry  Humble  Servant 

WM.  Johnson 

His  Excellency 
General  Gage  — 


7  Henry  Seymour  Conway,  secretary  of  state. 

8  James  Murray,  governor  of  Canada. 

9  Lieutenant  Benjamin  Roberts. 

10  Captain  Normand  MacLeod. 

11  Not  found. 


INDORSED: 


Indian  Affairs,   1766-68  107 


From  Sr.  Will"1.  Johnston 
Johnson  Hall  June  1 4th. 
1766 


received  June  12th.12 
answd.  — 


TO  WILLIAM  FRANKLIN 
Df.1 

Johnson  hall  June  20th.  1766. 

Sir, 

I  have  been  favored  with  your  Letter  of  the  7th.  Inst.2  together 
with  the  Enclosures  containing  a  Letter  from  the  Company  with 
the  Reasons  for  Establishing  the  Colony  &c  of  all  which  I  before 
gave  my  approbation  &  shall  chearfully  do  every  thing  consistent 
with  my  Office  for  Carrying  it  into  Execution  as  early  as  possible ; 
—  I  have  already  [spo^ef  hinted  the  Affair  in  a  Letter  to  the 
Lords  of  Trade  [and  I  apprehend  they  are  the  best  persons  for  me 
to  Lay  the  particulars  before,  my  Correspondence  being  Chiefly 
with  them.  I  dont  know  in  what  light  they  may  take  my  trans- 
mitting them  a  Scheme  for  a  Colony,  or  whether]  &  I  am  some- 
what of  Opinion  it  would  [not]  answer  better  that  I  recommended 
it  in  Gen1.  Terms,  as  an  Affair  I  had  heard  was  in  Agitation,  but 
[if]  as  it  is  deemed  necessary  to  the  design  that  I  shod.  enclose  it  I 
shall  not  Scruple  to  lay  it  [before  the  Board  of  Trade  or]  together 
with  my  recommendations  thereof  before  the  Ministry  [perhaps  it 
may  be  misconstrued  should  I  send  it  thro'  your  Fathers  hands, 
but  this  is  only  conjecture,  however,  as,  I  shall  only  enforce  the 
Reasons  assigned  in  the  paper,  it  will  be  immaterial  whether  he 


12  Sic,  evidently  an  error. 

1  In  American  Antiquarian  Society.   In  Guy  Johnson's  hand. 

2  Not  found. 

3  Words  italicized  and  in  brackets  are  crossed  out  in  the  manuscript. 


108  Sir  William  Johnson  Papers 

sees  it,  or  not  previous  to  the  delivery  for  he  will  Certainly]  under 
a  flying  Seal  to  your  father  who  will  doubtless  be  consulted  on  the 
Occasion.  — 

I  have  sounded  Gen1.  Gage  on  the  Occasion,  who  declines 
being  concerned  I  apprehend  it  will  not  be  the  Case  with  Lord 
Adam  Gordon.  As  to  what  you  say  of  applys.  for  an  Extensive 
boundary  I  agree  in  opinion  with  you  on  the  Utility  of  it,  but  the 
Government  should  I  think  be  previously  Sounded  on  that  head 
Least  it  might  obstruct  or  retard  the  Design  — 

I  am  persuaded  you  will  use  all  your  Endeavours  for  bringing 
the  Murderers  of  the  Indians  to  Justice,  the  Conduct  of  the 
frontier  Inhabitants  in  many  Colonies  being  such  as  gives  us  [a//] 
great  reason  to  dread  a  Renewal  of  that  Cruel  War  from  which 
we  are  but  Just  freed,  every  Week  brings  me  fresh  Complaints 
from  the  Inds.  &  but  Just  now  I  have  reed  an  Acct  of  the  Murder 
of  4  Onondagas  on  their  return  from  the  South  ward  with  2  or  3 
more  towds.  Fort  Pitt  and  I  wish  my  [Endeavours  have  not  been 
too  late  to  prevent  it  considering  the  provocation  given  to  so 
Revengefull  a  people,]  So  that  I  have  great  reason  to  doubt  of 
Succeeding  in  attempting  to  Calm  the  Minds  of  a  Revengefull 
people  to  whom  we  are  Giving  fresh  provocation. 

I  promise  myself  great  Satisfaction  from  your  friendly  Corres- 
pondence which  I  shall  be  glad  to  improve  by  every  occasion  that 
Offers  as  I  am  — 

GovR.  Franklyn 

I  shall  write  to  the  Compy  by  next  Opp1?.  — 


FROM  ELEAZAR  WHEELOCK 

A.Df.S.1 

Dated  Lebanon  June  20,  1766. 

To    all    Gentlemen,    Clergymen,    and    other   christian 
Friends,  in  New  York,  and  on  Hudson's  River,  or  Who- 


1  In  Dartmouth  College  Library. 


Indian  Affairs,   1766-68  109 

ever  the  Bearers  the  Revd.  Mr.  Pomeroy,2  and  My  Son,* 
Shall  have  Occasion  to  consult  in  the  important  Business 
they  are  Sent  upon,  And  Especially  his  Excellency  Sir 
William  Johnson  Baron'. 

Gentlemen 

I  suppose  it  is  Well  known  to  Most  of  You  [*/ia(]4  That  the 
indian  Charity-School  under  my  Care,  has,  by  the  Favour  and 
Blessing  of  Almighty  God,  been  continued  and  increasing  for  a 
Number  of  Years  last  past.  And  I  wod.  now  inform  you  yl.  ye. 
Number  of  Students  in  it  is  [now]  so  increased,  and  the  Prospects 
of  a  yet  greater  Increase  Such,  as  make  it  [Necessary]  expedient 
to  fix  upon  the  Place  for  its  Continuance,  and  to  build  to  Ac- 
comodate the  Same,  as  shall  best  Subserve  the  great  and  general 
End  in  View.  And  Such  are  now  the  Incouragments  from  Home, 
that  I  have  Reason  [to  expect],  (if  the  present  Ministry  continue 
in  place)  to  expect  any  Favours  Which  I  Shall  reasonably  desire, 
from  the  Board  of  Trade  &  Plantations,  for  Endowing  Said 
School,  When  the  place  is  So  fixd,  and  determined  that  it  May 
be  known  What  is  fit,  &  reasonable  to  ask  for  it  or  necessary  to  be 
granted  [to  it]. 

And  being  unable  to  Attend  upon  the  Affair  [myself,]  in  Per- 
son I  have  desired  my  faithful  Brother,  the  Reverd.  Mr.  Benjamin 
Pomroy,  and  My  Son  Radalphus,5  in  my  Stead,  to  Search  out, 
and  Secure,  such  a  place,  if  Such  May  be  found  in  their  present 
Tour  as  May  be  recommended  to  the  Lords  of  Trade  and  Planta- 
tions, as  most  Suitable  &  convenient  for  the  aforesd.  Purpose. 

And  they  are  desired  to  Solicit  the  charitable  Assistance  of 
such  as  are  able  to  give  them  needful  Intelligence,  or  any  manner 
of  way  contribute  to  their  effecting  the  Design  in  View. 

And  I  do  accordingly  bespeak  the  friendly  Counsel  and  As- 
sistance of  Such  [W7?o]  as  desire,  [and  are  willing]  to  contribute  to, 


2  Benjamin  Pomeroy. 

3  Ralph  Wheelock. 

4  Words  italicized  and  inclosed  in  brackets  are  crossed  out  in  the  manu- 
script. 

5  Ralph  Wheelock. 


1  1 0  Sir  William  Johnson  Papers 

Such  a  Determination  in  this  Important  and  Interesting  Affair,  as 
may  be  most  conclusive  to  the  Design  of  Spreading  the  Gospel 
among  the  Pagans  of  this  Land ;  and  Who  Shall  think  their  Serv- 
ice therein,  a  Charity  Well  bestowed  for  the  Furtherance  of  the 
Redeemers  Cause,  as  Well  as  a  great  Obligation  upon 
Their  obedient  and  Very  humble  Servant, 

Eleazar  Wheelock. 


INDORSED : 


Commissn  [to  Benjamin]  Pomroy 
and  my  Son  to  ask  Assistance 
in  Searching  out  a  Place 
for  the  School  June  20,  1  766. 
on  Hudson's  River.  &c 


FROM  THOMAS  GAGE 

Contemporary  Copy1 

New  York  June  22d.  1766. 
Dear  Sir, 

Your  letter  of  the  12th.  Ins1.2  is  come  to  hand,  If  you  have  any 
other  reason  to  desire  an  interview  with  Me  than  the  discoverys 
you  have  made,  from  the  Inclosures  in  my  letter  of  the  2d.  Ins1.3  I 
shall  come  to  you  without  a  moment's  delay;  but  if  that  only  is 
the  reason  for  your  desiring  to  see  Me,  I  am  to  acquaint  you  that 
I  am  well  informed  of  every  thing.  The  person  who  forwarded 
the  letter  from  a  villain  You  &  I  know,  now  in  a  certain  Island, 
did  it  by  my  desire,  if  you  have  opened  the  letters  you  will  see  he 
desires  the  Answer  if  any,  may  be  sent  to  him  here.  If  it  comes  it 
will  be  brought  me.  There  were  four  or  five  letters  from  that 
Scoundrel  of  all  which  I  have  taken  Copies  and  forwarded  the 
Originals.  You  know  in  all  these  matters  the  difficulty  of  con- 
victing people  lyes  in  proofs,  and  none  can  be  had  of  these  several 


1  In  William  L.  Clements  Library. 

2  June  1 4,  1  766.  Ante  pp.  1 04-07. 
*  Ante  pp.  100-01. 


Indian  Affairs,  1766-68  1 1 1 

persons  keeping  up  a  bad  Correspondence  but  the  Answers  to 
these  letters.  A  bare  denial  of  all  connection  with  that  person,  and 
saying  they  can't  help  what  such  a  Scoundrel  writes,  confutes 
every  thing,  and  it's  on  that  account  I  have  laid  myself  out,  if 
possible,  to  get  their  several  Answers.  And  to  prevent  the  person 
at  your  house  doing  any  mischief  above  if  he  is  so  inclined  made 
me  write  to  you  in  the  manner  I  did  to  watch  his  Motions.  If  his 
intentions  are  honest  he  would  shew  the  letter  immediately  which 
wou'd  clear  him.  If  he  liked  the  proposals,  his  Answer  wou'd 
come,  and  I  should  get  it:  You  will  be  so  good  to  keep  these 
Matters  secret  or  the  person  I  have  employed  here,  may  perhaps 
make  himself  Some  Enemies,  in  what  some  righteous  pople  may 
term  acting  a  double  part,  but  I  must  own  I  think  no  Man  can  act 
a  wrong  part  who  uses  all  means  to  detect  Traytors  to  their  King 
and  Country.  Of  All  the  letters,  None  seemed  to  recall  to  mind 
any  previous  Correspondence  or  Conversation  except  the  One 
transmitt'd  to  the  person  at  your  house,  for  I  hear  he  has  been 
there.  And  if  you  have  seen  his  letter  you  will  observe  a  Con- 
versation between  the  two  which  passed  at  this  place.  Hearing  he 
was  to  be  at  your  house  made  me  send  it  to  your  Care.  The  person 
who  inclosed  the  letter,  put  it  in  such  thin  paper  that  the  writing 
was  seen,  and  it  was  I  presume  by  that  means  that  you  made  the 
discovery.  My  Clerks  observed  it,  and  sent  me  word  that  there 

was  a  letter  directed  to with  a  letter  from inclosed 

in  it,  but  it  was  too  late  to  rectify  and  it  went  in  that  shape  to 
You.  I  have  now  told  you  the  whole  Affair,  and  you  will  judge 
whether  it  is  proper  to  let  the  person  who  was  with  You  recieve 
his  letters  or  not.  But  if  he  gets  one,  he  shou'd  get  both,  or  I  may 
miss  getting  his  Answer. 

Mr.  Croghan's  Letters  from  Fort  pitt  will  acquaint  you  of  the 
Meeting  he  has  had  with  several  Nations  who  complain  loudly 
of  the  several  Murders  that  have  been  committed  on  their  people. 
I  shall  write  in  the  most  serious  manner  to  the  several  Governor's, 
and  transmit  it  likewise  home.  —  The  Settlers  on  Redstone  Creek 
must  be  drove  away  if  it  is  possible,  I  shall  represent  the  necessity 
of  it  in  the  strongest  terms,  and  offer  Military  Aid  to  effect  it, 


112  Sir  William  Johnson  Papers 

were  they  not  so  numerous  it  might  have  been  easily  done;  the 
Garrison  of  Fort  Pitt  drove  them  off  once  or  twice,  I  believe  no 
later  than  last  year.  If  a  Skirmish  happens,  and  Blood  is  shed, 
you  know  what  a  Clamor  there  will  be  against  the  Military  Acting 
without  Civil  Magistrates. 

I  have  letters  from  the  Ilinois  to  the  10th.  of  April  all  well  and 
quiet,  but  great  want  of  provisions  which  I  am  endeavoring  to 
get  to  them. 

I  have  represented  to  Mr.  Secretary  Conway4  the  situation  of 
the  trade  by  this  packett,  and  gave  my  reasons  why  the  late  regu- 
lations about  the  Indian  trade  confined  the  traders  to  the  posts. 
This  was  in  answer  to  the  letter  with  Mr.  Walker's5  Complaints. 

Within  these  two  days  I  have  procured  a  little  Money,  and 
shall  give  directions  about  paying  your  Account.  I  have  borrowed 
long  enough  and  must  discharge  my  Debts. 

I  am  with  great  Regard, 
Dear  Sir, 
&ca  — 
Sir  William  Johnson. 

indorsed  : 

Copy  To 

Sir  William  Johnson 

&ca  &ca  &ca 

Johnson  Hall. 
New  York  June  22*.  1 766. 


TO  ROBERT  ADEMS 
A.L.S.1 

Johnson  Hall  June  26th.  1766 
Sir  — 

I  herewith  enclose  You  a  Memorandum  of  Such  Articles  as  I 
shall  want  for  the  present  intended  for  the  Westeren  Confederacy. 


4  Henry  Seymour  Conway. 

5  Thomas  Walker,  a  trader. 

1  In  possession  of  Mrs.  Helen  Q.  Lathers  of  Johnstown,  N.  Y. 


Indian  Affairs,   J  766-68  113 

which,  be  as  exact  in  as  You  possibly  can.  and  get  them  all 

together  at  John  B  Van  Ep's  House  till  the  Battoes  are  ready  to 
take  them  in  &  to  Sett  of  for  Osswego.  there  Should  be  Covering 
of  Oil  Cloaths  for  such  Boats  as  Carry  the  powder  &  Dry  Goods, 
if  not  to  be  had,  to  buy  a  ps.  of  thick  blew  Duffils  for  that  purpose. 
I  have  Spoke  to  John  Glen  for  new  battoes  at  least  five.  You  will 
doubtless  be  carefull  to  purchase  Such  Goods  as  will  please  the 
Indians,  for  I  would  by  no  means  have  them  be  finding  fault  with 
them.  If  Mr.  Duncan2  has  Such  goods  as  will  answer,  I  would 
have  you  give  him  the  preference,  &  provided  they  are  as  cheap  as 
You  can  get  them  Elsewhere  —  If  he  has  not  [got]  them  give  Mr. 
Campbel,3  Van  Derheyden,4  &  Lisle5  the  next  preference. 

You  will  buy  2  ps.  of  the  broad  blew  ribband  exactly  the  same 
Colour  of  the  enclosed,  &  2  ps.  of  deep  Green  the  Same  breadth 
of  the  blew  &  2  ps.  of  white  flowered  ribband  of  ye.  Same  breadth 
of  the  others  being  for  a  particular  use.  —  Get  a  pair  of  Silk 
Colours  made  for  the  Grand  Sotif  or  Chief  of  all  the  Chip- 
pawaes.  — 

You  will  tell  ye.  Merchants  You  buy  from,  that  As  Soon  as  I 
return  wh.  will  be  in  abf.  6  weeks  or  2  Months  I  will  See  that  they 
are  paid,  wh.  is  equal  to  ready  [  ]  and  I  expect  the  Goods 

on  the  same  Ca[r]go  —  pray  let  me  hear  from  You,  &  know  when 
You  will  have  all  finished  &  let  Everry  thing  be  completely 
packed.  —  &  let  me  have  Bills  of  Parcels  from  Each  for  the 
Whole,  keeping  An  Ace",  of  the  riding  &  other  Expences  attend- 
ing Sd.  Cargo. 

pray  give  my  Complim,s.  to  Mr.  Brown7  &  tell  him  I  will  be 
much  oblidged  to  him  for  ye.  perusal  of  ye.  Discourse  he  gave  us 
last  Tuesday,  as  I  would  also  to  Mr.  Christ[  ]  for  a  Copy  of 
his  exhortations  read  to  us  before  we  walked  [  j  I  should 


2  John  Duncan. 

3  Daniel  Campbell. 

4  David  Van  Der  Heyden. 

5  Abraham  Lyle. 

6  Grand  Sauteux,  Grand  Sauteur,  or  Grand  Sautois. 

7  The  Reverend  Thomas  Brown  of  Albany. 


1  1 4  .Sir   William  Johnson  Papers 

also  be  glad  You  could  get  from  Secr^.  Benson8  a  Copy  of  their 
By  Laws  &ca.  — 

Lastly  to  remind  Mr.  Gamble9  of  the  Certificate  wh.  he  was 
so  good  to  promise  to  write  for  me.  &  let  it  be  on  parchment. 

The  Old  Woman10  was  Just  buried  as  we  arrived  Yesterday. 
I  found  all  well  everry  where.  — 

I  am  Yr.  Welwisher 

W  Johnson 

Enclosed  is  a  letter  to 

M<\  Wray11  for  5  O.  of  Powder 

&  Ball  or  lead  in  proportion. 

12 1  ps.  of  good  red  flannin       "i 
such  as  You  had  in  yr.  Store  J 

]  pair  of  black  Silk  Mittens  for  a  Woman 
Gauze  for  2  Hatts,  to  keep  of  the  Muskitoes, 
a  black  Feather  for  a  Hatt,  and  a  White  Hat  for  a  Woman 
6  pair  of  worsted  Stockings  for  a  Boy  of  8  years  old  — 
and  a  Hatt  for  Little  Peter13  of  Beaver  Plain 

ADDRESSED : 

Mr.  Robert  Adems 

in  great  Haste  — 
remember  me  to  all  the  Bretheren,  &  tell  them  I  greatly  regret 
my  being  oblidged  to  leave  them  so  Soon  &  abruptly  — 


8  William  Benson,  secretary  of  the  Union  Lodge  of  Albany. 

9  William  Gamble. 

10  John  Johnson's  "dear  Grandmother,"  and  "poor  Granny,"  whose 
decease  was  reported  to  him  June  28,  by  Daniel  Claus  in  a  letter  not  found. 
John  Johnson  to  D.  Claus,  Oct.  1  2,  1  766. 

11  George  Wray  of  Albany. 

12  Written  in  the  margin. 

13  Peter  Johnson,  son  of  Sir  William  and  Molly  Brant. 


Indian  Affairs,   1766-68  115 

TO  THOMAS  GAGE 

A.  L.  S.1 

Johnson  Hall  June  27th.  1766 
Dear  Sir  — 

I  have  received  your  favour  of  the  16th.  Ins1.2  with  the  en- 
closures concerning  the  late  Murders  at  Detroit,  I  am  of  your 
opinion  with  regard  to  the  delivering  up  the  Indians  to  their 
Nation,  as  well  as  to  the  proposed  Attack  on  the  Sf.  Josephs 
Village,  which  I  cannot  approve  of  especially  as  Matters  now 
Stand. 

I  am  sorry  the  Mutiny  Act  oblidges  ye.  Sending  Murderers  to 
be  tryed  within  the  Governments,  as  from  the  present  disposition 
of  our  People  we  can  expect  little  Justice  for  the  Indians,  and 
therefore  it  is  better  never  to  Send  down  the  Negroe,  than  to  Send 
him  to  be  acquitted  here  for  want  (as  it  may  be  said)  of  all  the 
necessary  Law  proofs,  neither  our  Laws,  nor  our  People  are  much 
Calculated  for  redressing  Indians,  and  we  are  in  the  utmost  want 
of  some  method  for  doing  them  effectual  Justice  without  leaving 
it  to  the  decission  of  those  whose  prejudices  will  not  permit  them 
to  see  the  necessity  there  is  for  releiving  them  in  these  cases,  and  the 
consequences  of  a  different  conduct.  I  shall  write  to  L*.  Co11. 
Campbel,3  and  do  all  that  I  can  in  this  Affair,  in  the  mean  time, 
I  have  a  fresh  affair  of  a  verry  disagreable  nature  to  write  You 
upon.  The  Onondagaes  Cheifs  have  been  with  me  from  the  Six 
Nations  to  acquaint  me  that  one  of  their  greatest  Warriors  with 
three  others  &  a  Squaw  were  lately  murdered  near  Fort  Pitt  on 
their  return  from  the  Cherokee  Country,  A  Huron  at  Sandusky 
by  a  Trader,  &  ye.  Shawanese  lately,  that  these  with  Sundry  other 
late  Instances  of  the  like  Nature  had  created  a  Universal  Discon- 
tent amongst  the  Six  Nations,  &  many  others,  &  that  the  same  was 
particularly  affecting  to  them  (the  Onondagaes)  as  they  had  dis- 
tinguished themselves  during  the  late  Wars  by  their  good  be- 


1  In  William  L.  Clements  Library. 

2  Johnson  Papers,  5:271-72. 

3  Lieutenant  Colonel  John  Campbell,  commandant  at  Detroit. 


1  1 6  Sir  William  Johnson  Papers 

haviour  &  attachment  to  us,  for  wh.  they  were  oft  upbraided  by 
our  Enemys,  &  would  be  now  more  so,  they  therefore  by  a  large 
Belt  desired  in  the  name  of  the  whole  Confederacy  to  know  what 
are  our  Intentions  in  so  doing,  &  our  reasons  for  these  late  Murders 
in  time  of  peace,  adding  that  they  feared  it  might  be  the  means  of 
extinguishing  their  Council  Fire  &ca.,  To  this  I  made  them  the 
best  answer  I  could  which  however  You  may  suppose  cannot  be 
verry  Satisfactory  Since  all  my  assurances  are  daily  contradicted 
by  these  Unjustifiable  Actions.  Several  Cayugaes  &  Oneidaes  Ac- 
companied these  Messingers,  &  so  soon  as  they  had  related  the 
foregoing  all  addressed  me  concerning  the  Posts  lately  abandoned, 
which  they  said  they  expected  would  have  been  demolished  ac- 
cording to  promise  at  ye.  end  of  ye.  War,  but  that  they  are  sorry  to 
find  that  the  Soldiers  have  been  Succeeded  by  Settlers,  who  are 
equally  disagreable  to  them  &  may  in  a  short  time  be  more  so,  as 
they  may  draw  People  there  to  Cultivate  Lands,  that  they  dreaded 
ye.   consequences   especially   as   these   places   were   as   so   many 
Springs  of  Rum  where  their  Young  Men  were  constantly  drunk, 
they  therefore  begged  I  would  represent  the  Same  to  You,  which 
I  promised  to  do,  at  the  same  time  telling  them  that  no  Settle- 
ments were  intended,  &  charging  them  not  to  offer  any  Violence 
to  any  who  reside  at  them,  as  I  should  give  them  an  Answer 
Shortly,  but  since  I  find  that  Mr.  Tute4  has  been  removed  by  them 
from  the  Royal  Blockhouse5  &  is  gone  after  Major  Rojers6  &  I 
apprehend  that  any  others  who  Settle  along  this  Communication 
will  meet  with  no  Small  Difficulty  from  the  Indians.  — 

I  have  heard  from  Mr.  Crawford'  who  was  sent  to  Pondiac 
&  the  Westeren  Confederacy,  that  He  &  they  were  to  meet  him 
about  the  middle  of  this  Month  at  the  Mouth  of  Detroit  River, 
in  order  to  proceed  to  Ontario,  but  I  begin  to  be  apprehensive  that 
the  late  Affairs  in  different  Quarters,  (wh.  have  gone  thro  all  the 


4  A  close  friend,  a  former  Ranger,  and  agent  of  Robert  Rogers. 

5  At  the  mouth  of  Wood  Creek,  east  end  of  Oneida  Lake. 

6  Major  Robert  Rogers. 

7  Hugh  Crawford,  a  trader. 


Indian  Affairs,  1766-68  1 1 7 

Nations)  may  produce  some  Change  in  him  &  the  rest,  However 
in  order  to  be  prepared,  I  must  beg  You  will  send  me  about  forty 
Meddals,  I  need  not  apply  to  You  about  any  Orders  for  provi- 
sions, or  for  the  better  expediting  me  thither,  as  I  presume  they 
will  not  be  wanting,  tho  in  fact  in  consideration  of  the  late 
Murders  &ca.  in  the  Provinces,  I  should  much  rather  meet  them 
at  a  distance  from  the  Six  Nations,  who  would  doubtless  other- 
wise attend  &  tell  them  many  melancholy  Tales,  wh.  might  do  us 
prejudice,  to  prevent  this  in  some  measure,  I  have  been  thinking 
of  calling  them  here,  but  this  will  depend  on  what  I  hear  farther 
from  them  &  the  Six  Nations.  — 

I  am  necessitated  to  lay  before  You  my  Want  of  Cash.  I  am 
already  greatly  in  Advance  to  the  Crown  Since  last  August,  as 
will  appear  by  ye.  enclosed  Accu.,  and  I  must  now  take  up  goods 
on  my  own  Credit  for  the  Intended  present  to  be  given  at  ye. 
Congress,  which  distresses  me  not  a  little,  &  which  will  excuse 
me  for  making  this  Application.  As  my  Department  is  not  on  so 
regular  a  footing  as  Others,  it  Subjects  me  to  many  Sudden 
demands  which  I  must  answer,  and  which  I  cannot  hold  out  unless 
the  Government  will  enable  me.  You  are  so  weil  Acquainted  with 
this,  that  I  need  add  no  more,  than  that  I  am  heartily  sorry  to 
give  so  much  trouble  on  these  Subjects.  — 

I  am  with  ye.  greatest  respect 
Dear  Sir 
Your  most  Obedient 
&  verry  Humble  Servant 

WM.  Johnson 
His  Excellency 

General  Gage  — 

indorsed : 

Sir  William  Johnson  Bl. 
Johnson  Hall  June  27,h. 
1766  — 

Answd/.  — 


1  18  Sir  William  Johnson  Papers 

TO  WILLIAM  GRANT 
Contemporary  Copy1 

Johnson  Hall  28th.  June  1766.  — 
Sir  — 

I  shou'd  have  answered  your  letter  of  the  20th.  March2  last, 
sooner  had  I  not  been  prevented  through  business  and  an  Indis- 
position under  which  I  laboured.  —  You  wou'd  certainly  greatly 
mistake  my  character  if  you  thought  I  woud  join  with  any  Set  of 
People  who  attempt  to  hurt  the  property  of  any  of  his  Majesty's 
Subjects.  —  but  give  me  leave  to  inform  you  of  my  Sentiments 
respecting  the  Case  in  question,  whilst  I  assure  you  that  I  have  as 
tender  a  regard  for  your  property  as  for  that  of  any  other  Brittish 
Subject,  and  never  intended  to  interest  myself  in  the  smallest 
degree  with  any  thing  that  did  not  equally  concern  the  Indians' 
Rights,  and  the  Peace  of  the  Country  — 

I  have  read  all  the  Deeds,  and  Papers  &c  relating  to  your 
Purchase  which  is  very  extensive,  and  I  think  it  carries  evidence 
enough  with  it,  that  it  was  Mr.  Rigaud's3  interest,  not  their  Right 
was  considered,  and  they  well  knew  it  might  involve  the  English 
in  a  quarrell  about  it  which  I  presume  you'd  not  be  disagreeable 
to  the  Court  of  France  —  I  shall  not  enlarge  on  this  because  I 
conclude  you  to  be  a  fair  Purchaser  of  what  you  thought  to  be  his 
right  to  grant  — 

The  French,  it  is  true,  seldom  purchased,  as  they  made  but  few 
Settlements,  but  having  the  good  will  of  the  Indians,  established 
Posts  under  the  names  of  Trading  Houses,  and  if  they  claim'd 
any  right  of  Soil  adjacent  they  never  dared  to  mention  it  to  the 
Indians;  on  the  contrary  they  made  use  of  their  Conduct  therein 
as  a  Strong  argument  in  their  favour,  and  had  they  acted  other- 
wise, it  might  have  ended  in  the  ruin  of  their  whole  Colony.  — 

The  case  of  their  Lands  on  the  River  S(.  Lawrence  is  very 
widely  different,  the  Aborigines  being  almost  extinct  for  many 
Years,  and  having  ceded  great  part  of  their  Country  —  it  is  the 


1  In  Canadian  Archives,  Indian  Records,  Vol.  7. 

2  Ante  pp.  45-47. 

3  Louis  Philippe  Rigaud,  Marquis  de  Vaudreuil. 


Indian  Affairs,   1766-68  119 

Policy  of  nations  to  ascertain  bounds  of  Sovereignty  to  prevent 
Disputes  with  their  neighbours:  but  such  has  been  the  wisdom, 
and  Justice  of  our  Kings  that  they  have  never  permitted  the  Rights 
of  the  Natives  to  be  thereby  affected,  and  indeed  good  Policy 
requires  us  to  be  cautious  hereof,  otherwise  we  shou'd  involve  our- 
selves in  continual  troubles  to  the  ruin  of  our  Frontiers.  — 

Conquest  or  Purchase  are  the  only  foundations  for  rights  of 
Soil  here.  You  confess  that  Mr.  Rigaud  did  not  obtain  it  thro'  the 
one,  and  I  am  well  Satisfied  the  French  never  had  it  by  the  other, 
nor  wou'd  they  have  presumed  to  have  raised  up  such  a  Title 
before  they  saw  the  fate  of  Canada  inevitable  when  Mr.  Rigaud 
had  interest  enough  to  get  a  Grant,  which  was  just  putting  so  much 
money  in  his  Pockett  at  the  expence,  or  at  least  risque  of  the  Pur- 
chaser. —  I  cou'd  therefore  have  wished  that  you  had  agreed 
conditionally  with  Mr.  Rigaud;  for  whatever  indulgence  he 
might  have  met  with  from  the  Indians,  we  are  not  upon  such 
terms  with  them,  and  there  were  many  acts  done  by  the  French 
which  we  must  not  think  of  imitating  'till  we  are  upon  equal  terms 
with  the  Indians.  — 

Having  said  a  little  concerning  the  Right,  I  shall  in  a  few 
words  consider  the  nature  of  the  Grant,  and  here  it  appears  in  as 
indifferent  a  light,  as  it  is  a  Monopoly  of  an  extensive  trade, 
which  will  make  it  an  Object  of  more  general  uneasiness,  as  the 
Traders  will  be  thereby  affected.  —  This  Grant  is  attended  with 
such  peculiar  Circumstances  of  Place,  and  Extent  that  it  has  no 
Paralell,  —  neither  is  it  any  Argument  in  its  favor  that  there  are 
other  Monopolies  in  Canada  &c.  —  I  wish  they  may  not  be  con- 
tinued, for  we  all  know  they  are  prejudicial  to  the  fair  Trader, 
and  that  this  wou'd  be  more  so,  must,  I  believe,  be  allowed,  as  it 
is  greater  than  the  rest,  abstracted  from  its  nature,  and  Situa- 
tion. — 

If  the  foregoing  Objections,  and  many  more,  which  time  will 
not  permit  me  to  mention  cou'd  be  removed,  I  shou'd  be  desirous  to 
do  you  a  Service  therein;  but  be  your  Title  never  so  good  at 

L Common  law  its  consequences  in  a  political  View,  and  the  Justice 


120  Sir   William  Johnson  Papers 

assured  you  might  command  my  good  Offices  with  as  much  free- 
dom as  I  have  given  you  my  Opinion,  and  as  the  Case  now  Stands, 
it  will  give  me  Concern  shou'd  the  Complaints  of  the  Indians  at 
this  critical  Period  oblige  me  to  take  further  measures  as  I  am 

Sr.  &c  —  Yours  — 

W.  Johnson  — 

To  WM.  Grant  Esquire  — 


FROM  ROBERT  ROGERS 

Fort  Earie  \?e.  28lh.  June  1766 

Sir 

I  yestarday  arived  at  this  place  where  I  meet  Mr.  crafford2 
(with  pointeac)  and  Several  other  Seachams  of  ye.  westeran 
Indians  —  we  smooked  a  pipe  togather  and  drank  a  bottle  of 
wine  —  and  parted  with  the  usal  Ceramonays  of  Shaking  hands 
&ca.  — 

Should  you  make  any  new  Regelations  with  Such  Indians  as 
you  think  I  may  See  at  Michilikemnack  —  I  should  Esteme  it  a 
favour  if  you  would  be  pleased  to  Drect  me  further  that  I  may 
know  the  better  how  to  comunecat  your  Intentions  to  them  —  Mr. 
crafford  keeps  the  Indians  in  the  Best  order  that  I  have  Ever  Seen 
any  keept  in  and  I  hop  his  EzaP  for  the  Service  will  Recomend 
him  to  your  notice 

I  Set  out  from  hence  tomorow  and  Shall  I  hope  Soon  Reach 
Detroit  and  if  I  have  any  thing  there  woth  comunicating  to  You 
it  Shall  be  done 

I  am  Sir  with  great  trouth 
Your  Verey 

Humble  Servant 

Robt.  Rogers4 


1  In  Historical  Society  of  Pennsylvania. 

2  Hugh  Crawford,  a  trader. 

3  "Zeal." 

4  Major  Robert  Rogers,  appointed  commandant  at  Michilimackinac. 


Indian  Affairs,  1766-68  121 

Mrs.  Rogers's  Compliments  waits  on  Sir  William,  and  begs  Leave 
to  Recommend  to  his  notice  Mr.  Crafford ;  and  hops  he  will  Send 
him  Commassary  to  Michilimackinac5 

To  SiR  William  Jonson 
addressed: 

To 

Sir  William  Jonson  Bar1, 
at 

Jonson  Hall 
INDORSED:6 

Fort  Erie  28th.  June  1 766 


Major  Rojer's  Letter 


INDIAN  PROCEEDINGS 

Contemporary  Copy1 

[Johnson  Hall,  June  3- June  29,  1766] 

June  3d.  On  this  day  Hannis  and  his  Son  who  were  sent  by  the 
Oneidas  of  Kanawaroghere  arrived  here,  and  acquainted  Sir 
Wm.  of  the  death  of  Gawehe2  the  chief  Warrior,  and  Sachim 
of  that  Castle  who  died  at  Fort  Stanwix  by  hard  drinking ;  but  the 
Messenger  said  he  was  told  by  some  white  People  along  the  way 
hither  that  he  was  killed  by  the  Push  of  a  [Bayonet]3  Firelock  in 
the  breast  from  some  of  the  Garrison.  —  a  letter  from  Thomas 
son  of  the  deceased  mentioned  the  same  to  Sir  Wm.  —  Sir  Wm. 
answered  in  the  most  satisfactory  manner,  the  Nature  of  the  affair 


5  This  note  in  another  handwriting,  perhaps  that  of  Mrs.  Rogers  who 
went  with  her  husband. 

6  In  Sir  William's  hand. 

1  In  Canadian  Archives,  Indian  Records,  Vol.  7. 

2  Gawehe,  an  Oneida  Indian.   In  Doc.  Rel.  to  Col.  Hist.  N.  Y.,  8:240, 
he  is  spoken  of  as  a  Tuscarora  sachem. 

3  Words  italicized  and  in  brackets  are  crossed  out  in  manuscript. 


122  Sir  William  Johnson  Papers 

wou'd  admit  of,  and  also  sent  by  the  bearer  three  black  Strouds, 
and  a  Pair  of  black  Stockings  to  the  friends  of  the  deceased,  also 
a  large  String  of  9  Strings  of  Wampum  to  wipe  away  the  tears 
of  the  deceased,  and  sent  the  Nation  word  that  the  two  Mohawk 
Castles,  and  Deputies  wou'd  soon  go  to  their  Castle,  and  perform 
the  Ceremony  of  Condolence  in  full  form  —  Sir  Wm.  then  gave 
the  Messengers  a  small  Present,  some  Ammunition,  and  Cash  for 
their  Journey,  and  so  parted.  — 

9  Strings  of  Wampum.  — 

8th.  Mr.  Samuel  Star  of  Ridgefield  in  Connecticut  arrived  here, 
and  delivered  Sir  Wm.  a  Petition4  from  the  Wappinger  Indians 
requesting  a  favorable  Representation  of  their  Case  to  his 
Majesty,  and  Privy  Council,  at  the  same  time  they  sent  for  his 
Perusal  a  Copy  of  their  Petition  to  his  Majesty,  and  Privy 
Council,  also  the  State  of  their  Case,  as  prepared,  and  drawn  up, 
in  Order  to  be  sent  with  their  Petition  concerning  the  lands  wch. 
Mr.  Philipse,5  and  Mr.  Robinson  &c  have  settled  Tenants  on.  — 
Sir  Wm.  wrote  a  few  lines  to  the  Wappinger  Indians  by  the 
Return  of  the  bearer  acquainting  them  that  his  time  was  then  so 
much  taken  up  with  matters  of  importance  that  it  was  not  in  his 
power  to  peruse  the  Papers  sent  him,  nor  consider  the  Contents 
immediately,  but  that  he  woud  again  mention  their  Case  in  his 
next  letter  to  the  Lords  of  Trade  wch.  wou'd  be  very  Soon  — 

June  the  8th.  On  this  day  the  Mohocks  all  assembled  here  in 
order  to  Shew  Sir  William  the  Belts  they  intended  to  send  to  the 
Huron  Nation  by  one  of  their  Chiefs  going  that  way,  namely, 
Nickus  alias  Kanadyora.  —  they  sent  four  Belts,  all  declaring 
their  Desire  of  a  strict  Alliance  with  that  nation  expressing  their 
Satisfaction  at  the  Restoration  of  Peace,  and  recommending  it  to 
them  to  use  all  means  for  the  preservation  of  it  in  their  Country, 
as  they  were  determined  to  do  the  same  in  theirs.  —  Sir  William 
gave  Nickus  a  Pass,  some  Cash  &c,  and  parted  — 


4  Petition  of  the  Wappinger  Indians  to  Johnson  dated  at  Stockbridge, 
May  29,  1  766,  ante  pp.  97-98. 

5  Philip  Philipse. 


Indian  Affairs,   1766-68  123 

June  18th.  Tarvasfyughta  a  Principal  Warrior  of  the  Onondaga 
Nation  with  two  more  of  his  Countrymen  arrived  here.  —  as  they 
approached  the  House,  they  gave  the  murder  Shout  several  times, 
they  were  accompanied  by  two  Conojaheres,  namely, 
Araghiixjiadecfya,  and  Tafyarihoga,  both  Sachims.  As  soon  as  they 
entered  the  Council  Room,  Tawaskughta  said  he  was  sent  by  all 
the  Sachims,  and  Warriors  of  his  Nation  to  let  Sir  Wm.  know 
that  Karaghiagigo  a  Chieftain  of  their  Nation  together  with  two 
of  his  Warriors  were  killed  in  Encampment  near  Fort  Pit,  along 
the  Monongahela  River  by  the  English,  and  that  another  was 
wounded  in  the  Leg,  and  taken  Prisoner  to  the  Fort,  there  blind- 
folded [and]  shot,  so  that  his  Party  which  consisted  but  of  four 
were  all  murdered  on  their  Return  from  the  Cheroke  Country  — 
that  an  Onondaga  Woman  was  murdered  near  the  Fort,  —  a 
Huron  Indian  at  Sanduskey  by  a  Trader,  a  Shawanese  Indian 
at  Loggstown,  and  seven  Tuscaroras,  and  Oneidas  on  their  Return 
from  North  Carolina.  — 

He  then  produced  a  large  white  Belt  interspersed  with  black 
Figures,  desiring  Sir  Wm.  to  let  him  know  the  reasons  of  his 
People  (the  English)  murdering  so  many  of  theirs  in  time  of 
profound  Peace,  and  insisted  on  his  telling  them  by  what  Province 
it  was  done,  and  that  as  soon  as  possible.  —  He  then  reminded 
Sir  Wm.  of  the  several  Services  done  to  the  English  by  their 
Nation  during  the  late  War  with  the  French,  and  in  that  with  the 
Chenussios,  Delawares,  and  others,  and  added  that  it  hurted 
them  the  more  to  be  so  treated,  as  the  other  Nations,  (who  were 
jealous  of  them  for  their  Attachment  to  the  English)  had  now  an 
Opportunity  of  throwing  out  disagreeable  Reflections,  such  as,  — 
"See  what  a  regard  your  English  Brethren  have  for  you.  You  are 
well  rewarded  for  your  Services  &c".  —  this  adds  much  to  our 
grief.  —  besides  all  the  surrounding  nations  will  now  be  alarmed 
at  our  treatment,  and  especially  so,  when  they  see  our  Council 
Fire  extinguished,  and  the  tree  of  Shelter,  and  Peace  bear  no 
Leaves.  — 

On  same  day  a  Party  of  Oneidas  arrived  here  when  Thomas 
al  Adinghfyanorum  with  three  Strings  of  Wampum  acquainted  Sir 


124  Sir  William  Johnson  Papers 

William  that  their  Chiefs  had  a  Meeting  six  days  ago,  at  wch. 
they  appointed  him  to  come  down  and  let  him  know  that  they 
were  very  uneasy  at  the  General's  allowing  People  to  sit  down 
at  the  Royal  Blockhouse,6  after  acquainting  them  some  time  ago 
that  it  and  several  Posts  shou'd  be  abandoned,  —  that  they  were 
very  apprehensive  of  ill  Consequences  if  they  were  not  removed, 
—  that  as  they  are  like  so  many  Springs  of  Rum,  their  young  men 
who  constantly  hunt  and  fish  about  them  Places,  may  in  their 
Liquor  go  great  lengths,  which  may  be  productive  of  a  quarrell. 
they  therefore  desire  that  you  may  be  as  good  as  your  Word,  that 
is  to  say,  to  demolish  the  Posts  as  was  promised  when  the  War 
with  the  French  shou'd  be  over.  they  desire  much  that  Sir 

Wm.  would  write  to  the  General  thereon,  and  beg  leave  to  have 
his  answer  as  soon  as  possible.  — 

3  Strings  of  Wampum.  — 

He  then  informed  Sir  Wm.  of  Gawehes  last  words  to  him, 
which  were  respecting  his  Family,  desiring  him  to  take  Care  of 
them  until  they  were  able  to  help  themselves,  —  that  as  he  was  our 
hearty  friend,  he  hoped  that  proper  Notice  wou'd  be  taken  of  his 
last  Request. 

Sir  Wm.  in  answer  told  them  that  he  wou'd  write  to  the  General 
on  the  Subject  of  their  Complaints,  and  let  them  know  his  senti- 
ments thereon,  and  also  make  known  to  them  his  own,  —  at  the 
same  time  charged  them  not  to  suffer  their  young  men  to  commit 
any  violence  on  the  Persons,  or  Properties  of  those  People  to 
whom  the  General  granted  them  Posts,  as  that  wou'd  be  a  means 
of  breaking  the  Peace  between  them,  and  the  English.  — 

3  Strings.  - — 

Sir  William  promised  that  in  consequence,  and  consideration  of 
Gatoehes  attachment,  and  Services  during  the  late  War  his 
Widdow  and  Children  shou'd  be  taken  notice  of  by  him,  and 
assisted  whenever  in  real  want. 


6  Royal  Block  House  at  east  end  of  Oneida  Lake  at  the  mouth  of  Wood 
Creek. 


Indian  Affairs,   J  766-68  125 

On  same  day  two  Mohawks  arrived  here,  and  delivered  Sir 
Wm.  three  strings  of  Wampum  from  their  Chiefs  acquainting  him 
that  they  were  all  on  their  way,  and  wou'd  be  here  this  day.  — 

3  Strings.  — 

At  4  past  M.  they  arrived,  —  being  met  they  sent  for  the 
Onondagas,  Conojahares,  Cayugas,  and  Oneidas,  and  desired 
the  former  to  acquaint  them  with  the  news  they  brought,  which 
they  did  in  the  same  manner  they  had  Sr.  Wm.  the  day  before, 
with  this  addition  that  they  had  sent  Runners  to  acquaint  their 
Allies  along  the  Susquahanna  the  Ottawas  &c  and  the  Cognawa- 
geys  with  their  Loss,  —  also  that  the  Cayugas  had  already  spoke 
to  them  requesting  that  they  would  not  suffer  their  Heads  to  turn, 
but  pursue  the  good  Work  of  Peace,  which  they  had  been  re- 
markable for,  and  which  they  promised  to  do.  —  Then  the 
Mohawks  thanked  them  for  acquainting  them  with  the  News, 
much  approved  the  Cayugas  advice,  and  recommended  the  same 
strongly  to  them  —  then  parted  for  that  time  it  being  late.  — 

The  Mohawks  then  told  Sir  Wm.  that  the  story  did  not  hang 
well  together  for  several  reasons,  which  they  then  mentioned,  and 
that  they  were  more  apt  to  think  that  Karaghiagigo,  and  his  Party 
had  done  something  wrong,  or  bad  to  the  White  People,  which 
occasioned  them  to  pursue  and  destroy  them,  than  that  the  White 
People  (particularly  the  Garrison  of  Fort  Pit)  shou'd  without 
any  reason  fall  upon  &  masacre  them  — 

June  20th.  The  Indians  being  all  assembled  in  the  Council 
Room,  Araghiyiadecfya  performed  the  Ceremony  of  Condolence 
by  wiping  away  the  tears,  clearing  away  the  Passage  to  the  throat, 
and  heart,  and  wiping  away  the  blood  of  the  four  Onondagas 
Warriors  lately  slain,  out  of  the  sight  of  their  People  so  as  never 
more  to  be  seen,  this  was  performed  with  three  Strings  of 
Wampum.  —  In  the  next  place,  he  in  the  name  of  Sir  Wm.  and 
that  of  the  two  Mohawk  Castles,  recommended  it  to  the  Onon- 
dagas not  to  grow  giddy,  or  allow  their  heads  to  turn,  but  patiently 
to  bear  their  Loss,  and  keep  their  Warriors  within  bounds,  — 
also  desired  they  wou'd  send  to  acquaint  their  Allies  with  their 
good  Disposition.  —  Sr.  Wm.  gave  a  —  Large  White  Belt 


126  Sir  William  Johnson  Papers 

Sir  Wm.   lastly   assured  them  that  he  knew  nothing  of  the 
affair  as  yet  but  what  he  had  heard  from  them,  and  promised  he 
wou'd  make  Enquiry  without  loss  of  time,  and  acquaint  them  with 
the  truth  of  the  matter  as  soon  as  was  in  his  power,  at  which  time 
they  should  receive  a  Belt  from  him  in  Return  for  the  one  they  had 
left.  Sir  Wm.  also  assured  them  of  his  taking  every  Step  possible 
to  find  out  and  bring  to  Punishment  the  Perpetrators  of  an  Action 
so  vile,   and   contrary   to   our   Disposition,  —  wherefore  he   ex- 
pected  that   their   nation   wou'd   act   with   that   Prudence,    and 
Patience  for  which  they  had  ever  been  remarkable.  —  Sir  Wm. 
then  only  shewed  them  their  belt,  and  promised  to  send  another 
with    the    accounts.  —  Then    the    Onondagas,    Cayugas,    and 
Oneidas  withdrew  leaving  the  two  Mohawk  Castles  by  them- 
selves, who  immediately  with  Sir  Wm.  settled  the  Ceremony  of 
Condolance  for  the  death  of  Gawehe  an  Oneida  Chief,  Kaghra- 
doto  a  Cayuga  Sachim,   and   Chitharteraa   a   Nanticoke  chief, 
to  the  settlement  of  which  Sir  Wm.   gave  a  good  black  Belt 
to   cover   Gawehes   Grave.  —  the    two    Mohawk    Castles    gave 
each  a  Belt  for  the  other  two,  and  seven  other  Belts  for  other 
Parts  of  the  Ceremony,  which  are  to  be  exchanged.  —  After  the 
Ceremony  was  over,  Sir  Wm.  laid  before  the  Mohawk  Castles 
the  Proposals  of  the  Proprietors  of  Kayadarosseras,  and  desired 
they  might  consider  of  the  same,  and  give  a  favorable  answer, 
so  that  the  affair  might  be  amicably  settled,  —  they  promised  to 
consider  of  it  and  give  him  an  answer  as  soon  as  possible.  — 

June  21st.  The  Indians  being  all  assembled,  the  Mohawk 
Speaker,  Abraham  spoke  as  follows  —  viz1. 

Brethren.  —  We  have  had  proposals  delivered  to  us  fully  by 
our  brother  Warraghiyagey,  and  on  full  consideration  thereof  we 
are  to  tell  you  that  we  cannot  think  of  parting  with  the  lands  of 
Kayadarosseras,  as  we  are  fully  satisfied  that  they  were  never 
fairly  purchased,  nor  did  we  ever  receive  any  Consideration  for 
them,  which  many  of  our  old  men,  yet  living,  must  know,  if  so, 
and  besides,  that  it  is  our  chief  hunting  Ground,  without  which  we 
cannot  live  where  we  are,  but  must  look  out  among  other  Nations 
for  lands  to  live,  and  hunt  upon.  it  appears  to  us  that  your 


Indian  Affairs,   1766-68  127 

design  is  to  take  it  from  us  by  force,  and  thereby  bring  trouble  on 
the  land  again,  which  is  not  our  disposition  if  we  can  avoid  it. 
if  those  Lands  were  honestly  come  by,  how  is  it  that  they 
were  not  thick  settled  'ere  now,  or  laid  out  as  other  Patents  have 
been?  it  is  only  since  you  have  got  the  better  of  French  that  you 
have  made  Settlements  thereon,  imagining  as  we  suppose  that 
you  think  you  could  now  do  as  you  please.  —  it  is  true,  that  you 
may  by  violence  take  it  from  us,  but  the  consequence  shou'd  be 
considered,  and  we  can't  think  that,  that  is  the  intention  of  the 
King  and  his  great  men,  who  have  so  often  assured  us  of  his 
Justice,  and  Protection.  —  We  have  now  given  you  our  answer, 
and  beg  you  will  think  no  more  about  nor  offer  to  settle  them 
Lands  — 

Being  all  assembled  in  Council  Sr.  Wm.  condoled  the  death 
of  the  Oneida  who  was  murdered  at  the  Minisinfys  with  three 
strings  of  Wampum,  and  a  black  stroud  for  which  they  all  re- 
turned many  thanks  — 

A  letter  and  Bunch  of  Wampum  was  this  day  brought  to  Sir 
Wm.  from  Mr.  Crawford7  whom  he  had  sent  to  invite  the 
Western  Indians  to  a  meeting,  the  latter  from  Pondiac  assuring 
him  that  he  wou'd  meet  him  at  Ontario  about  the  25th.  Ins1,  of 
which  Sir  Wm.  acquainted  the  Indians  then  in  Council.  — 

29th.  Sir  William  sent  John  Thornton  express  to  Oswego  with  a 
letter  to  Cap*.  Mc.  Leods  desiring  to  be  informed  whether  the 
Indians  were  come  to  Niagara,  or  to  Ontario,  and  in  case  they 
were  come  to  the  latter,  to  endeavor  to  prevail  on  them  to  come 
here,  and  employ  some  good  man  to  accompany  them  hither.  — 


7  Hugh  Crawford,  trader. 

8  Captain-Lieutenant  Normand  MacLeod,  commissary  for  Indian  trad« 
at  Niagara.    See  Doc.  Rel.  to  Col  Hist.  N.  Y.,  8:228. 


128  Sir  William  Johnson  Papers 

FROM  THOMAS  MORRIS 

-il  •     1—1.     \~>  • 

Niagara  July  the  Ist.  1766 
Sir 

Yesterday  evening  arrived  here  Mr.  Crawford,2  who  was  sent 
by  Mr.  Croghan  to  bring  Pondiac  &  some  other  chiefs  to  Ontario. 
Mr.  Croghan  had  desired  him  to  apply  to  me,  if  he  should  want 
assistance  at  Detroit ;  but  I  was  hurried  away  from  thence  a  day  or 
two  after  his  arrival;  however  I  was  of  some  little  help  to  him 
before  I  left  it.  I  hope  I  am  not  mistaken  in  thinking  him  a  man  of 
enterprise  &  diligence  &  fit  to  manage  Indians.  The  vessel  happen- 
ing very  luckily  to  be  on  the  point  of  sailing,  &  Mr.  Crawford 
being  impatient  to  get  the  Indians  away,  as  they  have  been  of  late 
a  little  troublesome,  they  were  immediately  embarked,  &  I  hope 
will  arrive  at  the  place  of  Rendezvous  in  due  time.  I  desired  Mr. 
Roberts3  to  give  you  notice  of  Pondiac's  arrival  at  F.  Erie,  by  a 
bark  canoe  which  passed  by  this  port  the  day  before  yesterday. 

I  am  sir 

your  most  obed1.  hum.  serv1. 

Thoms.  Morris4 


indorsed  :5 


Niagrajuly  1st.  1766 
Cap1.  Morris'  Letter 


1  In  Historical  Society  of  Pennsylvania. 

2  Hugh  Crawford. 

3  Lieutenant  Benjamin  Roberts,  commissary  at  Niagara. 

4  Captain  Thomas  Morris  of  the  1  7th  regiment. 

5  In  Sir  Williams'  hand. 


Indian  Affairs,   1766-68  129 

FROM  BENJAMIN  ROBERTS 
Extract1 

Ontario,  3d.  July  1766 
Sir. 

I  overtook  Lady  Susan2  the  1 sl.  Instant  early  in  the  morning  at 
the  Royal  Blockhouse  next  morning  [we]  sat  out  with  a 
fair  Wind  &  this  day  arrived  here  to  Breakfast.  She  bore  all  the 
fattigues  of  Battoing  Muskitoe  Biting  &  bad  Riding  with  good 
humor  &  Spirits  peculiar  to  herself  &  tomorrow  we  expect  to  set 
out  on  board  the  Brunswick  With  a  fair  Wind  for  Niagara. 


1  From  a  copy  in  Oneida  Historical  Society,  Utica,  N.  Y.  This  first 
paragraph  is  badly  mutilated  in  the  manuscript,  printed  in  Johnson  Papers, 
5:300-01. 

2  Lady  Susan  O'Brien,  wife  of  William  O'Brien,  who  in  company  with 
her  husband  was  making  a  journey  from  New  York  to  Niagara. 


TO  THOMAS  GAGE 

Jri. .   l—i.   O. 

Johnson  Hall  July  4th.  1766 
Dear  Sir  — 

I  have  received  your  favour  of  ye.  22d.  Ult0.2  and  must  confess 
to  You  that  the  Discovery  I  made  which  appeared  to  me  of  much 
importance  &  to  require  great  caution  &  Secrecy  were  my  sole 
Motives  for  requesting  the  favour  of  meeting  with  You,  I  owe 
this  Discovery  to  my  own  Suspicions  &  the  thinness  of  the  paper, 
before  the  perusal  of  it,  I  had  heard  some  Stories  &  made  several 
Observations  which  sufficiently  Justified  the  liberty  I  took  es- 
pecially if  we  duly  consider  all  Circumstances,  &  since  I  have 
accidentally  heard  more  to  strengthen  my  Opinion. 

You  may  be  assured  of  my  Secrecy,  &  that  the  utmost  Caution 
shall  not  be  wanting  on  my  part  for  preventing  any  111  conse- 


1  In  William  L.  Clements  Library;  draft  in  mutilated  form  printed  in 
Johnson  Papers,  5:301-03. 

2  Ante  pp.   110-12. 


130  Sir   William  Johnson  Papers 

quences.  —  I  think  as  You  do,  that  it  should  be  forwarded,  but 
if  I  can  by  any  means  do  it,  Shall  keep  the  Original.  I  am 
sensible  of  the  difficulty's  we  are  yet  under  for  proofs  of  the  one 
Person,  but  from  some  knowledge  of  his  principles  &  present 
Scituation,  I  fear  it  is  in  the  power  of  low  Cunning  to  elude  our 
watching,  and  bring  matters  to  a  Crisis  before  our  measures  are 
ripe. 

I  have  a  fresh  Ace',  of  a  Murder  committed  at  Detroit  on  an 
Indian  Cheif,  but  this  was  done  by  another  Indian  &  of  another 
Nation,  &  by  other  letters  I  hear  that  one  of  Mr.  Croghans  people 
has  been  murdered  near  the  Illinois,  this  he  has  not  himself  wrote, 
but  has  transmitted  me  the  proceedings  with  the  Inds.  concerning 
the  peoples  Settling  and  the  Murders  committed,  on  this  Subject 
I  find  all  the  Indians  are  verry  clamourous,  and  I  am  now  daily 
perplexed  with  their  complaints  from  all  Quarters.  —  a  verry 
disagreable  Scituation  when  I  reflect  that  other  Affairs  at  Home 
the  Weakness  of  Government,  &  Strong  prejudices  of  people  here 
render  it  almost  unsafe  for  me  to  continue  my  Assurances  of 
redress,  for  where  will  this  redress  come  from,  or  will  it  come  at 
all  ?  —  I  beleive  the  Governours  on  consulting  their  Councils  will 
not  incline  to  make  any  requisition  of  Regular  Troops  to  remove 
Settlers,  and  I  am  well  Acquainted  with  the  General  dislike 
against  such  Troops  on  these  Occasions,  but  the  turbulency  of  the 
People  may  at  last  render  them  the  only  resource.  I  fear  as  little 
will  be  done  to  prevent  Murders  for  the  future,  as  has  been  done 
to  redress  ye.  Indians  &  punish  the  guilty.  This  Anarchy  is  likely 
to  continue  'till  the  policy  of  the  Americans  Whites  &  Indians  are 
thoroughly  known  at  Court.  I  have  endeavoured  for  the  Common 
Good  to  explain  both,  &  your  concurring  with  me  in  your  letters 
on  these  Matters  where  our  private  opinions  coincide  may  occasion 
that  to  be  attended  to,  which  hitherto  has  been  neglected,  or  ob- 
structed thro  the  designing  Artifices  of  many  Hundreds  now  in 
England. 

Nothing  is  more  likely  than  a  Rupture  soon,  those  who  foment 
it,  will  doubtless  feel  it,  but  the  Crown  must  pay  for  all  at  last, 
and  either  open  a  Door  desired  by  more  than  the  French  by 


Indian  Affairs,   1766-68  131 

lessening  the  Army,  &  withdrawing  the  Out  Posts,  or  else  spend 
large  Sums  on  Expeditions  &ca.  to  effect  a  Momentary  Peace 
which  is  no  sooner  made  than  broke  thro,  the  want  of  proper 
Laws,  and  proper  powers  for  enforcing  &  rendering  them 
effectual. 

I  have  as  yet  only  heard  that  Pondiac  is  collecting  his  People 
&  daily  expected,  I  understand  there  is  no  provisions  at  Ontario 
this  will  be  a  sad  Affair  indeed,  &  I  know  not  how  to  help  it,  I 
mentioned  in  a  former  letter  some  reasons  for  calling  him  down 
farther,  &  I  have  now  more  cause  to  do  so,  but  at  all  events  I 
am  quite  at  a  loss  what  to  do  for  provisions,  there  being  none  I  am 
informed  nearer  than  Albany.  — 

I  shall  be  extremely  glad  that  you  will  be  pleased  to  Issue 
some  orders  to  the  Commanding  Officers  at  the  Posts  where 
Comissaries  are  to  reside  respecting  them.  —  I  have  furnished 
Each  Comissary  with  Instructions,  &  Copys  of  those  Articles  re- 
specting their  Duty  taken  from  the  Plan  of  ye.  Lords  of  Trade, 
but  as  this  Plan  is  not  yet  Settled  by  Act  of  Parliament  (tho 
Some  of  my  letters  inform  me  that  the  present  board  of  Trade 
greatly  approve  it)  it  will  be  necessary  for  the  Comd§.  Officers 
to  have  your  Orders  to  give  the  Comissarys  what  Support  and 
Assistance  they  can,  without  which,  a  Comissary  will  not  have  it 
in  his  power  to  do  any  thing,  &  be  in  a  great  measure  useless,  & 
the  Traders  &ca.  will  do  as  they  please.  If  at  ye.  same  time  You 
would  give  some  directions  for  Quarters,  firewood  &  provisions  for 
them,  the  Smiths,  &  Interpreters,  it  would  be  highly  necessary,  as 
these  Articles  are  hard  to  be  got  &  verry  Expensive.  —  there  are 
some  few  things  of  the  presents  You  ordered  up  last  Year  yet  in 
ye.  possession  of  ye.  Commanding  Officers  at  Detroit,  &  Niagra, 
&ca.,  which  would  now  be  best  in  the  Hands  of  the  Comissarys.  — 

Many  Traders  from  Canada  are  trading  at  the  different  Rivers 
abl.  Lake  Ontario  &ca.  One  Todd3  was  taken  up  at  Toronto,  & 
brought  to  Niagra  for  trading  at  ye.  former  place,  &  dismissed  on 
promising  to  return  imediately  to  Montreal  but  on  the  contrary,  he 


3  Isaac  Todd. 


132  Sir  William  Johnson  Papers 

has  since  disposed  of  his  Cargo  by  the  way,  &  is  waiting  at  the 
North  Side  of  the  Lake  for  a  fresh  Supply  of  Goods  &  Rum, 
Others  are  at  Kente,  Kadaraghqui  &ca.  I  beg  You  will  take  it 
into  consideration  with  out  wh.  there  will  be  no  trade  at  the  Posts, 
&  the  regulations  for  preventing  Abuses  &  frauds  will  become  use- 
less, &  the  consequence  verry  disagreable.  —  I  hope  the  Meddals 
will  be  soon  up,  and  as  to  provisions,  I  must  endeavour  to  purchase 
some  from  the  Inhabitants  if  possible,  as  Cap1.  Rojers4  Sends  me 
word  there  are  none  at  his  Post,5  &  I  hear  there  are  but  verry 
little  at  Niagra,  or  Swegatchy.  — 

I  am  with  ye.  greatest  Esteem 
Dear  Sir 
Your  most  Obedient 
&  verry  Humble  Servant 
W.  Johnson 

His  Excellency 

Genrl.  Gage  — 

P  S.  I  was  so  hurried  by  ye.  last  Post  that  I  forgot  to  enclose  You 
my  Ace1.  — 

INDORSED : 

Sir  Wm.  Johnson 

4th.  July  1  766  — 
received  July  1 2th. 
Answd.  — 


4  Robert  Rogers. 

5  Michilimackinac. 


Indian  Affairs,   1766-68  133 

GEORGE  CROGHAN  TO  THOMAS  GAGE 

Contemporary  Copy1 

Dated  Sciota  July  6th.  1766. 

Extract  of  a  Letter  from  Mr.  Croghan,  Deputy  Agent  of  Indian 
Affairs,  To  Major  General  Gage,  Commander  in  Chief  in  North 
America. 

I  have  been  obliged  to  give  those  Indians  Some  Presents,  and 
to  Gratify  them  with  sending  a  Trader  with  a  few  Goods  to  their 
Town  for  the  present,  as  they  complained  of  the  Distance  to  Fort 
Pitt,  in  Transporting  their  Peltry,  and  our  not  Suffering  any 
French  traders  to  come  amongst  them. 


1  In  William  L.  Clements  Library;  inclosed  in  Gage  to  Johnson,  Aug. 
18,  1  766,  and  printed  in  mutilated  form  in  Johnson  Papers,  5:307. 


FROM  THOMAS  GAGE 
A.L.S.1 

Neto-york  July  7ih.  1766. 
Dear  Sir, 

Your  Letter  the  27th.  of  June2  gives  me  very  great  Concern  in 
the  Relation  of  fresh  Murthers  upon  the  Indians  near  Fort :  Pitt ; 
and  it  Surprizes  me  the  more,  as  Neither  Captain  Murray's3 
Letters  or  those  of  Mr.  Croghan  from  F :  Pitt  of  the  1 st.  of  June, 
make  mention  of  it.  I  conclude  this  Villany  must  have  been  per- 
petrated since  those  Letters  were  wrote,  th'o  there  seems  hardly 
Time  enough.  I  have  represented  all  these  Matters  to  the  Gover- 
nors of  Jersey,  Pensylvania  &  Virginia ;  with  offers  of  my  Assist- 
ance to  apprehend  the  Murtherers,  and  to  drive  the  Settlers  from 
Red  Stone  Creek  and  other  Places  by  Force,  recommending  it  as 
proper  That  Some  Indian  Chiefs  should  be  with  the  Troops  and 
witness  of  our  earnest  Desire  to  relieve  Them.  I  have  wrote  a 


1  In  New  York  State  Library,  Tayler-Cooper  Collection,  property  of 
William  Leland  Thompson. 

2  Ante  pp.  115-17. 

3  Captain  William  Murray,  commandant  at  Fort  Pitt. 


134  Sir  William  Johnson  Papers 

second  Letter  to  the  Governor  of  Jersey,  on  hearing  that  two 
Squaws  had  been  killed  in  his  Province,  and  that  one  Allen  was 
taken  and  committed  to  Jail  for  being  guilty  of  the  Murther;  his 
Accomplice  fled,  and  a  Description  has  been  sent  to  the  Mayor 
of  this  City  to  endeavor  to  discover  him.  I  have  proposed  to  Mr. 
Franklin4  if  Proof  is  had  sufficient  to  condemn  Allen,  and  that 
he  shall  be  condemned,  to  send  for  some  Chiefs  to  be  present  at 
his  Execution.  You  may  depend  upon  it  that  I  shall  leave  no 
stone  unturned  to  get  Justice  to  the  Indians.  I  have  wrote  to  Cap1. 
Murray  at  Fort :  Pitt,  if  the  Murtherers  are  to  be  found  amongst 
any  of  the  Settlers  complained  of,  which  is  not  unlikely  that  he  will 
seize  them  and  take  Depositions,  and  that  I  wish  the  Indians  could 
discover  them  and  put  them  to  Death,  in  which  Case  he  was  not  to 
retaliate;  but  to  take  every  opportunity  to  convince  them  of  our 
earnest  wishes  to  do  them  Justice.  And  they  will  see  from  our 
Behavior  to  them  at  the  Fort,  That  the  King's  Servants  &  his 
Soldiers  desired  to  preserve  their  Friendship.  I  have  once  repre- 
sented the  Necessity  of  having  Courts  of  Justice  in  the  uninhabited 
Country  but  all  I  could  get,  was  the  Clause  in  the  Mutiny  Act, 
which  I  have  mentioned  in  my  former  Letter. 

I  am  Sorry  the  Indians  take  umbrage  at  the  People  living  in 
the  Fort,  No  Settlers  could  be  brought  there  upon  the  Terms  upon 
which  the  People  live  in  them;  as  their  Liberty  of  being  there,  is 
only  Temporary,  and  might  be  of  great  use  to  all  Passengers,  and 
even  to  the  Indians  themselves,  as  they  pass  to  and  fro'.  However 
if  this  is  an  Eye  Sore  to  them,  the  People  should  first  have  Notice 
to  remove  as  they  must  have  been  at  some  Expence  in  going  to  the 
Posts  and  carrying  some  little  Furniture  perhaps  with  them.  And 
after  that  the  Indians  may,  if  they  choose  it,  have  them  levelled 
to  the  ground.  They  will  only  let  me  know  their  Desire  in  this 
Matter  and  it  shall  be  done. 

The  Medals  are  ordered,  you  don't  Say  whether  large  or  not, 
or  if  of  both  Sizes.  I  shall  send  an  equal  Quantity  of  each  Size  but 
have  ordered  them  to  be  made  heavier,  and  rounder  at  the  Edges 


4  William  Franklin,  governor  of  New  Jersey. 


Indian  Affairs,   1766-68  135 

than  those  last  Sent  to  you.  I  can  find  no  Person  here  or  at  Phila- 
delphia, who  can  Make  them  better  than  what  you  have  Seen. 
Mr.  Leake5  has  received  Orders  about  Provisions  for  your  Con- 
gress, at  Oswego,  and  that  it  may  be  good. 

You  mention  inclosing  an  Accf.  to  me,  but  it  has  been  omitted 
in  your  Letter.  I  have  now  Cash,  if  you  can  draw  Bills  it  will  be 
the  best  way,  if  that  is  not  practicable  we  must  see  how  Cash  can 
be  Sent  to  you.  A  Bill  of  your's  has  appeared  I  think  for  £.300 
and  of  Course  duely  honored,  and  I  hope  you  will  not  be  dis- 
tressed longer  on  that  Account. 

By  a  Letter  from  Cap1.  Howard,6  to  Gen1.  Burton7  at  Mon- 
treal I  find  many  Traders  went  to  winter  with  the  Indians.  As  I 
have  not  Time  to  Copy  the  Copy  of  that  Letter  sent  me  by  Ll. 
Col°.  Massy,s  I  Send  it  to  you  as  it  came  to  me;  and  when  you 
have  done  with  it,  you  will  be  so  good  to  return  it.  The  Scheme  of 
Indians  trading  at  the  Posts  seems  entirely  broke  through;  and  I 
can  not  approve  of  any  officer  Commanding  at  a  Fort  having  it  in 
his  Power  to  choose  what  Traders  shall  go  amongst  the  Nations 
and  who  shall  not  go.  If  they  are  to  go  they  ought  all  to  have  the 
same  Liberty.  You  will  See  what  Judgement  can  be  formed  on 
this  affair,  and  what  it  will  be  proper  to  have  done  in  it. 

I  am  with  great  Regard, 
Dear  Sir, 

Your  most  obedient 
humble  Servan'. 

Thos.  Gage 
SR.  WM.  Johnson 

INDORSED: 


9 

New  York  [July  7,  1 766] 
General  Gages  Letter 


5  Robert  Leake,  commissary  general. 

6  Captain  William  Howard. 

7  General  Ralph  Burton. 

8  Lieutenant  Colonel  Eyre  Massy. 

9  In  Sir  William's  hand. 


136  Sir  William  Johnson  Papers 

TO  WILLIAM  FRANKLIN 

Df.1 

Johnson  hall  July  8ih.  1766  — 
Sir  — 

The  20th.  ult°.2  I  acknowledged  the  receipt  of  your  last  favor, 
&  Signified  my  Intentions  of  Enclosing  the  plan  for  the  Colony 
[at  the  Ilinoisf  with  my  Recommendation  to  the  Ministry  which 
I  now  [Enclose]  send  you  with  a  Letter  thereon  to  Mr.  Secretary 
Conway,  wherein  I  have  said  all  that  I  could  Venture  to  do  from 
[the]  my  very  [small  \n  Acquaintance  with]  slender  knowledge  of 
him  and  the  delicacy  of  the  Subject  but  I  hope  [it  will  from]  the 
Nature  of  it  [the  Subject]  and  the  interest  of  some  Gentlemen  at 
home,  [become]  may  render  it  an  Object  worthy  of  attention.  — 

As  I  have  not  had  the  pleasure  of  your  fathers  Correspondence 
I  just  wrote  him  a  few  lines  [&  must  Leave  it  to  you  to  say  what 
further  you  think  necessary]  wch  you  can  Explain  more  fully  as  I 
should  think  it  were  better  that  [he  sealed  the  Letter  which  goes 
under  a  flying  Seal  &]  my  Letter  was  put  [it  in]  into  the  Office  for 
the  Secy,  of  State  but  [/  leave  this  to  himself]  this  I  Submit  to  his 
discretion  &  hope  You  will  [please  to]  write  him  [&  Enclose  my 
pacquet]  thereon. 

I  am  sorry  it  goes  over  at  a  time  when  from  the  daily  Murders 
&  Encroachments  [on  the  peoples  Inds.  rights]  complained  of 
we  have  all  the  reason  imaginable  to  Expect  an  Indn.  War.  Sev1. 
other  Murders  have  been  Committed  Since  my  last  so  that  I  know 
not  where  it  will  [Stop]  end. 

As  I  am  Just  Setting  off  to  meet  Pondiac  &  the  Western 
Nations  who  are  arrived  at  Ontario  for  that  purpose  I  have  only 
time  to  add  that  I  am  with  much  Esteem,  Sir, 

Yours  &c 

I  shall  be  very  Glad  to  hear  from  you  &  shall  return  in  Three 
Weeks  — 


1  In  American  Antiquarian  Society.   In  Guy  Johnson's  hand. 

2  Ants  pp.   107-08. 

3  Words  italicized  and  in  brackets  are  crossed  out  in  the  manuscript. 


Indian  Affairs,  1766-68  137 

JOURNAL  OF  INDIAN  AFFAIRS 

Contemporary  Copy1 

[July  3-9,  1766] 

July  3d.  —  Lieu'.  Hay2  arrived  here  from  Detroit,  and  told  Sir 
Wm.  that  Cap1.  Rogers3  commanding  at  Ontario  desired  to 
acquaint  him  that  there  was  not  a  morsel  of  Provisions  for  the 
Indians  at  his  Post  —  also  acquainted  Sir  Wm.  of  the  universal 
uneasiness,  and  discontent  that  prevailed  among  the  Indians  on 
account  of  the  sev1.  murders  committed  by  our  People  on  the 
Frontiers  of  the  sev1.  Provinces,  which  he  thought  wou'd  occasion 
a  Rupture.  —  by  letters  from  Cap1.  Morris4  commanding  at 
Niagara  Sir  Wm.  therewith  received  a  Speech  made  by  the  chief 
Sachim  of  all  the  Seneca  nation  intimating  much  the  same  with 
some  additions.  —  On  the  same  day  Sir  Wm.  received  letters 
from  Mr.  Croghan  Dep?.  agent  to  Indian  Affairs  dated  Fort  Pit 
May  25th.  giving  an  account  of  the  great  uneasiness  among  the 
nations  of  Indians  in  them  parts  on  account  of  the  several  murders, 
as  also  on  account  of  our  People  settling  on  Red  Stone  Creek  on 
their  lands  there.  —  Lieut.  Roberts5  Commissary  at  Niagara 
wrote  to  Sir  Wm.  to  the  same  purport. 

July  5th.  —  Sir  Wm.  was  told  that  a  great  many  of  the 
Conojhare  Indians  had  left  their  Country  greatly  enraged  at  the 
threats  of  Ury  KlocJ^,e  who  told  them  they  had  no  Right  to  a 
foot  of  land  whereon  they  lived,  and  forbid  their  improving  the 
same,  and  that  he  was  then  preparing  to  lay  it  out  into  Lots, 
altho'  released  by  four  of  the  Proprietors.  —  that  this  had  de- 
termined those  who  were  gone  never  to  return,  and  the  rest  to 
follow.  — 

6th.  —  On  this  day  Adam,  and  Nicolaus  Chiefs  of  Oghquago 
arrived  here  with  6  Warriors  and  being  met  by  Sir  Wm.  told 


1  In  Canadian  Archives,  Indian  Records,  Vol.  7. 

2  Lieutenant  Jehu  Hay,  commissary  at  Detroit. 

3  Probably  Captain  Jonathan  Rogers  of  the  1  7th  regiment. 

4  Captain  Thomas  Morris. 

5  Lieutenant  Benjamin  Roberts. 

6  George  (Ury)   Klock. 


138  Sir  William  Johnson  Papers 

him  that  they  were  sent  by  their  Nation  to  acquaint  him  that  they 
were  greatly  concerned,  and  alarmed  at  the  daily  Accounts  they 
had  received  from  different  Quarters  of  the  Murders  committed 
by  our  People  on  the  Indians,  and  that  on  some  of  the  best 
friends  he  had,  who  from  their  attachment  to  the  English  were 
not  the  least  apprehensive  of  any  danger  from  them ;  —  that  it 
seemed  to  them  as  if  the  evil  Spirit  was  very  busy,  and  endeavoring 
to  deprive  them  of  the  Happiness  they  enjoyed,  and  which  they 
hoped,  from  the  Peace  made  last  Year  with  all  Nations,  wou'd  be 
permanent,  they  then  assured  Sir  Wm.  that  they  had  paid  a  due 
regard  to  his  Admonitions,  for  which  reason  they  came  to  be  in- 
formed by  him  whether  there  were  any  grounds  for  believing  the 
Reports  they  now  had  received,  viz*,  "that  the  seven  Tuscaroras 
they  had  sent  last  Autumn  to  Carolina  in  order  to  bring  away 
such  of  their  Countrymen  as  were  still  there,  had  been 
murdered."  — 

Gave  a  Bunch  of  Wampum 
Sir  Wm.  in  answer  told  them  that  he  had  heard  nothing  of 
it,  neither  cou'd  he  think  that  there  was  any  truth  in  it,  having  had 
letters  of  the  1 st.  of  June  before  from  Mr.  Stuart7  Superintendant 
of  Indian  Affairs  to  the  Southward  which  are  silent  as  to  any 
thing  of  the  kind,  besides  that  there  were  then  present  two  Gentle- 
men from  them  parts,  namely  Mr.  Izard,s  and  Mr.  Ugy  who  had 
heard  nothing  of  it.  —  Sir  Wm.  then  desired  they  wou'd  be 
easy  with  regard  to  the  Report  they  had  heard,  and  that  he  wou'd 
inform  them  of  whatever  he  wou'd  hear  relative  to  the  matter.  — 

Returned  a  Bunch  of  Wampum 
7th.  —  A  Coghnawagey  Indian  brought  Sir  Wm.  two  letters 
from  Cap*.  Mc  Leod9  acquainting  him  that  there  were  little  or  no 
Provisions  at  Ontario,  and  that  he  was  at  a  loss  what  to  do,  when 
Pondiac,  and  the  Western  Inds.  shou'd  arrive  there. 


7  John  Stuart,  southern  superintendent  of  Indians. 

8  Ralph  Izzard. 

9  Captain  Lieutenant  Normand  MacLeod. 


Indian  Affairs,   1766-68  139 

Same  day  Silver  Heels,  and  another  Seneca  Warrior  arrived 
here  in  ten  days  from  their  Country  —  bro't  no  news  of  moment, 
than  that  as  they  had  passed  the  great  Plains  last  winter,  he  had 
heard  the  Shawanese  often  declare  their  dislike  to  the  English,  and 
wish  for  an  Opportunity  of  breaking  with  them.  —  He  added  that 
the  Six  Nations  were  vastly  uneasy  at  the  loss  of  sev1.  of  their 
People  killed  by  the  English,  as  were  also  the  Indians  of  the 
Ohio  &c  — 

9!h.  —  Cap*.  John  Butler  who  accompanied  the  two  Mohawk 
Castles  to  Oneida,  and  assisted  them  in  performing  the  Ceremony 
of  Condolence  for  the  deaths  of  Gatvehe,  an  Oneida  chief, 
Kaghradoto  chief  of  Cayuga,  &  Chithantara  a  Nanticoke  Sachim, 
returned  this  day,  and  made  the  following  report  to  Sir  William, 
viz1.  —  "June  the  30lh.  Sir  —  agreeable  to  your  desire  I  this  day 
set  out  for  Oneida,  &  arrived  at  Conojahare  where  I  found  the 
Mohawks  waiting,  who  informed  me  that  they  had  waited  three 
days  for  the  Indians  of  that  Castle,  who  were  kept  drunk  during 
that  time  by  George  Klock  with  design  to  purchase  some  lands 
from  them  in  that  State,  we  waited  until  the  5th.  day,  but  finding 
they  got  Rum  so  plenty,  we  proceeded  in  our  Journey  with  two  of 
that  Castle,  who  were  the  only  sober  ones  at  that  time,  and  who  ex- 
pressed their  disatisfaction  at  the  State  of  the  rest.  —  July  the  2d. 
arrived  at  Burnetsfield  at  12  o'  the  clock,  waited  here  this  day, 
expecting  some  of  the  Indians  might  get  sober,  and  overtake  us, 
and  got  Provision  accordingly,  but  none  came.  —  July  the  3d.  this 
day  proceeded  about  1 2  Miles,  and  encamped  —  July  the  4th. 
this  day  we  got  within  about  4  Miles  of  Oneida  where  some  of 
that  Nation  met  us,  and  desired  we  wou'd  wait  until  they  were 
prepared  to  receive  us.  — 

July  5th.  some  of  the  Sachims  came,  and  took  us  by  the  hand,  and 
led  us  in  after  sev1.  Stops,  and  performed  the  usual  Ceremony  — 
July  the  6th.  and  7th.  —  Employed  in  performing  the  usual  Cere- 
mony of  Condolence  —  July  the  8th.  left  the  Castle,  and  arrived 
at  the  Fall  Hill.  —  the  9th.  returned  home  without  meeting  any 
think  extraordinary.  —  ' 


140  Sir  William  Johnson  Papers 

TO  BENJAMIN  FRANKLIN 

Df} 

Johnson  hall  July  10th.  1766  — 
Sir  — 

At  the  Request  of  your  Son  Gov.  Franklyn,  &  sev1.  Gentn.  of 
Pensilvania,  I  now  enclose  you  a  Scheme  proposed  for  Establishg 
a  Colony  at  the  Ilinois,  together  with  my  Letter  to  Mr.  Secretary 
Conway  in  favr.  thereof,  which  the  proposers  desired  might  be 
transmitted  [to  him]2  thro'  your  hands.  I  have  accordingly  sent  it 
under  a  flying  Seal,  &  must  request  you  [to  Seal  it  &  cause  it  to  be 
sent]  to  forward  it  as  Addressed  — 

[Altho'  I  have  not  had  an  opportunity  of  Cultivating  an  Ac- 
quaintance with  you,  I  shall  always  be  glad  to  render  You,  or 
yours,  any  Services  in  my  power  as  I  am] 

I  daily  dread  a  Ru[p]ture  wth.  the  Inds.  [&]  occasioned  by  the 
Licentious  Conduct  of  the  frontier  Inhabitants  who  Continue  to 
Rob,  and  Murder  them.  —  I  am  imediately  to  meet  Pondiac  with 
the  Western  Nats.  at  Ontario  and  wish  I  may  be  able  to  satisfy 
them.  — 

Altho'  I  have  not  had  an  Opportunity  of  Cultivating  your 
Acquaintance  I  shall  always  be  Glad  to  render  you,  or  yours  any 
Services  as  I  am,  &c 

To  Benjn.  Franklyn  Esqr.  — 


1  In  American  Antiquarian  Society.   In  Guy  Johnson's  hand. 

2  Words  italicized  and  in  brackets  are  crossed  out  in  the  manuscript. 


Indian  Affairs,   1766-68  141 

FROM  BAYNTON,  WHARTON  AND  MORGAN 

Cop])1 

Phil,  July  12  J  766. 
Sir, 

We  have  the  honor  of  the  2  of  June,  acknowledging 

the  Receipt  of  our  Letter  with  the  Proposals  &c  for  a  Colony  at 
the  Illinois. 

We  are  greatly  obliged,  by  your  kind  assurances,  That  you  will 
contribute  all  in  your  power  to  carry  it  into  execution  —  which 
permit  us  to  say,  we  are  persuaded  will  tend  greatly,  to  its  speedy 
&  happy  accomplishment. 

By  the  May  Packet  we  received  Letters  from  Dr.  Franklin  in 
respect  to  the  Establishment  of  the  Colony  at  the  Illinois.  He 
writes  us:  "I  join  fully  in  opinion  with  you,  that  a  western 
Colony,  would  be  highly  advantageous  &  very  easily  settled." 

He  writes  also  to  Mr.  Galloway :  "I  think  that  a  strong  Colony 
in  the  Illinois  Country,  is  a  most  desirable  measure.  The  Proposal 
is  much  listened  to  here." 

Upon  the  first  thoughts  of  the  Scheme,  Mr.  Galloway  &  I  wrote 
to  Dr.  Franklin,  so  that  he  might  essay  it,  with  the  Ministry, 
wherefore  he  now  advises  us,  in  the  foregoing  favorable  manner. 

From  time  to  time  as  we  receive  any  intelligence,  we  shall  take 
the  freedom  of  communicating  it  to  your  honor. 

We  have  the  Honor  of  being  Sir,  with  the  sincerest  Respect 
Your  Honor's  Obliged  &  most  Obedient  humble  Servants 

Baynton,  Wharton  &  Morgan. 


1  Printed   in   Illinois   Historical   Collections,    1  1  : 33 7-38.     Original   in 
New  York  State  Library  was  destroyed  by  fire. 

2  Blank  in  manuscript  copy.    Evidently  refers  to  the  letter  of  June  20, 
1  766,  Johnson  Papers,  5:276-78. 


142  Sir   William  Johnson  Papers 

FROM  THOMAS  GAGE 

Contemporary  Copy1 

New  York  hh  14th-  1766  — 
Dear  Sir, 

I  have  letters  from  the  Ilinois  the  28th.  of  April,  but  no  men- 
tion is  made  of  any  person  killed  there,  so  I  hope  what  you  tell 
me  in  your  favor  of  the  4th.  Instant2  concerning  the  Murder  of 
One  of  Mr.  Croghan's  people  is  a  false  report;  Mr.  Smallman3  is 
there  but  I  hear  nothing  extraordinary  from  thence.  I  have  re- 
cieved  several  letters  from  Fort  Pitt,  but  no  mention  of  the 
Murders  which  the  Onandagoes  complained  of,  You  say  they 
were  committed  near  that  post,  Several  Indians  have  called  at 
that  Fort  returning  from  War,  and  it's  likely  after  such  a  Stroke, 
that  they  shou'd  have  gone  to  complain  to  the  Officer  Command- 
ing, but  He  is  certainly  ignorant  of  the  Affair,  or  would  not  have 
failed  to  take  notice  of  it :  The  Settlers  must  be  removed  by  some 
means  or  other,  I  have  not  yet  recieved  any  Answers  from  the 
Governors  on  these  Subjects. 

It  surprises  me  a  good  deal  that  there  shou'd  be  no  provisions 
at  Ontario,4  by  the  Returns  from  thence  in  May  there  was  a 
considerable  quantity,  I  presume,  they  must  have  sent  it  to  Niagara 
where  there  is  a  great  deal  as  well  as  at  Swegatchi.5  I  hope  you 
will  have  no  difficulty  in  this  Article,  but  if  you  will  let  me  know 
for  certain  the  place  you  will  fix  upon  for  holding  your  meeting, 
the  affair  of  provisions  can  be  easily  managed.  If  it  is  any  where 
near  the  inhabited  Country,  we  shall  see  whether  it  would  be  best 
to  send  it  from  Albany  or  have  it  purchased  in  the  Country  — 

With  respect  to  the  traders  strolling  over  the  Lakes  there 
seems  no  Method  to  prevent  it,  but  the  Governor's  obliging  them 
to  pay  the  forfeit  of  their  Bonds:  and  even  after  all  if  they  will 


1  In  William  L.  Clements  Library. 

2  Ante  pp.   1  29-32. 

3  Thomas  Smallman. 

4  Oswego. 

5  Oswegatchie. 


Indian  Affairs,  1766-68  143 

risk,  it  seems  difficult  to  prevent  them,  indeed  I  might  say  im- 
possible, unless  some  Rules  more  strict  than  what  are  at  present, 
can  be  formed  for  the  trade.  The  Officers  Commanding  at  the 
posts  will  have  Orders  to  give  what  support  and  Assistance  is  in 
their  power  to  the  Commissarys,  who  will  be  allowed  their 
Quarters  and  provisions  &ca.  The  Medals  will  be  finished  in  a 
few  days,  and  as  well  done  as  they  can  be  here. 

Estimates  are  demanded,  and  I  shou'd  be  obliged  to  you  for 
a  List  of  the  several  Deputy  Commissary's  Interpreters  &ca  in 
your  Department  with  their  Yearly  Sallaries.  These  will  be 
sufficient  I  presume  for  the  treasury,  as  more  compleat  Estimates 
are  sent  by  You  every  year  as  I  understand  to  the  Board  of 
Trade. 

I  am  with  great  Regard, 
&ca 
Sir  William  Johnson  B*.  — 

I  have  forgot  to  acknowledge  your  Accf.  which  came  inclosed  in 
your  letter.  This  with  the  Other  will  be  paid  as  soon  as  you  can 
find  Means  to  draw,  or  get  it  sent  to  You. 

INDORSED : 

Copy/  To 

Sir  William  Johnson  B*. 

Johnson  Hall 
New  York  July  14*.  1766. 


FROM  EDWARD  COLE 
Copy1 

Miamis  July  15*.  1766 
Dear  Sir 

I  shall  Leave  this  to  morrow,  Upon  my  arrival  here  The  Chiefs, 
Sent  for  me,  to  take  me  by  the  hand,  and  well  come  me  to  their 


1  Printed  in  Illinois  Historical  Collections,  1  1  :338-39.    Original  in  New 
York  State  Library  was  destroyed  by  fire. 


144  Sir  William  Johnson  Papers 

Villige,  and  made  a  speach  in  which  they  Declared  their  firm 
Resolution  to  adhear  Strictly  to  the  peace  they  had  made,  then 
I  acquainted  them,  where  I  was  goeing,  and  my  business,  and  gave 
them,  a  little  milk  they  Seem'd  much  pleased  with  the  new 
regalations  and  now  hoped  every  thing  would  go  wright. 

By  a  Shawanese  that  past  through  here  Some  days  past,  I  shall 
be  at  the  Illinois  near  as  Soon  as  Mr.  Croghan,  who  is  to  meet 
Some  Indians  at  the  mouth  of  the  Ouiabache  which  will  Detain 
him  Some  days. 

I  hope  soon  to  write  you  from  the  Illinois,  and  in  the  interim 
with  my  Compts.  to  your  Family, 

I  am  Dr.  Sir  Your  most  obl.  Serv*. 

Edwd.  Cole 
indorsed : 

Miamis  July  1 5th.  1  766 
Cornish.  Coles  Letter 


FROM  BENJAMIN  POMEROY 

Contemporary  Copy1 

Butlersbury  July  1 6th.  1766  — 
HonRD  Sir  — 

I  came  here  at  the  desire  of  the  Board  of  Correspondents  of  the 
Colony  of  Connecticut,  commissioned  by  the  Society  in  Scotland, 
for  Indian  Affairs,  &  particularly  of  The  Revd.  Mr.  Wheelock,2 
in  Company  with  his  Son,3  to  wait  on  your  Excellency  for  your 
Advice,  relative  to  the  Indian  Charity  School,  under  his  Care. 
Mr.  Whitaker4  writes  from  England  yl.  it  is  necessary  that  a  Place 
for  fixing  it,  &  building  for  its  Accomodation  be  pitch'd  upon; 
and  advises  that  several  of  the  most  promising  be  mentioned,  out 


1  In  Dartmouth  College  Library. 

2  Eleazar  Wheelock. 

3  Ralph  Wheelock. 

4  Rev.  Nathaniel  Whittaker,  Wheelock's  friend,  who  in  December 
1  765,  in  company  with  Samson  Occum  visited  England  and  Scotland  to 
raise  money  for  Wheelock's  school. 


Indian  Affairs,   1766-68  145 

of  which  the  best  may  be  chosen.  Mr.  Wheelock  has  by  informa- 
tion conceiv'd  some  prospect  that  it  might  be  well  accomidated 
with  Lands  near  the  Banks  of  Hudsons  River,  either  between 
New- York  &  Albany,  or  a  little  above  the  latter,  as  your  Ex- 
cellency will  see  in  his  Minutes  of  Memorandum  which  I  shall 
herewith  inclose,  as  also  a  Copy  of  Mr.  Charles  Jeffery  Smith's5 
Plan  &c.  We  waited  on  most  of  the  Gentlemen  mentioned  in  sd. 
Minutes,  particular^  Judge  Smith  &  the  Livingstons;  and  could 
get  but  little  Incouragement  of  obtaining  any  suitable  Place  any 
where  within  this  Provence,  they  seem'd  to  be  of  Opinion  that  it 
had  best  remain  where  it  is;  however  they  told  me  they  would 
take  the  Matter  into  Consideration,  take  advice  &  send  their 
Result  to  Mr.  Wheelock.  We  in  Connecticut  are  very  fond  of 
retaining  so  usef ull  an  Institution  among  our  selves :  and  I  suppose 
considerable  Donations  will  be  made  to  it  on  yl.  Condition.  But 
Mr.  Wheelock's  declar'd  purpose  is  to  fix  it  where  it  shall  appear 
best  to  serve  the  grand  Design ;  and  we  humbly  ask  your  Advice 
in  this  as  well  as  in  other  things  relative  to  said  School  hinted  in 
sd.  Minutes;  nothing  doubting  of  your  readiness  as  well  as  Ability 
to  assist  us  in  the  importent  Affair,  &  relying  on  your  Goodness  of 
which  we  have  had  so  plentifull  Testimony  —  As  Mr.  Wheelock 
I  suppose  wrote  but  breif  to  your  Excellency,  expecting  yl.  we 
sho'd  be  his  Epistle;  by  laying  the  Case  before  you,  viva  voce; 
which  expected  Satisfaction,  divine  Providence  forbids  us.  we 
must  therefore  refer  your  Honour  to  Messrs.  Kirtland6  &  Kinne7 
for  a  fuller  Information  of  the  several  proposals  for  fixing  sd. 
School,  and  the  Circumstances;  which  as  soon  as  your  Affairs 
will  permit  you  to  Consider  we  shall  hope  for  a  Line  from  your 
Excellency;  which  the  above  Gentlemen  will  take  Care  to  for- 


5  Charles  Jeffrey  Smith,  with  Joseph  Brant  as  interpreter,  visited  the  Six 
Nations  in  I  763.   He  withdrew  at  the  outbreak  of  Pontiac's  War. 

6  Rev.  Samuel  Kirkland. 

7  Rev.  Aaron  Kinne,  of  Groton,  Conn.  On  July  7,  1  766  Wheelock  sent 
him  as  missionary  to  Old  Oneida.  Apparently  within  a  few  months, 
because  of  poor  health,  he  was  forced  to  stop  his  missionary  work.  In 
1  768  he  was  again  sent  by  Wheelock  to  the  Six  Nations. 


146  Sir   William  Johnson  Papers 

ward  —  Thus  ever,  praying  Heavens  Blessings  on  your  Self  and 
worthy  Famely,  I  remain 

Your  Honour's  most  Sincere,  most  obedient 
&  very  humble  Servant  — 

Benja.  Pomeroys 
The  Honble.  SR.  Willm.  Johnson  Bar1. 


INDORSED : 


Mr.  Pomeroy's  Letter 
to  Sir  William  Johnson 
July.  16—1 766. 


GUY  JOHNSON  TO  GOLDSBROW  BANYAR 

Guy  park  July  20*.  1766. 

Sir  — 

As  Sir  William  was  so  much  hurried  from  the  time  of  the 
receipt  of  your  Letter  'till  his  departure  for  Ontario  he  could  not 
answer  it  at  Least  to  your  Satisfaction,  not  being  able  to  inform 
himself  Exactly  concerning  both  the  Tracts  petitioned  for.  —  He 
will  be  returned  in  about  Three  Weeks  at  farthest  when  he  will 
Write  you  more  fully  in  the  mean  time  he  desired  I  should 
Acquaint  you  that  he  believes  one  of  the  Tracts  has  been  long 
engaged  by  the  Indians  to  some  Inhabitants  in  these  parts  to 
whom  the  Indians  had  Voluntarily  engaged  to  Give  the  prefer- 
ence, and  the  other  Tract,  near  the  little  falls  is  under  the  same 
circumstances,  of  engagement.  — 


8  Wheelock's  brother-in-law,  he  was  graduated  from  Yale  in  1 733, 
ordained  in  1  735,  and  served  as  chaplain  with  the  army  in  the  French  and 
Indian  Wars  and  later  in  the  Revolution.     Died  Dec.  1  783,  aged  80. 

1  In  New  York  Historical  Society,  Banyar  Papers. 


Indian  Affairs,   1766-68  147 

As  he  will  give  you  more  particulars  on  his  return   I  have 
only  to  assure  you  that 

I  am, 
Dr.  Sir, 

Your  most  Obedient 

And  Very  humble  Servant. 

G.  Johnson 
Gw.  Banyar  Esqr. 

Sir  William  Left  the  flatts  on  his  way  to  meet  Pondiac  &  the 
Western  Chiefs,  on  the  1 5th.  instant  — 

INDORSED : 

July  20.   1  766 

From  Cap.  Guy  Johnson 


FROM  BARNABY  BYRN 
Copy1 

New  York  2K  July  1766 
Sir. 

Some  time  ago  Gen1.  Gage  by  his  Warrent  Invested  me  with 
all  his  Majesty's  Property  to  Fort  Brewerton  at  West  End  of 
Onidia  Lake,  Under  Some  Restrictions  and  all  such  Lands  &ca. 
as  the  Indians  at  the  Time  of  Building  Gave  to  his  Majestys  Use 
on  that  spot.  —  Since  which  I  am  Credibly  Inform'd  the  Indians 
have  made  Objections  to  any  Persons  having  anything  to  Say  to 
them  Forts. 

Waiting  on  the  Gen11,  to  know  the  Reason,  as  my  Intention  was 
to  go  there  this  Month,  he  Inform'd  me  that  Since  these  Objec- 
tions have  been  made  by  the  Indians,  he  had  Requested  of  you 
Sir,  to  Settle  Such  Matters  with  them,  And  that  he  hopes  to  hear 
they  are  Accommodated,  that  the  persons  he  has  Given  those 


1  In  Oneida  Historical  Society,  Utica,  N.  Y.    Original  was  destroyed 
by  fire. 


148  Sir  William  Johnson  Papers 

places  to,  might  not  go  there  till  such  time  they  are  Inform'd  from 
you  that  they  may  go  Safely. 

I  Shou'd  be  Much  Obliged  to  Sir  William  if  he  wou'd  be 
pleased  to  Inform  me  how  those  Affairs  Stand,  As  I  woud  not 
Chuse  to  be  at  any  Expence  in  going  there  upon  an  Uncertainty. 
In  doing  which  you  will  Confer  a  Great  Obligation  on  &c  &c 
Sir  Wm.  Johnson 

Barnaby  Byrn 


FROM  THOMAS  GAGE 

Contemporary  Copy1 

New  York  July  23*.  1766. 

Dear  Sir, 

I  Am  favored  with  Yours  of  the  14th.  Instant,2  from  the 
German  Flatts,  and  am  sorry  to  hear  of  Your  fresh  Attack  of 
Your  Old  Disorder,  at  a  time  when  you  have  the  most  Occasion 
for  health  and  Vigour.  I  have  only  to  hope  Exercise  will  be  of 
Service  to  you. 

You  have  been  very  much  Misinformed  about  the  State  of 
Provisions.  People  write  and  give  Information  of  what  they  know 
nothing  of.  It  is  very  Surprizing  that  the  Officer  Commanding  at 
Ontario,  who  knows  of  the  Meeting  with  Pondiac,  should  send  all 
his  Provisions  away  to  Niagara,  for  that  must  be  the  Case  if 
there  is  not  a  Sufficiency  in  that  Post.  By  the  Returns  from 
Ontario  of  24th.  Ultm°.  there  was  Sufficient  Provision  to  feed 
500  Indians  for  three  Weeks,  and  enough  left  to  Support  the 
Garrison  for  above  One  Year.  Besides  Damaged  Provision,  of 
which  Your  inspection  some  would  have  been  found  Eatable.  I 
hope  none  has  been  sent  over  from  Albany,  for  there  is  at  F: 
Stanwix  a  very  Considerable  Quantity,  which  You  might  have 
taken  up  with  you,  had  they  been  short  at  Ontario. 


1  In  William  L.  Clements  Library. 

2  Johnson  Papers,  5:332-3. 


Indian  Affairs,  1766-68  149 

I  transmit  you  a  Copy  of  a  Letter  from  Mr.  Croghan  just  upon 
his  leaving  Fort  Pitt;  In  another  Letter  he  mentions  having  made 
a  Draught  on  You,  for  Accounts  at  Fort  Pitt,  during  the  Autumn 
and  Winter,  which  I  suppose  is  the  Bill  you  mention  payable  to 
Baynton  &  Wharton.  The  Expences  of  that  Post  do  Amount 
very  high  indeed,  and  was  it  not  for  the  Ilinois;  of  which  Fort 
Pitt  seems  now  the  Key,  it  would  certainly  be  abandoned. 

I  will  Endeavor  to  find  some  good  Conveyance,  to  transmit 
You  Some  Money  by  the  Time  you  may  be  expected  back  to 
Your  Own  House. 

Orders  are  given  to  the  Officers  Commanding  the  Posts,  to  Aid 
and  Assist  the  Commissarys  you  have  appointed  to  treat  with  the 
Indians,  and  I  presume  you  will  confine  them  in  their  presents, 
and  the  Obligation  of  getting  proper  Certificates  of  the  delivery 
of  Presents,  as  the  Officers  Commanding  have  all  been  hitherto. 

The  Medals  could  not  be  finished  till  this  Morning,  I  have 
waited  for  them,  and  immediately  forward  them  to  You  by 
Express. 

I  Am, 
Dear  Sir, 

&ca. 

Sir  Wm.  Johnson. 

F.  Ontario. 


INDORSED : 


Copy  /  To 

Sir  William  Johnson 

At 

Fort  Ontario 
New  York  July  23<  1 766. 
Sent  by  Francis  Staples,  Express. 


1 50  Sir  William  Johnson  Papers 

FROM  NORMAND  MAC  LEOD 

Coptf 

Ontario,  the  4th.  August  1766 
Sir. 

A  little  after  your  departure,  Pondiac  and  the  rest  of  the 
Upper  Nations  sent  the  Interpreter  to  me  to  acquaint  me,  that  the 
Mishilimackina  Man  was  a  great  war  Chief,  that  they  were  sorry 
that  he  had  not  been  taken  more  notice  of  by  you,  as  he  was  the 
only  one  of  his  Nation  that  came  down.  I  told  them  it  was  not  your 
fault  as  he  was  not  represented  to  you  as  a  man  of  such  conse- 
quence, in  short  to  please  them  I  gave  him  a  Silver  gorget  and  two 
wrist  bands,  at  which  they  all  seem'd  to  be  much  pleas'd.  I  gave 
Pondiac  four  pounds  of  brown  sugar  to  make  him  some  toddy 
and  a  bottle  of  Madura,  they  seem'd  to  be  extremely  pleas'd  and 
kept  constantly  telling  me,  they  would  never  forget  the  promises 
they  had  made  you  and  went  off  in  the  Evening  very  well 
satisfied. 

Last  Night  one  Monsieur  Dejean  arriv'd  here  from  Detroit,  he 
tells  me  that  it's  firmly  beiiev'd  at  that  place,  that  Pondiac  is 
to  receive  ten  Shillings  sterling  a  day  from  the  Crown  of  Great 
Britain,  it  seems  this  report  has  been  used  by  his  Enemys,  to 
Create  a  Jealousy  amongst  the  Indians  that  will  end  in  his  ruin. 
The  Frenchman  offered  to  lay  me  a  beat  that  Pondiac  would 
be  killed  in  less  than  a  year,  if  the  English  took  so  much  notice 
of  him.  *  *  * 

Mr.  Newkerk2  one  of  the  traders  here  was  with  me  Just  now 
desiring  liberty  to  go  amongst  the  Indians.  I  told  him  it  was 
impossible  to  grant  his  request,  he  told  me  it  was  very  hard  the 
English  shouid  be  prevented  when  a  French  Man  had  liberty  to 


1  In  Oneida  Historical  Society,  Utica,  N.  Y.  Original  was  destroyed  by 
fire.  According  to  Johnson  Calendar,  p.  32  1 ,  the  missing  portions  indicated 
by  asterisks  in  this  copy  dealt  with  "gifts  to  the  Senecas,  difficulties  of 
MacLeod's  situation,  and  dislike  of  the  upper  nations  for  Mr.  [Jehu]  Hay 
as  commissary." 

2  John  Newkirk. 


Indian  Affairs,   1766-68  151 

go,  meaning  the  Man  that  is  to  trade  for  the  Ginsan.3  he  said  his 
going  meaning  the  French  man  would  hurt  the  trade  of  this  place, 
as  the  Indians  will  mind  then  nothing  but  gathering  of  that  root 
and  desir'd  I  should  mention  it  to  you,  that  you  may  either  prevent 
the  French  man's  going  or  allow  them  the  same  privilege.   *  *  * 

Sir  Wm.  Johnson 

Nord.  MacLeod 
Commissary  for  Indian  Affairs. 


FROM  NORMAND  MAC  LEOD 

Copy1 

Ontario  the  7  th.  August  1766 
Sir 

Yesterday  a  Frenchman  called  Portier  arrived  here  from  Mon- 
treal with  a  letter  of  recommendation  from  le  Pere  Gordon2  at 
Sl.  Registe,  his  intention  in  coming  here  was  to  go  amongst  the 
five  to  trade  for  Ginsen,3  he  seem'd  a  little  disconcerted  at  my 
stoping  him  here  he  told  me  as  he  was  prevented  from  going  he 
hoped  nobody  else  would  be  allowed  to  go. 

I  am  affraid  the  permission  you  order'd  me  to  give  to  Monsieur 
Cavalier  will  Create  a  very  great  Jealousy  amongst  the  Traders 
for  which  reason  I  shall  detain  him  here  untill  I  have  farther 
Orders  from  you.  I  am  &c  &c 

Sir  Wm.  Johnson 

Nord.  MacLeod 


1  In  Oneida  Historical  Society,  Utica,  N.  Y.    Original  was  destroyed 
by  fire. 

2  A.  Gordon,  Jesuit  at  St.  Regis,  Aughquisasne. 

3  Ginseng  root. 


152  Sir  William  Johnson  Papers 

TO  THOMAS  GAGE 

Johnson  Hall  Augst.  8th.  1766 

Dear  Sir  — 

The  6th.  in  the  Evening  I  arrived  here  having  made  an  Ex- 
peditious Journey  from  Ontario2  wh.  I  left  on  the  31st.  Ult°., 
having  finished  all  my  Transactions  with  Pondiac  &  the  Westeren 
Indians  to  my  Entire  Satisfaction,  He  &  the  rest  set  off  the  same 
day  on  their  return  having  given  me  everry  Assurance  in  their 
power  of  preserving  peace,  and  to  gain  ye.  more  Credit  has 
candidly  declared  what  Steps  he  had  taken  in  the  late  Rupture, 
where  his  War  Belt  now  lies,  and  ordered  it  to  be  delivered  up 
to  me  or  him.  My  present  hurry  will  not  allow  me  to  give  You 
the  particulars,  but  I  shall  as  Soon  as  possible,  and  Send  You  a 
List  of  my  Officers  and  their  Sallaries.  — 

Altho  the  Express  with  the  Meddalls  which  L*.  Johnson3  sent 
forward  to  me  made  all  the  dispatch  possible,  he  did  not  arrive  in 
time,  but  met  me  on  my  return  Just  below  Oswego  Falls,  from 
whence  he  returned  with  my  Boats  and  is  to  be  the  Bearer  of  this, 
I  have  promised  to  recommend  him  to  You  for  payment  of  his 
Additional  Journey  from  Fort  Johnson  to  the  Falls,  Ll.  Johnson 
has  wrote  You  his  reasons  for  forwarding  him,  it  gave  me  a  good 
deal  of  concern  that  I  did  not  receive  them  in  time,  the  rather 
as  the  Indians  expressed  such  a  desire  to  deliver  up  their  French 
Medalls  &ca.,  However  I  have  settled  it  wth.  them  until  next 
Meeting.  — 

The  Transactions  at  this  Congress  were  such  as  give  great 
reason  to  rely  on  their  Sincerity,  and  I  am  pritty  Confident  that  if 
my  labours  are  not  overset  thro  Misconduct  and  if  an  effectual 
remedy  is  apply ed  to  Satisfy  the  6  Nations  &ca.,  that  Pondiac  may 
be  depended  upon.  He  is  to  pay  me  a  Visit  in  the  Spring  with 
some  other  Cheifs.  — 


1  In  William  L.  Clements  Library. 

2  Oswego. 

3  Lieutenant  Guy  Johnson. 


Indian  Affairs,   1766-68  153 

Before  the  receipt  of  yr.  letter,  &  my  leaving  home  I  was  (from 

the  Acctts.  sent  me)   under  a  necessity  of  taking  up  four  Boats 

with  provisions,  and  on  my  arrival  at  Ontario  I  found  (as  You 

said)  that  there  had  been  a  good  deal  of  provisions  there,  but  they 

were  constantly  sending  it  to  Niagra.  — 

It  will  greatly  oblidge  me  if  you  can  find  any  opertunity  for 

sending  me  Cash,  otherwise  I  must  be  oblidged  to  Send  down 

for  it.  — 

I  have  verry  strictly  confined  ye.  Comissrys.  on  the  Article  of 

Expence  which  they  are  not  to  incurr  to  any  amount,  unless  in 

cases   of   the   greatest   Exigence   without   proper   orders   for   so 

doing.  — 

I  am  with  the  greatest  respect 

Dear  Sir 

Your  most  Obedient 

&  verry  Humble  Serv1. 

T  T.   ~     11  w-  Johnson 

Mis  Excellency 

Genrl.  Gage  — 

indorsed : 

Sr.  Wm.  Johnson 

Aug*.  8lh.  1 766  — 
received  Aug*.  13  th. — 

Answd.  — 


TO 


Johnson  Hall  August  9th.  1766 
Gentlemen  — 

I  received  your  letter  last  night  by  David  the  Indian  and 
observe  Your  desire  is  to  purchase  Some  Lands  of  the  Indians  of 
yl.  Settlement.  All  I  can  say  is,  that,  if  You  can  find  the  Land  is 
yet  unpurchased,  You  should  now  agree  with  the  Indians  for  it  in 


In  American  Philosophical  Society,  Philadelphia. 


154  Sir  William  Johnson  Papers 

public  Council,  So  as  to  have  the  consent  of  them  all,  then  bring 
them  over  here  to  my  House  next  Week  at  wh.  time  the  Governour 
will  be  here,  and  then  I  will  assist  You  all  in  my  power.  Indeed 
if  one  of  You  could  come  over  before  that  it  would  be  better 
still.  — 

I  am  Yr.  Welwisher 

W.  Johnson 


BAYNTON,  WHARTON  &  MORGAN  TO  THOMAS  GAGE 

A.L.S.1 

Philad*.  August  IOlK  1766. 
Sir 

f  A  few  days  ago  We  received  a  Letter  from  Our  Partner  Mr. 
Morgan,2  from  Sciota,  acquainting  Us  That  at  the  earnest 
Solicitation  of  Mr.  Croghan  &  the  Chiefs  of  the  Shawanese,  He 
had  consented  to  send  a  Person,  with  a  small  Assortment  of 
Goods  to  their  Town.  — 

We  were  much  surprised  at  the  Information,  As  it  was  our 
firm  Determination,  never  to  trust  any  Part  of  Our  Property, 
in  the  Indian  Country;  As  well  from  the  Consideration,  That 
it  was  contrary  to  the  Governor's  Licence,  as  the  Insecurity  of  the 
Measure.  We  suppose  Mr.  Croghan  made  the  Request  of  Mr. 
Morgan,  from  a  Conviction  of  its  Publick  Utility  —  Yet  We  are 
liable  to  a  Suit,  by  Order  of  Governor  Penn,  upon  that  Account 
—  We  must  therefore  take  the  Liberty  of  mentioning  to  your 
Excellency,  That  we  hope  you  will  be  so  good,  as  not  to  permit 
Us,  to  be  injured,  for  Our  Partners  doing  an  Act,  merely  to 
Oblige  the  Indian  Agent  &  the  Chiefs  of  the  Shawanese.  —  In- 


1  In  William  L.  Clements  Library.  A  copy  of  the  three  paragraphs 
indicated  was  sent  to  Sir  William.  Although  destroyed  by  fire,  this  from 
a  copy  made  by  C.  E.  Carter  was  printed  in  Illinois  Historical  Collections, 
1  1  :  363-64.  A  contemporary  copy  is  also  in  the  Gage  Papers  along  with 
the  letter  of  Gage  to  Sir  William  of  August  1  8,  1  766,  with  which  it  was 
inclosed. 

2  George  Morgan. 


Indian  Affairs,   1766-68  155 

deed,  We  are  so  dissatisfied,  at  the  Goods  being  sent  there,  least 
it  may  meet  with  your  Excellency's  Disaprobation,  That  We  will 
immediately  send  an  Express,  ordering  Them  all  away,  if  most 
agreable  to  you. 

Mr.  Morgan  also  writes  us  —  That  the  Shawanese  expect  a 
Supply  of  Goods  will  be  sent  to  their  Town  this  Fall  —  But 
Permit  Us,  to  assure  Your  Excellency,  That  We  will  not  forward 
One  farthing's  Worth,  Unless  We  have  your  Permission,  Or  a 
Post  of  Trade  is  established  there.f  — 

We  have  the  Honor  of  being  Sir  — 

Yr.  Excellency's  very  Obliged  &  most  Ob'.  Serv'. 

Baynton  Wharton  &  Morgan 

His  Excellency  GENERAL  GAGE 

P.  S.  Should  a  Post  of  Trade  be  established  at  the  Shawanese 
Town,  We  shall  be  greatly  Obliged  to  your  Excellency,  to  direct, 
That  We  be  informed  thereof;  That  we  may  prepare  Ourselves 
for  the  Purpose.  — 

INDORSED:3 

Messrs.  Wharton  &  al 

Philadelphia  1 0th.  Aug*.  1766 

received  13th.  of  Aug1. 

Extracts  from  this  Letter  (marked  f ) 

sent  to  Sir  Wm.  Johnson,  August  18:1  766 


TO  GOLDSBROW  BANYAR 

A.L.S.1 

Johnson  Hall  14th.  Aug*.  1766  — 
Dear  Banyar — 

On  my  return  from  Osswego,  a  few  days  ago  I  received  your 
favour  of  the  7th.  Ult°.2  The  assurances  You  therin  Give  me  of 


3  In  Gage's  hand. 

1  In  New  York  Historical  Society,  Banyar  Papers. 

2  Johnson  Papers,  5:310-11. 


156  Sir  William  Johnson  Papers 

yr.  inclination  to  serve  me,  lays  me  under  no  small  obligation, 
and  I  flatter  my  self  that  Major  Clarke3  (from  our  former  very 
intimate  acquaintance)  would  let  me  have  any  Lands  he  intended 
to  dispose  of  as  soon  as  any  one.  My  desire  of  purchasing  his  part 
of  Sacondaga  Patent,  arises  from  the  vicinity  of  Some  of  my 
Land  to  his,  the  having  of  which,  would  make  mine  more 
compleat.  If  I  knew  what  quantity  he  had  in  Said  Patent,  I  would 
make  you  an  offer  for  the  whole,  &  which  I  will  do  on  yr.  letting 
me  know  it.  — 

with  regard  to  the  small  Tract  you  mention  I  had  it  included 
in  the  Survey,  made  2  years  ago,  of  the  whole  Tract  given  me  by 
the  Conajoharees,  &  sent  Home,  the  Issue  of  wh.  I  now  daily  ex- 
pect to  hear,  it  is  not  so  much  as  You  mention,  but  be  it  what  it 
will,  You  are  welcome  to  a  share  therein.  I  paid  to  the  Indians  100 
Dollars  for  it,  and  a  Treat  to  their  whole  Castle  of  an  ox  &ca.  — 
It  was  not  I  assure  You  the  Value  of  ye.  Land  led  me  to  do  so, 
but  to  hinder  a  Villain  from  getting  it,  whom  You  know.  I  am 
sorry  to  hear  that  any  difference  between  ye.  Governour4  &  You 
should  arise,  &  more  so,  that  it  should  prove  a  loss  to  You,  as  I 
understand  it  must  be  his  curtailing  Some  of  ye.  Emoluments  of  yr. 
office,  but  from  what  you  observe,  I  hope  all  will  go  well  again. 

I  expect  him  here  in  about  15  Days  by  his  last  letter  to  me, 
before  wh.  time,  I  must  beg  the  favour  of  You  to  Send  me  the 
bounds  of  Orisko  Patent.5  &  that  of  the  Lands  at  Fort  Stanwix 
alias  the  Oneida  Carrying  place,  both  which  I  am  told  have  been 
patented  many  Years  ago.  but  kept  verry  private  until  of  late.  — 
I  heartily  wish  You  all  happiness,  and  am 

Dear  Banyar 
Yours  Sincerely  &  Affectb. 

W.  Johnson 

GOLDSBORROW  BANYAR  Esqr.  — 


3  Major  Edward  Clarke. 

4  Sir  Harry  Moore. 

5  For  Oriskany  Patent  see  Sauthier's  Map  of  the  Province  of  New  York 
in  1  779.  Doc.  Hist.  N.  Y.,  1:774. 


Indian  A  fairs,   1766-68  157 

PS.  pray  let  me  know  also  what  ye.  late  Surveys  are  made  for,  & 
by  whose  orders,  as  it  has  occasioned,  a  good  deal  of  uneasiness  — 

INDORSED : 

14  Aug'.  1766 


From  Sir  Wm.  Johnson 


FROM  RALPH  BURTON 

Copy1 

London,  Aug'1,  the  14th.  1766. 
Sir, 

Upon  my  leaving  Montreal,  the  Chiefs  and  Warriors  of  the 
Sault.  St.  Louis,  the  lakes  of  the  two  Mountains,  &c.  &c.  &.  pre- 
sented me  with  a  belt  &  speech;  desiring  me  to  represent  their 
behavior  to  the  King,  which  I  have  done  through  Lord  Shel- 
burne,  one  of  His  Majesty's  principal  Secretaries  of  State;  in 
consequence  of  which,  I  have  received  the  inclosed  letter  from 
Lord  Shelburne,  signifying  His  Majesty's  pleasure  thereupon, 
which  fully  shows  his  entire  approbation  of  their  friendly  conduct 
and  assurance  of  the  continuation  of  His  tender  regard  and  pro- 
tection, which  I  must  beg,  Sir,  you  would  be  so  good  as  to 
Communicate  to  those  nations.  And  at  the  same  time  must  beg  of 
you  to  assure  them  that  I  shall  ever  hold  fast  the  Belt  they  honored 
me  with  and  never  forget  them. 

I  have  the  honor  to  be,  with 

the  greatest  regard  and  esteem, 
Sir, 
Your  most  obedient 

humble  servant, 

R.  Burton 
To  Sir  William  Johnson  Bart. 


1  In  Massachusetts  Historical  Society,  Parkman  Collection. 


158  Sir  William  Johnson  Papers 

FROM  RALPH  BURTON 
A.L.S.1 

London  Aug'1,  the  14th.  1766. 
Dear  Sir. 

I  was  extremely  sorry  it  was  not  in  my  power  of  paying  you  a 
visit,  before  my  leaving  America ;  hope  you  are  quite  recovered  of 
the  illness,  which  Captain  Claus  informed  me  of,  at  Albany.  We 
had  a  ruff,  but  quick  Passage,  but  twenty  eight  days  from  Sandy 
Hook  to  Bristol ;  upon  my  arrival  in  Town,  I  enquired  for  your 
Son,2  found  he  was  gon  down  to  Scotland,  as  I  am  in  a  few  days 
going  down  to  Yorkshire,  hope  to  meet  with  him  upon  his  return, 
detain  him  a  few  days  at  my  house,  and  show  him  a  little  of  the 
amusements  of  our  County,  You  know  we  Yorkshire  Men,  are  all 
Sportsmen.  —  A  many  Changes  amongst  the  Great  Folks,  since 
my  arrival,  for  the  particulars  of  which,  as  also  Politicks,  (which 
I  am  yet  quite  young  at,)  I  must  refer  you  to  the  Publick  Papers, 
except  an  Event,  to  us  Military  Folks ;  Lord  Granby's3  being  ap- 
pointed Commander  in  Chief,  which  gives  general  satisfaction. 
Twelve  years  absence,  makes  this  quite  a  new  world  to  me,  it  is 
intirely  so  to  Mrs.  Burton,  however,  She  begins  to  like  England. 

I  have  along  with  this,  troubled  you  with  a  Publick  letter,4 
which  I  took  the  earliest  opportunity  of  transmitting,  as  I  should 
be  extremely  sorry,  the  Indians  who  had  allways  behaved  so  well, 
should  have  the  least  reason  to  imagine,  that  I  had  neglected,  what 
they  charged  me  with.  If  there  is  any  thing  my  County  produces, 
that  you  choose  to  have  over  to  America,  beg  you  would  let  me 
know,  and  I  shall  be  happy  in  procureing  it  you;  be  pleased  to 
direct  to  me,  at  James  Meyricks  Esqr.,  Parliament  Street,  West- 
minster, I  do  asure  you  I  shall  be  extremely  happy  at  hearing 


1  In  New  York  Public  Library. 

2  John  Johnson. 

3  John  Manners,  Marquis  of  Granby  (1  721-1  770). 

4  Ante  p.    157. 


Indian  Affairs,  1766-68  159 

from  you,  and  that  you  are  in  perfect  health.  Mrs.  Burton  begs  to 
Join  with  me  in  best  respects,  and  kind  wishes  to  You,  Cap111. 
Claus,  and  all  the  Family. 

and  I  am  dear  Sir, 

very  truly  and  sincerely, 

Your  most  obedient  humble 
Servant. 

R.  Burton. 
Sir  William  Johnson  Bar*.  — 


TO  THOMAS  GAGE 

JX  .A_- /.i~/  . 

Johnson  Hall  23d.  August  1766 
Dear  Sir  — 

I  take  the  liberty  of  Sending  the  Bearer  Mr.  Robert  Adems  to 
receive  the  Amount  of  my  Acctts.  which  I  am  hopefull  You  will  be 
able  to  transmit  thro'  his  Hands,  as  I  am  in  the  greatest  want  of 
it.  — 

I  have  been  so  much  hurried  since  my  last,  and  so  much  com- 
pany here  that  I  found  it  difficult  to  get  a  Copy  of  my  late  Trans- 
actions in  readiness  for  the  Lords  of  Trade,  One  is  begun  for  your 
perusal,  which  I  must  beg  you  will  excuse  me  for  not  being  able 
to  Send  by  this  opertunity.  It  shall  go  with  my  next,  together  with 
the  List  of  Officers  &  Sallarys  &ca.  —  I  should  have  mentioned  in 
my  last  that  the  French  Inhabitants  at  the  Miamis,  Detroit  &ca. 
used  everry  Artifice  in  their  power  to  hinder  Pondiac  &  the 
Westeren  Indians  from  coming  to  meet  me,  &  Mr.  Crawford2 
found  it  a  difficult  Task  to  efface  the  impressions  which  their 
Stories  had  left  on  the  Minds  of  ye.  Indians. 


1  In  William  L.  Clements  Library;  a  portion  of  the  autographed  draft 
of  this  letter  was  printed  in  Johnson  Papers,  5  : 362-63. 

2  Hugh  Crawford  was  sent  to  accompany  Pontiac. 


160  Sir  William  Johnson  Papers 

The  Same  Schemes  were  practiced  to  retard  or  prevent  Mr. 
Cole3  from  going  to  the  Illinois,  and  a  certain  Josephe  Chapaton 
an  Inhabitant  of  Detroit  offerred  Godfrey  his  Conductor  3000 
Livres,  if  he  would  quit  his  Service,  &  prevent  his  getting  anybody 
to  conduct  him  to  that  place,  but  all  did  not  do,  — 

I  have  received  a  letter  from  Cap*.  Howard4  by  which  he  tells 
me  that  the  Indians  are  extremely  desireous  to  have  the  Post  at 
La  Baye5  reestablished  and  have  urged  it  much,  if  it  be  so,  I 
shall  be  glad  to  be  informed  whether  You  think  it  would  be 
proper  to  repair  it,  &  put  a  small  Garrison  into  it,  for  my  part  I 
think  it  a  post  of  verry  great  importance  on  many  Acctls.,  &  that 
it  will  be  usefull  to  us  if  the  Indians  are  desireous  of  its  being  re- 
established as  has  been  reported  to  me.  —  I  am 

with  the  most  perfect  Esteem 
Dear  Sir 
Your  most  Obedient 
&  verry  Humble  Servant 

W.  Johnson 
His  Excellency 
Genrl.  Gage  — 


INDORSED : 


Sr.  Wm.  Johnson 
23d.  August  1766 
received  August  3 1 st. 
answered  — 


3  Edward  Cole,  commissary  for  Illinois. 

4  Captain  William  Howard,  commandant  at  Michilimackinac. 
B  Green  Bay,  Wisconsin. 


Indian  Affairs,   1766-68  161 

FROM  ROBERT  JOHNSTON 
Contemporary  Copy1 

Copy  of  a  letter  from  Lieu1.  Robert  Johnston  to  Sir  Wm. 
Johnson  dated 

Michillim»ac.  Aug1.  24th.  1766. 
Dear  Sir  — 

According  to  your  desire  I  have  made  particular  enquiry  (tho' 
unnoticed  by  any  person)  for  Major  Roger's2  Conduct  since  his 
arrival  at  this  Post,  and  find  that  nothwithstanding,  you,  I  believe, 
have  given  him  no  Orders  in  regard  to  the  Indians,  he  publicly 
affirms  he  has  express  directions  to  manage  all  Indian  affairs,  and 
in  consequence  of  that  has  called  two  Councils  of  (I  believe) 
different  Nations,  and  has  distributed  several  little  Presents  among 
them,  he  likewise  in  his  Speech  informed  them  that  it  was  by  your 
Order  that  he  then  sat  in  Council  with  them,  at  one  of  these 
Councils  I  can't  find  that  any  other  Officer  in  the  Garrison,  but 
himself,  was  present.  — 

The  Chippaweighs  have  lately  delivered  up  a  bad  Belt,  al- 
though given  up  to  Major  Rogers,  was  wholly  owing  to  Cadef 
that  vigilant  Friend  of  the  English,  who  by  Lieu1.  Williams' 
account  was  at  a  great  deal  of  trouble  in  getting  this  accomplished, 
and  for  fear  of  Jealousies  wou'd  take  none  of  the  merit  to  him- 
self. —  At  present  we  are  at  a  loss  to  know  how  far  Major 
Rogers  Authority  extends.  for  my  part  I  look  on  him  as 

Governor  of  the  Garrison,  but  at  the  same  time  think  it  the  Duty 
of  the  Troops,  if  he  shou'd  be  backwards  in  Issuing  Orders  for 
the  immediate  defence  of  the  Garrison,  (when  it  appeared  neces- 
sary) to  let  his  Governorship  lie  dormant  in  order  to  acquit  our- 
selves with  Honour,  &  for  the  good  of  his  Majesty's  Service.  —  I 
believe  he  intends  giving  leave,  and  Passes  to  particular  Traders 
to  winter  with  the  Indians,  this  one  of  them  told  me ;  but  whether 
his  Authority  extends  so  far,  you  best  know;  but  if  I  cou'd  take 


1  In  Canadian  Archives,  Indian  Records,  Vol.  7. 

2  Major  Robert  Rogers,  commandant  at  Michilimackinac. 

3  Baptiste  Cadot. 


162  Sir  William  Johnson  Papers 

the  liberty  of  giving  my  Opinion,  as  I  find  Mr.  Roberts4  is  ap- 
pointed Indian  Commissary  to  this  place,  the  sooner  he  arrives,  it 
will  I  believe  be  much  for  the  Advantage  of  trade,  and  Harmony 
with  the  Savages.  —  I  am  Yours  &c  — 

Robt.  Johnston  — 


FROM  NORMAN D  MAC  LEOD 

Copy1 
Ontario,  the  25th.  August  1766 
Sir. 

I  just  now  received  your  letter  of  the  20th.  inst.  and  shall  obey 
all  the  contents  as  far  as  in  my  power  lys,  as  to  Clerks  &c  I  am 
afraid  the  Department  will  not  allow  of  them.  I  most  therefore 
scrible  away  myself,  but  I  wish  they  would  allow  us  something  for 
Paper,  pens  and  Ink,  and  for  repairing  our  quarters.  I  think  the 
People  at  home  could  not  have  chose  a  more  proper  Person  for 
propagating  the  Gospel,  than  one  who  has  been  in  the  east,  tho'  I 
dare  not  at  present  look  that  way:  I  agree  with  you  Sir  that  at 
present  it  would  not  look  well ;  but  as  there  is  no  Indians  come  in 
here  in  winter,  I  hope  it  will  not  be  look'd  upon  as  an  impropriety 
my  being  allowed  to  take  one  peep  at  the  East  in  the  fall,  but  you 
may  depend  on  it,  that  I  shall  allways  act  agreeable  to  your 
desires,  if  within  the  reach  of  my  small  Capacity.  Inclosed  I  send 
you  the  coppy  of  an  order,  sent  here  since  you  left  this  place. 

•y*  •t*  *%*  *T*  *T* 

I  wish  I  knew  what  ought  to  be  done  with  any  Indian  or  Squa  who 
is  guilty  of  theft,  they  have  stole  lately  here  a  Feusil  a  watch  and 
a  pair  of  shoes,  he  who  stole  the  gun  is  well  known.  Pertuis2  tells 
me  the  5  Nations  are  much  displeased  at  the  traders  not  being 
allowed  to  go  amongst  them,  they  told  him  they  were  to  come  here 
and  scold  me  for  it,  as  they  immagin  it  was  me  that  stopt  them : 


4  Lieutenant  Benjamin  Roberts. 

1  In    Oneida    Historical    Society,    Utica,    N.    Y.    The    original    was 
destroyed  by  fire. 

2  Louis  Perthuis,  interpreter. 


Indian  Affairs,   1766-68  163 

if  they  come  as  I  dare  say  they  will,  I  shall  be  at  a  loss  how  to  act 
with  them,  as  they  are  resolved  to  insist  upon  the  Traders  going 
with  them.  I  should  be  very  glad  to  have  your  advice  upon  this 
occasion  and  what  I  shall  say  to  them  if  they  push  me  hard.  *  *  * 
Sir  Wm.  Johnson 

Nord.  MacLeod 


FROM  EYRE  MASSY 

[Montreal,  August  27,  1766] 
My  Dear  Sir  Wm. 

Enclosed  You  have  some  long  Accounts,2  I  can  only  say,  I 
wish  Mr.  Wade3  had  the  furnishing  the  whole,  as  I  believe  the 
Ace1,  would  be  the  juster,  I  can  only  say,  it  was  his  own  Modesty, 
that  prevented  him:  however  I  hope  all  Affairs  to  the  Norther- 
ward  will  please  you:  I  did  all  in  my  power  to  Strengthen  your 
Interest  with  those  Nations,  You  are  not  acquainted  with,  and 
hope  it  will  have  the  desired  Effect,  as  I  regard  your  power  with 
them  very  much,  as  I  well  know  the  necessity  of  it  —  I  already 
mention'd  Cap1.  C  —  ble's4  Application  for  to  be  employed  here, 
I  hope  you  took  my  hints,  in  regard  to  the  Conections  with  Sl. 
Luke,5  I  fancy  his  interest  is  powerfull  with  Mr.  Conway,6  as 
Lady  Aylesborough  is  of  the  same  Name,  therefore  mention  to  the 
Lords  of  Trade,  how  dangerous  such  a  Connextion  would  be, 
pardon  me,  but  I  know  you  wd.  do  the  same  for  me  —  Cap*. 
Claus  has  but  this  moment  told  me  of  Sr.  John7  going  off,  there- 


1  In  New  York  Public  Library. 

2  Accounts   printed   in   Johnson  Papers,   5:364-65.     This   supplies   the 
date  for  the  letter  which  is  undated. 

3  Matthew  Wade. 

4  Captain  Campbell.   See  Massy  to  Johnson,  June  29,  1  765,  summarized 
in  Johnson  Calendar,  p.  274. 

5  La  Corne  St.  Luc,  Luc  de  Chapt  de. 

6  Henry  Seymour  Conway. 

7  Sir  John  Johnson. 


164  Sir   William  Johnson  Papers 

fore  cannot  conclude  without  Sincerely  wishing  good  Health  to 
You  and  my  jolly  old  Friend  Guy,8  I  am 

My  Dear  Sir  William  truely  Yours 

Eyre  Massy 
I  am  well  recoverd  of  my  late  Illness,  but  much  torn  down,  a 
good  hunter  will  not  hold  out  always. 


INDORSED:9 


Lt  Co11.  Masseys  letter 

in  August  ■ — 

Ans'd.  1 0h.  T».  1  766 


FROM  BAYNTON,  WHARTON,  AND  MORGAN 

Copy1 

Philad".  August  28, 1 766. 

Sir 

As  We  hope  'Ere  this,  your  Honour  is  returned  in  good 
Health  from  your  important  Journey  to  Ontario  —  We  do  Our- 
selves the  Pleasure  of  acknowledging  the  Receipt  of  your  very 
kind  Favor,  of  the  1 4th.  of  last  month  ;2  &  heartily  thanking  you 
for  your  friendly  Promise  "That  as  soon  as  you  returned,  you 
would  not  fail  of  enclosing  Our  Accounts  to  the  General  &  recom- 
mending Them  for  Payment." 

It  is  particularly  Obliging  to  us,  at  this  Time,  as  we  never 
knew  the  want  of  Cash  so  much  (occasioned  by  Our  great  Aven- 
ture  to  the  Illinois,  from  whence  we  have  not  yet  received  any 
Remittances)  &  We  have  long  since  dischargd.  all  Mr.  Croghan's 
Drafts,  for  the  pay  of  the  Indian  Department,  to  the  Westward. 

Pardon  Sir  Our  Freedom,  in  thus,  unreservedly,  expressing 
Our  great  want,  of  the  Amount  of  Mr.  Croghan's  Bill. 


8  Guy  Johnson. 

9  In  Sir  William's  hand. 

1  Printed    in    Illinois    Historical    Collections,    11:366-68;    original    in 
New  York  State  Library  was  destroyed  by  fire. 

2  Not  found. 


Indian  Affairs,   1766-68  165 

Our  last  Letter  from  Doctor  Franklin,  was  by  the  June  Packt. 
He  writes  us  thus. 

"I  approve  much  of  the  Preposal  of  a  strong  Colony  at  the 
Illinois.  It  is  well  listned  to  here;  But  all  affairs,  except  what  im- 
mediately relate  to  Great  Britain  are  laid  aside,  until  the  Season 
of  Publick  Business  comes  on  &  until  the  Ministry,  are  a  little 
better  settled." 

He  was  to  make  an  Excursion  to  Germany,  On  the  14th.  of 
June,  in  Company  with  Dr.  Pringle,  Physician  to  the  Queen  & 
On  his  Return,  preposed,  vigorously,  pushing  the  Illinois  Matter. 

Your  Honor  was  so  good  as  to  inform  us,  On  the  8th.  of  Janu- 
ary last3  —  "That  when  you  was  empower'd  to  treat  publickly 
with  the  Indians,  concerning  the  Boundry  —  you  flattered  yourself 
you  should  be  enabled  to  procure  an  advantageous  Grant  as  a 
Reimbursment  for  the  traders  Losses"  —  May  we  therefore 
presume  to  ask  —  Whether  you  have  yet  received  Orders,  to  pur- 
chase that  Boundry4  &  if  you  have  not  —  That  you  will  be 
pleased  to  inform  us,  when  you  do. 

We  are  afraid  we  are  troublesome,  upon  this  Subject;  —  But 
we  trust,  as  it  is  significantly  interesting,  to  us  —  It  will  plead  an 
Excuse,  for  Us. 

No  Doubt  your  Honor  has  had  Letters  from  Mr.  Croghan  & 
That  He  acquainted  you  —  He  had  requested  Our  Partner  Mr. 
Morgan,5  to  send  a  small  Cargo  of  Goods,  to  lower  Shawanese 
Town. 

We  were  much  distress'd,  When  we  first  received  this  Informa- 
tion, least  Governor  Penn  might  construe  it,  as  a  Violation  of  his 
Permission  of  Trade ;  —  We  therefore,  instantly  wrote  to  his 
Excellency  the  General,  respecting  it,  For  fear  some  ill  natured 
people,  might  give  a  false  &  unfriendly  Colouring  to  it. 


3  Not  found. 

4  Refers  to  the  Indian  boundary  line,  which  was  not  run  until   1  768, 
when  the  Treaty  of  Fort  Stanwix  was  negotiated. 

5  George  Morgan. 


166  Sir  William  Johnson  Papers 

Mr.  Morgan  writes  us,  That  Mr.  Croghan  was  quite  worried  by 
the  Indians,  to  gratify  Them  with  this  Trade.  —  But  it  is  Super- 
fluous for  us,  To  dwell  upon  a  Subject,  which  no  Doubt  your 
Honor  is  fully  acquainted  with.  Mr.  McK.ee6  wrote  to  us  & 
requested,  That  we  would  permit  Him  to  draw  upon  us,  for  the 
half  Yearly  Pay  of  Himself  —  The  Interpreter  &c  at  Fort  Pitt 
&  That  we  would  negociate  his  Draft,  upon  your  Honor,  for  the 
same;  which  we  chearfully  agreed  to,  As  we  imagined,  it  would 
be  serving  the  Department.  We  now  inclose  your  Honor  his 
Draft  in  Our  Favor,  for  £  299/4/0  New  York  Currency  &  are 
satisfied  you  will  order  us  properly  reimbursed. 

Mr.  John  Laycock  a  Silver  Smith,  brought  us  some  time  ago,  an 
Account  of  some  Silver  W or\  Which  He  made  by  Order  of  Mr. 
Croghan  to  be  sent  to  your  Honor ;  —  Which  account  He  desires 
us  to  inclose.  —  He  is  an  honest,  good  workman.  The  Box,  goes 
by  the  Stage  to  your  agent  at  New  York. 

We  have  had  no  news  from  Mr.  Croghan  since  He  left  Sciota. 
&  Every  One  here,  is  impatient  for  the  Result  of  the  negociations 
at  Ontario  —  as  They  must  have  been  very  critical,  at  a  Time, 
when  Our  Frontier  People,  so  shamefully  violated  the  Peace; 
—  But  every  sensible  man,  consoles  Himself  with  the  Reflexion, 
That  the  same  consummate  Knowledge,  unparrelel'd  Industry  & 
Address,  which  have  hitherto  averted  the  impending  Storm,  — 
will  as  wisely  &  successfully  do  it  Now. 

We  have  the  Honor  to  be  Sir  With  the  sincerest  Respect  & 
Regard  Yr.  much  Obliged  &  most  Obedient  Servts. 

Baynton  Wharton  &  Morgan 

The  Honorable  SlR  WlLLIAM  JOHNSON  Barf.  &c  &c 
INDORSED : 

Philadelphia  28th.  Augus1.  1  766. 

Messrs.  Baynton  Wharton  &c 

Accu.  &  a  Draft  on  me 

Ansd.  1 6th.  SeptV 


6  Alexander  McKee. 

7  See  post  pp.  1  8 1  -82. 


Indian  Affairs,   1766-68  167 

TO  WILLIAM  O'BRIEN 

Extract1 

Johnson  Hall,  August  29,  J 7 66. 

I  returned  from  Ontario  (in  better  health  than  I  set  out) 
the  5th.  inst.  after  having  done  everything  to  my  entire  satisfac- 
tion with  Pondiac  and  the  Western  Chiefs,  on  whose  fidelity  I 
think  I  can  safely  rely,  if  not  counteracted  by  the  indiscretions  of 
many  of  our  own  people,  which  are  frequently  such  as  would 
defeat  the  Wisest  Measures. 


1  Copy  in  Oneida  Historical  Society,  Utica,  N.  Y.    The  original  was 
destroyed  by  fire. 


INDIAN  PROCEEDINGS 
Contemporary  Copy1 

[Johnson  Hall,  Aug.  13-30,  1766] 

Johnson  Hall  August  13th. — 

On  this  day  the  chiefs  of  the  Mohawks  in  Council  here  by 
Abraham  their  Speaker,  told  Sir  William  that  when  they  were 
lately  at  Oneida  the  Sachims  of  that  nation  expressed  their  Con- 
cern for  the  unhappy  Situation,  which  they  were  told  their  Fathers, 
that  is  to  say,  the  upper  Mohawks,  were  now  in,  owing  to  the 
White  People  using  every  low,  and  unfair  method  to  deprive 
them  of  their  Lands,  and  even  of  their  Habitations,  and  Planting 
Grounds,  as  one  of  his  chiefs  with  his  Party  named  Johannis 
passing  thro'  their  Country  informed  them,  and  that  they  were 
determined  to  seek  for  shelter,  and  protection  from  some  of  their 
Allies,  who,  they  were  certain  wou'd  assist  them,  in  avenging 
themselves  on  their  faithless  Brethren.  —  They  then  told  Sir  Wm. 
that  they  were  resolved  to  go  up  to  Conajohare  and  endeavor  all  in 
their  power  to  put  a  Stop  to  their  Flight,  but  feard  it  wou'd  be  in 


1  In  Canadian  Archives,  Indian  Records,  Vol.  7. 


168  Sir  William  Johnson  Papers 

vain,  whilst  the  White  People  were  allowed  to  persevere  in  their 
villainy,  unnoticed,  nothwithstanding  the  many  fine  Promises  made 
to  them  all  by  Sr.  Wm.  in  the  name  of  the  King  at  different  times, 
which  they  said  they  were  sorry  to  see  so  much  disregarded.  — 
(This  was  all  occasioned  by,  &  alluded  to  Ury  Klock's2  be- 
havior) 

Sir  Wm.  in  answer  told  them,  and  advised  them  to  go  up 
immediately,  and  try  all  means  to  prevent  the  Conojaheres 
abandoning  their  Castle,  and  Country,  and  desired  them  to  assure 
their  [Brethren]8  friends  that  he  wou'd  as  soon  as  the  Governor 
arrived  here  (which  was  shortly  expected)  lay  their  Case  before 
him,  who  he  was  certain  wou'd  put  a  stop  to  Klock's  villainy, 
and  do  them  all  the  Justice  in  his  power.  —  this  they  promised 
to  do,  and  accordingly  five  of  their  Chiefs  set  off  the  next  day  for 
Conajohare.  — 

Aug1.  1 9th.  —  Saquarisera  chief  of  the  Tuscaroras,  his  son,  an 
Onondaga  Indian,  with  a  Shawanese  arrived  here,  the  former  at 
the  Request  of  his  nation,  to  beg  that  a  trader  might  be  allowed  to 
go  into  their  Country  with  Goods  wherewith  to  purchase  Jensang,4 
of  which  they  had  a  Plenty,  also  to  order  them  three  Axes,  and 
two  small  Hoes  —  In  answer  to  which  Sir  Wm.  told  them  the 
unreasonableness  of  their  asking  for  Traders,  as  it  was  contrary 
to  the  Kings  intentions,  and  their  interest,  that,  however  he  wou'd 
speak  to  the  Governor  concerning  it  on  his  arrival  here,  who  he 
doubted  not  wou'd  indulge  them  therein  —  then  ordered  them  the 
other  Articles.  —  The  Onondaga  said  that  he  was  sent  by  the 
Chiefs  of  his  nation  then  in  Council  to  know  when  Sir  Wm. 
wou'd  call  them  to  a  Meeting  in  consequence  of  what  had  been 
transacted  last  Year  at  the  general  meeting  here  relative  to  a 
Boundary  between  the  Inds.  and  us,  —  adding  that  they  were 
surprized  at  the  delaying  of  its  Settlement  so  long.  — 

3  Strings.  — 


2  George  (Ury)  Klock. 

3  Words  italicized  and  in  brackets  are  crossed  out  in  manuscript. 

4  Ginseng. 


Indian  Affairs,   1766-68  169 

Mr.  Perthuis,5  and  one  Portier6  arrived  here  this  day  w,l\ 
letters  from  Lieu*.  Roberts7  Commiss>\  Hay8  and  Cap1.  McLeod.9 
—  the  20t!l.  dispatched  them  with  a  letter  to  Cap1.  M  Leod 
touching  the  business  they  came  about  —  agreed  with  Perthuis  to 
Serve  in  Canada  as  Interpreter,  and  here  when  called  upon  at 
4/-  <P  diem  from  this  date.  —  A  Huron  Chieftain  son  of 
Adyughfyannorum  with  his  wife  arrived  here  by  the  way  of  Fort 
Pit,  from  thence  thro'  the  Six  Nation  Country,  wlh.  whom  Sir 
Wm.  had  a  long  discourse  concerning  the  present  Disposition  of 
the  Indians  in  that  quarter,  as  well  as  of  the  Twightwees  of  all 
whom  he  recd.  very  favorable  accounts.  —  Sir  Wm.  dispatched 
the  Huron  with  a  Belt,  and  three  Strings  to  his  village  at 
Sanduskey  consisting  as  he  said  of  150  Men  acquainting  them 
wth.  what  he  had  done  at  Ontario,  and  desiring  them  all  to  pay 
due  regard  thereto,  and  not  listen  to  evil  Reports,  as  they  had  been 
accustomed  to  do.  — 

A  Belt 
30th.  —  On  this  day  1 8  of  the  Mohawks  with  all  their  Sachims, 
and  Chiefs  arrived  here  to  acquaint  Sr.  Wm.  with  their  Proceed- 
ings at  Conjohare,  which  they  said,  they  were  affraid  wou'd 
answer  but  little  Purpose,  as  the  Indians  of  that  Village  were 
entirely  ruined  by  the  villain  Klock,10  who  had  quite  debauched 
them,  and  turned  their  heads,  and  hearts  from  the  rest  of  their 
People  who  still  live  in  their  proper  Village,  and  alone  &  manage 
affairs  with  them,  and  the  Six  Nations,  as  the  others  had  aban- 
doned them,  and  their  Village,  and  were  become  slaves  to  Klock, 
and  his  Liquor — Eod  die  arrived  here  Lawyer,11  and  three 
others  from  Scohare  to  purchase  about  3  M  Acres  of  Woodland 
there  from  the  Mohawks,  but  could  not  agree  about  the  Price,  and 


5  Louis  Perthuis. 

6  A  French  trader. 

7  Lieutenant  Benjamin  Roberts,  commissary  at  Michilimackinac. 

8  Lieutenant  Jehu  Hay,  commissary  at  Detroit. 

9  Captain  Normand  MacLeod,  commissary  at  Fort  Ontario  (Oswego) . 

10  George   (Ury)   Klock. 

11  Johannes  Lawyer. 


1  70  Sir   William  Johnson  Papers 

departed  —  the  Indians  expected  they  wou'd  pay  them  50  £  <P 
O.  Acres. — Septemr.  the  14th.12  On  this  day  arrived  here  a 
Cayuga  named  Erah  Roakare  with  34  from  Chughnot13  request- 
ing Ammunition  from  Sr.  Wm.  &  complaining  of  one  Ury 
Weaver,  who  they  said  cheated  them  in  trade  most  grossly,  and 
begged  redress.  Sir  Wm.  gave  them  the  best  advice  in  his  power, 
also  some  Goods,  &  Ammunition  &  discharged  them.  — 


TO  MAGISTRATES  OF  MINISINK 

Johnson  Hall  7K  8ih.  1766 
Gentlemen  — 

The  Bearer  hereof  is  Widdow  to  the  Indian  who  was  murdered 
last  Spring  in  your  parts,  and  goes  now  with  two  of  her  Brothers 
in  Search  of  the  Gun  &ca.  which  belonged  to  the  deceased,  and 
which,  I  doubt  not,  but  You  will  be  good  enough  to  procure  for 
her,  and  if  You  were  to  make  her  a  present  of  Something  hand- 
some, it  would  remove  from  her,  &  her  freinds  remembrance  any 
Malice  or  resentment,  and  appear  well  to  y*.  Nation  he  belonged 
to,  namely  the  Oneidaes.  This  I  recommend  to  You  as  the  most 
necessarry  Step  can  be  taken  to  remove  the  111  impressions  which 
that  unhappy  affair  has  occasioned.  — 

I  am  Gentlemen 
Yr.  Welwisher 

&  Humble  Servant 

W.  Johnson 
To  the  Magistrates 
of  Minissink 


12  This  entry  is  out  of  chronological  order  at  this  point,  but  so  appears 
in  the  copy. 

13  An  Indian  village  on  the  Susquehanna  River. 

1  In  collection  of  Dr.  Joseph  E.  Fields,  Joliet,  111. 


Indian  Affairs,   1766-68  171 

DEED  OF  A  HOUSE 

Copy1 

[September  8,  1766] 

Know  all  Men  by  these  Presents,  that  I  the  Subscriber  have 
this  day,  Sold,  yielded,  quitted,  ceded,  transported  and  made 
Over  from  henceforth  and  forever,  with  warrant  to  free  from  any 
trouble  or  hindrance  generally  whatsoever,  unto  Edwd.  Cole 
Esquire  Commissary  for  Indian  Affairs  at  the  Ilinois,  and  to  his 
Successors  in  the  said  Office,  on  Account  and  for  the  use  of  the 
Government,  A  House,  situated  in  the  Main  Street,  near  the 
Church  in  Chartres  Village,  in  the  Ilinois,  late  in  the  Occupation 
of  Monsr.  La  Cled,  with  the  Outhouses,  Land,  and  all  the  appur- 
tenances thereunto  belonging,  as  they  now  stand,  for  and  in  con- 
sideration of  the  Sum  of  Six  hundred  Dollars.  Which  I  have  this 
day  Received  from  him,  and  do  allow  that  he,  &  his  successors  do 
possess  the  same,  for  the  Service  aforesaid,  and  have  delivered  to 
him  all  original  papers  relative  thereto,  And  I  bind  myself,  my 
Heirs,  Executors,  Administrators,  &  Assigns,  unto  the  said  Edwd. 
Cole  Esqr.  &  his  Successors  as  aforesaid  firmly  by  these  Presents, 
Sealed  with  my  Seal  this  Eighth  day  of  September,  in  the  Sixth 
Year  of  the  Reign  of  our  Sovereign  Lord  George  the  third  by  the 
Grace  of  God  of  Great  Britain  France  &  Ireland  King  defender 
of  the  faith  &c.  and  in  the  Year  of  Christ :  1  766. 

Thos.  Smallman 
Signed  Sealed  and  delivered  in  the 
presence  of 


Jn°  Reed  Col 

L*.  D.  34  Regim'. 
Thos  Ford. 


A  True  Copy  Jn°.  Reed  Col. 
L*.  0.  34  Regim*. 

INDORSED: 

Deed  Thos.  Smallman  to  Edwd.  Cole  N°  1 5 


1  Printed  in  Illinois  Historical  Collections,    11:372;   original  in  New 
York  State  Library,  Johnson  manuscripts,  was  destroyed  by  fire. 


172  Sir  William  Johnson  Papers 

AN  INDIAN  CONFERENCE 

D.1 

[Isle  a  la  Mote,  Sept  8-9,1 766] 

hood  and  we  beg  by  this  Belt  of  Wampum  [  f  that  you 

will  be  pleased  to  support  wh[at]  His  Majy.  was  graciously 
[Intent  was  towardf  pleased  to  reserve  to  us  And  give  Us  your 
Opinion  &  answer  upon  what  we  now  have  laid  before  you. 

a  Belt  of  Wampum 

Brethn. 

What  we  have  been  speaking  of  to  you  concerning  the  Lands  & 
Lake  in  Question  was  only  of  latter  Times  &  since  the  Europeans 
have  come  amongst  us ;  As  to  the  original  Owners  [of]  thereof  any 
one  that  knows  the  history  of  this  Country  before  that  period  will 
[find]  testify  it  to  have  been  then  ye.  undisputed  Right  of  the  6 
Nations  &  their  Allies  &  was  chiefly  occupied  in  the  hunting 
Seasons  by  the  Antient  Mohawks  whose  Descendants  we  are, 
And  our  Forefathers  going  to  hunt  [ing]  mostly  in  this  Neighbour- 
hood was  one  of  the  principal  Reasons  for  our  Settling  upon  the 
River  S'.  Lawrence  near  Montreal,  Since  whenever  they  killed 
any  Game  nearest  that  market  they  brought  it  there,  and  being 
well  recd.  &  flattered  by  the  french  (on  the  Contrary  were 
slighted  by  the  Dutch  who  then  possessed  the  Prove.  of  N  York) 
families  after  families  settled  &  remained  in  Canada  wch.  oc- 
casioned the  Establishment  of  what  to  this  day  is  called  the  french 
Mohawks  &  our  present  habitation. 

As  to  the  first  Building  &  Settlem'.  made  upon  this  [ 
it  is  known  to  be  Crown  point  wcl\  our  Middle  aged  Men  all  well 
remember  when  begun,  And  the  five  Nations  hearing  of  it,  im- 
mediately remonstrated  against  it  to  the  French  Govr.,  who  telling 
them  it  was  only  to  guard  his  Country  [/rom]  against  a  sudden 
Attack  [&);]  from  the  English  [&]  prevailed  upon  them  to  let  him 


1  In  Canadian  Archives,  Indian  Records,  Vol.  9.    This  is  a  fragment 
of  a  document,  the  first  part  of  which  is  missing. 

2  Portion  crossed  out  and  illegible. 

3  Words  italicized  and  in  brackets  are  crossed  out  in  the  manuscript. 


Indian  Affairs,  1766-68  173 

finish  it  wch.  they  consented  to  upon  Condition  that  no  other 
Settlement  should  be  made  upon  it  hereafter  wch.  he  readily 
[agreed  to]  promised,  &  engaged  to  observe  at  that  Interview.  — 

The  Misisqui  Indns.  spo^e 
Brethn. 

We  are  going  to  finish  with  a  Remonstrance  something  similar 
but  if  possible  more  urging  than  the  foregoing.  We  the  Misisqui 
Indns.  of  the  Abinaquis  or  Sf.  Johns  Tribe  have  inhabited  that 
part  of  Lake  Champlain  time  unknown  to  any  of  Us  here  present 
without  being  molested  or  any  ones  claiming  any  Right  to  it  to 
our  Knowledge,  [nor]  Except  abl.  1 8  Years  ago  the  French  Govr. 
&  Intend',  came  there  &  viewed  a  Spot  [then]  convenient  for  a 
Saw  mill  to  facilitate  the  building  of  Vessells  &  Batteaux  [for 
these  Lafyes]  at  Sf.  Johns  as  well  as  for  building  of  ships  at 
Quebec  and  on  the  Occasion  convened  our  People  to  ask  their 
Approbation,  when  accordingly  they  consented  &  marked  out  a 
Spot  large  enough  for  that  purpose  for  the  cutting  of  Saw  Timber 
ab'.  J/2  League  square,  with  the  Condition  to  have  what  Boards 
they  wanted  for  their  own  use,  gratis,  but  on  the  Commencement 
of  last  War,  said  Mill  was  deserted  and  the  Ironwork  buried, 
after  which  [they  the  Indns.]  we  expected  that  every  thing  of  the 
kind  hereafter  would  subside,  but  no  sooner  was  the  peace  made 
than  some  English  people  came  there  to  rebuild  the  Mill,  and  now 
claim  3  Leagues  in  breath  &  we  dont  know  how  many  deep  wch. 
would  take  in  our  Village  &  plantations  by  far.  we  therefore 
request  by  this  Belt  of  Wampum  that  to  whatever  Governm1. 
it  may  belong,  the  Affr.  may  be  inquired  into  that  we  may  obtain 
Justice  it  being  a  Matter  of  great  Concern  to  Us.  We  likewise  beg 
there  maynt  any  Traders  be  allowed  to  bring  spiritous  Liquors 
amongst  us,  the  selling  of  which  being  so  prejudicial  &  detrimental 
to  us,  if  we  want  to  purchase  any  we  are  not  far  from  Montreal 

[  Y 

Septr.  8th.  —  The  Sloop  Mas  [  ]  has  hove  in  Sight  at  the 

Isle  la  Mote. 


4  Illegible  due  to  patching  of  manuscript. 


1  74  Sir   William  Johnson  Papers 

I  waited  upon  Govr.  Moore5  and  acquaint^,  him  with  the  Indns. 
Errand  &  delivd.  him  what  they  had  to  say  in  writing  &  he  ap- 
pointed them  to  come  in  the  Morns,  to  deliver  their  Speech. 
9th.  —  Went  with  the  Indns.  they  were  kindly  reced.  and  delivered 
the  above  speech 

INDORSED : 

Indns.  Speech 
to  the  Governours 
of  N.  York  &  Quebec 
delivered  on  Isle  a  la 
Mote  in  Lake  Cham 
plain  9th.  Septr.  1 766. 


FROM  NORMAND  MAC  LEOD 
Copf 

Ontario  the  9th.  September  1766 

Sir 

Last  night  arrived  here  a  Chief  of  the  Conasedagas  Call'd 
Ca-run-da-che,  who  told  me  there  are  certainly  upwards  of  an 
hundred  Orondacks2  in  Arms  and  that  we  ought  to  be  on  our 
guard,  the  reason  they  give  for  commencing  hostilitys  is  that  the 
Traders  are  not  allowed  to  go  among  the  Indians  as  formerly,  The 
Conasedagas3  gave  them  two  belts  of  Wampom  one  of  1  1  and 
one  of  9  strings  to  prevent  their  coming  out  but  they  return'd  them 
with  scorn,  the  Conasedagas  told  them  they  promis'd  you  to 
Oppose  any  Nation  that  would  Commit  any  hostilitys  on  the 


5  Sir  Henry  Moore,  governor  of  New  York,  1  765-69. 

1  In    Oneida    Historical    Society,    Utica,    N.    Y.     The    original    was 
destroyed  by  fire. 

2  Adirondacks.    According  to  W.  M.  Beauchamp,  History  of  the  New 
York  Iroquois,  p.  1  38,  this  was  another  name  for  Algonquins. 

3  Canaseraga  Senecas. 


Indian  Affairs,   1766-68  175 

English,  the  Orondacks  did  not  mind  them  but  set  of  that  same 
night,  he  is  not  certain  where  the  will  begin  first  he  says  perhaps 
they  are  gone  up  the  Ottawa  River.  They  are  Commanded  he 
says  by  two  very  brave  Indians,  their  greatest  man  is  Call'd 
Ra-hun-ra-wits,  their  second  Ran-ho-tos,  we  are  a  little  on  our 
guard  here.  I  wanted  much  that  the  Conasedaga  Chief  would  go 
to  your  House,  as  he  was  present  and  gave  himself  one  of  the 
Above  belts  of  Wampom  he  might  have  been  more  particular 
than  I  can  in  a  letter,  but  he  refus'd.  he  is  gone  amongst  the 
Onondagas  with  some  gunpowder  for  their  Warriors  who  are  to 
go  against  the  Cherakees 

I  have  wrote  to  Mr.  Roberts4  Concerning  the  Orondacks.  Since 
writing  the  above  I  am  inform'd  it's  not  the  Orondacks  but  the 
Ske-qua-necks  a  Nation  who  lives  with  them  that  are  gone  to 
war,  they  are  gone  up  the  Ottawa  River  and  expect  to  be  joined 
by  some  of  the  Nations  that  way  and  then  Come  on  the  Carrying 
place  at  Niagara. 

The  old  Chief  was  a  little  drunk  when  he  gave  the  first 
Intelligence,  but  is  this  Morning  sober;  and  thinks  there  is  no 
danger  here,  at  least  not  untill  they  pass  Niagara,  what  they  may 
do  then  he  knows  not.  the  Bearer  was  to  have  left  this  yesterday, 
but  got  Drunk  1  1 th.  September 

The  Barrack  Master  says  he  is  to  give  no  fire  wood  to  the 
Interpreter  without  he  lives  in  a  barrack  room  with  the  Soldiers, 
the  smith  he  says  is  not  allowed  any  wood  at  all  they  allow  the 
Commissarys  one  Room  and  half  a  Coard  of  wood  per  week  dur- 
ing the  winter,  the  same  allowance  with  other  Rooms.  The 
Indians  and  they  most  sit  at  the  same  fire  if  there's  no  other 
allowance  made.  *  *  * 
Sir  Wm.  Johnson 

Nord.  MacLeod 


4  Benjamin  Roberts,  commissary  for  Indian  affairs  at  Niagara. 


1  76  Sir   William  Johnson  Papers 

FROM  GEORGE  CROGHAN 

Copy1 

Fort  Chartres,  Sept.  10th,  J 766. 
Sir: 

After  a  long  &  fatiguing  Passage  from  Sioto,  (from  which 
place  I  wrote  your  Honour  last)  we  arrived  here  the  20th  of 
August,  where  I  found  the  Several  Nations  of  Indians  residing  in 
this  Country  was  Collected  together  at  the  Kaskaskias,  a  large 
Indian  Village  near  ,  a  French  Town.  After  deliver- 
ing my  dispatches  to  Colonel  Reed2  &  consulting  with  him  about 
the  Conference  to  be  held  with  the  Indians,  I  set  out  for  the 
Kaskaskias  &  had  a  meeting  with  the  several  Nations,  where  the 
Deputys  of  the  Six  Nations,  Shawanese,  Dellaweres,  &  Hurons, 
delivered  the  Speeches  sent  by  them  from  their  Nations  to  those 
Nations,  in  a  very  Spirited  Manner. 

And  in  the  afternoon  the  Several  Nations  Returned  those 
Deputys  answers  to  their  Speeches ;  after  which  I  fixed  a  day  for 
them  to  assemble  at  Fort  Chartres  in  Order  to  hold  the  Con- 
ference. 

The  Conference  begun  at  Fort  Chartres  the  25th  of  Augt, 
where  was  Assembled  the  Chiefs  &  principle  Warriors  of  Eight 
Nations,  divided  into  Twenty-two  tribes  or  bands,  which  made  it 
very  deficult  to  do  business  with  them;  however,  after  two  days 
meeting  with  them,  we  finished  the  business  to  the  Satisfaction 
of  the  Several  Nations,  who  all  seemed  Convinced  that  the  French 
had  imposed  upon  them  in  every  thing  they  had  told  them.  A 
General  Peace  &  Reconciliation  was  then  declared  in  Public 
between  his  Majesty's  Subjects,  the  Northern  Nations,  &  all 
those  Western  Nations,  except  three  Tribes  which  the  French 
had  influence  enough  to  keep  back  from  attending  the  Conference. 
But  those,  the  Chiefs  which  attended  the  Conference  brought  them 
to  me  at  Fort  Chartres  the  5th  of  this  Month,  when  I  settled  every 


1  Printed  in  C.  A.  Hanna,   The   Wilderness   Trail,  2:49-51;  and  in 
Illinois  Historical  Collections,  1  1  : 3  73-74. 

2  Colonel  John  Reed  of  the  34th  regiment. 


Indian  Affairs,  1766-68  177 

thing  with  them,  &  Received  them  into  the  Covenant  Chain  of 
friendship;  The  spirited  Conduct  &  Steadiness  of  the  Deputys  of 
the  Nations  that  attended  me  from  Fort  Pitt  was  of  great  service 
to  bring  about  this  General  union,  as  those  Nations  in  this 
Country  stand  in  great  Awe  of  the  Northern  Nations. 

At  present,  Indian  Affairs  ware  a  different  Face  in  this 
Country,  &  the  Indians  seem  quite  reconciled  to  the  English,  & 
the  French  in  their  turn  begin  to  fear  the  Consequences,  since 
the  Conference.  The  Indians  has  brought  in  all  the  Horses  they 
had  formerly  stolen  from  the  Garrison,  &  I  flatter  my  self,  with 
a  little  good  Usage,  they  will  soon  become  a  very  quiet  & 
Peacable  People,  as  they  are  Naturally  well  disposed,  had  not 
the  French  influenced  them  to  mischief. 

The  unavoidable  Necessaty  I  was  under  of  making  a  Present 
to  the  Indians  that  met  me  at  Sioto  has  obliged  Col1.  Reed  &  my 
self  to  purchase  a  Quantity  of  Presents  here,  &  to  accrue  some 
other  expences  for  maintaining  the  Indians,  as  they  could  not  be 
supported  by  the  Garrison  without  distressing  the  Troops,  which 
will  greatly  increase  the  expence  of  my  Journey,  more  than  I  cod. 
Wish,  or  indeed  could  have  expected,  But  here  has  been  above 
One  Thousand  Indian  Men,  besides  Women  &  Children,  &  there 
was  an  absolute  necessaty  of  Convincing  them  at  this  time  that  the 
English  were  as  able  to  Support  them  as  the  French,  which  I 
think  they  are,  &  I  can  assure  your  Honour  that  the  greatest 
frugallity  has  been  observed.  Coll.  Reed  has  given  me  all  the 
assistance  in  his  power,  but  has  been  very  ill,  as  is  all  the  Garri- 
son; there  is  not  above  three  Officers  fit  for  Duty  &  about  50  Men. 

I  have  been  so  ill  this  fortnight  past  that  I  have  not  been  able 
to  write,  or  would  have  sent  your  Honour  a  Coppy  of  my  Trans- 
actions with  those  Nations.  As  I  am  so  Reduced  with  Sickness, 
I  shall  be  obliged  to  go  round  by  New  Orleans,  as  I'm  not  able  to 
ride  aCross  the  Country  to  Fort  Pitt. 

I  am,  with  great  respect,  your 

Honour's  most  obedient  &  most 
Humble  Servant 
To  the  Honourable  GEO:  CROGHAN 

Sir  William  Johnson,  Baronet. 


1  78  Sir   William  Johnson  Papers 

FROM  BENJAMIN  FRANKLIN 

A.L.S.1 

London,  Sept.  12,  1766. 
Sir 

I  am  honoured  with  yours  of  the  10th.  of  July,2  just  come  to 
hand,  with  that  for  Mr.  Secretary  Conway3  under  a  flying  Seal, 
which  I  have  clos'd  and  forwarded.  He  is  now  in  another  Depart- 
ment, but  it  will  go  of  course  to  Lord  Shelbourne,4  who  I  think  is 
rather  more  favourably  dispos'd  towards  such  Undertakings. 

I  have  long  been  of  Opinion  that  a  well-conducted  western 
Colony,  if  it  could  be  settled  with  the  Approbation  of  the  Indians, 
would  be  of  great  National  Advantage  with  respect  to  the  Trade, 
and  particularly  useful  to  the  old  Colonies  as  a  Security  to  their 
Frontiers.  I  am  glad  to  find  that  you,  whose  Knowledge  of  Indian 
Affairs  and  the  Temper  of  those  People  far  exceeds  mine,  enter- 
tain the  same  Sentiments,  and  think  such  an  Establishment  in  the 
Ilinois  Country  practicable.  I  shall  not  fail  to  use  my  best 
Endeavours  here  in  promoting  it,  and  obtaining  for  that  purpose 
the  necessary  Grants;  and  I  am  happy  that  this  Occasion  intro- 
duces me  to  the  Correspondence  of  a  Gentleman  whose  Character 
I  have  long  esteemed,  and  to  whom  America  is  so  much  obliged. 

It  grieves  me  to  hear  that  our  Frontier  People  are  yet  greater 
Barbarians  than  the  Indians,  and  continue  to  murder  them  in  time 
of  Peace.  I  hope  your  Negociations  will  prevent  a  new  War, 
which  those  Murders  give  great  Reason  to  apprehend;  and  that 


1  In  Historical  Society  of  Pennsylvania,  Gratz  Collection. 

2  Ante  p.  140. 

3  See  Johnson  to  Conway,  July  10,   1766,  Johnson  Papers,  5:319-20. 

4  The  Chatham  ministry  came  into  power  in  July,  1  766.  Lord  Shel- 
burne,  who  was  appointed  secretary  of  state  for  the  southern  department, 
proved  friendly  toward  the  colonial  scheme. 


Indian  Affairs,   1766-68  179 

the  several  Governments  will  find  some  Method  of  preventing  such 
horrid  Outrages  for  the  future. 

With  sincere  &  great  Regard,  I  have  the  Honour  to  be, 

Sir, 

Your  most  obedient 
&  most  humble  Servant 

B.  Franklin 


INDORSED:5 


London  Septb.  12th.  1766 


Benjmn.  Franklin  Esqrs. 
Letter  — 


TO  THOMAS  GAGE 

Johnson  HaM*.  16*.  1766  — 
Dear  Sir  — 

I  have  been  prevented  from  writing  by  a  dangerous  fitt  of  my 
old  Disorder  with  which  I  was  attacked  since  the  receipt  of  your 
favour  of  ye.  1 8th.  Ult°.2  with  the  enclosures.3  —  I  am  perfectly 
of  your  Opinion  concerning  the  ill  consequences  of  Suffering  the 
Regulations  to  be  in  any  Instance  broke  thro.  I  have  wrote  to  these 
Gentlemen  accordingly,  nothing  is  more  hurtfull  to  the  Service,  or 
tends  more  to  the  prejudice  of  the  character  of  the  English  in  the 
Eyes  of  the  Indians,  than  the  Traders  going  where  and  acting  as 
they  please,  and  the  Steps  taken  by  each  of  them  to  Villify  his 
Neighbour  for  the  sake  of  Trade,  this  mean  practice  is  neverthe- 
less almost  universal. 


5  In  Sir  William's  hand. 

1  In  William  L.  Clements  Library. 

2  Johnson  Papers,  5:346. 

3  Croghan's    letter    of    July    6,    and    that    of    Baynton,    Wharton    and 
Morgan,  of  August  1  0,  printed  ante  pp.  1  54-55. 


180  Sir  William  Johnson  Papers 

The  Medalls  answer  better  than  the  last,  those  Nations  think  a 
great  deal  of  such  badges  and  consider  them  as  Memento's  of 
their  Alliance  with  those  who  gave  them.  — 

Mr.  Adems4  is  Just  returned  with  ye.  Cash  and  a  letter  from 
Mr.  Maturin5  enclosing  Receipts  which  I  now  return  him  signed, 
as  also  two  Receipts  transmitted  to  me  before  thro  Mr.  Darling- 
ton.6 I  enclose  You  herewith  Extracts  containing  everry  thing 
Material  transacted  at  the  Congress  with  Pondiac,  &ca,  and  I 
hope  You  will  excuse  me  for  not  having  sent  it  sooner. 

I  have  Just  received  a  letter  from  the  Lords  of  Trade,  which 
among  other  things  regards  a  late  application  of  the  Canada 
Merchants,  on  which  they  desire  my  Sentiments  I  find  these 
People  do  everry  thing  they  can  to  carry  their  favorite  point,  I 
shall  give  my  thoughts  verry  freely  thereon.  Their  Lordships  ex- 
pect to  do  something  in  the  Affair  of  the  Department  by  next 
Pacquet,  &  direct  me  to  enquire  into  these  Affairs,  &  use  my 
Authority  to  redress  any  Greiviance  which  the  free  Commerce 
of  his  Majestys  Subjects  in  that  District  may  labour  under.  — 
I  am  sorry  to  say  I  cannot  find  where  my  Authority  lies,  as  I  am 
able  to  do  Nothing.  I  must  recommend  to  your  thoughts  the 
Irregularity  with  which  this  trade  is  now  conducted,  Some  Gov- 
ernours  giving  passes  to  go  any  where,  &  others  granting  none  at 
all,  I  know  no  method  to  prevent  this,  till  things  are  settled  at 
Home,  but  by  your  Authority,  Directing  the  Officers  at  the  Posts 
to  admit  no  Traders  without  passes  wherein  their  place  of  Trade 
is  particularly  expressed,  to  be  at  some  certain  Post,  if  ye.  Traders 
are  apprised  of  this,  in  a  public  manner,  they  will  then  take  out 
Licences  regularly.  —  As  to  the  complaints  of  ye.  Canada 
Traders,  &  their  asserting  that  the  Furrs  get  to  the  French  by  ye. 
restrictions  it  is  an  idle  story,  and  the  contrary  is  ye.  case,  as  I 
could  sufficiently  demonstrate.  — 


4  Robert  Adems. 

5  Gabriel  Maturin. 

6  William  Darlington. 


Indian  Affairs,   1766-68  181 

Messrs.  Baynton  Wharton  &  Morgan  are  verry  pressing  for 
the  payment  of  Mr.  Croghans  Draft  on  me  wh.  was  presented  to 
me  when  going  to  Ontario,  the  amount  of  it  is,  Two  thousand 
three  Hundred  &  twenty  one  Pounds  Nine  Shillings  &  Eight 
pence  New  York  Currency,  which  I  should  be  glad  was  dis- 
charged. — 

I  am  with  the  utmost  respect  &  Sincerity 

Dear  Sir 
Y  our  most  Obedient 

&  verry  Humble  Servant 

W  Johnson 
His  Excellency 
General  Gage 

indorsed: 

Sr.  Wm.  Johnson 

Sep*.  1 6.h.  1 766 

Inclosing  Copy  of  a  Congress 

held  at  Niagara 

received  Octr.  3d  — 

Answd  — 


TO  BAYNTON,  WHARTON  AND  MORGAN 

Copy1 

Johnson-Hall  Sepf.  16th.  1766 
Gentlemen 

His  Excellcy.  Gen1.  Gage  has  communicated  to  me  your  Letter 
of  the  1 0th.  ult°.2  together  with  that  of  Mr.  Croghan  on  the  same 
Subject,  and  informed  me  with  his  having  referred  you  for  an 
Answer  to  me,  as  he  does  not  approve  of  sending  Goods  to  any 
Villages  or  places  where  they  are  not  under  proper  Inspection. 


1  Printed  in  Illinois  Historical  Collections,  1  1  :377-78;  original  in  New 
York  State  Library  was  destroyed  by  fire. 

2  Ante  pp.  154-55. 


182  Sir  William  Johnson  Papers 

I  know  there  may  arise  particular  Circumstances  wherein  this 
prohibition  might  possibly  be  taken  off,  but  as  it  is  not  only  con- 
trary to  the  General  plan,  but  also  to  the  General  Security  of  the 
public,  it  is  Extremely  improper  to  break  thro'  the  Regulations  in 
any  instance,  as  it  affords  Cause  to  others  to  Expect  and  demand 
the  Like  indulgence  which  would  be  defeating  the  intentions  of 
Government  and  give  rise  to  Greater  complaints  from  the  Indians 
&  fresh  disturbances;  for  altho'  some  Indians  may  now  and  then 
Complain  of  the  Want  of  Traders  in  their  Country  we  should  soon 
have  them  all  complaining  for  the  gratificatn.  of  a  few ;  —  Mr. 
Croghan  I  suppose  thought  it  necessary  at  his  Setting  out,  but  I 
cannot  think  it  should  be  permitted  Any  Longer,  &  therefore  the 
Sooner  The  person  you  sent  returns  the  better. 

I  have  also  received  your  last  Letters  &  have  transmitted  Your 
accots.  to  the  General  as  I  promised,  &  shall  also  send  the  other 
drafts  received  with  my  next  accots.  as  Soon  as  it  becomes  due  — 
I  have  Just  recd.  a  Letter  from  the  Lords  of  Trade  informing  me 
amongst  other  things  that  they  hope  shortly  to  Settle  the  Affairs  of 
the  Departm1.  but  have  recd.  no  orders  concerning  the  boundary, 
When  I  do  I  shall  not  forget  my  promise. 

I  have  had  the  pleasure  of  Settling  matters  with  Pondiac  and 
the  Western  Chiefs  much  to  my  satisfaction  and  beyond  my  ex- 
pectations as  they  were  greatly  discontented  on  hearing  the  com- 
plaints of  those  Nations  whose  people  had  been  killed  by  our 
frontier  Inhabitants,  and  unless  such  doings  are  effectually  pre- 
vented for  the  future  I  despair  of  any  Success  from  any  endeavors 
for  securing  the  Tranquillity  of  the  Colonies. 
Messrs.  BAYNTON  &ca. 

INDORSED : 

Septr.  1 6th  1  766.  To  Messrs.  Baynton,  and  Wharton  &c 


Indian  Affairs,   1766-68  183 

TO  ELEAZAR  WHEELOCK 
L.S.1 
Johnson-hall.  Sepf.  J6lh.  1766  — 

Sir, 

I  have  but  Just  time  to  tell  you  that  the  Bearer  is  Margaret  — 
the  Wife  of  Daniel  a  Mohock  Indian  who  haying  used  her  Very 
ill  &  Cohabited  with  a  near  Relation,  she  is  under  a  necessity  or 
retiring  from  his  Resentment  for  a  time,  &  is  desirous  of  making 
your  house  her  Assylum,  the  rather  as  she  has  a  Young  Relation 
under  your  Care  at  present.  — 

I  enclose  you  two  Letters  which  came  lately  to  my  house  in  the 
Condition  you  will  find  them  and  I  am 

Sir 

Your  well  wisher 
and  humble  Servant 

W.  Johnson 
The  Revd. 

MR.  Wheelock 


1  In  Dartmouth  College  Library.    In  Guy  Johnson's  hand. 


INDIAN  PROCEEDINGS 

Contemporary  Copy1 

[Johnson  Hall,  Sept.  5-19,  1766] 

Sepr.  5th.  —  On  this  day  I  7  Indians  of  Conjohare  from  Orisca2 
arrived  here  to  acquaint  Sir  Wm.  of  their  design  of  going  against 
the  Cherokees  in  a  few  days,  then  informed  him  what  steps  Ury 
Klock  had  taken  to  get  them  to  Sign  a  Deed  for  some  Land 
between  the  Castle,  or  Fort  Hendrick,3  and  P.  Schuylers4  land 
where  the  Division  line  was  run  between  them,  and  the  Patentees, 


1  In  Canadian  Archives,  Indian  Records,  Vol.  7. 

2  Oriskany. 

3  At  Canajoharie. 

4  Philip  Schuyler. 


184  Sir   William  Johnson  Papers 

—  that  he  gave  each  man  a  Dollar  for  signing  it  —  next,  that  he 
(Ury  Klock)  had  been  since  last  Spring  tampering  with,  and 
tempting  the  Indians  to  sell  him  lands  included  in  the  Deed  of 
Gift  executed  by  them  to  Sir  Wm.  six  years  ago  altho'  he  had 
been  well  acquainted  with  the  affair  —  that  he  Sends  for,  and 
holds  meetings  with  the  Indians  whenever  he  chuses,  and  has  pre- 
vented their  Attendance  when  called  upon  by  Sir  Wra.  on 
matters  of  Importance  sundry  times,  to  the  Prejudice  of  the 
Service,  and  tells  them,  as  they  mention,  many  very  improper 
things  tending  to  hurt  his  Majesty's  Indian  interest.  —  This  and 
a  great  deal  more  they  told  Sir  Wm.  —  who  gave  them  Ammuni- 
tion, Paint,  Cash,  Liquor  &c  —  &  then  parted  — 
1 4th  —  Diaquande  chief  Warrior  and  Sachim  of  Onondaga,  with 
two  more  arrived  here  this  day,  and  acquainted  Sir  Wm.  that  his 
Nephew  had  lain  very  ill,  and  was  still  very  bad,  and  that  some 
of  their  People  dreamed  that  he  Diaquande  shou'd  go  to  Sir 
Wm.,  and  demand  a  large  Keg  of  Rum,  abl.  10  Gallons  wch.  he 
was  to  divide  at  a  meeting  among  the  old,  and  young  of  that  nation 
in  order  to  recover  the  sick  man,  —  with  a  Belt  he  assured  Sir 
Wm.,  that  in  case  his  Nephew  died  he  wou'd  not  neglect  the 
affairs  of  his  nation,  as  some  did  on  the  like  occasions.  — 

A  Belt. 

Then  with  a  String  of  Wampum  acquainted  Sir  Wm.  that 
Onughranorum  a  friend  of  his  &  another  (Sarrehoana)  were 
made  Sachims  lately  in  the  room  of  another  deceased,  and  that  he 
was  sorry  to  say  they  were  very  careless,  and  neglectful  of  the 
charge  committed  to  them,  therefore  begged  he  wou'd  take  them 
to  task  about  it  at  the  next  general  meeting,  which  he  doubted  not 
wou'd  have  a  good  effect.  — 

3  Strings  — 

Wednesday  Septemr.  1  7th.  —  a  Onondaga  arrived  here  who 
brought  Sir  Wm.  a  letter  from  Cap1.  Mc.Leod5  at  Ontario  ac- 
quainting him  that  a  Party  of  Squegh}?anighroones  from 
Ganughsadage})  in  Canada  to  the  amount  of  a  hundred  was  gone 


5  Captain  Normand  MacLeod,  commissary  at  Ontario   (Oswego). 


Indian  Affairs,   1766-68  185 

up  the  Ottawa  River  in  order  to  commit  hostilities  on  any  of  his 
Majesty's  Subjects  they  met  with  there,  or  else  where,  that  the 
Sachims  of  Canada  had  endeavored  to  hinder  them  all  in  their 
power,  but  to  no  purpose,  that  the  reason  they  assigned  for  it,  was 
that  the  Traders  were  not  allowed  to  ramble  among  them  as 
formerly,  but  Cap1.  Mc.Leod  says  they  have  been  for  a  long  time 
ill  disposed.  —  Sir  Wm.  wrote  by  said  Indian  to  Cap*.  Mc.Leod, 
and  gave  directions  how  to  act  in  the  affair. 

Septemr.  1 9th.  —  On  this  day  eighty  Oneidas  arrived  here  to 
meet  the  Governor,  who  after  waiting  14  days  with  the  greatest 
impatience,  did  on  his  arrival  here  sell  two  large  tracts  of  their 
Land  to  the  Crown,  the  one  on  the  North  side  of  the  Mohawk 
River  above  the  German  Flats  to  the  Bend  in  the  River,  about 
two  miles  above  Orisca,^  the  other  on  the  South  side  opposite 
to  the  other  for  the  greatest  part,  for  both  which  they  were  fully 
paid  according  to  agreement,  and  executed  Deeds  for  the  same 
in  Presence  of  the  Governor  with  the  unanimous  Consent  of  the 
whole  nation.  —  The  Mohawks,  and  Conjohares  did  at  the  same 
time  dispose  of  sundry  tracts  to  Scohare  People,  and  others; 
—  and  the  Conjohares  did  then,  one,  and  all  acknowledge  the 
Gift  of  Lands  made  to  Sir  Wm.  in  the  year  1  760,  and  did  also 
declare  to  the  Governor  (who  then  had  the  Deed  in  his  hand 
before  them)  that  they  gave  him  (Sir  Wm.)  from  the  North 
West  Corner  of  the  Patent  formerly  purchased  by  Tiddy 
Mc.Ginn,'  and  others  on  the  Bank  of  Defyayuharontve,  or  Canada 
Hill,  all  the  Lands  contained  within  a  N.58  Degrees  West  line 
from  said  Corner  to  the  Canada  Creek  al.  Teughtaghraron  at  the 
German  Flats,  and  to  the  Mohawk  River.  —  This  was  in- 
terpreted to  the  Governor  by  Justice  John  Butler,  and  approved 
of  by  him.  —  The  Indians  of  the  several  nations  then  present, 
mentioned  many  abuses  &  Injuries  suffered  by  them  from  their 
white  Brethren,  in  wch.  they  desired  Redress,  and  which  the 
Governor  then  promised  should  be  granted  them  — 


6  Oriskany. 

7  Teady  Magin. 


186  Sir  William  Johnson  Papers 

MEMORIAL  OF  TRADERS 

Copy1 

[September  20,  1766] 

To  the  Honourable  the  Committee  of  Merchants  for  American 
Affairs. 

Gentlemen 

After  three  years  attending  to  have  our  Trade  with  the  Indians 
put  upon  a  Footing,  that  shoud  be  for  the  Advantage  of  all  his 
Majestys  subjects;  and  for  the  Increase  of  that  branch  of  Com- 
merce, which  if  properly  conducted  must  be  so  very  Advantageous, 
and  is  the  support  of  this  Province ;  We  find  nothing  has  been  done 
for  the  Benefit  of  Trade,  but  on  the  contrary,  Regulations  have 
been  made  to  confine  all  the  Trade  to  certain  Posts  and  Forts 
which  Posts  &  Forts  now  established,  never  were  in  the  Time  of 
the  French,  look'd  upon  as  Posts  for  Trade ;  but  only  as  stores  and 
Magaziens  to  the  Traders,  as  they  went  to,  &  Return'd  from  their 
Wintering's  or  Trading  Places.  Those  Regulations  We  are  very 
well  assur'd,  if  pursued,  will  every  year  lessen  our  Trade,  and  in 
the  End  render  us  a  most  unhappy  People. 

We  are  much  affraid  that  Misrepresentations  have  been  made, 
as  well  to  the  Sole  Agent  and  Superintendant  of  Indian  affairs, 
as  to  the  Honble  Board  of  Trade ;  who  we  are  well  assur'd  wou'd 
if  they  once  knew  in  what  manner  the  Trade  should  be  conducted ; 
and  how  to  make  the  most  for  the  Advantage  of  the  Mother 
Country,  be  ready  to  assist  us ;  and  make  such  regulations  as  wou'd 
be  for  our  Mutual  Benefit. 

'Tis  therefore  Gentlemen  we  lay  before  you  our  sentiments  on 
that  Trade;  and  have  endeavour'd  to  point  out  to  you,  such 
Methods,  as  we  think  would  be  sure  to  give  satisfaction  to  all  the 
Indians;  and  be  productive  of  every  Benefit  and  advantage  the 


1  Printed  in  Illinois  Historical  Collections,  1  1  : 3  78-82;  original  in  New 
York  State  Library  was  destroyed  by  fire.  Originally  in  French  and 
English,  only  the  English  version  is  copied.  Undated  in  Johnson  Calendar, 
p.  296,  where  it  is  placed  at  close  of  1  765,  it  is  dated  Sept.  20,  1  766,  by 
the  Lansdowne  MSS. 


Indian  Affairs,   1766-68  187 

Trade  can  require.  After  your  Examination  if  it  shou'd  as  we 
doubt  not  it  will,  meet  with  your  approbation;  We  request  you 
to  take  it  under  your  Protection,  and  forward  it  as  you  think  will 
be  most  for  the  Benefit  of  Trade  in  General  &  the  Relief  of  this 
Government  in  Particular. 

We  think  that  the  Trade  with  the  Indians,  shou'd  be  free  & 
open  to  all  his  Majesty's  Subjects  without  Exception:  and  that 
no  one  shou'd  avail  himself  of  any  Advantage  more  than  another, 
this  always  has  been  the  Policy  of  Great  Britain  and  a  Liberty 
that  every  Subject  of  the  Crown  has  hitherto  claim'd. 

We  think  and  are  well  assur'd  unless  there  is  Permission  for  all 
Persons  to  Winter  with  the  Indians  on  their  hunting  Grounds,  that 
the  Trade  must  every  \ear  diminish.2  For  many  Nations  of 
Indians,  and  those  too  who  have  always  made  the  greatest  con- 
sumption of  our  British  Manufactories;  and  have  brought  the 
Largest  Quantity  of  Furrs,  and  other  Peltries  to  our  Market :  are 
at  so  great  a  distance  from  any  Fort,  that  it  is  impossible  they 
shou'd  supply  themselves,  and  Return  again  to  their  Hunting 
Grounds  in  the  same  year,  Consequently  if  it  was  their  Determina- 
tion to  be  supply'd  from  the  English,  yet  every  Second  Year  of 
their  Hunting  must  be  Lost;  which  would  prevent  the  Consump- 
tion of  our  British  Manufactures:  Stop  the  Current  of  our  Trade: 
Hinder  us  from  making  Proper  Remitances  to  our  Correspond- 
ents ;  and  in  the  End  entirely  breake  the  Chain  of  our  Commerce 
(and  if  the  Traders  are  oblig'd  to  Winter  in  the  Fort  at 
Michelmakinac  it  wou'd  take  such  a  Quantity  of  Provisions  to 
Support  them  that  the  expences  would  be  greater  than  any  profits 
arising  from  the  the  Trade  as  every  Trader  with  One  Cannoe 


2  "The  regulation  requiring  that  the  trade  be  confined  to  posts  was 
favored  by  the  traders  of  Pennsylvania  and  New  York,  particularly  by 
those  of  the  latter  colony.  The  traders  of  Canada,  on  the  other  hand, 
favored  the  custom  of  the  French  who  followed  the  Indians  to  their  winter 
quarters  and  there  conducted  the  trade.  The  situation  in  the  Old  South- 
west was  somewhat  different,  as,  there,  each  Indian  commissary  resided  in 
the  principal  Indian  village  of  the  tribe  to  which  he  was  assigned." — Note 
from  Alvord  and  Carter,  eds.,  Illinois  Historical  Collections. 


188  Sir  William  Johnson  Papers 

would  be  obliged  to  take  one  other  Loaden  with  Provisions  other- 
wise he  Could  not  carry  Goods  sufficient  to  clear  Expences  & 
make  Proper  Returns  whereas  if  he  has  Liberty  to  go  out  and 
Winter  with  the  Indians  he  has  no  Occassion  for  any  More  then 
what  will  Carry  him  to  his  intended  Destination  where  the  Indians 
with  the  Assistance  of  his  own  Men  will  sufficiently  Supply  him 
through  the  winter : )  But  this  is  not  all ;  for  to  our  Mortification, 
we  every  day  see  French  Traders  from  the  Mississippy,  who  have 
Permissions  to  trade  with  the  Indians  wherever  they  have  Inclina- 
tion and  the  Peltries  that  wou'd,  if  we  had  equal  Liberty  to  trade, 
come  through  this  Government  are  now  sent  to  the  Mississippy  & 
go  to  France,  from  whence  they  have  French  Manufactures  in 
Return  we  are  well  assured  great  Quantitys  pass'd  that  way 

Last  year,  which  we  apprehend  is  the  Reason  why  Peltries  in 
England  are  so  much  Lower'd  in  their  Value,  And  as  Long  as  we 
are  restricted  in  our  Trade,  the  French,  from  the  Mississippy  by 
having  freer  access  than  we  have,  will  always  have  it  in  their 
Power  to  carrey  the  Trade  from  us  to  the  great  detrement  of  our 
Manufactures,  in  Great  Britain,  and  the  utter  Ruin  of  this  our 
Province  of  Quebec. 

We  will  Shew  you  Likewise  that  we  think  it  bad  Policy  to 
restrict  us  in  our  Trade  with  the  Indians  on  another  Account. 

It  is  well  known  that  the  support  of  an  Indian  and  his  whole 
Family  is  his  Fusee,  now  if  any  Indian  Family  who  perhaps 
winters  at  the  distance  of  Five  or  Six  hundred  Miles  from  one  of 
these  Establish'd  Forts  shou'd  by  any  Misfortune  either  Breake 
his  Fusee,  or  the  Least  Screw  of  his  Lock  be  out  of  order  or  want 
Ammunition ;  where  could  that  Indian  Family  be  supported  from  ? 
or  how  get  their  sustenance?  they  must  either  perish  with 
hungar,  or  at  Least  Loose  their  Hunting  for  that  year,  which  will 
be  so  much  Peltries  diminish'd  from  the  Publick  quantity,  and 
unless  that  Family  is  relev'd,  by  some  Persons  in  the  Fort  giving 
them  Credit,  the  Ensuing  year,  they  will  not  be  able  to  return  to 
their  Hunting  Ground :  and  so  be  Lost  for  ever. 

Those  Persons  who  have  never  had  Commerce  with  the  Indians, 
may  think  that  any  Indian  coming  from  so  great  a  distance,  though 


Indian  Affairs,  1766-68  189 

he  should  not  have  it  in  his  Power  to  return  to  his  own  Hunting 
Ground  yet  may  always  get  his  Living  by  hunting  on  his  way ;  but 
those  who  have  been  acquainted  with  them,  know  the  Indians  are 
so  tenacious  of  their  Property ;  and  jealous  of  other  Nations ;  that 
they  will  not  suffer  them  in  passing  through  their  Lands  to  Hunt 
for  their  support ;  Therefore  those  Nations  at  the  greatest  distance 
will  never  be  able  to  Come  to  the  Posts  establish'd. 

"It  has  been  thought  that  a  free  trade  with  the  Indians  wou'd 
be  detremental,  and  that  Confining  the  Trade  to  the  Posts  estab- 
lish'd wou'd  prevent  many  disturbances  that  may  arise;" 

But  on  the  Contrary  we  are  well  assur'd  that  a  Free  Trade 
with  the  Indians,  and  Persons  sent  to  Winter  amongst  them,  as  has 
been  their  Custom  will  not  only  Prevent  any  disturbances,  but  will 
Likewise  increase  the  Consumption  of  our  Manufactures,  and  save 
an  immense  expence  to  the  Crown ;  For  it  Cannot  be  suppos'd,  that 
Indians,  if  it  was  possible  they  Cou'd  come  from  so  great  a 
distance,  can  bring  with  them  sufficient  quantity  of  Provisions  to 
support  them  on  so  Long  a  Voyage;  Therefore  the  Crown  must 
relieve  them  &  furnish  what  is  Necessary  otherwise  they  will  be 
murmuring  &  discontented. 

Without  the  Indians  have  Credit  given  them;  'tis  impossible  to 
carry  on  a  Trade  to  advantage ;  and  when  we  are  on  the  Spott  to 
Winter  with  them,  we  have  always  an  oppertunity  of  knowing 
their  dispositions:  pressing  them  to  exert  their  diligence  and  are 
ready  in  the  spring  to  Receive  what  is  due. 

'The  Province  of  New-York  desire  the  trade,  may  be  confin'd 
to  the  Forts,  for  say  they,  the  People  in  Canada  having  a  better 
Navigation  than  we  have;  if  they  are  permitted  can  send  among 
the  Indians  &  Carry  most  of  the  Peltries  through  the  Province  of 
Quebec."  Such  Reasoning  surely  ought  not  to  affect  the  Trade; 
for  supposing  that  to  be  Really  the  Case;  where  is  the  difference 
to  Great  Britain,  whether  the  Peltries  go  through  the  Hudsons 
River,  or  through  the  River  S'.  Lawrence  as  Long  as  it  centers  in 
England:  and  the  Manufactures  of  Great  Britain  are  taken  in 
Return. 

But  we  have  already  shewn,  and  here  mention  it  again,  if  the 


190  Sir   William  Johnson  Papers 

Trade  is  Confin'd  to  the  Forts,  the  greater  Part  will  be  Lost  to 
England;  by  going  to  France  through  the  Mississippy. 

"Another  Objection  is,  that  Traders  having  Liberty  to  Winter 
among  the  Indians  may  Occassion  a  Warr;  owing  to  the  British 
Government  being  resolved  to  Protect  its  subjects,  from  any 
Insults  and  outrages  of  the  Indians ;  and  if  Traders  go  among  them 
there  may  every  Year  be  some  of  the  Traders  either  Robb'd  or 
Murder'd." 

This  Objection  at  first  sight  seems  to  have  some  Foundation 
but  upon  nearer  Examination,  it  will  not  be  Sufficient  to  restrict 
us  in  our  Trade :  for  Whenever  any  Robbrys  are  Committed ;  by 
a  Proper  Application  to  the  First  Agent  for  Indian  affairs,  he  will 
undoubtedly  order  that  Nation  to  make  Restitution  to  the  Person 
Robb'd :  or  refuse  any  more  Traders  to  Winter  with  that  Nation 
so  offending ;  to  prevent  Thifts  is  impossible ;  For  we  every  day  see 
among  our  own  People,  just  in  the  Heart  of  a  Civilized  Country 
many  more  R[o]bberies  committed  than  can  be  brought  to  Justice : 
And  the  Indians  tho  their  minds  are  uncultivated ;  and  have  noth- 
ing but  the  Law  of  nature  to  govern  them,  act  upon  Principles  of 
honesty  with  each  other ;  Whenever  they  have  been  guilty  of  any 
Violation  of  the  Law  of  Honesty  it  has  been  in  general,  from  the 
Persuasions  of  some  Person  or  other,  who  calls  himself  a  Christian 
and  has  done  it  through  a  View  of  Interest ;  But  you  may  further 
Examine,  &  find  that  when  you  consider  the  extent  of  Country; 
the   Number   of   different   Nations  you   pass   through;    and   the 
Quantity  of  People  you  have  to  deal  with ;  there  are  not  so  many 
Robbries    Committed    in    Proportion    as    are    amongst   Civilized 
People. 

Thus  have  we  Endeavoured  to  Convince  you  that  the  Trade 
being  so  Restricted  will  not  only  be  detremental  to  this  Collony 
in  Particular;  but  the  whole  Trade  in  General;  both  in  England 
as  well  as  America;  and  that  by  having  it  open  &  unconfin'd  it 
will  be  greatly  augmented. 

Therefore  we  Recommend  it  to  you  Gentlemen,  and  doubt  not 
under  your  Protection  it  will  be  graciously  Received  and  Procure 
Redress  for 

Gentlemen 


Indian  Affairs,  1766-68  191 

TO  GOLDSBROW  BANYAR 
A.L.S.1 

Johnson  Hall  7K  22*.  1766 
Dear  Banyar — 

I  am  favoured  with  yours  of  the  25th.  Ult°.2  &  the  enclosures, 
for  wh.  I  return  You  many  thanks 

It  surprises  me  to  find  the  Lotts  You  describe  in  the  Sacondaga 
Patent  (belonging  to  Major  Clarke)3  so  vastly  different  from 
these  I  see  in  the  Map  or  Survey  which  the  Pattentees  living  in 
Albany  have  of  that  Tract.  — 

By  the  Survey  which  they  have,  Cap*.  Clarke4  has  the  Number 
of  Lotts  mentioned  in  ye.  enclosed  paper,5  which,  if  upon  a  Stricter 
examination,  it  should  appear  that  he  has  the  Number  of  Lotts,  & 
quantity  of  Land  mentioned  in  the  enclosed,  I  will  in  that  case 
give  a  thousand  Pound  Currcy.  for  the  Whole,  altho  there  is  a 
great  part  of  it  a  Pine  Sandy  barren.  — 

His  Lotts  in  Northampton  Patent  as  You  described  them,  are 
right,  I  have  a  Share  therin,  which  I  bought  Several  Years  ago 
from  Arent  Stevens  for  £  1 1 3  —  for  which  reason,  I  will  make 
You  an  offer  of  £  500  Currcy.  for  his  right  therein,  or  I  will  sell 
mine  to  him,  or  to  You  at  that  price.  —  I  cant  understand  what  is 
meant  by  that  part  of  yr.  letter,  where  You  say  "You  have  en- 
closed an  Acct  of  the  Lotts  belonging  to  Major  Clark  both  in 
Sacandaga,  and  in  two  other  Tracts  adjoining  that,  one  of  6000, 
the  other  of  5000  Acres  his  Interest  in  both  amounts  to  4791 
Acres"  I  know  of  no  such  Pattents  in  that  part  of  the  Country. 
—  Sacondaga  Pattent  is  counted  28  thousand  Acres,  Northamp- 
ton is  between  1  1  &  1 2  thousand  Acres,  &  Excepting  Kayada- 
russeras,  them  are  ye.  only  Pattents  thereabouts.  —  I  shall  be  glad 
to  have  your  Answer  on  ye.  whole  as  soon  as  You  can,  My 


1  In  New  York  Historical  Society,  Banyar  Papers. 

2  Not  found. 

3  Major  Edward  Clarke,  son  of  Edward  Clarke. 

4  Captain  Edward  Clarke. 

5  Post  p.    193. 


192  Sir  William  Johnson  Papers 

reason  for  it,  is,  that  in  case  you  should  not  approve  of  my  offer, 
(wh.  I  can  hardly  doubt)  I  would  make  a  purchase  of  a  Tract  of 
Land  along  the  Mohawk  River  partly  clear  &  Settled,  wh.  I  can- 
not do  in  case  I  buy  the  other.  —  so  much  for  Land  Affairs. 

The  Governour6  is  not  yet  returned  from  Lake  Champlain. 
People  who  wait  his  coming  here,  are  out  of  all  Patience,  what 
will  be  done  when  he  does  come  I  know  not.  Some  People  have 
been  treating  wth.  ye.  Inds.  for  Land,  wh.  they  expect  to  have 
settled,  or  confirmed  on  his  Arrival.  The  Inds.  are  grown  so 
cunning,  &  tenacious  of  their  property,  yf.  in  short  it  is  verry  diffi- 
cult to  get  Land  from  them  without  paying  too  much  for  it.  —  for 
example  the  Mohawks  lately  in  my  presence,  asked  £50  <P  O. 
Acres  for  poor  Stoney  Land  near  Scohare,  of  some  of  ye. 
Germans,  who  wanted  an  Addition  to  their  Lotts.  —  If  you  have 
any  news  there  be  so  good  to  communicate  it.  we  have  none  here 
of  moment. 

I  sincerely  wish  you  all  happiness,  and 

am  Yrs.  Aff^. 

W  Johnson 
Golds  Borow  Banyar  Esqr.  — 

P.S.  I  will  be  oblidged  to  You  for  the  Boundaries  of  ye.  first 
Pattent  granted  to  ye.  Germans  where  they  live  at  ye.  German 
Flatts.  — 

INDORSED: 

22d.  Sep'.  1 766 


From  Sir  Wm.  Johnson  — 


6  Sir  Harry  Moore. 


Indian  Affairs,   1766-68  193 

MEMORANDUM 

A.D.1 

[September  22,  1766] 

Captn.  Edward  Clarks  Lotts  in  Sacondaga  Patent  as  described 
in  the  Survey  now  in  the  possession  of  the  Pattentees  at  Albany. 
—  Viz*. 

No.  1  —  2  —  4  —  half  of  N°.  6,  with  Harry  Holland  9  — 
half  of  23  with  D°.  —  27  —  29  —  half  of  35  with  D°.  —  43  — 
44  _  half  of  50  with  D°.  —  58  —  66  —  half  of  68  w,h.  D°. 
half  of  73  w*.  D°.  —  77  —  84  — 

NB.  If  Kayadarusseras  Patent  Stands,  it  will  take  away  the 
greatest  part,  if  not  the  whole  of  the  2  Tracts  wherin  Major 
Clarke  is  concerned  — 


1  In   New  York   Historical   Society,    Banyar   Papers.    Inclosed   in  Sir 
William's  letter  of  September  22,  1  766. 


FROM  ROBERT  ROGERS 

Contemporary  Copy1 

Copy  of  a  Letter  from  Major  Rob1.  Rogers  Command1,  of 
Michillmacac.  dated 

Septemr.  23d.  1766.  — 

Sir  — 

I  Yesterday  received  your  letter  from  Ontario  of  the  25*.  of 
July,2  and  likewise  the  letter  you  mention  to  have  forwarded  to 
me,  for  which  Favors  I  am  obliged  to  you,  and  at  the  same  time 
congratulate  you  that  the  Treaty  with  Mr.  Pondiac  &c  has  ended 
so  much  to  your  satisfaction,  certain  I  am  that  this  Treaty  has 
prevented  an  Indian  War  —  the  Powtawatamies  of  Sl.  Joseph 
were  the  most  uneasy  of  any,  —  but  as  you  have  released  those 
confined  at  Detroit,  I  trust  their  uneasiness  will  in  a  great  measure 


1  In  Canadian  Archives,  Indian  Records,  Vol.  7. 

2  Not  found. 


194  Sir   William  Johnson  Papers 

m 

subside.  The  Indians  hereabouts  have  mostly  all  visited  me,  and 
it  gives  me  no  small  Concern  that  I  have  been  under  an  unavoid- 
able necessity  of  giving  them  so  much,  but  really  I  have  not  given 
them  a  sixpence,  but  what  I  judged  (and  the  Officers  here  con- 
cerned with  me)  absolutely  requisite  for  the  good  of  the  Service, 
for  which  reason  I  doubt  not  you  will  excuse  the  largness  of  the 
account  which  is  now  forwarded  to  you  by  Mr.  Groesbeck3  the 
Person  I  had  the  Goods  from  certified  by  the  Officers.  —  the 
Indians  are  mostly  gone  to  their  Wintering  in  good  temper,  and 
well  satisfied,  —  the  last  are  now  wth.  me,  and  will  likewise 
soon  depart,  after  which  I  trust  there  will  be  very  little,  if  any 
fresh  expence  'till  next  Spring  —  and  I  think  you  may  rest  as- 
sured that  no  mischief  will  be  done  by  them  this  Season  — 
There  are  however  Belts  coming  daily  among  them  from  the 
Spaniards,  some  of  which  are  delivered  to  me,  and  as  I  have  in 
your  name  demanded  them  all,  I  have  their  Promise  of  bringing 
in  others.  —  but  doubtless  you  will  be  better  informed  of  Indian 
Affairs  at  Sl.  Joseph's  by  Mr.  Croghan.  —  I  once  more  beg 
leave  to  mention  that  an  uneasiness  too  visible  in  the  Indians  who 
have  visited  me,  is  the  sole  Occasion  of  the  accounts  being  swelled 
to  such  a  pitch,  and  that  the  Occasion  has  been  such  that  I  have 
been  rather  sparing  than  lavish  in  my  Donations,  as  the  numbers 
that  have  resorted  to  me  have  been  very  great 

I  have  a  peaceable  Garrison,  and  a  good  understanding  with 
the  Indians,  and  I  am  daily  more  and  more  delighted  with  this 
Country,  and  Mrs.  Rogers  is  quite  reconciled  to  it  —  I  beg  for 
the  continuance  of  your  good  Offices  to  me  at  home,  and  that  I 
may  be  —      Your  most  Obed*.  &c  — 

(Signed) 

Robt.  Rogers  — 

p.S.  —  Mr.  McGill  a  Deputy  of  Mr.  Grant's4  whom  I  men- 
tioned to  you  fully  in  a  letter  sent  by  Lieu1.  Williams  is  now  gone 


3  Stephen  Groesbeck. 

4  William  Grant. 


Indian  Affairs,   1766-68  195 

to  the  Baye5  with  six  Canoes  more,  and  upwards  of  twenty  men 
—  I  shou'd  be  glad  of  your  answer  to  my  letter  by  Mr.  Williams 
concerning  them  — 

R.R.— 


COMMISSION  TO  JOSEPH  GORHAM 

Contemporary  Copy1 

[Johnson  Hall,  Sept.  24,  1766] 

Copy   of   Commission   and    Instructions  to   Major  Gorham   ap- 
pointed Depy.  Agent  of  Indian  Affairs  in  Nova  Scotia.  — 

By  Sir  William  Johnson  Bar1,  sole  Ag*.  &  Superintend1,  of 
Indian  affairs  for  the  Northern  Department  of  North  America 
&c  &c  &c  — 

Reposing  especial  trust,  and  Confidence  in  your  Zeal,  and 
Abilities,  I  do  by  virtue  of  the  Powers,  and  Authorities  to  me 
given  by  his  Majesty,  and  with  the  Consent,  and  approbation  of 
his  Excellency  Major  General  Gage  constitute,  and  appoint  you 
Joseph  Gorham  to  be  Deputy  agent  for  the  Province  of  Nova 
Scotia.  —  You  are  therefore  carefully,  and  diligently  to  discharge 
the  Duty  of  a  Deputy  agent  by  doing,  and  Performing  all  and  all 
matters  thereunto  belonging  to  the  utmost  of  your  Power  for  his 
Majesty's  Interest  among  the  Indians  —  And  you  are  to  observe, 
and  follow  such  Orders,  as  you  shall  from  time  to  time  receive 
from  his  Majesty,  the  Superintendant  of  Indian  Affairs,  or  other 
your  superior  officer  for  all  which  this  shall  be  your  Commission, 
and  Authority  — 

Given  under  my  hand,  and  Seal  at  Arms  at  Johnson  Hall  the 
24,h.  Septem'.  1 766  — 

W:  Johnson 
To  Joseph  Gorham  Esquire  — 


5  La  Baye,  Green  Bay,  Wisconsin. 

1  In  Canadian  Archives,  Indian  Records,  Vol.  7. 


196  Sir   William  Johnson  Papers 

INSTRUCTIONS  FOR  JOSEPH  GORHAM 
Contemporary  Copy1 

[Johnson  Hall  Sept.  24,  1766.] 

Instructions  for  Major  Joseph  Gorham  Dep?.  Agl.  of  Indian 
affairs  in  Nova  Scotia.  — 

On  Receipt  of  Your  Commission,  and  these  Instructions  you 
are  to  repair  to  Nova  Scotia  in  order  to  reside  there  agreeable 
to  your  appointment,  and  on  your  arrival  at  Halifax  you  are  to 
communicate  your  Commission,  and  these  Instructions  to  Lord 
William  Campbell  the  Governor  that  he  may  be  acquainted  with 
your  Office,  and  the  authority  by  which  you  act.  — 

You  are  next  as  soon  as  possible  to  notify  your  arrival,  and 
appointment  to  the  several  Tribes  of  Indians  in  that  Country 
assuring  them  of  my  Esteem,  and  that  of  all  the  Indians  so  long 
as  they  shall  continue  to  live  peaceably,  and  friendly  with  the 
English.  —  That  you  are  appointed  my  Deputy  in  that  Quarter, 
for  the  Care,  and  management  of  their  Affairs,  —  to  see  that 
they  are  justly  dealt  with ;  to  hear,  and  redress  Grieveances  as  far 
as  in  your  Power,  and  that  you  are  constantly  to  report  all 
matters  of  any  moment  to  me  who  am  by  Duty  &  Inclination 
bound  to  befriend  them.  —  That  you  will  have  an  Interpreter  and 
a  Smith  who  will  be  engaged  to  work  for  them,  and  that  I  flatter 
my  self  they  will  manifest  their  sense  of  his  Majesty's  royal  Favor 
in  making  such  Appointments,  by  an  invincible  attachment  to 
his  Royal  Person,  and  Government,  —  that  we  are  now  at 
Peace  with  all  nations  of  Indians,  and  expect  that  they  will  be 
careful  in  preserving  the  Covenant  Chain  of  Friendship  on  their 
Parts,  to  which  end  you  will  occasionally  meet  them  to  repeat 
former  Treaties,  and  Engagements,  —  And  you  are  then  to  de- 
liver them  a  large  Belt  of  Wampum  in  my  name  willing  them  to 
hold  fast  thereby,  and  not  suffer  themselves  to  be  misled,  but  to  cast 
their  Eyes  towards  the  Sun  setting  where  I  reside,  and  hold  fast 
one  end  of  the  Belt  as  Superintendant  of  Indian  Affairs  in  the 


1  In  Canadian  Archives,  Indian  Records,  Vol.  7. 


Indian  Affairs,   1766-68  197 

Northern  Department,  —  and  that  they  follow  your  Directions 
and  respect  you  as  my  Deputy.  — 

You  are  then  as  soon  as  possible  to  provide  yourself  with  a 
good  faithful  Interpreter  and  a  good  Smith  to  repair  their  Arms 
&c  both  of  whom  you  are  to  engage  at  the  lowest  Salaries  you  can 
<P  ann,  which  Interpreter,  and  Smith  are  to  attend  solely  to  their 
Duty,  and  nothing  else  on  Pain  of  being  dismissed.  — 

You  are  [then]  as  soon  as  possible  after  your  Arrival  to  transmit 
me  a  full  Return  of  all  the  Tribes  in  Nova  Scotia  with  the  number 
of  Men,  Women,  and  Children  in  each  tribe,  the  names  and 
Characters  of  their  Chiefs,  the  State  of  their  Trade,  their  manner 
of  Living,  and  their  Places  of  Residence,  and  you  are  to  keep 
regular  Journals  of  all  transactions,  noting  any  Changes,  or  other 
Occurrences  that  may  happen  among  them.  — 

You  will  treat  them  with  mildness,  and  affability  hearing  their 
Complaints,  &  Reporting  such  to  me  as  you  cannot  redress,  pre- 
venting to  the  utmost  of  your  Power  any  Disputes  from  arising 
between  them,  and  the  white  Inhabitants,  and  using  all  possible 
endeavors  to  detect,  and  defeat  the  Designs  of  those  who  may  be 
our  secret  Enemies,  —  And  you  are  annually  to  visit  the  Tribes, 
and  hold  a  Congress  at  which  all  past  Engagements  are  to  be 
repeated,  and  ratified;  and  when  some  small  Presents  may  be 
necessary,  concerning  which  you  shall  be  hereafter  directed,  you 
will  carefully  avoid  any  expences  except  such  as  are  absolutely 
necessary  and  approved  of  for  all  which  you  are  to  have  good 
Vouchers.  — 

You  are  to  bring  up  your  accounts  of  Pay  &c,  and  those  of 
the  Interpreter,  and  Smith  to  the  24th.  of  March  and  September 
which  you  are  to  transmit  me  with  Vouchers  every  six  months  so  as 
I  may  receive  them  before  either  of  the  aforementioned  days  in 
order  that  the  whole  may  be  included  in  my  half  Yearly 
Accounts  — 

You  are  to  Omit  no  Opportunity  of  informing  yourself  of  any 
matter  relative  to  the  Indians  &c,  and  the  better  to  qualify  yourself 
for  the  discharge  of  your  Duty,  to  which  end  a  knowledge  of  their 
language  is  highly  necessary  — 


198  Sir  William  Johnson  Papers 

You  are  to  transmit  me  Copies  half  yearly  of  all  your  Transac- 
tions with  them,  as  well  as  of  all  Occurrences,  together  with  a 
State  of  the  Trade,  specifying  the  Quantities  of  Goods,  and 
Peltry,  and  the  Numbers  of  the  Traders,  and  shou'd  any  matter  of 
moment  occurr,  you  are  to  give  immediate  notice.  — 

Lastly  —  You  will  hereafter  receive  farther  Instructions,  as 
the  State  of  Affairs  there  shall  appear  to  require  them.  —  You 
will  in  the  main  time  govern  yourself  in  the  best  manner  you  can 
in  all  other  matters  for  the  good  of  his  Majesty's  Indian  Interest 
with  the  strictest  Regard  to  the  Indian's  Rights  and  the  closest 
application  to  acquire  their  Esteem,  and  preserve  the  public 
Tranquility  — 

Given  under  my  Hand,  and  Seal  at  Arms  at  Johnson  Hall 
24*.  Sep'.  1 766.  — 

WJ.— 


FROM  ROBERT  JOHNSTON 

Contemporary  Copy1 

Extracts  of  a  letter  from  Lieuf.  Johns[t]on  to  Sir  Wm.  Johnson 
datd. 

Michillima.  25ih.  Septemr.  1766.  — 
Sir,  — 

I  this  day  saw  a  letter  from  Mr.  Grant2  of  Quebec,  by  his  stile 
I  believe  he  is  a  merch1.  he  mentions  to  Major  Rogers3  he  has  an 
undoubted  Right  to  La  Baye4  &c  notwithstanding  he  receiv'd  a 
letter5  from  you  to  the  contrary  which  he  particularizes,  he  has 
the  presumption,  by  his  People,  to  exact  Contribution  from 
Traders  who  pass  to  La  Bay,  and  has  established  a  regular  Forti- 
fication at  his  Post ;  —       how  this  is  to  end,  you  are  the  only 


1  In  Canadian  Archives,  Indian  Records,  Vol.  7. 

2  William  Grant. 

3  Major  Robert  Rogers,  commandant  at  Michilimackinac. 

4  Green  Bay,  Wisconsin.    See  Grant  to  Sir  William,  March  20,  1  766, 
ante  pp.  45-47. 

5  Johnson  to  Grant,  June  28,  1  766,  ante  pp.  1  1  8-20. 


Indian  Affairs,   1766-68  199 

Judge,  the  Indians  seem  to  be  disatisfied  with  it,  —  and  in 
short  if  he  keeps  the  Country  he  claims,  great  Britain  &  Ire- 
land in  a  few  Years  will  be  liable  to  be  subject  to  him,  as  his 
Pretensions  are  of  a  much  greater  Extent  than  both  those 
Places.  — 

I  have  made  my  self  master  of  the  Ottawa  language.  —  Major 
Rogers,  &  I  passed  a  night  at  their  village,  the  Ceremony  they 
received  us  with,  a  little  surprized  us.  but  their  Policy  in  Civil, 
and  military  affairs,  is  worthy  of  notice.  I  am  so  fond  of  Indians, 
I  wish  I  was  to  continue  among  them;  but  that  I  fear  I  can't  hope 
for,  —  they  indeed  at  present  don't  seem  to  be  thoroughly  satis- 
fied. I  can't  find  out  their  reason.  —  Major  Rogers  often  calls 
them  to  Councils ;  but  what  they  do  there,  I  don't  know,  as  I  have 
but  once  been  called  to  attend  at  a  very  public  one.  —  Yester- 
day there  were  84  Warriors  exclusive  of  Children,  Old  men,  and 
Squaws  admitted  into  the  Fort,  this  they  say  is  customary  before 
the  Ottawas  go  out  to  hunt.  but  nothwithstanding  that,  for  my 
own  preservation,  I  took  the  Guard,  and  remained  with  them  under 
arms  during  the  Indians  stay  in  the  Fort,  thoroughly  determined  if 
there  was  any  treachery,  or  bad  Designs  (which  I  somewhat  sus- 
pected) to  hold  out  whilst  I  had  a  man.  but  they  behaved  very 
well,  which  might  be  owing  to  the  strict  watch  kept  over  them.  — 
The  Traders  have  sold  more  Powder  and  Ball  to  the  Indians  this 
Season  than  they  have  for  three  former  Years  put  together.  In  one 
day  I  find  the  Ottaways  carried  out  of  the  Fort  seven  hundred 
pounds  of  Gunpowder,  they  have  likewise  picked  up  all  the  Arm 
they  cou'd,  what  their  Intentions  are  by  this,  you  are  better  able 
to  judge  than  —      I  am  &c. 

(Signed)     Robt.  Johnston6  — 


6  Ensign  Robert  Johnston  (Johnson)  of  the  60th  regiment. 


200  Sir  William  Johnson  Papers 

FROM  NORMAND  MAC  LEOD 

Extracts1 

Ontario  Septbr.  25,  1766 

Capt  Guy2  will  let  you  know  that  the  alarm  given  by  the 
Conesedaga  Chief  is  Groundless,  at  least  the  rest  of  the  Indians 
tell  me  so.  The  Missisagas  went  from  here  yesterday,  I  gave  them 
ten  Gallons  of  Rum  ten  pound  of  Tobacco  five  pound  of  gun 
Powder,  some  pipes  and  provisions.  They  went  away  very  well 
pleas'd,  they  promis'd  me  to  bring  ali  their  trade  to  this  place  and 
not  to  allow  any  Traders  to  go  amongst  their  Villages.  *  *  * 
For  reasons  best  known  to  the  Commanding  Officer  the  boat  that 
carrys  this  has  been  detain'd  these  five  days,  which  gives  me  an 
opportunity  of  acknowledging  the  receipt  of  your  letter  by  the 
return  of  the  Indian  I  sent  you.  he  arriv'd  here  yesterday  in  the 
afternoon.  You'll  find  by  some  part  of  my  letter,  that  Mr. 
Ca-run-da-che  was  telling  me  lyes,  for  which  he  ought  to  be  well 
scolded.  I  expect  him  here  every  day  from  Onondaga.  I  shall 
deliver  him  a  Message  left  here  for  him  by  At-quen-da-guh-ta 
and  the  head  of  the  rest  of  the  Osswegatchees  and  some  Coneseda- 
gas  which  was,  to  tell  the  old  man  from  them  he  lyed. 


1  Copy  in  Oneida  Historical  Society,  Utica,  N.  Y.  Original  letter  was 
destroyed  by  fire.  Contents  given  in  Johnson  Calendar,  p.  329:  "a  variance 
between  Mr.  Roberts  and  the  commanding  officer,  the  remissness  of  the 
smith  at  Niagara,  other  troubles  at  that  post,  some  Yanky  horse  dealers, 
presents  to  the  Messesagas,  the  birth  of  a  grand  daughter  to  Johnson,  Mr. 
Newkirk's  claim  for  articles  given  to  the  Indians,  a  harper  expected  from 
Ireland,  a  report  from  Detroit  that  Mr.  Cole  is  killed,  a  charge  of  the 
Oswegatchies  and  Conesedagas  against  Mr.  Carundache,  Joseph's  desire  to 
go  down,  and  the  question  of  passes  for  Detroit." 

2  Guy  Johnson. 


SIR  HENRY  MOORE 

Portrait  by  Sir  Joshua  Reynolds.  Photograph  courtesy  of  Frank  T.  Sabin, 

London ;  the  picture  is  in  a  private  collection. 


Indian  Affairs,  1766-68  201 

FROM  HENRY  MOORE 
A.L.S.1 

Albany  Sepr.  26,  1766 
S*. 

I  arriv'd  here  last  Night  from  my  Expedition  to  the  Lake 
Champlain,  &  should  have  proceeded  directly  for  your  house  this 
morning,  but  some  dispatches  which  I  receiv'd  by  the  Pacquet  will 
detain  me  here  till  Sunday  morning,  at  which  time  I  propose  to  set 
out  for  Schenectady,  &  to  be  with  you  the  next  day ;  I  am  sorry  to 
inform  you  that  on  my  return  I  found  My  Wife  too  much 
indispos'd  to  attempt  a  Journey  in  which  She  had  propos'd  much 
Satisfaction,  but  as  I  have  already  trespass'd  to  much  on  your  time, 
by  a  delay  which  the  unfavorable  Weather  I  met  with  occasiond, 
I  shall  set  out  without  my  family  on  Sunday  Morning.  I  am  Sr. 

With  great  truth  &  Regard 

Yr.  most  Obedf.  & 

hum1.  Sev1. 

H:  Moore 


1  In  Harvard  University  Library.  Sparks  Collection. 

FROM  BAYNTON,  WHARTON  AND  MORGAN 

Copy1 

Philad*.  September  30th.  1766 
Sir 

We  have  been  this  Day  honoured  with  your  Favour  of  the  15th. 
Instant,2  and  shall  you  may  be  assured,  pay  the  strictest  Obedience 
to  your  just  Sentiments,  respecting  the  Trade  at  the  Shawanese 
Town. 

This  Province  is  unhappily  agitated  with  party  Disputes;  of 
consequence,  the  Conduct  of  particular  Persons,  is  too  frequently 


1  Printed  in  Illinois  Historical  Collections,  1  1  :  396-9  7;  original  in  New 
York  State  Library  was  destroyed  by  fire. 

2  See  Johnson  to   Baynton,   Wharton  and  Morgan,   Sept.    1 6,    1 766, 
ante  pp.  181-82. 


202  Sir  William  Johnson  Papers 

view'd  thro'  an  unfavorable  medium ;  —  Which  now  happens  to 
be  Our  Case,  with  Respect  to  the  small  Quantity  of  Goods,  — 
which  our  Partner  Mr.  Morgan,  sent  to  the  Shawanese  Town.  — 
We  esteem  it  our  indespensible  Duty  to  explain  our  Conduct  in 
this  matter,  Particularly,  to  your  Honor;  as  it  is  immediately 
relative  to  your  Department  —  We  therefore  pray  your  Patience, 
whilst  we  briefly  mention  it. 

We  assure  you  Sir  —  That  our  express  Agreement  with  Mr. 
Morgan,  before  He  left  Philadelphia,  was,  that  all  our  Goods 
should  be  transported  to  Fort  Chartres;  &  none  of  Them  sold  in 
any  Part  of  the  Indian  Country;  &  That  those  which  were  for- 
warded from  Scioto  to  the  Lower  Shawanese  Town,  were  with- 
out our  Knowledge  or  Consent  &  That  we  were  entire  Strangers 
to  the  measure  untill  our  Partner  Mr.  Morgan,  wrote  us  from 
Scioto  —  He  was  induced  to  it,  At  the  earnest  solicitation  of  Mr. 
Croghan. 

Mr.  Alexander  Lowry  &  some  of  the  Traders  at  Fort  Pitt, 
supported,  we  are  told,  by  two  or  Three  Merchants  (one  of 
whom,  is  scarcely  concern'd  in  the  Trade)  of  this  City  —  have 
Petitioned  Our  Govenor  against  us,3  and  have  procured  a  Promise 
from  Him,  That  if  They  will  prove,  we  have  sent  any  Goods  to 
the  Shawanese  Town,  —  He  will  order  our  Bond,  to  be  instantly 
put  into  Suit. 

If  any  Merit  is  due  to  Merchants,  for  exploring  a  newly  ac- 
quired Country  for  Trade  &  thereby  supporting  the  important 
negotiations  of  your  Honor's  agent  —  We  humbly  conceive,  we 
are  entituled  to  the  Countenance,  &  Ought  not  to  incur  the  Resent- 
ment, of  the  executive  Officers  of  this  Government  —  may  we 
therefore  flatter  Ourselves,  That  your  Honor  will  be  so  good,  as  to 
afford  us  your  Protection  and  not  suffer  us  to  be  sued,  for  doing  an 
act,  expressly  required  of  us,  by  your  Deputy. 

We  are  fully  persuaded,  of  the  real  Necessity  to  establish 
Regulations  for  the  Indian  Trade  &  we  sincerely  disdain  the 
Thought,  of  violating  Them. 


3  See  letter  from  Joseph  Spear  et  al,  Johnson  Papers,  5 :  384-85. 


Indian  Affairs,  1766-68  203 

If  we  have  done  wrong  in  sending  Goods  to  the  Shawanese 
Town  —  we  did  not  do  it,  with  an  illegal  Design,  —  But  simply 
to  gratify  Mr.  Croghan,  in  what  He  judged  for  the  Good  of  the 
Service,  He  was  engaged  in. 

We  are  highly  obliged  to  your  Honor  for  your  kind  Informa- 
tion That  you  had  transmitted  Our  Accounts  to  his  Excellency 
the  General  &  we  trust,  you  will  be  so  good,  as  to  excuse  Our 
mentioning  Our  great  want  of  the  Money  —  for  we  assure  you, 
Trade  never  languished  more,  for  want  of  it. 

We  thankfully  acknowledge  your  Honors  Kindness  in  com- 
municating the  agreeable  Intelligence,  you  have  received  from  their 
Lordships,  the  Lords  Commissioners  for  Trade,  &  for  another 
striking  Instance  of  the  Friendship,  you  favour  us  with,  in  respect 
to  our  Indian  Losses. 

We  are  heartily  rejoiced,  That  your  Honors  negociations  with 
Pondiac  &  the  Western  Chiefs,  terminated  so  much  to  your  satis- 
faction. An  Event,  that  must  yield  solid  Pleasure  to  every  One  & 
Particularly  to  those,  who  are  generous  adventurers  to  the  Indian 
Country ;  —  As  They  have  now  just  Grounds  to  hope,  a  perma- 
nent Peace  is  establish'd  with  Them. 

We  are  with  the  sincerest  Respect  Sir  Your  Honour's  much 
obliged  and  most  Obedient  Servants. 

Baynton  Wharton  &  Morgan 

To  The  H  Sir  William  Johnson  Bar1. 

INDORSED : 

Philad*.  Septr.  30th.  1  766 

From  Messrs.  Baynton  Wharton  &ca 

Ansd.  October  24th. 


204  Sir  William  Johnson  Papers 

to  thomas  gage 

Dear  Sir  — 

I  have  only  time  at  present  to  Acquaint  You  that  I  have  been 
Just  parting  with  a  great  Number  of  Gentlemen,  &  a  large  body  of 
Oneidaes  and  also  the  Mohawk  Castles  &ca.,  Who  have  been 
disposing  of  Lands  before  the  Governour  at  this  place,  on  this 
occasion  I  exerted  my  Interest  so  far  as  to  obtain  from  the 
Oneidaes  a  verry  valuable  &  extensive  Tract  of  Land  lying  near 
the  North  side  of  the  Mohawk  River  above  the  German  Flatts,  it 
will  contain  about  200,000  Acres,  and  I  have  made  the  purchase 
and  paid  for  it  meerly  to  comply  with  your  letter  on  that  Subject, 
and  to  oblidge  the  Governour  &  some  other  freinds,  and  I  cannot 
only  affirm  that  no  body  else  could  have  effected  this  purchase, 
but  also  that  it  is  both  with  regard  to  Soil  &  Scituation  the  verry 
best  and  only  Tract  that  could  have  been  obtained.  I  have  re- 
served to  my  self  Just  a  fifth  part.  The  other  four  parts  will  each 
of  them  make  a  fine  Estate,  and  I  hope  it  will  prove  to  yr.  Wishes. 
I  find  by  letters  from  Niagra,  &  Ontario  that  the  Commissaries  do 
not  seem  to  be  supported  in  many  cases  The  Inspection  and 

management  of  the  Traders  &  their  Hutts  &ca.  are  particularly  put 
under  ye.  Commissarys  by  the  plan  for  Indian  Affairs,  as  also  the 
Smiths  &  Interpreters  which  the  Commanding  Officers  will  not 
approve  off  wth.out  particular  orders  on  that  Head,  as  appears  by 
some  papers  now  in  my  hands.  I  take  the  liberty  of  laying  this 
before  You,  because  that  unless  the  Commissi,  have  ye.  direction 
of  the  Inds.,  Trade,  &  Traders  Hutts,  and  are  supported  by  the 
Garrison  in  particular  cases,  they  can  be  of  no  use  at  the  Posts, 
and  I  hope  You  will  think  with  me  on  this  Head.  —  at  present  I 
have  only  time  to  add,  that  I  am  with  the  greatest  regard 

Dear  Sir 

Your  most  Obedient 
His  Excellency  &  verry  Humble  Servant 

General  Gage  —  W  Johnson 


1  In  William  L.  Clements  Library.  Draft  in  the  Johnson  manuscripts 
was  destroyed  by  fire. 


Indian  Affairs,  1766-68  205 

INDORSED : 

Sr.  Wm.  John[s]on  — 
Oct'.  4*.  1 766 
received  Octr.  15  th. 
answered  — 


TO  ROBERT  LEAKE 
L.  S.1 

Johnson-Hall  OcK  6th.  1766 
Sir  — 

I  had  the  favor  of  yours  sometime  ago  on  the  Subject  of  Lands, 
since  which  his  Excellency  the  Governor  has  been  here,  present  at 
the  making  of  some  Indian  purchases  by  the  Inhabitants,  and  as 
the  Oneidas  were  present  to  a  great  number  I  would  not  let  Slip 
the  opportunity  of  purchasing  a  Tract  for  some  Gentlemen,  who 
had  repeatedly  applied  to  me  on  that  subject.  I  accordingly  bought 
and  paid  for  a  Considerable  tract  of  Good  Land  near  the  North 
Side  of  the  Mohock  River  above  the  German  flats,  in  which  I 
have  intended  to  secure  a  part  for  you  if  possible  such  as  will 
answer  your  purpose,  on  which  Subject  I  shall  write  farther  to  you 
when  the  patent  comes  out;  As  to  the  purchase  of  Mr.  Butlers 
which  you  mention,  it  is  divided  into  a  Number  of  small  Shares 
which  would  not  answer  for  you  neither  have  I  any  thing  to  do 
with  it. 

I  shall  be  glad  to  hear  from  you  on  this  Subject  as  I  am  with 
real  Esteem, 

2Sir,  yr.  Welwisher 
&  verry  Humble  Servant 

Robert  Leake  Esq-.  W-  J0HNS0N 

INDORSED : 

6th.  Answd.  26th.  October  1  766 
Sir  Wm.  Johnson  Bart. 


1  In  Franklin  D.  Roosevelt  Library,  Hyde  Park,  N.  Y. 

2  Closing  and  signature  in  Sir  William's  hand. 


206  Sir   William  Johnson  Papers 

TO  THOMAS  GAGE 

Johnson  Hall  Octb\  13*.  1766 
Dear  Sir  — 

This  Morning  I  recd.  your  favour  of  the  5th.  Ins1.2  with  the 
enclosures  which  I  shall  take  care  to  forward. 

I  now  transmit  You  the  List  of  Officers  with  their  Sallaries, 
to  which  I  thought  it  necessary  to  add  at  the  foot  the  intended 
appointments,  as  I  Judged  it  was  to  be  sent  home,  I  have  not  sent 
any  list  to  the  Lords  of  Trade  since  [/  returned  them  since]  I  re- 
turned them  the  Plan  with  my  thoughts  upon  it,  as  his  Majesty 
had  directed.  The  Smiths  at  Michilimacinac  &  Detroit  have  been 
as  yet  on  so  unsettled  a  footing  that  I  would  not  Annex  their 
Sallaries.  neither  have  I  as  yet  recd  ye.  Acctts.  from  ye.  Com- 
missaries, Except  from  Fort  Pitt  — 

I  likewise  transmit  You  the  Acclts.  of  Pay  to  the  25th.  of 
Septbr.,  yl.  is  of  as  many  as  I  have  recd.,  together  with  those  of 
Disbursements  on  the  Congress  at  Ontario  &  elsewhere,  the 
amount  of  which  I  should  be  extremely  glad  You  would  please 
to  pay  to  Mr.  Adems3  who  is  the  Bearer  of  this,  as  I  am  daily 
plauged  with  Demands  on  that  score,  I  have  in  these  Acctts. 
charged  a  Secretary  whom  I  have  paid  ever  since  the  Death  of 
Mr.  Marsh4  in  Janr^.  1  765,  who  being  an  Officer  bearing  the 
Kings  Commission,  his  Office  is  still  Vacant. 

ESEP  (I  have  now  again  wrote  my  opinion  fully  on  the  State  of 
Commerce  with  the  Indians  to  the  Lords  of  Trade  and  I  have 
daily  proofs  of  the  artifices  of  the  French  Traders  to  effect  their 
Point.  Sir  Harry  Moore  has  promised  me  to  remedy  it  by 
proclamation,  and  I  likewise  understand  that  the  Governour  of 
Pensilvania  does  not  allow  of  Traders  without  taking  out  passes, 
and  giving  Bond  for  abiding  thereby  &  by  the  Regulations  &ca., 


1  In  William  L.  Clements  Library. 

2  Johnson  Papers,  5:386-87. 

3  Robert  Adems. 

4  Witham  Marsh. 


Indian  Affairs,  1766-68  207 

so  that  there  only  remains  the  like  Step  to  be  taken  in  Canada  on 
which  head,  I  could  wish  You  would  write  to  Brigdr.  Carleton5 
who  would  doubtless  take  the  necessary  measures,  I  have  not  as 
yet  the  pleasure  of  any  acquaintance  with  that  Gentleman.)  ^132 

It  is  verry  probable  that  Bills  would  answer  Baynton  & 
Wharton,  tho  they  have  said  nothing  to  me  on  that  Head  except 
pressing  for  payment,  &  representing  that  their  Partner  had 
merely  at  Mr.  Croghans  request  sent  goods  to  ye.  Shawanese 
contrary  to  their  Instructions,  &  that  Govr.  Penn6  declares  they 
shall  forfeit  their  recongnizance  for  so  doing,  on  which  Subjects  I 
have  now  a  letter  from  them  requesting  my  interposition.  — 

I  have  given  Mr.  Croghan  particular  Orders  against  incurring 
farther  Expences,  which  I  expect  he  will  pay  due  regard  to, 
unless  where  the  Service  may  absolutely  require  a  Small  Matter. 
—  I  should  be  glad  of  an  Order  on  the  Storekeeper  of  Artillery 
Stores  at  Albany  for  two  Hundred  weight  of  powder  &  ball  for 
the  Same,  it  being  so  scarce  here,  that  the  Inds.  can't  get  any  to 
hunt  with.  — 

I  am  with  all  due  respect 
Dear  Sir 
Your  most  Obedient 

&  most  Humble  Servant 
His  Excellency  W  JOHNSON      . 

General  Gage  — 

indorsed  : 

Sir  Wm.  Johnson  13*.  Oct".  1  766 
received  Octr.  22d.  — 
Inclosing  An  Ace1,  and  List 
of  officers  in  his  Department 

Answd.  — 
Extract  of  this  letter  marked  BSEr" 
sent  to  Brigadier  General  Carleton  at 
Quebec    in    a    Letter    Dated    25th.    Cctcbcr    1766. 


5  Sir  Guy  Carleton,  acting  governor  of  Quebec. 

6  Lieutenant  Governor  John  Penn  of  Pennsylvania. 


208  Sir  William  Johnson  Papers 

FROM  NORMAND  MAC  LEOD 
Extracts1 

Ontario,  Octbr  13,  1766 

Yesterday  one  of  the  Chiefs  of  the  Onondagas  came  here  to 
acquaint  me  that  all  the  head  men  of  that  Nation  were  to  be  here 
to-morrow,  what  their  business  is  I  know  not,  but  they  sent  their 
orders  to  have  provisions  ready  for  them,  which  Order  I  intend  to 
comply  with,  I  suppose  they  look  upon  Rum,  pipes  and  Tobacco 
as  provisions  and  most  have  them  also.  I  hope  when  I  have  dis- 
missed them  and  as  the  last  of  the  traders  who  lived  at  this  place 
is  gone  down  with  the  Bearer,  I  may  soon  be  thinking  of  travelling 
to  the  East. 

The  old  Conosedaga  Chief  who  told  me  the  story  about  the 
Ske-qua-necks  has  this  day  left  this  place  for  home,  he  still  per- 
sists in  the  old  Story  but  is  in  hopes  some  of  the  Indians  on  the 
Ottawa  River  has  stopt  them,  he  seem'd  displeas'd  at  the  Message 
sent  him  by  the  Osswegatchee  Chiefs  and  said  he  was  too  great  a 
man  to  tell  lyes,  tho'  I'm  much  of  opinion  he  has  told  many.  *  *  * 

The  Onondagas  are  to  speak  to  me  to  morrow  his  Majesty  King 
Bunt  has  a  great  deal  to  say  to  me,  but  I'm  afraid  his  drunken 
Speaker  will  say  a  great  deal  more  than  he;  the  Speaker  has 
already  bother'd  me  out  of  half  a  gallon  and  will  out  of  some  more 
before  we  part.  *  *  * 

Sir  Wm.  Johnson 

Nord.  MacLeod 


1  Copy  in  Oneida  Historical  Society,  Utica,  N.  Y.  Original  destroyed 
by  fire.  According  to  Johnson  Calendar,  p.  332,  it  also  referred  to  "Mr 
(Hugh)  Crawford"  and  "Mr  (John)  Newkerk's  incivility." 


Indian  Affairs,  1766-68  209 

AN  INDIAN  CONGRESS 

Contemporary  Copy1 

[Ontario,  Oct.  15-16,  1766] 

Copy  of  Proceedings  of  a  Congress  held  at  Ontario2  October 
the   15th.   1766  transmitted  to  Sir  Wm.  Johnson  Bar*,  by  Cap*. 
Lieu'.  Normand  Mc.Leod  — 
Present 
Capt.  Lieu1.  Normand  McLeod  of  the  late  80th  Regim1. 
Lieu1.  Allen  Grant  —  of  the  Royal  Americans 
Lieu1.  Schaulk3  —  of  the  Royal  Artillery 
Ensign  McDonnell  —  of  the  Royal  Americans  — 
Interpreter  —  Joseph  Brant.  — 
T eyawharunte  speaker  of  the  Onondagas  arose,  and  spoke  as 
follows  —  viz*. 
Brother  — 

We  are  come  here  to  speak  to  you.  —  Yesterday  we  got  drunk, 
else  we  shoud  have  then  spoke  to  you.  —  Sir  Wm.  Johnson 
often  told  us  that  he  was  looking  for  a  good  man  to  take  care  of 
us,  and  all  Indians  in  general,  who  may  come  to  this  Post.  He 
has  now  found  one:  You  must  therefore  have  large  Ears,  and 
Eyes ;  —  with  this  Wampum  I  open  them,  and  clear  all  your 
Inside  &c  so  that  you  may  hear  us,  see  us,  and  talk  to  us  as  you 
ought  to  do.  — 

Gave  4  Strings  of  Wampum 
Brother  — 

The  French  Indian  that  went  among  us  has  cheated  us  out  of 
half  our  Roots  &c  that  he  traded  with  us  for.  —  Sir  Wm.  John- 
son when  at  this  Place  promised  to  allow  Monsieur  Cavalier4  to 
go  to  our  village,  because  he  is  a  good  man,  and  kind  to  the 
Indians,  he  is  this  day  come  here  from  Montreal,  and  we  insist 
upon  his  going  home  with  us,  as  our  old  Women,  and  Children 


1  In  Canadian  Archives,  Indian  Records,  Vol.  7. 

2  Now  Oswego,  N.  Y. 

3  Lieutenant  Jacob  Schalck. 

4  Louis  le  Cavalier,  an  Indian  interpreter. 


210  Sir  William  Johnson  Papers 

cannot  come  far  from  home  to  trade.  —  The  Traders  at  this 
Place  sell  their  Goods  very  dear,  especially  Newfyerlf  who  is  a 
very  ill  natured  man.  —  Goods  are  a  good  deal  cheaper  at  the 
German  Flatts  than  here.  —  We  hear  that  you  made  great 
Promises  to  the  Missasagaes,  and  told  them  that  there  wou'd  be 
Plenty  of  Milk,  and  other  Goods  sold  cheap  here.  —  As  our  Ears 
are  large,  we  heard  there  was  a  French  Trader  at  Arundequot,6 
and  he  ought  not  to  be  there.  —  You  must  take  care  that  the 
Goods  are  to  be  cheap  for  the  future,  and  you  must  keep  a  store 
of  Goods  for  the  use  of  our  Warriors,  old  Women,  &  Children. 
There  must  be  a  good  large  House  built  at  this  Place  for  the 
Indians  to  go  into  when  it  Rains,  &  when  the  weather  is  cold.  — 
We  have  now  no  more  to  say  to  our  Brother,  as  he  now  knows  the 
Errand  we  came  upon  — 

Gave  three  strings  of  Wampum,  wch.  they  desired  might  be 
given  or  sent  to  Sir  Wm.  Johnson  — 

On  the  16th.  the  Onondagas  having  assembled,  received  the 
following  answer  from  Cap1.  Mc.Leod7 

Pres*.  as  before  — 
Brethren.  — 

You  spoke  to  me  yesterday,  and  desired  I  shou'd  open  my  Ears, 
and  hear  what  you  had  to  say.  —  I  have  done  so,  and  have 
thought  of  all  you  have  said.  —  Now  with  this  Wampum  I  open 
your  Ears  &c  and  I  hope  you  will  listen  to,  and  remember  what 
I  am  going  to  say.  — 

4  Strings  of  Wampum.  — 
Brethren.  — 

You  all  know  that  I  am  appointed  here  by  Sir  Wm.  Johnson 
to  take  care  of  you,  and  your  Trade,  it  shall  be  always  my  Study 
to  do  everything  I  think  will  be  of  Service  to  you,  and  promote 
every  thing  that  can  be  for  your  good,  so  long  as  you  continue  to 
behave  well.  —  As  to  the  French  Indian,  of  whom  you  complain 


5  John  Newkirk. 

6  Irondequoit. 

7  Captain  Lieutenant  Normand  MacLeod. 


Indian  Affairs,   1766-68  211 

for  having  cheated  you,  it  was  by  your  own  desire,  and  to  please 
you  that  he  was  sent  among  you,  so  that  you  must  blame  your- 
selves, if  he  has  wronged  you,  as  you  were  the  Cause  of  his  going, 
—  and  you  will  always  be  cheated,  and  told  lies  so  long  as  you 
allow  Traders  to  go  to  your  Villages.  It  was  to  prevent  this,  that 
Sir  Wm.  Johnson  appointed  Gentlemen  at  the  different  Posts  to 
take  care  of  your  Trade.  —  You  frustrate  his  good  intentions 
towards  you,  if  you  desire  that  Traders  shou'd  go  among  you,  or 
if  you  allow  them  to  go.  —  As  for  your  old  People,  and  young 
Children,  they  can  send  by  one  of  their  Relations  whatever  they 
have  to  sell,  to  one  of  the  Posts.  —  As  to  the  French  man  you 
desire  shou'd  go  with  you  home,  it  is  true  Sir  Wm.  Johnson 
promised  he  wou'd  let  him  go,  but  when  the  other  Traders  heard 
of  this,  they  all  wanted  to  go  as  well  as  he.  —  you  wou'd  then 
have  had  too  many,  and  they  certainly  would  have  cheated  you  as 
much  as  possible,  for  which  reason,  and  your  own  good,  Sir  Wm. 
wrote  to  me  to  allow  no  body  to  go  among  you,  or  any  other 
nation.  —  As  to  the  Frenchmen  that  you  say  are  at  Arundegot,  I 
know  nothing  about  them,  and  if  I  can  find  them  out,  I  will  punish 
them  for  it,  because  they  have  done  wrong  in  going  there,  and  in 
going  past  this  Place  without  my  knowledge.  —  All  the  promises 
I  made  to  the  Missasageys,  were,  that  they  might  sell  their  Skins 
here,  as  well  as  at  any  other  Place,  because  it  is  nearer,  than  any 
other  Post,  and  as  I  am  sent  here  to  take  care  of  the  Trade,  I 
shou'd  see  that  they  were  not  Cheated,  and  I  now  make  the  same 
promise  to  you.  that  when  you  think  you  are  cheated,  you  have 
only  to  complain  to  me,  and  if  I  cannot  give  you  redress,  the  affair 
shall  be  laid  before  Sir  Wm.  Johnson.  —  As  to  my  keeping  a 
Store  of  Goods  for  the  use  of  the  Indians,  if  the  King  allows  me 
one,  I  shall  take  care  that  the  Indians  shall  be  reasonably  sup- 
plied out  of  it.  —  As  to  Goods  they  must  certainly  [be]  cheaper 
at  the  German  Flats  than  here,  as  the  People  there  are  not  at  the 
expence  of  carrying  their  Merchandize  to  this  place,  one  of  the 
reasons  of  the  dearness  of  Goods  here  is  that  things  are  not  yet  put 
on  the  proper  Footing ;  but  I  hope  in  Spring  to  bring  w,h.  me  such 
Regulations  as  shall  please  you  all,  —  And  as  to  the  building  a 


212  Sir  William  Johnson  Papers 

House  for  the  Reception  of  the  Indians,  I  can  give  you  no  further 
answer,  than  that  matter  shall  be  represented,  and  if  my  Superiors 
shall  order  one  to  be  built,  their  Orders  shall  be  obeyed.  —  I  hope 
now  that  you  are  and  ever  will  be  sensible  of  the  good  Intentions 
of  your  Brothers  the  English  to  take  Care  of  you,  for  which  reason 
I  hope  you  will  always  be  attached  to  their  Interest,  as  they  intend 
nothing  else  but  your  good,  so  long  as  you  merit  their  Kindness, 
which  I  hope  you  will  always  study  to  do.  — 

4  Strings  of  Wampum.  — 


FROM  DANIEL  CLAUS 

Cop})1 

Montreal,  1 6th  October,  1766. 

By  the  last  account  from  Michilimackina,  Major  Rogers  was 
arrived  there,  and  immediately  without  hesitation,  gave  a  general 
permit  to  all  Traders  to  go  wintering,  for  which  he  is  vastly  liked 
and  applauded  here.  The  Traders  that  came  from  there  told  me 
also  that  his  behaviour  towards  the  Indians  was  liked  and  ap- 
proved of  by  them,  as  well  as  the  people  of  the  place. 


1  Printed  in  Journals  of  Major  Robert  Rogers,  ed.  Hough,  p.  228; 
original  in  New  York  State  Library  was  destroyed  by  fire.  In  the  Johnson 
Calendar,  p.  333,  the  contents  of  the  letter  were  described  as  "condoling 
on  the  death  of  Admiral  Tyrell,  asking  payment  of  a  bill  in  favor  of 
Beach  &  Simpson,  New  York,  in  consideration  of  a  loan  made  by  Mr. 
Wade,  and  mentioning  complaints  of  the  merchants  about  trade  restriction, 
Mr.  Grant's  claim  to  La  Bay,  Maj.  Roger's  liberality  toward  traders  at 
Michilimachina  [above],  and  that  of  Gov.  Carleton  in  his  province." 


Indian  Affairs,  1766-68  213 

FROM  THOMAS  GAGE 

Contemporary  Copy1 

New  York2d.  Novemr.  1766 
Dear  Sir, 

I  have  been  favored  with  your  Letter  of  the  13th.  Ulmo.2  with 
the  List  of  your  Officers  and  thier  Salaries  which  I  have  Sent 
home  by  a  private  Ship  — 

Your  Acco1.  of  Pay  due  to  the  Officers  to  the  25th.  Septr.  last, 
&  your  Disbursments  on  the  Congress  at  Ontario  and  Elsewhere, 
came  by  Same  Opportunity,  the  Amount  of  which  I  could  not  im- 
mediately Disburse.  Mr.  Adams3  has  received  about  £  1 800,  or 
upwards,  to  pay  off  the  Amount  of  the  Roll  of  Officers,  &  the 
Res!:  must  be  transmitted  to  You  as  I  find  Opportunitys,  &  as 
Cash  comes  in  — 

Captain  Howard4  late  Commander  at  Michillimackinac,  has 
presented  here  four  Seperate  Accols.  with  Vouchers,  the  whole 
Amounting  to  £307  or  thereabouts;  There  appears  a  Charge  in 
your  Account  of  Disbursements  of  £  180..0.6d  under  the  Article 
of  Capt.  Howard's  Acco*.  &  Vouchers.  As  Capt  Howard  can't 
make  out  that  Article  Seperate  from  the  Accots.  produced  here,  I 
have  directed  him  to  Send  the  whole  to  You ;  Which  if  they  meet 
with  your  Approbation,  You  may  give  Captain  Howard  an  Order 
upon  Me  for  the  whole  of  his  Expences,  &  include  what  you  have 
not  already  Charged,  in  your  next  Account  of  Disbursements  — 

I  think  I  have  mentioned  to  You  in  a  former  Letter,  that  I  had 
paid  Baynton  and  Wharton's  Demands  Demand  on  Account  of 
Mr.  Croghan's  Expences:  which  I  perceive  You  have  not  included 
in  your  last  Acco1.  as  I  imagined  You  Intended  to  do  by  your 
Letters  to  them  and  Me  — 


1  In  William  L.  Clements  Library. 

2  Ante  pp.  206-07. 

3  Robert  Adems. 

4  Captain  William  Howard. 


214  Sir   William  Johnson  Papers 

I  have  transmitted  what  You  desired  to  Governor  Carleton,5 
So  hope  he  will  take  proper  Care  of  the  Traders  who  go  from  his 
Province  to  the  upper  Country. 


I  am  with  great  Regard, 


Dear  Sir, 
&ca  - 


Sir  Wm  Johnson  Bar'. 

P:  S,  The  Storekeeper  at  Albany  will  have  Orders  to  Supply 
You  with  200  Weight  of  Powder  &  Ball  on  your  Application  to 
him  — 

INDORSED : 

Copy/' 

To  Sir  William  Johnson  Bar 
at 

Johnson  hall 
New  York  2*  Nov.  1 766 


TO  ALEXANDER  COLDEN 
A.L.S.1 

Johnson  Hall  Novfr.  8th.  1766 
Sir  — 

I  did  not  receive  your  letter  of  the  13th.  Ult°.2  with  the 
Warrants  &ca.  till  the  4th.  Ins1.,  which  gave  me  some  concern  as  the 
Season  is  so  far  advanced,       Imediately  on  recp'.  of  them  I  sent  to 


5  Guy  Carleton,  lieutenant  governor  of  the  province  of  Quebec. 

1  In  Historical  Society  of  Pennsylvania. 

2  See  Johnson  Calendar,  p.  332.  This  letter  of  Colden,  which  was 
destroyed,  is  summarized  as  "informing  that  he  has  deputed  Hendrick  Fry 
and  Christopher  Yates  to  run  the  bounds  of  the  tracts  purchased  from  the 
Indians  on  the  north  and  south  side  of  the  Mohawk,  inclosing  bond  to  be 
executed  and  oath  to  be  taken  by  these  officers,  asking  that  Fry  continue 
Vrooman's  line  between  the  two  Canada  creeks,  and  sending  an  assurance 
to  the  Indians  that  no  surveys  will  be  made  without  his  written  orders." 


Indian  Affairs,   1766-68  215 

the  Surveyors.  Mr.  Fry3  Came  &  is  deputized  and  I  took  his  Bond 
which  I  now  enclose  You,  I  settled  ye.  point  with  him  concerning 
ye.  4th.  part  of  the  Wages  agreeable  to  your  desire,  I  expect 
Yates4  everry  Minute,  when  I  shall  settle  with  him  in  the  same 
manner,  altho  they  are  daily  employed  at  20s  «P  Day  dividing 
Lands,  and  to  forward  the  Survey  I  shall  go  up  the  Country  my- 
self in  a  Couple  of  Days,  as  there  is  no  Person  here  to  manage  that 
Tract  on  ye.  North  side  but  myself.  — 

Nothing  relative  to  my  Lands  has  been  yet  determined  at 
Home,  but  I  am  given  to  understand  that  it  will  be  shortly  taken 
into  consideration  there.  If  I  dont  hear  about  it  speedily,  I  shall 
take  some  other  measures  having  advanced  two  much  money  to 
give  up  my  right  to  it.  besides  all  my  trouble.  The  Lords  of  Trade 
write  me  that  the  affairs  of  my  Department  have  been  hitherto 
unavoidably  postponed  from  the  multiplicity  of  business  of  other 
Nature,  but  that  they  expected  it  would  soon  be  Settled,  as  it  was 
now  before  his  Majesty.  — 

The  Inds.  did  make  sundry  complaints  to  ye.  Governour  for 
which  they  had  good  reason,  but  I  am  persuaded  they  will  have  no 
cause  to  find  fault  with  yr.  conduct  concerning  their  Lands.  Indeed 
I  know  no  way  surer  to  satisfy  the  Indians  on  the  Article  of  Lands 
than  by  my  having  a  good  Map  of  the  Patents  from  Albany 
Westward,  to  Fort  Bull0  or  the  uppermost  Grant  ready  to  shew 
them  the  nature  &  quantity  of  their  Sales,  and  as  I  find  Several 
People  have  such  a  Map,  I  should  be  glad  You  would  order  one 
of  yr.  Clerks  to  make  me  a  Copy,  &  charge  it.  —  I  enclose  you  a 
Letter  for  my  worthy  Freind  your  Father,6  &  shall  be  glad  to  hear 
from  you  at  all  times,  as  I  am  with  great  regard,  Sir 

Your  sincere  Welwisher  &  Humble  Servf. 

W  Johnson 
Alexander  Colden  Esqr.  — 


3  Hendrick  Frey,  Jr.,  surveyor. 

4  Christopher  Yates,  surveyor. 

5  On  Wood  Creek,  Oneida  County,  N.  Y. 

6  Johnson  Papers,  5:416-17. 


216  Sir  William  Johnson  Papers 

P.S.  as  you  forgot  to  send  ye.  boundaries  of  ye.  several  Patents 
wh.  ye.  2  Tracts  now  to  be  surveyed  are  to  touch  &  run  alongst, 
the  Surveyors  could  not  proceed  but  that  I  chanced  to  have  them 
by  me.  — 

INDORSED : 

Nov.  8th.  Sr.  Wm.  Johnson 
Ansd.  Novr.  24.  that 
I  would  Send  him  the 
Map  he  desired  as 
Soon  as  Cockburn7 
returned  to  Copy  it 


COURT  OF  ENQUIRY 

Contemporary  Copy1 

[Detroit,  November  12,  1766] 

Copy  of  a  Court  of  Enquiry  concerning  Abbot2  a  Trader  held 
by  order  of  Cap1.  Turnbull3  commanding  officer  at  Detroit  the 
1 2th.  of  Novemr.  1  766  at  the  Request  of  Lieu1.  Hay4  Commissary 
of  Indian  affairs  there  transmitted  to  Sr.  Wm.  Johnson  Superin- 
tend1. — 

President     Lieu*.  Mc.Alpin  of  the  60th.  Regiment 


Members 


(Ensign  Amiel  —  of  the  Same 

\  Ensign  Gage  —  of  the  3 1 st.  Regimf. 


Lieut.  Hay  informs  the  Court  that  Col.  Croghan  wrote  a  letter 
by  one  Andrew  Huron  Indian  to  Mr.  Abbot  of  this  place,  desiring 
him  among  other  things  to  give  him  one  hundred  weight  of  Lead, 


7  William  Cockburn. 

1  In  Canadian  Archives,  Indian  Records,  Vol.  7. 

2  James  Abbott,  a  trader  of  Detroit. 

3  Captain  George  Turnbull. 

4  Lieutenant  Jehu  Hay,  commissary  at  Detroit. 


Indian  Affairs,  1766-68  217 

and  two  Quarter  Casks  of  Powder,  which  the  Indian  received  as 
Mr.  Abbot  told  him:  but  weighing  it  at  Mr.  Sl.  Martin's5  house, 
found  the  Lead  wanted  twenty  Pounds  of  the  weight,  and  the 
Powder,  five;  upon  which  Mr.  Hay  sent  for  Mr.  Abbot,  and  told 
him  the  Complaint  of  the  Indian,  and  desired  he  might  make  up 
the  Deficiency  of  the  weight.  he  said  he  wou'd.  —  but  that  he 
received  the  two  Pieces  of  lead  for  a  hundred  weight,  and  one  of 
them  weighed  forty  nine  pounds  by  his  Steelyards,  which  made  him 
imagine  the  other  Piece  wou'd  make  up  the  Hundred  weight.  — 
The  Indian  came  back  a  second  time  to  Mr.  Hay  and  told  him 
that  Mr.  Abbot  had  only  given  him  Eleven  Pounds  to  make  up  the 
weight  of  twenty  Pounds  of  lead  wanted,  and  one  Pound  of 
Powder  to  make  up  the  Deficiency  of  five.  —  the  Lead  mentioned 
being  produced  to  the  Court,  weighed  by  proved  steelyards 
Seventy  nine  pounds;  the  Lead  afterwards  being  weighed  again 
by  Mr.  Abbots  steelyards  found  to  weigh  ninety  one  Pounds,  by 
which  it  appears  Mr.  Abbots  Steelyards  are  false  twelve  Pounds 
in  ninety  one.  — 

Mr.  Abbot  informs  the  Court  that  he  does  not  know  by  what 
mistake  the  Weight  came  short  at  the  first  Weighing,  but  that  he 
intended  the  two  Pieces  for  a  hundred  weight,  and  that  he  in- 
tended making  up  any  deficiency  there  might  be  at  the  Return  of 
the  Indian  who  he  had  lent  a  Kegg  to,  —  And  as  to  his  Steel- 
yards he  imagines  them  to  be  just,  as  he  bought  them  here  for  good 
ones.  — 

Mr.  Sl.  Martin  appeared  before  the  Court,  and  agreed  in  his 
declaration  with  what  Mr.  Hay  has  said  with  regard  to  the  Indians 
Complaint,  as  the  Lead,  and  Powder  was  weighed  by  his  Steel- 
yards in  his  Presence  at  his  house.  — 

true  Copy  DANIEL  MCALPIN  President 

John  Amiel  ) 

John  Lewis  Gage  J Memh™-  ~ 


5  Jacques  St.  Martin,  interpreter. 


218  Sir  William  Johnson  Papers 

TO  THOMAS  GAGE 

Johnson  Hall  20th.  Novo'.  1766 
Dear  Sir  — 

I  have  had  the  favour  of  your  letter  of  the  2d.  Ins1.2  <j$  Mr. 
Adems3  who  brought  me  the  Cash  You  mention.  As  there  was  no 
more  to  be  had  then,  it  cant  be  helped,  I  am  persuaded  You  will 
let  me  have  the  rest  as  soon  as  You  can  for  indeed  I  never  write 
for  it  till  I  am  greatly  in  advance  &  cannot  command  Cash  any 
other  way,  and  this  Subjects  me  to  many  inconveniencies  which  are 
not  experienced  in  other  Departments.  — 

Captn.  Howard4  has  transmitted  his  Several  Acctls.  to  me,  but 
there  is  a  little  perplexity  in  them  owing  to  Some  Mistakes,  I  have 
now  wrote  him  on  the  Subject.  —  In  August  last  I  received  three 
Acctts.  of  his  amt§.  to  £  1 80 .  .  — .  .  6  which  I  sent  down  accord- 
ingly in  my  Acclts.,  &  therefore  there  is  a  mistake  made  which  he 
must  rectify.  — 

I  am  Sorry  I  omitted  Baynton  &  Whartons  Accts.  If  You  think 
it  proper  I  shall  include  them  in  my  next,  I  wrote  to  them  some 
time  ago  Signifying  my  disaprobation  of  the  Trader  at  Scioto,  & 
desired  he  might  be  withdrawn,  I  also  wrote  to  Mr.  Mc.Kee5  at 
Fort  Pitt  to  remove  him.  — 

I  hope  Govr.  Carleton6  will  exert  his  Authority  In  Canada, 
but  I  find  the  Traders  of  that  Government  are  using  all  possible 
endeavours  in  England  to  obtain  liberty  to  Trade  where  they 
please,  and  possibly  ye.  Mercantile  Interest  to  whom  they  have 
applyed  will  carry  the  point  for  them.  This  is  the  effect  of  the 
Plans  having  been  so  long  in  agitation  as  to  enable  them  to  make 
Interest  &  Collect  Arguments  against  it,  which,  tho  verry  weak,  & 


1  In  William  L.  Clements  Library. 

2  Ante  pp.   213-14. 

3  Robert  Adems. 

4  Captain  William  Howard,  commandant  at  Michilimackinac. 

5  Alexander  McKee,  assistant  deputy  agent  at  Fort  Pitt. 

6  Guy  Carleton,  lieutenant  governor  of  the  province  of  Quebec. 


Indian  Affairs,  1766-68  219 

many  of  them  without  foundation  would  not  otherwise  have  made 
their  Appearance.  — 

The  Establishment  of  Mr.  Grant'  at  La  Bay8  I  find  gives  a 
general  discontent  to  all  ye.  Indians  and  as  it  is  equally  disagreable 
to  the  body  of  Traders,  I  am  afraid  between  them  it  will  be 
attended  wth.  the  worst  consequences,  unless  he  is  speedily  re- 
moved, &  this  is  as  well  the  opinion  of  the  Commanding  Officers, 
as  those  of  my  Department,  &  the  Indians,  The  Lords  of  Trade 
in  their  last  to  me  express  themselves  much  against  it,  and  do  not 
allow  of  his  Title,  they  direct  me  to  exert  my  Authority  in  Support 
of  a  free  Trade.  — 

I  am  with  sincere  &  great  regard 
Dear  Sir 
Your  most  obedient 
&  most  Humble  Servant 
His  Excellency  W.  Johnson 

Genrl.  Gage  — 

indorsed: 

Sr.  Wm.  Johnson 
20*.  Nov.  1 766. 
received  Nov1".  30th.  — 
Answered 


TO  THOMAS  GAGE 

A.L.S.1 

Johnson  Hall  20lK  Novo'.  1766 
Private 
Dear  Sir  — 

I  Judged  it  necessary  to  acquaint  You  that  as  you  desired,  I 
forwarded  the  letter  from  a  certain   Isleand  to  the  Person  to 


7  William  Grant. 

8  Green  Bay,  Wisconsin. 

1  In  William  L.  Clements  Library. 


220  Sir  William  Johnson  Papers 

whom  it  was  addressed,  and  as  I  sent  it  with  one  of  mine,  care- 
lessly enquired  whether  it  brought  him  any  agreable  news  from 
Europe,  to  which  I  have  Just  received  his  Answer,  returning  me 
much  thanks  for  sending  it,  but  without  saying  a  word  more  on  the 
Subject.  From  which  (as  You  Justly  observed  in  a  former  letter) 
there  is  the  utmost  reason  to  think  the  Contents  were  agreable, 
otherwise  I  imagine  he  would  have  at  least  said  something  upon  it, 
or  agreable  to  his  natural  disposition  made  a  merit  of  divulging  the 
contents,  what  farther  should  be  done  You  are  doubtless  the  best 
Judge  of.  — 

The  Warrant  for  Surveying  the  Tract  I  bought  from  the 
Oneidaes,  is  come  up,  and  I  have  sent  off  a  Surveyor  with  Suffi- 
cient Hands  &  everry  necessary  to  run  the  Lines,  but  have  not  had 
a  line  from  the  Governour  since  his  return  to  New  York  altho  I 
wrote  him  some  time  ago.  and  as  the  Warrant  was  not  sent  in  due 
time  I  apprehend  the  Survey  cannot  be  finished  this  Year.  — 

I  have  taken  the  liberty  herewith  to  Send  You  a  Receipt  for 
the  Officers  pay,  wh.  Mr.  Adems2  received.  —  I  am  with  the  most 
perfect  Esteem 

Dear  Sir 
Your  most  Obedient 

&  verry  Humble  Servant 

W.  Johnson 
His  Excellency 
Genrl.  Gage  — 

indorsed : 

Private 
Sr.  Wm.  Johnson 

Nov.  20*.  1 766 
received  Novr.  30th  — 
answ*1.  — 


2  Robert  Adems. 


Indian  Affairs,  1766-68  221 

FROM  GOLDSBROW  BANYAR 
Df.1 

New  York  24  Nov.  1766  — 
Dear  Sir  William 

I  should  have  answered  yours  of  the  22d.  [Ult0.,  by  the  last 
Post]2  Sepr.3  sooner  but  that  I  was  at  a  Loss  [at  that  Time]  to 
ascertain  Mr.  Clarkes4  Lotts  in  Sachendage.  I  now  find  that  he 
had  originally  the  Lotts  you  mention.  —  Those  I  mentioned  in  my 
former  Letter,  he  conveyed  to  his  Son  Major  Clarke;  the  others 
that  are  also  marked  E  C  on  the  Map  I  believe  he  conveyed  to 
Mr.  Lane  by  a  Memorandum  which  I  have  to  that  Effect  in  Mr. 
Clarkes  own  Hand  Writing,  the  Numbers  of  these  Lotts  I  sup- 
pose are  2,  4,  27,  44,  58,  &  77.  the  two  first  contain  each  500, 
the  other  four,  each  250  acres,  in  all  2000  Acres  —  The  other  6 
Lotts  which  are  marked  in  the  Map  Clarke  &  Holland,  belong  to 
the  Secretary5  one  half,  and  the  other  Moiety  to  Mr.  Henry 
Holland  and  Mr.  Henry  Cruger.  So  on  a  Supposition  that  Mr. 
Clarke  conveyed  the  above  mentioned  Lotts  to  Mr.  Lane,  the 
Family  have  now  only  3000  Acres  in  Sachendage  instead  of  5000 
Acres,  which  you  apprehended  they  had  —  and  under  which  ap- 
prehension you  offered  £  1 000  [which  is  at  the  rate  only  of  4s. 
Currency  the  Acre,  a  Price  which  I  imagine  the  Major  wo'd  not 
accept  of,  or  his  Brother  the  Secretary.  If  you  think  ft  however 
worth  while  to  make  any  Offer  for  the  3000  Acres  in  Sachendage 
and  the  2750  or  2790  Acres  in  Northampton  Tract  (which  con- 
sists of  two  Patents  one  for  Six  the  other  for  five  thousand  Acres) 
I  will  transmit  to  the  Major  in  Jamaica  and  let  you  know  his 
Answer,  unless  your  offer  shall  in  my  own  Judgment  appear  to  be 
the  value  of  the  Lands  in  which  Case  I  will  convey  them  with- 
out waiting  his  further  Orders  — ] 


1  In  New  York  Historical  Society,  Banyar  Papers.    Original  letter  in 
New  York  State  Library  was  destroyed  by  fire. 

2  Words  italicized  and  in  brackets  are  crossed  out  in  manuscript. 

3  Ante  pp.   191-92. 

4  Edward  Clarke. 

5  George  Clarke,  Jr.,  secretary  of  the  province. 


222  Sir  William  Johnson  Papers 

[Since  the  above]  I  am  informed  by  Mr.  Henry  Holland  that  he 
has  very  lately  been  offered  one  thousand  and  fifty  pounds  for  his 
2500  Acres  in  Sachendage,  this  Offer  amounts  to  £  50  more  than 
a  Dollar  the  Acre,  [and  he  acknowledges  that  Northampton  is  the 
best  Tract  of  the  two.  It  is  therefore  not  to  be  thought  I  can  take 
any  Price  that  shall  be  much  less  than  has  been  offered  to  another.] 
I  will  venture  to  convey  the  3000  Acres  [of]  in  Sachendage  [or  the 
five  thousand  Acres  if  I  shall  find  on  fuller  Enquiry  that  the 
memorandum  above  mentioned  is  a  Mistake  and  that  the  Lands 
were  not  conveyed  to  Mr.  Lane]  for  [a  Dollar]  8s.  the  Acre, 
which  will  amount  to  £  1 200  and  if  I  find  on  fuller  Enquiry  that 
the  2000  Acres  supposed  to  be  conveyed  to  Mr.  Lane  is  a  Mis- 
take I  will  convey  that  also  to  you  at  the  same  Rate. 

The  Northampton  Lands  contain  1  1000  Acres,  but  there  are 
two  Patents  for  them,  one  at  6000  the  other  for  5000  —  These 
Lands  I  am  told  are  better  than  the  others,  and  I  flatter  my  self 
soon  to  get  as  much  for  them  or  nearly  so  as  for  the  other.  How- 
ever I  think  your  offer  greatly  below  the  Mark  &  I  believe  you  do 
not  want  these  Lands.  I  am 

INDORSED : 

24  Novem'.  1  766 


Letter  to  Sr.  Wm.  Johnson 


MEMORANDUM  ON  LANDS 

D.1 

Sachendage 

+  N°.     1    EC 500  E.C.  —  S'.  W™.2 

+  2    E  C 500  Lane2 

+  4    E  C 500  Lane 


1  In   New   York   Historical   Society,    Banyar   Papers.     Enclosed  with 
Banyar's  letter  of  Nov.  24,  1  766. 

2  The  words  "Sr.  Wm."  and  "Lane"  have  been  added  in  pencil. 


V 

6. 

+ 

9. 

V 

23. 

+ 

27. 

+ 

29. 

V 

35. 

+ 

43. 

+ 

44. 

V 

50 

+ 

58 

+ 

66 

V 

68. 

V 

73. 

+ 

77. 

+ 

84 

Indian  Affairs,  1766-68  223 

C.  &  H.  500 

E  C 500  E.C.  Sir  W». 

C  &  H.  500 

E  C 250  Lane 

E  C 250  —  E  C.  S*.  W». 

C  &  H.  250 

E  C 250 ECS'.W" 

E  C 250  Lane 

C  &  H  250 

E  C 250  Lane 

E  C ..250  —  E.  C.S'.  W 

C  &  H  250 
C  &  H  250 

E.  C    250  Lane 

E  C  250  — E.C.  Sir  W 


Di 


in 


North  Hampton 

.1  875 

.4  238 

.7  333 

.11  190 

.13  220 

.15  310 

.25  366 

.30 134 

.34  125 


2791 


500 


4     1100 
2750 


224  Sir  William  Johnson  Papers 

TO  GOLDSBROW  BANYAR 
A.L.S.1 

Novbr.  28*  1766 
Dear  Banyar — 

This  is  my  Third  letter,  Since  I  had  the  pleasure  of  a  line 
from  You.  If  my  letters  have  not  miscarried  (which  I  can  hardly 
think)  I  dont  know  how  to  account  for  such  taciturnity  on  your 
part.  In  one  of  mine,  I  acquainted  you  of  ye.  great  difference 
between  the  Quantity  of  Land  You  mention,  &  that  wh.  is  given 
to  Cap*.  Clarke  by  the  Map,  wh.  the  Pattentees  living  in  Albany 
have,  and  was  desireous  you  would  explain  the  cause  of  such 
difference  &ca. 

I  flatter  my  self  with  yr.  Ansr.  by  Everry  Post  So  that  I  think 
it  needless  now  to  enlarge  on  y*.  Subject. 

If  You  want  a  Lad  of  abf.  1 6  Years,  who  can  write  a  tollerable 
good  running  hand,  there  is  one  who  lived  about  2  Years  with  me, 
would  be  verry  willing  to  Serve  You  the  first  Year  for  his  Cloaths 
Lodging  &  Diet.  His  Father  was  \J.  Mc.Tavish2  of  ye.  High- 
landers \J.  Fraser3  now  here  is  his  Brother  in  Law,  The  Boy  Has 
no  Vice  as  yet  that  I  know  &  is  verry  smart,  I  should  be  glad  to 
know  whether  You  want  such  or  not. 

When  the  Gov.  was  here  he  talked  of  making  great  alterations 
in  the  Government  with  regard  to  Civil  Officers,  If  an  Alteration 
in  the  Commission  of  ye.  Peace  is  to  be  made,  &  that  you  know 
when,  pray  let  me  know. 

I  wish  You  all  happiness,  &  am 

Dear  Banyar 

Yours  Most  Sincerely 

W.  Johnson 
Golds  Borrow  Banyar  Esqr.  — 


1  In  New  York  Historical  Society,  Banyar  Papers. 

2  Probably  Jon.  McTavish.    See  Johnson  Calendar,  p.  277;  see  also 
Johnson  Papers,  5:19. 

3  Probably  Lieutenant  Alexander  Fraser  of  the  78th  regiment. 


Indian  Affairs,  1766-68  225 


INDORSED : 

Nov.  28.  1  766 


From  Sr.  Wm.  Johnson. 


JOURNAL  OF  INDIAN  AFFAIRS 

Contemporary  Copy1 

Novem*.  1766 

In  this  month  the  Mohawks,  and  Conajohares  made  sev1.  ap- 
plications to  Sir  Wm.  to  know  whether  he  had  any  answer  from 
the  Governor  relative  to  their  affairs,  the  latter  complained  that 
Cobus  Maybee,  notwithstanding  the  repeated  Notice  given  them 
[him]  by  Sir  Wm.  and  them,  paid  no  regard  thereto;  also  that 
Lines  had  been  run  in  the  night  (as  they  imagined)  which  in- 
cluded the  Indian  Castle,  Fort  and  near  half  of  their  Lowland, 
which  gave  them  all  the  greatest  uneasiness,  and  begged  the  Gov- 
ernor might  me  [be]  made  acquainted  therewith ;  —  to  all  which 
Sir  Wm.  answered  by  promising  to  look  into  the  affair  as  soon 
as  he  was  empowered  from  home.  — 


1  In  Canadian  Archives,  Indian  Records,  Vol.  7. 


FROM  THOMAS  GAGE 

Contemporary  Copy1 

Ncrv  York  Ist.  Decern'.  1766  — 
Dear  Sir, 

I  have  received  your's  of  the  20th.  Ulmo.2  &  shall  take  the 
first  Opportunity  to  Send  You  some  more  Cash,  which  comes  in 
very  slowly,  but  what  I  have  will  be  forwarded  — 


1  In  William  L.  Clements  Library. 

2  Ante  pp.  218-19. 


226  Sir  William  Johnson  Papers 

Capt  Howard3  is  in  the  Jersey's,  but  as  Soon  as  there  is  an 
Opportunity  of  Seeing  him,  he  shall  be  talked  to  Concerning  the 
Mistake  in  his  Accounts  — 

The  Traders  in  Canada  use  Every  Endeavor  to  carry  their 
Point :  I  Judge  from  some  of  my  Dispatches  that  the  fixing  Regu- 
lations for  the  Indian  Trade  is  in  Agitation,  And  have  advised 
the  fixing  them  by  Law,  with  some  Judicial  Powers  legally  in- 
vested in  the  Commanding  Officers  at  the  Posts,  to  Enforce 
Obedience  to  the  Law.  I  have  also  informed  the  Secretary  of 
State  of  Mr.  Grants4  pretentions  to  La  Baye.°  Unless  things  of 
this  kind  are  fixed  positively  by  a  Law,  when  prosecutions  are 
began  against  Military  People,  You  know  how  Jury's  will  Act, 
whose  own  Interest  are  too  generaly  Concerned  — 

I  have  before  Wrote  about  Baynton  &  Wharton,  You  may 
Send  their  Account  Separate,  or  any  other  Manner  You  please, 
but  the  Sooner  it  is  Sent  the  better,  as  I  have  only  a  Temporary 
Receipt.  By  a  Letter  from  Fort  Pitt,  I  find  the  Trade  to  the 
Ilinois  from  thence,  has  turned  out  as  I  Expected  it  would.  The 
Traders  bring  back  no  Furrs  or  Skins.  They  carry  them  down  the 
Mississippi,  &  will  tell  us  that  they  carry  them  to  West  Florida; 
But  You  may  depend  upon  it,  they  all  go  to  New  Orleans,  where 
they  get  a  better  Price,  than  at  any  of  our  Markets:  And  I  wish 
they  may  not  go  up  the  Mississippi  again  with  French  Goods  — 

The  Person  whom  You  mention  in  your  private  Letter  may  be 
Watched  this  Winter,  &  I  will  Advertise  the  Person  who  has  de- 
sired him  to  Send  his  Letters  through  him,  that  he  may  possibly 
Expect  an  Answer  from  him  to  be  forwarded  — 

I  am,  with  great  Regard, 

Dear  Sir, 

&ca 
Sir  Wm  Johnson  Bar*. 


3  Captain  William  Howard,  formerly  commandant  at  Michilimackinac. 

4  William  Grant. 

5  Green  Bay,  Wisconsin. 


Indian  Affairs,  1766-68  227 


INDORSED: 

Copy/. 

To  Sir  Wm.  Johnson  Bar*, 
at 

Johnson  hall 
New  York  1 st.  Decemr.  1  766 


TO  THOMAS  GAGE 

A.L.S} 

Johnson  Hall  12*.  Dechr.  1766 
Dear  Sir 

I  am  just  favoured  with  yours  of  the  1 st.  Ins'.2  and  as  some  of 
the  money  is  due  to  persons  at  New  York  Shall  be  glad  to  have 
the  liberty  of  drawing  upon  You  for  a  part,  and  could  wish  that 
the  remainder  was  forwarded  agreable  to  your  intentions.  — 

I  have  sundry  letters  from  the  Commissary  at  Detroit,  Major 
Rojers3  and  Cap1.  Spicemaker4  at  Michilimacinac  concerning  the 
Steps  taking  by  the  Spaniards  &  ye.  French  their  Agents  to  re- 
kindle the  Spirit  of  discord  amgsl.  ye.  Indians,  Cap1.  Spicemaker 
who  seems  to  have  had  the  most  circumstantial  Information  writes 
me,  that  one  Chevalier5  from  Sf.  Josephs  Sent  there  one  La 
Grandeur,  formerly  a  Serj*.  in  the  french  Service  with  a  letter  to 
the  Comdf.,  —  Who  told  him  that  Just  before  he  left  Sf.  Josephs 
the  son  of  an  Indian  Cheif  arrived  there  &  shewed  Mr.  Chevalier 
7  branches  of  of  Wampum  each  about  a  yard  long,  which  he  said 
he  had  received  from  a  French  Comd1.  on  the  Mississipi  called 
Monsr.  Sl.  AngeG  who  had  directed  him  to  carry  them  to  the 
Indian  Cheif  called  Wasson  near  Detroit  to  be  divided  amongst 


1  In  William  L.  Clements  Library. 

2  Ante  pp.  225-27. 

3  Major  Robert  Rogers. 

4  Captain  Frederick  Christopher  Spiesmacher. 

5  Louis  Chevallier. 

6  Captain  Louis  St.  Ange  de  Belrive. 


228  Sir  William  Johnson  Papers 

the  7  Nations,  acquainting  each  that  their  Father  the  King  of 
France  was  still  alive,  &  had  sent  a  great  Number  of  French  & 
Spanish  Soldiers  under  the  Comd.  of  a  Spanish  Officer  at  Sl. 
Anges  Post  called  Tencourt  &  Missaire,  that  therefore  they 
should  hold  themselves  in  readiness  to  attend  ye.  first  notice. 

That  La  Grandeur  verrily  beleived  the  Troops  were  arrived 
there,  &  that  the  French  who  were  formerly  in  the  Colony  Service, 
were  inlisted  into  that  of  Spain,  &  that  he  was  ignorant  of  their 
intentions  but  by  all  accUs.  they  amounted  to  1 2  or  1 500  Men,  & 
that  Monsr.  Sf.  Ange  had  sent  1 5  Indian  Cheifs  to  meet  them  with 
a  Grand  Cheif  called  Mivanon.  —  The  Informant  added  that  all 
ye.  Warriors  about  Sl.  Joseph  had  been  in  readiness  last  Summer 
past  to  go  &  attack  Detroit,  but  that  Chevalier  had  persuaded 
them  to  lay  it  aside  alledging  that  they  had  heard  false  reports, 
and  that  he  hoped  shortly  to  give  them  the  Truth,  notwithstanding 
which  they  remained  verry  ill  disposed,  &  that  Chevalier  has  a 
good  deal  of  Interest  from  his  Connections  with  them.  —  Cap*. 
Spicemaker  also  adds  that  he  has  enquired  amongst  the  French 
Inhabitants  whom  he  can  best  depend  upon,  &  finds  that  he  bears 
a  verry  honest  character.  —  Ll.  Hay7  Indn.  Comry.  writes  that  one 
of  Pondiacs  nephews  has  informed  him  that  Wamaghtanon  Cheif 
named  the  Goose  with  some  Miamis  brought  two  Belts  to  his 
Uncle  from  the  French  &  the  Aransas,  demanding  why  he  had 
buried  the  Hatchet,  and  desireing  he  would  take  it  up  again  & 
keep  it  bright  till  ye.  Spring,  when  it  should  be  used  with  more 
vigour  than  ever,  that  Pondiac  refused  the  Belts  &  exhorted  his 
People  not  to  notice  those  who  wanted  to  lead  them  astray,  as  he 
was  resolved  never  more  to  listen  to  any  thing  but  what  he  heard 
from  the  English  thro  me.  Mr.  Hay  adds  likewise  that  he  has 
heard  of  7  Belts  being  sent  from  the  Mississipi  amgst.  the  Nations 
abl.  Detroit  &  Michilimacinac  to  the  foregoing  purport.  Major 
Rojers  confirms  the  foregoing,  Says  that  a  Saquena  Cheif  has 
promised  to  deliver  up  one  of  the  Belts  sent  to  his  People,  &  that 
he  has  demanded  the  rest,  but  that  some  will  not  deliver  them  up, 


Lieutenant  Jehu  Hay,  commissary  at  Detroit. 


Indian  Affairs,   1766-68  229 

He  adds  that  the  release  of  the  S'.  Joseph  Inds.  has  been  of  Serv- 
ice, &  that  he  is  certain  the  late  Treaty  at  Ontario  prevented  a 
War.  I  have  sundry  other  Acct,s.  to  much  the  same  effect  from 
different  Quarters,  but  hope  Mr.  Croghans  presence  may  be  of 
Service,  on  whose  return  shall  be  better  informed.  —  I  cannot 
think  that  any  such  number  of  Troops  as  is  before  mentioned,  have 
gone  up  the  Mississipi,  but  indeed  I  have  verry  little  doubt  of  ye. 
rest  touching  the  Steps  taken  by  the  French  &ca.,  to  keep  up  that 
Spirit  of  disaffection  amongst  the  Indians,  until  they  may  be  able 
to  create  new  troubles  in  America.  This  was  their  practice  long 
before  the  last  War,  and  will  ever  be  so,  whilst  they  have  the 
Smallest  connections  with  North  America,  or  so  long  as  the  most 
distant  hopes  remain  for  their  getting  any  footing  in  it  on  a  future 
Rupture.  — 

I  am  verry  certain  that  Our  Traders  will  either  send  or  sell 
their  peltry  to  those  that  will  send  it  down  the  Mississipi  for  higher 
prices,  and  I  am  well  assured  that  the  French  trade  in  many 
places  far  East  of  that  River,  of  which  there  are  sundry  Acclls. 
&  proofs.  —  Unless  something  be  imediately  done  by  the  Govern- 
ment for  effectually  preventing  these  abuses,  &  supporting  Officers 
of  their  own  creating,  the  Good  of  the  public  must  be  sacraficed  to 
the  Interest  of  a  few  Traders,  and  it  will  not  be  in  the  power  of 
Government  to  effect  this,  if  they  give  them  time  to  draw  up  Argu- 
ments against  it,  &  to  raise  an  Army  of  People  in  Trade  in  Sup- 
port of  an  Irregular  &  dangerous  Commerce. 

I  enclose  you  Baynton  &  Whartons  Acctl.  As  You  told  me  it 
might  be  sent  seperate,  otherwise  I  should  have  included  it  in  my 
next  Acc,ts.,  please  to  let  me  know  whether  I  have  understood 
You,  and  beleive  me  to  be 

Always  with  perfect  esteem 
Dear  Sir 
Your  most  Obedient 

&  verry  Humble  Servant 

W.  Johnson 

His  Excellency  GENRL.  GAGE  — 


230  Sir  William  Johnson  Papers 

INDORSED : 

Sir  Willm.  Johnson 

12th.  Decern'.  1766 

Inclosing  Mr.  Croghans 

Account  &  Receipt. 

Received  20th.  Decern1". 

Answd.  — 

NB:Mr.  Croghens  Ace1.  &  Receipt 

sent  back  to  Sr.  Wm. 


FROM  HORATIO  SHARPE 

L.  S} 

Annapolis  the  15th.  of  December  1766 
Sir 

Lord  Baltimore  the  Proprietary  of  Maryland  &  Messrs.  Penns 
the  Proprietors  of  Pennsylvania  having  some  Years  ago  entered 
into  an  Agreement  for  Running  Divisional  Lines2  between  their 
respective  Provinces  appointed  certain  Commissioners  to  carry  the 
Said  Agreement  into  Execution  who  have  at  length  caused  all  the 
Lines  to  be  actually  run  &  described  by  Vistoes  except  One  which 
is  also  extended  a  few  Miles  farther  Westward  than  Fort  Cumber- 
land. According  to  the  Articles  of  Agreement  this  Line  is  to  be 
continued  to  the  extreme  Western  Limit  of  Pennsylvania  but  the 
Commissioners  being  apprehensive  that  the  Indians  may  take 
Umbrage  at  it's  being  done  without  their  Consent  I  am  desired  as 
You  will  see  by  the  inclosed  Copy  of  the  Commissioners  Minutes 
to  represent  as  much  to  You  &  to  desire  that  You  will  on  behalf 
of  the  Proprietors  apply  to  the  Indians  concerned  for  such  Con- 
sent so  that  the  Surveyors  may  proceed  with  the  Line  the  End  of 
March  or  Beginning  of  April  next.  As  I  presume  Governor  Penn 
has  already  wrote  to  You  on  the  Subject  I  shall  only  add  that  I 
hope  You  will  endeavour  to  prevail  on  the  Indians  to  give  their 


1  In  New  York  State  Library. 

2  The  Mason-Dixon  Line. 


Indian  Affairs,  1766-68  231 

Consent  that  the  Line  may  be  now  run  so  that  there  may  not 
hereafter  be  any  Dispute  between  the  Inhabitants  of  Pennsulvania 
&  this  Province  about  the  Boundaries  which  has  been  too  much 
the  Case  for  many  Years  past. 

I  am  with  great  Regard 

Sir 

Your  most  obedient 

humble  Servant 

Hor°.  Sharpe 
Sir  William  Johnson 

indorsed : 

Annapolis  1 5th.  Decr.  1  766. 


From  GoV.  Sharp 
concerning  the  running  the 
bounds  of  Maryland  and 
Pensylvania 


TO  JOHN  PENN 

Copy1 

Johnson  Hall,  Dee.  19th.  1766. 
Sir, 

I  have  just  now  received  an  account  as  well  from  the  Inter- 
preter who  accompanied  the  Tuscaroras  from  North  Carolina  as 
from  an  officer  of  my  department,  that  these  people,  who  were 
accompanied  by  some  Chiefs  from  the  Six  Nation  Country,  who 
fetched  them  hither,  had  been  well  used,  by  the  Inhabitants  dur- 
ing their  whole  journey  'till  they  came  to  Paxlon,2  the  people  of 
which  Settlement  have  not  only  used  them  ill,  but  also  robbed  the 
Chief  and  others  of  sundry  horses,  &c,  which  they  got,  and  pur- 


1  Printed  in  Pennsylvania  Archives,  First  Series,  4:260-61. 

2  The  town  of  Paxton,  Lancaster  County,  Pennsylvania,  had  been  the 
site  of  early  Indian  depredations,  and  the  Paxton  men  had  formed  a  body 
of  rangers  for  Indian  warfare.  They  had  carried  out  the  Conestoga 
Massacre  in  1  763. 


232  Sir  William  Johnson  Papers 

chased  by  the  sale  of  their  Lands  lately  in  Carolina,  which  horses 
so  stolen  ammounted  at  least  to  £55  Pensilvania  Currency,  also 
that  the  Chiefs  who  went  down  in  February  last  to  bring  their 
relations  from  Carolina,  were  ill  used,  in  York  County,  and  sev1. 
attempts  made  to  murder  them,  but  that  the  Officer  of  my  Depart- 
ment had  employed  the  Interpreter  to  accompany  them  as  a  better 
protection  which  has  brought  the  Charges  of  his  Journey  upon  the 
Crown,  at  the  same  time  it  appears  from  the  several  Certificates 
I  have  under  the  seal  of  the  Magistrates  through  whose  Districts 
they  passed,  that  they  had  behaved  with  the  greatest  decency  and 
decorum. 

I  thought  it  highly  necessary  at  the  request  of  the  Indians  who 
have  complained  to  some  of  the  rest  of  the  five  nations  thereof  to 
write  you  on  this  subject,  in  hope  something  may  be  done  for  their 
satisfaction,  nothing  doubting  of  your  hearty  concurrence  herein, 
and  I  find  by  a  letter  I  have  just  received  from  Lord  Shelhurne3 
that  his  Majesty  is  highly  displeased  with  the  conduct  of  those 
frontier  Americans. 

I  am  with  great  esteem,  sir, 

Your  most  obedient, 

humble  servant, 

W.  Johnson 
The  Hon'ble  Lt.  Gov.  Penn. 


TO  JOHN  TABOR  KEMPE 

Johnson  Hall  Decbr.  26th.  1766 
Dear  Sir  — 

I  have  had  the  favour  of  Your  Letter,  and  am  extremely  sorry 
to  hear  that  the  persons  You  mention,  are  endeavouring  to  Sup- 
plant You  in  the  Land  Affair.  — 


3  September  1  3,  1  766.   Johnson  Papers,  5  :374-75. 
1  In  Massachusetts  Historical  Society.    A  mutilated  draft  is  printed  in 
Johnson  Papers,  5:453-54. 


Indian  Affairs,   1766-68  233 

Mr.  Glen  spoke  to  me  last  Summer  concerns.  Some  lands  in 
that  Quarter,  from  which  I  dissuaded  him  as  I  thought,  and  heard 
no  more  of  till  the  recp*.  of  your  letter. 

You  may  be  assured  that  my  good  offices  shall  be  chearfully 
employed  on  behalf  of  yourself  &  Associates  and  with  that  view  I 
spoke  to  the  Mohawks  long  since,  but  they  are  now,  and  have  been 
for  some  two  Weeks  out  on  their  Hunt,  So  that  there  is  not  a  Man 
left  in  their  Village  to  attend  a  Meeting  of  Onondagaes  &  others 
now  here.  —  I  shall  on  their  return  lay  the  case  again  before  them, 
and  recommend  it  to  them  in  ye.  manner  you  desire.  At  the  same 
time  I  apprehend  that  Schermerhorn  who  is  a  Cunning  fellow,  and 
acquainted  with  them,  will  make  use  of  everry  private  Art  to 
obtain  his  Ends,  and  probably  without  my  knowledge,  it  being 
verry  Customary  of  late  for  People  unauthorized  to  assemble 
Indians  on  many  Affairs  contrary  to  his  Majestys  express  Inten- 
sions, but  it  Seems  the  Law  will  not  admit  of  a  remedy  for  it,  for 
in  any  Trial  by  Jury  I  am  certain  they  would  be  acquitted.  — 

I  should  imagine  the  Governour  in  whose  power  I  think  it  lies 
might  find  a  Remedy,  and  I  hope  that  he  and  the  Council  will  take 
your  case  into  consideration,  at  all  events  be  assured  of  my 
freindship  and  good  offices  in  your  behalf,  as  it  would  give  me  a 
pleasure  to  serve  You  in  any  thing  consistently,  but  you  well  know 
my  Scituation  is  such,  and  the  ill  natured  so  numerous,  that  I  can- 
not use  too  much  caution,  but  all  that  I  can  possibly  do  in  this 
Affair  with  propriety  shall  be  done.  — 

As  none  of  that  Land  has  been  surveyed,  nor  the  bounds  of 
Ka^adarusseras  ever  run  or  ascertained  nay  not  known  I  am  in 
doubt  whether  there  is  any  large  quantity  in  that  place  clear  of  the 
claims  of  Said  Patent,  and  what  will  be  the  fate  of  it  I  cant  fore- 
see, for  I  see  little  hopes  of  an  Accomodation.  — 

By  a  letter  I  have  lately  recd.  from  Lord  Shelburne  Secr>\  of 
State2  wherin  his  Majesty  has  been  graciously  pleased  to  signify 
his  intire  approbation  of  my  Conduct,  I  am  informed  that  the 


2  Dated   Dec.    11,    1 766,    and   labeled   No.    2   of   Shelburne's   letters. 
Johnson  Papers,  5  :447-49. 


234  Sir  William  Johnson  Papers 

General  &  the  Several  Govrs.  have  received  Orders  respecting  the 
Conduct  of  the  Frontier  Inhabitants,  Some  towards  the  Indians,  & 
concerning  Encroachmts.  Other  Affairs  of  the  Department  are 
under  consideration,  in  consequence  of  this  the  Govr.  of  Pensil- 
vania  has  Issued  a  Proclamation  &  Sent  Copys  to  the  Inds.  for 
their  Satisfaction  one  of  wh.  the  Ondagaes  brought  to  me,  I  have 
not  heard  of  any  Steps  of  that  nature  in  the  other  Governments.  — 
I  am  always  sincerely  disposed  to  Serve  You  as  I  am  with 
perfect  esteem, 

Dear  Sir 
Your  hearty  Welwisher 
&  verry  Humble  Servant 

W.  Johnson 
J  T.  Kemp  Esqr.  — 

INDORSED : 

26*.  Decern'.  1  766 


Letter  from  Sir  Will1".  Johnson 


Indian  purchase 


FROM  BAYNTON,  WHARTON  AND  MORGAN 

Cop];1 

New  York  December  28th  1766 
Sir 

We  should  have  sooner  acknowledged  the  Receipt  of  your  kind 
Favor,  of  the  24th  of  October2  But  we  were  at  a  Loss  to  know, 
what  your  Honor  intended  by  Our  "transmitting  to  you,  all  the 


1  Printed  in  Illinois  Historical  Collections,  1  1  :464-66.  Original  in  New 
York  State  Library  was  destroyed  by  fire.  The  original  was  in  the  hand- 
writing of  Samuel  Wharton. 

2  Not  found. 


Indian  Affairs,  1766-68  235 

necessary  Vouchers  and  Receipts  &c  respecting  the  £2321  9  8 
New  York  Currency,  paid  to  us  by  the  General." 

When  Our  Mr.  Wharton  was  at  Fort  Pitt,  in  June  last,  He 
exhibited  Our  Accounts  against  the  Crown,  to  Mr.  Croghan  and 
at  the  same  Time,  gave  Him  a  full  Receipt  under  Them. 

These  Accounts,  Mr.  Croghan  forwarded  to  you  and  Then  he 
gave  us  a  Draft  upon  your  Honor,  for  the  above  Sum  (which  in- 
cludes, as  well  our  Account,  as  the  Cash  we  advanced  to  that 
Gentleman,  for  the  pay  of  Himself  &c)  and  that  Draft,  we  in- 
closed to  you,  indorsed,  by  us. 

We  are  realy  distressed,  That  we  do  not  know,  What  farther 
Voucher  is  wanted ;  —  But  if  you  will  be  so  good  Sir,  as  to  point 
Out  to  us,  What  is  —  we  will  chearfully  execute  it.  And  in  the 
mean  Time,  we  hereby  acknowledge  to  have  received  from  you, 
Thro'  his  Excellency  The  Honorable  General  Gage's  office,  the 
above  sum  of  Two  thousand  Three  hundred  &  Twenty  One 
pounds  9/8  New  York  Currency,  in  full  of  all  Our  Demands 
against  the  Crown  at  Fort  Pitt,  to  the  8th  or  1  Oth  of  June  last  and 
likewise,  in  full  of  George  Croghan's  Draft  upon  your  Honor  for 
that  Sum,  drawn  in  the  said  month,  of  June. 

We  are  most  sensibly  Obliged,  by  the  very  Polite  and  friendly 
manner,  in  which  you  have  mentioned  the  Trade  at  the  Shawanese 
Town,  to  his  Excellency  the  General.  Mr.  Croghan  will  shortly 
return  from  the  Illenois  and  will,  we  dare  say,  chearfully  confirm 
what  we  have  said  to  your  Honor,  On  this  Subject.  Now  we  men- 
tion this  Gentleman,  we  have  the  pleasure  of  acquainting  you, 
That  this  Day  we  are  informed,  by  a  Batteau  Man,  in  Our 
Service,  Who  landed  here  last  night  from  Pennsacola,  —  That 
He  arrived  at  New  Orleans  on  the  1 5th  Day  of  October,  and  was 
getting  somewhat  better. 

The  Batteau  man  left  Him  there,  on  the  24th  of  that  month  and 
says  —  He  preposed  embarking,  for  this  City,  by  the  first  Vessel, 
That  offered. 

Mr.  Croghan  was  very  ill  with  the  Fever  and  Ague  at  Fort 
Chartres  (as  were  Captain  Gordon  &  Our  Partner)  and  con- 
tinued so,  The  whole  passage,  down  the  Missisipi.  Our  Letters 


236  Sir  William  Johnson  Papers 

from  Our  Partner,3  are  replete  with  Complaints  against  the 
French,  being  suffered  to  come  from  the  Spanish  Shoar  (where 
They  have  removed  to)  to  Ours  &  then  dispersing  Themselves,  up 
the  Wabache,  Illenois  Rivers  &c  —  To  the  inexpressible  Injury 
of  the  British  Interest.  And  Which,  is  very  hard,  upon  us,  after 
strugling  with  almost  insurmountable  Difficultys  and  Expence  — 
But  we  will  not  anticipate  a  Subject  —  Which  is  the  proper 
Province,  of  yr.  Deputy. 

The  Liberty  and  Honor  of  corresponding  with  you  —  ,  which 
you  have  Sir,  been  so  condescendingly  obliging,  as  to  grant  us  — 
constrain  us,  to  mention  a  matter  to  you,  —  That  may  perhaps, 
hereafter,  check  that  Tranquility,  Which  you  are  incessantly 
laboring  to  perpetuate.  By  Letters  from  Cumberland  County,  from 
Persons,  we  can  rely  upon,  we  are  informed,  That  Colonel 
Cressap4  of  Maryland,  sometime  last  Summer  held  a  Treaty  with 
forty  Six  Nation  Warriors,  In  Which,  They,  by  Deed,  ceded  to 
Him  a  large  Extent  of  Land,  down  the  Ohio  &  about  Green  Brier 
&c.  We  never  heared,  That  Mr.  Cressap  any  ways  acted,  in  Sub- 
ordination to  your  Honor  and  Therefore  we  are  uneasy,  least 
such  Contracts  may  produce  Discontent;  For  others  will  no 
Doubt,  follow  such  unwarrantable  Practises  &  for  small  Con- 
siderations —  ,  perhaps,  When  the  Natives  are  intoxicated,  may 
beguile  Them  into  a  Disposal  of  their  Lands. 

We  can  never  fully  testify  Our  Gratitude,  for  the  very  humane 
and  friendly  manner,  In  Which  your  Honor  has  interested  your- 
self, for  us,  with  Respect,  to  a  Compensation,  for  Our  Immense 
Indian  Losses;  But  if  Colonel  Cressap  or  any  other  Persons,  are 
permitted  thus  to  bargain  with  the  natives  —  we  are  apprehensive, 
your  benevolent  Intentions  may  be  frustrated  and  this  Un- 
fortunately, at  a  Crisis,  When  Our  Frd.  Doctor  Franklin,  is 
earnestly  pushing,  for  the  Kings  Confirmation ;  —  For  by  the  last 
packet,  He  writes  us,  That  Lord  Shelbourn,  had  the  matter  then 
under  Consideration. 


3  George  Morgan. 

4  Michael  Cresap. 


Indian  Affairs,   1766-68  237 

The  Losses,  which  we  formerly  sustained  by  the  Indian  War, 
joined  to  the  Embarrasments,  we  have  since  encountred  with,  in 
the  Trade,  have  been,  almost,  too  much  for  us,  to  wrestle  with.  — 
Your  Goodness,  we  trust,  will  therefore  pardon  our,  perhaps, 
troublesome  Tautology,  On  the  Subject  of  the  Indian  Grant;  For 
suffer  us  to  say  —  It  is  the  great  &  long  sighed  for  Object,  — 
From  Whence,  we  fondly  hope,  to  derive  some  Comfort.  One 
favorable  Letter  Now,  from  your  Honor,  to  his  Lordship  the  Earl 
of  Shelbourn,  expressing  the  Policy,  as  well  as  Equity  of  the 
Kings  confirming  to  the  Traders,  the  Indian  Grant  Dr.  Franklin 
says,  would  induce  the  Confirmation,  as  his  Lordship,  has  the 
highest  Respect,  for  yr.  Honor. 

We  realy  blush,  to  be  so  free,  —  But  permit  a  compassionate 
Regard,  for  innocent  Sufferers,  to  plead  in  their  Behalf. 

Major  Murray  gave  Captain  Callendar,  at  Fort  Pitt,  on  the 
20th  Day  of  last  month,  the  same  Relation,  as  to  Mr.  Cressap's 
Purchase,  which  we  have  afforded  your  Honor. 

Last  night  Mr.  Wharton  (who  writes  this,  from  New  York) 
had  the  pleasure  of  a  Letter  from  Governor  Franklin,  giving  Him 
the  agreable  Intelligence,  —  That  just  as  He  was  writing,  He  had 
an  Express  from  Judge  Read,  informing  Him,  That  He  had  tryed 
the  murderer  of  the  Oneida  Indian,  in  Sussex  County  &  That  He 
was  convicted  and  executed. 

The  Government  of  New  Jersey,  certainly  deserve  great 
Credit  for  the  laudable  Spirit,  They  have  evinced,  in  punishing 
Indian  Murderers.  And  to  do  Governor  Franklin  Justice  It  must 
be  admitted,  That  He  has  been  very  industrious,  To  have,  the  last 
Fellow,  in  particular,  convicted,  As  his  Crime  was  aggravated,  by 
a  most  atrocious  Robbery. 

You  no  Doubt  Sir,  have  heared  from  Him,  in  Respect  to  the 
Illenois  matter,  As  He  told  us,  He  should  write  very  fully,  to  you. 

We  are  fearfull  of  offending,  And  Yet  Our  Want  of  Cash  is  so 
great,  That  necessity  impels  Our  Pen  to  intimate,  That  if  it  was 
not  disagreable  to  your  Honor  —  we  should  esteem  it,  very  kind, 
to  order  us  paid,  Mr.  McKee's  Draft  for  £299  New  York  Cur- 


238  Sir   William  Johnson  Papers 

rency ;  —  As  we  advanced  it  to  Him,  long  since  —  But  if  it  is  the 
least  Inconvenient  —  We  Pray  you  will  decline  it. 

We  are  with  Sentiments  of  the  highest  Respect  &  Gratitude 
Sir  your  most  Obedient  and  faithful  Servants. 
The  Honorable  SlR  WlLLIAM  JOHNSON  Bar1.  &c 

Baynton  Wharton  &  Morgan 
indorsed  : 

New  York  Dedy.  28,h.  1 766 

Letter  from  Messrs.  Baynton  Wharton  &  Morgan 


FROM  THOMAS  GAGE 

Contemporary  Copy1 

New  York  December  29ih.  1766. 
Dear  Sir, 

The  Belts  which  you  tell  me  in  Your  Letter  of  the  12th. 
Instant,2  to  have  been  sent  amongst  the  Nations  upon  the  Lakes  by 
the  French  and  Spaniards  may  be  a  Fact,  but  I  dont  apprehend 
that  any  Number  of  Troops  are  gone  up  the  Mississippi.  You  will 
probably  by  this  time  have  heared  from  Mr.  Croghan,  he  wrote  me 
en  the  10th.  of  September,  and  tells  me  in  general,  that  he  had 
a  Conference  at  Fort  Chartres  on  the  25th.  of  August,  with  the 
Principal  Warriors  of  Eight  Nations  divided  into  Twenty  two 
Bands  of  Tribes,  and  finnished  his  Business  to  the  Satisfaction  of 
the  several  Nations,  who  all  seemed  convinced  that  the  French 
had  imposed  upon  them,  in  every  thing  they  had  told  them.  A 
General  Peace  and  Reconciliation  was  then  declared  in  Publick 
between  His  Majesty's  Subjects  the  Northern  Nations,  and  all 
those  Western  Nations,  except  Three  Tribes  which  the  French 
had  Influence  to  keep  from  the  Conference,  but  the  other  Chiefs 
brought  them  afterwards  to  Mr.  Croghan  who  Settled  every  thing 
with  them,  and  recieved  them  into  the  Covenant  Chain  of  Friend- 
ship. He  commends  the  Conduct  of  the  Deputy's  of  the  Nations 


1  In  William  L.  Clements  Library. 

2  Ante  pp.  227-30. 


Indian  Affairs,  1766-68  239 

who  attended  him  from  Fort  Pitt,  Mr.  Croghan  Adds,  that  at 
present  Indian  Affairs  wear  a  different  face  in  that  Country,  and 
the  Indians  seem  quite  reconciled  to  the  English,  and  the  French 
in  their  turn  begin  to  fear  the  consequences  since  the  Conference. 
I  have  had  no  Letter  from  the  Officer  Commanding,  or  from  any 
other  Person  but  Mr.  Croghan. 

Mr.  Maturin3  has  laid  by  £  1 500.  Sterling  for  Your  use  some- 
time, waiting  a  proper  and  safe  Opportunity  to  transmit  it  to  you, 
he  has  paid  a  Draft  of  Yours,  I  think  of  £390.  — 

I  return  you  Mr.  Croghan' s  Receipt,  with  another  which  I  beg 
of  you  to  Sign  and  transmit  here,  and  keep  Mr.  Croghan's  Your- 
self. I  shall  then  destroy  the  Temporary  Receipt  which  Baynton 
and  Wharton  gave  me.  I  find  that  I  had  not  explained  Myself 
clearly  to  you  about  this  affair. 

We  have  been  upon  the  Eve  of  a  War  in  West  Florida,  with 
the  Creek  Indians,  but  by  Letters  which  are  just  recieved  from 
Pensacola  I  find  Colonel  Tayler4  who  has  Commanded  there  as 
Brigadier  General  has  exerted  himself,  and  restored  Peace  to  Sat- 
isfaction. 

I  Am  with  great  Regard. 

Dear  Sir, 

&ca 
Sir  Wm.  Johnson  Bart. 

INDORSED : 

Copy./  To 

Sir  Wm.  Johnson  Bart. 

Johnson  Hall. 
New  York  Decern'.  29th.  1  766. 


3  Gabriel  Maturin. 

4  Lieutenant  Colonel  William  Tayler  of  the  9th  regiment. 


240  Sir  William  Johnson  Papers 

JOURNAL  OF  INDIAN  AFFAIRS 

Contemporary  Copy1 

[Johnson  Hall,  Dec.  18-30,  1766] 
Decmr.  1 8th.  —  On  this  day  Isaac  a  Tuscarora  Chief  with 
another  of  said  Nation,  and  Joseph  Nicolaus  Interpreter  arrived 
here  from  North  Carolina  from  whence  they  brought  1 60  of  their 
Tribe  to  settle  among  the  Six  Nations,  and  sev1.  letters  for  Sr. 
Wm.,  by  which  it  appeared  that  they  with  great  difficulty  were 
allowed  to  pass  in  safety  thro'  the  Frontiers  of  Pennsylvania, 
Maryland,  Virginia  &c  nothwithstanding  they  had  his  Pass,  as 
also  that  of  the  Magistrates  of  the  sev1.  Districts  —  that  at  Paxton 
in  Pennsylvia.  in  their  Return  from  North  Carolina  they  were 
plundered  of  sev1.  things,  particularly  of  Six  Horses  they  had 
bought  with  Part  of  the  money  they  had  received  for  the  Sale  of 
part  of  their  Lands  in  that  Government.  —  these  with  many  more 
Complaints  were  made  known  to  the  Six  Nations,  altho'  Sir  Wm. 
endeavored  all  he  cou'd  to  keep  it  private  from  them,  knowing 
their  tempers  were  already  much  sowered  by  such  like  treatment 
shewn  to  sev1.  of  their  People  this  year  [past]  as  they  passed  thro' 
them  Governments.  —  They  then  begged  Sir  Wm.  wou'd  allow 
[//iern]  some  Provision,  Ammunition,  and  Clothing  to  the  New 
comers,  who  were  now  in  the  utmost  Distress  at  Shamokin,2  not 
having  been  able  to  reach  the  Place  of  their  Destination  'till 
Spring.  —  Sir  Wm.  wrote  a  letter  by  the  Interpreter  to  Captain 
Graydon  living  at  Shamokin  with  directions  to  furnish  the  Indians 
with  such  a  quantity  of  Provision  as  they  could  Subsist  on  'till  the 
Spring,  and  to  give  their  young  men  some  Ammunition  wherewith 
to  kill  Game,  —  also  a  letter  to  Governor  Penn  therein  acquaint- 
ing him  with  the  behavior  of  the  Paxton  People,  and  requesting 
he  woud  have  some  satisfaction  made  to  the  Sufferers,  —  all  which 
then  made  them  easy  together  wth.  a  small  Present  given  them.  — 
1 8th.  —  Eod.  die  a  Messenger  from  the  Onondagas  arrived  to 
acquaint  Sir  Wm.  that  the  Sachims  of  his  Nation  accompanied 


1  In  Canadian  Archives,  Indian  Records,  Vol.  7. 
3  Later  Sunbury,  Pa. 


Indian  Affairs,  1766-68  241 

by  others,  were  on  their  way  hither,  and  wou'd  be  here  the  next 
day.  — 

1 9th.  —  The  Bunt  chief  Sachim  of  Onondaga  with  the  Speaker, 
and  five  other  Sachims  &c  in  all  to  the  number  of  25  arrived  here 
—  On  their  being  conducted  into  the  Council  Room,  the  speaker 
went  thro'  the  usual  Ceremony,  and  then  accquainted  Sir  Wm. 
that  the  Nanticofys  were  to  attend  the  Meeting,  and  that  they  ex- 
pected them  in  a  day  or  two,  when  they  wou'd  lay  before  him  the 
business  they  came  upon. 

Eod.  die  the  Conjohare  chiefs  arrived  here,  being  desired  by 
the  Onondagas  to  attend,  as  also  the  lower  Mohawks,  a  circum- 
stance distressing  to  Sir  Wm.  not  having  any  Kings  Provision  for 
them,  therefore  was  under  a  necessity  of  Issuing  his  own  Family 
Stores  to  them.  — 

23d.  —  The  Nanticoks  not  being  arrived,  and  the  Conajohares 
being  impatient  to  return  home  on  ace1,  of  a  great  Thaw,  the 
Onondagas  agreed  to  lay  before  Sir  Wm.  the  occasion  of  their 
coming  down.  —  being  all  met,  Sir  Wm.  performed  the  Cere- 
mony of  Condolence  for  the  loss  of  Diaquanda's  Son,  and  the 
Speaker's  grandchild  with  three  Bunches,  and  one  black  belt  of 
Wampum  —  to  which  they  made  the  usual  Return.  —  Sir  Wm. 
then  told  them  that  he  was  ready  to  hear  what  they  had  to  say, 
On  which  T eyaxvarunte  speaker  desired  first  to  speak  a  few  words 
on  behalf  of  the  Six  Nations  viz*,  "that  they  judged  it  necessary 
before  they  entered  on  business  to  cleanse  Sir  Wms.  inside  from 
head  to  foot  so  as  to  leave  nothing  there  which  might  interrupt 
their  friendly  meeting."  — 

A  white  Belt  6  Rows 

Then  continued  —  Brother,  we  the  Six  Nations  do  also  with 
this  white  Wing  cleanse  the  Council  Room  so  that  nothing  may 
obstruct  the  Harmony,  and  Friendship  subsisting  between  us,  and 
the  good  Works  necessary  for  our  mutual  Interests.  — 

3  Branches  of  Wampum.  — 
Brother.  — 

We  the  Six  Nations  return  you  many  thanks  for  the  Enquiry 
you  made  into  the  many  Reports  some  time  ago  spread,  of  our 


242  Sir  William  Johnson  Papers 

People  being  killed,  and  we  rejoice  with  you  to  find  they  were 
groundless.  —  We  with  this  Belt  remove  all  uneasiness  from  your 
breast  which  they  might  have  occasioned,  and  also  dress  up  the 
Tree  of  Shelter,  and  Peace,  so  that  the  Roots,  and  Limbs  thereof 
may  spread  and  flourish  over  this  extensive  Land.  — 

A  Belt  6  Rows  mixed  with  some  black.  — 
Brother.  — 

This  much  we  Judged  very  necessary  to  do  before  we  pro- 
ceeded upon  the  business  which  lead  us  here,  and  at  present  shall 
go  on  with  the  rest,  after  some  Pause,  Tiawarunte  spoke  to  Sr. 
Wm.  as  follows 
Brother.  — 

We  now  desire  your  attention  on  behalf  of  our  Children  the 
Nanticoks,  Canoys,  and  Delawares  who  have  lately  requested  of 
us  to  lay  their  desires  before  you,  and  begged  our  Interest  on  this 
occasion.  —  First  that  as  their  People  who  yet  remain  near 
the  Sea  Side,  are  in  a  very  poor  Situation,  and  desire  to  come  & 
settle  among  the  rest  on  the  Six  Nation's  Land,  we  request,  to 
this  end,  you  will  grant  them  Passports,  as  you  have  done  to  the 
Tuscaroras,  and  others  formerly.  —  Next  they  produced  to  Sir 
Wm.  a  Letter  from  James  Cohorka  a  Nanticok  to  his  Friend 
Sam1.  Cottice,  requiring  him  (Sr.  Wm.)  to  inform  them  of  the 
contents  of  it  as  also  Governor  Penn's  Proclamation  of  the  23d. 
Septemr.  1  766,  both  which  they  laid  on  the  table,  and  said  they 
were  delivered  to  them  by  a  Nanticok  who  returned  from  Philadia. 
some  time  ago,  whither  he  with  his  tribe  went  last  Summer  to  know 
from  the  Governor  the  reason  of  his  People's  Killing  three  of  their 
Relations  in  cool  blood  near  Shamokin,  —  also  to  know  from 
him  whether  it  was  by  his  Permission,  or  Order  that  some  People 
of  his  Government  came  up  to,  and  took  away  from  off  the  Six 
Nations  Lands  at  Wioming  some  Oar  at  sundry  times.  —  That  as 
to  the  killing  the  three  Indians,  the  Governor  assured  them  it  gave 
him  the  utmost  Concern,  and  to  convince  them  of  it  he  took  the 
Axe  out  of  their  heads  with  three  short  strings  of  Wampum,  at 
which  there  was  a  general  Laugh  raised  on  account  of  its  small- 
ness,  Such  Ceremony  being  always  performed  with  a  large  Belt 


Indian  A  fairs,   1766-68  243 

&c  —  And  as  to  the  Oar  being  carried  away,  he  said  he  was 
ignorant  of  it,  but  promised  them  he  wou'd  find  it  out  ere  long,  and 
make  them  satisfaction  for  the  same.  —  that  the  Governor  further 
told  them  to  Seize  any  Persons  they  found  trespassing  there,  and 
to  bring  them  before  him,  that  then  he  woud  find  out  the  Persons 
who  employed  them.  —  The  Speaker  then  said  he  had  finished 
what  they  came  about. 

Sir  Wm.  answered  them  by  telling  them  that  as  the  Conjohares 
&c  were  desirous  of  setting  off  immediately  on  account  of  the  Ice 
they  had  to  pass  being  bad,  he  wou'd  then  acquaint  them  all  with 
the  Purport  of  the  two  Papers  which  they  delivered  him,  and  also 
would  give  them  his  answer  concerning  the  Nanticoks  &c,  that  he 
wou'd  the  next  day  return  answers  to  the  other  Belts,  and  Strings, 
which  being  their  usual  Ceremonials,  did  not  require  their  attend- 
ance ;  and  of  this  they  approved.  — 

Here  Sr.  Wm.  interpreted  to  them  the  Indian  Letter,  and 
Governor  Penn's  Proclamation,  —  &  told  them  that  as  they  were 
desirous  of  having  all  the  scattered  tribes  removed  from  their 
present  Places  of  Abode  near  the  Sea  Shore,  and  it  being  also 
their  own  desire,  he  wou'd  give  them  a  Pass  for  that  Purpose, 
also  that  he  wou'd  write  to  the  sev1.  Governors  in  whose  Provinces 
they  lived,  to  see  Justice  done  them  with  regard  to  what  Lands 
they  then  might  have.  —  for  wch.  they  returned  many  thanks,  & 
seemed  well  pleased  &c  — 

Decr.  24th.  —  The  Indians  being  assembled  Sir  Wm.  thanked 
them  for  the  Ceremony  they  performed  the  day  before,  and  in 
return  removed  from  their  breasts  all  uneasiness  which  might  have 
been  occasioned  by  any  misconduct  of  the  White  People,  or  other- 
wise, —  also  lighted  up  the  Council  Fire  of  Onondaga,  cleansed 
the  Council  Room  of  all  Filth  it  might  have  contracted  for  some 
time  past,  and  recommended  to  the  Chiefs  a  strict  observance  of 
their  engagements  with  the  English  &c,  all  which  he  enforced  wth. 

2  Belts  of  Wampum  &  a  Bunch  of  D°. 

The  Speaker  having  informed  Sir  Wm.  that  the  Bunt  chief  of 
the  Onondaga  nation  was  at  present  very  uneasy  in  mind  on  ac- 


244  Sir  William  Johnson  Papers 

count  of  some  Family  Difference,  begged  that  he  wou'd  speak  in 
public  concerning  it,  which  Sir  Wm.  did  with  a  Bunch  of 
Wampum,  and  Exhorted  all  of  that  Nation  then  present  to  use 
their  best  Offices  for  a  Reconciliation  so  necessary  and  which  then 
effected,  must  tend  to  the  advantage  of  the  whole  Nation;  to  the 
Performance  of  this  the  Indians  gave  Sir  Wm.  the  strongest  as- 
surances, as  did  the  Bunt  of  his  readiness,  and  desire  to  come  into 
any  reasonable  terms.  — 

Sir  Wm.  then  laid  before  them  the  many  Advantages  accruing 
to  their  Nations  from  their  embracing  the  present  favorable  and 
very  friendly  Offers  made  them  by  the  Society  for  the  Propagation 
of  the  Gospel  in  Foreign  Parts,  of  sending  Missionaries,  and 
Catechists  among  them  for  their  Instruction  in  the  Principles  of 
the  Christian  Religion,  and  the  Education  of  their  Children, 
which  as  a  Member  of  that  body,  he  was  desired  to  make  known 
to  them,  and  as  their  Friend  he  strenuously  urged  it  to  them,  being 
well  assured  that  nothing  wou'd  tend  more  to  their  acquiring  an 
Esteem  &  Regard  in  this  World,  and  their  Happiness  in  the  next. 
—  then  desired  they  wou'd  on  their  Return  to  their  sev1.  Nations 
seriously  consider  the  affair,  and  give  him  their  answer  by  the  first 
favorable  Opportunity.  ■ — 

A  Bunch  of  Wampum.  — 

The  Indians  promised  Sir  Wm.  that  they  would  lay  the  affair 
before  all  the  Six  Nations,  and  as  soon  as  their  Resolutions  were 
taken,  to  make  him  acquainted  with  them.  — 

Sir  Wm.  then  gave  them  a  Present  of  Clothing,  Amunition, 
Cash  &c,  and  concluded  with  giving  them  a  friendly  Admonition, 
and  necessary  Rules  for  their  future  Conduct,  which  if  observed, 
he  assured  them  wou'd  be  the  most  effectual  means  of  preserving 
that  Covenant  of  Friendship,  and  brotherly  Love  entered  into  with 
the  English,  on  their  first  Arrival  here,  and  so  often  renewed  in 
his  Presence,  and  on  which  their  Happiness  depended.  —  To  all 
which  they  gave  a  very  favorable  answer,  —  but  did  not  seem  to 
think  well  of  the  Senecas  —  Ended  — 

Decern1-.  29th.  —  On  this  day  Conaquieson  chief  Sachim  of 
Oneida  with  Saghuagarat,  and  another  arrived  here  from  their 


Indian  Affairs,  1766-68  245 

Nation,  being  sent  by  them  to  Sir  William  with  a  Complaint 
against  Conradt  Frank  Justice,3  Ury  Klock,  and  an  Albany  man, 
whose  name  they  did  not  know,  that  they  were  treating  for  Land 
with  one  of  their  People  who  was  always  in  the  French  Interest, 
and  lived  in  Canada  'till  of  late,  and  is  determined  as  soon  as  he 
gets  the  money  for  the  land  he  is  now  about  Selling  (to  which  they 
say  he  has  no  Right)  to  leave  their  Country,  and  remove  to 
Canada,  or  Detroit,  —  that  as  such  Proceedings  are  contrary  to 
what  they  were  told  by  the  Governor,  and  Sir  Wm.  repeatedly, 
they  requested  Sir  Wm.  wou'd  immediately  put  a  Stop  thereto, 
their  Men  and  Women,  old,  and  young  being  agf.  it 
30th.  —  Sir  Wm.  wrote  a  letter  by  them  to  Justice  Frank,  and 
desired  he  wou'd  not  proceed  any  further  in  it  as  it  was  contrary 
to  his  Majesty's  Proclamation,  and  the  Indians  inclinations.  — 
Sir  Wm.  then  acquainted  them  with  the  account  he  had  then 
received  from  Lieut  Roberts4  Commissary  at  Niagara  about  one 
of  the  Vessels  being  burnt  by  accident,  and  desired  that  they 
wou'd  report  it  in  the  same  manner  to  the  Six  Nations,  lest  false 
accounts  might  be  spread  concerning  it.  Then  gave  them  some 
Cash,  Clothing  &c  and  sent  a  Sled  with  them  to  the  River.  —  Eod. 
Die  —  Thomas  a  Conjohare  Indian  was  sent  to  acquaint  Sir 
Wm.  that  one  Cobus  Pickard  now  living  in  the  Fort  at  Con- 
johare, on  being  refused  the  Loan  of  a  Sled  a  few  days  ago  by 
Hendrick's  Widdow,  made  use  of  much  abusive  language  to  the 
Indians  there,  and  among  other  things  told  them  that  they  need  not 
be  so  forward,  for  that  they  wou'd  soon  be  sent  a  Packing  from 
thence  by  the  Governor,  as  having  no  right  to  the  Lands  —  they 
begged  Sir  Wm.  wou'd  remove  him,  and  put  a  Stop  to  such 
behavior  for  the  future.  — 


3  Captain  Conrad  Franck,  justice  of  the  peace. 

4  Lieutenant  Benjamin  Roberts. 


246  Sir   William  Johnson  Papers 

ORDERS  AND  REGULATIONS 

Contemporary  Copy1 

Orders  and  Regulations  respecting  the  Indian  Trade  and  Duty 
of  Commissaries  throughout  the  Northern  Department  by  Sir 
Wm.  Johnson  Bar',  for  the  Year  1 767  in  consequence  of  his 
Majesty's  Orders  signified  to  him  by  the  Secretary  of  State.  — 


1st.  That  every  Person  desirous  of  trading  with  the  Indians  shall 
first  obtain  a  proper  Pass  from  the  Governor  of  the  Colony  from 
whence  he  came,  and  shall  enter  into  a  Recognizance  to  abide  by 
the  Regulations  which  now  are  or  hereafter  shall  be  thought 
necessary  — 

2nd.  That  the  Traders  shall  on  their  Arrival  at  each  Post  lay 
before  the  Commissary  their  Pass,  together  with  an  exact  Invoice 
of  all  their  Goods  &c,  and  that  they  do  not  by  any  means  break 
bulk  without  the  Commissaries  knowledge,  and  permission,  nor 
refuse  him  a  State  of  their  Traffick,  and  Peltry  when  he  shall 
demand  it. 

3d.  That  no  Trader  presume  to  pass  any  Post,  the  Residence  of 
a  Commissary,  without  first  shewing  the  Commissary  his  Pass 
specifying  the  Place  where  he  is  to  trade,  and  if  no  particular 
Post  be  therein  mentioned,  that  then  the  Commissary  shall  give 
such  Trader  a  Permit  to  go  to  the  next  Post  where  a  Commissary 
resides,  and  such  trader  shall  go  immediately  to  said  Post,  with- 
out breaking  bulk  by  the  way,  and  when  there,  shall  produce  his 
Pass,  and  Invoice  as  before  directed  to  the  Commissary,  who  shall 
immediately  report  to  the  Commissary  who  gave  the  Permit,  the 
day  of  such  traders  arrival,  and  whether  his  Goods  agree  wth.  the 
Invoice.  —  And  that  no  trader  having  passed  a  Post,  be  admitted 
to  trade  at  another  without  a  Permit  from  the  Commissary  of  the 
Post  he  so  passed.  — 

4th.  That  every  trader  do  take  care  to  be  always  provided  with, 
and  constantly  make  use  of  just  Weights,  and  Measures,  as  any 


1  In  Canadian  Archives,  Indian  Records,  Vol.  7. 


Indian  Affairs,   1766-68  247 

errors  therein  in  trade  with  the  Indians  will  be  for  the  future  con- 
sidered as  willful.  — 

5th.  That  the  Trade  with  the  Indians  throughout  the  Department 
be  confined  entirely  to  the  Posts,  and  that  nothing  but  the  most 
absolute  necessity  from  the  peculiar  Situation  of  the  Indians  North 
of  Lake  Huron  shall  Justify  any  Permission  given  to  Traders 
from  Michillimacinac  to  go  among  the  Tribes,  —  and  any  trader 
so  going  out,  shall  be  answerable  for  all  Consequences  and  is  not 
to  expect  the  Protection  or  Redress  of  Government.  — 
6th.  That  no  Trader  presume  to  beat,  or  abuse  any  Indian,  or  to 
send  Belts  of  Wampum,  or  Messages  to  any  Nations,  or  Indi- 
viduals whatsoever,  or  to  hold  meetings  with  them  on  any 
Occasions,  or  use  any  unfair  Practices  to  draw  in  the  Indians  to 
trade  with  him,  or  them,  or  force  away  their  Peltry  under  Pretence 
of  their  being  in  Debt,  as  all  traders  who  voluntarily  credit  Indians 
must  abide  by  the  consequences.  — 

7th.  That  a  Tariff  be  established  by  the  Commissary  early  every 
Spring  on  the  most  equitable  terms  for  both  traders,  and  Indians. 
—  that  all  the  traders  abide  thereby  —  that  the  Traffic  at  each 
Post  be  carried  on  by  day  light  in  the  most  public  manner,  —  And 
that  the  traders  avoid  taking  Pledges,  particularly  Arms,  and 
Medals.  — 

8th.  That  the  Traders  do  strictly  observe,  and  follow  these  Regu- 
lations on  pain  of  having  their  Bonds  put  in  Suit,  and  of  being 
otherwise  dealt  with  for  neglecting  the  Orders  of  Government.  — 
9th.  That  the  Commissaries  cause  frequent  Enquiry  to  be  made 
whether  any  Persons  are  trading  in  any  of  the  Rivers,  Bays,  &c, 
or  along  any  of  the  Lakes,  and  if  any  such  there  are,  that  he  apply 
to  the  commanding  Officer  for  assistance  to  bring  such  trader 
away,  —  And  that  the  Commissaries  do  constantly  acquaint  the 
commanding  officer  of  any  material  Occurrence,  or  how  many 
Traders  have  passed  the  Post  &  who  — 

10th.  That  the  Commissaries  do  correspond  constantly  with  each 
other,  communicating  everything  necessary  the  better  to  enable 
them  to  detect  the  Frauds,  and  Abuses,  and  transact  the  affairs 
committed  to  their  Charge  agreeable  to  his  Majesty's  Intentions.  — 


248  Sir  William  Johnson  Papers 

1  1 th.  That  the  Commissaries  carefully  inspect  into  the  Conduct  of 
the  Interpreters  who  are  employed  solely  for  the  uses  of  the  De- 
partment —  That  they  likewise  see  that  the  Smiths  are  diligent 
and  works  faithfully  without  Fee  or  Reward.  — 


FROM  ADAM  GORDON 

Hunsdon  next  Ware  Hartfordshire 
January  10th,  176/ \  — 

My  Good  Sir  William  — 

To  this  little  quiet  Place,  are  Your  Son  and  I,  come  down,  to 
pass  a  quiet  week  together,  during  the  recess  of  Parliament,  and 
to  talk  over  American  Stories,  and  write  by  the  Packett;  which 
is  to  be  made  up,  this  very  night.  —  therefore,  I  hope  this  will  be 
very  fresh  Intelligence  of  us  Both  —  but  you  must  submitt  to  a 
great  deal  of  it  —  &  blame  Yourself  for  some  of  it,  for  being 
much  more  attentive  to  us,  than  we  deserve  —  T'is  myself  I 
assure  You  —  not  Sir  John,  whom  I  describe,  in  this  Place.  — 

I  have  been  happy  in  hearing  four  times,  from  You,  since  we 
parted  at  Johnson  Hall  —  the  first  you  sent  by  your  Son,  which 
I  answered  from  England2  —  as  much  as  I  was  able  to  do  —  but 
not  so  fully,  as  I  could  have  wished,  where  You  was  concerned. 
—  for,  It  has  been  my  bad  luck,  never  to  have  had  one  friend,  in 
Power,  since  my  return,  to  Europe;  &  for  that  obvious  cause,  I 
have  gott  nothing  done,  either  for  my  self  —  or  for  my  friends, 
during  that  long  Period,  for,  long  It  has  seemed  to  me,  who  have 
generally  differed  from  these  wise  Heads,  and  frequently,  run  on 
the  losing  side  of  the  Post.  — 

I  have  taken  much  to  Heart,  that  no  notice  has  ever  been 
taken,   or  no   answer   ever   thought   of,   or  sent   to   the   Honest 


1  In  New  York  State  Library. 

2  November   18,   1765.    Not  found,  but  mentioned  in  Daniel  Claus  to 
John  Johnson,  Feb.  28,  I  766.   Claus  Papers,  Canadian  Archives. 


Indian  A  fairs,  1766-68  249 

Mohawks,  &  others;  who  complain  with  so  much  right,  and 
Justice,  about  their  Treatment,  of  the  Kayderossery  Lands.  — 
and  I  have  no  reason  to  feell  pleased,  that  notwithstanding  the 
strenghth  and  reason  of  your  just  Claims,  and  the  repeated  remon- 
strances, I  have  made  on  that  head,  to  everp  one  of  them  all  — 
that,  as  yet  no  material  Step  towards  contenting  You,  has  been 
taken  —  except  fair  words,  &  Promises  can  be  held  so.  —  Indeed, 
the  Great  Officers  of  State,  &  all  the  Boards  of  Government,  have 
been  in  so  continued  a  state  of  fluctuation,  ever  since  Mr.  Gren- 
ville  was  turned  out  —  I  believe  in  my  Heart,  they  have  thought 
of  nothing,  but  how  to  gett  into  office,  &  then  how  to  keep  In! 
On  my  arrivall  very  lately  I  found  quite  a  new  Batch  of  Ministers 

—  and  Lord  Shelburne  is  now  the  Man  for  all  American  affairs 

—  I  have  not  Yet  paid  my  Court  there,  for  one  reason  that  I  do 
not  much  like  the  Man  —  nor  his  Counsellors  —  but  I  am  how- 
ever determined  to  go  to  Him,  on  Your  business  solely  —  &  tell 
Him  all  the  truth  —  before  Your  Son  —  that  he  may  not  claim 
ignorance,  and  that  Sir  John  may  be  my  wittness  to  You  —  that  I 
have  done  every  thing  in  my  power,  to  procure  You  Justice  —  for 
I  can  never  allow  it,  to  be  a  matter  of  favour.  — 

Your  2d.  Letter  dated  in  Novr.  1 7653  —  contains  nothing 
particular,  but  the  accounts  of  the  riot,  at  New  York  —  and  in 
one  I  wrote  to  You  soon  after  —  I  told  You,  the  Part  I  had  taken 

—  for  which,  I  make  no  doubt,  I  have  lost  my  Popularity  in 
America  —  Which  I  am  sorry  for,  but  would  have  been  more 
sorry,  had  I,  by  acting  against  the  Conviction  of  my  own  Heart 
and  feelings  —  been  guilty  of  Giving  my  Consent,  to  vote  away 
forever  Dependancy  of  that  Country  on  Great  Britain  —  I  could 
not  have  done  it  —  had  a  regiment  of  Guards  been  the  Bribe ! 

Your  next  kind  Letter  was  of  Aprill  1 7664  —  and  was  a 
Sollicitation  In  favour  of  Captn.  Prevost  to  succeed  Captn.  Sclosser 
of  the  Americans  —  from  each  of  which  Gentlemen   I   had  a 


3  November  29,   1  765.    See  Johnson  Calendar,  p.  293.    Destroyed  by 
fire. 

4  April  20,  1  766,  Johnson  Papers,  5 : 1 88-89.  This  is  mutilated  by  fire. 


250  Sir  William  Johnson  Papers 

Letter,  much  about  that  time  —  &  to  each  of  them  I  returned  a 
plain  answer  —  namely  —  that  the  Secretary  at  War  had  assured 
me,  the  King  was  determined,  to  allow  no  officer  to  sell  any  Com- 
mission, He  had  not  actually  bought  —  &  it  is  so  much  so  —  that 
I  have  not  yet  been  able  (tho  I  went  in  to  the  King  myself,  on  his 
account)  to  gett  out  an  old  Captain  of  my  own  regiment,  who  has 
served  more  than  forty  Years,  is  wore  out  and  maimed  in  every 
Joint  by  wounds  —  and  is  so  ill  of  an  Asthma  as  to  be  fitt  for  no 
further  Service  —  if  they  alter  their  plan  —  It  would  give  me 
pleasure  to  be  of  any  use  to  these  two  Gentlemen,  both  on  their 
own  Accounts,  and  because  You  are  interested  about  it  —  &  I 
wish  when  opportunity  offers,  You  would  signify  so  to  both  of 
them,  at  present  it  must  stand  still. 

Your  last  Letter  dated  1 0th.  Cctr.  1  7665  —  I  have  now  before 
me  —  and  I  am  to  return  you  my  most  particular  thanks  for  it  — 
but  I  am  surprised,  You  take  no  notice  of  a  Letter,  I  wrote  you, 
from  Preston  Hall,  &  sent  by  Glasgow  —  about  July  last,  how- 
ever I  will  send  by  that  channell  no  more  —  for  yours  is  not  the 
only  Letter,  I  have  not  yet  had  accounts  of.  — 

I  passed  all  my  summer  in  Scotland  and  had  a  flying  sight  of 
Sir  John  for  half  a  day,  which  I  scolded  Him  for  —  as  no  good 
can  be  gott,  and  Knowledge  acquired,  by  flying  over  a  Country 
like  a  Wood  Cock  —  I  cm  however  not  to  blame  Him  too  much 
— ■  for  he  had  been  detained  in  dear  Ireland  longer  that  he  meant 
—  and  it  was  to  attend  some  Dispatches  of  Yours,  He  was 
Hurrying  So  to  London.  — 

I  am  glad  you  sent  over  a  Draft  of  the  Land,  tho  Sir  John 
tells  me,  he  saw  the  same  in  one  of  Mr.  Pownalls  office  books  — 
The  terms  we  have  gott  in  East  Florida  is  at  five  Years  end  to 
pay  Quitt  rent  for  half  our  Quantity  &  at  the  expiration  of  ten 
Years  to  commence  quit  rent  for  the  whole  —  on  these  terms 
Myself  and  many  others  have  taken  out  Grants  Here  —  for  Land 
there  —  some  ten  some  twenty  thousand  acres  —  some  five  —  I 


5  Perhaps   that   dated   Oct.    8,    1766,   in   Johnson   Calendar,   p.    331, 
destroyed  by  fire. 


Indian  Affairs,   1766-68  251 

find  in  General  however,  Gentlemen  who  are  accustomed  to  these 
Country  Lands,  preferr  taking  up  their  Land,  on  the  Spot,  by 
Family  right,  from  the  Governor,  rather  than  by  Grant  from 
Home  —  I  have  some,  in  both  ways  —  and  so,  if  ever  I  gett  to 
see  it,  I  shall  be  a  competent  Judge,  of  the  Difference,  between 
one,  &  the  other.  — 

I  think  myself  very  much  oblidged  to  You,  Good  Sir,  indeed, 
for  thinking  of  me,  for  ten  thousand  acres,  near  the  Mohawk 
river ;  and  I  wish  You,  to  secure  it,  for  me,  as  near,  what  is  to  be 
your  own,  as  may  be.  —  The  Duke  of  Atholl,  my  very  worthy 
friend  (&  a  friend  to  your  Son  too)  has  wished,  to  go  halves,  with 
me,  in  my  Bargain  —  and  as  soon,  as  You  lett  us  know,  what  we 
are  to  pay  for  it  —  &  what  cultivation,  You  would  most  recom- 
mend to  us  —  we  are  determined,  to  sett  about  settling  it 
imediately,  either,  by  appointing  an  Agent  —  there,  and  granting 
it  out,  to  those  who  desire  to  be  our  tenants ;  or  by  sending  out,  to 
it,  some  people  from  Scotland,  Ireland,  and  Germany  —  as  we  can 
gett  them.  —  But  all  will  depend,  on  a  Report,  from  You  —  The 
Duke  has  entered  much  into  the  Spirit  of  it  —  &  means  it,  for  an 
establishment,  for  his  2d.  Son,  Lord  James  Murray.  —  who  comes 
into  our  Line  —  &  is  to  be  under  Your  Humble.  Serv*.  —  next 
War,  —  and  an  American  of  Course.  —  I  should  not  have 
thought,  of  such  an  acqusition  —  but  as  you  have  been  so  kind,  as 
to  think  of  me  —  I  am  very  thankfull  to  You,  for  it ;  —  and  hope, 
to  see  it,  before  I  die.  —  I  would  keep  that  is  nearest  You,  for 
my  self;  to  be  called  in  the  Survey,  Nerv  Huntly  —  &  what  is 
to  be  for  Lord  James  Murray  —  New  Atholl.  —  It  will  be  a 
good  Summer  retreat,  when  the  Sun  is  too  much  for  me  in  East 
florida.  —  having  now  said,  all  I  can  think  of,  about  my  self,  and 
my  Concerns  —  I  come,  to  something,  much  more  deserving  Your 
Attention  —  &  very  interesting  to  You.  — 

I  desire  then,  to  assure  You,  —  that  every  Body,  who  has 
seen  Your  Son,  is  pleased  much  with  him ;  and  desirous  of  being 
better  acquainted,  with  Him.  —  I  think,  He  is  greatly  changed 
for  the  better,  in  point  of  Address,  and  Conversation.  —  as  to  His 


252  Sir  William  Johnson  Papers 

Heart,  &  his  Understanding,  No  Change  could  be  wished;  for 
the  one  is  honest,  and  the  other  clear.  —  The  Dutchess  of  Nor- 
folk, declares,  Ireland  has  made  Him  quite  another  Man;  I 
preach  to  him  Dayly  —  that,  when  He  is  here  —  &  at  his  age,  is 
the  time,  to  see  Europe,  &  Men  &  Manners  —  of  various 
Countries  —  and  I  go  so  farr,  as  to  say  —  I  will  be  bound  for  it, 
Sir  William  shall  approve,  of  his  staying  another  Year,  or  two  — 
if  he  will  determine,  to  dedicate  his  time,  and  his  Attention,  to  such 
Purposes,  as  may  by  the  acquiring  of  them  —  render  him  usefull 
to  his  own  Country,  when  he  returns  to  it  —  and  an  Honour  to 
his  family.  — 

I  have  tried  all  my  rhetorick  upon  Him  —  but,  indeed,  He 
seems  so  much  bent  on  getting  back,  to  these  stveet  inchanting 
banks  of  the  Mohawk  river  —  I  fear,  tis  in  vain  I  preach,  and 
argue  —  for  tho  He  admitts,  I  am  in  the  right  —  He  does  not 
seem  enough  convinced,  to  acquiesce  —  and  Stay! 

I  bid  him  delay  only,  till  the  fall  —  before  which  season,  He 
may  know  Your  Mind  fully,  on  the  Matter.  — 

this  I  must  say  —  that  whatever  expence,  he  has  been  at,  or 

may  still  be  at,  whilst  absent  from  You  —  it  is  all  well  beston>ed 

—  and  You  will  be  pleased,  it  has  happened,  When  Ever  You 

meet.  —  As  for  my  part  —  I  do  assure  You,  Sir  William  —  I  am 

more  than  repaid,   any  little  attention  I  have  for  him;   in  the 

Pleasure,  I  have,  in  his  Company,  &  the  satisfaction  I  enjoy,  and 

hope  ever  to  injoy,  in  Your  friendship,  and  his,  to  me  —  who  am, 

with    the    utmost    truth,    and    real    Esteem  —  My    Dear    Sir 

William  — 

Your  faithfull,  humb,e.  Servant  — 

&  attached,  fast  friend  — 

Ad  :  Gordon 

I  beg  my  Compts.  to  the  Ladies,  &  Gentlemen  near  the  Fort.  —  & 
that  you  will  tell  C  Clauss,  neither  I  [or]  nor  any  Man  I  have 
mett,  would  have  any  scruple,  to  take  the  oath  of  half  pay  —  & 
hold  a  civil  employment,  at  the  will  of  a  Subject.  Which,  his  office 
under  You,  certainly,  must  be  understood  to  be.  —  God  bless 
You,  &  send  You  many  returns  of  this  season  —  I  do  not  think, 


Indian  Affairs,  1766-68  253 

they  can  prevail  on  Govr.  Murray  to  return  —  The  Noble  Gov". 
last   sent   out   to   two   opposite,    &   distant   Colonies  —  are   sad 
trash.  — 
ADDRESSED : 

To 

Sir  William  Johnson  Bar1. 

His  Majesty's  Superintendant  for  Indian  Affairs  — 
At  Johnson  Hall  by 
New  York 

North  America 

pd. 

.  2/  .N.C. 

P.  Cooke 

INDORSED:6 

Hunsdon  Janr>\  10*.  1767 


Lord  Adam  Gordons  letter 
from  Hartfordshire. 


GEORGE  CROGHAN  TO  THOMAS  GAGE 

Copy1 

A  Letter  from  G.  Croghan  to  General  Gage  on  the  best  method 
of  supplying  Fort  Chartres  with  provisions. 

New  York  12  Jan'y.  1767 
Sir, 

In  obedience  to  your  Excellencys  desire,  I  herein  deliver  you 
my  Candid  opinion,  in  respect  to  the  easiest,  Cheapest  and  most 
certain  method  of  supplying  Fort  Chartres  with  Provisions. 


6  In  Sir  William's  hand. 

1  Printed  in  Illinois  Historical  Collections,  1  1  :479-81.  Copy  sent  by 
Croghan  to  Franklin,  and  by  Franklin  to  Shelburne.  A  signed  copy  of 
this  letter  is  in  the  Shelburne  papers,  48:127,  in  the  William  L.  Clements 
Library.  Copy  in  Johnson  manuscripts  was  destroyed  by  fire.  See  Johnson 
Calendar,  p.  340. 


254  Sir   William  Johnson  Papers 

Finding,  when  I  was  there,  a  great  Scarcity,  notwithstanding 
the  two  Batteau  Loads,  which  went  down,  with  me  from  Fort 
Pitt,  I  made  it  my  business  to  enquire  into  the  State  of  the 
Country,  and  found,  that  the  Garrison  could  be  well  furnished 
with  Flower,  Peas,  Indian  Corn,  Buffelo  &  Bullock  Beef.  The 
latter  indeed  cannot  be  got  a[t]  Fort  Chartres,  but  can  be  pro- 
cured at  Post  Vincent,  about  Sixty  Leagues  from  thence  and  they 
would  always  be  delivered  in  good  order  to  our  Troops,  as  they 
would  be  drove  thro'  a  fine  Meadow  Country. 

I  likewise  made  it  my  business,  whilst  at  the  Illinois,  as  I  saw 
the  Situation  of  the  Garrison,  to  enquire  of  the  most  considerable 
French  Farmers  there,  what  was  the  reason,  they  discovered  so 
much  backwardness  in  Selling  Provisions  to  us,  when  such  plenty 
could  and  was  raised  in  their  Country.  They  informed  me,  that  it 
was  Occasioned  by  the  pay  they  received,  which  being  either  in 
Bills  upon  England,  or  upon  New  York.  It  was  not  only  very 
inconvenient  to  them  (living  at  such  a  vast  distance  from  any  Sea 
Port  Town)  but  they  were  great  Sufferers  thereby,  as  they  were 
obliged  to  Sell  them,  to  a  Loss  of  fifty  and  Sixty  Per  Cent, 
to  the  Merchants  of  New  Orleans,  from  whom  they  Purchased 
their  Goods. 

The  bad  management  of  the  paper  Currency  of  the  Illinois, 
during  the  French  Time,  and  the  very  general  Discredit  of  English 
Bills,  both  there,  and  in  New  Orleans,  have  fixed  such  an  aversion 
in  the  minds  of  the  French,  that  they  never  will  supply  us  with 
Provisions,  except  they  are  either  paid  on  the  Spot,  in  Cash,  or 
such  Commodities,  as  they  want. 

Upon  the  whole  I  am  clearly  of  opinion,  that  a  Sufficient 
quantity  of  Provisions,  for  five  hundred  Men,  for  twelve  Months, 
may  be  immediately  obtained  there,  Provided,  either  that  Cash, 
was  without  loss  of  time,  sent  to  the  Commanding  Officer  to  pur- 
chase it,  or  some  good  Persons  of  Suitable  property  in  the  Country, 
bought  it  of,  and  paid  the  French  Farmers  for  it,  and  by  which 
means,  I  think  the  Troops  may  be  certainly  furnished,  at  about 
Twelve  pence  Sterling  per  Ration  on  the  Spot.  With  respect  to 
supplying  Fort  Chartres  from  New  Orleans,  Pensacola  or  Mobile, 


Indian  Affairs,  1766-68  255 

I  am  convinced  it  is  wholly  impracticable,  unless  at  an  immense 
expence  to  the  Crown. 

From  Fort  Pitt,  it  can  undoubtedly  be  done,  but  there  are 
only  two  Seasons  in  the  year,  that  can  be  depended  on,  for  ex- 
pedition, and  even  then,  the  expence  is  enormous  to  the  Crown  in 
Building  Batteaus,  for  every  new  Supply  and  in  Employing  Men 
to  Navigate  them  (who  will  not  go  except  at  high  wages)  which 
Batteaus  are  an  intire  Loss  to  the  Crown,  as  they  cannot  be 
brought  up  the  Ohio  again,  to  Fort  Pitt.  Indeed,  as  they  are  all 
made  of  Green  Timber,  they  will  not  last  any  time.  If  a  good 
Magazine  of  Provisions  was  immediately  bought  of  the  French, 
I  beg  leave  to  Acquaint  your  Excellency,  that  I  am  persuaded  it 
would  tend  greatly  as  well  to  the  Safety  of  the  Garrison,  as  to  the 
continuance  of  the  present  peaceable  Temper  of  the  Natives :  and 
it  would  Induce  the  French  to  be  Industrious  in  raising  Wheat 
Cattle  &c  for  future  years.  In  short,  it  is  my  opinion,  we  should 
loose  no  time  in  making  it  their  Interest  to  be  our  Friends,  whereby 
we  should  break  their  Connextions  with  the  people  at  New 
Orleans  (which  the  sooner  it  is  done,  will  be  the  better  for  the 
British  Interest)  And  it  would  be  a  means  of  inducing  many  of 
those,  who  have  removed  to  the  Spanish  side,  to  return  to  our's 
with  their  Cattle  &c.  on  the  contrary  If  what  I  have  mentioned, 
is  not  done  speedily,  I  am  convinced  the  few  French,  who  continue 
on  our  side  of  the  Missisipi,  will  drive  over  their  Cattle  &c,  and 
remove  to  the  Spanish  side.  I  have  delivered  my  Sentiments,  with 
great  Openness,  and  Candour  to  your  Excellency.  As  I  am  very 
Confident,  the  good  of  his  Majestys  Service  requires  it.  I  am  Sir, 
Your  Excellency's  most  obed1.  and  most  humble  Servant 

Geo.  Croghan 

To  His  Excellency 

The  Honourable  GENERAL  GAGE  &c 


256  Sir  William  Johnson  Papers 

TO  JOHN  PENN 

Contemporary  Copy1 

Johnson  Hall  /5th.  January  1767  — 
Sir 

I  have  had  the  favour  of  Yours  of  December  last,2  and  You 
may  be  assured  of  my  readiness  in  undertaking  anything  consistent 
with  my  Office  for  your  Family,  and  that  I  shall  if  you  approve 
of  the  Expences  attending  it,  Assemble  the  Indians  and  explain 
the  matter  concerning  the  Line  to  them  in  the  best  manner  pos- 
sible, and  endeavour  to  obtain  their  consent,  which  I  should  not 
think  a  difficult  Task  were  they  more  rational  and  less  suspicious. 

It  is  necessary  for  me  candidly  to  observe  to  you  that  when 
the  plan  for  Indian  Affairs  was  drawn  up  in  London,  it  was  pro- 
posed that  a  Boundary  between  the  Colonies  and  Indians  should 
be  obtained  and  Settled  previous  to  my  receiving  farther  Orders. 
—  At  a  public  Conference  with  the  Confederacy,  I  pointed  out  to 
them  the  Advantages  of  it,  and  obtained  their  consent  to  a  very 
commodious  one  for  the  Colonists  whenever  it  should  be  finally 
settled;  which  there  was  reason  to  expect  would  soon  have 
happened,  when  they  were  to  have  received  a  very  considerable 
Sum  of  Money,  and  with  this  I  acquainted  the  Ministry,  but  the 
Plan  was  deferr'd,  And  tho'  it  is  again  in  Agitation,  I  have  had 
as  yet  no  Orders  respecting  the  Boundary  in  so  much  that  the 
Indians  grow  Suspicious  on  that  Head,  and  may  be  apt  to  con- 
ceive very  differently  the  meaning  of  the  present  Line  not  being 
able,  or  perhaps  willing  to  comprehend  our  Motives  for  running 
Courses  claimed  but  unpurchased,  Another  thing,  is  that  — 
should  I  send  for  a  few  Chiefs  of  each  Nation  only,  they  would 
according  to  Custom  say  "We  are  not  all  here,  our  Warriors  must 
also  be  consulted,  We  must  therefore  go  to  our  respective  Castles, 


1  In  Archives  of  Maryland,  Hall  of  Records,  Annapolis.  It  was  sent 
by  Governor  John  Penn  to  Governor  Horatio  Sharpe,  of  Maryland.  Copy 
in  New  York  State  Library,  in  Johnson  manuscripts  (Johnson  Calendar, 
p.  34 1 ) ,  was  destroyed  by  fire. 

2  Not  found. 


Indian  Affairs,  1766-68  257 

assemble  them  all,  and  consider  on  it",  by  which  too  much  time 
would  be  lost,  and  perhaps  nothing  done,  so  that  it  is  absolutely 
necessary  for  me  to  call  together  all  the  Sachims  and  Chief 
Warriors  at  least,  of  every  Nation  from  the  Upper  Senecas  to 
this,  which  will  take  some  time,  but  however  may  be  effected  so 
as  to  finish  in  about  two  Months,  but  as  You  and  the  Commis- 
sioners have  justly  observed  that  this  will,  be  attended  with  some 
expence,  it  is  necessary  for  me  to  inform  you,  that  being  well 
accustomed  to  Matters  of  this  Nature,  they  cannot  be  Assembled 
at  this  Season  nor  any  point  carried  with  them  for  less  than  £  500 
Currency  in  provisions  and  Gratuitys  at  a  moderate  Computation, 
Altho,  to  lessen  the  Charges  and  oblige  the  Proprietors,  I  shall 
gladly  go  fifty  Miles  to  meet  them.  — 

As  you  might  not  be  Justly  able  to  Judge  of  the  Amount  of 
such  an  Undertaking,  and  might  possibly  have  thought  it  could  be 
effected  at  a  more  reasonable  rate,  I  have  made  the  lowest  Calcu- 
lation ever  I  believe  estimated  on  such  an  Occasion.  If  you  think 
the  two  Provinces,  will  incurr  this  Charge,  I  shall  immediately  on 
Receipt  of  your  Answer  dispatch  proper  Messengers  to  all  the 
Six  Nations,  and  flatter  myself  with  being  able  to  accomplish 
Your  Request,  altho  it  will,  not  be  an  easy  Matter  I  am  certain 
at  this  time.  — 

I  shall  expect  the  favour  of  hearing  from  you  on  this  Subject 
as  soon  as  Convenient,  that  I  may  regulate  myself  accordingly 
before  the  Indians  go  on  their  Hunt.  — 

In  the  mean  time,  I  am  with  perfect  Esteem 

Sir,  Your  most  Obedient 
and  very  humble  Servant 

W.  Johnson 
The  Honble.  LT.  Governor  Penn. 


258  Sir  William  Johnson  Papers 

JOURNAL  OF  INDIAN  AFFAIRS 

Contemporary  Copy1 

[Johnson  Hall,  Jan.  2-22,  1767] 
Johnson  Hall  Janry  2d.  — 

On  this  day  a  number  of  Nanticokes,  two  Onondaga  Chiefs, 
and  sundry  other  Indians  arrived  here,  and  desired  a  Meeting 
with  Sir  William,  —  being  all  met  Seneca  George  their  Speaker 
performed  the  usual  Ceremony  with  three  Strings  of  Wampum  — 
then  spoke  on  behalf  of  the  Nanticoks,  requesting  that  Sir  Wm. 
wou'd  look  into  the  affair  of  their  Land  in  Dorset  County  in 
Maryland,  and  see  Justice  done  them  therein  that  is  to  say  —  as 
they  were  desirous  of  removing  some  of  their  People  yet  remaining 
there,  that  they  shou'd  not  be  defrauded  of  their  Land,  but  be 
paid  a  reasonable  Consideration  for  the  same  —  It  is  about  3  M. 
acres  as  the  white  People  tell  them,  particularly  Mr.  Edw  Loyd2 
who  takes  care  of  it  for  them  — 

Gave  a  Belt  of  8  Rows.  — 
—  then  proceeded 
Brother  — 

We  are  very  poor,  and  the  weather  is  very  severe  which  has 
occasioned  us  to  suffer  greatly,  our  Cloths  being  very  bad,  and 
our  Arms,  and  Axes  are  much  out  of  repair,  as  we  have  no  one 
else  to  apply  to  but  you,  we  hope  you  will  take  Pity  of  our  present 
Situation,  and  order  us  some  Clothing,  and  give  directions  that  our 
Arms,  and  Axes  be  mended,  as  without  them  we  cannot  travel  at 
this  Season  — 

A  Belt.  — 
Brother  — 

I  now  deliver  you  the  words  of  the  Delawares  living  about  us 
who  request  most  earnestly  that  you  will  allow  them  a  Pass  to  go, 
and  fetch  such  of  their  People  as  are  still  among  the  White  People 
in  the  Jerseys  so  that  they  may  all  settle  together  on  the  Six 
Nation  lands,  and  be  out  of  trouble,  and  danger  from  the  White 


1  In  Canadian  Archives,  Indian  Records,  Vol.  7. 

2  Edward  Lloyd,  a  member  of  the  Maryland  council. 


Indian  Affairs,   1766-68  259 

People  who,  having  got  all  their  lands,  and  by  them  means  become 
rich,  are  now  very  cross  to  them  &  forget  their  former  Obliga- 
tions. — 

A  Bunch  of  Wampum 

Having  finished  Sir  Wm.  in  answer  told  them  he  wou'd  write 
to  Goverrs.  of  Maryland  and  Jerseys  concerning  their  lands  yet 
unsold  &c  in  their  Governments,  and  also  give  them  a  Pass  when 
going  for  their  People  —  Gave  them  Ammunition,  and  some 
money  to  defray  their  expences  home,  and  orders  to  have  their 
Arms,  &  Axes  repaired,  then  concluded  with  advising  those  who 
were  to  go  for  their  People  to  behave  discreetly  on  their  Journey 
thro'  the  sev1.  Inhabitants  &c  — 

Jany.  1 5th.  —  Sir  William  sent  three  strings  of  Wampum  to  the 
Mohawk  Chiefs  desiring  their  attendance  the  Sunday  following 
being  the  1 8th.  —  in  order  to  remind  them  of  their  promise  con- 
cerning the  land  lying  between  Kayadarosseras,  and  Sacondaga 
Patents  —  this  message,  and  String  was  delivered  to  two  young 
men  from  Scohare  going  that  way.  — 

1 6th.  —  On  this  day  two  Oughquago  chiefs  came  here  to  acquaint 
Sir  Wm.  that  John  Harper  of  Cherry  valley  had  been  at  their 
Settlement  in  order  to  prevail  upon  them  to  sell  him  a  Tract  of 
land  between  the  Susquehanna,  &  Delaware  Rivers  of  ten  Miles 
Square  —  that  on  their  asking  him  whether  he  was  able  to  pay  for 
so  large  a  tract,  he  answered  that  it  was  not  for  himself,  but  for 
some  People  at  New  York  who  had  employed  him  on  that 
head  — 

Sir  Wm.  answered  by  telling  them  the  manner  in  which  Pur- 
chases were  to  be  now  made,  by  which  Caution  no  fraud  coud  be 
committed;  and  as  the  manner  in  which  Harper  had  applied  was 
wrong,  he  advised  them  not  to  make  any  bargain  with  him,  but  in 
the  Presence  of  the  Governor,  —  or  to  call  him  to  the  first  general 
meeting  which  might  be  held  here,  and  that  then  he  shou'd  judge 
whether  he  intended  to  act  uprightly,  or  not.  to  which  they 
agreed. — 

18th. — The  Sachims  of  the  lower  Mohawks  agreeable  to  a 
Summons  they  had  reed,  and  being  entered  the  Council  room 


260  Sir  William  Johnson  Papers 

Abraham  their  Speaker  returned  Sir  Wm's.  Belt  of  Invitation, 
adding  that  they  were  then  ready  to  hear  what  he  had  to  say  — 
Sir  Wm.  began  with  acquainting  them  of  what  Lord  Shel- 
burne  Secy,   of  State  had  lately  wrote  to  him  concerning  the 
measures  intended  to  be  taken  to  prevent  Frauds,  and  Abuses  in 
trade,  or  any  illegal  methods  by  the  Inhabitants  for  the  future, 
and  of  the  King's  determined  Resolution  to  have  Justice  done  to 
such  of  them  as  were  injured  —  then  acquainted  them  wth.  the 
news  he  recd.  from  Mr.  Croghan  at  the  Illenois  —  Lastly  desired 
to  know  from  them  whether  any  application  had  been  made  to 
them  for  the  purchase  of  the  vacant  Lands  lying  between  Kay- 
adorosseras,  and  the  Sacondaga  Patent.  To  which  they  answered, 
that  to  their  knowledge,  there  never  had  been  any  made  until  they 
were  spoke  to  on  that  head  by  Sir  Wm.  last  Summer  on  behalf 
of  some  Gentn.   at  N.   York.  —  On  being  asked  by  Sir  Wm. 
what  they  now  intended  to  do  therein ;  their  answer  was  the  same 
as  was  before  viz1,  that  they  wou'd  not  dispose  of  said  tract,  until 
they  had  Justice  done  to  them  with  regard  to  their  Dispute  with  the 
Patentees  of  Kayadarosseras,  that  whenever  that  happened  they 
wou'd  consider  of  the  Proposal  made  to  them  by  him,  and  said 
that  those  who  applied  first  shoud  have  the  Preference  —  Thus 
ended  the  Meeting  — 

2 1 st.  —  Adam  chief  Sachim  of  Oughquago  arrived  here  with 
another  Chief  named  Peter  on  purpose  to  acquaint  Sir  Wm.  that 
application  had  been  made  to  them  in  Council  from  one  Harper3 
in  Cherry  valley  in  behalf  of  himself  and  a  number  of  People 
living  in  New  England  for  a  tract  of  land  lying  between  Sus- 
quahanna  and  Delaware  Rivers,  and  along  the  banks  of  a  Creek 
by  the  Indians  called  Goehquagey,  —  the  quantity  proposed  by 
the  sd.  Harper  was  25  Miles  Along  sd.  Goehquagey,  and  1 0  Miles 
in  breadth  that  is  5  miles  on  each  side  of  said  Creek  which  the 
Indians  agreed  to  dispose  in  case  Sir  Wm.  approved  of  it.  — 
Harper  offered,  as  they  said,  only  300  Dollars  for  that  quantity, 
they  then  desired  Sir  Wm\  opinion,  and  advice  which  he  gave 

3  John  Harper. 


Indian  Affairs,  1766-68  261 

them  (after  first  acquainting  them  of  the  great  attention  paid  in 
England  to  Indian  affairs  as  lately  signified  to  him  by  the  Secret?, 
of  State)  that  they  shou'd  not  regard  any  Offers  made  them  in  so 
private  a  manner,  being  repugnant  to  his  Majesty's  Proclamation 
of  1  763,  and  done  only  with  a  view  to  deceive  them  —  that  if 
they  were  inclined  to  dispose  of  any  Land,  it  shou'd  be  done 
publickly,  wherefore  he  advised  them  to  defer  doing  anything  in 
the  affair  'till  the  next  general  Meeting  here,  when  those  People 
who  want  to  purchase  may  have  an  opportunity  of  speaking  to 
them  in  public  provided  they  are  authorized  so  to  do,  &  not  other- 
wise. —  They  retd.  many  thanks  for  Sir  Wms.  Advice,  and 
promised  to  follow  it.  —  then  gave  them  a  small  Present,  & 
parted  — 

22d.  —  Thomas  King  with  David  Taquaianout  arrived  here  this 
day  on  the  same  Errand  chiefly  and  had  the  same  advice  from  Sir 
Wm.  which  they  much  approved  of.  —  they  then  described  the 
land  very  particularly  upon  a  sheet  of  Paper  which  they  intended 
to  dispose  of  for  a  valuable  Consideration.  —  it  is  about  20  Miles 
Square,  or  256000  Acres,  and  above  the  half  of  it  good  Land, 
as  they  say.  —  Sir  Wm.  told  them  that  as  Harper  &c  were  very 
poor,  and  not  able  to  make  such  a  Purchase  (he  wou'd)  as  they 
were  desirous  of  selling  it,  write  to  some  Gentlemen  about  it,  who 
wanted  to  make  such  a  Purchase,  and  on  hearing  from  them,  woud 
let  their  Nation  know  what  answer  he  had  received.  —  this  they 
approved  of,  and  parted,  requesting  that  he  wou'd  See  them  fairly 
dealt  with,  wch.  he  promised  to  do  —  then  gave  them  some 
Ammunition  &c  — 


262  Sir  William  Johnson  Papers 

TO  GOLDSBROW  BANYAR 

A.L.S.1 

Johnson  Hall  27th.  J  amy.  1767  — 
Dear  Banyar 

I  should  have  acknowledged  the  Recp*.  of  yr.  favour  of  the 
8th.  Ult°.2  Sooner,  but  was  for  some  part  of  ye.  time  troubled 
with  my  Disorder,  at  other  times  so  crowded  wth.  Business  that  I 
was  not  able  to  advert  to,  or  consider  yr.  proposal.  — 

Your  few  lines  of  the  1 2th.  Ins1.3  with  the  enclosures  Came  but 
Yesterday  to  hand,  the  Posts  having  come  verry  Irregularly  for 
some  time  past.  — 

If  Major  Edward  Clarke  or  any  of  the  Family  had  all  these 
Lotts  which  are  marked  with  His  Name  in  the  Survey  which  I 
have  by  me,  I  should  be  induced  to  give  more  for  the  Land  than  I 
can  now  do,  as  some  of  them  wh.  are  disposed  of  Join  my  Land, 
and  are  good  Lotts.  Would  you  not  dispose  of  the  following  Lotts 
at  the  Same  price  Viz'.  [Lotts]  N°.1  — 9  &  84  Conte.  1250 
Acres  ?  if  you  will,  let  me  know  it  as  soon  as  convenient.  — 

I  have  Settled  a  Couple  of  Familys  on  part  of  my  Land  at 
Sacondaga  called  Northampton,  and  as  Mr.  Clarke  has  a  part  of 
Sd.  Patent,  I  should  be  glad  to  know  on  w'.  terms  he  will  Settle  it. 
having  made  no  Agreement  with  my  Settlers,  until  I  know  how  the 
other  Partners  will  give  out  theirs.  &  as  Mr.  Watts4  has  also  a 
Share  therein,  I  would  be  glad  you  would  speak  to  him  on  yr.  Sub- 
ject, and  Soon,  As  there  may  more  People  apply  shortly.  — 

You  may  at  all  times  be  assured  of  my  readiness  to  Serve  You 
in  any  thing  I  can  with  propriety  do.  Some  Gentlemen  of  my  Ac- 
quaintance at  New  York  wrote  me  last  Summer  concerning  Some 
Land  they  Judged  Vacant  between  the  Kayadarusseras  and  Sac- 
ondaga Patents,  and  requested  I  would  mention  their  desire  of 
purchasing  the  Same  to  the  Inds.,  wh.  I  did,  &  acquainted  them 
wth.  the  Indians  Answer.  wh.  was,  that  they  could  not  think  of  dis- 


1  In  New  York  Historical  Society,  Banyar  Papers. 

2  Destroyed.   See  Johnson  Calendar,  p.  337. 

3  Destroyed.    See  Johnson  Calendar,  p.  340. 

4  John  Watts. 


Indian  Affairs,   1766-68  263 

posing  of  any  of  Said  Lands  until  Justice  was  done  them  w,h. 
regard  to  Kayadarusseras  Patent,  when  that  happened,  they  as- 
sured me  that  them  Gentlemen  should  have  the  preference.  — 

On  reading  yr.  Letter  I  recollect  that  when  the  Govr.  was  here, 
and  in  the  height  of  hurry  that  Cap'.  John  Glen  spoke  to  me  about 
his  having  thoughts  of  making  a  purchase  of  Some  Lands  adjoin- 
ing Kayadarusseras,  &  asked  whether  I  had  any  objection.  I  told 
him  I  could  have  none,  as  I  did  not  doubt  but  it  would  be  pur- 
chased in  an  open  &  fair  Manner,  &  added  the  Answer  wh.  the 
Indians  gave  me  on  making  application  for  ye.  York  Gentlemen, 
but  I  did  not  then  imagine  that  it  was  the  Same  Tract  wh.  they  ap- 
plied for.  Indeed  it  is  a  Doubt  with  me  whether  there  is  any  con- 
siderable Vacancy  on  the  Westerly  Side  of  Kayadarusseras  &  if 
there  is,  I  fancy  'twill  be  found  in  General  verry  ordinary.  — 

Be  so  good  as  to  Send  me  a  Copy  of  the  Bounds  of  the  Great, 
or  Hardenberghs  Patent  as  soon  as  Convenient,  pray  tell  the 
Printer  to  Send  me  the  Acts  passed  the  last  Sessions.  pardon 
My  giving  You  so  much  Trouble,  and  believe  me  Dr.  Sir 

Your   Sincere  Welwisher 
&  faithfull  freind 

Golds  Borrow  Banyar  Esq'-.  —  W  J0HNS0N 

PS.  praj'  let  me  know  if  any  opposition  was  made  by  ye. 
Council  to  ye.  Sevr1.  purchases  made  here  by  the  Governour  of 
Lands.  — 

INDORSED : 

27  January  1  767 


From  Sir  Wm.  Johnson  — 
Answered  1  7  March5  —  &  offered 
him  Major  Clarkes  6  Lotts 
No.  1,9,84  — 29,  43&66 
for  8s.  Acre.       2000  Acres 
in  all.  — 


5  Post  p.  283. 


264 


Sir  William  Johnson  Papers 


ACCOUNT  OF  GEORGE  CROGHAN 


Copy1 

Copy. 

The  Crown  to  George  Croghan 
Deputy  Agent  for  Indian 
Affairs  to  Sir  Wm.  Johnson,  for 
Sundry  Expences  accrued  in 
my  Journey  last  Summer  to  the 
Ilinois. 


[February  22,  1767]' 


D'. 


To  Baynton  Wharton  & 
Morgan's  Account  for  paying 
Sundry  Indians  for  Sundry 
Services  &ca,  as  per  particulars 
inserted  in  Accompt  N°.  1 

To  Ditto's  Account  for  Presents 

as    per Acco*.    N°. 

To  Ditto for  D° 

To    Alexr.    Maisonville    for    his 

Acco1.  paid  by  me 
To   Morris  Vodre's  Account   as 

Indian  Interpreter 
To  Raphael  Beauvais  for  Sundry 

Provisions  furnished  during  the 

General  Conference  at  Kaskes- 

kias  &  F  Chartres 
To  Mr.  La  Dernetis  for  Tobacco 
To  Baynton  Wharton  &  Morgan's 

Account  for  Goods 


2 
3 

4 


8 


508        8 


2821 
440 

144 

69 

348 

102 
211 


12 

16 
12 


8 
10 


1  Printed  in  Illinois  Historical  Collections,  11:511;  original  in  the 
New  York  State  Library  was  destroyed  by  fire. 

2  The  manuscript  was  marked,  by  a  later  hand:  "1767  Feb."  From  its 
listing  in  the  Johnson  Calendar,  p.  346,  between  letters  of  Croghan  dated 
Feb.  22  and  Feb.  23,  the  probable  date  is  given  here. 


Indian  Affairs,  1766-68                            265 

To  Raphael  Beauvais  Account  9            52        16 

To  Simon  Girty's  Account  10            86          5          3 

To  Myer  Myers  Account  for  20 

Silver  Medals  11             39        19        10«/2 
To  Henry  and  Bensted's  Acco1. 

for  441  Gallons  Rum  12          235          4 


—  £4520       12         3|/2 
To  which  Add  his  Drafts  paid  for  Indian  Presents. 

To    Baynton    Wharton    & 
Morgan  2570 

To  Edmund  Milne   803       4 

To  W».  Gallagher  514      13     4 


3887       1 7 


£8408        9        iy2 


FROM  GEORGE  CROGHAN 

Copy1 

Philh  Feby.  23d.  1767 
Dear  Sir 

The  Inclosd.  Leter  Contains  the  Several  Caueses  of  My  Discont 
In  the  Sarvies  and  the  Acount  the  Loses  I  have  Suffer'd,  all  which 
I  Submitt  to  your  honour,  and  if  you  are  of  opinion  that  I  have  No 
Right  to  Expect  any  Restitusion  fer  My  Loses  &  Extrordinary 
Expence  I  Shall  Neaver  Menshon  them  More  tho  I  will  produse 
to  you  the  vouchers  fer  the  whole  Indeed  the  two  first  artickles  of 
the  Acount  I  had  Long  Given  over  any  Expectacons  of  and  only 
Menshond.  hear  to  Shoe  you  the  whole  that  I  am  out  of  pocket 
the  Ginerals2  Conduct  Respecting  my  Memorial  I  blive  you  will 


1  Printed  in  Illinois  Historical  Collections,  1  1  :5  1  3-1 4 ;  original  in  New 
York  State  Library  was  destroyed  by  fire. 

2  General  Thomas  Gage. 


266  Sir   William  Johnson  Papers 

Say  is  very  Extrordnary,  he  Did  Nott  Trate  Lif\  Freser3  in  that 
Maner  fer  on  his  Return  he  paid  him  all  his  Expences  and  Made, 
him  a  present  of  Six  Hundred  Pounds,  Butt  its  to  be  Considred 
that  he  is  a  Gentleman  of  the  army  and  Not  an  Indian  agent  on 
your  Honours  Perrusing  the  Leter  and  Acount  you  will  plese  to 
Strike  out  any  part  of  itt  or  the  whole  if  you  think  I  Should  Nott 
be  paid  and  Write  the  Gineral  what  you  think  proper  on  the 
Subject  I  am  prity  Sencable  that  what  Ever  part  of  this  Acount 
your  Honour  will  think  proper  I  Should  be  paid  of  itt  &  Recom- 
mend to  Gineral  Gage  to  pay  that  he  will  Do  itt. 

as  to  any  promises  he  May  Make  of  Sending  itt  home  I  Can 
place  No  Confidence  in  them  from  his  past  Tratem1.  To  Me  and 
I  Shall  Esteem  itt  as  a  Great  feaver  if  your  Honour  will  Write  to 
him  on  this  Subject. 

I  will  Sett  out  as  Soon  as  I  am  able  to  Ride  to  Wate  on  you  & 
Take  My  Journal  with  Me. 

Plese  to  present  My  Complemts.  to  Cap*.  Johnson4  Cap*. 
Clause5  and  the  Ladys  and  Good  famely  att  Johnson  Hall  & 
Blive  Me  with  the  Greatest  Respect  yr.  Honours 

Most  obeident  and  Most  Humble  Servant. 

Geo:  Croghan 
To  the  Honb!e.  Sir  William  Johnson  Ban-'. 

PS :  I  have  had  Cap1.  Mccloud°  and  his  Dear  Little  Helen  of 
of  Greece  hear  this  three  Weeks  past  they  go  home  In  two  Days 
and  after  a  Litle  Rest  Proceeds  to  Johnson  Hall  Whare  Me  Lady 
I  Supose  will  Spend  the  Sumer  Either  with  yr.  honour  or  Cap*. 
Guy  Johnson  who  She  Spakes  in  Raptuers  of. 

INDORSED : 

Philadelphia,  23d.  Feb'y.  1  767 
George  Croghan  Esqrs. 
Letter  with  enclosures. 


3  Lieutenant  Alexander  Fraser. 

4  Captain  Guy  Johnson. 

5  Captain  Daniel  Claus. 

6  Captain  Normand  MacLeod. 


Indian  Affairs,   1766-68  267 

FROM  ROBERT  LEAKE 
CopX)X 

New  York,  23d.  Febry.  1767 
Hond.  Sir 

By  a  Letter  from  Lieut  Aylmer  (Commanding  at  Fort  Stan- 
wix)  to  Colonel  Maitland3  I  find  that  he  thought  proper  to  pay 
no  regard  to  my  Orders  to  the  Issue  of  Provisions  there,  to  deliver 
the  quantities  of  Pork  and  Flour  to  your  Orders  whenever  you 
should  please  to  send  for  the  same,  without  he  had  orders  from  the 
Commander  in  Chief.  If  it  has  caused  a  Disappointment  to  you  or 
brought  on  a  needless  Expence  to  the  Crown,  It  cannot  be  laid 
at  my  door,  as  I  ever  act  by  the  Orders  of  the  Commander  in 
Chief,  who  has  more  than  once  told  me  that  he  had  caused  general 
Orders  to  be  sent  to  all  the  Out  Posts  that  my  Orders  relative  to 
Provisions  are  to  be  obeyed  —  I  find  also  from  a  Return  he  sent, 
that  there  was  only  3  4  J/2  Barrels  of  Pork  in  Store  on  the  24th. 
January;  nevertheless  he  might  have  regulated  the  Demand  of 
that  Specie  but  that  was  not  his  intent  if  there  had  been  double 
the  Quantity  in  Store.  —  Colonel  Maitland  has  wrote  him  that  my 
Orders  are  to  be  obeyed,  I  have  therefore  again  wrote  to  the  Issuer 
there  to  deliver  only  Twelve  Barrels  of  Pork  and  the  full  Quantity 
of  Flour  before  Ordered,  whenever  you  should  please  to  send  for 
the  same.  —  how  the  Garrison  consisting  of  1  7  Men  could  use  1 6 
Barrels  of  Pork  in  less  than  5  Months  is  unaccountable  to  me  — 
I  know  this,  that  the  Service  suffers  greatly  from  ignorance  and 
incapacity  of  the  Serjeants  employed  by  Order  from  Home  &ca. 
as  well  as  from  the  arrogant  dispositions  of  some  of  the  Command- 
ing Officers.  I  am  &c  &c 


Robt.  Leake 


Honble.  Sir  Wm.  Johnson 


1  In    Oneida    Historical    Society,    Utica,    N.    Y.     The    original    was 
destroyed  by  fire. 

2  Lieutenant  Richard  Aylmer  of  the  1  7th  regiment. 

3  Richard  Maitland,  Deputy  Adjutant  General. 


268  Sir  William  Johnson  Papers 

INSTRUCTIONS  FOR  GUY  JOHNSON 
Contemporary  Copy1 

[Johnson  Hall,  February  24,  1767.] 

Instructions  for  Guy  Johnson  Esqr.  Deputy  Agent  for  Indian 
Affairs.  —  By  the  HonbIe.  Sir  William  Johnson  Bar1.  Superin- 
tend1. &c  &c  &c  — 

Whereas  on  Complaint  made  by  the  Wappinger  Indians2  con- 
cerning their  Lands  in  this  Province  the  Lords  of  Trade  after 
remarking  the  Frauds  which  have  usually  attended  Purchases 
made  from  the  Indians  &c  did  report  it  as  their  Opinion  that  there 
is  foundation  for  farther  Examination  into  the  State  of  the  Facts, 
and  Proceedings  upon  which  their  Complaint  is  grounded,  in 
consequence  of  which  I  am  by  letter  from  Lord  Shelbume  one  of 
his  Majestys  principal  Secretaries  of  State  to  take  every  measure 
that  lies  in  my  power  towards  procuring  them  such  a  Satisfaction 
as  the  nature  of  the  thing  will  admit  of,  and  afford  them  in  general 
the  benefit  of  my  Countenance  and  Protection  —  And  Whereas  I 
have  received  Notice  that  in  consequence  thereof  the  5th.  day  of 
March  next  is  appointed  for  hearing  the  same  before  his  Ex- 
cellency the  Governor,  and  Council  at  which  time  it  will  be 
impossible  for  me  to  attend  in  Person  from  my  present  bad  state 
of  health.  —  You  are  therefore  to  proceed  fortwith  to  New  York 
where  you  are  to  wait  upon  his  Excellency  the  Governor,  and 
produce  this  your  Authority  for  attending  these  Hearing  as  my 
Deputy  in  this  District,  and  in  that  Character  for  taking  such 
Steps  as  are  just,  and  necessary  for  effectually  obeying  his 
Majesty's  Commands.  —  You  are  then  to  notify  the  Occasion 
of  your  arrival  to  the  Indians,  and  their  Council  with  assurances 
of  all  the  Countenance,  and  Protection  which  they  shall  appear  to 
deserve  from  the  Department  of  Indian  Affairs.  —  You  are  to 
inform  yourself  of  the  sev1.  Proofs  &c  which  are  intended  to  be 
produced  in  Support  of  their  Complaints,  and  to  confer  with  his 
Majestys  Attorney  General  or  any  other  Council  on  that  head 


1  In  Canadian  Archives,  Indian  Records,  Vol.  7. 

2  See  Petition  of  Wappinger  Indians,  ante  pp.  97-98. 


Indian  Affairs,  1766-68  269 

whom  you  are  to  retain  if  you  think  it  necessary  on  that  head,  — 
And  during  the  Hearing  thereof,  you  are  to  make  such  Remarks, 
and  proceed  in  the  manner  the  most  consistant  with  my  Orders 
from  his  Majesty  on  that  head,  cautioning  the  Indians  in  case  the 
Isue  shou'd  prove  unfavorable  to  them  against  creating  any 
Disturbance,  or  Circulating  Reports  thereof  among  the  Interior 
Nations,  but  to  wait  patiently  until  his  Majesty's  Pleasure  is 
further  known  in  the  Premisses.  —  You  are  after  the  Hearing  to 
apply  to  his  Excellc)\  the  Governor  for  an  attested  Copy  of  the 
Proceedings,  and  to  offer  to  him  such  Remarks  thereon  as  the 
nature  of  the  Case,  and  your  duty  requires.  And  You  are  to 
take  such  other  Steps  as  shall  appear  needful,  for  the  better,  and 
more  fully  obeying  his  Majesty's  Commands,  and  fullfilling  his 
Royal  pleasure  from  time  to  time  signified  to  me  on  Subjects  of 
the  like  nature.  And  lastly  You  are  after  the  Hearing,  on  Receipt 
of  a  Copy  of  the  Proceedings,  to  return  to  this  Place  without 
further  Delay.  — 

Given  under  my  Hand  at  Johnson  Hall  the  24th. 

day  of  February  1  767.  — 


JOURNAL  OF  INDIAN  AFFAIRS 

Contemporary  Copy1 

[Johnson  Hall,  Feb.  9-25,  1767] 

Febry.  9th.  —  On  this  day  Paulus,  Thomas,  Philip  &  Teiahare 
arrived  here  from  Conojahare  with  a  Message  from  their  Sachims 
to  Sir  Wm.  desiring  that  he  wou'd  write  to  Mr.  Hardwick2  the 
minister,  and  appoint  a  day  and  Place  for  their  meeting  him  in 
order  to  settle  a  dispute  long  subsisting  between  them  &  him  con- 
cerning a  tract  of  land  which  said  Hardwick  purchased  of  their 
Nation  several  years  ago,  and  wch.  they  alledged  they  never  were 


1  In  Canadian  Archives,  Indian  Records,  Vol.  7. 

2  The  Reverend  John  Christopher  Hartwick. 


270  Sir   William  Johnson  Papers 

paid  for  —  Sir  Wm.  told  them  that  he  wou'd  write  to  Mr.  Hard- 
wick  the  next  day  concerning  the  matter  by  some  Gentlemen  then 
going  to  Albany,  and  on  his  arrival  here,  wou'd  appoint  a  time, 
and  Place  for  their  Meeting.  — 

Feb?.  1  1 ,h.  —  On  this  day,  Isaac  chief  of  Oughquaga  wth.  others 
of  that  Nation  addressed  Sr.  Wm.  as  follows  — 
Brother  — 

About  three  Years  ago,  you  gave  me  this  Paper  with  your 
hand,  and  seal  to  it,  and  then  desired  that  whenever  any  of  our 
People  were  sent  upon  business  to  you  by  the  whole  of  our  nation, 
in  such  Case  they  shou'd  have  the  Paper  to  produce,  we  then 
promised  it  shou'd  be  so.  but  we  are  sorry  to  see  that  several  of 
our  People  go  often  without  our  knowledge  to  trouble  you,  — 
at  the  same  time  it  affords  us  pleasure  to  hear  and  find  that  you 
treat  them  all  kindly,  and  it  is  the  surest  way  of  keeping  them 
steadfast  to  your  Interest,  however  to  prevent  as  much  as  possible 
your  being  plagued  for  the  future,  I  am  desired  by  our  whole 
nation  to  beg  of  you  not  to  be  offended  with  us  Chiefs  for  what  is 
past,  and  request  by  this  Belt  of  Wampum  that  you  will  not  look 
upon  any  who  come  without  Paper  as  come  from  us,  or  by  our 
approbation,  —  at  the  same  time  I  wou'd  not  be  understood  to  find 
fault  with  your  taking  Pity,  and  notice  of  them  — 

A  Belt  of  8  Rows.  — 
Brother  — 

With  these  three  Strings  of  Wampum  I  am  to  acquaint  you 
that  last  Fall  on  the  Arrival  of  our  Brethren  of  Tuscarora  from 
Carolina  I  was  rejoiced  in  the  hopes  I  had  of  encreasing  the 
number  of  hearers  of  the  word  of  God,  but  how  great  was  my 
Concern  on  finding  them  averse  to  it,  well  knowing  they  can 
never  be  true,  and  firm  friends  to  us,  or  the  English  whilst  they 
remain  in  the  present  State  —  To  you  therefore,  brother,  I  apply 
for  assistance  in  that  Case,  and  beg  you  will  afford  it  by  admonish- 
ing them  to  hearken  to  the  word  of  God,  and  telling  them  the  great 
benefit  thereof.  — 

3  Strings  of  Wampum.  — 


Indian  Affairs,  1766-68  271 

1 3th.  —  Two  Indians  of  the  Delaware  nation  arrived  here  with 
letters  to  Sir  Wm.  from  the  Judges  who  tryed  Seymor  for  the 
murder  of  the  Oneida  Indian  last  spring  acquainting  him  of  their 
having  tryed  and  Condemned  him,  also  of  his  being  executed  in  the 
Presence  of  the  bearer  named  Abraham.  —  Sir  Wm.  then  sent 
for  Isaac  of  Oughquago  and  his  two  sons  who  were  then  here  to 
hear  the  affair  from  Abraham  the  Indian,  then  gave  him  4  Strings 
of  Wampum  to  send  to,  and  acquaint  the  Indians  of  Oneida,  and 
those  of  Susquahanna  of  the  matter,  which  he  undertook  to  do  so 
soon  as  he  got  home.  — 

4  Strings  — 

1 4  —  Sir  Wm.  sent  a  belt  by  Isaac  of  Ougquago  admonishing  the 
Indians  of  that  nation  to  live  united  and  follow  nothing  but  what 
was  good  in  which  case  he  wou'd  regard  them  as  formerly,  and 
call  them  to  all  Meetings  — 

A  Belt  in  Return  for  theirs  — 

Same  day  sent  by  said  Isaac  3  Strings  of  Wampum  desiring  the 
Tuscaroras  who  he  heard  were  preparing  to  come  here  in  a  body, 
to  wait  until  the  first  meeting  with  the  Six  Nations  to  be  held  here, 
at  wch.  time  he  wou'd  call  them  to  it.  —  Sent  another  String  assur- 
ing Said  Isaac  that  he  would  recommend  it  to  the  Tuscaroras  to 
follow  his  Example,  and  advice  as  to  their  becoming  Christians.  — 
24th.  —  Cap*.  Jacobs  his  brother  Solomon,  and  Hannis  arrived 
here,  and  being  met  Capf.  Jacobs  spoke  to  Sir  William  as 
follows  — 

Father  — 

When  our  People  first  met  the  White  People,  and  entered  into 
Friendship  with  them  they  then  lighted  a  Council  Fire  to  meet  at ; 
we  are  now  agreeable  to  that  Custom  come  here  to  dress  up  that 
Council  Fire,  and  Tree  of  Shelter,  and  Peace  with  these  Strings 
of  Wampum,  wch.  we  now  do  — 

3  Strings  — 


272  Sir  William  Johnson  Papers 

Father  — 

As  we  find  out  since  the  War,  by  a  Deed  shewn  us  by  Col. 
Lidius3  which  he  said  he  obtained  from  our  Uncles,  the  Mohawks 
for  a  large  tract  of  land  above  Fort  Edward  on  the  East  Side  of 
the  River,  that  Encroachments  are  made  upon  our  Rights  by  the 
White  People,  we  wou'd  be  glad  to  have  a  Meeting  with  them  on 
that  head,  and  to  know  the  time,  and  place  they  woud  appoint  for 
that  Purpose.  — 

3  Strings  — 

Father 

We  are  in  great  trouble  with  our  Albany  Friends  (namely  John 
Ranslaer,4  &  John  Bleker5)  who  formerly  regarded  us  whilst  we 
were  men,  and  they  then  were  Children.  now  they  are  by  our 
means  by  Land  trade  &c  become  rich,  and  powerful,  and  are  now 
endeavoring  to  deprive  us  of  what  little  Land  we  have  left.  We 
therefore  come  to  request  that  you,  who  is  appointed  by  the  great 
King  to  Superintend  all  Indian  Affairs  in  this  part  of  America 
will  afford  us  your  Protection,  and  assistance  in  the  affair,  and 
that  you  will  advise  us  what  Steps  to  take  in  this  matter,  this 
is  the  earnest  desire  of  all  our  People  — 

A  Belt  — 

Sir  William  answered  by  returning  them  thanks  for  their  Care 
of  the  Council  Fire,  and  Tree  of  Shelter;  and  assured  them  that 
they,  and  all  good  Indians  shou'd  we  welcome  to  partake  of  the 
benefits  of  both.  — 

3  Strings 

Then,  that  he  wou'd  acquaint  their  Uncles  the  Mohawks  with 
their  business  here,  and  also  their  Request,  and  that  he  wou'd 
desire  them  to  name  a  day  and  place  for  their  meeting  together, 
when  he  wou'd  assist  them  in  the  Settlement  of  their  affairs  — 

3  Strings  — 


3  Colonel  John  Henry  Lydius. 

4  John  Van  Rensselaer. 

5  John  Bleecker. 


Indian  Affairs,  1766-68  273 

Then  told  them  he  was  sorry  to  find  the  People  of  Albany,  or 
any  others  shou'd  prove  so  ungrateful  as  they  had  mentioned,  and 
that  it  might  perhaps  prove  otherwise  when  the  affair  was  strictly 
examined  into,  at  the  same  time  assured  them  of  his  Majesty's 
royal  Resolution  signified  to  him  lately  by  the  Secretary  of  State  to 
protect  them,  and  all  Indians  in  alliance  with  him  in  their  just 
Rights  and  possessions,  also  of  his  own  advice,  and  endeavors  to 
have  Justice  done  them  — 

A  Belt  — 

Sir  William  then  paid  Cap1.  Solomon0  an  account  of  Expences 
that  attended  the  bringing  up  his  Party  to  join  the  army  in  1  764 
for  which  he  was  obliged  to  pass  his  note  for  the  sum  of 
£  8 .  .19.  .6  —  so  ended  — 

Eod  die  a  number  of  Senecas  arrived  here  wth.  Lieu1  Roberts  — 
25th.  Twenty  Tuscaroras  arrived  here  with  Aucus  al  Kanigut  a 
Chief  with  them  who  addressed  Sr.  William  as  follows  on  their 
behalf  — 
Brother  — 

We  return  you  many  thanks  in  bringing  our  People  from 
Carolina,  where  they  lived  but  wretchedly  being  Surrounded  by 
white  People,  and  up  to  their  Lips  in  Rum,  so  that  they  cou'd 
not  turn  their  heads  anyway  but  it  ran  into  their  mouths.  this 
made  them  stupid,  so  that  they  neglected  Hunting,  Planting  &c. 
—  We  are  since  our  arrival  at  Oughquago  last  Fall,  become 
wiser,  and  see  our  former  folly,  and  beg  of  you  to  prevail  upon 
the  Six  Nations  to  allow  us  to  remain  where  we  now  are,  fearing 
that  if  we  return  we  may  fall  into  the  same  Error  again,  as  we 
understand  they  have  Liquor  in  plenty  among  them.  —  We  also 
request  you  wou'd  give  us  some  medicine  to  cure  us  of  our  fond- 
ness for  that  destructive  liquor. 

2  large  Belts  tied  together. 
Brother  — 

Although  we  have  lived  at  a  considerable  Distance  from  you, 
which  we  have  found  by  travelling  it,  yet  your  Name,  and  Words 


6  Captain  Solomon,  chief  of  the  Stockbridge  Indians. 


274  Sir  William  Johnson  Papers 

reached  us,  as  though  you  was  but  close  by,  and  we  always  paid 
the  greatest  regard  to  your  Orders,  and  advice,  for  Instance  when 
you  desired  us  to  leave  off  going  to  War  agl.  the  Catawbas,  we 
obeyed.  —  we  complied  also  with  your  desire  of  our  Joining  the 
Army  to  the  Westward,  and  lost  sev1.  of  our  young  Men  in  the 
Service.  —  As  all  is  now  your  own,  and  that  as  Peace  is  spread 
all  over  the  land,  we  have  nothing  now  to  do  but  to  hunt,  and 
plant  for  the  Support  of  our  Families,  in  Order  to  do  this,  we 
must  request  of  you  brother  to  help  us  with  working  Utensils,  and 
Provisions  until  we  can  raise  some  of  our  own,  otherwise  we  must 
all  suffer,  having  nothing  left  us  after  our  long  Journey.  — 

Kanigut  now  speaks  for  himself  — 
Brother  &  Friend  — 

You  know  I  have  from  my  first  acquaintance  with  you  always 
accompanied  you  agf.  the  Enemy,  and  we  were  always  successfull, 
I  have  really  the  greatest  regard  for  you,  and  this  has  created  me 
enemies  among  my  own  People,  and  they  carry  their  Jealousy  so 
far  as  to  endanger  my  life  often,  particularly  when  they  get  drunk, 
so  that  I  beg  you  will  interpose,  and  tell  me  whether  my  Intentions 
are  right,  or  not  —  viz1,  to  give  up  all  business  as  a  Chief,  or 
Councillor,  and  not  to  meddle  with  any  Council  business,  or  to 
quit  drinking,  or  both.  I  request  yr.  Advice  in  this  affair,  as  it 
concerns  me  much.  — 

3  Strings  — 

Sir  Wm.  answered  the  Tuscaroras  as  follows  —  viz*.  — 
Breth".  of  the  Tuscarora  Nation  — 

I  bid  you  welcome  to  my  house,  where  the  Council  Fire  of  all 
the  Indians  in  amity  with  his  Britannic  Majesty  in  the  Northern 
Parts  of  America  burns  clearly.  I  am  glad  you  are  so  sensible  of 
your  former  folly,  and  of  the  happy  Change  you  have  made  by 
coming  to  these  parts,  and  as  the  encrease  and  continuance  of  your 
happiness  will  depend  upon  your  upright,  and  prudent  Conduct  in 
life.  I  must  strongly  recommend  it  to  you  to  be  industrious,  sober, 
and  honest  in  all  your  Dealings,  it  being  the  surest  way  to  gain  the 
esteem,  and  affection  of  your  Brethren  the  English.  — 


Indian  Affairs,   1766-68  275 

The  best  Medicine  I  can  think  of  to  prevent  your  falling  into 
your  former  Vice  of  drinking,  is  to  embrace  Christianity,  and 
follow  the  example  of  your  friends  the  Chiefs  of  Onooghquago, 
who  assured  me  of  their  desire,  and  readiness  to  instruct  you  in 
the  Principles  of  Morality,  if  you  do  that  it  will  tend  not  only  to 
your  present,  but  future  Happiness  which  shou'd  be  consulted 
above  all  things  —  All  this  I  conjure  you  to  observe.  — 

A  Belt.  — 

Brethren  — 

It  pleases  me  to  find  (although  at  such  a  Distance)  that  you 

have  been  observant  of  my  directions,  continue  allways  to  be  so, 

and  you  will  reap  many  advantages  from  it.  —  As  his  Majesty 

has  conquered  his  Enemy  in  this  Country,  and  thereby  restored 

Peace  to  it,  and  is  desirous  of  continuing  it,  I  must  exhort  you  to 

leave  off  all  thoughts  of  war  against  those  Indians  in  alliance  with, 

and  under  the  protection  of  his  Majesty,  and  so  unjustly  carried 

on  by  you,  and  the  Six  Nations,  and  to  turn  your  thoughts  entirely 

to  hunting,  planting,  and  trade,  by  which  you  will  live  much 

happier  than  heretofore,  —  and  as  I  am  sensible  that  your  present 

situation  must  be  distressful,  I  will  assist  you  with  some  Provisions 

&  Implements  of  Husbandry  in  order  to  relieve  your  present 

Wants,  and  enable  you  for  the  time  to  come  to  live  without  being 

a  Charge  to  the  Crown,  or  Government,  for  which  I  expect  you 

will  retain  a  grateful  sense  by  your  Attachment  and  Fidelity  to 

his  Majesty.  —  By  this  Belt  I  open  the  Road  to  you,  and  I  expect 

ycu  will  make  a  proper  use  of  it,  and  shou'd  the  rest  of  your 

nation  chose  at  any  time  to  remove  from  where  they  now  are  to 

these  Parts,  I  will  upon  your  application,  give  a  Pass  for  that 

Purpose. 

A  Belt  with  a  Road.  — 

Brother  Kanigut  — 

I  have  heard  yesterday  the  State  of  your  Case  which  is  very 
singular.  It  gives  me  no  small  Concern  or  Surprize  to  hear  that 
there  are  any  of  the  Six  Nations,  or  of  your  own  Tribe  so  void  of 
Sense  &  gratitude  to  the  best  of  Kings  as  to  take  umbrage  at  your 
Fidelity  to  him,  and  liking  to  me.  did  these  People  know  their 


276  Sir  William  Johnson  Papers 

own  Interest  they  woud  and  ought  to  act  on  the  same  Principles 
you  do,  which  I  hope  'ere  long  they  will  do  —  persevere  therefore 
in  doing  every  thing  in  your  power  for  the  good  of  the  whole, 
refrain  from  Liquor  which  is  the  bane  of  all  Men,  who  use  it  to 
excess,  and  then  be  assured  you  will  overcome  the  111  will,  and 
Malice  of  the  wicked,  &  Secure  my  esteem  &  regard  for  you.  — 

3  Strings  — 

To  all  which  they  returned  many  hearty  thanks,  and  assured 
Sir  Wm.  they  wou'd  act  agreeable  to  his  Instructions.  —  then  gave 
them  a  small  Present  —  some  Cash  to  buy  Provisions  along  the 
Road,  and  Ammunition  to  Hunt  with  —  So  parted.  — 


FROM  WILLIAM  ALLEN 
/~l  .JL.O. 

Philad*.  March  K  1767 

Dear  Sir 

The  bearer,  Colonel  Francis,2  being  informed  that  Mr  George 
Croghan,  one  of  your  Deputys,  had,  or  was  about  to  resign,  and 
that  I  had  the  Honor  of  being  numbered  among  your  friends,  has 
requested  that  I  would  mention  him  to  you  as  a  person  fit  and 
capable  to  discharge  that  trust. 

In  pursuance  of  this  desire  of  his,  I  beg  leave  to  recomend 
him  as  the  Son  of  an  old  and  intimate  friend  of  mine,  as  a  Gentle- 
man who  is  esteemed  an  honest  and  brave  man,  and  is  said  to  have 
served  his  Country  with  Reputation  both  in  the  Regular  and 
Provincial  troops,  a  Regiment  of  which  latter  he  commanded 
under  General  Bouquet. 

He  tells  me  that  he  is  not  altogether  unknown  to  you:  If  you 
should  Judge  him  propperly  qualified  for  that  service,  which  I 
really  beleive  him  to  be,  I  should  be  much  oblidged  to  you  for 
your  favor  to  him. 


1  In  New  York  State  Historical  Association,  Cooperstown,  N.  Y. 

2  Lieutenant  Colonel  Turbutt  Francis. 


Indian  Affairs,  1766-68  277 

I  depend  on  your  goodness  to  excuse  this  Freedom  in,  Dear  Sir, 

Your  Very  Affectionate  Friend  & 
Most  devoted  Humble  Servant 

Will:  Allen3 
To  Sir  Wm.  Johnson 

INDORSED:4 

Phildp*.  March  1st.  1767 


Cheif  Justice  A  liens  Letter 

<P  Co1.  Francis  — 
Ansd.  P  D°.  April  1st.— 


3  William  Allen,  chief  justice  of  Pennsylvania,  1  750-1  774. 

4  In  Sir  William's  hand. 


FROM  BAYNTON,  WHARTON  AND  MORGAN 

Copy1 

Philadelphia  March  14lh.  1767. 
Sir 

We  took  the  Liberty  of  writing  to  your  Honor,  on  the  28th  of 
December  last2  —  But  we  are  apprehensive,  as  we  have  not  been 
favored  with  an  answer,  That  our  Letter  miscarried. 

We  then  mentioned,  That  Mr.  Cressap3  of  Maryland  had,  as 
we  were  informed,  —  purchased  of  a  Party  of  six  Nation 
Warriors,  a  large  Tract  of  Land,  situate  down  the  Ohio  and  about 
Green  Briar  &c.  We  judged  it  necessary,  That  your  Honor 
should  be  apprized  of  such  clandestine  and  impolotick  Proceed- 
ings, least  Others  may  follow  the  Example  And  Thereby,  in  de- 
gree, defeat  your  benevolent  Intention,  towards  the  unfortunate 
Indian  Traders;  As  we  are  informed,  part  of  the  very  Land, 


1  Printed  in  Illinois  Historical  Collections,  1  1  :518-19.   Original  in  New 
York  State  Library  was  destroyed  by  fire. 

2  Ante  pp.  234-38. 

3  Michael  Cresap. 


278  Sir   William  Johnson  Papers 

which  Mr.  Cressap,  so  illegaly  bought  —  is  what  you  kindly  in- 
tended, for  the  Indian  Sufferers. 

Mr.  Croghan  has  been  so  good,  as  to  tell  us,  —  That  your 
Honor  has  lately  received  a  Letter  from  the  Earl  of  Shelburn,  ac- 
quainting you,  That  every  Thing  respecting  the  Indian  Depart- 
ment, was  then  under  the  King's  Consideration.  —  May  we  not 
therefore,  as  well  from  the  Equity  as  Policy  of  the  Retribution, 
hope  soon  to  hear  something  agreable? 

We  were  lately,  lucky  enough  to  meet  with  a  pound  or  two, 
of  the  best  plain  Rappee,4  —  Which  a  Freind  imported  for  him- 
self and  spared  us. 

As  it  is  esteemed  very  good  &  none  is  to  be  bought  —  We  pray 
the  Honor  of  your  accepting  it. 

We  are  very  respectfully  Sir  Yr.  much  Obliged  and  most 
Obed'.  Servants. 

Baynton  Wharton  &  Morgan 

The  Honorable  SlR  WlLLIAM  JOHNSON  Bar*. 

PS.  Should  your  Honor  now  want  a  Pipe  or  two  of  Madeira 
—  we  think,  there  are  some  very  excellent  in  Town,  at  about  sixty 
five  Pounds  Pr.  Pipe  R  W  M 

INDORSED : 

Philadelphia  14th.  March  1767 

Letter  from  Messrs.  Baynton  Wharton  &  Morgan 

Ansd.   1st.  April 


FROM  RICHARD  AYLMER 

Copy1 

Fort  Stamvix  March  16th.  1767 
Sir  William 

A  man  arrived  at  this  place  two  days  ago,  who  Informed  me 
that  on  the  1 2th.  at  night  the  Royal  Block  House  Took  fire  &  was 


4  A  pungent  snuff  made  from  the  ranker  tobacco  leaves. 
1  In  Oneida  Historical  Society,  Utica,  N.  Y.    Original  was  destroyed 
by  fire. 


Indian  Affairs,   1766-68  279 

immediately  consumed  to  ashes;  the  fire  (He  said)  first  took  in 
some  of  the  logs  near  the  chimney  by  Its  being  much  worn  away 
—  there  had  been  three  Senecas,  two  Oneidas,  A  frenchman  & 
three  squaws  in  the  house  at  the  time,  who  had  Lost  all  their  packs 
in  the  flames,  by  the  accident  being  so  Unexpected  &  so  very 
furious,  even  their  dogs  were  burnt  —  I  am  thus  particular  to 
prevent  its  being  imagined,  that  it  was  Either  thro'  design  or 
malice,  that  it  happened  —  I  shall  Mention  it  to  Col°.  Bradstreet 
&  to  Head  Quarters  as  above.  My  trip  up  to  this  place  was  not  so 
very  expeditious  As  I  proposed  before  I  left  the  Hall,  but  the 
fatigue  was  almost  insupportable;  the  greatest  comfort  I  have,  is 
a  Skippel  Of  choice  potatoes,  which  are  to  be  used  to  Morrow  in 
honor  of  the  Day.  —  I  shall  set  a  Man  about  making  oars  for  the 
boats,  which  are  to  carry  down  the  provisions  for  the  Indians, 
as  all  the  oars  were  burnt  in  the  blockhouse.  —  Mr.  Leake  (By 
his  Letter  to  the  Issuer  of  provisions  here)  thinks  me  a  Man  of 
Punctilio,  who  would  let  the  Service  suffer,  to  indulge  that  pas- 
sion.2 If  my  abilities  were  equal  to  my  zeal  for  the  service,  its 
probable  I  should  not  be  a  subaltern  at  this  time  of  life;  but  I 
shall  Converse  with  him  on  that  subject,  whenever  I've  an  oppor- 
tunity of  Doing  it  personally,  it  is  not  the  first  time  I've  heard  of 
his  impertinence.  As  a  member  of  S'.  Patricks  Lodge  I  shall 
(without  doubt)    drink  your  Worshipfull's3   health   to-morrow. 

I  am  &c  &c 

RD.  Aylmer4 

Sir  Wm.  Johnson 


2  See  Leake's  letter  to  Sir  William,  Feb.  23,  1  767,  protesting  his  refusal 
to  issue  provisions  as  directed,  anle  p.  267. 

3  Sir  William  was  constituted  Worshipful  Master  of  St.  Patrick's  Lodge 
F.  &  A.  M.  No.  4,  May  23,  1  766.  "Tomorrow,"  of  course,  was  St. 
Patrick's  Day. 

4  Lieutenant  Richard  Aylmer  of  the  1  7th  regiment. 


280  Sir   William  Johnson  Papers 

FROM  BAYNTON,  WHARTON  AND  MORGAN 

Copy1 

Philad*.  March  16th  1767 
Sir 

By  Our  Partner,  Mr.  Morgan,2  who  returned  this  Day  from 
the  Illenois,  we  received  the  within  Draft  of  Mr.  Cole's3  upon 
your  Honor,  for  the  Sum  of  One  Thousand  four  hundred  &  sixty 
Eight  pounds  thirteen  Shillings  &  seven  pence  New  York  Cur- 
rency —  Vouchers  for  which,  are  inclosed  in  the  within  Letter, 
from  Him.  The  great  Length  of  Time,  we  have  been  without  any 
Remittances,  from  our  heavy  &  very  expensive  Adventure  to  the 
Illenois,  constrain  us,  To  implore  your  Honor,  in  the  most  earnest 
manner,  —  To  prevail  on  the  General  to  order  us  immediately 
paid. 

We  hope  your  Goodness  will  pardon  this  Freedom  and  kindly 
attribute  it,  To  its  real  Cause  —  a  very  great  want  of  Money. 

We  are  very  respectfully  Sir  Your  Honors  much  Obliged  And 
most  Ob1.  Servts. 

Baynton  Wharton  &  Morgan 
The  Honorable  Sir  WlLLIAM  Johnson  Bar'. 

INDORSED : 

Philadelp*.  March  16th.  1767 

Letter  from  Messrs.  Baynton  Wharton  &  Morgan 

with  a  Draft  on  me  from  Cornish.  Cole 

at  the  Illinois  for 

£l568  13  7Yt.  Cur^y. 

Ansd.  1 st.  April 


1  Printed  in  Illinois  Historical  Collections,    11:51 9-20 ;  original  in  the 
New  York  State  Library  was  destroyed  by  fire. 

2  George  Morgan. 

3  Lieutenant  Colonel  Edward  Cole,  commissary  at  the  Illinois. 


Indian  Affairs,   1766-68  281 

FROM  HENRY  MOORE 
A.L.S." 

Nen  York  March  17K  1767 

S*. 

I  wrote  to  you  last  Sunday  upon  a  second  application  made  to 
me  by  Mr.  Holland,2  &  I  apprehend  that  Mr.  Fargie3  was  in- 
tended to  be  the  bearer  of  the  letter  so  that  in  all  probality  you 
may  not  receive  it  so  soon  as  if  it  had  been  dispatch'd  by  the  Post ; 
This  will  be  deliverd  to  you  by  Cap1.  Johnson4  to  whom  I  have 
explain'd  my  Sentiments  in  regard  to  this  application  therefore 
shall  not  trouble  you  with  any  thing  farther  on  that  head.  —  Cap1. 
Johnson  takes  with  him  a  minute  of  the  Resolutions  of  the  Council 
on  Nimham's5  Claim,  which  you  will  See  is  very  full,  &  I  believe 
that  the  Persons  concern'd  for  him  were  Satisfy'd  that  upon  the 
hearing  which  lasted  three  days  nothing  was  produc'd  which  could 
shew  the  least  Right  in  the  Indians;  The  Council  will  meet 
again  on  Thursday,  &  I  shall  then  propose  to  them  the  Proclama- 
tion in  regard  to  the  Passes  for  trading  with  the  Indians,  in  which 
I  think  something  might  very  well  be  inserted  in  regard  to  the 
clandestine  purchases  of  the  Indian  Lands;  By  the  next  post  I 
shall  be  able  to  acquaint  you  with  their  resolutions  on  these  Lands, 
&  am  with  great  esteem  &  regard 

S'. 

Yr.  most  Obed'.  &  hum1.  Sf. 

H:  Moore 


1  In  Harvard  University  Library,  Sparks  Collection. 

2  Henry  Holland,  purchaser  of  land  in  Sacondaga. 

3  Winter  Fargie. 

4  Capt.  Guy  Johnson. 

5  Daniel  Nimham,  chief  of  Wappinger  tribe. 


282  Sir  William  Johnson  Papers 

FROM  JOHN  TABOR  KEMPE 
Df.S.1 

New  York  !7<K  March  1767 

Dear  Sir 

The  Morning  appointed  for  the  Hearing  before  the  Governor 
and  Council,  on  the  Complaint  of  Nimham  in  Behalf  of  himself, 
and  the  other  Indians  of  the  Wappinger  Tribe  Mr.  Guy  Johnson 
called  on  me,  with  the  Report  of  the  Council  of  the  6th.  March 
3  765.  on  a  former  hearing  on  this  Subject;  Nimhams  Memorial 
of  7th.  Jan?,  last,  and  the  Order  of  Council  made  thereon,  and  re- 
quested I  would  attend  the  Council  Board  to  hear  the  Controversy. 
I  did  accordingly  attend,  during  the  three  days  it  took  up,  and 
think  Nimham  failed  in  supporting  any  equitable  Claim  to  the 
Lands,  his  own  Witnesses  which  he  produced  to  shew  Mr. 
Philipse  had  not  purchased  the  Land  proving  that  every  Settler 
purchased  his  own  particular  Farm  from  the  Indians  and  that  all 
the  improveable  Lands  were  so  purchased  and  Settled,  this  alone 
I  conceive  clearly  shows  the  Indians  have  no  Ground  of  Com- 
plaint, but  besides  this  the  Indian  Deed  which  Mr.  Philipse  &ca 
have  for  the  whole  Land,  was  so  fully  proved  to  be  so  fair  and 
Genuine  that  Nimhams  Council  seemed  satisfied  it  was  so  and  tho 
they  made  several  Exceptions  to  it,  yet  in  my  own  Opinion  none 
of  them  were  of  any  Weight  to  show  the  Indians  had  been 
deceived,  or  had  any  equitable  Right  remaining  even  had  there 
been  no  other  Purchases  but  that  one  only,  thus  this  Controversy 
appears  to  me. 

Mr.  Johnson  has  since  communicated  to  me  a  Letter  addressed 
to  the  Sons  of  Liberty  at  Albany  —  I  have  considered  it  well, 
and  tho  I  think  it  clear  the  Anonymous  Author  had  Mischief  in 
his  Heart,  yet  I  fear  he  is  not  liable  to  be  punished  for  it,  for  it  is 
not  a  Libel,  because  if  every  Thing  he  alledges  was  true,  it  is  not 
scandalous,  nor  is  it  a  threatning  Letter  to  extort  money  &ca  nor 
is  there  any  express  Request  or  Desire  that  the  Sons  of  Liberty 
should  do  you  any  Mischief,  tho'  probably  it  was  his  Intent,  to 
excite  them  to  it.  and  therefore  no  words  in  the  Letter  contain 


1  In  New  York  Historical  Society,  Kempe  Papers. 


Indian  Affairs,  1766-68  283 

an  express  Invitation  of  them  to  do  you  Mischief,  no  such  Intent 
in  him  can  with  any  plausibility  be  legally  maintained,  but  on  the 
Presumption  that  the  Sons  of  Liberty  were  so  abandoned  as  to 
make  it  probable  this  Letter  would  be  sufficient  to  put  them  on  the 
Execution  of  Mischief,  which  would  be  extremely  difficult  if  not 
impossible  to  make  out  in  Proof 

I  am 

Dear  Sir 

Your  much  obliged  & 
very  humble  Servant 
Sir  William  Johnson  Baronet  J.  T.  Kempe 

INDORSED : 

1  7*.  March  1  767 


Letter  to  Sir  Wm.  Johnson 


FROM  GOLDSBROW  BANYAR 
Df.1 

New  York  17  March  1767 
I  understand  by  your  Letter  of  the  27  Jany:2  That  you  are 
willing  to  give  8s.  the  Acre  for  Lotts  N°.  1 ,  9  &  84  conR  1 250 
Acres  in  Sachendage.  Besides  these  three,  there  are  Lett  N°.  29 
—  250  Acres  — N°.  43  —  250  Acres  and  N°.  66  Conte. 
250  Acres  which  properly  belong  to  Major  Clarke  —  In  all  2000 
Acres  —  If  you  will  take  these  Six  Lotts  at  8s.  the  Acre,  I  will 
convey  them  to  you  as  [the]  his  Attorney ;  as  by  conveying  to  you 
the  three  former  only  I  may  have  to  sell  the  best,  and  injure  the 
Sale  of  the  other  three. 


1  In  New  York  Historical  Society,  Banyar  Papers.  Draft  on  same 
sheet  with  draft  of  Nov.  24,  1  766,  ante  pp.  221-22.  Original  in  New  York 
State  Library  was  destroyed  by  fire.  According  to  Johnson  Calendar, 
p.  348,  it  also  dealt  "with  the  opinion  of  the  council  that  the  (Wap- 
pingers')  right  was  long  ago  extinguished,  surveying  the  evidence  for  the 
present  landowners  and  discussing  purchases  in  which  Johnson,  the  Gov- 
ernor, Lord  Holland  and  others  are  interested." 

2  Ante  pp.  262-63. 


is  120  Liv". 


284  Sir  William  Johnson  Papers 

RECEIPT  OF  RICHARD  WINSTON 
Copy1 

Fort  Chartres  March  23, 1767 

The  Crow11.  To  Richard  Winston  Dr. 

For  6  Months  Rent  of  a  House  for  the  Indian 
Interpretor  Commencing  26th.  Septr.  1  766  and 
Ending  the  26th.  of  March  1  767  at  20  Livrs.  Pr 
Month 

Received  Fort  Chartres  23d.  March  1  767  of  Edward  Cole  Esqr. 

the  above  Sum  of  One  Hundred  and  Twenty  Livres  at  five  Livres 

Eaqual  to  One  Dollar  for  which  I  have  Signed  Two  Receipts  of 

this  Tennor  and  Date.  _,       „   ._. 

RlCHD.  WINSTON 

N°  11. 

Fort  Chartres  March  25.  1  767.  I  do  hereby  certify  that  by  the 
Approbation  of  Colonel  John  Reed  of  the  34th.  Regiment  that  the 
House  mentioned  in  the  within  Account,  was  hired  for  his 
Majesty's  Use  for  the  purpose  therein  Specified,  and  that  the 
charge  of  One  hundred  &  twenty  Livres  for  the  same  is  just  & 
True,  accounting  the  same  at  the  Rate  of  five  Livres  Per  Dollar 

Edwd.  Cole 

Com?,  of  Indian  Affairs 

Fort  Chartres.  March  25th.  1  767.  I  John  Reed  Colonel,  Lieuten- 
ant Colonel  of  his  Majesty's  34th.  Regiment  of  Foot  &c  &c  Do 
Hereby  Certify  that  the  House  specified  in  the  within  Account 
was  hired  for  His  Majesty's  use  for  the  purpose  therein  Mention'd, 
of  Richard  Winston,  And  that  the  charge  of  One  hundred  & 
twenty  Livres  at  the  Rate  of  five  Livres  pr.  Dollar  is  just  &  True. 
In  Testimony  whereof  I  have  hereunto  Set  my  Hand. 

Jn°.  Reed  Col 
L*.  O.  34.  Reg*. 

INDORSED : 

Richd.  Winston's  Ace1.  &  Red.  N°.  1  1 . 


1  Printed  in  Illinois  Historical  Collections,   1  1  :520-21  ;  original  in  the 
New  York  State  Library  was  destroyed  by  fire. 


Indian  A  fairs,  1766-68  285 

WARRANT  TO  ST.  JEAN  RUSSEAU 

D.S.1 
[Johnson  Hall  March  24,  1767] 

By  the  Honorable  Sir  William  Johnson  Baronet  His  Majestys 
Sole  Agent  and  Superintendant  of  Indian  Affairs  for  the  Northern 
Department  of  North  America.  Colonel  of  the  Six  united  Nations 
their  Allies  and  Dependants  &ca  &ca  &ca. 

To  Mr.  Sl.  Jean  Russeau  — 

Reposing  especial  Trust  and  Confidence  in  your  Loyalty  Zeal 
and  Abilities  I  Do  (by  Virtue  of  the  powers  and  Authorities  to 
me  given  by  His  Majesty)  hereby  appoint  you  the  said  Sf.  Jean 
Russeau  [St.  Jean]2  to  be  an  Interpreter  in  the  Department  of 
Indian  affairs  for  the  Outawa  Language  You  are  there- 

fore Carefully,  faithfully,  and  Diligently  to  discharge  the  said 
Duty  of  Interpreter  by  doing  and  performing  every  thing  thereunto 
belonging  to  the  utmost  of  your  power,  with  the  Strictest  regard 
to  his  Majestys  Interest,  and  you  are  to  Observe  and  follow  such 
Orders  as  you  shall  receive  from  my  Self,  the  Deputy  Agent  for 
that  District,  or  other  your  Superior  Officers  for  which  this  shall 
be  your  Warrant.  — 

Given  under  my  hand  &  Seal  at  Arms  at  Johnson-Hall  the 
24th.  Lay  of  March  1 767  — 

W.  Johnson 

By  Order  of  Sir  W  Johnson 

G.  Johnson  D  Agent 

Acts,  as  Secretary 


1  In  Canadian  Archives,  Indian  Records,  Vol.   15.    In  Guy  Johnson's 
hand. 

2  Words  italicized  and  in  brackets  are  crossed  out  in  manuscript. 


286  Sir  William  Johnson  Papers 

FORM  OF  INSTRUCTIONS  TO  COMMISSARIES 

March  24,  1767 

This  blank  form,  in  the  Johnson  manuscripts  (see  Johnson  Calendar  p. 
350),  is  identical  with  the  document,  Instructions  to  Alexander  McKee, 
ante  pp.  49-52,  except  for  the  memorandum  as  to  when  accounts  were  to  be 
transmitted : 

"NB  Michilimackc  every  6.  Months.  Detroit  evy.  4  Do.  Niagara,  and 
Ontario,  every  3.  Months." 

It  is  printed  in  Illinois  Historical  Collections,  11:529-31.  Since  this 
is  a  duplication  of  a  document  printed  earlier,  it  is  not  given  here. 


JOURNAL  OF  INDIAN  AFFAIRS 

Contemporary  Copy1 

[Johnson  Hall  March  4-25,  1767] 

March  4th.  —  On  this  day  Tiawarunte  speaker  of  Onondaga, 
Karaghiagigo  chief  Warrior  with  1 2  more  of  said  Nation  arrived 
here,  and  having  met  in  Council  room  acquainted  Sir  Wm.  that 
they  were  sent  by  their  Nation  to  let  him  know  their  distressed 
Situation  for  the  want  of  Corn,  —  that  the  Squirrels,  and  other 
Vermin  had  destroyed  so  much  of  it  that  they  were  now  in  a 
Starving  Condition,  that  the  absence  of  their  young  men  who  were 
gone  to  war  against  the  Southern  Indians  made  it  worse,  as  they 
had  none  at  home  to  kill  any  Game  for  them,  —  that  as  they  were 
now  reduced  to  such  want,  they  hoped  Sir  Wm.  wou'd  assist 
them.  — 

A  Bunch  of  Wampum  — 

In  the  second  place  they  requested  of  Sir  Wm.  that  two  good 

men  might  be  sent  with  Horses,  and  Ploughs  to  their  Country  to 

plow  their  lands,  and  that  they  wou'd  pay  for  the  same,  but  hoped 

it  might  be  at  a  moderate  price.  — 

A  Bunch  of  Wampum.  — 


1  In  Canadian  Archives,  Indian  Records,  Vol.  7. 


Indian  A  fairs,  / 766-68  287 

To  which  Sir  Wm.  answered  that  he  was  sorry  to  hear  they 
were  in  so  distressed  a  Situation  for  the  want  of  Provisions  &c,  and 
that  he  wou'd  acquaint  the  Commander  in  chief  thereof,  who  he 
did  not  doubt,  on  his  recommendation,  wou'd  allow  them  some, 
and  that  he  wou'd  let  them  know  his  answer  as  soon  as  re- 
ceived. — 

Returned  the  Wampum.  — 

Sir  Wm.  then  gave  them  an  Advertisement  which  they  were  to 
deliver  to  the  Justice  at  Burnetsfield,2  thereby  giving  notice  to  the 
Inhabitants  there  of  their  desire  to  have  their  Lands  ploughed, 
and  desiring  such  as  inclined  to  undertake  it  to  apply  to  him  for  a 
Pass  for  that  purpose,  and  that  within  a  fortnight  —  Also  wrote 
to  Justice  Franks,3  desiring  him,  and  all  traders  there  to  deal 
fairly  with  the  Indians,  and  not  to  mix  the  Rum  with  Water,  as 
the  Indians  charge  them  with  —  Gave  them  a  small  Present,  & 
sent  them  off.  — 

Eod.  die  —  Onoughsoghta,  with  sev1.  more  Senecas  arrived, 
and  with  a  belt  of  black  Wampum  begged  Sir  Wm.  wou'd  give 
them  some  Amunition  and  get  their  Arms  mended,  they  being 
very  poor,  and  as  they  were  just  retd.  from  War.  —  Sir  Wm. 
granted  their  Request,  and  gav'em  Charge  to  behave  well  at  all 
times  which  the  [he]  told  them  wou'd  be  the  only  means  of  con- 
tinuing our  kindness  —  Ordered  their  Axes  &c  to  be  mended, 
gave  them  some  money  to  defray  Expences,  and  discharged 
them  — 

RetA  them  the  Belt. 

On  Saturday,  Sunday,  and  Monday  sev1.  Parties  from  cliff*. 
Quarters  arrived  here  all  begging  for  Amunition  &c  —  which  was 
granted  sparingly  with  some  money  to  purchase  Provisions  along 
the  road,  &  discharged  them.  — 

On  Tuesday  Six  Conjohares  came  here  on  the  same  Errand, 
and  being  Supplied  Sr.  Wm.  sent  them  away  with  a  charge  to  their 
Chiefs  to  attend  the  two  Justices  who  were  on  their  way  to  their 


2  German  Flats. 

3  Captain  Conrad  Franck. 


288  Sir  William  Johnson  Papers 

Castle  in  order  to  warn  Jacobus  Maybee  off  their  lands  agreeable 
to  their  repeated  request.  —  Gave  them  some  money  to  carry 
them  home,  as  the  Inhabitants  would  not  give  them  a  Morsel 
since  the  War,  which  the  Indians  thought  very  hard,  they  having 
promised  them  formerly  (when  they  sold  and  gave  them  lands) 
that  they  shou'd  always  be  welcome  to  their  Houses  passing,  and 

repassing  &c  — 

]  4th#  —  Jonn  Butler  &  Henrick  Fry  Esqrs.  arrived  here,  and 
reported  to  Sir  Wm.  that  they  had  last  Thursday  warned  Jacobus 
Maybee  and  his  grandmother  Eve  Pickard4  to  remove  in  1 8  days 
time  off  the  Indians  land  agreeable  to  the  Governor's  Orders,  and 
that  they  the  said  Maybee  and  Eve  Pickard  promised  to  comply 
with  said  Order,  on  which  the  Indians  made  a  long  Speech  to  the 
Justices  returning  the  Govr.  Sr.  Wm.  and  them  many  thanks  for 
the  Justice  done  to  them  in  the  affair.  — 

Eod.  die  25  Senecas  with  Anaquadecka  arrived  here  from 
Chenussio,  &  Kanadasegey,  begging  for  Ammunition  wherewith 
to  hunt,  also  a  little  Paint,  which  Sir  Wm.  complied  with,  and  gave 
them  an  order  on  Mr.  Adems5  to  supply  them  with  201b  Powder 
&  41b  Paint,  Ball,  Flints,  &c.  — 

Eod  die  —  Seven  Conjohares  with  Jonathan  their  Cheif  arrived 
here,  and  brought  Sir  Wm.  a  letter  acquainting  him  that  the  old 
Onondaga  chief  named  Sononquires  was  greatly  battered,  that  two 
of  his  Ribs  were  broke,  —  that  the  speaker  Teyawarunte  lost  his 
Pack,  and  his  Order  from  Sr.  Wm.  for  Rum,  and  everything  he 
had,  and  requesting  he  wou'd  send  them  another  Order  for  5 
Gall5,  of  Rum,  &  a  little  Provision  —  the  man  with  the  broken 
bones  begged  a  little  Rum  might  be  sent  to  cure  his  wounds,  as 
thinking  it  wou'd  [be]  effectual  to  that  purpose.  —  all  which  Sr. 
Wm.  complied  w*.  by  sending  what  they  required  by  the  Conjo- 
nares  —  alSo  a  little  money  to  help  the  wounded  man  home.  — 
March  25th.  —  On  this  day  Sir  Wm.  gave  orders  to  Cap1.  John 
Johnston  to  go,  and  bring  down  the  Sachims,  &  chief  Warriors  of 


4  Mrs.  Eghye  (Eve)  Pickerd,  a  mulatto  of  Canajoharie. 

5  Robert  Adems. 


Indian  Affairs,  1766-68  289 

the  Six  Nations  in  order  to  have  a  meeting  with  them  on  the  20th. 
of  april  on  business  of  a  private  nature  respecting  the  Division 
line  between  Penn  &  Baltimore  Proprietors  of  Pennsylvania  & 
Maryland  —  the  same  day  sent  Si7ver  Heels  to  accompany  him 
with  a  belt  of  Invitation  —  &  gave  him  a  Present.  — 


TO  THE  MERCHANTS  OF  ALBANY 

Contemporary  Copy1 

Copy  of  a  Letter  from  Sir  Wm.  Johnson  Bar1,  to  the  Merch,s. 
of  Albany  in  answer  to  their  Complaints  of  Lieu1.  Hay  Commis- 
sary at  Detroit  dated 

Johnson  Hall,  March  27th.  1767.  — 

Gentn. 

Having  duly  weighed  and  considered  the  general  Subject  of 
your  Complaint  agl.  Commissary  Hay,2  I  take  this  opportunity  of 
desiring  that  you  will  wth.  out  delay  lay  before  me  the  full  par- 
ticulars properly  authenticated,  of  your  complaint  especially  that 
concerning  the  Commissaries  Partiality  to  the  French  Traders, 
specifying  their  names,  time  of  their  Departure  with  Goods  from 
Detroit,  whither  they  went,  and  whether  with  written  Passes,  or 
Verbal  Permission,  and  from  whom,  and  also  which,  and  how 
many  of  the  other  Traders  were  refused  an  equal  liberty,  at  what 
times,  and  what  Causes  were  assigned  for  such  Refusal,  whether 
the  French  Traders  had  Passes  from  Canada,  or  which  of  them 
had,  and  whether  the  others  who  were  refused  had  Passes  from 
their  Goverments,  or  not.  All  this  appears  necessary  to  Justify 
my  calling  away  a  Commissary  at  the  approaching  Season  to 
answer  for  his  Conduct.  As  to  the  other  Charges  against  him, 
they  dont  seem  of  Sufficient  weight,  the  Commissary  being  em- 
powered to  demand  a  particular  account  of  all  Goods,  or  to  ex- 
amine them,  and  is  likewise  intended  by  his  Office  to  restrict,  or 


1  In  Canadian  Archives,  Indian  Records,  Vol.  7. 

2  Lieutenant  Jehu  Hay,  commissary  at  Detroit. 


290  Sir  William  Johnson  Papers 

punish  those  who  trade  contrary  to  the  Plan,  and  to  apply  to  the 
Military  for  assistance.  —  And  Mr.  Abbot's3  particular  Case 
certainly  came  within  Censure,  as  well  on  account  of  his  having  no 
Pass,  as  in  that  of  selling  the  Ammunition  short  of  the  Weight, 
although  I  am  induced  to  think  the  latter  was  not  done  inten- 
tionally — 

It  is  for  the  Interest  of  the  fair  trader  that  a  Commissary  be 
properly  supported  until  the  clearest  &  most  Circumstantial  proofs 
appear  against  him,  and  therefore  it  is  as  well  in  Justice  to  the 
traders  as  to  the  Commissary  that  I  now  demand  such  particulars 
as  may  enable  me  to  act  with  the  Strictest  Impartiality  to  both 
which  shall  always  be  the  invariable  Conduct  of 

Gentn. 

Yours  &c  — 

WJ.— 


TO  HENRY  MOORE 
Contemporary  Copy1 

Extract  of  a  Letter  from  Sir  William  Johnson  to  Sir  Henry 
Moore  dated 

29*  March  1767.  — 

I  am  so  hurried  at  present  that  I  can  only  add  that  the  Persons 
concern'd  in  the  Tract  purchased  last  Fall  of  the  Oneidaes  — 
South  of  the  Mohawk  River  are  very  uneasy  at  the  Mistake  in  the 
Indian  Deed  which  by  being  a  South  Line,  leaves  them  in  the 
whole  little  more  than  70,000  Acres,  instead  of  150  thousand 
which  they  expected;  The  Error  arose  thro'  the  want  of  good 


3  James  Abbott,  a  trader  of  Detroit. 

1  Extract  in  Colonial  Land  Papers,  New  York  State  Library.  Original 
was  destroyed  by  fire.  In  addition  to  the  data  of  the  extract,  the  Johnson 
Calendar,  p.  350,  mentions  the  letter  as  "saying  Mr.  Fargie's  application 
is  fruitless,  .  .  .  and  a  desired  proclamation  forbidding  clandestine  pur- 
chases." The  Calendar  gives  the  larger  acreage  as  200,000,  instead  of 
1 50,000. 


Indian  Affairs,   1 766-68  291 

Drafts  at  that  Time,  otherwise,  as  it  was  explain'd  to  the  Indians 
they  should  have  had  a  continuation  of  Cosby's  Line  Viz1.  South 
38  Degrees  West,  as  this  was  the  Intention  of  the  Indians  who  I 
know  will  readily  agree  to  it,  I  cannot  help  (at  the  Request  of  the 
Partners)  laying  the  Case  before  your  Excellency,  persuaded  that 
you  will  take  some  Measures  for  allowing  them  the  Line  intended, 
and  enabling  it  to  be  run,  until  another  Deed  is  executed,  or  what- 
ever else  may  be  deemed  necessary  is  done  in  the  Affair.  — 

INDORSED: 

Extract  of  a  Letter  from 
Sir  William  Johnson  to 
Sir  Henry  Moore,  dated  — 
29*.  March  1 767.  — 
respecting  a  Mistake  in  one 
of  the  Courses  of  the  Indian 
Purchase  made  by  William 
Bayard  and  his  Associates  — 

April  15,  1  767.  The  Original 
Letter  of  which  this  is  an 
Extract  read  in  Council  and 
an  Order  made  for  the 
Alteration  agreable  to  what 
is  recommended  in  the  Letter. 


TO  BAYNTON,  WHARTON  &  MORGAN 
L.  S} 

Johnson-hall  April  K  1767  — 
Gentlemen  — 

I  have  had  the  favor  of  your  Letters  of  the   14th.  and   16th. 
ult°.2  —  the  first  chiefly  concerning  your  Letter  of  Decr.  last  which 


1  In  New  York  State  Library ;  in  handwriting  of  Guy  Johnson. 

2  Ante  pp.  277-78,280. 


292  Sir  William  Johnson  Papers 

I  received  and  Answered  long  since,  and  then  informed  you  that 
I  intended  to  make  the  Government  acquainted  with  the  Affair  of 
the  purchase  you  sayed  had  been  made  about  Ohio,  which  I  have 
accordingly  done  since  by  Letter  and  shall  doubtless  hear  soon  on 
that  Subject  as  I  expect  to  do  on  some  others  from  the  Letters  I 
have  lately  received  from  the  Earl  of  Sherburne,3  whenever  it 
happens  I  shall  without  delay  let  you  know  if  any  thing  is  done  in 
your  favor. 

I  have  received  Mr.  Coles4  draft  which  I  have  just  now  added 
to  my  Accots.  for  the  General  recommending  it  for  payment.  So 
large  a  Sum  in  that  space  of  time  may  Surprize  the  General,  how- 
ever I  hope  he  will  approve  of  it  in  which  case  I  shall  write  him 
to  cause  it  to  be  paid  to  you,  I  herewith  Send  you  by  Mr.  Croghan 
the  Sum  of  £  290  due  on  Mr.  McKees  accot  which  I  have  lately 
received,  and  I  am, 

Gentlemen, 

Your  most  Obedient  Servant 

W  Johnson 
Messrs.  Baynton  Wharton  &  Morgan5 
I  thank  you  for  the  Snuff 
which  is  very  good.  — 

INDORSED : 

Johnson  Hall  April  1 st. 

1767 
Sr.  Wm.  Johnsons  Letter 


3  Lord  Shelbume. 

4  Lieutenant  Colonel  Edward  Cole,  commissary  at  Illinois. 

5  This  line  is  in  Sir  William's  hand. 


Indian  Affairs,  1766-68  293 

TO  JOHN  BROWN  AND  OTHERS 

L.S} 

Johnson-hall  April  3d.  1767 
[GenJtlemen, 

I  received  your  Letter  of  the  10th.  of  last  Month2  some  days 
ago,  and  am  glad  to  hear  you  collected  a  little  this  way.  I  now 
enclose  you  the  Sum  of  Ten  pounds  1  s/6  which  I  desire  you  will 
accept  of  and  apply  towards  compleating  the  Church.  — 

I  should  think  if  you  could  fall  upon  a  Method  to  have  the 
Arch  ceiled,  it  would  be  greatly  preferable  to  boards,  perhaps 
something  might  Still  be  collected  at  Albany  if  you  think  so  it 
would  be  worth  trying  for  it  from  those  who  approve  of  your 
design. 

It  appears  to  me  that  you  had  best  not  to  Lease  out  any  part 
of  the  Church  grounds  as  yet,  there  being  reason  to  expect  a 
Clergyman  soon  from  England  I  should  think  you  ought  to  deferr 
it  'till  his  arrival  or  until  you  hear  farther  on  that  subject. 

Cap1.  Johnson3  who  is  newly  returned  from  N  York  has 
reminded  the  Governor  of  your  Affair  which  will  be  Shortly 
terminated  to  your  satisfaction.  — 

I  remain 

Gentlemen 

Your  most  humble  Servant 

W  Johnson 
To 

[M]essrs.  Brown 
[Lyn]e,  &c  — 

indorsed : 

W.  Johnson 
Letter  1767 


1  In  St.  George's  Episcopal  Church,  Schenectady,  N.  Y.    In  the  hand- 
writing of  Guy  Johnson. 

2  Johnson  Papers,  5  :504-05. 

3  Guy  Johnson. 


294  Sir  William  Johnson  Papers 

FROM  FRANCIS  FAUQUIER 
A.L.S.1 

W™. bwgh  April  4th.  1767 
Sir 

I  have  been  informed  that  a  Skirmish  has  happened  between 
some  of  our  back  Settlers  and  some  Northern  Indians  supposed  to 
be  going  to  War  with  the  Cherokees ;  in  which  some  were  killed 
and  more  wounded  on  each  side.  By  the  Depositions  sent  to  me  it 
appears  that  after  the  Indians  were  entertained  and  fed,  they  robd 
the  Man  at  whose  house  they  were  received,  set  fire  to  his  Stacks 
and  wantonly  kill'd  his  Cattle.  Upon  this  eleven  young  fellows 
persued  them  and  came  up  with  them  when  the  fray  began;  the 
Consequence  of  wch.  I  have  above  related. 

Now  Sir  I  would  beg  the  favor  of  you  to  recommend  to  the 
Indians  whose  path  comes  near  our  Settlements  to  go  with  a  pass 
and  conform  to  the  Treaty  of  Lancaster,  and  not  wantonly 
commit  Mischief  on  their  Brothers  and  good  Friends:  and  you 
may  be  assured  that  all  possible  discouragement  is,  and  shall  be 
given  to  our  people  to  prevent  their  thus  revenging  themselves, 
and  I  hope  that  by  our  mutual  joint  Endeavors  We  may  prevent 
any  further  bad  Consequences. 

I  am  with  the  greatest  Regard 

S'. 

Yr.  most  Obed1.  Serv1. 

Fran:  Fauquier2 
To  SR.  WM.  Johnson  Bar1. 

INDORSED:3 

Williamsburgh  4th.  April  1 767 


L*.  Govr.  Fauquier's  Letter 


Ansd.  29th.  Ap1. 


1  In  Historical  Society  of  Pennsylvania. 

2  Lieutenant  Governor  Francis  Fauquier,  of  Virginia. 

3  In  Sir  William's  hand. 


Indian  Affairs,   1766-68  295 

FROM  THOMAS  GAGE 

Contemporary  Copy1 

New  York  April  5*  1767. 
Dear  Sir, 

I  have  had  little  to  trouble  You  with  for  some  time  past.  By 
Letters  from  Mr.  Stuart,2  The  Cherokees  are  incessant  in  their 
Applications  to  him  to  Mediate  a  Peace  for  them  with  the 
Northern  Indians,  having  been  greatly  harrassed  during  the 
Winter.  And  drove  from  their  hunting  Grounds.  During  this,  they 
have  Murthered  in  a  private  manner,  Seven  Traders  from  the 
Province  of  Virginia,  some  Months  ago  they  killed  a  Mr.  Boyd 
and  four  more  Persons  from  the  same  Province,  besides  about  Six 
more  Persons  in  different  Places.  It  is  imagined  that  these 
Murthers  have  been  perpetrated  by  the  Relations  of  those 
Cherokees  who  were  killed  two  Years  ago  in  Virginia,  for  which 
they  could  never  obtain  the  least  Satisfaction  from  the  Province, 
either  by  having  the  Murtherers  brought  to  Justice,  or  the  Rela- 
tions of  the  deceased  recieving  [any]  Presents  as  usual  for  the 
loss  of  their  Friends,  They  have  killed  now  Eighteen  for  the  Six 
they  lost,  and  Mr.  Stuart  has  sent  them  a  Message  to  inform 
\  them  that  Satisfaction  is  expected  for  these  last  Murthers.  It  is 
Time  to  put  an  End  to  their  killing  the  white  People  who  were 
no  doubt  to  blame,  but  they  have  had  Sufficient  Satisfaction,  and 
seem  to  have  confined  their  Revenge  to  the  Virginians,  which  [is] 
rather  more  consistent  with  reason  than  their  general  Practice  of 
killing  all  they  meet  without  Distinction. 

The  above  affair  may  obstruct  the  fixing  of  the  Boundary  line 
with  North  Carolina  &  Virginia,  the  first  was  to  have  been  done 
on  the  16th.  of  next  Month.  But  Virginia  does  not  seem  much 
inclined  to  have  any  Limits  fixed  to  their  Territorys.  I  dont  know 
whether  the  Boundary's  of  these  Provinces  are  to  be  fixed  with 
the  Northern  Nations  or  not? 


1  In  William  L.  Clements  Library. 

2  John  Stuart,  southern  superintendent  of  Indians. 


296  Sir  William  Johnson  Papers 

A  Delaware  Chief  has  been  killed  at  Redstone  Creek  in  a 
Quarrell  with  a  Fellow  who  came  there  from  the  other  usurped 
Settlement  at  Choate  River.  Captain  Murray3  has  taken  a  Rela- 
tion of  the  Affair  as  given  by  an  Indian  and  a  white  Man  who 
were  present,  The  Indian  Named  Captain  Peters  wanted  to  take 
Some  Rum  from  the  White  Man  by  the  name  of  Ryan,  who  in 
the  Scuffle  shot  the  Indian,  and  made  his  Escape  to  Virginia.  An 
Account  of  the  affair  was  sent  to  the  Governor. 

You  will  have  seen  Govr.  Penns  Proclamation  to  warn  all  the 
Settlers  off  the  Indian's  Land.  I  have  not  seen  or  heared  of  any 
such  Proclamation,  on  the  part  of  Virginia,  tho'  I  believe  the  one 
would  be  of  as  little  Consequence  as  the  other  in  such  loose  and 
disorderly  Governments.  Captain  Murray  has  now  sent  to  them  to 
remove,  or  they  should  be  drove  away  by  Force  of  Arms,  telling 
them  they  might  expect  the  Indians  would  take  Revenge  for  the 
loss  of  their  Chief,  and  as  their  usurpations  were  Lawless  and 
Unjust,  they  could  not  expect  any  Assistance  from  his  Garrison. 

I  Am  with  great  Regard. 

Dear  Sir, 

&ca 
Sir  Wm.  Johnson  Bart. 

INDORSED : 

Copy./ 

To 

Sir  Wm.  Johnson  Bart. 

Johnson  Hall. 
New  York  April  5*.  1767. 


3  Captain  William  Murray,  commandant  at  Fort  Pitt. 


Indian  Affairs,  1766-68  297 

TO  GOLDSBROW  BANYAR 

Johnson  Hall  8ih.  April  1767 
Dear  Banyar  — 

Yours  of  the  1 7lh.  Ult°.2  was  delivered  to  me  by  Cap1. 
Johnson.3  —  I  am  obiidged  to  You  for  the  Circumstantial  Accf. 
you  were  pleased  to  give  me  of  ye.  late  Hearing,  and  can  only 
say  I  am  sorry  that  the  Govr.  &  Council  &ca.  were  put  to  so  much 
trouble  on  that  occasion.  — 

My  reason  for  preferring  Lots  N°.  1  —  9  —  &  84  to  any  of 
the  rest  of  Major  Clarks  Lands  in  Sacondaga  Patent,  was  only  on 
Ace',  of  their  being  more  contiguous  to  some  of  mine  than  any  of 
the  rest,  but  as  you  imagine  that  disposing  of  them  3  Lotts  only, 
may  prejudice  ye.  Sale  of  the  rest  (wh.  I  can't  think  would  be  the 
case)  I  will  buy  the  whole,  that  is  the  6  Lotts  amt§.  to  2000  Acres 
at  8s.  <P  Acre  free  of  all  charges,  provided  You  will  warrant  it 
to  me,  in  y*.  case  I  will  Send  you  my  Bond  for  the  Money,  & 
You  send  me  the  Deeds.  — 

pray  let  me  know  what  is  done,  or  to  be  done  in  consequence  of 
the  petition  delivered  by  Cap1.  Johnson  to  the  Govr.  for  ye. 
Vacancy  of  600  Acres  near  to  Conajohare.  — 

By  what  I  can  learn  there  will  be  a  verry  great  noise  about,  & 
opposition  made  to  the  division  proposed  by  ye.  Council  of  that 
Tract  of  Land  purchased  by  Lawyer  &  others  here  last  Octbr.  as 
mentioned  in  yr.  letter,  &  now  appears  by  the  Warrant  of  Survey 
lately  sent  up.  —  The  Inds.  Sold  it  to  them  in  presence  of  ye. 
Govr.  &ca.  and  would  not  hear  to  any  other  Peoples  proposals,  for 
Several  reasons  wh.  they  then  gave  the  Govr.,  and  as  they  at  that 
time  reced.  a  Valuable  consideration  for  the  Same,  are,  I  hear, 
determined  not  to  allow  of  the  Survey  on  any  other  Terms  than 
yl.  of  the  Scohare  People  having  the  whole,  neither  will  they 


1  In  New  York  Historical  Society,  Banyar  Papers. 

2  Ante  p.  283. 

3  Guy  Johnson. 


298  Sir  William  Johnson  Papers 

dispose  of  a  foot  more  of  land  as  they  Say,  to  any  Man,  Should 
that  Step  be  taken.  — 

I  am  much  hurried  &  have  only  time  to  request  Your  Answer 
as  soon  as  convenient  to  the  2  forgoing  Articles,  and  that  You 
will  beleive  me 

Yrs.  Sincerely 
&  Affectb. 
W.  Johnson 
Golds  Borrow  Banyar  Esqr.  — 

INDORSED : 

8  April  1 767 


Letter  from  Sir  William  Johnson 


FROM  GABRIEL  MATURIN 
A.L.S.1 

New  York  13th.  April  1767  — 
Sir 

I  am  favored  with  your  letter  of  the  4th.  Ins',  and  You  may 
depend  upon  an  immediate  payment  being  made  to  Captain 
McLeod,  of  Your  draught  in  his  favor  for  £60  Sterg;  I  have 
just  had  a  sight  of  the  Accounts  you  mention  to  have  transmitted 
to  the  General,  Which  I  hope  I  shall  recieve  Orders  from  him, 
and  have  it  in  my  power,  to  settle  soon  As  it  wou'd  afford  Me 
real  Satisfaction  to  correspond  to  Your  Wishes,  in  this,  or  any 
other  Respect.  — 

I  have  the  honor  to  be,  with  great  Regard  &  Esteem 

Sir, 

Your  most  Obedient 
Humble  Servant 

G.  Maturin 
Sir  William  Johnson  Bl.  — 


1  In  Historical  Society  of  Pennsylvania,  Gratz  Collection. 


Indian  Affairs,  1766-68  299 


INDORSED : 


N  York  13th.  April  1767 


From  G1.  Maturin  Esqr. 
Secy,  to  the  Comr.  in  Chief 


Ansd.  April  24th.  &  drew  on  him 
In  faV.  of  Mr.  Leake  for  £  1  732./1 1  ./1 0. 
D°.  of  M'.  Hx.  White  for  £  1 568. 1 3.7 

N  Y  Curry. 


FROM  ELEAZAR  WHEELOCK 

A.Df.S.1 

Lebanon  23d.  April.  1767. 
Sir 

Tobias  Shattock  of  the  Narragansett  Tribe  of  Indians,  now  a 
Member  of  My  School  desires  Me  to  inform  Your  Excellcy.  That 
a  Number  of  his  Tribe,  and  [W/io]2  Such  as  are  of  the  Worst 
Characters  in  it  being  Instigated  by  their  Sachem  continue  to  in- 
jure and  abuse  the  religious  and  Steady  part  of  that  Tribe  greatly 
—  They  have  forcibly  taken  away  the  Possessions  of  many  of 
their  Neighbours,  and  taken  possession  of  their  Labours,  and 
Seem  designd  to  ruin  the  Tribe  as  fast  as  they  can  —  the  Indians 
there  are  in  Such  Difficulty  that  they  know  not  Which  Way  to 
turn  —  Their  Eyes  are  to  Your  Excellcy.,  under  God,  to  releive 
them  —  Those  English  people  Who  have  bought  Land  of  their 
Sachem  are  using  every  Artifice  to  insnare  them  —  they  try  to 
intice  the  Indians  to  referr  their  controversies  to  them  for  Decision : 
&  he  fears  that,  by  delays  they  Will  Suffer  greatly  in  their  Interest. 
This  Toby  appears  to  be  a  Very  honest,  Steady,  prudent  Man, 
perhaps  as  much  so  as  any  of  that  Tribe,  he  is  One  of  their 


1  In  Dartmouth  College  Library. 

2  Words  italicized  and  in  brackets  are  crossed  out  in  the  manuscript. 


300  Sir  William  Johnson  Papers 

Council,  And  I  Suppose  has  More  Influence  Among  them  than 
any  Other  of  them  —  When  Your  Excellency  Shall  do  me  the 
Favour  Which  I  requested  in  my  Last;  if  You  Would  please  to 
give  Some  Council  &  Direction  in  their  Case  You  Would  greatly 
Oblige  them. 

I  have  done  Nothing  towards  providing  Missionaries  and 
School  Masters  to  Supply  the  Vacancies  in  Your  Vicinity,  nor 
Shall  I  do  any  thing  About  it,  till  I  know  Your  Mind  — 

I  herewith  inclose  a  Narrative,  Which  please  to  Accept  &  Mr. 
Kirtland3  can  give  You  acco1.  of  late  Advices  from  Home  re- 
specting this  Design,  Which  are  too  long  to  Write  —  And  also 
What  Measures  have  been  taken  to  determine  the  Place  to  fix 
this  School.  — 

It  is  Strongly  Recommended  from  Philadelphia  to  fix  it  on  the 
Ohio  About  30  or  40  miles  below  Pittsburg  —  What  dos  Your 
Excellcy.  think  of  that  place?  I  Am  With  Much  Esteem  and 
Respect. 

Your  Excellency's 
Most  Obedf.  &  Most 
Humble  Servant. 

Eleazar  Wheelock 
Sir  Wm.  Johnson 

indorsed : 

To  Gen!.  Johnson  April  23d. 
1767 


Kirkland 


3  The  Rev.  Samuel  Kirkland. 


Indian  A  fairs,  1766-68  301 

TO  GOLDSBROW  BANYAR 

Johnson  Hall  27*  April  1767 
Dear  Banyar  — 

Yesterday  I  recd.  your  favour  of  the  20th.  Ins1.,2  and  am  sorry 
to  find  You  so  pushing  for  the  Money,  when  You  acknowledge 
the  Scarcity  of  it  there.  Was  I  in  Cash,  I  would  much  rather  pay 
it  down  imediately  with  the  Deed,  than  pass  my  Bond. 

I  have  been  oblidged  everry  year  to  advance  ye.  greater  part 
of  my  officers  pay  in  the  Department  they  living  so  Scattered, 
and  wait  some  time  before  I  get  it  from  ye.  Genr1.,  wh.  together 
with  ye.  Expence  of  improving  Wood  Land,  &  building  &ca. 
leaves  me  at  present  verry  destitute  of  it.  —  However  as  you 
Say  Mr.  Clarke  is  in  the  Same  Scituation,  I  will  Strain  a  point  to 
advance  the  Half  with  the  Deed,  &  pass  my  Bond  to  him  for  the 
remainder  without  Interest  for  1  Year.  On  these  terms  You  may 
make  out  the  Deeds  as  Soon  As  You  please,  &  on  yr.  letting  me 
know  it  is  ready,  I  will  give  You  a  Draft  for  the  half  on  a 
Gentleman  at  New  York.  &  Send  You  my  Bond  for  the  Remdr. 

I  wish  that  You  had  Sent  the  Warrant  of  Survey  for  the  600 
Acres,  as  I  am  going  up  that  way  this  Week  &  could  have  got  it 
Surveyd.  by  Fry,3  or  Yates,4  who  are  both  on  their  way  to  the 
German  Flats  with  me  in  order  to  Survey  the  2  large  Tracts 
purchased  of  the  Oneidaes  here  when  the  Govr.  was  this  way.  — 
The  former  or  Triangle  I  am  told  is  verry  ordinary  Land,  altho 
verry  dear,  My  reason  for  pushing  for  it  was,  on  Accf.  of  a  report 
propagated  by  ye.  Country  People  that  there  was  a  Mine  on  it,  or 
rather  what  they  call  Cobalt,  but  more  so  to  disapoint  Kloclf  who 
was  taking  verry  unfair  Steps  to  obtain  it  from  ye.  Ind8.,  when, 
You  may  remember  I  entered  a  Caveat  agst.  His  proceedings. 


1  In  New  York  Historical  Society,  Banyar  Papers. 

2  Destroyed  by  fire;  see  Johnson  Calendar,  p.  353. 

3  Hendrick  Frey,  Jr. 

4  Christopher  Yates. 

5  George  Klock. 


302  Sir  William  Johnson  Papers 

This  however  enhanced  the  purchase  greatly.  —  If  the  Indians 
are  allowed  to  be  the  proprietors  of  their  Lands,  which  (by  the 
Steps  formerly  &  now  ordered  by  the  King  &  Council  to  be 
taken)  they  seem  to  be,  they  certainly  can  give  the  preference  to 
whom  they  like,  &  there  have  been  Several  Instances  of  Peoples 
obtaining  Lycences  of  purchase  without  being  able  to  accomplish 
them.  —  but  that  purchase  of  Lawyers6  &ca.  was  made  openly 
by  the  Govr.  in  the  name  &  on  behalf  of  the  King,  the  money  paid, 
Deeds  executed  at  a  public  Meeting  with  ye.  consent  of  the  whole 
Tribe,  who  declared  to  the  Govr.  in  ye.  presence  of  us  all,  that  no 
other  application  had  ever  been  made  to  them  but  from  Lawyer 
&  his  Associates,  to  whom  they  had  promised  to  sell  it  many 
Years  ago.  &  that  if  there  had,  they  would  not  on  any  Ace", 
break  their  word  with  the  Scohare  People,  adding,  that  if  they 
should  break  their  promise  to  &  bargain  with  them,  they  were  sure 
that  it  would  lessen  them  in  the  Opinion  of  the  Governour,  &  all 
their  Bretheren  &  forfeit  the  freindship  of  their  Neighbours,  mean- 
ing ye.  Purchasers,  they  continue  determined  in  their  resolution.  — 

Heaps  of  letters  by  the  pacquet  &  from  diff.  Quarters  now 
arrived,  prevents  my  adding  more  than  that 

I  am  Sincerely  &  AffectK 

Your  Welwisher 

&  verry  Humble  Servant 

W.  Johnson 
Golds  Borrow  Banyar  Esqr. 

indorsed : 

27  April  1 767 


From  Sr.  Wm.  Johnson 


Johannes  Lawyer  et  al. 


Indian  Affairs,   1766-68  303 

JOURNAL  OF  INDIAN  AFFAIRS 

Contemporary  Copy1 

[Johnson  Hall  April  6-30,  1767] 

April  6th.  —  A  number  of  Conjohares  arrived  here  this  day,  and 
Spoke  much  agl.  Mr.  Hardwick2  the  Minister  for  taking  under- 
hand measures  to  get  their  land,  and  for  not  paying  them  the 
Consideration  money  for  another  tract  formerly  purchased  of 
them.  — 

Eod.  Die  —  Daniel  Nimham  who  came  here  to  ask  Sir  Wm's. 
advice  what  steps  he  shou'd  take  about  the  lands  in  dispute  with 
Mess  Phillips,  Robinson,  and  Morris  left  this,  on  his  acquainting 
him  that  he  did  not  chuse  to  interest  himself  further  in  the  matter 
after  the  Governor  &  Council  had  twice  decided  it  against  him, 
but  that  as  he  was  then  writing  to  the  Secy,  of  State,  he  wou'd 
transmit  him  the  Governor,  and  Council's  Resolves,  with  all  the 
Proceedings  — 

8th.  —  Teyawarunte  the  Onondaga  Speaker  wth.  another  Indian 
[came]  to  acquaint  Sir  Wm.  that  a  few  days  ago  they  had  lost  one 
of  their  Principal  Warriors  named  Sonoquiris,  which  wou'd  pre- 
vent their  nation's  attendance  at  the  intended  meeting,  as  they 
were  now  all  mourning  with  drooping  heads  —  Sir  Wm.  told  them 
he  was  extremely  sorry  for  their  great  loss,  and  then  performed 
the  usual  Ceremony  of  Condolance  with  Wampum  &c 

The  Speaker  then  returned  Sir  Wm.  many  thanks,  and  promised 
to  be  at  his  village  in  4  days  so  as  to  prepare  them  for  meeting 
him  at  the  German  Flats  with  the  rest  of  the  Six  Nations.  —  Sir 
Wm.  gave  him  an  order  on  Justice  Franks3  for  three  Gall  Rum  for 
Karraghiagigoe  nephew  of  the  deceased,  and  the  same  for  the 
Speaker's  wife  for  the  Performance  of  the  Ceremony  of  Condol- 
ence among  themselves  —  gave  them  Cash  to  defray  their  ex- 
pences  —  then  dismissed  them  — 


1  In  Canadian  Archives,  Indian  Records,  Vol.  7. 

2  The  Rev.  John  Christopher  Hartwick. 

3  Captain  Conrad  Franck. 


304  Sir  William  Johnson  Papers 

9th.  —  Two  Mohawks  arrived  here  to  acquaint  Sir  Wm.  that  they 
were  sent  by  their  Chiefs  to  let  him  know  they  were  coming  to  him 
on  business,  and  wou'd  be  here  about  1 2  o'  the  clock.  —  At  2  o' 
the  clock  near  20  of  them  arrived,  and  being  met  in  the  Council 
room,  Abraham  their  Speaker  addressed  Sir  Wm.  as  follows.  — 

Brother  Gorah  Warraghyagey  — 

We  are  come  to  tell  you  a  very  extraordinary  affair  which  we 
were  yesterday  made  acquainted  with  by  some  of  our  neighbours 
of  Scohare,  and  as  it  concerns  us,  we  wou'd  be  glad  to  hear  from 
you  the  reasons  of  such  doings.  —  it  is  concerning  the  lands  we 
sold,  when  the  Governor  was  at  your  house  last  Fall  for  the  use 
of  Hannis  Lawyer,4  and  his  Associates,  from  whom  we  then  recd. 
ye.  full  Consideration  for  which  we  agreed,  and  now  we  under- 
stand that  Lawyer,  and  his  Friends  are  to  have  but  one  half  of  it. 
to  us  such  doings  appear  strange,  and  I  believe  you  wou'd  think 
hard  of  us,  were  we  to  act  so.  —  we  cannot  therefore  in  Justice 
to  them  People,  who  have  been  long  abeut  that  tract,  and  at  a 
good  deal  of  expence  about  the  Purchase  money  allow  the  land 
to  be  Surveyed  for  a  People  with  whom  we  are  not  acquainted ; 
neither  did  we  ever  hear  of  the  least  Intention  they  had  of  Pur- 
chasing them  Lands ;  and  if  they  had  applied,  we  cou'd  not  think 
of  letting  them,  or  any  other  People  have  the  Lands,  which  we 
had  long  ago  promised  to  the  Purchasers,  which  you  may 
remember,  Brother,  we  declared  to  the  Governor  at  the  time  the 
Deed  lay  on  your  Table  ready  to  be  signed,  and  gave  him  our 
reasons  for  it  at  that  time,  all  which,  together  with  the  careful 
manner  every  thing  was  transacted  then,  induced  us  to  imagine 
there  cou'd  not  be  any  the  least  Squabble  about  it  hereafter,  but 
in  short,  Brother  —  we  are  sorry  to  see  that  the  white  People, 
who  have  more  Sense  than  we,  will  for  the  sake  of  getting  land, 
wrong  one  another.  —  Since  that  is  the  case,  what  are  we  Indians 
to  expect  from  you.  —  Brother,  we  have  no  more  to  say  to  you 


4  Johannes  Lawyer  of  Schoharie. 


Indian  Affairs,  1766-68  305 

on  that  Subject,  but  request  you  will  let  us  know  if  you  can  the 
reason  of  Such  doings.  —  if  you  cannot,  we  wou'd  then  beg  of 
you  to  enquire  of  the  Governor,  who  without  doubt  is  acquainted 
w^.  everything  relative  to  that  affair,  as  it  was  transacted  in  his 
Presence.  — 

Sir  Wm.  told  them  in  answer  that  he  was  an  entire  stranger  to 
the  Cause  of  such  a  Division  as  was  now  proposed  to  be  made  of 
the  land  they  mentioned,  but  wou'd  at  their  Request  transmit  what 
they  now  had  said  upon  the  Subject,  to  the  Governor,  whose 
answer  he  said  he  wou'd  communicate,  on  receipt  thereof.  —  Sir 
Wm.  accordingly  sent  the  above  speech  of  theirs  to  the  Governor 
the  1 8th.  of  April  — 

April  20th.  —  A  number  of  Nanticokes  from  Otseningo,  with 
Joseph  Peepy,  and  a  Party  of  Delawares  with  Lieu*.  Governor 
Penn's  Passport,  arrived  here,  and  being  very  wet  by  travelling  in 
the  Rain,  they  deferred  speaking  upon  business  'till  the  morrow, 
when  Joseph  Peepy  said  he  wou'd  shew  Sir  Wm.  the  letters  he 
had,  and  let  him  know  the  business  they  came  upon.  —  Ordered 
them  Drams,  Pipes,  [and]  Tobacco  and  Provisions,  &  sent  them 
to  their  Quarters.  — 

Joseph  Peepy  on  behalf  of  the  whole  of  both  Nations,  went 
thro'  the  Ceremony  of  Condolence  usual  upon  those  occasions,  and 
delivered  — 

the  Strings  of  Wampum.  — 
30th.  —  Sir  Wm.  returned  the  Complim1.  &  thanked  them  for 
what  they  had  done  wth.  — 

three  Strings  of  Wampum.  — 

Then  Joseph  Peepy  produced  a  Certificate  to  Sir  Wm.  from 
John  Brainerd  Presbiterian  Clergyman  living  at  Mount  Holly  in 
the  Jerseys,  by  whom  he  was  sent  to  the  Ohio  Delawares,  setting 
forth  that  said  Peepy  was  a  member  of  the  Congregation  of 
Christian  Indians  in  New  Jersey,  and  their  Representative  to  the 
Tribe  of  Delawares  beyond  the  Ohio,  and  that  he  was  now  on 
his  way,  with  a  written  message  to  them  dated  Bridgetown  1  1 th. 
Febry.  1  767.  —  he  then  produced  a  long  speech  wrote  on  a  Sheet 
of  Paper  (as  is  supposed  wrote  by  said  Clergyman)  setting  forth 


306  Sir  William  Johnson  Papers 

the  many  and  great  Advantages  they  wou'd  acquire  by  a  knowl- 
edge of  the  Christian  Religion,  greatly  recommending  the  Clergy- 
man, and  assuring  the  Ohio  Indians  of  their  readiness  to  comply 
with  their  request  of  removing  to  Ohio,  and  instructing  them,  and 
the  Cayugas,  if  a  few  Obstacles  cou'd  be  removed,  wch.  at 
present  were  greatly  in  their  way,  viz1,  first  —  that  they  were  not 
able  to  defray  the  expence  of  removing  thither.  —  2d.  that  as  the 
English  had  now  taken  them  in  their  Arms  as  Children,  they 
cou'd  not  go  without  their  Consent,  assistance,  and  protection  — 
3dly.  that  they  have  where  they  now  live  a  Church,  School  house, 
and  other  accommodations,  which  by  removing  they  must  lose,  as 
also  their  heavenly  guide,  cou'd  these  difficulties  once  be  removed 
they  wou'd  willingly  embrace  their  kind  Offer,  in  the  main  time 
request  the  road  between  them  may  be  kept  open.  —  The  Clergy- 
man farther  advised  the  Ohio  Indians  to  apply  to  Sir  Wm. 
Johnson  for  his  assistance  in  the  affair,  and  that  perhaps  he  might 
order  matters  so  that  they  might  in  a  short  time  be  able  to  remove 
to  you,  and  be  happy  in  your  Country  —  with  a  great  deal  more 
concerning  Religion.  — 


FROM  WILLIAM  HOWARD 
JjL  .L>.w3. 

Princeton  April  30ih.  1767 
S*. 

I  wrote  to  You  some  time  agoe  from  York,  in  which  I  informd 
You  that  Cap1.  Maturin  would  pay  me,  the  Ballance  of  my 
Account,  if  you  desird  him,  As  I  have  not  had  the  pleasure  of 
hearing  from  You,  am  affraid  You  have  not  receiv'd  my  Letter, 
I  shall  be  much  oblidgd  to  you,  if  you  will  desire  Cap1.  Maturin 
to  pay  me,  As  I  am  in  want  of  the  Money,  am  makeing  up  the 

1  In  Historical  Society  of  Pennsylvania,  Gratz  Collection. 


Indian  Affairs,  1766-68  307 

Reg*  Account,  shall  want  the  Money  to  settle  with  them,  I  paid 
Money  for  every  thing  I  bought  in  order  to  get  it  cheap,  not 
haveing  sufficient  of  my  own,  usd.  some  I  had  of  the  Regts.  be 
pleasd  to  make  my  compliments  to  Cap1.  Johnston  &  am 

Sr.  Yor.  Most  Ob1.  HumbIe.  Servf. 

WM.  Howard 
SR.  WM.  Johnston  Barn*. 

ADDRESSED: 

To 
Sr.  Wm.  Johnston  Barn*, 
at 

Johnston  Hall 
INDORSED:2 

Prince  Town  30th.  April  1  767 


Cap1.  Wm.  Howards  Letter 


2  In  Sir  William's  hand. 


FROM  THOMAS  GAGE 

Contemporary  Copy1 

New  York  May  4th.  1767 
Dear  Sir, 

I  have  been  favored  with  your's  of  the  18th.  Ulm0.,2  and  have 
Spoke  to  Lieut  Colonel  Campbell3  about  the  Evidence  against  the 
Negro  now  in  Jail  for  the  Murder  of  the  Two  Squaws,  but  don't 
find  any  positive  Evidence  can  be  procured.  There  are  many 
Strong  Circumstances  which  I  fear  would  not  be  sufficient  to 
Condemn  him,  but  all  that  can  be  done,  towards  it  must  be  done. 
It  was  a  great  mistake  sending  the  fellow  down  the  Country.  The 


1  In  William  L.  Clements  Library. 

2  In  Doc.  Hist.  N.  Y.,  2:848-50. 

3  Lieutenant  Colonel  John  Campbell. 


308  Sir  William  Johnson  Papers 

Indians  Should  not  have  been  withheld  from  doing  themselves 
Justice  on  such  a  Villain. 

There  has  been  no  further  Acco,s.  received  about  the  Fellow 
who  fled  into  Virginia  for  the  Murder  of  the  Indian  at  Redstone 
Creek.  Gover.  Fauquiere4  is  informed  of  everything,  and  I  have 
wrote  to  him  concerning  the  Settlers  on  the  Branches  of  the 
Monongahela,  with  an  Offer  of  as  many  Troops  as  he  shall  re- 
quire to  drive  them  away  and  destroy  their  Habitations.  — 

If  the  Demands  of  the  Northern  Indians  are  so  very  Exorbitant, 
there  seems  to  be  very  little  hopes  of  Accommodation  between 
them  and  the  Cherokees.  — 

Fort  Ontario5  I  Apprehend  will  not  be  kept  up  as  a  Garrison 
much  longer;  And  we  may  possibly  be  able  to  retrench  Indian 
Expences  there,  as  well  as  all  others.  I  find  everything  not  directly, 
and  absolutely  Necessary  must  be  Retrenched,  the  Estimates  of 
the  Expence  of  America  to  the  Mother  Country  is  before  the 
House  &  have  made  a  good  deal  of  noise,  &  been  the  subject  of 
much  Debate.  — 

No  Account  has  been  Sent  Me  of  the  Draught  You  mention  of 
£300  from  Montreal  on  Acco*.  of  Presents  given  there.  It  is 
probably  some  Expence  incurred  to  be  defrayed  by  the  Civil 
Government.  If  Govr.  Carleton6  mean't  it  should  be  defrayed  by 
You,  he  would  I  think  have  wrote  to  You  about  it  — 

There  are  frequent  Opportunitys  of  Sending  Money  to 
Albany;  If  You  can  Appoint  any  trusty  person  there  into  whose 
Hands  it  may  at  times  be  lodged  for  your  Use,  You  will  be  so 
good  to  Inform  Me,  and  I  Shall  lodge  Money  there  for  You.  — 

I  am,  with  great  Regard, 

Dear  Sir, 

&ca 
Sir  Wm.  Johnson  Bar1. 


4  Lieutenant  Governor  Francis  Fauquier,  of  Virginia. 

5  On  site  of  Oswego,  N.  Y. 

6  Guy  Carleton,  lieutenant  governor  of  the  province  of  Quebec. 


Indian  Affairs,   1766-68  309 


INDORSED : 

Copy./. 


To  Sir  William  Johnson  Bar1, 
at 

Johnson  hall 
New  York  4th.  May  1  767 


AN  INDIAN  CONGRESS 

Contemporary  Copy1 

[Burnetsfield,  May  8-11,  1767] 

May  8th.  —  Sir  Wm.  Johnson  sett  out2  for  Burnetsfield3  in  order 
to  meet  the  Six  Nations  pursuant  to  Appointment  — 

Copy  of  Proceedings  at  a  Congress  with  the  Six  Nations  held 
at  Burnetsfield  at  the  House  of  Conradt  Franks  Esqr.  on  Monday 
May  the  11*1  767.  — 

Present  Sir  Wm.  Johnson  Bar1.  Superintend1. 

After  the  Ceremony  of  Condolance  was  performed  Sir  Wm. 
addressed  the  sev1.  Nats.  as  follows  — 

Brethren,  Sachims  &  Warriors  of  the  Six  Nations.  — 

I  am  very  glad  to  see  you  all  well,  and  hearty  after  your 
fatiguing  Journey,  and  I  hope  you  come  with  sound  minds,  and 
a  friendly  Disposition  towards  all  your  Brethn.  — 

3  Strings  of  Wampum 
Brethn.  I  intended  to  have  called  you  all  to  a  general  Congress 
this  Summer  in  order  that  we  shou'd  as  usual  repeat  and 
strenghten  our  mutual  engagements,  hear  what  each  other  had  to 
say,  and  acquaint  one  another  of  any  news,  or  material  Occur- 
rences since  our  last  meeting.  —  but  before  It  was  necessary  to 
assemble  you,  I  recd.  letters  from  the  Governors  of  Pennsylvania, 


1  In  Canadian  Archives,  Indian  Records,  Vol.  7. 

2  From  Johnson  Hall. 

3  German  Flats. 


310  Sir  William  Johnson  Papers 

and  Maryland  acquainting  me  that  a  dispute  which  had  long 
subsisted  between  them  was  now  by  mutual  consent  to  be  amicably 
decided  by  Commissioners,  and  Surveyors  sent  from  England, 
who  have  last  year  run  the  South  line  between  the  two  Provinces 
as  far  as  the  Allegany  Mountains,4  and  altho'  it  was  necessary 
for  the  determination  of  the  Dispute  that  they  shou'd  proceed  as 
far  West  as  their  Jurisdiction,  and  the  limits,  in  which  the  King 
gave  them  liberty  to  purchase  from  you,  shou'd  extend,  yet  from 
the  Friendship  these  Governments  have  for  you,  and  from  their 
desire  to  make  you  all  easy  in  your  minds,  they  wou'd  not  go  any 
further  'till  they  had  obtained  your  voluntary  Consent,  and  pro- 
cured some  of  your  People  to  be  present,  whom  they  wou'd  pay 
for  their  attendance,  in  order  to  Shew  the  fairness  of  their  Pro- 
ceedings, this  they  earnestly  desired  that  I  shou'd  lay  before 
you,  &  desire  your  Consent  thereto.  — 

A  Belt.  — 
Brethn.  I  have  now  told  you  what  the  Governors  of  Pennsyl- 
vania &  Maryland  desire  of  you  thro'  me.  it  remains  yet  necessary 
I  shou'd  say  something  in  recommendation  of  their  request.  — 
Brethn.  You  all  know  that  these  Governments  have,  and  still  do 
continue  to  act  fairly  wth.  you,  and  you  have  no  longer  any  Land 
disputes  with  them.  You  need  not  therefore  be  under  the  least 
apprehensions  that  it  is  intended  to  wrong  you  in  any  manner 
whatever  of  the  smallest  part  of  your  lands,  as  you  may  see  by 
Governor  Penn's  letter  to  me  on  that  Subject  (here  explained  that 
part  of  the  letter) .  —  It  is  only  a  private  transaction  between 
them  Govermts.,  and  it  wou'd  have  been  needless  to  have  given 
you  any  trouble  about  the  matter,  but  that  in  such  cases  bad 
people  might  impose  upon  you,  and  create  Suspicions  injurious  to 
the  Characters  of  the  Persons  concerned.  — 

The  King  in  conformity  to  our  Laws  has  granted  to  every 
Province  a  certain  Boundary,  within  which  Rogues  may  be  ap- 
prehended, and  Crimes  punished,  this  is  for  your  own  advantage, 
as  much  as  for  ours,  it  does  not  take  away  your  lands  —  for  you 


4  The  line  drawn  by  Mason  and  Dixon. 


Indian  Affairs,  1766-68  311 

see  from  the  earliest  times,  they  have  been  fairly  purchased  from 
you  piece  by  piece.  —  These  measures  are  only  for  the  purposes  I 
have  mentioned  to  you,  —  and  it  is  absolutely  necessary  that  this 
Line  shou'd  be  run  for  terminating  Provincial  disputes.  — 

The  Parties  concerned  have  been  so  generous  to  you  their  old 
Friends  as  to  send  you  a  small  present  on  your  agreeing  to  their 
desire;  and  I  hope  you  have  all  had  too  many  proofs  of  my 
Regard  for  your  Interests  to  imagine  I  wou'd  desire  your  Con- 
currence in  any  thing  which  might  be  prejudicial  thereto.  I  shall 
therefore  expect  your  answer,  and  that  it  will  be  as  favorable  as  it 
ought  to  be:  — 

A  Belt.  — 


AN  INDIAN  CONGRESS 

A.D.1 

Thursday  May  12*.  [1767] 
Bretheren  of  the  Six  Nats.  — 

I  am  to  acquaint  You  that  I  have  not  as  yet  received  any  orders 
from  Home,  relative  to  the  business  of  our  last  Meeting  at  my 
House,  but  soon  expect  them,  as  His  Majesty's  Ministers  have 
now  for  some  time  past,  the  Affairs  of  America  under  considera- 
tion, so  that  probably  I  may  receive  them  by  my  Son2  whom  I 
expect  in  about  a  Months  time,  if  I  do,  You  shall  be  imediately 
made  acquainted  therewith.  In  the  mean  time  I  can  with  pleasure 
assure  You,  that,  by  all  my  letters  from  ye.  Ministry  it  appears 
that  His  Majesty  is  determined  to  have  all  Justice  imaginable  done 
You  in  all  yr.  dealings  with  his  Subjects,  and  I  expect  that  you 
will  act  towards  him,  &  them  in  such  a  manner  as  to  merit  a  con- 
tinuance of  his  regard  &  Protection.  — 

A  Belt  — 


1  In  Canadian  Archives,  Indian  Records,  Vol.  1  0.    The  first  part  of  the 
document  is  Sir  William's  hand. 

2  John   Johnson,   who  was  expected   to  return   from   England  in  June, 

1767. 


312  Sir   William  Johnson  Papers 

Bretheren  — 

I  [am  also]  take  this  first  opertunity  to  inform  You  that  I  have 

Settled  everry  thing  with  the  Westeren  &  Northeren  Inds.  last 

Year  on  the  best  footing  possible,  &  to  our  Mutual  Satisfaction, 

that  I  have  a  Deputy  also  in  the  Eastern  Parts  of  this  Country 

whose  reports  from  thence  are  verry  favourable,  so  that  as  Peace 

[now]  is  now  established  between  Us  &  all  the  Inds.  with  whom 

we  are  acquainted  from  the  East  to  the  West  &  from  the  North 

to  the  South,  &  I  expect  that  You,  our  Bretheren  of  the  Six 

Nations  will  contribute  all  in  your  power  to  the  continuance  of  it. 

And  that  You  will,  with  Us  look  upon  those  who  first  violated  it 

(without  Sufficient  cause)  as  Disturbers  of  our  happy  tranquility, 

&  Enemys  of  the  Country.  — 

A  Belt  — 

Bretheren 

I  rejoice  with  You  at  ye.  encrease  of  yr.  Confederacy  by  the 
considerable  Number  of  Tuscaroras"  who  joined  You  lately,  wh. 
I  promoted  all  in  my  power  by  writing  to  ye.  Governour  of  Caro- 
lina in  whose  Government  they  lived,  as  well  as  by  giving  them 
Passports,  &  Some  Assistance  on  their  Arrival,  Such  as  provision, 
Amn.  &  Some  implements  of  Husbandry,  &  I  now  expect  that 
You  will  act  yr.  part  by  Settling  them  in  a  proper  place,  and 
afford  them  some  Assistance  until  they  can  help  themselves,  I 
have  also  given  Letters  last  Week  to  the  Nanticokes,  &  Dela- 
wares  for  the  Govrs.  of  N  Jersey  &  Maryland  in  whose  Govern- 
ments Several  of  the  abovementioned  Tribes  [yet]  still  live  to  See 
Strict  Justice  done  to  them  on  leaving  their  Governments,  which  I 
am  certain  they  will  do,  they  have  likewise  passports  from  me  for 
their  better  security  in  travilling  thro  the  Inhabitted  parts  of  ye. 
Country.  —  As  I  have  done  so  much  for  the  Strengthening  of  yr. 
Confederacy,  wh.  I  have  often  recommended  to  You,  I  expect  You 
will  act  a  proper  part  on  their  Arrival  amongst  You.  — 

A  Belt  — 


3  In  1  766  one  hundred  sixty  Tuscaroras  emigrated  from  North  Carolina 
to  New  York.  See  Johnson  to  Shelburne,  Dec.  1 6,  1  766,  Doc.  Rel.  to 
Col.  Hist.  N.  Y.,  7:883. 


Indian  Affairs,   1766-68  313 

Bretheren  — 

As  I  am  now  recommending  to  You  ye.  Assembling  All  yr. 
Scattered  freinds  together,  in  order  to  Strengthen  yr.  Confederacy 
I  cannot  avoid  taking  notice  of  the  Immoderate  lengths  Your 
Young  [Men]  People  carry  their  resentment  against  the  Chero- 
kees,  a  People  in  Strict  Alliance  with  Us,  and  who  want  to  live 
in  freindship  with  You  [as  well  as  with  us]  also  [And]  they  have 
lately  requested  our  Interposition  And  as  the  great  King  George 
My  Master  has  nothing  more  at  heart  than  ye.  Settling  a  General 
peace  amongst  all  his  Subjects  &  Allies  in  this  Country.  —  I  must 
by  this  belt  of  Wampum  recommend  to  You  a  peace  with  the 
Cherokees,  who  I  expect  will  Send  Deputys  this  way  ere  long 
for  that  purpose.  —  therefore  shall  be  glad  of  yr.  Answer,  that  I 
may  act  Accordingly.  — 

A  Belt  — 
4 Answer  to  the  1st. 
Brother  — 

We  have  heard  now  ye.  Reasons  why  you  have  had  nothing 
relative  to  our  last  meeting  from  Home,  y*.  you  expect  a  full  ace*, 
by  your  Son.  —  in  ye.  Mean  time  you  inform  us  of  his  Majestys 
good-will  towards  us,  &  his  determination  to  see  ye.  strictest  justice 
done  done  us  by  our  Brethren  &  Neighbours  in  these  parts,  we 
thank  you  Brother  for  this  Good  News  —  we  all  wh.  one  voice 
return  thanks  that  the  King  &  his  Ministers  has  been  mindful  of 
us  amidst  all  ye.  Affairs  of  their  Nation.  —  we  shall  rest  satisfyed 
in  ye.  expectation  of  his  farther  pleasure  &  [thots  towards  us] 
determination  respecting  our  last  meeting  by  your  Son.  —  We 
hope  by  our  peaceable  behaviour  ever  to  merit  the  gracious  Kings 
regard  &  protection.  ■ — 

a  Belt. 
2d.  Brother.  W.  our  Protector. 

We  rejoice  to  hear  you  have  settled  so  strong  &  happy  a  Peace 
wh.  ye.  Northern  &  western  Indians  —  &  so  agreeable  &  satis- 
factory to  our  Brethren  ye.  English. 


4  From  here  in  another  hand. 


314  Sir  William  Johnson  Papers 

Brother, 

it  affords  us  equal  pleasure  yl.  you  have  peace  wh.  all  ye. 
Indians  wh.  whome  you  have  any  Acquaintance.  —  &  yf.  you  are 
under  such  peculiar  Advantages  to  preserve  &  perpetuate  this 
tranquility.  &c. 

We  shall  ever  join  wh.  you,  &  exert  ourselves  to  continue  this 
happy  state.  —  We  hope  to  be  always  of  one  heart  &  one  mind 
—  &  yf.  ye.  voice  of  universal  peace  may  be  ever  sounding 
amonghst  us.  —  We  all  thank  you  for  this  pleasant  news. 

A  Belt.  — 
3d.  Brother  &c 

We  have  heard  you,  (after  repeating  ye.  whole  say)  we  thank 
you  for  this  renewed  Instance  of  your  good-will  &  regard  for  us, 
rejoicing  at  ye.  addition  to  our  Number  by  ye.  Tuscarora's,  we 
rejoice  wh.  you.  —  We  thank  you  for  the  Kindness  &  assistance 
you  have  shewn  them,  —  both  in  yr.  first  removal  from  ye. 
Southard,  &  since  yr.  arrival  here.  — 

We  also  thank  you  for  ye.  speedy  Care  you  have  taken  for  ye. 
safe  removal  of  some  of  ye.  Tuscororas  who  are  still  remaining  in 
ye.  Southern  Goverments.  — 

We  assure  you  Brother,  we  shall  follow  your  Advice  &  direc- 
tions relative  to  a  good  settlement  for  them  —  &  grant  them  all 
ye.  assistance  in  our  power.  — 

We  are  well  pleas'd  wh.  yr.  settling  at  Ahquage,  or  any  place 
they  may  chuse  yf.  shall  be  agreeable  to  them.  —  we  renew  thanks 
for  your  Kindness  to  them  &  ask  yr.  continuance  of  it,  for  those 
still  behind.  — 

a  Belt  — 
4,h.  Brother  &c 

We  are  convinc'd  of  your  Fidelity  &  regard  for  us  yf.  you  have 
our  interest  &  wellfare  at  heart,  —  &  are  uneasy  y}.  we  shou'd 
do  any  thing  wh.  has  a  tendency  to  diminish  our  Number  & 
destroy  our  peace.  — 

we  are  glad  y*.  ye.  great  King  your  Master  has  so  good  a  heart 
as  to  desire  nothing  more  than  peace  wh.  all  his  Subjects  & 
displeas'd  if  any  carry  on  war  without  just  grounds  for  it. 


Indian  Affairs,   1766-68  315 

We  warriors,  will  now  give  you  Reasons  why  War  has  com- 
menced between  us  &  ye.  Cherokees.  — 

about  4  Years  ago,  some  of  ye.  Chief  Worriors  of  ye.  Senecas 
visited  [pe.]  our  southern  Brothers,  with  an  Intention  to  renew  & 
brighten  ye.  Chain  of  friendship  —  wch.  being  done,  —  upon  our 
return  they  struck  us,  &  we  returnd  ye.  Blow  —  Since  which  we 
cant  enter  their  settlements,  they  meeting  us  abroad  as  Enemies  — 
Thus  we  have  only  beat  them  wh.  yr.  own  hatchet.  —  &  now  our 
necks  are  stretched  &  faces  turn'd  y*.  way  —  we  begin  to  hear 
yr.  voice  for  peace.  —  yl.  [If]  they  will  make  yr.  Acknowledge- 
ments for  ye.  breach  of  friendship,  we  shall  hear  them.  this  we 
think  proper  for  them  first  to  do,  as  they  have  been  ye.  Ag- 
gressers.  — 


FROM  HENRY  MOORE 

May  12, 1767.  — 
S*. 

The  Council  in  consequence  of  your  letter  to  me  have  desir'd 
that  I  would  grant  the  lands  purchas'd,  to  Mr.  Lawyer,  &  have 
drawn  up  a  Minute  which  I  directed  Mr.  French  to  forward  to 
you  by  this  oppertunity,  but  if  he  should  have  forgot  it  you  shall 
receive  it  by  the  next  post.  I  write  this  from  Coll.  PhilipsV  to 
which  place  I  have  made  an  excursion  for  a  few  days,  &  should 
now  have  answer'd  all  the  particulars  of  your  last  letter  relative 
to  the  Militia,  but  as  I  unfortunately  left  your  letter  in  Town  I 
must  do  it  in  my  next,  having  now  only  time  to  assure  you  that  I 
am  with  great  truth  &  regard 

S*. 

Yr.  most  Obed.  & 
hum1.  S'. 

H:  MOORE 


1  In  Harvard  University  Library,  Sparks  Collection. 

2  Frederick  Philipse,  the  third  lord  of  Philipse  Manor  now  standing  in 
Yonkers,  N.  Y. 


316  Sir  William  Johnson  Papers 

FROM  ADAM  GORDON 
A.L.S.1 

London  17th.  May,  1767. 
Dear  Sir  William 

I  was  in  Hopes,  I  might  have  had  a  few  lines  from  You,  by  the 
Hariot  Packett  just  arrived,  but  on  recollection  I  think  You  could 
scarce  have  had  time  to  answer  my  last,2  so  shall  look  for  that 
Pleasure  by  the  next. 

Your  Son3  will  deliver  You  this  —  I  declare  I  am  sorry  to  part 
with  Him,  but  he  will  go,  &  their  is  no  Help  —  I  can  assure  You 
upon  my  Honour,  that  all  that  have  known  Him  here,  love  and 
Esteem  Him;  if  he  would,  or  could  be  less  reserved,  He  would 
make  a  better  figure  —  because,  His  Modesty  often  conceals  his 
merit,  and  prevents  him,  from  taking  that  share  in  Conversation, 
which  his  Situation  in  Life,  and  his  own  very  good  Sense  intitle 
him  to.  Some  of  this  rare  Quality  he  owes  to  nature,  and  much  to 
not  having  come  sooner,  and  mixed  more  amongst  People  of  the 
World. 

I  have  given  Him  my  Honest  Advice,  to  chuse  some  good 
clever  discreet  American  Lass,  whom  he  loves,  and  sitt  down 
contentedly,  I  do  not  think  his  Constitution  the  strongest  —  and 
I  have  too  good  an  Opinion  of  the  Breed,  [to]  not  to  wish 
earnestly,  to  see  it  continued  down  in  the  male  Line.  —  I  have 
bid  Your  Son,  leave  me  your  Survey  of  the  Land  You  ought  long 
ago  to  have  had  granted  You,  and  a  Note  of  the  Boundaries,  You 
describe  —  because  when  He  shall  be  gone,  who  naturally  was 
Your  agent  —  I  shall  think  my  self  bound  in  Honour  and  in 
gratitude  to  obey,  to  my  best,  any  instructions  You  shall  send  me, 
about  your  Concerns  —  You  know  &  so  does  he  my  Willingness 
— ■  but  I  neither  love  nor  trust  Lord  Sh-lb-ne,  nor  have  once  been 
near  him.  —  Lord  Hillsboro  —  I  know,  &  esteem ;  He  is  really  a 


1  In  New  York  Public  Library,  Ford  Collection. 

2  Not  found.    He  had  not  received  Sir  William's  letter  of  April  20, 
1  767;  see  Johnson  Calendar,  p.  353. 

3  John  Johnson,  who  accompanied  Lord  Adam  Gordon  to  England. 


Indian  A  fairs,  1766-68  317 

Man  of  Business  —  but  said  to  me  t'other  day,  "You  know,  I  am 
no  Body,  now!"  Perhaps  that  may  not  long  be  the  Case!  for 

Changes  in  Adm ion,  to  the  ruin  &  disgrace  of  Britain,  are  now 

as  frequent,  as  the  seasons.  — 

Along  with  this  I  send  You  out  a  sketch  of  my  drawing  up, 
which  is  in  General  Approved  by  Sir  Jeff :  Am  —  st  —  but  wch. 
if  something  unforeseen,  does  not  make  it  absolutely  necessary  — 
I  will  not  present  untill  it  has  had  your  Approbation  —  I  wish 
You  may  approve  —  if  You  do  not,  I  am  desirous,  You  will  point 
out,  what  you  think  exceptionable,  whether  it  shall  go  to  the  whole 
plan  —  or  to  any  one  part  of  it  —  I  also  wish  to  have  your 
thoughts  at  large  on  the  matter  —  &  express'd  in  a  manner,  I  may 
use  here  —  to  attempt  a  thing  of  this  size  &  nature,  where  Your 
opinion  did  not  go  along  —  I  would  be  averse  to.  All  I  beg  is 
secrecy  —  and  a  quick  answer  —  please  to  direct  for  me  here  — 
if  I  am  in  the  north,  it  will  follow  me  there.  —  the  Great  mis- 
fortune here  seems,  that  America  is  very  little  known  to  those  in 
Power,  &  the  few  that  have  turned  their  thoughts  towards  it,  are 
mostly  so  warped  by  Party,  &  linked  to  Factions  —  Its  hard  to 
make  them  see,  and  consider  things,  coolly  &  impartially. 

I  still  mean  to  come  out  in  1  768,  if  I  do  not  marry,  or  am  not 
employed  in  any  service  of  the  Public,  either  of  these  two  occur- 
rences may  postpone  that  Plan  —  but  I  will  not  hastyly  relinquish 
my  Castles  there,  or  ever  forgott  those  there  to  whom  I  am  so 
deeply  in  debt.  —  You  are  amongst  the  first  in  that  List  —  I  wish 
to  be  greatefull,  and  to  assure  You,  at  all  times,  that  I  am,  and 
shall  be  most  faithfully,  and  most  cordially,  my  Dear  Sir  William, 

Yours  to  serve  You  — 

Whilst 

„„,    .  „  Ad:  Gordon 

SR.  WM.  Johnson  Bar1. 

P.S. 

I  beg  my  Compts.  to  the  two  Families  down  the  Country;  I  am 
pleased  to  think  their  half  pay  matters  are  all  settled,  but  having 
nothing  particular  at  this  time,  to  trouble  them  with,  I  do  not 
write.  — 


318  Sir  William  Johnson  Papers 

Sir  John  will  better  explain  to  You,  than  I  can  write,  the 
Ideas,  People  in  general  here  now  hold  of  America  —  If  New 
York  does  not  comply  —  I  dread  the  consequences  and  amongst 
ourselves  I  say  it,  (I  think)  force  must  follow  the  words  and 
declarations  of  the  Government  of  Great  Britain  — .  I  hope 
Lawyers,  who  kindle,  and  feed  this  flame  between  the  Parent,  & 
the  Child,  have  much  to  answer  for  —  I  mean  Mr.  S.  and  Mr.  L. 
of  New  York.4  Adieu  God  bless  You  —  . 

INDORSED:5 

London  1  7th.  May  1  767 


Ld.  Adam  Gordons  Letter 
&ca.  recd.  8K  18lh.  1767 


FROM  HENRY  MOORE 
A.L.S.1 

New  York  May  IS.  1767 

S*. 

I  wrote  a  few  lines  to  you  by  the  last  Post  from  Coll.  Philips's,2 
to  which  place  I  had  made  an  excursion  for  a  few  days,  &  on  my 
return  to  Town  I  find  that  Mr  French  had  not  forwarded  the 
Minute  of  Council  as  I  directed,  but  you  will  receive  it  by  this 
opportunity.  —  I  am  very  sorry  I  did  not  explain  myself  suffi- 
ciently in  what  I  wrote  concerning  the  Militia  as  I  have  given 
you  some  unnecessary  trouble,  but  my  Intentions  were  to  have  the 
whole  Province  divided  into  two  Districts  distinguished  by  the 
Northern  &  Southern,  &  that  the  Southern  should  comprehend 
Staten  Island,  Long  Island  New  York  &  the  Counties  of  Orange, 


4  Probably  Isaac  Sears  and  John  Lamb,  leaders  of  the  Sons  of  Liberty. 

5  In  Sir  William's  hand. 

1  In  New  York  Historical  Society. 

2  May  12,  1767,  ante  p.  315. 


Indian  Affairs,  1766-68  319 

Ulster,  West  Chester  &  Dutchess,  &  that  the  remainder  of  the 
Province  should  include  the  Northern.  The  number  of  Companies 
You  propose  for  each  Reg'.  I  think  very  proper  but  apprehend 
that  we  may  not  allways  have  the  power  of  raising  so  many 
Companies  in  each  District  in  which  Case  we  must  be  contented 
with  the  number  which  the  Inhabitants  can  furnish,  and  complete 
the  Regiments  as  the  number  of  settlers  increase.  I  apprehend  that 
500  men  will  be  very  sufficient  for  each  Reg'.  &  that  they  will  be 
much  better  disciplin'd  if  they  consist  only  of  that  number  than 
if  they  was  doubled.  —  I  shall  be  much  oblig'd  to  you  if  you 
would  send  me  Your  Plan  for  the  whole  County,  as  likewise 
Your  Opinion  of  what  has  been  propos'd  to  me  by  others  which  I 
here  subjoin,  &  if  you  think  any  alterations  necessary  You  will  be 
so  kind  to  let  me  have  them  soon.  I  am  with  great  regard  & 
Esteem. 

Sr.  Yr.  most  Obed*.  &  hum1. 
Ser*. 

H.  Moore 

The  Regiments  are  propos'd  to  be  divided  in  the  following 
manner  — 

The  City  of  Albany 


The  Manor  of  Rensselaer 


Claverac  &  Kinderhook 


The  Manor  of  Livingston 


Coxhachie,  Kattskill,  &  the  West  Camp. 


The  Reg1,  lately  commanded  by  Coll  Mann  has  been  divided 
in  the  following  manner. 


From  the  North  line  of  the  Manor  of  Rensslaer  to  the  North 
line  of  Saratogha.  —  This  is  given  to  Mr.  Schuyler. 


320  Sir  William  Johnson  Papers 

From  the  North  Line  of  Saratogha  to  the  Northern  Boundary 
of  the  Province,  taking  in  Lake  George  Lake  Champlain,  &c  — 
The  Command  of  this  is  given  to  Major  Skene.  — 


INDORSED:3 


»ovr.  Moores  Le[tter] 


New  York  May  18*.  1 7[67] 


TO  THE  COMMISSARIES 

Contemporary  Copy1 

Copy  of  a  Letter  from  Sir  Wm.  Johnson  to  the  Commissaries 
concerning  the  Complaints  made  agl.   them  by  the  Canadians 

dated 

Johnson  Hall,  May  the  24*.  1767— 

Gentn. 

By  a  letter  reed  from  Governor  Carleton2  as  well  as  by  a  Copy 
of  his  letter  in  answer  to  the  traders  of  Quebec  Government,  I 
find  they  have  brought  a  general,  and  Severe  charge  against  the 
sev1.  Commissaries.  —  that  they  loudly  complain  of  your  ill  treat- 
ment of  them,  your  Partiality,  and  of  sev1.  Acts  of  violence,  of 
the  continuance  of  which  they  are  apprehensive.  —  As  I  am  not 
furnished  with  the  particulars  contained  under  these  heads,  I 
:annot  point  them  out.  All  I  can  say,  is  that  as  such  conduct 

is  contrary  to  your  Instructions  as  well  as  to  the  Report  made  by 
other  traders  to  me,  I  am  willing  to  hope  it  is  either  groundless,  or 
greatly  exaggerated,  and  therefore  I  expect  that  you  will  im- 
mediately answer  for  the  same,  and  in  case  such  Charges  are  not 
justly  founded,  that  you  will  without  delay  transmit  to  me  such 
authentic,  and  sufficient  proofs  of  your  good  Conduct  as  will  do 


3  In  Sir  William's  hand. 

1  In  Canadian  Archives,  Indian  Records,  Vol.  7. 

2  Guy  Carleton  to  Johnson,  March  27,  1767,  Johnson  Papers,  5:520- 
23. 


Indian  A  fairs,  1766-68  321 

Justice  to  your  selves  and  to  the  Department,  and  that  in  this  you 
will  particularly  explain  your  own  Conduct  with  that  of  the 
traders  from  the  Government  of  Quebec  the  last  Season,  as  well 
as  make  your  Defence  to  the  charges  of  Partiality  laid  to  you, 
shewing  cause  why  you  took  upon  you  to  make  any  Distinctions, 
or  if  such  charges  are  groundless  that  you  will  acquit  your  selves  of 
the  same  by  proper,  and  Sufficient  Testimonials  in  your  favor.  — 
In  the  main  time  you  are  to  conduct  yourselves  with  that  Im- 
partiality so  repeatedly  recommended  to  you,  without  Favor,  or 
affection,  doing  your  utmost  to  prevent  Frauds,  or  Irregularities 
contrary  to  the  Regulations  to  the  Prejudice  of  the  fair  trader,  or, 
which  may  tend  to  interrupt  the  present  Union  with  the  Indians, 
by  conniving  at,  or  permitting  Acts  contrary  to  his  Majesty's 
Royal  Intentions  signified  to  me.  —  I  am  Gentn.  &c 

WJ.— 


JOURNAL  OF  INDIAN  AFFAIRS 

Contemporary  Copy1 

Johnson  Hall  May  the  30lh.  1767. 

On  this  day  Abraham,  and  sev1.  of  the  Mohawks  arrived  here, 
when  Sr.  Wm.  among  other  things  told  them  what  the  Committee 
for  the  Kayadarosseras  Patent  had  again  proposed,  to  which  they 
made  answer,  that  as  their  People  were  not  then  at  home,  some 
being  gone  to  see  the  Line  run  between  Pennsylvania  and  Mary- 
land, and  others  to  other  parts,  they  cou'd  say  nothing  until  their 
Return,  when  they  wou'd  after  talking  the  affair  over  give  them 
an  answer.  This  Sir  Wm.  communicated  to  the  Comittee  by  lere 
to  Mr.  Kissam2 


1  In  Canadian  Archives,  Indian  Records,  Vol.  7. 

2  Benjamin  Kissam.    "Lere"  evidently  means  "letter." 


322  Sir   William  Johnson  Papers 

FROM  THOMAS  GAGE 

Contemporary  Copy1 

New  York  1st.  June  1767  — 
Dear  Sir, 

I  am  to  acknowledge  your  Favor  of  20th.  May,2  and  am  glad 
that  you  have  Settled  the  Boundarys  of  Pensylvania  &  Virginia  to 
your  Satisfaction ;  And  that  You  have  found  the  Indians  disposed 
to  make  Peace  with  the  Cherokees :  As  Soon  as  the  Deputy  from 
that  Nation  arrive  here,  they  will  be  forwarded  to  You.  — 

If  the  French  Lad  can  be  got  from  Detroit,  which  no  doubt  he 
may  upon  your  writing  to  M1'.  Hay,3  it  will  be  very  proper  that  he 
Should  Appear  against  the  Negro  at  his  Tryal.  I  will  mention  it 
in  a  Letter  I  am  now  going  to  write  to  Capt  Turnbull.4  And  if 
any  other  Evidence,  Circumstantial  or  Positive  can  also  be  had 
from  thence,  they  should  be  Sent  down  at  the  Same  time. 
Colonel  Campbell5  says,  he  does  not  recollect  any  thing  but  strong 
Circumstances  against  the  Negro,  such  as  a  bloody  Shirt,  and 
others  of  the  Same  Nature.  — 

Lieut  Goverr.  Carleton6  is  yet  New  in  Indian  Affairs,  his 
Certificate  must  warrant  the  Payment  of  the  Draughts,  but  at  the 
Same  Time  I  think  a  Genteel  hint  from  You  upon  the  Occasion 
will  put  Matters  for  the  future  upon  a  proper  footing.  — 

Governor  Carleton  knows  very  little  of  the  Canadians  You 
made  Complaint  of,  if  he  conceives  them  to  be  Men  of  good 
Character.  They  are  Renegadoes,  who  are  always  doing  Mis- 
chief. — 

From  the  Tenor  of  your  Letter,  I  am  to  Conclude  some  Com- 
plaints have  been  Exhibited  against  your  Commissarys,  of  what 
Nature  they   are,  or  by  whom  Made,   I   am  intirely   Ignorant, 


1  In  William  L.  Clements  Library. 

2  In  Doc.  Hist.  N.  Y.,  2:853-55. 

3  Lieutenant  Jehu  Hay,  commissary  at  Detroit. 

4  Captain  George  Turnbull  of  the  60th  regiment. 

5  Lieutenant  Colonel  John  Campbell. 

6  Guy  Carleton,  lieutenant  governor  of  the  province  of  Quebec. 


Indian  Affairs,   1766-68  323 

having  never  heared  a  Syllable  about  this  Matter;  But  I  Shall 
Notwithstanding  Continue  My  Orders  to  the  Officers  Command- 
ing to  support  them  in  their  Duty,  and  to  give  them  every  Assist- 
ance they  shall  require  when  Necessary  to  Enforce  Obedience  to 
the  Regulations  for  the  Trade. 

By  a  Letter  from  Detroit  I  find  that  Captain  Turnbull  has 
already  delivered  all  the  Presents  in  his  Possession  to  Mr.  Hay. 
You  will  possibly  have  heared  from  thence  of  the  Murder  of  One 
Jadot  a  Frenchman  killed  near  the  Miamis  by  a  Seneca  Indian, 
Son  of  one  Koasdaess,  as  they  write  his  Name,  and  of  the  French 
at  the  Miamis,  Encouraged  by  that  Nation,  killing  the  Seneca  in 
Revenge  for  the  Loss  of  their  Countryman  — 

I  Say  nothing  of  the  Cash  You  are  in  want  of,  as  Capt. 
Maturin7  Writes  to  You  particularly  upon  the  Subject  — 

I  am,  with  great  Regard, 
Dear  Sir, 

&ca  — 

SR.  WM.  Johnson  Bar1. 

INDORSED : 

Copy./. 

To 

Sir  Wm.  Johnson  Bar1, 
at 

Johnson  hall 
New  York  1 st.  June  1  767 


7  Captain  Gabriel  Maturin. 


324  Sir   William  Johnson  Papers 

TO  ROBERT  LEAKE 

Johnson  Hall  June  6th.  1767 
Dear  Sir 

Your  favour  of  ye.  12th.  May2  I  received  on  my  return  from 
the  Congress  at  ye.  German  Flats,  Since  which  time  I  have  been 
greatly  hurried. 

I  am  glad  our  friend  Croghan  has  recovered  So  much  even  of 
his  outstand  Ace",  so  long  due. 

I  shall,  when  I  want  more  provisions,  write  to  the  General  con- 
cerning it.  I  lately  received  9  barrels  pork,  &  13  of  flour  from 
Schenectady,  wh.  goes  cheifly  to  replace  some  of  my  own  provi- 
sions lately  given  at  ye.  Congress,  as  I  could  get  none  else  where, 
except  a  few  barrels  of  Pork  from  Fort  Stanwix  wh.  was  unfit 
for  use,  the  flour  from  thence  was  good.  I  do  not  understand  why 
my  Department  if  of  any  Service,  whould  be  stinted,  if  it  is  not 
properly  Supported,  these  good  effects  expected  from  it  cannot  be 
obtained,  on  the  contrary,  ye.  consequences  wh.  must  inevitably 
follow  a  Slight  or  neglect  of  our  numerous  Allies  (now  with  much 
difficulty  &  Management  brought  into  a  good  temper)  may  be 
fatal  to  our  wide  extended  Frontiers,  &  Trade  &ca.  — 

With  regard  to  the  Land,  be  assured  Sir  that  my  Intention  & 

desire  is  to  Serve  you  therein,  as  Soon  as  the  Survey  can  be 

effected,  wh.  will  be  this  Summer,  I  hope.  —  If  any  news  amongst 

you  at  Head  Quarters,  be  so  good  to  communicate  it  to  him,  Who 

is  Sincerely 

oir 

Your  hearty  Welwisher 

&   verry   Humble  Servant, 

Robert  Leake  Esq'.  W-  J°hnson 


1  In  Franklin  D.  Roosevelt  Library,  Hyde  Park,  N.  Y. 

2  Destroyed  by  fire;  according  to  Johnson  Calendar,  p.  356,  it  said 
"that  he  has  paid  Mr.  Croghan's  draft  in  favor  of  Lawrence  &  French, 
asking  that  orders  for  provisions  may  be  sent  early  and  Mentioning  Capt. 
[Guy]  Johnson's  conversation  and  the  slight  prospect  of  a  paper  currency 
on  the  plan  proposed  in  New  York." 


SIR  GUY  CARLETON 

First  Lord  Dorchester,   Governor  General  of  Canada.  Copy  by  Mable  B. 

Alesser,  painted  in  1923,  from  original  portrait  that  hung  in  Rideau,  since 

burnt.  Courtesy  of  Public  Archives  of  Canada. 


Indian  Affairs,  1766-68  325 

My  kind  Compliments 
to  Mrs.  Leake.  — 

P.  S.  Mr.  Corn3.  Glen  formerly  Dep>\  Comis?.  of  provisions  at 
Schenectady  requested  I  would  ask  You  for  a  Birth  for  him,  in 
case  of  a  Vacancy  at  Albany.  As  I  have  always  heard  a  good 
Character  of  him  &  found  him  oblidging,  I  take  this  liberty,  wh. 
You  will  Sir  be  good  enough  to  excuse. 

INDORSED : 

6th.  June  Answd.  26th.  D°.  1  767 
Sir  Wm.  Johnson  Bart. 


FROM  GUY  CARLETON 
Copy1 

Quebec  12lh.  June  1767. 

Sir 

Upon  considering  the  inclosed  Extracts  of  a  Letter  from  Lord 
Halifax  to  the  Governor  of  this  Province,  in  Consequence  of  my 
Enquiries  thereupon  into  the  Character  and  Conduct  of  Monsieur 
Chabert,2  and  the  little  knowledge  I  have  had  the  Opportunity 
myself  to  acquire  of  the  Man,  I  could  not  see  any  just  Reason  for 
refusing  him  an  Indulgence,  granted  to  all  His  Majesty's  Subjects 
without  Distinction,  of  improving  his  Fortune,  by  embarking  in 
that  Trade,  which  our  Royal  Master  has  in  the  most  public 
Manner  declared  should  be  free  to  all,  who  submitted  to  the 
Regulations  made  by  himself,  or  by  those  in  Authority  under 
him  — 

This  Gentleman's  Case  is  truly  hard;  He  spent  two  Years  in 
the  Bastille,  which  could  not  give  him  a  very  advantagious  Idea 


1  In  Canadian  Archives;  Colonial  Office  Records  (transcripts),  Canada 
Q  4,  Correspondence  between  Gov.  Carleton  and  the  Ministers,  pp. 
246-49. 

2  Daniel  Joncaire,  Sieur  de  Chabert  and  Clausonne  (1716-1771). 


326  Sir   William  Johnson  Papers 

of  French  Justice,  He  afterwards  came  over  to  this  Country  with 
a  large  Cargo,  purchased  in  Britain,  for  the  Indian  Market,  and 
found  himself  the  only  one  debarred  from  disposing  of  them,  as 
he  pleased;  He  has  taken  the  Oaths  of  Allegiance  to  His 
Majesty,  has  demeaned  himself  for  the  Space  of  two  Years,  as  I 
am  credibly  informed,  in  the  most  quiet  and  irreproachable 
Manner,  has  submitted  to  the  general  Regulations  by  taking  a 
Licence,  and  giving  Security  in  the  Terms  thereby  required.  He 
has  sent  over  for  his  Sons,  is  possessed  of  Houses,  Lands,  and  has 
Relations  in  the  Province,  which  are  to  us  so  many  Pledges  of  his 
good  Behaviour.  I  have  it  under  his  Hand,  that  if  it  lies  in  his 
Way,  any  Interest  he  has  shall  be  employed  for  the  British 
Interest,  and  yet  without  one  single  Crime  laid  to  his  Charge,  He 
is  to  be  punished,  upon  a  base  Presumption,  He  may  intend  to 
Offend.  — 

Notwithstanding  I  do  not  myself  entertain  the  least  Suspicion 
of  his  having  any  such  Intention,  the  Instant  I  understood  by  a 
Paragraph  of  your  Letter  to  General  Gage  of  the  24th.  April,3  by 
him  transmitted  hither,  which  for  Expedition  sake,  I  could  have 
wished,  you  had  sent  here  directly,  you  had  conceived  his  going 
up  might  prove  prejudicial  to  the  British  Interests,  I  immediately 
dispatched  an  Express,  Time  enough  to  stop  him ;  but  tho  I  went 
thus  far,  in  order,  as  far  as  in  me  lies,  to  Cooperate  with  the 
Person,  the  King  has  been  pleased  to  appoint  for  the  Superin- 
tendance  of  the  Savages  in  these  northern  Regions,  I  could  not 
help  indulging  him  with  a  Permission  to  apply  to  yourself  in 
Person,  to  state  his  own  Case,  and  Endeavour  to  remove  those 
Prejudices,  which  bear  so  hard  upon  him.  — 

I  have  been  the  more  ready  to  acquiesce  in  this,  that  I  am  well 
informed,  if  he  does  not  succeed  in  his  application,  he  is  forever 
ruined,  himself  and  Family  involved  in  the  greatest  Distress;  I  have 
however  previously  insisted  on  his  giving  me  his  Parole  of  Honor 
to  return  to  Montreal,  should  you  think  proper  to  persist,  and 


3  Doc.  Hist.  N.  Y..  2:850-52. 


Indian  Affairs,   1766-68  327 

send  my  nephew  L'.  Carleton4  of  the  3 1 8t.  to  pay  his  Respects  to 
you,  to  have  an  Eye  to  his  Conduct,  and  see  that  he  returns 
agreable  to  his  Promise  — 

This  Affair  gives  me  the  more  Concern,  that  I  fear  it  may  have 
pernicious  Effects  with  Regard  to  his  Countrymen;  if  they  are 
once  persuaded,  we  still  look  upon  them  with  an  evil  Eye,  and 
cannot  forgive  the  Injuries,  they  did  us,  while  it  was  their  Duty 
to  be  our  Enemies,  will  it  not  render  them  still  more  anxious  to 
return  to  their  old  Masters,  if  it  was  but  to  shake  off  Restraints, 
to  which  they  never  were  used  — 

You  will  at  the  same  Time  observe,  Sir,  that  altho'  I  think 
the  Canadians  well  entitled  to  every  Indulgence  in  the  Power  of 
the  Crown  to  give  them,  I  am  thoroughly  persuaded,  it  is  both  just 
and  right  carefully  to  attend  to  their  most  trifling  Motions,  and 
therefore  when  I  acquainted  General  Gage  with  my  Intention  of 
agreeing  to  Mr.  Chabert's  going  to  the  upper  country,  I  intreated 
he  would  mention  the  Matter  to  the  Officers  Commanding  at 
Niagara  and  Detroit,  and  direct  them  to  have  an  Eye  to  his  Con- 
duct, tho'  with  such  Caution  and  Circumspection,  as  might  not 
afford  him  any  Ground  to  imagine  he  was  by  us  suspected  — 

I  am  &c 

(Signed) 
Guy  Carleton 


INDORSED: 


Copy  of  a  Letter  from 
Lieut.  Govr.  Carleton  to 
Sr.  Wm.  Johnson  Super1, 
for  Indian  Affairs 
12th.  June  1767  — 
In  Lt.  Govr.  Carleton's 
Dup,e.  (N°.  8.)  of  the  8th. 
July  1767.  5. 


4  Lieutenant  Christopher  Carleton  of  the  3 1  st  regiment. 


328  Sir  William  Johnson  Papers 

FROM  HUGH  WALLACE 

Copy1 

New  York  June  15,  1767 

The  Bearer  Lieut.  Galland2  is  a  Man  Gen1.  Gage  has  much  at 
Heart  to  serve,  as  he  was  long  in  the  same  Corp  with  him  &  has 
appointed  him  to  reside  at  &  take  care  of  Fort  Stanwix.  As  it  may 
be  in  your  power  to  do  him  some  service  &  advise  him  how  to 
make  something  of  the  Lands  &  Houses  there  I  beg  you'll  be  so 
good  as  to  help  him.  —  He  is  a  very  honest  worthy  Man,  but  has 
been  unfortunate.  *  *  *  * 


1  In  Oneida  Historical  Society,  Utica,  N.  Y.    The  original  letter  was 
destroyed  by  fire. 

2  Lieutenant  John  Galland. 


FROM  BAYNTON,  WHARTON  AND  MORGAN 

Copy1 

Philad*.  June  21st  1767 
Sir 

Last  night  we  had  an  Express  from  Fort  Chartres  which 
brought  us  a  Packet  for  your  Honor  and  a  Draft  on  you,  for 
three  thousand  seven  hundred  &  twenty  one  pounds  twelve  shill- 
ings N  York  Currency. 

We  have  happily  experienced  many  Instances  of  kindness  & 
assistance  from  your  Honor,  in  the  Payment  of  Our  Accols.  and 
therefore  are  now  emboldned  to  beseech  of  you,  to  favor  us,  in  the 
Discharge  of  the  within  Bill ;  as  we  assure  you,  Our  distresses  for 
Money,  still  Continue ;  occasioned  by  our  not  having  yet  received, 
any  Other  Remittances  from  the  Ilinois  except  what  have  been  in 
Drafts  On  your  Honor. 


1  Printed  in   Illinois  Historical  Collections,    1  1  :580;   original  in   New 
York  State  Library  was  destroyed  by  fire. 


Indian  Affairs,   1766-68  329 

We  are  with  the  utmost  Respect 

Sir 
Your  much  obliged  & 

most  obedient  Servants 
Baynton  Wharton  &  Morgan 

The  Honorable  SlR  WM.  JOHNSON 

INDORSED: 

Philadelphia  June  2  R  1  767 
Messrs.  Baynton  Wharton 
&  Morgans  letter 


TO  GUY  CARLETON 

Copy1 

Johnson  Hall  June  24ih.  1767. 
Sir 

Your  Nephew  Lt.  Carleton2  delivered  me  yesterday  your  favor 
of  the  12'h.  instant3  he  was  accompanied  by  Monsr.  Chabert4 
whose  Case  is  certainly  hard,  altho'  I  could  not  do  less  than  to 
mention  what  I  did,  as  well  as  in  Consequence  of  the  Sentiments 
of  the  Government  respecting  him,  as  from  my  knowledge  of  his 
Interest,  particularly  with  the  Senecas,  and  from  some  Storys 
propagated  by  the  Chiefs  of  that,  and  other  Nations,  made  it  my 
Duty  to  hint  the  Affair  as  I  did  — 

Mr.  Chabert  must  know  that  I  have  no  personal  dislike  to  him, 
having  given  him  at  the  desire  of  the  French  Minister  as  favour- 
able a  Certificate  of  his  Losses5  at  Niagara,  as  I  could  have  done 


1  In  Canadian  Archives,  Colonial  Office  Records  (transcripts),  Canada 
Q  4,  Correspondence  between  Gov.  Carleton  and  the  English  ministers,  pp. 
246-49.    Draft  in  New  York  State  Library  was  destroyed  by  fire. 

2  Lieutenant  Christopher  Carleton  of  the  3 1  st  regiment. 

3  Ante  pp.  325-27. 

4  Daniel  Joncaire,  Sieur  de  Chabert  and  Clausonne. 

5  See  Johnson  Calendar  p.  302,  for  Chabert's  petition  to  Johnson,  Feb. 
21,  1766. 


330  Sir   William  Johnson  Papers 

to  any  Man,  and  I  have  only  acted  in  this  Case  as  I  would  do 
were  He  my  Brother  —  I  am  willing  to  hope  that  Mr.  Chabert 
will  not  attempt  anything  to  the  Prejudice  of  the  British  Interest. 
I  am  persuaded  it  is  in  his  Power,  but  I  am  not  inclined  to  Judge 
hardly  of  him  on  bare  Suspicion  — 

It  is  not  my  Intentions  to  reflect  in  the  smallest  degree  on  the 
Conduct  of  the  French  under  their  own  Government,  they  are  to 
be  commended  for  their  Zeal  in  behalf  of  their  Country  when  it 
did  not  extend  to  Acts  of  Barbarity  but  my  Sentiments  when  I 
speak  of  the  Canadians  must  be  confined  to  those  whom  I  know 
to  have  acted  contrary  to  their  Allegiance,  and  been  our  most 
dangerous  Enemies,  since  they  became  British  Subjects,  some  of 
whom  are  now,  and  ever  will  be  doing  us  all  the  Harm  in  their 
Power,  buoyed  up  with  the  Hopes,  with  which  they  feed  them- 
selves and  the  Indians  of  French  Fleets  and  Armies  &c,  but  I 
believe  for  the  most  part  induced  thereto  from  the  Advantages 
they  reap  from  Trade,  of  which  they  enjoy  the  much  greater 
part  of  representing  us  in  a  bad  Light. 

I  will  not  take  up  more  of  your  Time  at  present  on  this  Sub- 
ject, having  already  wrote  more  fully  in  Answer  to  your  two 
former  Favors,  which  I  intend  to  transmit  you  by  Captain  Claus, 
who  will  set  out  in  a  few  days  for  Montreal,  his  Journey  having 
been  hitherto  prevented  by  an  unforseen  Accident  — 

I  am  sensible  it  is  bad  Policy  to  shew  a  Suspicion  of  any  of 
His  Majesty's  Subjects,  and  may  weaken  their  Allegiance,  if 
there  are  no  positive  Proofs  we  must  act  with  an  observed 
Caution.  I  can  feel  for  Mr.  Chabert's  Distresses;  Having  dis- 
charged my  Duty  by  Mentioning  the  Matter,  and  he  having  given 
me  the  strongest  Assurances  of  his  future  good  Conduct,  I  shall 
not  Longer  oppose  him,  if  he  trades  at  a  Post,  and  therefore  I 
submit  the  Matter  entirely  to  yourself,  and  shall  at  the  same  time 
mention  my  Reasons  for  so  doing  to  the  Commander  in  Chief  — 

I  am  with  great  Esteem  &c 

(Signed) 

W.  Johnson 


Indian  Affairs,   1766-68  331 


INDORSED : 

Copy  of  a  Letter  from 
Sr.  Wm.  Johnson  Sup*,  for 
Indian  Affairs  to  Lt.  Govr. 
Carleton  24th.  June  1  767 
In  Lt.  GoV.  Carleton's  Duple. 
(No.  8)  of  the  8th.  July  1767 

6. 


JOURNAL  OF  INDIAN  AFFAIRS 

Contemporary  Copy1 

[Johnson  Hall,  June  9-28,  1767] 

June  9th.  —  Thomas  King  with  5  more  came  here  with  one 
Harper2  of  Cherry  valley  who  had  a  Licence  from  the  Gover- 
nor, and  Council  of  New  York  to  purchase  a  large  Tract  of  land 
between  the  Delaware  &  Susquahana  Rivers.  — 
1 0th.  —  Being  met  they  told  Sir  Wm.  that  he,  and  the  rest  were 
sent  by  their  chiefs  to  acquaint  him  that  they  had  determined  to 
sell  a  Part  of  their  lands  to  Harper,  and  associates,  and  to  know 
from  him  how  far  the  Delawares  had  sold  land,  and  what  he 
thought  it  was  worth.  —  they  added,  that  as  this  was  the  third 
time  he  and  they  had  been  about  said  land,  they  were  now  all 
resolved  to  sell  it.  On  Sir  Wms.  asking  them  whether  they  wou'd 
take  upon  themselves  the  Sale  of  said  land  without  the  Oneidas 
approbation,  whom  he  had  looked  upon  to  be  the  right  Owners 
of  said  lands,  and  who  lately  at  the  meeting  had  told  him  so, 
they  answered  that  they  made  the  affair  known  to  them,  and  that 
they  agreed  to  their,  and  the  Oghquagoes  selling  the  sd.  land, 
they  the  Chiefs  of  Oneida  not  having  given  them  any  part  of  the 
Money  arising  from  the  sale  of  lands  which  they  last  year  had 


1  In  Canadian  Archives,  Indian  Records,  Vol.  7. 

2  John  Harper  of  Cherry  Valley.    See  Calendar  of  Land  Papers,  p. 
459. 


332  Sir  William  Johnson  Papers 

made  to  sundry  People  in  the  Presence  of  the  Governor,  here.  — 
Sir  Wm.  then  shewed  them  a  draft  of  that  part  of  the  Country 
whereby  they  cou'd  See  how  far  the  Delawares  had  sold,  —  and 
as  to  the  Price,  he  left  it  to  their  Chiefs  to  settle  it  with  the  white 
People.  — 

1 7th.  —  An  Onondaga,  brother  to  Karaghiagigo  the  chief 
Warrior  of  that  Nation  brought  Sir  Wm.  an  account  of  the  death 
of  Tafyafyador})  the  Bunt's  son  having  lost  four  men  of  his  Party 
by  the  Cherokees,  who  lay  in  wait  for  them,  and  Surprized  them 
unawares,  as  they  were  within  a  Couple  of  days  march  of  their 
Country,  —  he  said  that  the  young  men  of  that  nation  were  so 
enraged  at  this  loss  that  they  were  preparing  to  go  immediately 
against  the  Cherokees,  and  wanted  only  Ammunition  for  the 
Party.  —  Sir  Wm.  sent  by  the  Indian  3  Strings  of  Wampum  to 
condole  their  loss  as  is  usual  on  such  Occasions,  and  a  long 
bunch  of  Wampum  to  the  Chief  Warriors  reminding  them  of  what 
was  done  at  the  late  Congress  held  at  the  German  Flats,  and 
desiring  them  to  keep  their  Warriors  at  home  until  they  heard 
from  him.  —  that  he  soon  expected  the  arrival  of  the  Cherokee 
Deputies  who  were  coming  to  Sue  for  Peace,  —  that  it  wou'd 
not  look  well  in  them  or  any  of  the  Six  Nations,  after  what  they 
had  promised  him,  to  go  against  them,  until  their  arrival.  —  The 
messenger  approved  much  of  what  Sir  Wm.  had  said,  and  promised 
to  deliver  his  words  faithfully  to  the  Chiefs,  and  added  that  he 
did  not  doubt  of  their  paying  due  regard  thereto.  —  Sr.  Wm. 
ordered  him  a  small  Present,  and  dispatched  him.  — 

Eod.  die  Tawassioghta  a  chief  of  the  Onondaga  nation 
arrived  here,  and  acquainted  Sr.  Wm.  that  he  was  very  uneasy  in 
mind  for  the  death  of  his  nephew  whom  he  wanted  to  replace  by  a 
Scalp,  or  a  Prisoner  of  the  Cherokees,  —  that  he  came  to  tell  him 
of  his  resolution  to  go  with  his  Party  against  that  Nation  for  that 
purpose,  to  which  Sr.  Wm.  answered  that  he  must  wait  the  arrival 
of  the  Cherokee  Deputies,  to  which  he  agreed.  — 
28th.  —  On  this  day  two  Indians  arrived  here  express  from 
Conajohare  at  9  o'  the  clock  at  night  with  a  Belt  of  Wampum 
from  their  Council  acquainting  Sir  Wm.  of  a  piece  of  news  they 


Indian  Affairs,  1766-68  333 

had  just  rec'ed  from  some  of  the  White  People  their  neighbours 
which  greatly  alarmed,  and  enraged  their  whole  Village,  Viz1, 
that  Ury  Klock3  with  one  Dillebagh,4  Joseph,  and  Cobus  May- 
bee,  John  and  Wm.  Pickard  had  sent  to  the  Governor  a  Second 
Complaint  against  them,  as  the  informants  had  said  of  a  very 
serious  nature,  that  from  the  illnatured  behavior  of  the  before 
mentioned  People,  and  others  of  the  Inhabitants,  their  neighbours 
who  are  of  late  Years  thwarting,  and  using  them  very  ill  on  all 
Occasions,  they  are  very  apprehensive  of  some  evil  designs  being 
forming  against  them,  and  that  they  do  not  know  how  soon  they 
may  be  put  into  Execution,  wherefore  they  were  sent  to  acquaint 
Sr.  Wm.  of  their  uneasiness,  and  to  desire  his  Interposition,  and 
advice,  and  that  very  speedily,  otherwise  they  wou'd  apply  to  the 
other  nations,  and  not  be  murdered  treacherously  &  basely  as  their 
Friends  the  Conestogoe  Indians  were,  which  they  imagined  was 
what  their  Neighbours  intended  to  do.  —  Sir  Wm.  used  sev!. 
arguments  to  convince  them  that  no  such  thing  was  intended.  — 
that  the  People  of  this  Government  were  under  better  Command 
than  those  of  Pennsylvania,  that  if  any  Complaint  was  sent  to  the 
Governor  he  shou'd  surely  know  something  of  the  matter,  that  if 
there  was  any  such  thing  he  woud  make  it  known  to  them,  and 
take  such  steps  in  their  favor  as  the  nature  of  the  affair  required. 
Nothwithstanding  all  he  had  said,  they  sett  off  at  day  break  to 
the  Mohawk  villages  in  order  to  acquaint  them  of  what  they  had 
heard.  —  and  it  is  not  improbable  but  they  acquainted  the  Six 
nations  also  of  it.  — 


3  George  (Ury)   Klock. 

4  Wilhelmus  Dillenbach. 


334  Sir  William  Johnson  Papers 

FROM  RICHARD  SHUCKBURGH 
/~\.  .i_/.0. 

New  York  7*  July  1767 
Dear  Sr.  Willm. 

There  is  one  Transport  wth.  Troops  arriv'd  before  the  Town  & 
more  Expected  next  Tide  to  our  releif.  I  have  just  now  ask'd 
CoR  Campbell  to  Stay  behind  the  Reg1,  he  tells  me  he  beleives 
the  Gen1,  will  not  admit  of  it:  thereupon  must  Beg  of  you  to  Send 
me  as  soon  as  you  can  a  Letter  to  the  Earl  of  Shelbume  to  signify 
that  I  am  the  Person  you  recommended  to  be  Secretary  to  Indn. 
Affairs:  wch.  I  shall  deliver  my  self  in  case  I  go  home.  Be 
pleas'd  to  Enclose  my  Lord's  Letter  to  me  wlh.  a  flying  Seal 
wch.  I  shall  fix  before  I  deliver  it.  I  must  again  Beg  of  you  to  send 
the  above  Letter  as  soon  as  possible 

I  am  wll\  due  Respect  to  you 
&  family 

Yr.   most  obedient  &  hble 
Serv*. 

RD.  Shuckburgh 

P.  S.  The  Amelia  not  yet  arriv'd  —  Enormous  Acc,s.  fm. 
Illinois  without  Battle,  Murder,  or  Bloodshed 

P.  S.  if  you  please  to  communicate  any  thing  to  me  relative  to 
Indn.  affairs  that  I  can  inform  his  Lordship  or  any  of  the  Ministry 
I  dare  say  you'll  not  repent  of  the  Confidence  you  have  at  any 
time  put  in  me 


In  New  York  Historical  Society. 


Indian  Affairs,   1766-68  335 

FROM  THOMAS  GAGE 
Contemporary  Copy1 

New  York  12*.  July  1767 

Dear  Sir, 

Upon  the  Abandoning  of  Fort  Stanwix  by  the  Troops,  the 
Care  of  the  Buildings  and  forwarding  of  Stores  over  the  Carrying 
Place,  was  left  in  Charge  of  Lieut.  Galland;2  who  has  lately 
wrote  word,  that  the  Indians  threaten  to  turn  Everybody  away 
from  the  Place,  and  are  so  troublesome  that  the  Inhabitants  are 
going  to  remove.  The  Missionary  Mr.  Galland  Says,  confirms 
this;  And  I  think  its  possible  this  Gentleman  may  want  a  good 
Dwelling.  I  am  to  beg  of  You  to  Send  to  the  Indians  to  be  quiet 
and  Peaceable,  with  Assurances  that  no  Settlement  is  intended 
here,  any  more  than  at  the  other  Posts  before  Abandoned,  that 
the  Officer  must  Stay  in  the  Fort  to  transact  Business,  and  that 
We  Expect  they  shall  protect  him:  They  Complained  of  the 
Fort,  Which  they  now  See  is  abandoned  to  ease  their  Jealousies 
about  it  — 

A  Disagreable  Affair  has  happened  near  the  Detroit,  which  I 
Suppose  Mr.  Hay3  has  reported  to  You;  a  Servant  of  Lieut 
Sinclair's4  Killed,  and  his  wife  wounded  by  Some  Chippewas, 
What  the  Provocation  was  for  this  Murther,  or  if  any,  had  not 
yet  Transpired.  Lieut  Sinclair  took  two  Indians  concerned 
Prisoners,  on  Board  his  Vessel,  and  will  Send  them  to  Detroit. 
The  Chief  who  was  with  the  Band  to  which  the  Murtherers 
belonged,  disclaimed  the  Action,  and  said  it  was  against  the 
Sentiments  of  his  Nation;  We  must  talk  loudly  of  this  Affair 
and  Demand  Satisfaction,  which  had  better  have  been  taken  im- 
mediately. If  we  had  done  them  Justice  for  the  Murder  of 
the  Two  Squaws,  by  hanging  the  Negro,  now  in  Jail,  we  might 
with  a  better  grace  insist  upon  the  Indians  being  also  brought  to 


1  In  William  L.  Clements  Library. 

2  Lieutenant  John  Galland. 

3  Lieutenant  Jehu  Hay,  commissary  at  Detroit. 

4  Lieutenant  Patt  Sinclair  (St.  Clair) . 


336  Sir  William  Johnson  Papers 

Justice.  As  affairs  are,  We  must  Manage  as  We  can,  to  deterr 
the  Indians  from  Committing  Murthers  hereafter:  And  if  in  Ac- 
comodating Matters  We  can  prevail  upon  them  to  drive  in  the 
Straggling  French,  it  will  be  a  good  Service.  You  will  be  so  good 
to  Write  to  Mr.  Hay  upon  this  Subject,  which  must  not  be  passed 
lightly  over,  or  they  will  be  Encouraged  to  do  More  Mischief.  — 

Capt  Brown5  writes  Word  from  Niagara,  that  two  Squaws  and 
a  Child  of  the  Seneca  Nation,  were  Scalped  Some  time  ago  near 
the  Chenussio  Village  Supposed  to  have  been  done  by  Some  of 
the  Messassagas. 

I  have  beared  nothing  lately  from  Fort  Pitt,  but  hope  Capt 
Murray6  will  have  removed  the  Settlers  at  Redstone  and  Cheat 
Rivers  — 

The  Transports  from  Ireland  with  the  16th.  and  26th.  Regrs. 
are  Arrived  here  and  those  with  the  Royal  Irish  Expected  by  this 
Time  to  be  at  Philadelphia.  — 

I  am,  with  great  Regard, 
Dear  Sir, 

&ca  — 

Sir  Wm.  Johnson,  Bar1. 
13*.  July 
Since  Writing,  I  have  received  a  Letter  from  Detroit  of  6lh. 
June,  by  which  I  find  Capt  Turnbull'  was  Sending  the  Two 
Indian  Prisoners,  with  the  Evidences  down  to  Albany.  You  will 
give  such  directions  in  this  matter  as  You  shall  Judge  most 
proper  — 

INDORSED: 

Copy./. 

To  Sr.  William  Johnson 
at 

Johnson  hall 
New  York  12*.  July  1767 


5  Captain  John  Brown. 

6  Captain  William  Murray,  commandant  at  Fort  Pitt. 

7  Captain  George  Turnbull. 


Indian  Affairs,  1766-68  337 

ORDER  TO  THE  COMMANDANTS  OF  OSWEGO  AND  NIAGARA 

Contemporary  Copy1 

Head  Quarters  New  York  20th.  July  1767 

Whereas  the  Officer  Commanding  His  Majesty's  Forces  at  the 
Detroit,  has  thought  proper  to  send  from  thence  two  Chippewa 
Indians  Prisoners,  and  to  be  conducted  from  Post  to  Post,  till 
they  shall  reach  Albany;  The  Officers  Commanding  at  Oswego 
and  Niagara,  are  hereby  Directed  to  follow  such  Directions  as 
they  shall  recieve  from  Sir  William  Johnson  respecting  the  said 
Indian  Prisoners ;  at  whichever  of  the  above  Posts  this  Order  shall 
be  recieved. 

To  The  Officers  Commanding  His  Majesty's  Forces 

At  Oswego  and  Niagara. 


1  In  William  L.  Clements  Library;  inclosed  in  Gage  to  Johnson,  July 
20,  1 767. 


JOHN  STUART  TO  THOMAS  GAGE 

Contemporary  Copy1 
Extract  of  a  Letter  from  Mr.  Stuart2  to  General  Gage 

Dated  Charlestorvn  21st.  July  1767 

By  this  Opportunity  you  will  recieve  the  Belt  of  Beads,  the 
head  piece  and  Scalp  referred  to  in  the  Prince  of  Chote's  Speech.3 

The  Cherokees  blame  the  Northern  Indians  for  the  Murder  of 
Mr.  Boyd,  of  which  I  formerly  acquainted  Your  Excellency; 
And  a  few  days  before  the  Chiefs  set  out  to  meet  me  at  hard 
Labor,4  a  White  Man  was  killed  and  Scalped,  near  one  of  their 
Towns,  the  Enemy  was  pursued,  Overtaken  and  Scalped,  He 


1  In  William  L.  Clements  Library.    Inclosed  in  Gage  to  Johnson,  Sept. 
14,  1  767,  post  pp.  359-60. 

2  John  Stuart,  southern  superintendent  of  Indians. 

3  For  two  versions  of  the  speech,  see  post  pp.  339-40. 

4  Hard  Labor  Creek  in  South  Carolina. 


338  Sir   William  Johnson  Papers 

wore  the  head  piece  abovementioned,  by  which  the  Cherokees 
pretend  to  know  that  he  was  a  Youghtanow  Indian  and  the  Scalp 
was  his;  The  intention  of  the  Savages  in  sending  them  to  Your 
Excellency  is  that  the  Nation  who  so  much  infest  them  and 
indiscriminatly  kill  Indians,  and  White  People  may  be  known. 
They  request  of  Your  Excellency  to  forward  the  Blue  Belt  of 
Beads  to  Sir  William  Johnson,  that  he  may  use  his  influence 
with  the  Tribes  at  War  with  them  to  bring  about  an  Accommoda- 
tion, to  whom  the  said  Belt  is  to  be  shown,  and  they  beg  for  an 
Answer  as  soon  as  possible. 

INDORSED : 

Extract  of  a  Letter  from  — 
Mr.  Stuart  to  General  Gage  — 
Dated  Charlestown  2 1 st.  July  1  767 

And 
Extract  from  a  Journal  of 
the  Proceedings  of  the  Superintend', 
sent  to  Sir  William  Johnson 
in  a  Letter.  Dated  August  1  767. 


USTENEKA  S  SPEECH 

Contemporary  Copy1 

Extract  from  a  Journal  of  the  Proceedings  of  the  Superintendant. 

Usteneka  or  Juds  Friend  speaks. 

Just  before  I  left  home,  a  White  Man  was  killed,  by  the  Rogue 
whose  Scalp  I  now  hold  in  my  hand  (holding  a  Scalp)  At 
Keowee  we  lost  one  of  our  People,  by  a  Northern  Indian,  whose 
Scalp  I  also  took.  We  have  now  discovered  who  killed  both  the 
White  and  Red  People:  You  believed  that  Cherokees  killed 
Your  People  in  Our  Nation.  We  hope  you  are  now  convinced 
of  their   Innocence,    for  it  was   Northern   Indians   that  did  the 


1  In  William  L.  Clements  Library;  inclosed  with  Stuart's  letter  to  Gage, 
ante,  and  with  Gage  to  Johnson,  Sept.   14,   1767,  post  pp.  359-60. 


Indian  Affairs,   1766-68  339 

Mischief.  (Producing  a  Head  Band  He  said)  This  which  I 
hold  in  my  Hand,  the  Rouge2  who  killed  the  White  Man  wore, 
by  which  we  know  his  Country.  My  talk  is  now  ended.  (Delivers 
the  Head  Band  and  Scalp.) 


2  Rogue. 


SPEECH  OF  THE  PRINCE  OF  CHOTE 

Contemporary)  Copy1 

Extract  from  a  Journal  of  the  Proceedings  of  the  Superintendant. 

The  Prince  of  Chote2  speaks, 

I  now  talk  for  all  my  Nation  and  when  great  beloved  Men  talk 
peaceably,  other  People  may  rest  securely. 

A  String  of  White  Beads. 

I  live  and  Sit  with  my  beloved  Brother  Mr.  Cameron3  in 
Chote ;  White  and  Red  Men  must  help  each  other  in  their  distress ; 
I  now  apply  to  my  Father  and  Our  Elder  Brothers,  for  their 
Assistance,  and  Mediation  betwixt  us  and  our  Northern  Enemys. 
that  Blood  may  not  continue  to  be  Spilt,  I  therefore  desire  You 
would  send  the  Belt  which  I  now  hold  to  New  York,  it  must  be 
shewn  to  the  General,  and  sent  to  Sir  William  Johnson  that  he 
may  show  it  to  his  Indians,  and  Endeavor  to  keep  them  at  home. 

I  proposed  sending  Deputies,  to  the  Northern  Indians  at  War 
with  us  Attakullakulla  and  other  Warriors  were  Nominated  for 
that  purpose,  but  we  have  thought  proper  to  stop  them  till  we  hear 
from  Sir  William  Johnson  on  the  Subject,  after  which  Attakulla- 
kulla with  the  other  Deputies,  will  go  to  New  York.  (Delivers 
the  Belt  to  be  sent  to  New  York) 


1  In  William  L.  Clements  Library.  Inclosed  with  Stuarts'  letter  to  Gage, 
ante,  and  with  Gage  to  Johnson,  Sept.   14,   1767,  post  pp.  359-60. 

2  Echota,  a  Cherokee  town,  five  miles  above  Fort  Loudon,  at  the  junc- 
tion of  the  Tellico  and  Little  Tennessee  Rivers  in  present-day  Monroe 
County,  Tennessee. 

3  Alexander  Cameron,  commissary  of  Indian  affairs. 


340  Sir  William  Johnson  Papers 

THE  KING  OF  CHOTES  SPEECH 
AD.1 

Brother, 

I  now  talk  for  all  my  Nation  and  When  great  beloved  Men 
talk  peacably  Other  People  may  rest  Securely.  — 

I  live  and  trade  with  my  beloved  Brothers  the  English  in 
peace.  White  and  Red  Men  must  help  one  another  in  their 
Distress  I  now  apply  to  my  Father,  and  our  Elder  Brothers 
for  their  Assistance  and  Mediation  between  Us  and  our  Northern 
Enemys,  that  there  may  be  no  more  Blood  Spilt,  I  now  desire  this 
Belt  which  I  hold  in  my  hand  may  be  shewn  to  the  General  at 
New  York,  and  then  it  must  be  sent  to  Sir  William  Johnson  that 
he  may  Shew  it  to  his  Indians,  and  try  to  keep  them  at  Home. 

I  had  Five  Deputys  ready  to  send  to  the  Northern  Indians  at 
War  with  us,  to  Speak  to  them  about  Peace,  but  we  think  it  best 
to  wait  till  we  hear  more  from  Sir  W,  Johnson  on  that  Subject. 
After  which  Attakulla  kulla2  [with]  other  Deputys  will  go  to  the 
Six  Nations  by  the  way  of  Sir  Wiliiam  Johnsons  House.  And  We 
hope  we  may  soon  have  a  good  answer. 

You  can  also  tell  Kanajiawana  that  I  am  Surprised  at  his 
keeping  Chapmans  girl  so  long,  and  that  I  expect  he  will  bring  or 
Send  her  Down  Soon  As  her  Father  has  been  here  Several  times 
for  her,  and  I  expect  all  ye.  Prisoners  yet  amongst  them  will  be 
delivered  to  me  at  our  next  Meeting  According  to  their  promises 


INDORSED:3 


The  King  of  Chotes 
Speech 


1  In  New  York  Public  Library,  Gansevoort-Lansing  Collection.  This  is 
the  original  version,  since  it  is  in  Sir  William's  hand,  of  the  preceding  in- 
closure.   Yet  it  contains  material  not  in  the  extract. 

2  King  of  the  Cherokees,  who  had  once  ransomed  Capt.  John  Stuart 
and  was  friendly  to  the  English.  See  Doc.  Rel.  Col.  Hist.  N.  Y,,  8:159 
and  note. 

3  In  Sir  William's  hand. 


Duplicate 


Indian  Affairs,   1766-68  341 

FROM  THOMAS  PENN 

L.S.1 

London  July  22d.  1767. 


Dear  Sir 

It  gives  me  much  concern  that  I  cannot  inform  you  of  the 
finishing  your  affair  of  the  Land,  but  I  can  with  great  truth  assure, 
that  I  have  not  omitted  any  opportunity  of  pressing  the  Ministers 
to  come  to  a  resolution  to  do  it;  and  indeed  all  of  them,  particu- 
larly my  Lord  Shelburne,  declare  themselves  very  sensible  of  your 
merit,  and  that  they  desire  to  serve  you;  the  truth  is,  they  have 
been  so  closely  engaged  in  Parliamentary  business,  especially  the 
latter  part  of  the  Session,  as  to  want  recess  in  the  County,  where 
some  of  them  are  not  well,  more  especially  my  Lord  President, 
who  cannot  comme  to  Town  about  any  business  as  yet;  when  he 
does,  I  shall  again  press  a  completion  of  this  business,  and  a  con- 
sideration of  the  boundary  with  the  Indians,  of  which  I  will  im- 
mediately inform  you  of  my  Success. 

Your  Son2  carries  over  with  him  the  explanatory  report  of  the 
Board  of  Trade,  on  the  reference  the  Committee  of  Council  made 
to  them,  of  which  I  believe,  he  sent  you  a  copy  before,  and  which 
I  hope  will  settle  every  point;  I  could  not  possibly  serve  him,  in 
asking  for  him  such  an  office  as  you  thought  might  be  established, 
there  being  at  present,  a  very  great  attention  to  save  expences,  but 
I  shall  have  a  good  opportunity,  when  I  come  to  talk  with  the 
Ministers  about  the  Boundary,  and  shall  gladly  embrace  the  op- 
portunity, as  his  conduct  here  has  been  such,  as  deserves  an  en- 
couragement ;  I  wish  him  a  happy  meeting  with  you,  and  am  with 
great  regard 

Dear  Sir 

Your    affectionate    Friend    and 
Most  Ob1.  Humble  Servant 

„     www  _  Tho  Penn 

Sir  William  Johnson 


1  In  Henry  E.  Huntington  Library. 

2  John  Johnson,  then  returning  from  England. 


342  Sir   William  Johnson  Papers 

BENJAMIN  ROBERTS  TO  DANIEL  CLAUS 

Contemporary  Copy1 

Extracts  of  a  letter  from  Lieu*.  Benjamin  Roberts  to  Cap1.  Claus 
datd. 

Michilimacinac,  July  23,  1767 . 

I  find  that  sev1.  People  trade  upon  the  Communication  from 
Canada  to  this  Place  for  Rum  &c  which  is  a  very  great  Abuse, 
and  will  be  the  Occasion  sooner,  or  later  of  some  Traders  being 
plundered  by  drunken  Indians,  nothing  wou'd  be  more  advan- 
tageous to  the  mother  Country  than  a  prohibition  of  Rum,  or 
Brandy  coming  up  farther  than  Niagara  or  Detroit  except  what 
was  necessary  for  the  Consumption  of  the  Garrison,  and  for  Pres- 
ents from  the  Commissary  wch.  wou'd  much  lessen  the  Expences, 
as  the  Indians  wou'd  then  esteem  it;  but  now  they  have  it  from 
every  hand  wch.  makes  them  lazy,  and  so  disregard  our  Manu- 
factures which  are  here  sold  cheaper  than  they  can  be  brought 
up  for. 

As  my  Instructions  are  very  Strict  concerning  the  People 
that  go  out  Wintering,  I  require  a  Joint  Bond  from  each  Person 
going  out,  and  a  Responsible  Burgher  that  they  shall  conform  to 
such  Regulations  as  are  mentioned  in  their  Pass,  a  Copy  of  which 
I  send  you  —  I  am  Yrs.  &c  — 

B:  Roberts2 


1  In  Canadian  Archives,  Indian  Records,  Vol.  7. 

2  Lieutenant  Benjamin  Roberts,  commissary  at  Michilimackinac. 


Indian  Affairs,  1766-68  343 

TO  GOLDSBROW  BANYAR 

A.L.S.1 

Johnson  Hall  28lh.  J 'uly  1 767 
Dear  Banyar — 

Your  favour  of  ye.  20th.  Ins1.2  I  received  Yesterday,  am  glad 
to  find  thereby,  that  you  have  been  paid  by  the  Governour,  and 
that  You  will  Send  me  the  Deed  Soon.  As  to  the  Maps,  I  can  do 
without,  it  was  only  to  compare  it  with  the  one  I  have  that  I 
wanted  it.  —  Capts.  Claus  &  Johnson3  are  much  oblidged  to  You 
for  yr.  kind  enquiry  of  their  Scituation,  They  are  now  recovering 
verry  fast. 

There  is  a  Lot  belonging  to  Mr.  Clark4  at  Cherry  Valley  N°. 
41,  So  ordinary,  that  no  one  has  hitherto  cared  to  take  it  up.  This 
Day  One  Thomas  Spencer  Gun  Smith  a  Verry  Industrious 
Honest  Man  applyed  to  me,  &  begged  I  would  know  from  You 
the  price  of  it,  as  it  would  answer  for  a  Tradesman  altho  not  for  a 
Farmer,  the  greatest  part  of  it  by  far  being  a  Limestone  Quarry. 
—  be  so  Good  (if  to  be  Sold)  to  let  me  know  the  lowest  price,  of 
it.  On  my  asking  him  what  he  would  give  for  it,  He  Said  he  could 
not  afford  above  Fifty  pounds,  as  the  greatest  part  is  111  timbered 
&  Rocky.  So  that  what  Good  Land  there  is  would  even  at  yf. 
price  Stand  him  Dear. 

I  am  thank  full  to  You  for  ye.  News,  You  wrote  me,  it  is  verry 
disogreable  I  dare  say  to  Numbers  of  those  Gentlemen  who  have 
been  such  Violent  partizans  for  wf.  they  call  liberty,  as  it  must 
also,  to  hear  His  Majestys,  &  Parliaments  approbation  of  Some 
of  ye.  Provinces  &  Individuals  who  distinguished  themselves  dur- 
ing the  late  troubles.  —  I  wish  all  may  end  well.  — 

pray  let  me  know  whether  the  Patent  is  making  out  for  that 
[that]  Tract  of  Byrn's  at  Scohare,5  the  Survey  of  wh.  has  been 


1  In  New  York  Historical  Society,  Banyar  Papers. 

2  Johnson  Papers,  5:598-99. 

3  Daniel  Claus  and  Guy  Johnson. 

4  George  Clarke.    See  Calendar  of  Land  Papers,  p.  279. 

5  See  Calendar  of  Land  Papers,  pp.  414,  418,  for  deed  for  this  tract. 


344  Sir  William  Johnson  Papers 

sent  down  some  time  since  to  Mr.  Colden.  —  Yesterday  dyed 
Miss  Duncan6  at  Schenectady.  —  nothing  new  here,  so  conclude 
with  best  wishes  for  yr.  Happiness,  and  am 

Dear  Banyar 

Yrs.  Sincerely  &  Affectk 

W.  Johnson 
Golds  Borow  Banyar  Esqr. 

INDORSED : 

28  July  1 767 


From  Sir  Wm.  Johnson  — 


JOURNAL  OF  INDIAN  AFFAIRS 

Contemporary  Copy1 

[JulyI3-August4J767] 

July  13th.  —  Sir  Wm.  went  to  Coghnawagey  where  he  had 
ordered  all  the  Mohawks  of  both  Castles  to  meet  him,  —  when 
met  he  gave  them  nine  barrels  of  Flower,  one  of  Salt,  and  30 
skipples  of  Corn  to  each  Castle,  being  in  the  utmost  distress  for 
which  they  returned  many  thanks.  — 

1 4th  — J\n  Onondaga  with  two  Conojahare  chiefs  arrived  here 
Express  from  the  Six  Nations  to  acquaint  Sir  Wm.  that  some 
Senecas  who  were  hunting  below  Fort  Pit  had  met  with  150 
Cherokees,  and  Catawbas  who  told  the  Senecas  they  were  only 
the  Van  of  a  large  body  going  (at  the  desire  of  the  English)  to 
cut  off  the  Six  Nations,  that  the  Nicariageys  who  killed  two 
Seneca  Women,  and  a  Child  had  lately  told  them  that  the 
English  had  given  them  the  Hatchet,  and  desired  them  to  use  it 
against  the  Six  Nations.  —  they  desired  to  know  from  Sr.  Wm. 


6  Daughter  of  John  Duncan.  See  Johnson  Papers,  5:610. 
1  In  Canadian  Archives,  Indian  Records,  Vol.  7. 


Indian  Affairs,   1766-68  345 

the  cause  of  it,  and  which  Government  gave  it,  or  whether  it  was 
a  general  act  of  the  whole.  — 

A  Belt  and  2  Strings.  — 
Sir  Wm.  desired  them  to  go  home,  and  tell  their  Chiefs  to  send 
a  few  active  men  to  the  place  wrhere  the  Senecas  said  they  had  met 
the  body  of  Cherokees  &c  and  that  he  wou'd  venture  any  thing 
they  wou'd  meet  no  such  body,  or  any  at  all,  unless  the  chiefs  of 
the  Cherokees  who  might  be  coming,  as  they  promised,  to  make 
Peace  with  them,  in  which  case  he  desired  they  might  not  be 
molested.  —  then  gave  them  a  severe  Reprimand  for  their  ex- 
treme Credulity  of  any  thing  they  heard  against  their  brethren  the 
English  who  he  assured  were  in  Peace  every  where,  and  de- 
termined to  keep  it  with  mankind  if  they  were  not  ill  treated,  and 
forced  to  a  War,  of  which  at  present  there  was  no  appearance. 
So  that  they  must  pay  no  regard  to  the  lying  Reports  propagated 
among  them  by  some  ill  disposed,  foolish,  and  designing 
People.  — 

A  Belt  and  two  Strings. 
1 6th.  —  The  Chiefs,  and  Warriors  of  the  lower  Mohawk  Castle 
came  here,  and  after  returning  Sr.  Wm.  many  thanks  for  the  Pro- 
visions given  them  in  their  distress,  begged  he  wou'd  allow  their 
young  men  some  Amunition  wherewith  to  hunt,  which  with  the 
Provisions  they  rec'd  wou'd  enable  them  to  subsist  until  some  of 
their  Grain,  squashes  &c  were  fit  to  use.  —  Sir  Wm.  ordered  them 
a  Cask  of  Powder,  50  Wl.  of  Shot,  the  same  of  Ball,  —  Flints 
&c,  and  sent  them  away  very  happy.  — 

20th.  —  Sir  Wm.  recd.  a  letter  from  the  Conojohares  acquainting 
him  of  Philip  Schuyler  of  Conojohares  wounding  one  of  their 
People  very  dangerously  on  account  of  a  Petition  wrote  (and 
carried  about  by  Ury  Klock2  and  his  Son  Jacob)  against  them  to 
the  Governor,  as  they  were  informed  by  Hannicol  Harkemer,3 
and  Peter  Schuyler  who  read  the  same,  and  who  being  asked  to 
sign  it,  refused,  as  it  tended  to  create  a  disturbance,  or  breach  be- 


2  George   (Ury)   Klock. 

3  Johan  Nicholas  (Honnikel)  Herchheimer. 


346  Sir  William  Johnson  Papers 

tween  the  Whites,  and  Indians.  —  by  said  lere  they  desired  to 
know  how  they  were  to  behave,  or  whether  they  cou'd  have  any 
expectation  of  redress  in  that  &  other  Grievances  complained  of. 

—  Sr.  Wra.  returned  an  answer  that  he  wou'd  enquire  into  the 
affair,  and  endeavor  all  in  his  Power  to  their  obtaining  of 
Justice.  — 

July  23d.  —  Sir  Wm.  sent  three  Strings  of  Wampum  to 
Aughtaghquiseras  son  and  Oneida,  calling  down  their  Sachims, 
and  chief  warriors  to  a  meeting  in  order  to  acquaint  them  with 
General  Gage's  sentiments  regarding  Fort  Stanwix,  also  the 
Konawarohare  Indians  whose  attendance  was  wanted  on  the  same 
business  to  which  purpose  he  wrote  to  the  Minister  there  giving 
him  a  list  of  such  People  as  he  wanted  to  attend  the  meeting 
which  was  to  take  place  on  Monday  the  3d.  of  Aug*,  next.  — 
gave  the  Messenger  a  Present  &  dispatch'd  him.  — 
August  4th.  —  On  this  day  Adam,  Isaac,  Peter  with  sundry 
more  of  the  Oughquagoes,  and  Thomas  King  met  here,  and  in  the 
evening  two  of  Mr.  Harper's4  Sons  of  Cherry  valley,  and  one 
Rever5  of  Conojohare  arrived  here :  — 

Next  morning  the  Indians  acquainted  Sir  Wm.  that  they  came 
here  in  order  to  sell  a  large  Tract  of  land  to  said  Harpers,  and 
their  Associates  in  his  Presence,  and  hoped  he  wou'd  See  Justice 
done  to  them  therein.  —  After  the  Indians  had  described  the 
Tract  which  they  intended  to  sell,  the  Harpers  &  Associates 
offered  them  1 500  Dollars  for  it,  and  they  insisted  on  a  £  1 000. 

—  As  they  cou'd  not  agree,  both  Parties  agreed  to  leave  it  to  Sir 
William,  on  which  he  proposed  that  Harper  &  C°.  shou'd  pay 
1800  Dollars  or  £720  York  Currcy.  for  said  described  Tract, 
with  which  both  Parties  were  satisfied,  —  which  tract  is  to  join 
a  tract  purchased  sixteen  years  ago  by  Sr.  Wm.  from  the  Conoja- 
hares  &c  on  the  West,  and  is  bounded  on  the  East  by  the  West 
branch  of  the  Delaware,  and  in  length  about  3  miles  more  or 
less.  — 


4  John  Harper. 

5  Andreas  Reber.   See  Calendar  of  Land  Papers,  p.  459. 


Indian  Affairs,   1766-68  347 

FROM  GUY  CARLETON 
A.L.S.1 

Quebec  6lh.  August  1767. 


Sir 


Many  Representations  having  been  made  to  me  by  the  Indians 
of  the  Lake  of  the  two  Mountains,2  that  several  Persons  have  been 
guilty  of  vending  spirituous  Liquors  to  their  young  Men,  which 
has  been  attended  with  such  pernicious  Consequences,  that  no  less 
than  five  Murders  have  been  lately  committed  among  them,  owing 
to  the  dismal  and  never  failing  Effects  of  these  inebriating  Liquors, 
upon  those  unhappy  Creatures;  and  the  Interposition  of  the  Civil 
Magistracy  of  that  District,  tho'  strongly  urged  to  exert  their 
Authority  in  this  Matter,  having  by  some  Means  or  other,  hitherto 
proved  ineffectual,  I  have  determined  to  send  an  Officer,  whom  I 
have  invested  with  the  Commission  of  the  Peace,  to  reside  in  their 
Village,  and  hope  this  Measure  will  be  attended  with  the  desired 
Effect  — 

The  Person  whom  I  have  pitched  Upon  for  this  Purpose  is 
Captain  Schlosser3  of  the  American  Regiment,  who  was  several 
Years  in  the  Upper  Country,  is  well  acquainted  with  their  Usages, 
and  speaks  the  French  Language;  He  shall  have  Directions  to 
correspond  with  you,  and  to  inform  you  of  every  Thing  that  may 
be  worth  your  Notice  — 

I  am  with  great  Truth  and  Regard 

Sir 

Your  most  Obedient 
Humble  Servant,  — 

Guy  Carleton 
The  Honble.  SlR  WM.  JOHNSON  Bar1. 
Sup1,  for  Indian  Affairs  &ca 


1  In  Historical  Society  of  Pennsylvania. 

2  At  the  mouth  of  the  Ottawa  River.   The  residence  of  the  Canadesagas, 
the  Arundacs  and  the  Algonkins,  who  were  in  alliance  with  the  Six  Nations. 

3  Captain  John  Joseph  Schlosser. 


348  Sir  JVilliam  Johnson  Papers 


INDORSED:4 


Quebec  6th.  Augsl.  1 767 


LA  Govr.  Carleton's  letter 


JOURNAL  OF  INDIAN  AFFAIRS 

Contemporary  Copy1 

[Johnson  Hall  Aug.  8-1 0,  1767] 

Aug'.  8  —  On  this  day  all  the  Sachims,  and  chief  Warriors  of  the 
2  Oneida  Castles,  also  them  of  Conojahare  arrived  at  Johnson 
Hall,  and  after  being  supplied  with  Provisions  &c  went  to  their 
Encampmts.  — 

Sunday  9th.  —  They  all  assembled  in  the  Council  Room, 
when  Canaghquiesa  chief  Sachim  of  Oneida  returned  Sir 
Wm.  the  String  of  Wampum  by  which  he  had  invited 
them,  and  acquainted  him  that  they  were,  agreeable  to  his  desire, 
ready  to  hear  what  he  had  to  say.  —  Sr.  Wm.  first  welcomed 
them,  and  told  them  he  was  glad  to  see  them  here,  and  after 
drinking  their  Healths,  ordered  them  a  Glass  round,  and  it  being 
Sunday  told  them  that  they  shou'd  go  to  Church,  which  they  ac- 
cordingly did,  and  had  Service  in  Indian  performed  by  Thomas  an 
Oneida,  which  he  did  extremely  well,  and  all  behaved  with  much 
Decency.  —  After  Service  ordered  them  Provisions,  and  told 
them  he  wou'd  meet  them  in  the  Afternoon  — 

At  4  Post  M.  being  all  assembled,  Sir  Wm.  performed  the 
Ceremony  usual  on  these  Occasions  and  then  spoke  to  them  as  to 
what  the  General  had  wrote  to  him  concerning  some  uneasiness, 
and  trouble  they  had  given  Lieu1.  Galland2  at  Fort  Stanwix. 
having  said  all  that  was  necessary  on  that  subject,  the  Indians 
after  examining  all  their  People  on  the  matter  assured  him  that 


4  In  Sir  William's  hand. 

1  In  Canadian  Archives,  Indian  Records,  Vol.  7. 

2  Lieutenant  John  Galland. 


Indian  Affairs,  1766-68  349 

they  knew  nothing  of  any  difference  having  happened  between 
them  &  Lieu1.  Galland,  and  that  they  wou'd  not  molest,  or  give 
him  any  trouble  so  long  as  he  behaved  friendly,  and  brotherlike 
to  them,  which  they  hoped  the  General  wd.  recomend  to  him  as 
they  believed  him  to  be  hasty,  and  peevish 

A  Belt. 
1 0th.  —  Early  in  the  Morning  an  Express  arrived  with  the  Murder 
shout  informing  Sir  Wm.  &  Indians  that  two  Onondagas  were 
killed,  and  scalped  at  Oswego  by  (as  was  thought)  the  Missa- 
sageys  about  3  days  ago  — 


FROM  ELEAZAR  WHEELOCK 

Contemporary  Copy1 

Lebanon  Aug1.  19th.  1767 
Sir 

May  it  please  your  Excellency. 

The  enclosed  came  directed  to  my  care  while  I  was  on  a 
journey;  by  which  means  it  fail'd  of  an  earlier  conveyance.  And 
with  respect  to  the  context  of  it,  I  would  only  beg  leave,  at  the 
desire  of  some  concern'd,  to  certify  you,  that  the  Revd.  Mr.  Fish2 
is,  so  far  as  I  know,  universally  esteem'd,  a  gentleman  of  Integrity 
and  good  Ability.  And  accordingly  the  Representation  he  has 
made  of  the  Case  of  the  poor  suffering  Indians  at  Narraganset,  is 
to  be  relied  upon,  as  being  faithfully  &  impartially  done. 

And  I  would  also  at  their  [earnest]  desire  join  my  earnest 
Request  in  Behalf  of  that  poor  people,  that  your  Excellency 
would  please  take  their  pityous  Case  into  your  Consideration,  and 
if  their  be  any  way  of  relief  for  them  (which  under  God  they  ex- 
pect chiefly,  or  only  by  your  Interposition)  that  something 
effectual  may  be  done  to  prevent  that  total  ruin  which  otherwise, 
according  to  all  human  probabilities,  is  very  speedily  to  be  ex- 


1  In  Dartmouth  College  Library. 

2  Rev.  Joseph  Fish  of  North  Stonington,  Conn. 


350  Sir  William  Johnson  Papers 

pected  —  They  have  bid  the  fairest  to  be  built  up,  and  become  a 
people,  of  any  party  of  Indians  I  know  of  in  New  England  — 
and  now  just  as  they  have  got  well  engaged  in  cultivating  their 
Lands,  and  begin  to  know  the  worth  of  them,  by  tasting  the 
sweets  of  a  civilized  Life,  their  best  farms  are  slipping  from  under 
them,  one  after  another  (as  they  express  it)  with  much  expence 
of  Labour  &  money  also,  which  they  have  bestow'd  to  subdue 
them.  And  they  have  reason  to  expect  in  a  very  little  Time,  they 
shall  have  none  left,  unless  something  effectual  be  speedily  done 
for  their  Help.  The  pitteous  complaints  of  this  poor  people  are 
truly  such,  as  I  make  no  doubt,  Sir,  would  greatly  move  your 
Excellency's  Compassions  towards  them,  could  you  hear  them; 
but  your  well  known  Care,  Fidelity,  and  Resolution,  prevent  all 
occasion  to  enlarge  on  this  Head  — 

May  it  please  your  Excellency.  We  had  frequent  Reports  last 
winter  &  spring,  from  your  Quarter,  as  well  as  diverse  Hints  in 
the  publick  News,  that  a  Number  of  Miss?55.  &  schoolmasters  were 
daily  expected  from  Europe  to  supply  the  Vacancies  in  your 
Vicinity :  on  which  I  wrote  your  Excellency  desiring  to  be  certified 
of  ye.  truth  of  the  report,  and  to  know  your  pleasure  relating 
thereto :  But  I  have  received  no  written  answer  —  and  as  I  have 
always  esteem'd  your  Countenance  &  Patronage  to  be  of  such 
Importance,  in  this  Affair,  that  I  would  by  no  means  take  one 
step  without  your  Approbation;  I  have  neglected  to  send  either 
Missionary,  or  Schoolmaster,  this  Year,  to  those  places  near  you, 
'till  you  should  please  to  signify  your  pleasure  in  that  matter: 
and  I  have  now  sent  my  son3  to  wait  upon  you  with  this,  desiring 
you  would  please  to  advise  me  fully,  whether  you  desire  the  board 
of  Correspondants  in  this  Colony  to  provide  supply  of  preaching 
for  the  parties  of  Indians  of  the  Six  Nations  who  are  willing  to 
hear,  and  schoolmasters  for  their  Children;  and  whether  your 
Excellency  will  encourage  those  we  shall  send,  in  their  respec- 
tive services,  so  long,  &  so  far,  as  their  conduct  &  Behaviour  shall 
be  agreeable  to  their  respective  Characters  &  professions? 


Ralph  Wheelock. 


Indian  A  fairs,  1766-68  351 

Your  Excellency  is  not  unsensable  that  the  infant  Institution4 
under  my  care,  is  now,  by  the  blessing  of  Heaven,  much  en- 
creased,  &  become  respectable  at  home  &  abroad ;  and  is  honour  a 
with  the  patronage  of  Gentlemen  of  Character,  and  great  worth  in 
England,  who  have  accepted  the  Trust  of,  and  become  Guaran- 
tees to  the  publick,  for  the  fund  collected  in  Europe,  for  the  use 
&  support  of  it;  (of  which  Trust  the  Right  honble.  the  Earl  of 
Dartmouth  is  appointed  president)  whose  Characters,  &  influence 
are  such,  that  I  would  by  no  means,  have  a  step  taken  which  may 
not  have  their  Approbation.  And  I  should  be  very  sorry,  if,  by 
any  means,  party  names,  and  circumstantial  differances  in  matters 
of  Religion,  should  so  operate,  as  to  retard  or  prevent  the  progress, 
&  success  of  the  general  Design  in  View  — 

please,  Sir,  to  let  me  know  your  Mind,  and  advise  me,  as  fully 
as  shall  be  needful  to  determine  my  conduct  in  this  matter,  and 
please,  sir,  to  be  assured  that  you  shall  always  be  served  with 
humility,  and  the  greatest  chearfulness,  in  any  thing  that  comes 
within  the  Power  of 

May  it  please  your  Excellency 

Your  most  obedient,   humble  Servant 

Eleazar  Wheelock 
Sir  Wm.  Johnson  Bar1. 


A  Copy 


INDORSED : 

To  Sr.  Wm.  Johnson  Bar*. 
Sep'.  19*.  1767 
Copy 


4  Moor's  Charity  School  for  Indians. 


352  Sir  William  Johnson  Papers 

FROM  HORATIO  SHARPE 

Annapolis  the  20th.  of  August  1767  — 

Sir 

The  Letter  You  were  pleased  to  write  to  Me  the  1st.  of  May 
last2  having  been  presented  a  few  Weeks  ago  by  eleven  Indians 
from  Otsiningo3  who  were  conducted  hither  by  Mr.  Ogden4 
(being  on  their  Way  to  Dorchester  Somerset  and  Worcester 
Counties  in  this  province  where  all  the  Indians  remaining  among 
Us  reside)  I  not  only  gave  Orders  for  their  being  treated  with 
kindness  and  furnished  with  provisions  as  they  should  pass  and 
repass  thro  the  Province  but  also  made  them  a  present  of  some 
Cloaths  they  appeared  to  be  in  want  of,  and  recommended  it  to 
some  Gentlemen  who  I  apprehended  had  some  Influence  with  our 
Indians  to  encourage  them  to  accept  the  Invitation  those  Ambassa- 
dors came  to  give  them ;  but  as  the  Lands  our  Indians  possess  are 
confirmed  to  them  by  Acts  of  Assembly  to  be  held  so  long  as  any 
of  them  shall  choose  to  reside  on  them  and  then  to  revert  some 
of  them  to  original  Patentees,  others  to  the  Lord  Proprietary,  and 
the  Residue  to  be  at  the  Disposal  of  the  General  Assembly,  I 
could  not  take  upon  Me  to  enter  into  any  Treaty  with  those 
Indians  about  the  Sale  of  their  Right  to  the  Lands  they  Occupy 
at  present  in  this  Province,  it  being  necessary  that  the  Affair  should 
be  referred  to  the  Assembly  and  that  the  Acts  by  Virtue  of 
which  the  Indians  here  now  hold  their  Land  should  be  repealed 
previous  to  their  offering  it  for  Sale.  If  upon  their  Return  they 
Should  represent  to  you  that  their  Bretheren  here  are  willing  to 
relinquish  their  Land  and  to  go  back  to  Otsiningo,  and  you 
should  thereupon  think  fit  to  impower  Mr.  Ogden  or  some  other 
person  in  their  Behalf  to  come  hither  about  the  Middle  of  October 
next  when  our  Assembly  will  be  sitting  and  to  make  an  Agree- 


1  In  Historical  Society  of  Pennsylvania. 

2  Johnson  Papers,  5:544-45. 

3  Present  day  Binghamton,  N.  Y. 

4  Captain  Amos  Ogden,  later  made  attorney  for  the  Nanticokes. 


Indian  Affairs,   1766-68  353 

merit  about  the  Sale  of  their  Land,  You  may  be  assured  I  will 
recommend  it  to  the  Assembly  to  give  them  a  reasonable  Compen- 
sation for  their  right  to  the  Land  —  in  Case  they  shall  One  and 
All  be  willing  to  relinquish,  Should  they  sell  To  whom  pray  is 
the  purchase  Money  to  be  paid  or  how  here  divided  among  them, 
will  any  besides  those  who  actually  reside  in  the  Province  at  this 
time  set  up  pretensions  to  it,  or  may  it  all  be  paid  to  them,  I 
should  be  glad  to  know  your  Sentiments  with  regard  to  those 
particulars  and  what  Measures  You  apprehend  will  be  most  Satis- 
factory to  them  — 

I  am  with  great  Regard 

Sir 
Your  most  Obedient 
and   very    humble   serv1. 

Hor°.  Sharpe5 
SR.  William  Johnson 

INDORSED:6 

Annapolis  20th.  Augst.  1  767 


L*.  Govr.  Sharps  Letter 

BENJAMIN  ROBERTS  TO  GUY  JOHNSON 

Contemporary  Copy1 

Copy2  of  a  Letter  from  Lieu*.  Roberts  to  Guy  Johnson  Esqr. 
(a  Depy.  Agent  for  Indian  Affairs)  dated  at 

Michilimakinak  the  20th.  Aug1.  1767. 

Mr.  Roberts3  says  it  is  a  thing  very  certain  and  no  Secret  that 
Major  Rogers4  will  go  off  in  the  Spring  and  not  empty-handed. 


5  Governor  Horatio  Sharpe  of  Maryland,  1  753-1  769. 

6  In  Sir  William's  hand. 

1  In  William  L.  Clements  Library;  Shelburne  Papers,  51  :356.  Inclosed 
in  Claus  to  Carleton,  Oct.   1 ,  1  767  and  in  Carleton's  of  Oct.  9,  1  767. 

2  A  synopsis,  rather  than  a  copy. 

3  Lieutenant  Benjamin  Roberts,  commissary  at  Michilimackinac. 

4  Major  Robert  Rogers,  commandant  at  Michilimackinac. 


354  Sir  William  Johnson  Papers 

The  Traders  there  are  very  anxious  for  the  Security  of  their 
Effects  and  persons,  and  it  is  imagined  there  will  be  Bloodshed  in 
some  of  the  Out  Posts  by  some  of  Rogers's  people  trying  to  force 
away  Goods.  Representations  of  this  Nature  he  says  are  so  fre- 
quent and  strong,  that  he  has  been  obliged  to  beg  the  Assistance 
privately  of  Cap1.  Spiesmaker5  to  stop  Rogers  in  case  he  should 
attempt  to  make  an  Excursion,  which  the  Cap*,  has  promised. 
Rogers  has  received  Belts  &  Pipes  in  a  private  manner  from 
several  Nations,  and  some  of  his  Emissaries  have  carried  Belts  to 
the  North-West.  —  He  has  given  the  Indians  that  come  to  that 
post  so  much,  that  the  Commissary  can  scarce  keep  them  in  good 
Humour.  Rogers,  upon  having  Notice  of  the  Commissary  being 
expected,  had  sent  to  stop  a  Nation  of  Cristinaux  that  were  on 
their  way  there  to  attend  his  Council  by  his  Summons.  —  He  finds 
that  a  Quantity  of  Rum  has  been  conveyed  out  of  the  Fort  by 
midnight,  and  that  there  is  to  be  a  Canoe  loaded  with  Rum  to  go 
to  la  Baye,  which  will  pick  up  all  the  Skins,  and  perhaps  get  all 
the  Traders  scalped. 

In  a  postscript  he  says  he  has  just  received  Information  of  40 
Cags  of  Rum  being  lodged  on  an  Island  in  the  Way  to  La  Baye, 
and  he  has  sent  a  party  to  seize  &  confiscate  them.  Seven  Canoes 
are  stopped  upon  receiving  this  Intelligence,  as  the  Traders  know 
they  will  be  murdered  and  plundered  if  Rum  goes  among  the 
Indians. 

To  this  Letter  Mr.  Roberts  has  annexed  the  Information  he 
had  from  Potter,6  which  is  the  same  in  Substance  with  that  he 
gave  at  Montreal ;  and  it  mentions  further  that  Rogers  had  already 
stationed  some  private  Agents  (Athington,  Fute  &  others)  whom 
he  was  to  meet  at  some  of  the  Outposts,  and  who  had  Orders  to 
get  whatever  they  could  into  their  hands ;  that  he  was  to  send  out 
one  Stuart  before  him  to  the  Bay  to  favour  his  purposes  there; 
and  that  he  himself  would  take  a  Tour  and  glean  all  the  Coast 
as  he  goes. 


5  Captain  Lieutenant  Frederick  Christopher  Spiesmacher. 

6  Nathaniel  Potter.    See  his  deposition,  Doc.  Rel.  Col.  Hist.  N.   Y., 
7:990-92. 


Indian  Affairs,   1766-68  355 

FROM  JEAN  BAPTISTE  CADOT  AND  ALEXANDER  HENRY 

Contemporary  Copy1 

Copy  of  a  letter  from  Messs.  Cadot  and  Henry  traders  to  Sr. 
Wm.  Johnson  dated 

Michilimacinac  21 si.  August  1767  — 

Sir  — 

We  take  the  freedom  of  writing  to  you  by  this  opportunity,  we 
wou'd  have  wrote  to  you  before,  but  we  imagined  our  letters  were 
intercepted,  as  we  never  had  the  honour  of  your  answer,  but 
as  we  think  it  our  duty  to  acquaint  you  ourselves  of  any  Pro- 
ceedings which  v/e  think  will  be  prejudicial  to  his  Majesty's 
Service  and  as  it  is  always  our  study  to  do  our  utmost  endeavors 
for  the  good  of  the  Service,  we  do  hereby  acquaint  you  that  the 
Proceedings  of  the  Commanding  Officer  at  this  Garrison  will  be 
detrimental  to  the  trade  in  general,  in  his  permitting  Rum  to  go 
out  of  this  Garrison  at  midnight  in  order  to  carry  on  a  Contraband 
trade,  contrary,  I  believe  to  your  Orders,  and  his  Majesty's 
Intentions,  by  the  Consequences  of  which,  both  the  lives,  and 
Properties  of  his  Majesty's  trading  Subjects  will  be  endangered. 
Mr.  Roberts2  takes  every  step  he  can  to  prevent  this  illegal  Com- 
merce, wherein  we  think  every  trader  is  obliged  to  him.  but  if  we 
are  Judges  of  ill  usage,  it  is  our  opinion,  and  the  opinion  of  every 
one  else,  that  he  is  cruelly  used  in  the  Execution  of  his  office, 
which  office,  if  not  supported  by  you,  whilst  these  illegal  Proceed- 
ings are  carrying  on,  we  must  be  obliged  to  leave  the  Country.  — 
Major  Rogers3  employed  us  last  Year,  and  told  us  it  was  by  your 
Order.  —  he  likewise  gave  us  an  Order  to  bring  in  all  the  nations 
of  Indians  we  cou'd,  and  to  hinder  a  war  between  the  nations, 
which  Order  we  strictly  obeyed,  and  stopped  the  Chippaweighs 
from  going  to  war  against  the  Sioux  these  two  Years,  which  ex- 
pences  he  promised  shou'd  be  paid  us,  —  and  brought  down  to 
this  Garrison  last  July  seventy  Canoes  of  Indians.  —  We  ex- 


1  In  Canadian  Archives,  Indian  Records,  Vol.  7. 

2  Lieutenant  Benjamin  Roberts,  commissary  at  Michilimackinac. 

3  Major  Robert  Rogers,  commandant  at  Michilimackinac. 


356  Sir  William  Johnson  Papers 

pended  of  our  own  Effects  the  last  Year  (as  he  never  gave  us  any 
of  his)  to  the  amount  of  the  ace1,  inclosed  to  you  by  Mr.  Roberts, 
which  account  the  Major  refused  to  Certify,  because  he  said  his 
own  accounts  were  so  high  he  cou'd  not  certify  any  more,  lest  his 
own  account  shou'd  be  protested.  We  beg  then  you  will  take  the 
matter  into  Consideration,  and  if  approved  of  by  you,  we  would  be 
glad  if  the  money  cou'd  be  paid  here  by  Mr.  Roberts.  We  winter 
at  Sl.  Marys,  and  Lake  Superior,  and  are  always  ready  punctually 
to  obey  any  Directions  we  shall  be  honored  with  from  you,  or  such 
other  Persons  as  you  employ,  and  are  —  Sr.  wth.  Respect  &c  — 
(Signed)  JOHN  BaBTIST  CaDOT  &  ALEXR.  HENRY 

To  SR.  WM.  Johnson  Bar*. 


BENJAMIN  ROBERTS  TO  GUY  JOHNSON 

Contemporary  Copy1 

Extracts  of  a  letter  from  Lieu'.  Benjamin  Roberts  Commissary 
of  Indian  Affairs  at  Michillimacinac  to  Guy  Johnson  Esquire 
Depy.  agent  for  the  Middle  District  dated 

[Michilimacinac],  22d.  August  1767.  — 

SR  — 

The  21st.  of  August  I  received  Information  of  Rum  being  on 
the  main  land  opposite  the  Fort.  I  applied  to  the  commanding 
Officer  for  assistance  to  seize  the  Rum.  the  same  Evening  the 
Rum  was  landed  on  the  Wharf  opposite  the  Fort  Gate.  Com- 
mandant2 ordered  the  Dep>\  Commisy.  of  Provisions  to  take 
charge  of  the  Rum.  I  begged  it  might  be  put  into  the  Kings  Store 
of  which  I  kept  one  Key,  the  traders  another.  Cap*.  Rogers 
refused,  saying  I  had  no  business  with  the  Rum,  —  that  he  had 
seized  it,  and  wou'd  dispose  of  it  as  he  pleased.  I  told  him  I 
looked  upon  myself  as  the  proper  seizing  Officer,  as  I  had  sent 
Mr.  Hansen3  to  act  as  my  Deputy,  and  was  liable  to  any  Prose- 


1  In  Canadian  Archives,  Indian  Records,  Vol.  7. 

2  Major  Robert  Rogers,  referred  to  as  Captain  Rogers  below. 

3  Captain  John  R.  Hansen. 


MAJOR  ROBERT  ROGERS 
From  an  old  print. 


Indian  Affairs,   1766-68  357 

cution  from  the  Claimant,  if  I  did  wrong.  I  begged  therefore  I 
might  have  another  lock  for  the  Store,  the  Store  the  Rum  was 
ordered  into,  —  that  I  might  also  have  one  Key.  this  he  refused, 
saying  I  was  very  impertinent  for  meddling  with  it. 

The  night  before  this  Seizure  a  man  was  confined  for  trying 
to  carry  out  Rum  after  Taptoo,  and  was  released  by  the  Com- 
mandant, and  it  was  passed  out  of  the  Land  Gate.  I  can  prove  the 
identity  of  the  Keggs.  some  of  them  were  suspected  to  belong  to 
Sally  Montour,  or  the  Dep?.  Corns?.  —  the  men  that  were  con- 
cerned in  carrying  out  the  Rum,  were  in  Cap*.  Rogers'  Service, 
and  immediately  after  my  procuring  the  Party  to  go  off,  ran 
away  with  the  only  good  boat  belonging  to  the  Place;  but  I 
luckily  procured  a  Canoe  which  got  to  the  Place  before  them, 
they  are  yet  not  returned.  It  is  clear  to  every  one  to  whom  the 
Rum  belongs.  — 

I  am  Yours  &c 

B :  Roberts 


FROM  ROBERT  ROGERS 

A.L.S.1 
Michillimackinac  pe  4th  of  Sept.  1767. 

[  ] 

I  do  myself  the  honour  to  enclose  you  the  state  of  this 
Country  which  I  have  wrote  since  my  arrival  at  this  Garrison  and 
hope  it  will  meet  with  your  approbation. 

And  as  I  have  always  ever  since  that  I  have  been  in  his 
Majesty's  service  given  you  every  intelligence  that  I  thought  could 
tend  to  your  Honour  and  Advantage,  and  did  all  the  last  war  send 
my  weak  endeavours  to  support  the  Great  Character  that  you  by 
your  own  Vallour  and  Assiduity  so  Justly  gained. 


1  Formerly  in  the  collection  of  the  late  David  Williams  of  Rogers  Rock, 
N.  Y.  Sold  at  auction  by  his  heirs,  the  document's  present  location  is 
unknown.  It  has  not  been  possible  to  check  this  transcript  with  the  original, 
but  because  of  its  great  importance  it  is  printed  as  transcribed. 


358  Sir   William  Johnson  Papers 

I  hope  sir  that  you  will  be  pleased  when  I  am  injured  to  not 
reflect  upon  me  for  representing  my  greaviences  to  you  which  I  do 
by  Inclosing  the  affidavits  of  some  persons  that  was  present  when 
Mr.  Roberts2  the  Commissary  of  Indian  affairs  was  pleased  to 
give  me  very  abusive  language,  and  the  reason  of  my  not  sending 
him  down  the  country  was  wholly  on  your  account,  I  hope  you 
will  be  pleased  to  remove  him  from  this  Garrison,  which  I  dont 
in  the  least  doubt  you  will  be  pleased  to  do  after  perusing  these 
affidavits. 

I  beg  Sir  that  you'l  consider  me  as  a  person  that  has  always 
done  my  duty  while  in  the  service,  and  pray  for  your  Recommen- 
dations home  for  some  preferment. 

I  am  Sir  with  the  greatest  respect 

and  Esteem  your  most  obedient  and 
most  Devoted  Humble  Servant 

Rob't  Rogers. 

P.  S.  Mrs.  Rogers  presents  her  respects.  I  beg  you'l  interest  your- 
self in  gitting  my  accounts  passed.  I  have  new  accounts  to  send 
you  of  this  country  but  cannot  complete  them  this  fall. 


2  Benjamin  Roberts,  commissary  at  Michilimackinac. 


FROM  THOMAS  PENN 

A.L.S.1 

London  Sept  12.  1767 

Dear  Sir  — 

The  above  is  a  coppy  of  my  last2  which  I  heartily  wish  may  be 
safely  delivered  to  you,  since  that  time  the  King  has  referred  your 
case  to  the  Attorney  General  with  orders  to  draw  a  grant  to  be 
passed  here  to  you  for  the  Land,  but  I  cannot  get  it  passed  as  the 
Grants  to  the  half  pay  officers  are,  as  his  Majesty  and  his  Ministers 


1  In  Henry  E.  Huntington  Library. 

2  July  22,  1  767.    The  present  letter  is  written  just  below  the  copy. 


Indian  Affairs,   1766-68  359 

do  not  choose  to  give  away  the  fees  of  the  Governor  and  other 
officers,  and  say  they  do  not  think  it  becomes  you  to  ask  it.  I 
desire  you  will  inform  me  by  the  very  next  packet  whether  you 
would  have  me  take  out  this  grant  and  pay  the  fees. 

I  propose  to  make  an  application  for  your  pay  when  the 
Ministry  come  to  Town  about  November,  and  as  you  acted  under 
the  Kings  and  not  a  Governors  Commission  hope  to  succeed ;  how 
I  shall  find  them  disposed  time  must  shew  but  I  think  no  one  that 
will  be  appointed  Chancellor,  will  be  less  willing  than  the  late  Mr. 
Townesend3  was  to  support  Indian  expences.  You  may  rest 
assured  I  shal  do  every  thing  in  my  power  for  your  service  and 
that  with  my  best  thanks  for  your  care  and  trouble  in  calling  the 
Indians  together  to  allow  us  to  run  our  line  with  Maryland  I 
remain 

Dear  Sir 

Your  affectionate  Friend  and  most 
obedient    humble    servant 

Tho  Penn 


INDORSED:4 


London  SepuV.  12th.  1767 


Mr.  Penns  Letter  — 


FROM  THOMAS  GAGE 

Contemporary)  Copy1 

Nen>  York  Septem'.  14lh.  1767. 
Dear  Sir, 

I  have  lately  recieved  dispatches  from  Mr.  Stuart,2  wherein  he 
acquaints    me    of    a    conference    he    has    lately    had    with    the 


3  Charles  Townshend  (  1  725-1  767),  chancellor  of  the  exchequer. 

4  In  Sir  William's  hand. 

1  In  William  L.  Clements  Library. 

2  John  Stuart,  southern  superintendent  of  Indians.    See  Stuart  to  Gage, 
July  21,  1767.  Ante  PP.  337-38. 


360  Sir  William  Johnson  Papers 

Cherokees,  upper  and  lower  Creeks,  together  with  the  Traders, 
who  trade  to  those  Nations  at  Hard  labour  and  Augusta:  The 
Traders  consented  to  lower  the  price  of  Goods,  and  a  Tariff  was 
settled  to  mutual  Satisfaction. 

The  Cherokees  insist  that  Mr.  Boyd  was  killed  by  the  Northern 
Indians,  and  to  prove  that  those  Indians  do  kill  White  People 
and  Cherokees  indiscriminately,  when  they  come  to  War  against 
the  latter,  they  have  sent  the  Head  Piece  &  scalp  which  I  send 
herewith,  It  is  supposed  taken  from  an  Ouatanon  Indian.  I 
inclose  You  an  Extract  from  Usteneka's  or  Juds  Friends  speech3 
on  the  Subject,  that  those  Indians  may  be  spoke  to  upon  the 
occasion. 

The  Cherokees  will  by  no  means  comply  with  the  Terms  of 
Peace  first  proposed  by  the  Northern  Indians,  and  declare  they 
will  first  use  their  last  efforts,  and  make  a  desperate  stroke.  They 
had  not  known  that  they  were  softened  in  their  demands  in  Your 
last  Congress.  I  send  you  some  Blue  Beads  from  the  Cherokees, 
to  be  shewn  to  the  Northern  Indians,  and  inclose  you  an  Extract 
of  Mr.  Stuart's  Letter,  and  Prince  of  Chote's  Speech3  relative 
thereto.  They  Postpone  sending  their  Deputies  to  you,  till  they 
recieve  an  Answer  to  their  Belt. 

I  Am  with  great  Regard. 
Dear  Sir, 

&ca. 
Sir  William  Johnson  Bart. 

INDORSED : 

Copy./  To 
Sir  William  Johnson 
at 

Johnson  Hall, 
New  York  Septemr  1 4lh.  1  767. 


3  Ante  pp.  338-39. 


Indian  Affairs,   1766-68  361 

FROM  BENJAMIN  ROBERTS 

A.L.S.1 

Michilimackinak  25  Sepr.  1767 

Exge.  £  1 00  —  in  N  Yk  Cury. 
Sir 

At  Twenty  one  days  Sight,  please  to  pay  this  my  Second  of 
Exchange  (my  first  not  paid)  unto  Jehu  Hay  Esqr.  or  order,  the 
Sum  of  One  hundred  Pounds  New  York  Currency  for  Vallue 
received  &  place  it  to  Account  as  P  advice  from 

Sir 

Your  most  obed1.  humb:  Serv*. 

B.  Roberts  Co.  I.  A.  &c 
To 

Sir  Wm.  Johnson  Bar1, 
at  Johnson  Hall 


1  In  Newberry  Library,  Chicago,  Van  Schaack  Papers. 


JOURNAL  OF  INDIAN  AFFAIRS 

Contemporary,  Copy1 

[Johnson  Hall,  Sept.  6-26,  1767] 

Septemr.  the  6th.  —  On  this  day  a  number  of  Tuscaroras  who 
lately  came  from  Carolina  addressed  Sir  Wm.  as  follows  — 
Father  — 

We  are  come  here  to  visit  you  for  the  first  time  —  We  are  the 
People  that  you  was  so  good  to  assist  in  bringing  from  Carolina 
to  the  Six  Nation  Country,  where  we  think  we  shall  live  much 
happier  than  we  did  there,  and  we  are  come  to  return  you  our 
Sincere  thanks  for  your  goodness  to  us,  and  all  our  People,  and 
assure  you  of  Sincerity  and  attachment  to  you  — 

A  Bunch  of  Strings.  — 


1  In  Canadian  Archives,  Indian  Records,  Vol.  7. 


362  Sir  William  Johnson  Papers 

Father  — 

We  are  very  poor  having  brought  nothing  from  whence  we 
came,  and  beg  of  you  to  pity  us,  and  our  People,  and  to  give  us 
some  Hatchets,  Hoes,  Powder,  and  Lead,  wth.  a  little  Vermillion 
for  our  young  People,  and  to  order  our  Guns  to  be  mended,  for 
which  we  shall  be  for  ever  thankful. 

A  large  Belt.  — 

Sir  Wm.  bid  them  welcome,  told  them  he  was  glad  to  find  that 
they  were  pleased  with  their  present  Habitations,  strongly  recom- 
mended Industry,  and  Sobriety  to  them,  as  well  as  a  punctual 
Observance  of  such  Engagements  as  they  had  already,  &  may 
hereafter  enter  into  with  their  Brethren  the  English,  —  also 
warned  them  against  paying  any  regard  to  idle  Stories,  or  propa- 
gating such,  as  it  woud  be  a  means  of  destroying  that  Harmony 
subsisting  between  them  and  Us,  on  wch.  their  happiness  so  much 

depended. 

A  Bunch  of  Wampum. 

Sir  Wm.  then  told  them  he  was  sorry  to  see  them  so  poor,  and 
in  hopes  they  wou'd  behave  well,  and  make  a  proper  use  of  it 
that  he  wou'd  give  them  some  Amunition,  Axes,  Hoes,  &c,  and 
order  their  Arms  to  be  mended  so  as  to  enable  them  to  assist  their 
Families  by  Hunting  Planting  &c  —  Gave  them  Money  to  buy 
Vermillion,  and  Provisions  to  carry  them  home.  — 

A  Belt 

Septem  8th.  —  On  this  day  two  Nanticokes  from  Maryland 
arrived  here  wlh.  a  letter  from  Cap1.  Amos  Ogden2  acquainting 
Sir  Wm.  that  the  Nanticokes,  and  Snow  Hill  Indians  had  em- 
ployed him  to  see  Justice  done  them  regarding  their  Land  they 
possessed  in  that  Government,  which  by  an  Act  of  that  Province 
are  forfeited  on  their  abandoning  it  —  that  he  applied  to  the 
Governor  on  that  head,  who  Advised  him,  and  them  to  wait  the 
Meeting  of  the  Assembly  in  October,  and  see  what  they  wou'd 
do  in  the  affair.  —  Mr.  Ogden  desired  also  to  know  Sir  Wms. 
Opinion.  —  they  also  brought  him  in  writing  the  answer  of  the 


2  Attorney  for  the  Nanticoke  Indians. 


Indian  Affairs,   1766-68  363 

Indians  in  that  Government  to  the  Deputies  who  went  from  hence 
to  invite  them,  by  which  it  appeard  they  were  unwilling  to  come 
unless  the  Six  Nations  insured  them  as  good  Living  as  they  now 
had  &c  — 

1 0th.  —  Sir  Wm.  wrote  to  Cap!.  Ogden  not  to  press  them  to 
remove  unless  they  were  to  be  no  Sufferers  by  it,  and  that  he 
must  be  careful  of  incurring  as  little  expence  as  possible  on  the 
Occasion  —  then  gave  the  two  Messengers  a  Present  with  some 
money  to  defray  their  expences,  and  parted  — 

Eod  die  Abraham  Chief  of  the  Mohawks  came  here  and  told 
Sir  Wm.  in  Confidence  that  by  some  late  accls.  from  Kanadiora  in 
writing  sent  to  Conajohare  by  a  Seneca  wth.  two  scalps,  there  was 
great  reason  to  apprehend  a  Quarrel  soon  between  the  Indians  to 
the  Westward,  the  Ohio  Indians  &c,  and  the  White  People,  for 
which  reason,  he  Kanadiora,  and  Party  were  determined  to  re- 
main where  they  then  were  until  Spring,  when,  if  they  found  the 
War  did  not  go  on,  they  wou'd  return  to  their  Nation  —  He  says 
in  his  letter  that  the  White  People  call  the  Indians  blacl?  dogs,  and 
wou'd  use  them  as  such,  and  that  the  Indians  call  the  White 
People  Hogs,  and  woud  shew  them  that  they  can  kill  them  as 
such  whenever  they  have  a  mind  to  begin,  and  added  that  the 
sooner  they  began,  the  better ;  —  with  a  great  deal  more  too 
tedious  to  mention.  — 

1 3th.  —  A  Deputation  from  the  Conajohares  arrived  here  to  con- 
dole the  Death  of  Sir  Wm's.  grandchild3  in  great  Form,  and  said 
they  intended  doing  it  sooner  had  he  not  been  from  home,  which 
Ceremony  being  performed,  Sir  Wm.  returned  the  Compliment  in 
the  proper  manner.  —  After  this  they  confirmed  what  Abraham 
the  Mohawk  Chief  had  related  a  few  days  before  —  gave  them 
some  Provisions  Presents,  Money  &c  and  discharged  them  w*. 
thanks  to  their  Castle.  — 

3  large  Strings  of  Wampum.  — 


3  Probably  Julia,   daughter  of  Polly  Johnson  and  Guy  Johnson.     See 
Johnson  Papers,  5:647  and  709. 


364  Sir  William  Johnson  Papers 

1 4th.  —  Two  Chippaweigh  Prisoners  were  brought  here  by 
Corn3.  Vanslyke,4  and  two  Constables  in  order  to  be  forwarded  to 
Detroit;  they  were  so  weak,  and  Stiff  that  they  were  not  able  to 
proceed  'till  the  20th.  at  which  time  they  sett  off  charged  with 
letters  for  the  Officers  at  the  Post  as  also  the  Commissaries  as  far 
as  Detroit,  at  same  time  Sir  Wm.  clothed  them,  and  sent  a  Present 
by  Vanslyke  for  Wassong  chief  of  that  Nation,  with  a  Belt  of 
Wampum,  and  speech  recommending  to  him  strongly  to  keep  in 
mind  the  several  Admonitions  which  he  gave  to  his  nation,  and  all 
the  rest  in  that  Confederacy  at  Detroit,  Niagara  and  Oswego, 
desiring  them  to  hold  fast  the  Covenant  Chain,  as  by  that  means 
they  wou'd  become,  and  continue  a  happy  People  —  also 
cautioned  him,  and  them  against  the  idle  wicked  Talks  of  ill 
dispos'd  insignificant  People  with  whom  the  Woods  abounded, 
who  tho'  incapable  of  Serving,  or  giving  them  any  Intelligence, 
were  able  to  cause  uneasiness  in  the  minds  of  those  who  were 
foolish,  and  unsettled,  &  thereby  hurt  the  whole  Confederacy  — 
desired  they  might  Credit  nothing  but  what  they  heard  from  him, 
or  his  Officers,  and  that  they  wou'd  always  report  to  him  any  thing 
necessary  for  his  Information  by  which  means  they  both  might 
be  made  acquainted  with  every  thing  material,  or  necessary  for 
conducting  themselves,  and  affairs  uniformly  —  Lastly  desired 
that  he,  and  all  the  Chiefs  woud  always  recommend  to  their 
Young  People  a  strict  Observance  of  the  sev1.  Treaties,  and 
engagements  they  had  so  solemnly  entered  into  with  the  English, 
as  they  on  their  parts  v/ere  determined  to  do  the  same.  — 

A  large  White  Belt  — 
Eod  die  three  Onondagas  arrived  here  with  the  news  of  their 
Chief  Warrior  Karraghiagios  death  which  they  were  directed  by 
their  Sachims  to  acquaint  Sir  Wm.  of  immediately  with  a  Belt  of 
Wampum,  by  which  they  made  it  known  also  to  the  Oneidas, 
Tuscaroras,  and  both  Mohawk  Castles.  —  they  also  sent  to  be 
delivered  to  Sir  Wm.  the  Colours  belonging  to  the  deceased, 
desiring  that  he  wou'd  keep  them  &  at  the  same  time  requesting 
he  wou'd  not  think  of  appointing,  or  naming  any  other  Person  in 


4  Cornelius  A.  Van  Slyck. 


Indian  A  fairs,  1766-68  365 

his  stead,  as  they  looked  upon  it  that  there  was  none  among  them 
worthy  of  his  title,  or  Name,  —  Diaquanda  likewise  sent  Sir 
Wm.  his  Flag,  and  Meddal,  as  he  cou'd  not  think  of  remaining 
longer  in  his  Country  having  met  with  so  many  Losses  lately  — 
Sir  Wm.  with  three  long  Strings  of  Wampum  performed  the 
Ceremony  usual  on  the  Occasion,  then  levelled  the  Grave  with  a 
black  Stroud  —  then  told  them  that  he  wou'd  at  another  time  con- 
sider what  to  do  with  the  Flaggs,  the  Meddal  —  sent  two  Strings 
of  Wampum  by  them  desiring  the  Bunt  Speaker  Diaquanda, 
TaTvasfyughta,  Sienquaraghta,  and  a  few  more  Chiefs  to  meet  him 
at  Ganughsharaga  Creek  in  six  days  from  this  date  where  he  in- 
tended to  hold  a  Congress  — 

26th.  —  Sr.  William  Johnson  with  sev1.  Gentn.  set  out  for  the  Six 
Nation  Country  to  meet  the  Indians  —  sent  off  Cap1.  Tice5  before 
wlh.  dispatches.  — 


GUY  JOHNSON  TO  JOHN  TABOR  KEMPE 

Guy-park  October  Ist.  1767  — 
Dear  Sir  — 

Your  Letter  to  Sir  William  Johnson  of  August  last  came  here 
during  his  absence  at  the  Springs  in  N.  England;  since  his  return 
his  time  has  been  so  occupied  that  he  could  not  Answer  it  fully, 
and  is  now  gone  to  Onondaga  on  some  Indian  affairs,  from 
whence  he  will  return  in  about  ten  days ;  — 

He  has  therefore  desired  me  to  acknowledge  the  receipt  of 
your  favor,  and  to  acquaint  you  that  it  shall  be  fully  answered  at 
his  return.  In  the  mean  time  I  can  inform  you,  that  the  Proprietors 
(Klock  excepted)  executed  a  proper  Instrument  of  Release  to  the 
Indians,  and  I  believe  it  is  amongst  Sr.  William's  papers,  but 
Klock  refuses  to  sign  it,  and  tells  the  Indians  that  the  whole 
Transaction  is  of  no  effect  &  only  calculated  to  deceive  them. 


5  Captain  Gilbert  Tice. 

1  In  Massachusetts  Historical  Society. 


366  Sir   William  Johnson  Papers 

I  have  been  for  12  weeks  past  confined  by  a  broken  Leg, 
from  which  I  am  not  yet  sufficiently  recovered  to  lay  aside 
Crutches,  otherwise  I  should  have  accompanied  Sir  William,  as 
we  are  likely  to  have  some  trouble  from  the  almost  general  dis- 
content discovered  amongst  the  Indians.  —  I  beg  you  will  offer  my 
best  Compliments  to  M1S.  Kempe,  and  be  assured  that  I  am  with 
real  Esteem,  Dear  Sir, 

Your  most  obedient  humble  Serv'. 

G  Johnson 
J  T  Kempe  Esqr.  — 

INDORSED : 

R  October  1767 


Letter  from  Guy  Johnson  Esqr. 


FROM  THOMAS  GAGE 
A.L.S.1 

New  york  Octr.  4ih.  1767. 
Dear  Sir, 

I  have  had  the  Pleasure  to  receive  your's  of  the  22d.  Ulmo.  ;2 
and  am  in  no  doubt  that  you  will  Settle  the  Affair  of  the  Murther 
of  Mr.  Sinclair's3  Servant  to  the  best  Advantage  for  His 
Majesty's  Interest. 

You  mention  the  Discontents  of  the  Indians  to  proceed  thro' 
the  Want  of  Settling  the  Boundary  Line  and  the  Neglect  of 
Settling  Many  other  Points  of  the  Plan,  as  well  as  redressing 
Grievances.  I  don't  know  what  the  affair  of  the  Boundary  Line 
exactly  is,  further  than  recollecting,  that  you  acquainted  me  the 
Indians  had  agreed  to  a  Boundary  Line  with  the  Provinces  of 
Maryland  and  Pensylvania.  Where  the  Obstruction  lyes  towards 


1  In  University  of  Pittsburgh  Library,  Darlington  Manuscripts. 

2  Printed  in  Doc.  Hist.  N.  Y.,  2:866-68. 

3  Captain  Patt  Sinclair  (St.  Clair),  whose  servant's  murder  was  reported 
in  Johnson  to  Gage,  July  11,1  767,  Doc.  Hist.  N.  Y.,  2  :858. 


Indian  Affairs,  1766-68  367 

the  compleating  of  this  Business  I  can't  positively  Say,  as  I  have 
not  heared.  I  suppose  Lord  Shelburne  means  the  Virginians 
Seated  on  the  Branches  of  the  Monongahela,  by  Saying  that  I 
would  co'operate  with  you,  and  give  my  Assisstance  in  removing 
the  Southern  Encroachments. 

You  will  no  doubt  have  received  Advices  from  the  Detroit  as 
well  as  other  Places,  not  only  of  the  Machinations  amongst  the 
Several  Nations,  but  also  that  Some  Indians,  Said  to  be  the 
Chippewas  of  the  Bay  of  Saquinam,  had  fallen  upon  the  Crews 
of  two  Boats  going  down  the  ohio.  This  News  is  confirmed  by  a 
Trader  just  arrived  at  Fort  Pitt  from  the  Ilinois,  whose  Declara- 
tion I  send  you  inclosed.  Mr.  Croghan  will  have  this  Intelligence 
at  Fort-Pitt,  and  act  accordingly. 

I  have  Maturely  considered  every  Intelligence  in  general  that 
has  been  transmitted  Me  concerning  the  Indians  for  these  two 
years  past,  and  have  never  heared  the  least  complaint  about  their 
Trade;  Some  Discontent  shewn  by  a  few  perhaps,  that  the 
Traders  were  not  permitted  as  usual  to  go  into  their  Country. 
Every  Precaution  and  Care  has  been  taken  to  prevent  any 
Impositions  or  Frauds  being  practiced  by  the  Traders,  and  Most 
People  have  agreed  in  general,  that  they  have  bought  their  Goods 
Much  cheaper  than  they  had  done  for  many  year's  past.  As  I 
have  mentioned,  I  am  unacquainted  with  their  Grievance  about 
the  Boundarys.  As  for  their  Lands,  I  know  of  none  but  the 
Encroachments  of  the  Virginians,  and  the  Affair  of  the 
Kayadorosseras  Patent  Some  of  themselves  first  invited  the 
Virginians  there,  and  when  Cap1.  Murray4  went  to  remove  them, 
He  could  get  none  but  a  few  of  the  Mingoes  to  accompany  him. 
The  Shawneses  and  the  Delawares  refused,  Saying  it  was  none  of 
their  Business,  that  the  Lands  belonged  to  the  Senecas,  and  the 
Mingoes  a  Tribe  of  that  Nation,  might  See  into  it.  The  Insults 
they  have  received,  by  having  so  many  of  their  People  killed  and 
wounded  without  any  Satisfaction  obtained,  are  certainly  too 
visible.  Of  this  Matter,  and  the  Affair  of  Kayadorosseras,   so 


4  Captain  William  Murray,  commandant  at  Fort  Pitt. 


368  Sir   William  Johnson  Papers 

often  before  represented,  I  write  to  Lord  Shelburne  and  shall  set 
those  Matters  before  him  in  the  strongest  Light;  and  shew  the 
Impossibility  to  bring  the  Murtherers  upon  the  Frontiers  to  Punish- 
ment by  the  ordinary  Course  of  Justice;  or  to  break  the  Iniquitous 
Patent  of  Kayadorosseras,  or  restrict  the  Limits  thereof  to  just 
Boundarys,  by  the  common  Course  of  Law.  The  Chief  People  of 
the  Province,  as  I  understand,  are  concerned  in  this,  or  other 
Patents  in  the  Like  Predicament,  and  an  attack  upon  one  May 
hereafter  Affect  the  rest.  I  comprehend  the  Matter  in  this  Light, 
And  that  Whether  you  apply  to  Council,  Assembly,  Bench  or 
Bar,  you  find  them  all  in  general  equaly  interested.  If  I  am  wrong 
in  this  you  will  acquaint  Me,  but  I  have  conceived  these  to  have 
been  your  Reasons  for  not  prosecuting  the  Patentees,  in  a  common 
Course  of  Law. 

I  am  with  great  Regard, 

Dear  Sir, 

Your  Most  obedient 
humble  Servant, 

Thos.  Gage 
Sir  Wm.  Johnson  Bar1. 


JOURNAL  OF  INDIAN  AFFAIRS 

A.D> 

Camp  at  Ganughsaraga  Creel?  in  Gneida  Laf^e 

[Get.  5-/7,  1767] 

Monday  Octbr.  5th.,  The  Cheifs  of  the  Several  Nations  being 
Mett  they  came  to  my  Tent  in  a  Body.  Bid  me  heartily  welcome 
to  their  Country,  thanked  ys.  great  Spirit  above  for  Sending  me 
safe  thro  ye.  Lake,  Rivers  &ca.  —  Then  pulled  out  my  Belt  of 
invitation  &  returned  it,  letting  me  know  they  had  complied  there- 


1  In  Canadian  Archives,  Indians  Records,  Vol.  9;  in  Sir  William's 
hand.  A  contemporary  copy  of  these  proceedings  is  in  Indian  Records,  Vol. 
7.  Where  the  manuscript  is  mutilated  or  illegible,  words  from  the  copy  are 
supplied  in  brackets. 


Indian  Affairs,   1766-68  369 

with  notwithstanding  their  present  disagreable  Scituation  on 
Ace',  of  their  late  great  loss.  —  They  then  returned  the  compli- 
ment paid  them  by  me  lately  when  they  Sent  3  Deputys  to  ac- 
quaint me  with  their  loss,  &  thanked  me  verry  kindly  for  ye. 
early  notice  I  had  taken  of  it.  —  I  then  told  them  I  was  extremely 
glad  to  meet  so  many  of  their  Sachims  &  Cheifs  at  this  place,  & 
that  if  my  time  would  admit  of  it,  I  should  have  gladly  gone  to 
their  Village.  That  as  it  was  now  Evening  I  would  defer  Saying 
anything  more  to  them  till  the  next  Day.  —  Ordered  them  Pipes, 
Tobacco,  Some  Rum  to  refresh  them  after  their  Journey,  &  So 
parted.  — 

Tuesday  6th.,  I  sent  an  Express  for  to  call  the  Cheifs  of 
Ganughsarage,  &  to  buy  some  Corn  for  ye.  use  of  the  Inds.  abl. 
7  a  Clock  The  Bunt  Cheif  of  Ondaga  with  the  Speaker  came  to 
my  Tent,  &  begged  a  private  conferrence  with  me,  at  wh.  they 
largely  expatiated  on  ye.  great  loss  of  Karaghiagigo  their  Prin- 
cipal Cheif,  Sett  forth  the  unsettled  state  of  their  Nation  on  y*. 
Ace'.,  &  the  Division  occasioned  thereby  amongst  themselves, 
Begged  I  would  speak  to  Deiaquande2  who  was  at  the  head  of 
the  opposition,  and  try  to  bring  him  to  act  with  the  rest  as  usual 
or  else  that  Council  Fire  must  extinguish,  &ca.  — 

I  told  them  it  was  [rvas]  well  done  to  give  me  the  Early  notice 
of  their  unhappy  difference,  and  that  I  would  take  such  measures 
as  I  did  not  doubt  would  bring  my  freind  Deiaquande  to  a  right 
way  of  thinking,  [as]  he  having  for  many  years  promised  to  follow 
my  Advice  in  all  matters  of  moment,  after  wh.  I  should  call  them 
[together]  and  speak  to  the  Whole  at  once.  —  for  w*1.  they  were 
verry  thank[ful]  and  after  breakfasting,  parted.  —  I  sent  for 
Deiaquande  Onog/jran[owen]  &  Sayenquaraghta  three  of  the 
Cheifs  to  come  to  my  Tent,  where  I  settled  all  Matters  with  them, 
&  made  them  agree  to  Join  &  Act  with  ye.  rest  in  all  their  Affairs 
for  the  future.  In  the  Evening  the  Express  returned  &  told  me 
Saqrua[rizera]  was  not  yet  returned  from  Oneida,  but  that  the 
others  would  [attend]  the  next  day  they  brought  Some  horses 


2  A  chief  warrior  of  the  Onondaga  Nation. 


370  Sir  William  Johnson  Papers 

loaded  wth.  [provisions  for]  ye.  use  of  the  Indians  met  here,  [which 
was  charged  very  high.] 

Wednesday  7th.,  [at  12  o'  the  clock]  The  Inds.  being  all  as- 
sembled I  went  to  [their  encampment]  where  they  had  a  place  pre- 
pared for  me  &  my  Company.  After  being  Seated  some  time,  My 
Speaker  T  a^awarunti  an  Oneida  Began  by  [first]  gathering  ye. 
bones  of  the  deceased  Warrior  &  putting  them  in  the  earth,  this 
was  done  by  giving  a  large  Belt  of  Black  Wampum 

A  Belt  — 
2d.   Then  covered  the  Body  with  2  Black  Strowds  — 
3d.   Levelled  the  Grave  with  another  Black  Strowd  — 
4th.   Rekindled  the  Council  Fire  of  ye.  Confederacy  with  such 
wood  as  would  last  as  long  as  the  world.  — 

A  Belt  — 
5th.  Recommended  it  strongly  to  them  to  avoid  all  Disputes  or 
differences  amongst  themselves,  &  live  in  the  Strictest  freindship 
with  their  Bretheren,  &  that  ye.  Sachims  &  Cheif tains  Should  act 
together  in  all  Matters  of  Moment  — 

6th.  I  reinstated  Deiaquande  their  Chief  Warrior  by  giving  him  a 
Flag  &  Meddal  in  presence  of  all  the  rest  &  therewith  a  Charge 
to  act  agreable  to  my  former  Admonitions,  &  his  promises  so 
often  &  Solemnly  repeated.  — All  which,  He  (in  presence  of  the 
whole  Assembly)  assured  me  he  would  do  to  the  Utmost  of  his 
Ability,  &  that  as  long  as  he  lived.  — 

A  Flag  &  Meddal  — 
After  the  Ceremony  was  over,  I  desired  to  know  wl.  news  they 
had  heard  from  the  Southward,  &  Westeren  Confederacy,  &  The 
Speaker  of  Ondaga  (by  the  desire  of  ye.  rest)  Said  that  they  had 
heard  Several  disagreable  Accts.  for  some  time,  Which  gave  them 
Some  concern,  imagining  it  might  end  in  a  troublesome  War 
which  they  were  hopefull  would  not  have  happened  in  their  time, 
but  that  now  they  plainly  [fore]  saw  the  Clouds  gathering  around 
'em  very  fast,  He  then  proceeded  &  told  me  Several  verry  disagre- 
able peices  of  News  wh.  as  I  have  them  by  letters  from  different 
hands  thought  it  [wou'd  be]  too  tedious  to  enter  here,  they  con- 
cluded, by  saying  that  they  were  greatly  Surprised  at  hearing 


Indian  Afiairs,   1766-68  371 

nothing  from  England  in  consequence  of  what  [  ]  He  threw 

up  his  Medda).  &ca.  and  gave  a  parting  as  a  Sachim  &  Chieftain 
for  some  time,  on  Ace1,  of  ye.  many  losses  he  met  with,  lately  by 
the  Death  of  his  Mother,  Children,  &  Nephew  Karaghiagigo, 
whose  loss  I  here  condoled  and  wh.  is  much  lamented  by  all  the 
Nations  [who  were  in  Six  days  time  to  Assemble  at  Onondaga  in 
order  to  Condole  the  same,  —  that  at  Sir  Wms.  remonstrance,  and 
advice  he  was  again  reinstated,  —  that  he  cou'd  not  help  ex- 
pressing his  uneasiness  that  nothing  was  done  in  their  affairs  in 
consequence  of  what  was  transacted  two  Years  ago  in  a  general 
Council  at  Sr.  Wms.  House,  and  of  the  several  Complaints  made 
and  Grievances  represented]3  by  them  before,  &  since,  for  wh. 
reasons,  &  ye.  hostile  behaviour  of  our  People  these  2  years  past, 
they,  and  all  ye.  Nations  were  apprehensive  that  we  were  not  so 
Sincere  as   I   always  represented.   In  short,  ]ing   I  said 

everry  thing  I  could  to  reconcile  them,  &  remove  their  Doubts  but 
plainly  found  [that]  (to  my  concern)  their  doubts  remain,  &  their 
great  reliance  on  me  (owing  to  ye.  delays  &  trifling  at  Home) 
much  lessened.  I  told  them  I  expected  some  favourable  Accls. 
(relative  to  ye.  Department)  verry  Soon  by  my  Son,  wh.  they 
should  be  imediately  made  acquainted  with 

Then  let  them  know  that  I  had  brought  with  me  some  presents 
wh.  I  should  deliver  them  the  next  Day.  for  wh.  they  returned 
thanks 

Thursday  8th.,  I  had  Several  private  meetings  with  the  Sachims, 
&  Cheif  Warriors  Seperately,  of  the  different  Nations  by  wh. 
means,  &  granting  them  several  Requests  &  favours  I  [removed] 
somewhat  of  their  uneasinesses.  —  abf.  2PM  delivered  them  a 
Present  of  Cloathing  &  Amuniticn,  &  some  provision  wh.  I  was 
oblidged  to  Send  20  Miles  for,  to  an  Indn.  Village,  &  have  it 
brought  on  horse  back.  After  wh.  Many  of  them  Set  off  for  their 
own  Country s,  those  who  remained  Until  I  set  of,  were  verry 
[troublesome]  &  Mercenary.  — 


3  Text  in  brackets  from  the  contemporary  copy,  Indian  Records,  Vol.  7. 
Note  references  to  Sir  William  in  third  person. 


372  Sir   William  Johnson  Papers 

Friday  9th.,  All  who  remained  Came  in  the  Morning  to  my 
Tent,  &  waited  to  See  me  Set  [of  the  Lake]  being  then  verry 
rough.  — 

Saturday  1 7th.  Ins1,  arrived  at  Johnson  Hall  Where  I  recd. 
letters  from  Canada  concerning  Major  Rojers4  [wicked]  Inten- 
tions, pritty  fully  set  forth  by  Potters5  deposition,6  I  also  reed 
Sundry  letters  from  London  by  My  Son'  who  arrived  Some  days 
before  me,  others  from  ye.  Genr1.  wlh.  a  Scalp,  Head  peice  & 
Belt  of  beads  [Reeds]  from  the  Cherokees  desireing  thereby  to 
know  something  of  the  Six  Nations  Intentions  &  expectations.  — 
I  took  the  best  Steps  I  could  think  of  concerning  Rojers,  &  Sent 
the  Cherokee  Belt  by  Sa];enquaraghla  an  Ondaga  Cheif  to  deliver 
it  to  his  Nation,  Desiring  their  Answer  as  Soon  as  possible,  that  I 
might  loose  no  time  in  acquainting  [the  Cherokees]  with  their  Reso- 
lutions. —  Tafyefyadon  [Takadori]  the  Bunts  Son  [wth.  his  Party] 
came  here,  and  recd.  a  handsome  present  for  them  for  their 
Assistance. 

Tatvassfyuchta  with  his  party  of  Warriors  came  here  ye.  3d. 
Octbr.  Staid  5  Days,  they  recd.  Arms  &  some  Cloathing  [also  a 
black  Belt  of  Wampum  to  replace  his  Son  who  died.] 


FROM  GEORGE  CROGHAN 

Copy1 

Fort  Pitt  October  1 8th  1767. 
Sir 

On    my   way    from    Philadelphia   up   here    I    met   with   Mr. 
Maisonville2  a  Frenchman,  which  your  Honour  see  with  me  two 


4  Major  Robert  Rogers,  former  commandant  at  Michilimackinac. 

5  Nathaniel  Potter,  who  had  been  employed  by  Rogers. 
«  See  Doc.  Rel.  to  Col  Hist.  N.  Y.,  7:990-92. 

7  John  Johnson. 

1  Printed    in    Illinois    Historical    Collections,     16:88-91;    in    Johnson 
Papers,  5  : 736-38,  in  badly  mutilated  form. 

2  Alexander  Maisonville. 


Indian  Affairs,   1766-68  373 

Years  ago.  He  lives  on  the  Ouabache  and  informs  me  that  the  the 
five  Tribes  of  Indians  which  Reside  on  that  River  seem  very  much 
dissatisfied  that  a  place  of  Trade  is  not  fixed  in  their  Country,  for 
them,  as  well  as  at  Fort  Chartres,  &  Detroit,  &  a  Man,  appointed 
to  see  Justice  done  them  in  Trade  as  well  as  the  other  Nations 
Round  them;  &  looks  upon  it  as  slighting  them  above  any  other 
Nations.  Mr.  Maisonville  says  there  is  Numbers  of  French 
Traders  among  those  Tribes  who  follow  them  to  their  Hunting 
Ground  both  from  Cannada,  Detroit,  &  the  Illinois,  who  poison 
the  minds  of  the  Indians  against  the  English,  for  their  own  In- 
terest, to  sell  their  Goods,  &  does  much  hurt.  But  says,  he  is 
certain  that  if  a  Mart  was  fixed  for  a  Trade,  &  English  Traders 
to  settle  there,  they  would  carry  the  Trade  which  at  present  he 
says  is  carried  chiefly  to  New  Orleans:  our  neglect  of  those 
People  he  say's  has  disgusted  them  much. 

Mr.  Maisonville  pass'd  by  Detroit  &  see  the  party  from 
Saginaw  Bay  which  plundered  Baynton,  Wharton,  &  Morgans 
Boats  on  the  Ohio.  He  says  they  did  not  bring  much  of  the  Goods, 
nor  had  they  any  Scalps.  Most  of  the  Party  were  Relations  of 
the  Two  Indians  sent  down  from  Detroit  for  the  Murder  of 
Cap1.  Sl.  Clairs3  Man,  &  'tis  supposed  to  be  done  in  revenge  for 
sending  those  Two  Men  down  the  Country. 

As  Mr.  Maisonville  Passed  by  Sandusky  he  met  with  four 
Indian  Runners  from  the  Western  Nations  with  several  Belts  of 
Wampum  going  to  the  Shawanese,  &  Dellaweres,  to  Let  them 
know  that  the  Great  meeting  of  Indians  intended  to  be  held  in  the 
Shawanese  Country  was  not  to  take  place  till  next  March;  and 
since  I  came  here  the  Shawanese  have  Confirm'd  this  Account. 

I  have  had  Several  Meetings  of  the  Indians  I  met  here,  & 
examined  them  particularly  what  the  design  of  the  great  Council 
was  or  which  Nation  or  Confederacy  desired  it.  They  all  say 
that  they  are  unacquainted  with  the  Business  to  be  settled  at  it, 
&  says  the  Chepwa's  sent  the  Belts  to  all  the  Nations  this  way, 


3  Captain  Patt.  Sinclair. 


374  Sir   William  Johnson  Papers 

&  on  the  Ouabache,  &  say  they  heard  that  the  Senecas  desired 
the  Chepwa's  to  call  the  several  Nations  together. 

Some  Shawanese  I  met  here  inform  me  that  their  Nation  is 
affraid  a  War  against  us  is  intended;  as  they  have  Received 
Belts  last  Summer  from  the  Senecas,  complaining  of  the  ill  treat- 
ment they  met  with  from  the  English  in  passing  to  &  from  War 
against  the  Southern  Indians,  on  the  frontiers  of  Virginia  where 
they  have  had  several  of  their  Warriors  kill'd  &  Wounded.  At 
the  same  time  they  acknowledge  that  they  had  offered  to  give  up 
all  the  Lands  on  this  side  the  Ohio  to  the  King,  for  a  Considera- 
tion But  said  the  King  had  never  given  it  to  them,  &  that  now  the 
White  People  was  settleing  their  Country. 

On  one  very  large  Belt  the  Senicas  said  to  the  Dellaweres, 
&  Shawanese,  Brethren  those  Lands  are  Yours,  as  well  as  ours, 
God  gave  them  to  us  Live  upon  &  before  the  White  People  shall 
settle  them  for  nothing,  we  will  sprinkle  the  Leaves  with  their 
Blood,  or  Die  every  Man  of  us  in  the  attempt. 

I  have  not  been  able  to  gain  any  further  Intelligence  worth  relat- 
ing, but  am  sorry  to  find  the  Indians  in  so  Sullen  a  Temper,  as  they 
at  present  appear.  I  wish  that  Boundary  had  never  been  Men- 
ticn'd  to  them  or  that  His  Majesty  had  before  now,  Ordered  it 
Confirmed.  Indians  cannot  bear  disappointments,  or  delays  where 
they  expect  to  get  any  thing.  And  nothing  now,  will  in  my  opinion 
prevent  a  War  but  taking  a  Cession  from  them,  &  Paying  them 
for  their  Lands.  Notwithstanding  all  the  trouble  that  has  been 
taken  to  remove  the  People  settled  on  Redstone  Creek,  &  Cheat 
River,  I  am  well  assured  there  are  double  the  Number  of  Inhabi- 
tants in  those  two  settlements  that  ever  was  before:  And  I  hear 
the  Indians  have  stopped  the  Surveyers4  a  little  beyond  Cheat 
River,  from  extending  the  Line  between  Pennsylvania  &  Mary- 
Land,  how  true  this  report  may  be  I  can  not  say,  as  I  have  not 
heard  from  any  of  the  Gentlemen  on  the  Line.  This  Report  was 
brought  from  Redstone  Creek  Yesterday. 


4  Charles  Mason  and  Jeremiah  Dixon. 


Indian  Affairs,   1766-68  375 

The  Traders  that  went  from  this  last  Winter  to  Trade  in  the 
Indian  Country's  unknown  to  Cap*.  Murray5  are  still  amongst 
them,  &  tho'  Cap*.  Murray  reported  them  to  Governor  Penn  I 
don't  find  that  One  of  their  Bonds  are  put  in  Suit  against  them. 

I  hear  that  one  Thomas  Mitchell  a  Trader  has  been  killed 
lately  at  one  of  the  Shawanese  Villages  but  has  not  yet  learned 
the  particulars:  I  look  upon  it  of  dangerous  Consequence  at 
present  to  have  any  Traders  Scattered  thro'  the  Indian  Country 
for  if  the  Indians  are,  or  should  be  determined  to  make  War  on 
the  Setlers  at  Redstone  Creek  &  Cheat  River,  or  any  Other  part 
of  the  frontiers;  the  Goods  which  the  Traders  carry  into  the 
Country  will  be  a  temptation  to  the  Indians,  to  Murder  &  Plunder 
all  the  Traders,  &  so  enable  them  to  carry  on  a  War  against  us. 
Confineing  the  Trade  to  the  different  Posts  would  Certainly  be  a 
means  of  making  the  Indian  Nations  Dependant  on  us  &  prevent 
many  Irregularity's,  in  particular  the  Seal  of  spirituous  Liquors 
which  the  Indians  Complain  much  off,  but  how  this  can  be  done  or 
whether  it  would  be  for  the  Good  of  His  Majesty's  Service  I 
refer  to  Your  Honour. 

I  will  set  out  for  Detroit  in  two  days,  &  will  pass  by  some  of 
the  Shawanese,  &  Dellawere  Villages,  where  I  hope  to  find  out 
more  of  the  Indians  Sentiments,  &  will  send  Mr.  Mc.Kee  & 
Montour  to  others  of  their  Villages  in  Order  if  Possible  to  find 
out  the  Real  cause  of  their  discontent,  by  my  return  here. 

I  am  with  Great  respect  your  Honours  Most  Obedient  and 
Most  Humble  Servant 

Geo:  Croghan 

To  the  Honourable  SlR  WlLLIAM  JOHNSON  Baronet 

His  Majestys  Sole  Agent  &  Superindant  for  Indian  Affairs  in  the 

Northern  District  of  North  America  &c,  &c,  &c,  Johnson-Hall 

INDORSED : 

Fort  Pitt  OcuV,  18th.  1767 


5  Captain  William  Murray,  commandant  at  Fort  Pitt. 


376  Sir   William  Johnson  Papers 

FROM  THOMAS  GAGE 
A.L.S.1 

Nerv  york  Nov.  9th.  1767. 
Dear  Sir, 

I  have  received  yours  of  the  22d.  [Ins1.]  Octr.2  on  my  Return 
from  Philadelphia.  The  Indians  being  divided  about  the  Manner 
of  carrying  on  the  Trade  amongst  them  will  make  it  impossible  to 
do  it  to  the  Satisfaction  of  the  whole,  and  it  is  not  easy  to  say 
what  is  best  to  be  done. 

The  general  Boundary  between  the  Provinces  and  the  Indians 
Lands  which  was  promised  the  Indians  at  the  Peace  is  a  Matter 
that  I  was  not  so  fully  informed  of  till  the  Receipt  of  your  Letter. 
This  Measure  if  carried  into  Execution,  might  doubtless  preserve 
Tranquility  for  some  time;  but  it  appears  to  me  to  be  only  a 
Temporary  Expedient,  for  the  People  upon  the  Frontiers  are  not 
to  be  kept  in  by  any  Bounds.  If  the  Governments  are  too  feeble  to 
enforce  obedience  to  Laws  Proclamations  &ca.  at  present,  they 
can't  obtain  more  strength  by  being  extended,  and  the  new  Lands 
would  of  Course  be  very  soon  disposed  of  to  People  of  Interest, 
and  perhaps  in  large  Patents;  so  that  Lands  being  still  dear,  the 
People  would  have  the  same  Temptation  as  they  have  now,  to 
emigrate  beyond  the  Boundary,  and  the  same  Complaints  made  by 
the  Indians  as  are  now  Made.  The  Governors  I  suppose  for  some 
Reasons  or  other  are  aff raid  to  desire  Assisstance  from  Me ;  They 
allow  Things  to  be  as  represented ;  and  Set  forth  their  inability  to 
enforce  obedience,  which  they  own  Nothing  but  a  Military 
Force  can  effect;  but  unfortunately  their  Militia  is  as  bad  as  the 
rest,  and  can't  be  depended  upon.  This  is  all  the  Answer  I  can 
obtain,  and  no  Notice  is  taken  of  my  Offers  to  assisst  with  the 
King's  Troops.  Unless  the  Hands  of  Government  are  strength- 
ened, I  conceive,  the  more  the  Provinces  are  extended  the  weaker 
they  would  be,  and  that  in  less  than  three  years,  The  People 
would  go  beyond  the  Limits,  tho'  they  are  fixed  at  the  Ohio. 
Mr.   Croghan's  Letter  which  I  inclose  will  inform  you,  that 


1  In  Harvard  University  Library. 

2  Printed  in  Doc.  Hist.  N.  Y.,  2:881-83. 


Indian  Affairs,   1766-68  377 

the  Settlers  at  Cheat  River  and  Redstone  Creek  instead  of  going 
away,  have  Multiplied ;  and  I  have  my  Suspicions  that  they  have 
been  encouraged  to  do  so.  And  was  this  Affair  of  not  fixing  the 
Boundary,  the  only  thing  of  which  the  Indians  Complain,  had 
they  no  just  Cause  to  complain  of  ill  Treatment  upon  the  Frontiers 
and  of  the  Murthers  of  their  People,  I  must  confess  to  you,  that  I 
should  very  much  Suspect,  that  they  had  been  excited  to  Murmur 
and  complain  that  the  Boundary  was  not  fixed.  I  find  there  are 
large  Additions  expected  to  many  Provinces,  and  fine  Lands  to  be 
given  to  the  Rulers  and  their  adherents.  If  the  King  should  at 
length  purchase  the  immense  Tract  proposed,  I  would  advise  a 
new  Province  to  be  made  of  it,  at  least  of  such  parts  as  would 
serve  to  form  a  Barrier  between  the  present  Provinces,  and  the 
Lands  of  the  Indians,  and  the  same  made  a  Military  Govern- 
ment ;  as  the  only  Expedient  of  having  either  Laws  or  Rules  and 
Regulations  duely  observed,  or  the  King's  orders  obeyed. 

The  Method  you  propose  of  sending  Estimates  of  the  Salarys 
of  your  officers  I  think  will  answer  very  well;  and  if  you  will 
send  them  every  Six  Months,  separating  these  Accounts  from  all 
Contingencies,  I  think  it  will  be  more  regular.  And  in  the  mean 
time  your  officers  should  not  draw  for  their  Salarys  till  they 
become  due;  at  least  they  should  be  informed,  if  they  draw 
previous  thereto,  that  their  Draughts  should  not  be  made  payable, 
till  the  time  that  their  Pay  shall  be  due.  Which  Method  I  con- 
ceive will  prevent  Confusion  in  their  Sallarys,  and  you  will  avoid 
the  Inconveniences  you  have  undergone. 

Mr.  Leake3  shall  be  spoke  to  about  the  Provisions;  He 
imagined  that  it  would  be  cheaper  to  purchase  them  upon  the 
spot,  than  to  take  them  from  Albany  and  pay  the  Transportation 
from  thence  to  your  House. 

It  is  not  Necessary  to  say  more  about  Major  Rogers  than  to 
tell  you  Potter's  affidavit,4  Mr.  Roberts's5  Letter  &ca.  have  been 


3  Robert  Leake,  commissary  general. 

4  Nathaniel  Potter.    Affidavit  printed  in  Doc.  Rel.  to  Col  Hist.  N.  Y., 
7:990-92. 

5  Benjamin  Roberts. 


378  Sir   IVMiam  Johnson  Papers 

transmitted  to  me,  and  that  I  have  taken  every  Precaution  in  my 
Power  to  prevent  his  ill  Designs  having  any  Effect,  by  Sending  a 
Warrant  to  apprehend  him.  It  went  Express  to  Fort-Pitt  before 
my  Departure  for  Philadelphia,  in  hopes  of  overtaking  Mr. 
Croghan,  if  not  the  Commander  was  desired  to  Apply  to  Mc.Kee6 
to  procure  a  trusty  Indian  to  carry  the  Dispatches  to  Detroit.  If 
Rogers  goes  off  before  the  Arrival  of  my  warrant,  it  can't  be 
helped.  Your  Letter  of  22d.  Octr.  requires  no  farther  Answer  on 
this  Strange  Subject.  I  find  by  a  Letter  from  Brigdr.  Carleton  that 
he  has  advanced  Potter  Money  to  transport  him  to  England, 
where  he  means  no  doubt  to  enhance  his  own  Merit  in  this  Affair 
at  the  Expence  of  Rogers,  and  to  impose  upon  the  Ministers  by 
some  plausible  History  to  his  own  advantage. 

I  am  with  great  Regard, 
Dear  Sir, 

Your  Most  obedient, 
humble  Servant, 

Thos.  Gage 
SR.  WM.  Johnson  Bar1. 

INDORSED:7 

November  9th  1  767 


From  Gen1.  Gage 


FROM  THOMAS  GAGE 

Contemporary  Copy1 

New  York  Novenr.  9th.  1767. 
Dear  Sir, 

Your  Letter  of  the  30th.  Ult0.2  with  the  Accots.  inclosed  have 
been  recieved,  and  I  shall  Order  a  Warrant  to  be  made  out 


6  Alexander  McKee,  assistant  deputy  agent  of  Indian  affairs  at  Fort  Pitt. 

7  In  Sir  William's  hand. 

1  In  William  L.  Clements  Library. 

2  Doc.  Hist.  N.  Y.,  8:885. 


Indian  Affairs,   1766-68  379 

immediately.  I  have  already  mentioned  in  another  Letter  that  I 
agreed  with  you  in  Opinion  about  the  manner  of  paying  Your 
Officer's  Sallary's.  You  have  no  doubt  fixed  the  Number  of 
Interpreters  Smith  &ca  you  think  necessary  and  proper  for  each 
District,  you  will  be  so  good  to  do  this,  and  not  suffer  any  of  the 
Officers  under  you,  to  fix  their  own  Staff  at  Pleasure.  Major 
Gorham3  seems  to  have  a  very  large  one  for  Nova  Scotia,  equal 
to  what  was  usualy  allowed  before  his  Appointment  for  all  the 
Indian  Expences  in  that  Province. 

I  imagine  it  will  be  thought  necessary  to  have  His  Majesty's 
Approbation,  before  a  General  Congress  is  held,  and  there  seems 
some  Points  to  be  transacted  with  the  Indians,  on  which  nothing 
can  be  said  till  Answers  are  recieved  from  the  Ministry.  In  the 
mean  time,  as  the  Senecas  are  thought  to  be  the  Nation  at  the 
Bottom  of  the  present  Commotions,  much  may  be  done  to  pacify 
them  and  gain  them  over,  at  least  to  postpone  their  intended  Con- 
gress for  some  time  longer.  Mr.  Croghan's  Letter  will  acquaint 
you,  that  Time  is  already  gained  accidentaly  in  this  Affair,  for 
several  Nations  have  acquainted  the  Shawnese  and  Delawares 
that  they  must  deferr  the  Meeting  till  Spring. 

It  is  the  Government  only  that  can  determine  about  the 
General  Boundary,  and  perhaps  about  the  iniquitous  Patents  of 
Kayadorosseras,  and  of  the  lower  Mohawk  Flatts.  And  as  for 
getting  Satisfaction  for  any  insults  recieved,  unless  they  interfere 
more  strongly  with  the  Provinces,  none  can  be  had,  and  perhaps 
very  little  afterwards,  for  I  dont  find  the  Provincial  Legislatures 
very  ready  to  Assist  in  putting  an  effectual  stop  to  insults  or  en- 
croachments. I  judge  only  from  the  Answers  I  get,  for  I  must 
believe  that  the  Governors  would  do  all  in  their  Power,  but  that 
they  are  not  properly  supported  by  the  other  Branches  of  their 
Legislatures.  And  it  is  not  improbable,  I  might  say  very  Sus- 
picious, that  some  Men  of  Interest  Abet  these  Encroachments. 


3  Major  Joseph  Gorham  of  the  Rangers,  commissioned  deputy  agent  for 
Indians  Affairs  in  Nova  Scotia,  Sept.  24,  1  766,  ante  pp.   1  96-98. 


380  Sir  William  Johnson  Papers 

When  Indians  have  any  thing  at  heart  they  complain  of  every 
Triffle,  as  much  as  of  the  main  Object  of  their  Disgust.  If  the 
Encroachments  on  the  Waters  of  the  Monongahela  is  the  main 
object,  on  the  removal  of  which  depends  Peace  or  War,  it  will 
be  proper  to  put  it  home  to  the  Governments  concerned,  in  which 
I  will  join  you  in  as  plain  Terms  as  I  can  write.  I  understand  the 
Spring  will  be  the  proper  time  to  remove  the  Settlers,  and  then 
prevent  their  Sowing.  I  concluded  from  Captain  Murray's4  Report 
that  they  were  removed,  for  he  Settled  that  matter  with  them  and 
destroyed  many  of  their  Habitations.  But  I  heared  at  Phila- 
delphia that  they  were  returned,  and  many  from  the  Province  of 
Pensilvania  gone  to  join  them.  Those  Lands  I  understand  are 
claimed  by  Pensilvania  and  Virginia,  or  I  should  use  less  Cere- 
mony with  them.  In  short  after  taking  all  the  pains  we  can,  if  the 
Indians  do  break  out,  and  should  confine  their  Hostilities  to  those 
spots  only,  tho'  the  killing  of  People  must  be  shocking  to 
Humanity.  I  could  not  Answer  giving  any  Assistance,  or  to  begin 
any  Hostilities  against  the  Indians  till  the  whole  Affair  should  be 
laid  before  the  King,  and  that  I  should  recieve  His  Majesty's 
Orders  thereupon. 

I  Am  with  great  Regard 
Dear  Sir, 

&ca. 
Sir  Wm.  Johnson  Bart. 

INDORSED : 

Copy./ 
To 
Sir  William  Johnson  Bart. 

at 
Johnson  Hall 
New  York  Novem'.  9lh.  1 767. 


4  Captain  William  Murray,  commandant  at  Fort  Pitt. 


Indian  Affairs,  1766-6S  381 

TO  GOLDSBROW  BANYAR 

Johnson  Hall  Novb'.  17lh.l  767 
My  Dear  Banyar  — 

Yours  of  the  1  7th.  Ult°.2  was  but  yesterday  delivered  to  me  by 
Mr.  Palmer,  who  also  brought  me  the  Lease  &  Release  for  the  6 
Lots  in  Sacondaga  Patent.  I  should  have  been  glad  that  you  had 
acknowledged  it  before  you  sent  it  up.  — 

I  thank  You  for  your  kind  congratulations,  &  Intentions,  and 
hope  this  will  find  you  perfectly  recovered  of  your  indisposition. 

Mr.  Palmer3  left  me  this  Morning,  in  order  to  go  up  the 
Country  as  far  as  one  Youngs,  to  bespeak  provs.  &  such  other 
necessarys  as  may  be  requisite  for  the  Undertaking  in  the  Spring, 
it  being  too  late  in  the  Season  to  do  any  thing  in  it  at  present,  & 
You  may  be  assured  I  shall  at  that  time,  give  him  all  the  Assist- 
ance in  my  power,  or  at  any  time  when  concerned  for  You.  —  I 
am  much  oblidged  to  you  for  ye.  notice  You  give  me  of  yr.  inten- 
tion to  dispose  of  all  Major  Clarkes  Lands.  I  am  at  a  loss  to  know 
where  little  Sacondaga  is,  &  will  be  glad  to  learn  from  You  w*. 
Number  of  Lots  he  has  there  the  quantity  of  Land,  and  the 
lowest  price  you  will  take  for  it,  also  for  his  Share  in  Northampton 
Patent.  The  latter  I  would  gladly  buy  if  reasonable,  as  I  have  a 
Share  therin,  and  the  former  I  may  get  a  Chap  for,  As  I  have  not 
the  money  to  advance  for  it,  were  it  ever  so  Advantagious  to  me. 
nor  indeed  for  the  other  a[t]  present.  — 

I  wish  you  all  the  Happiness,  and  am 

My  Dear  Banyar 
Your  Sincere  &  Affec".  freind 

W  Johnson 
Goldsbrow  Banyar  Esqr.  — 

My  kind  respects  to  Mrs.  Banyar  — 


1  In  New  York  Historical  Society,  Banyar  Papers. 

2  Not  found. 

3  Thomas  Palmer. 


382  Sir  William  Johnson  Papers 

INDORSED : 

Nov.  1 7.  1 767 


Sir  Will.  Johnson 


FROM  FRANCIS  FAUQUIER 
A.L.S.1 

W™.bwghNov\23d.  1767 
Sir 

I  enclose  to  you  under  Cover  with  this,  the  Copy  of  a  Talk 
from  Some  northern  Indians  in  your  District,  sent  me  down  by 
Colonel  Cressap2  near  Fort  Cumberland  in  the  Colony  of  Mary- 
land. That  Gentleman,  has  on  other  Occasions  as  well  as  the 
present  very  improperly  as  well  as  officiously  interfered  in  matters 
that  dont  at  all  concern  him:  as  his  Majesty  has  very  judiciously 
committed  the  management  of  the  Indians  Affairs  into  your  hands, 
I  have  wrote  my  Sentiments  fully  to  Colonel  Cressap  on  this  head. 
If  you  should  think  it  necessary  or  useful  that  the  Indians  should 
see  me,  I  shall  with  the  greatest  readyness  comply  with  every 
thing  You  shall  desire  to  cultivate  and  confirm  the  Friendship 
subsisting  between  his  Majestys  white  Subjects  and  themselves. 
Of  this  I  beg  the  favor  of  you  to  assure  them,  and  that  We  have 
not  the  least  Inclination  or  wish  to  let  go  the  Chain :  And  if  you 
think  it  necessary  I  should  tell  them  this  in  a  Talk  under  my  hand, 
on  your  acquainting  me  of  the  expediency  of  such  a  measure,  I 
will  immediately  send  one  as  you  shall  desire.  It  appears  also  to 
me  that  it  would  be  proper  to  inform  the  Indians  that  any  applica- 
tion to  Colonel  Cressap  or  any  other  person  but  your  self,  will  not 
have  the  Regard  paid  to  it  as  if  it  came  from  you      But  in  this  you 


1  In  Historical  Society  of  Pennsylvania. 

2  Colonel  Thomas  Cresap. 


Indian  Affairs,  1766-68  383 

will  act  according  to  your  own  Discretion,  being  a  much  better 
Judge  of  these  matters  than  I  can  be. 

I  am  wth.  great  Regard 

s*. 

Yr.    most    Obed1. 
Servant 
Fran:  Fauquier 
To  SR.  WM.  Johnson  Bar*. 


INDORSED:3 


Williamsburgh  Novo'.  23d.  1 767 


Ll.  Govr.  Fauquiers  letter 
wth.  an  Enclosure  — 


FROM  HENRY  MOORE 

New  York  Novo'.  28K  1767. 
Sir 

I  am  just  now  favor'd  with  your  letter  of  the  14th.  Ins1.2  & 
am  very  sorry  to  inform  you  that  our  Expedition  to  the  Jerseys  has 
not  been  attended  with  the  Success  I  could  wish,  nor  has  my 
family  receiv'd  the  Benefit  from  it  I  expected.  —  It  is  a  matter 
of  no  small  concern  to  me  that  our  Indian  Affairs  have  so  un- 
promising an  Aspect,  &  I  should  be  very  happy  to  have  it  in  my 
power  to  contribute  in  any  Shape  towards  their  Settlement,  but 
as  yet  I  have  not  had  a  line  from  the  E.  of  Shelburne  in  answer 
to  what  I  wrote  to  his  Lordship  immediately  on  my  return  from 
your  House,  but  shall  write  on  the  same  Subject  again  by  the  first 
Pacquet  &  beg  to  be  furnish'd  with  some  answers  to  make  on  my 
return  in  Spring,  as  I  am  persuaded  that  the  Indians  will  expect 


3  In  Sir  William's  hand. 

1  In  Historical  Society  of  Pennsylvania. 

2  Johnson  Papers,  5:790-91. 


384  Sir   William  Johnson  Papers 

something  satisfactory  from  me  by  that  time:  The  only  letter 
I  have  receiv'd  from  the  E.  of  Shelburne  in  which  Indian  Affairs 
were  mention'd,  was  dated  Sep1.  13,  1  766.  &  seem'd  to  me  to  be  a 
circular  letter  sent  to  the  respective  Governors,  telling  them  of  His 
Majesty's  displeasure  on  hearing  from  different  Quarters  that 
Incroachments  had  been  made  on  the  Indian  Lands,  &  Violencies 
committed  on  them,  directing  at  the  same  time  that  care  should  be 
taken  to  prevent  persons  from  settling  on  their  lands  or  injuring 
their  Persons ;  This  letter  I  answer'd  in  Novr.  1 766.  &  fully 
explaind  how  far  this  Province  was  concern'd  in  the  complaint 
made ;  Since  that  time  I  have  receiv'd  nothing  farther  on  that  head 
although  in  dayly  expectation  of  it.  — 

I  am  afraid  that  a  letter  I  wrote  to  you  concerning  the  Militia 
never  came  to  your  hand,  in  which  I  mention'd  that  it  was  at  the 
Desire  of  the  Council  that  Sr.  John3  was  propos'd  to  command  the 
Regf.  of  Horse  to  be  raisd,  &  that  it  would  give  me  great  pleasure 
to  see  him  invested  with  that  Command ;  As  this  proposal  met  with 
your  approbation  I  inform'd  you  that  there  was  not  the  least 
objection  rais'd  to  your  different  recommendations  of  the  officers, 
&  only  waited  for  the  particular  Districts  to  be  describ'd  in  order 
to  shew  the  respective  Colonels  how  far  their  authority  was  to 
extend,  as  it  must  be  set  forth  in  Their  Commissions.  This  new 
plan  of  the  Regiments  has  been  much  approvd  of  by  every  one 
who  has  heard  of  it,  &  I  am  persuaded  that  we  shall  see  the 
advantage  of  it  in  case  of  any   Rupture  with  the  Indians.  — 

I  shall  agreable  to  your  recommendation  of  Mr.  Fry4  give  him 
a  License  to  practise  as  an  Attorney,  but  as  he  has  not  been 
regularly  bred  to  the  Profession  he  must  first  be  Licens'd  for  the 
inferior  Courts,  till  he  has  made  some  progress  in  the  practical 
part,  which  I  apprehend  is  the  thing  he  desird ;  I  mention  this  only 
on  Ace1,  of  Form  &  not  from  any  Objection  rais'd  by  me,  for  his 


3  Sir  John  Johnson.    For  Sir  Henry's  reorganization  of  the  militia,  see 
Johnson  to  Colden,  Doc.  Hist.  N.  Y.,  2:957-59. 

4  Hendrick  Frey,  Jr. 


Indian  Affairs,   1766-68  385 

being  patroniz'd  by  you  is  a  sufficient  recommendation  of  him  to 
me.  I  am  With  the  greatest  Regard  &  Esteem 

s*. 

Your  Most  Obedient 
&  humble  Servant 

H.  Moore5 

I  shall  take  it  as  a  particular  favor  if  you  will  make  some  inquiry 
concerning  Coll  Vaughan's6  Land  &  let  me  know  what  has  been 
done  in  regard  to  it,  for  as  yet  I  have  had  no  Ace1,  of  it,  nor  indeed 
of  any  of  the  Purchases  Made  last  year. 


INDORSED:7 


NYork  Novbr.  28th.  1 767 


Sir  Harry  Moores  Letter 


JOURNAL  OF  INDIAN  AFFAIRS 

A.  D.1 

[Johnson  Hall,  Nov.  4-13,  1767] 

[The  Conojohares]  Arrived  ye.  4th.  Novbr.  and  Joined  the 
Ondagaes  in  welcoming  My  Son2  Home  &ca.  After  the  Cere- 
mony was  over  he  gave  them  an  Entertainment  &  Dance,  —  and 
2  Cags  of  liquor  to  Drink  in  their  Castles  on  their  return  with 
their  Cheifs  &ca.  — 

Novbr.  6th.  —  I  Sent  a  large  String  of  Wampum  by  Tarvas- 
fyughta  an  Ondaga  to  let  the  Six  Nations  know  that  I  intended 
a  General  Meeting  with  them  Some  time  in  ye.  Spring,  and  Should 


5  Sir  Henry  Moore,  colonial  governor  of  New  York,  1  764-1  769. 

6  Lieutenant  Colonel  John  Vaughan.  For  Sir  William's  answers  see 
Johnson  Calendar,  p.  385 ;  these  letters  to  Sir  H.  Moore  were  destroyed. 

7  In  Sir  William's  hand. 

1  In  Canadian  Archives,  Indian  Records,  Vol.  9.  A  contemporary  copy 
in  Indian  Records,  Vol.  7,  has  minor  variants,  mentioning  Sir  William  in 
the  third  person.  Where  the  manuscript  is  illegible  words  from  the  copy  are 
supplied  in  brackets. 

2  Sir  John  Johnson,  who  returned  from  his  visit  to  England  in  October. 


386  Sir   William  Johnson  Papers 

by  my  next  Message  let  them  know  ye.  time  &  place.  —  I  also  ex- 
plained to  them  the  Prince  of  Chotes3  Speech  made  to  Mr. 
Stuart  Superlntd'.  — 

They  Seemed  much  Surprised  at  not  hearing  of  something  final 
abf.  ye.  Boundary  Line,  &  other  greiviances  so  often  complained 
of,  —  To  all  wh.,  I  gave  them  the  most  plausable  answers  in  my 
power,  wh.  altho  it  gave  some  Satisfaction,  did  not  remove  their 
Doubts  of  our  Sincerity. 

Then  delivered  them  a  present  of  Blankets  paint  powder,  Ball, 
flints,  Some  other  Necessarys,  &  parted  ye.  6th.  Ins*. 

Novbr.  6th.  Mr.  Goddard4  a  Trader,  and  Joseph  Rheaum5  a 
French  Interpreter,  Arrived  here,  &  brought  me  Sundry  letters  & 
Accts.  of  Indn.  Expences  incurred  by  Major  Rojers  orders  wh. 
Sd.  Rheaum  had,  also  an  Extraordinary  Corns11,  for  Inviting  the 
Westeren  Nations  to  him  at  Michilimacinac.  I  discharged  them 
with  a  promise  of  my  endeavours  to  See  them  paid,  &  desired  Mr. 
Goddard  to  Send  me  his  Journal,  &  opinion  of  the  Disposition  of 
the  Sevr1.  Nats.  he  had  been  amongst. 

D°.  Die.  also  the  7th.  &  8th.  Sevr1.  Partys  of  Senecas,  & 
Cayugaes  Arrived  here,  \by  whom  I]  Who  confirmed  the  Ace*, 
of  Bad  Belts  being  Sent  amongst  the  Six,  &  other  Nations.  I  gave 
them  all  Some  Amunition,  a  little  Cloathing,  Axes  &ca.  — 

Do.  10th.  Onoghsoakta  a  Seneca  Cheif  wth.  Several  More  of 
his  Nation  arrived  here,  also  a  free  Negro  [Mullato]  named  the 
Sun  Fish  [who  had  lived  15  Years  among  them,  the  former  in 
private  told  Sr.  Wm.  that  Shabear  Jean  Ceaur6  on  his  way  to 
Detroit]  Told  Casterax  Cheif  of  Chenussia  in  private  Conversa- 
tion, that  He  Shou'd  not  pay  any  regard  to  what  he  Shabear  said 
to  the  Inds.  in  presence  of  the  English  at  Niagra,7  being  only 
intended  to  blindfold  them,  that  He  now  assured  Him  Casterax 


3  See  Stuart  to  Gage,  July  21,1  767,  ante  pp.  337-38. 

4  James  Stanley  Goddard. 

5  Joseph  Reaume   (Rheaume). 

6  Daniel  Joncaire,  Sieur  de  Chabert  and  Clausonne  (1716-1771). 

7  See  "Journal  of  Indn.  Transactions  at  Niagara  in  the  Year   1  767," 
Doc.  Hist.  N.  Y.,  2:868-80. 


Indian  Affairs,   1766-68  387 

that  the  French  were  determined  to  regain  this  Country,  &  would 
probably  be  in  this  [Country]  next  Spring  in  order  to  concert  some 
measures  with  their  friends  there,  —  Shabear  further  told  him 
that  He  was  now  going  to  Detroit,  &  had  orders  from  the  French 
King  to  tell  the  Same  to  all  ye.  Ottawaes  &ca  He  might  see,  He 
then  told  Casterex  of  his  poverty,  &  that  he  had  not  a  foot  of 
Land  to  live  upon,  and  reminded  him  of  a  promise  made  by  the 
Senecas  formerly  of  giving  him  that  Land  at  the  Entrance  of 
Lake  Erie,  to  wh.  Casterax  Answered,  that  he  thought  that  place 
was  too  near  the  English,  with  whom  they  might  soon  have  a 
difference,  but  that  from  the  great  love  the  Senecas  had  for  him, 
they  wou'd  give  him  a  place  called  Kanawagon  near  to  the  Ohio 
where  there  is  a  Settlement  of  sev1.  Renegadoe  Familys,  for  wh. 
He  Shabear  thanked  him.  this  Intelligence  My  Informant  had 
from  Gastax's  Son  in  Law.  — 

Then  Onaghsoakta  Delivered  me  a  Belt  w,h.  the  Figure  of 
Three  Men  worked  upon,  Which  his  Castle  of  Kanadasegey 
Desired  him  to  deliver  me,  requesting  thereby  in  the  most  press?. 
Manner  that  I  would  allow  them  a  Smith  in  their  Castle,  to  repair 
their  Arms,  &  working  Utensils,  wh.  were  now  all  out  of  order, 
&  that  Niagra  &  Oswego  were  too  far  for  them  to  go  with  such 
things  to  be  mended,  adding  that  as  they  heard  of  my  Son's8 
Arrival,  they  did  not  doubt  but  that  he  had  brought  over  some 
good  News  for  them,  &  the  rest  of  the  Nations.  — 

A  Belt.  — 
Then  took  the  Sun  Fish  (a  Free  Mullatto  who  lives  at 
Kanaghiyiadirhe)9  into  my  Office,  where,  upon  asking  him 
Several  Questions  concerning  the  Reports  now  going  about 
amongst.  ye.  Indians,  &  offering  him  a  reward  if  he  would  tell  me 
ingeniously  wl.  he  knew.  He  Gave  me  the  following  Ace*.  Viz1, 
that  abl.  2  Years  ago  he  was  on  his  Hunt  towards  Ohio,  where 
he  was  told  by  a  Delaware  Cheif,  that  Some  of  ye.  Westeren 


8  Sir  John  Johnson. 

9  Karaghiyadirha  on  Guy  Johnson's  map  of  the  country  of  the  Six 
Nations.  Supposed  to  be  the  present  Belvidere,  Allegany  County,  New 
York. 


388  Sir  William  Johnson  Papers 

Nations  had  Sent  a  Belt  to  ye.  Shawanese  &  Delawares  recom- 
mending it  to  them,  and  the  rest  of  ye.  Inds.  in  them  parts  to  be 
unanimous,  &  that  they  would  Join  them  heartily  in  removing  ye. 
English  out  of  their  Country,  the  Belt  wh.  was  sent  for  yl.  pur- 
pose was  broad  from  ye.  end  of  ye.  Fingers  to  the  bend  of  ye. 
Elbow,  and  a  Fathom  in  length,  all  black  —  that  ye.  method 
they  proposed  was  to  have  a  great  Council  wth.  ye.  English  at  Fort 
Pitt,  and  then  cut  off  the  Garrison,  destroy  the  Fort  &c  Then  push 
along  thro  ye.  Several  Nations,  (who,  if  they  wou'd  not  Join  them 
they  were  to  cut  off)  'till  they  come  here  destroying  All  the 
Settlements  in  these  parts  as  far  as  Albany  &  even  that,  then  all 
ye.  upper  Posts  would  fall  of  Course,  as  they  would  then  cut  off 
their  Communication.  —  My  Informant  is  of  opinion  that  this  is 
ye.  Belt  now  going  amongst  them,  &  that  something  prevented 
them  putting  their  Design  in  execution  hitherto.  —  He  says  the 
Inds.  are  an  unsettled,  Jealous,  Discontented  revengefull  People, 
that  the  losses  they  Sustained  to  the  Southward  this  time  past 
Adds  greatly  to  their  desire  of  revenge,  as  well  as  our  Encroach- 
ments, All  wh.,  the  French  amongst  them,  &  at  Mississippi  are 
constantly  reminding  them  off,  &  Stirring  them  up  to  take  Satisfac- 
tion, promising  them  All  necessary  Assistance  &c.  — 

Novbr.  12th.,  In  Ansr.  to  ye.  Senecas  Belt  by  OnoghsoaJ?ta,  I 
told  him,  that,  as  I  proposed  a  General  Meeting  with  the  Six 
Nations  &  others  next  Spring,  I  would  then  let  them  know  my 
resolution  thereon.  wh.  would  depend  entirely  on  their  peacable 
and  freindly  behaviour.  &  that  I  expected  they  would  (at  said 
meeting)  bring  with  them,  &  deliver  to  me  all  the  English 
Prisoners  still  remaining  amongst  them,  so  contrary  to  their  most 
Solemn  Engagements,  &  repeated  promises  at  ye.  last  Springs 
Treaty  of  Peace  concluded  with  them.  — 

A  Belt.  — 

A  Party  of  Cayugaes,  some  of  Ottrawanes,  &  Tagaaias 
People  arrived  here,  begged  for  amunition,  their  Arms,  &  Axes 
mended  &ca.  wh.  granted,  they  went  away  well  contented.  — 

Novbr.  13.  I  gave  to  the  Sun  Fish,  Copy  of  the  Prince 
of  Chotes  Speech  wh.  accompanied  the  Cherokee  Belt  lately  sent 


Indian  Affairs,  1766-68  389 

to  the  Six  Nations,  that  He  might  explain  it  to  Addongot  & 
Squissahawe  the  Two  Cheifs  of  His  Castle,  least  it  might  be 
delivered  to  them  wrong.  He  promised  to  deliver  it  faithfully  to 
them,  and  everry  thing  else  I  gave  him  in  charge,  and  also  to  bring 
me  whatever  news  of  Moment  was  Stirring  amongst  the  Indians, 
for  wh.  I  gave  him  a  handsome  present,  I  gave  him  also  a  few 
lines  to  Cap*.  MacLeod,10  by  way  of  a  Passport  &  4  Strings  of 
black  Wampum  to  deliver  to  his  Brother  Addongat,  whose 
Sister  has  one  Peggy  May  Pole,  alias  Croce  still  Prisr.  from 
whom  He  is  to  get  her,  &  Set  her  at  Liberty,  all  these  things  he 
promised  sincerely.  —  I  gave  him  Sever1,  good  things  &  dis- 
charged him.  — 


JOURNAL  OF  INDIAN  AFFAIRS 
Contemporary  Copy1 

[Johnson  Hall,  Nov.  28-30,  1767] 

28th.  Karaghiagiga s  brother  with  some  other  Indians  arrived 
here  &  addressed  Sr.  Wm.  as  follows.  — 
Brother  — 

I  am  come  to  return  you  my  hearty  thanks  for  condoling  the 
death  of  my  brother  in  so  friendly  a  manner,  which  greatly  eases 
my  mind,  and  also  to  assure  you  of  my  regard  and  attachment 
to  you,  being  very  sensible  there  was  none  living,  my  brother  had 
so  great  an  Esteem  for,  as  for  you.  —  you  may  depend  upon  me, 
and  command  my  Services  at  all  times.  — 

3  Strings  — 

Brother  — 

As  my  Nephew  is  a  promising  young  Lad,  I  beg  leave  to  recom- 
mend him  to  succeed  my  brother,  and  hope  it  will  be  agreeable 
to  you.  — 

A  White  Belt. 


10  Captain  Normand  MacLeod. 
1  In  Canadian  Archives,  Indian  Records  No.  7. 


390  Sir   William  Johnson  Papers 

Brother  — 

Here  is  the  Gorget  which  belonged  to  your  Friend.  his 
Medal,  and  Colours  were  sent  you  before.  if  you  approved  of 
my  Recommendation,  you  will  give  them  to  his  only  Son,  my 
Nephew,  which  will  afford  me  much  Pleasure,  and  I  flatter 
my  self  he  will  prove  deserving  of  them.  — 

A  Silver  Gorget  formerly  given  by  Sr.  Wm.  — 

Sir  Wm.  in  answer  bid  him  welcome  here,  &  told  him  he  was 
much  pleased  that  what  he  had  done  gave  him  so  much  Satisfac- 
tion, and  after  thanking  him  for  his  Professions  of  Friendship,  & 
offers  of  Service,  assured  him  that  so  long  as  he  continued  of  that 
disposition,  he  wou'd  always  regard  him,  and  reward  any  Services 

he  might  do  for  him.  — 

3  Strings  of  Wampum. 

Then  let  him  know  that  nothwithstanding  the  message  which 
was  sent  him  by  the  Chiefs  of  his  Nation  at  the  time  of  his 
brother's  death,  he  had  no  Objection  to  his  Recommendation,  but 
that  an  affair  of  that  kind  shou'd  be  transacted  at  a  general  Meet- 
ing, so  that  all  the  Nations  might  be  privy  to  and  see  that  it  was 

done  by  him.  — 

A  Belt. 

Lastly  told  him  he  wou'd  keep  the  Gorget  &c  until  such  meet- 
ing took  Place,  when  his  Nephew  shou'd  be  appointed.  —  then 
gave  him  a  Present,  &  ended. 

Novr.  30th.  A  distant  Chippaweigh,  a  Mohawk  named  Joseph, 
and  two  Cognawageys  who  since  the  Year  1  764  resided  among 
the  distant  Nations,  arrived  here  — 


Indian  Affairs,  1766-68  391 

FROM  WILLIAM  HOWARD 
A.L.S.1 

Princeton  Decr.  Ist.  1767. 
S*. 

Expecting  to  go  to  England  soon,  have  been  oblidgd  to  borrow 
some  Money  from  Mr.  Wallace,2  have  given  him  an  Order  on 
You  for  the  Ballance  due  me  shall  be  oblidgd  if  You  would  send 
an  Order  on  Mr.  Mortier3  for  it,  I  told  Mr.  Wallace  I  beleive 
You  would  do  it  — 

Be  pleased  to  make  my  Compliments  to  Cap1.  Johnston,4  and 
tell  him  I  have  been  laid  up  with  the  Gout,  or  should  have  wrote 
to  him,  I  spoke  to  Mr.  Wallace  who  will  do  what  I  desird,  I 
likewise  sent  the  Gittar  Strings,  have  made  free  to  enclose  a  Letter 
for  doctor  Constaple5  &  am 

Sr.  Yr.  Most  Ob*.  Serv*. 

WM.  Howard0 
SR.  WM.  Johnston  Barn1. 

indorsed:7 

Princetown  Decbr.  1 st.  1  767 


Cap1.  Howards  Letter 


1  In  Historical  Society  of  Pennsylvania. 

2  Hugh  Wallace. 

3  Abraham  Mortier. 

4  Guy  Johnson. 

5  Dr.  John  Constable. 

6  Captain  William  Howard  of  the  1  7th  regiment. 

7  In  Sir  William's  hand. 


392  Sir  William  Johnson  Papers 

FROM  THOMAS  PENN 
Contemporary  Copy1 

London  Dec.  12,  1767. 

Dear  Sir  — 

I  can  truely  assure  that  I  have  been  an  importunate  Solicitor, 
both  on  account  of  your  own  grant,  and  that  of  the  Indian 
Boundary.  I  was  with  Lord  Shelburne  &  Lord  Clare  about  them 
last  week,  and  came  to  Town  on  Thursday,  expecting  the  orders 
about  the  Boundary,  would  have  been  dispatched  by  this  packet, 
but  after  a  long  conference  I  had  with  the  first,  I  find  it  will  not  go 
'till  the  next ;  I  had  just  received  a  Letter  from  Mr.  Croghan  and 
from  Mr.  Allen,2  pressing  the  necessity  of  it  very  strongly  &  very 
speedily,  which  I  gave  Lord  Shelburne  copies  of,  to  lay  before  the 
Council,  and  I  really  believe  it  will  be  done  by  next  packet. 

Lord  Shelburne  desired  I  would  express  his  regard  for  you,  and 
his  desire  to  carry  into  execution  what  you  recommend,  he  also 
gave  all  the  assistance  he  could,  with  regard  to  your  Land,  and 
we  hope  to  get  a  Grant  under  the  Great  Seal  here,  or  an 
acknowledgment  of  a  Beaver  Skin,  or  some  such  reservation, 
which  will  supersede  all  fees  at  New  York,  of  this  I  shall  write 
to  you  further  by  the  next  packet. 

I  have  to  desire,  you  will  use  your  best  endeavours  with  the 
Indians,  to  grant  us  the  Land,  as  high  as  they  can  be  brought  to 
agree  to,  between  the  West  branch  of  Sasquehannah  &  the  River 
Delaware,  to  prevent  all  possibility  of  the  people  from  Con- 
necticut, giving  us  any  more  trouble  there,  and  that  they  will 
covenant  when  they  incline  to  sell  the  rest,  that  they  will  sell  it 
only  to  us,  as  they  have  always  done.  I  hope  to  write  you  fully 
by  next  packet.  In  the  mean  time  I  am  with  much  regard 

Dear  Sir 

Your  most  obedient  and  most 
humble  Servant 

T.P. 

Sir  William  Johnson 


1  In  Historical  Society  of  Pennsylvania,  Penn  Letter  Books. 

2  William  Allen,  chief  justice  of  Pennsylvania. 


Indian  A  fairs,  1766-68  393 

FROM  JAMES  BUTLER 
Cop})1 

[Dec.  12.  1767] 

[Most  people]  believe  that  those  you  [desjire  will  carry  the 
point:  there  are  some  that  are  very  faint-hearted,  knowing  your 
Interest  to  be  too  great  for  their  [strength]. 


1  Extract  made  by  Carl  Becker,  concerning  candidates  for  office  favored 
by  Sir  William,  and  printed  in  American  Historical  Review,  (Jan.  1901) 
6:268.  Unaccountably  this  letter  is  not  listed  in  Johnson  Calendar,  but 
the  location  in  the  manuscript  volume  is  correct. 


JOURNAL  OF  INDIAN  AFFAIRS 

Contemporary  Copy1 

[Johnson  Hall,  Dec.  2-30,  1767] 

Decemr.  2d.  —  Sir  Wm.  sent  a  Message  with  Karraghiagigo's 
brother  insisting  on  the  Six  nations  giving  him  their  ultimate 
answer  with  regard  to  the  Cherokee's  Request,  at  the  same  time 
letting  him  know  his  Surprize  at  their  delay  hitherto,  which  gave 
him  reason  to  think  it  was  owing  to  the  Sachim's  neglect  &  back- 
wardness, as  he  had  heard  several  Warriors  declare  their  Will- 
ingness to  agree  to  the  Proposals  of  the  Cherokees.  — 

A  large  Bunch  of  Wampum.  — 
23d.  —  Received  a  Letter  from  General  Gage  acquainting  him 
of  the  Cherokee  Deputies  arrival  at  New  York  with  an  Inter- 
preter, and  of  their  Intentions  of  setting  off  for  Johnson  Hall  in  a 
couple  of  days  in  order  to  bring  about  a  Peace  between  them  and 
the  Six  Nations,  —  whereupon  preperations  were  made  for  their 
Reception  &  accomodation,  and  a  notice  sent  to  the  Mohawks  of 
their  Coming.  &c2  — 

Tuesday     December     29th. — Attafyullakulla     alias     the     little 
Carpenter,    Oucanostotah,    alias,    the   great   Warrior,    Corrinah, 


1  In  Canadian  Archives,  Indian  Records,  Vol.  7-8. 

2  From  this  point  the  record  is  in  Indian  Records,  Vol.  8. 


394  Sir  William  Johnson  Papers 

alias  the  Raven  King,  chiefs  of  the  Cherokees,  with  six  more  of 
that  Nation,  and  Mr.  Watts  Interpreter  Arrived  at  Johnson  Hall 
in  three  Sledges  for  which  Sir  William  paid  Twenty  two  pounds 
Sixteen  Shillings  and  sixpence.  — 

On  their  Arrival,  Sir  William  directed  them  to  be  brought  to 
the  Council  Chamber  where  he  received  them,  &  several  Letters 
sent  by  them  —  viz*,  from  General  Gage,  Mr.  Steuart3  Super- 
Intendant,  Ensign  Keough,4  commanding  at  Fort  Prince  George5 
in  their  Country  &ca.  and  after  drinking  their  Healths  ordered 
them  dinner.  — 

Wednesday  December  30th. — Abraham  chief  of  the  lower 
Mohawks  with  six  more  of  their  Nation  came  on  Sir  William's 
Message  of  yesterday,  desireing  their  attendance,  when  the 
Cherokee  Deputies  spoke  Cap1.  Solomon  with  others  of  his  Tribe 
from  Stockbridge,  who  came  likewise  upon  business,  as  well  as 
some  Cogwawageys  &  a  Chippawae  were  also  desired  to  be 
present  — 

At  three  post  Meridiem,  Sir  William  sent  for  Mr.  Watts  the 
Interpreter,  &  desired  he  would  let  the  Cherokees  know,  that  he 
was  ready  to  hear  what  they  had  to  say.  The  Interpreter  returned 
and  acquainted  Sir  William  that  they  were  ready  to  speak  to  him 
as  soon  as  he  pleased.  — 

[  ] 

Room  attended  by  the  above  mentioned  Indians  — 

Present  —  Sir  William  Johnson 

Lieut*.  Roberts6  Commissi,  of  Indn.  affairs 
Lieut*.  Hamilton7  of  the  1 6  Regim*. 
Stephan  Delancy  Esqr.,  &  other  Gentn. 
John  Watts  Interpreter  — 
Hugh  Crawford8  — 


3  John  Stuart,  southern  superintendent  of  Indians. 

4  Ensign  Mathew  Keough  of  the  60th  regiment. 

5  In  South  Carolina  at  a  considerable  distance  from  the  inhabited  country. 

6  Lieutenant  Benjamin  Roberts,  just  returned  from  Michilimackinac. 

7  Lieutenant  Andrew  Hamilton  of  the  1  6th  regiment. 

8  An  Indian  trader. 


Indian  Affairs,   1766-68  395 

Being  all  seated,  the  Cherokee  Chiefs  got  a  Calumet  filled 
with  Tobacco  &  lighted,  which  they  first  held  for  Sir  WilK  to 
smoak  out  of,  and  then  went  round  the  Gentlemen,  &  Mohocks 
after  which  they  themselves  smoaked  out  of  it  —  Then  Oucon- 
nastotah  the  great  Chief  arose,  and  with  a  Bunch  of  white 
Wampum  in  his  hand  stood  Opposite  to  Sir  William,  and  spoke 
as  f ollowes  — 
Brother  — 

We  rejoice  that  we  are  now  before  you,  &  that  we  see  you  in 
health  —  we  have  desired  this  day  a  long  time,  but  from  the  ac- 
counts we  had,  we  were  affraid  to  come  by  Land  —  we  came  now 
by  water  to  New  York,  from  the  white  Council  House,  wch.  is  at 
Chotte,9  and  here  is  our  Emperor's  Belt  to  you,  to  shew  you  that 
we  are  fully  empowered  by  him  &  all  our  people  to  come  and 
treat  about  Peace,  &  crave  your  assistance. 

A  Belt  — 
Brother  — 

We  know  your  Fame,  and  all  our  Nations  are  accquainted 
with  your  goodness  &  friendship  for  Indians  —  We  beg  that  you, 
who  are  the  chief  of  all  the  Indians,  will  shew  us  your  regard, 
who  are  come  so  far  to  [  ]e 

seriously,  and  sincerely  desirous  of  [  ]  and 

as  our  understanding  is  as  nothing  when  compared  with  yours, 
we  beg  you  will  send  these  Indians  to  meet  us  here  for  that 
purpose  in  your  presence  as  our  whole  reliance  is  on  you,  we  beg 
you  will  call  |  |  and  act  in  such  a  manner  as  to  you 

seems  best,  with  which  we  Shall  be  perfectly  Satisfied.  —  He 
was  glad  to  see  that  [they]  arrived  in  health  — 

Sir  William  then  told  them  that  he  had  been  above  a  year 
endeavouring  to  persuade  the  Six  Nations  [  ]  to  peace  with 

them,  that  he  had  in  consequence  o[  ]  the 

Southward  (acquainting  him  that  Deputys  of  their  Nation  would 
come  here)  taken  great  pains  to  prevent  [  ]  parties  from 

going  against  them,  which  they  agreed  to;  finding  none  came, 


9  Chotte,  Chota,  Choeta,  or  Echota,  a  Cherokee  town. 


396  Sir  William  Johnson  Papers 

they  looked  upon  it  as  an  Imposi[  ]  greatly  incensed, 

and  went  against  them  in  greater  [  ]  That  on  the  receipt 

of  another  Letter  last  year  from  Lieu[tenant  Governor]  Fauquier, 
he  did  again  lay  these  matters  before  the  [Six]  Nations  &  pre- 
vailed on  them  to  promise  that  they  would  [agree]  to  terms  of 
accomodation,  whensoever  Deputys  would  arrive  from  the  South- 
ward to  Sollicit  it,  and  added,  that  finfding  they]  were  at  length 
arrived  for  the  purposes  of  Peace,  he  w[  ]  proof  of  his 

Britannick  Majesty's  esteem  for  them,  &  [  ]  own  desire 

to  bring  the  War  to  a  period,  send  for  the  Chiefs  [of]  the  Six 
Nations,  and  others  necessary  upon  that  Occasion,  [  ] 

nothwithstanding  the  severity  of  the  Season,  and  the  difficulty 
and  expence  that  would  attend  the  bringing  them  so  far  from 
hom[e  at]  that  time  of  the  year,  he  would  use  all  his  interest  and 
in[fluence]  for  that  purpose,  and  would  take  good  care  of  them 
untill  [  ]  arrival.  — 


REPORT  OF  INDIAN  TRADE 
Contemporary  Copy1 

Return  of  the  Amount  of  Merchandize  brought  to  Fort  Pitt  in 
the  year  1  767.  — 

Merchandize  of  all  Sorts  including  6,500  Gallons  of 
Rum £26157..  12..  1  — 

The  above  is  the  account  of  Rum  given  in  by  the  Licenced 
Traders,  but  I  have  reason  to  believe  that  double  that  Quantity 
is  brought  here  by  them  exclusive  of  large  Quantities  brought  up 
by  Sutlers  and  others,  —  during  the  last  year  also  has  passed  this 
Post  to  the  amount  of  £  40,000  —  or  upwards  to  Fort  Chartres 
for  the  Support  of  the  Trade  in  that  Country.  — 

Alexander  Mc.Kee 
Commissary  of  Indian  Affairs 


1  In  Canadian  Archives,  Indian  Records,  Vol.  7. 


Indian  Affairs,  1766-68 


397 


Return   of   Peltry    sent   from    Fort    Pitt   in   the   year    1767. 


Pounds  of 
Beaver 

Otters 

Cats  &  Foxes 

Racoons 

Total  10,587 

755 

3,539 

15,253 

Fishers 

Martins 

Wolves 

Panthers 

129 

166 

35 

66 

Bearskins 

Fall  Skins 

Summer  Skins 

Elks 

785 

178,613 

104,016 

82  — 

ALEXANDR  McKee  Commissy.  Indn.  Affairs 


398 


Sir   William  Johnson  Papers 


Return  of  the  Amount  of  Merchandize  brought  to  Detroit  from 
the  1 4th.  to  the  1 0th.  Novemr.  1  767  for  the  IncK  Trade 

Merchandize  of  all  Sorts  including  24,105  Gallons  of 
Rum £25,951  .  .  1 .  .  10 

N.B.  Some  of  the  Above  Merchandize  arriv'd  here  after  the 
Return  that  is  sent  down  was  closed  wch.  will  make  this  am1,  some- 
thing more.  — 

JEHU  Hay,  Commissi  Indn.  Affairs 

Return  of  Peltry  sent  from  Detroit  in  the  year  1  767.  — 


Beaver 

Musk 

Fawn 

Eaters 

Tygers  — 

Rats  — 

Skins  — 

Sent  from 

(t 

4 

1,260 

150 

Detroit 

Deduct  what 

(< 

<< 

cc 

tf 

came  from 

Michilli- 

makinac 

Detroit 

<< 

4 

1,260 

150 

Produce 

Bear 

Number  of 

Fishers  — 

Ottars  — 

Skins  — 

Red  Skins 

From  Detroit 

297 

3,056 

6,271 

1 4,342 

Deduct  from 

Michilli- 

makinac 

it 

400 

140 

250 

Detroit 

Produce 

297 

2,656 

6,131 

14,092 

Indian  Affairs,  1766-68 


399 


Pounds  of 
Dressed 

Leather 

Minks 

Martins 

Foxes 

From  Detroit 

52,116 

311 

564 

431 

Deduct  from 

Michilli- 

makinac 

7,700 

t« 

(< 

<t 

Detroit 

Produce 

44,416 

311 

564 

431 

Pounds  of 

Beaver 

Buffalo 

Cats 

Blanketing 

Blankets 

Wolves 

From  Detroit 

3,696 

IOP/2 

32 

114 

Deduct  from 

Michilli- 

makinac 

(< 

c< 

t< 

(< 

Detroit 

Produce 

3,696 

IOII/2 

32 

114 

400 


Sir   William  Johnson  Papers 


Elk 

Skins 

Packs  of 
Mixed 
Peltry 

Racoons 

Pounds  of 
Beaver 

From  Detroit 
Deduct  from 
Michilli- 
makinac 

541 
30 

11 

22 

65,029 
2,100 

42,044 
1 4,200 

Detroit 
Produce 

511 

it 

62,929 

27,844 

Arincalle 

ft 

Parchment 

No.  of 
Packs 

From  Detroit 
Deduct  from 
Michilli- 
makinac 

7 

458 
tt 

2,065 
277 

Detroit 
Produce 

7 

458 

1 ,788  — 

JEHU  Hay,  Commissi  of  Indn.  Affairs.  — 


Indian  Affairs,   1766-68  401 

TO  JOHN  PENN 

A.L.S.1 

Johnson  Hall,  J  amy.  2d.  1768  — 
Sir 

By  last  Post  I  had  the  favour  of  your  letter  of  the  1 5th.  Ult°.2 
cheifly  regarding  the  alarming  State  of  Indn.  Affairs  occasioned  by 
the  intrusions  and  other  Hostile  Acts  of  Persons  on  the  Frontiers, 
which  has  had  such  an  effect  upon  the  Minds  of  the  Indians,  as 
gives  me  the  Strongest  reason  to  apprehend  a  General  Rupture 
unless  there  is  something  done  for  their  Relief.  —  Your  inten- 
tions therefore  to  endeavour  to  procure  some  Salutary  Law  for 
that  purpose  give  me  much  Satisfaction,  as  all  other  methods  have 
it  seems  hitherto  proved  ineffectual,  which  has  rendered  all  my 
Assurances  to  the  Indians  of  little  weight,  and  greatly  weakened 
any  confidence  they  reposed  on  the  British  faith,  by  giving  them 
Suspicions  that  we  had  neither  Authority  to  procure,  or  inclina- 
tion to  afford  them  Releif.  I  therefore  heartily  wish  that  the 
Legislature  of  your  Province  may  from  a  Just  Sense  of  the  im- 
portance of  the  Affair  take  such  measures  as  will  at  once  convince 
the  Indians  of  our  Justice  and  pacific  Sentiments  for  them,  and 
you  may  be  assured,  Sir,  of  my  doing  everry  thing  in  the  interim 
for  convincing  them  of  your  good  intentions,  and  for  reconciling 
them  to  the  necessary  delay  you  mention. 

There  are  doubtless  amongst  the  Scattered  Tribes  living  in  the 
back  parts  of  that  Country  Several  Idle  Indns.  Who  may  from 
Motives  of  private  Interest,  be  persuaded  to  give  some  encourage- 
ment to  the  Settlers,  but  these  are  private  Acts  of  persons  who 
would  not  presume  to  avow  them  to  the  Confederacy,  Whose 
Sole  Right  it  is,  and  whose  resentment  may  have  a  most  fatal 
tendency,  if  to  their  natural  Jealousy  of  Us,  is  Joyned  their 
Suspicion  that  we  Suffer  or  countenance  such  Settlements  with  a 
design  to  hemm  them  in,  &  deprive  them  of  their  Libertys,  an 


1  Manuscript  in  Archives  of  Pennsylvania;  also  printed  in  Pennsylvania 
Colonial  Records,  9:412-14. 

2  Johnson  Papers,  6:4-6. 


402  Sir   William  Johnson  Papers 

opinion  into  which  they  are  verry  easily  led,  &  until  it  is 
thoroughly  removed,  our  Frontiers  &  Trade  must  at  the  best  be 
on  a  verry  precarious  footing.  — 

The  Boundary  Line  would  no  Doubt  have  been  of  great  Serv- 
ice at  this  time,  but  I  have  heard  nothing  farther  on  that  Head 
from  His  Majesty's  Ministers.  If  our  People  would  confine  them- 
selves within  the  limits  of  such  a  line,  I  know  that  for  a  good 
consideration  to  the  Indians,  I  could  obtain  a  Valuable  Cession 
of  Territory,  &  the  Indians  have  been  told  that  it  is  intended.  — 

I  am  sorry  to  find  that  the  Indians  Who  attended  the  Surveyors 
in  running  the  Division  Line3  would  not  consent  to  proceed 
farther  than  You  mention.  Their  Stopping  where  they  did,  I,  in 
some  measure  attribute  to  their  apprehensions  of  farther  Insults  in 
Travelling  to,  and  from  the  Cherokee  Country,  of  which  they 
have  often  complained,  as  well  as  to  the  present  uneasiness  Sub- 
sisting amongst  'em  for  the  causes  aforementioned,  &ca.  —  I  hope 
that  a  more  favourable  time  may  be  found  for  compleating  the 
whole,  to  which  the  good  Usage  they  received  from  the  Commis- 
sioners will  greatly  contribute.  — 

Mr.  Crawford4  informs  me  that  he  found  the  Travelling  at  this 
Season  so  verry  expensive  as  oblidged  him  to  lay  out  the  40 
Dollars  ordered  for  the  Widow  of  Jacob  which  I  was  Sorry  to 
hear,  because  such  expressions  of  kindness  would  give  them  a 
favourable  impression  &  facilitate  that  or  any  other  business  here- 
after. I  therefore  think  it  verry  necessary  at  this  time  to  advance 
that  Sum  as  intended,  which  I  shall  take  the  liberty  to  add  to 
another  Small  Accf.  against  the  Province,  which,  (altho  of  a  long 
Standing)   I  make  no  doubt  You  will  order  the  payment  of  — 

I  am  with  the  greatest  Truth  & 
Respect.  Sir 

Your  most  Obedient5 
and  Humble  Servant. 
W.  Johnson 

3  The  Mason  and  Dixon  line  between  Pennsylvania  and  Maryland.  See 
John  Penn  to  Johnson,  Jan.  21,1  768. 

4  Hugh  Crawford,  a  trader. 

5  Manuscript  cut  off  at  this  point. 


Indian  Affairs,   1766-68  403 

FROM  PHILIP  SCHUYLER 

A.L.S.1 

Albany  January  4th.  1768 
Sir 

Mr.  Mortier  gave  me  a  Bundle  of  Money  said  to  Contain  a 
thousand  pounds  to  be  delivered  to  you,  as  Mr.  Phisster  Is  going 
to  Johnson  hall  I  Embrace  so  good  an  oppertunity  to  send  It  you 
hope  you  will  receive  It  safe.  I  passed  my  receipt  to  Mr.  Mortier 
for  It  you  will  be  pleased  to  send  me  yours 

I  am 
Sir 

Your   most   Obedient 
Humble  Servant 

Ph  :  Schuyler 
The  Honorable 
Sir  William  Johnston  Baronet 

ADDRESSED: 

To 

The  Honorable  Sir  William  Johnston  Baronet 
Johnston  Hall 


INDORSED:2 


Albany  Janr?.  4th.  1  768 


Co1.  Phillip  Schuylers  letter 
^  L*.  Pfister 

Ansrd. 


1  In  collection  of  Mrs.  Henry  M.  Sage,  Menands,  N.  Y. 

2  In  Sir  William's  hand. 


404  Sir  William  Johnson  Papers 

FROM  PHYN  AND  ELLICE 

Contemporary  Copy1 

Schenectady  5th.  January  1768 
Sir 

By  desire  of  Lieu'.  Roberts2  we  have  sent  you  4 lb.  best  green 
Tea  the  Acco1.  is  inclosed  likewise  Mr.  Roberts  df*.  on  you 
<P  £342..17..2NY:C:  which  we  transmit  for  Acceptance 
All  differences  being  now  accomodated  &  cleared  up  have  only 
to  return  you  our  gratefull  acknowledgements  for  your  freindly 
interposition  by  proposing  a  method  for  reconsiliation  we  immagine 
derogatory  to  neither  of  our  characters  which  together  with  the 
good  opinion  of  our  friends  &  those  with  whome  we  are  desirous 
to  keep  on  a  Good  footing  with  is  our  highest  Ambition  &  sincerest 
wish,  for  the  particulars  &  nature  of  the  misunderstanding  betwixt 
Mr.  Roberts  &  us,  we  must  referr  you  to  those  Gentlemen  who  had 
the  trouble  of  adjusting  them,  not  doubting  their  candor,  &  im- 
partiality in  relating  as  upon  examination  they  appeared  to  them 
with  lasting  respect  we  have  the  honor  to  be 

Sir  Your  mo  &c  &c  &c 

Phyn  &  Ellice 

To  the  Honble.  SR.  W  JOHNSON  Bar'. 


1  In  Buffalo  Historical  Society,  Phyn  &  Ellice  letter  books. 

2  "Indian  Commissary  under  Sir  W.  Johnson  see  acct  annexed  to  letter 
of  10th  Feb.   1  770  to  Col.  John  Bradstreet" — penciled  note  on  MS. 


Indian  Affairs,  1766-68  405 

FROM  THOMAS  PENN 

L.S.1 

London  Jan.  7,  1768 
Dear  Sir 

This  Packet  caries  you  his  Majesty's  Orders  to  settle  the 
boundary  with  the  Indians ;  and  I  rely  on  you,  to  use  your  utmost 
endeavours,  to  make  a  Boundary  for  the  present  as  advantageous 
to  us  as  possible :  I  hope  you  will  get  soon  [some]  of  the  Land  in 
the  Fork  of  Sasquehannah  surrendered  to  us,  tho  not  so  far  as 
Tohicken,  the  place  Mr.  Croghan  gave  me  reason  to  believe  they 
had  agreed  to ;  and  also  between  the  East  branch  of  Sasquehannah 
and  Delaware  which  he  said  was  a  line  from  Tohicken  to 
Popatunck,  as  laid  down  on  Lewes  Evans's  Map.2 

The  Secretary  of  State  in  his  Letter,  directs  both  you  and 
General  Gage,  to  consult  the  Governors  of  the  several  Provinces 
on  the  Line,  that  it  may  be  established  as  much  to  their  Satisfac- 
tion as  you  can  get  the  Indians  to  consent  to:  I  have  therefore 
wrote  to  our  Lieutenant  Governor,  to  send  a  proper  person  to 
confer  with  you,  as  to  that  part  of  the  Line  through  Pennsilvania ; 
and  I  hope,  as  we  so  readily  gave  up  for  the  present,  the  agree- 
ment the  Indians  had  made  with  us,  to  sell  us  the  Land  to  the 
Westward  of  the  Allegang  Mountains,  that  they  will  consent  to  a 
boundary,  by  which  more  Land  will  be  given  to  us,  than  upon  the 
latest  account  we  have  received,  it  is  proposed  they  should  do; 
this  I  am  confident  you  will  attempt,  and  I  rely  upon  your 
friendly  assistance  with  great  satisfaction. 

Mr.  Wilmot3  is  not  yet  come  to  Town  since  the  Holy  days,  and 
'till  he  does,  I  cannot  give  you  any  intelligence  of  your  Grant, 
now  before  the  Attorney  and  Solicitor  General  who  are  also  in 
the  Country,  as  soon  as  he  comes  up,  I  shall  write  to  you. 


1  In  Historical  Society  of  Pennsylvania.  This  is  marked  "Duplicate," 
and  on  the  same  sheet  is  the  subsequent  letter  of  February  1  3,  1  768, 
post  pp.  427-28,  with  Sir  William's  indorsement. 

2  See  L.  H.  Gipson,  Lewis  Evans,  (Philadelphia,  1939). 

3  Henry  Wilmot. 


406  Sir   William  Johnson  Papers 

My  Lord  Shelburne  told  me,  he  was  determined  to  send  you 
orders  for  runing  this  Line,  before  he  delivered  up  the  office  for 
American  affairs  to  Lord  Hillsborough,  who  is  made  Secretary 
of  State  for  America:  an  office  that  has  been  talked  of  being 
erected  for  many  years,  and  which  is  indeed  necessary.  Lord 
Shelburne  still  continues  Southern  Secretary  of  State, 

I  desire  you  will  make  my  compliments  to  your  Son,4  and 
believe  me  to  be  with  greate  regard 

Dear  Sir 

Your  most  humble  and  most 
obedient  Servant 

Tho  Penn 


TO  THOMAS  GAGE 

Johnson  Hall  J  amy.  8lh.  1768 
Dear  Sir 

I  have  had  the  favour  of  your  letters  of  the  16th.  &  20th.2  Ult°., 
the  former  concerning  the  Cherokees  (who  arrived  here  some  days 
ago)  &  the  Money  advanced  to  ye.  Interpreter,  for  which  Cap*. 
Maturin3  shall  have  Credit  agreeable  to  your  directions,  but  thro 
the  dearness  of  Travelling  at  this  Season  the  Money  fell  Short, 
however  they  found  means  to  get  up  here  in  Sleds,  for  which  I 
paid  £22.  .19.  .  — 

I  have  Sent  thro  the  Six  Nations  &ca.  advertising  them  of  the 
Arrival  of  these  Deputys,  and  desireing  their  Attendance,  but  I 
fear  it  will  be  a  verry  Tedious  &  Expensive  business.  — 


4  Sir  John  Johnson. 

1  In  William  L.  Clements  Library.  A  small  mutilated  portion  of  this 
letter,  under  date  of  January  5,  1768,  was  printed  in  Johnson  Papers 
6:69. 

2  In  Doc.  Hist.  N.  Y.,  2:891-92. 

3  Captain  Gabriel  Maturin. 


Indian  Affairs,   1766-68  407 

The  other  day  I  received  a  letter  from  Ll.  Governour  Perm,4 
Acquainting  me  with  the  Heads  of  your  Letter,  as  mentioned  in 
your  favour  of  the  20th.  Ult°.,  and  of  his  intentions  to  endeavour  to 
obtain  a  Law  for  preventing  these  instrusions,  &  Strengthening  the 
powers  of  Government,  and  I  hope  that  Governour  Faquiere5 
will  take  the  same  Steps,  tho  I  have  some  reason  to  doubt  their 
Success,  because  I  apprehend  from  the  encreasing  Number  of 
these  Intruders  that  there  are  persons  of  some  consequence  Who 
if  they  would  not  patronize,  would  be  unwilling  to  dis- 
countenance them,  at  least  to  use  any  force,  without  which  they 
cannot  be  dispossessed,  as  my  last  Accounts  Inform  me  that  they 
are  encreased  to  above  500  Familys  and  these  the  most  lawless 
persons  of  the  Frontiers.  I  shall  write  in  the  like  manner  to  Govr. 
Faquiere,  as  I  did  to  Govr.  Penn,  and  I  find  that  the  much 
greater  part  of  these  Intrusions  are  made  by  persons  from 
Virginia.  — 

I  am  most  sincerely  &  Respectfully 
Sir 

Your  most  Obedient 

&  verry  Humble  Servant 

W  Johnson 
His  Excellency 

Genrl.  Gage  — 

indorsed : 

Sr.  Wm.  Johnson 
Jan'J\  8th.  1 768  — 
received  Janr>\  16th. 
Answered  — 


4  John  Penn,  lieutenant  governor  of  Pennsylvania.    See  Johnson  Papers, 
6:4-6. 

5  Francis  Fauquier,  lieutenant  governor  of  Virginia,   1  758-68. 


408  Sir   William  Johnson  Papers 

FROM  RICHARD  CARTWRIGHT 
Cop})1 

[Albany,  Jan.  8 J '768] 

If  there  is  any  such  intention,2  should  be  very  glad  to  know  it. 
You  may  depend  on  the  Interest  of  Cuylers  family,  of  Hanson's, 
and  many  more  who  would  be  glad  to  know  it.  Whatever  In- 
terest or  connection  I  have  you  may  command  in  that  or  any- 
thing else. 


1  Extract  made  by  Carl  Becker  and  printed  in  American  Historical 
Review  (Jan.  1901),  6:268.  Original  letter  destroyed  by  fire.  Accord- 
ing to  Johnson  Calendar,  p.  384,  the  letter  dealt  with  "articles  sent  in  care 
of  Lieut.  Pfister  pork  to  be  furnished  by  Mr.  Campbell  of  Schonectady, 
cattle  expected  from  New  England  and  a  report  that  Sir  John  will  be  set  up 
for  a  seat  in  the  Assembly." 

2  That  Sir  John  would  be  a  candidate  for  assembly. 


RECEIPT  TO  FRANCIS  PFISTER 

A.D.S.1 

Conajohare  Janry.  13th.  1768  — 

Received  of  Ll.  Pfister2  a  Bundle  of  Money  Containing  a 
thousand  Pounds  York  Currcy.,  wh.  was  Sent  by  Phillip  Schyler 
Esqr.  — 

WM.  Johnson 


1  New  York  State  Historical  Association,  Cooperstown. 

2  Lieutenant  Francis  Pfister  of  the  60th  regiment. 


Indian  Affairs,  1 766-68  409 

REGULATIONS  FOR  THE  INDIAN  TRADE 

Copy1 

[Montreal,  Jan.  15,  1768] 

Orders  and  Regulations  re-  Objections  to  the  different  Arti- 
specting  the  Indian  Trade  and  cles  of  Regulations  concerning 
Duty  of  Comissaries  through-  the  Indian  Trade,  humbly  sub- 
out  the  Department  in  Conse-  mitted  to  the  Consideration  of 
quence  of  His  Majesty's  Order  the  Honble.  Guy  Carleton  Esqr. 
signified  by  His  Secretary  of  L*.  Gov.  of  the  Province  of 
State  —  Quebec. 

By  the  Merchants  and 
Citizens. 

That  every  Person  desirous  of  1 st.  Article  — 

trading  with  the  Indians,  shall  What   is    contained    in    this 

first  obtain  a  proper  Pass  from  Article    has    allways    been    a 

the    Governor   of    the   Colony  Custom  and  cannot  but  tend  to 

from  whence  he  came,  and  shall  the      Preservation      of      good 

enter   into   a   Recognizance   to  order  — 
abide  by  the  Regulations  which 
now  are  or  hereafter  shall  be 
thought  necessary. 

That  the   Traders   shall   on  2d. 

their  arrival  at  each  Post  lay  A  Trader  may  very  easily 

before  the  Corny,  their  Pass  to-  shew  his  Permit  but  to  oblige  a 


1  In  Canadian  Archives,  Colonial  Office  Records  (transcripts),  Canada 
Q5  Pt.  1 ,  Correspondence  between  Gov.  Carleton  &  the  English  Ministry, 
pp.  391-97.  Inclosed  in  Carleton  to  Johnson,  March  16,  1768,  Johnson 
Papers,  6:156-58.  Another  copy  of  these  orders  and  regulations,  with- 
out the  observations  and  objections  of  the  Quebec  merchants,  is  contained 
in  Indian  Records,  Vol.  15,  Canadian  Archives.  The  manuscript  states 
that  the  regulations  were  "transmitted  to  Brigadier  Genl.  Carleton  by  Captn. 
Claus,  by  Sir  William  Johnson's  Order  as  mentioned  in  the  postcript  of  his 
Letter  to  the  General  of  1st.  May  1  767"  (letter  not  found).  The  copy  is 
dated  "Quebec  9th.  8bre.  1  767.  /  By  the  Lt.  Governours  Command  / 
Signed  H.  T.  Cramahe." 


410 


Sir  William  Johnson  Papers 


gether  with  an  exact  Invoice  of 
all  their  Goods  and  that  they  do 
not  by  any  means  break  Bulk 
without  the  Comissary's  Knowl- 
edge and  Permission  nor  refuse 
him  a  State  of  their  Traffic  & 
Peltry  when  he  shall  demand  it. 


That  no  Trader  presume  to  pass 
any  Post  the  Residence  of  a 
Comissary  without  first  shewing 
the  Comissary  his  Pass  specify- 
ing the  Place  he  is  to  Trade 
and  if  no  particular  Post  be 
therein  mentioned  that  then  the 
Commry.  shall  give  such  Trader 
a  Permitt  to  go  to  the  next  Post 
where  a  Commr>\  resides  and 
such  Trader  shall  go  immedi- 
ately to  said  Post  without 
breaking  Bulk  by  the  Way,  and 
When  there  shall  produce  his 
Pass  and  Invoice  as  before  di- 
rected to  the  Comissary  who 
shall  immediately  report  to  the 
Corny,  who  gave  the  Permit  the 
Day  of  such  Traders  Arrival 
and  whether  his  Goods  agree 
with  the  Invoice  and  that  no 
Trader  having  passed  a  Post  be 
admitted  to  trade  at  another 
without  a  Permit  from  the 
ComrJ\  he  so  passed 

That  every  Trader  do  take 
Care    to    be    always    provided 


free  Citizen  to  give  an  entire 
Knowledge  of  his  Trade  and  of 
his  Transactions  to  a  Comissary 
often  partial  and  interested  is 
to  rob  him  entirely  of  the  Ad- 
vantages of  a  British  Subject, 
to  which  all  the  Subjects  in  this 
Province  have  a  Right  to  De- 
mand — 

3* 

This  Article  cannot  by  any 
Means  subsist,  because  it  would 
entirely  destroy  the  Fur  Trade, 
or  lay  it  under  Obligations 
equally  burthensome  and  impos- 
sible, they  are  often  obliged  to 
trade  upon  the  Road  or  Loose 
a  part  by  damaging  their  Canoe, 
or  otherwise,  almost  on  every 
Voyage  — 

The  Effects  of  a  Trader  at 
his  Arrival  in  the  Post  are  not 
agreable  to  the  Obligation  he 
has  given  at  his  Departure  from 
the  Government  where  he  re- 
sides. 


4th. 
It  is  not  permitted  more  to 


Indian  Affairs,  1766-68 


411 


with  and  constantly  make  Use 
of  just  Weights  and  Measures 
as  any  Errors  therein  in  Trade 
with  the  Indians  will  for  the 
future  be  considered  as  willfull. 
That  the  Trade  with  the 
Indians  throughout  the  Depart5, 
be  confined  entirely  to  the 
Posts,  and  that  nothing  but  the 
most  absolute  Necessity  from 
the  peculiar  Situation  of  the 
Indians  North  of  Lake  Huron 
shall  justify  any  Permission 
given  to  Traders  from  Michilli- 
makinac  to  go  amongst  the 
Tribes  —  and  any  Trader  so 
going  out  shall  be  answerable 
for  all  Consequences  and  not 
expect  the  Protection  or  Re- 
dress of  Government  — 


That  no  Trader  presume  to 
beat  or  abuse  any  Indian  or  to 
send  any  Belts  of  Wampum  or 
Messages  to  any  Nations  or  In- 
dividuals whatsoever  or  to  hold 


cheat  a  Savage  than  a  Chris- 
tian, this  is  the  Common  Law 
of  Nature  and  Known  in  every 
Nation. 

5*. 
It  is  absolutely  necessary 
that  the  Trade  with  the  Indians 
should  be  free  to  all,  the  re- 
straining of  it  to  Posts  that  are 
Garrisoned  will  entirely  destroy 
it,  the  same  Reasons  which  are 
made  use  of  to  have  a  Permis- 
sion from  Michillimakinac  to  go 
to  the  North  of  Lake  Huron, 
hold  equally  good  to  the  South 
of  Lake  Ontario  Lake  Erie  and 
Lake  Michigan,  Miamis  the 
Ouabach  and  others  at  a 
greater  Distance  from  Fort  De- 
troit than  the  Saulteurs  from 
Michipicotton  Le  Point  &c  on 
Lake  Superior,  and  every  Per- 
son who  has  acquired  a  Pass 
from  the  Governor  of  the 
Province  where  he  resides 
ought  to  have  the  Liberty  to  go 
where  he  pleases  without  being 
Molested,  excepting  for  Rea- 
sons, where  the  Service  de- 
mands it. 

6th. 

When  a  Savage  insults  a 
Trader  he's  punished  and  often 
becomes  his  Friend,  The 
Savages   subsist   only   by   their 


412 


Sir  William  Johnson  Papers 


Meetings  with  them  on  any  Oc- 
casion, or  use  any  unfair  Prac- 
tices to  draw  in  the  Indians  to 
trade  with  him  or  them  or  force 
away  their  Peltry  under  Pre- 
tence of  their  being  in  Debt  as 
all  Traders  who  voluntarily 
Credit  the  Indians  must  abide 
by  the  Consequences  — 

That  a  Tariff  be  established 
by  the  Comissary  early  every 
Spring  on  the  most  equitable 
Terms  for  both  Traders  and 
Indians  that  all  Traders  abide 
thereby,  that  the  Tariff  be 
carried  on  at  each  Post  by  day- 
light in  the  most  public  Manner, 
and  that  the  Traders  avoid  tak- 
ing Pledges  particularly  Arms 
and  Medals  — 

That  the  Traders  do  strictly 
observe  and  follow  the  Regu- 
lations on  pain  of  having  their 
Bonds  put  in  Suit  and  of  being 
otherwise  dealt  with  for  neglect- 
ing the  Order  of  Government. 


That  the  Comissaries  cause 
frequent*  Enquiry  to  be  made 
whether  any  Person  be  trading 
in  the  Rivers,  Bays  &ca.  or 
along  any  of  the  Lakes,  and  if 
any  such  there  are  that  he  apply 
to  the  Commanding  Offr.   for 


Credit  and  if  they  have  not 
Credit  given  them  it  breeds  Dis- 
satisfaction and  War  amongst 
them,  which  would  cause  their 
Destruction  and  The  Ruin  of 
the  Trade  unless  you  assist  them 
to  recover  their  Credit  as  has 
been  the  Custom  and  often  are 
forced  to  give  them  — 

7*. 

When  Merchandise  is  plenty 
they  will  be  sold  under  the 
Tariff  when  they  are  scarce,  the 
Merchant  ought  to  be  permitted 
honestly  to  profit  of  the  Advant- 
age of  that  scarcity,  this  is  the 
Custom  of  every  Country  and 
ought  to  be  equally  so  among 
the  Indian  Nations  — 

8th. 

If  a  Trader  violates  the  Law- 
full  Order  of  the  Superior 
Officer,  He  ought  to  be  tried  in 
his  own  Government.  He  can- 
not be  treated  as  Rebell  if  he  is 
not  Guilty  of  the  Crime  of  high 
Treason. 

9th. 

This  Article  cannot  subsist 
for  the  Reason  given  in  the 
fifth  Article  — 


Indian  Affairs,  J 766-68  413 


Assistance  to  bring  such  Trader 
away  and  that  the  Comissaries 
do  constantly  acquaint  the  Com- 
manding Officers  of  any  ma- 
terial Occurrence  or  how  many 
Traders  have  passed  the  Post 
and  whom. 

That  the  Comissaries  do 
Correspond  constantly  with 
each  other  Communicating 
every  Thing  necessary,  the 
better  to  enable  them  to  detect 
Frauds  and  Abuses  and  to 
transact  the  Affairs  Committed 
to  their  Charge  agreable  to  His 
Majesty's  Intentions  — 

That  the  Comissaries  care- 
fully inspect  into  the  Conduct 
of  the  Interpreters  who  are  em- 
ployed solely  for  the  Uses  of 
the  Depart1.,  that  they  likewise 
see  that  the  Smiths  are  diligent 
and  work  faithfully  for  the 
Indians  without  Fee  or  Re- 
ward. 

That  the  Comrles.  do  for  the 
future  regularly  Correspond 
with  and  Report  the  Depy. 
Agents  of  the  District  in  which 
they  are,  viz',  those  of  Fort 
Pitt,  Illinois,  Detroit,  with 
George  Croghan  Esqr.  Dep?. 
of  the  Western  District,  those 
of  the  Province  of  Quebec 
(when  appointed)  with  Dan1. 
Claus  Esqr.  Depy.  Agent,  those 


414  Sir  William  Johnson  Papers 

of  Michillimakinac,  Niagara 
and  Ontario,  with  Guy  John- 
ston Esqr.  Depy.  Agent  for  the 
middle  District  and  those  of 
Nova  Scotia  when  appointed 
with  Josh.  Goreham  Esqr.  Dep>\ 
Agent  which  Agents  are  to  Re- 
port to  the  Super*.  — 
Lastly  that  these  Orders  and 
Regulations  be  posted  up  at  all 
Garrisons  throughout  the  De- 
partment where  Comres.  reside 
that  none  may  plead  Ignorance 
thereof  —  (Copy) 

INDORSED : 

Sir  Wm.  Johnson's  Regulations 
for  the  Indian  Trade,  and 
the  Observations  of  the 
Quebec  Merchants  thereon. 

March  1768  — 
In  Gov.  Carleton's  (N°.  29.) 
of  2^  March  1  768. 


FROM  THOMAS  GAGE 

Contemporary  Copy1 

New  York  January  16lh.  1768. 
Dear  Sir, 

I  have  recieved  Your  Letters  of  the  24th.  26th.  Decr.2  and  8th. 
of  January.3  The  Opinion  you  give  of  the  general  Causes  of  the 
Discontent  of  the  Savages,  which  originate  from  our  growing 


1  In  William  L.  Clements  Library. 

2  In  Doc.  Hist.  N.  Y.,  2:893-96. 

3  Ante  pp.  406-07. 


Indian  Affairs,   1766-68  415 

power,  and  their  Jealousy  of  our  designs  against  them,  I  know  no 
Remedy  against,  but  by  doing  them  all  the  Justice  we  can.  If  we 
can  remove  the  Settlers  from  their  Encroachments,  it  will  be  a 
Manifestation  of  Our  Earnest  desire  to  do  them  Justice,  and  they 
have  seen  a  Person  executed  in  New  Jersey  for  the  Murther  of  an 
Indian,  which  must  in  Some  Measure  shew  them  we  do  what  we 
can  to  give  them  satisfaction  for  the  Murther's  of  their  People, 
which  tho'  only  one  example,  is  more  than  they  have  given  us  for 
the  many  white  People  they  have  killed  at  different  times. 

If  the  Indians  and  Patentees  of  Kayadorosseras  come  to  a 
serious  Agreement  to  Mutual  Satisfaction,  I  should  think  it  no 
difficult  matter  to  get  an  Act  of  Assembly  to  validate  the  Releases 
and  make  them  sufficient  to  bar  all  future  Pretentions. 

Mr.  Croghan  will  acquaint  you  of  his  Proceedings  at  the 
Detroit  and  Fort  Pitt  &ca,  and  of  the  Circumstances  of  the 
Murther  of  the  People  upon  the  Ohio  by  the  Indians  of  Saguinam. 

Its  to  be  hoped  that  Lieu'.  Governor  Fauquiere  will  grant  the 
Meeting  desired  by  the  Shawanese  and  Delawares,  and  give  them 
all  the  Satisfaction  in  his  power. 

I  shall  grant  a  Temporary  Warrant  immediately  on  Mr. 
Mortier4  for  the  £500,  which  you  desire  to  recieve,  which  will 
be  Accounted  for  hereafter. 

The  sooner  Mr.  Roberts5  returns  it  will  be  certainly  best, 
there  are  Affidavits  and  a  Multiplicity  of  Papers  on  both  Sides. 

The  Cherokees  are  with  you  at  an  unlucky  season  of  the  Year, 
but  if  we  can't  make  Peace  for  ourselves,  I  don't  see  how  we  are 
to  succeed  for  them. 

It  seems  determined  by  the  last  Packet  to  erect  Governments 
in  the  Interior  Country,  I  suppose  at  the  Detroit  and  the  Ilinois, 
where  else  I  can't  guess,  unless  at  Fort  Pitt.  In  what  shape  this 
is  to  be  done  or  what  steps  are  to  be  taken  previous  thereto,  I  can- 
not yet  inform  you,  tho'  much  should  be  done  before  attempts  of 
this  Nature  are  made. 


4  Abraham  Mortier,  deputy  paymaster  general. 

5  Lieutenant  Benjamin  Roberts,  commissary  at  Michillimackinac. 


416  Sir  William  Johnson  Papers 

There  are  fifteen  Barrels  of  Pork  and  25  of  Flour  lying  at 
Albany  for  Your  use,  and  Ordered  to  be  delivered  whenever  You 
should  send  for  them. 

I  Am  with  great  Regard, 
Dear  Sir, 
&ca. 
Sir  Wm.  Johnson  Bart. 

indorsed  : 

Copy./ 
To 
Sir  William  Johnson  Bart. 

Johnson  Hall 
New  York  January  1 6th.  1  768. 


TO  PHILIP  SCHUYLER 
A.L.S} 

Johnson  Hall  18th.  J  amy.  1768 

Sir  — 

I  am  much  oblidged  to  You  for  ye.  trouble  you  were  so  good  to 
take  in  forwarding  to  me  the  Cash  which  Mr.  Mortier  Sent  by 
You.  I  received  it  Safe  by  LA  Pfister,2  to  whom  I  gave  a  Receipt. 
—  It  will  afford  me  pleasure  to  render  You  Service  at  any  time. 

As 

I  am  Sir 
[W.  Johnson] 
Phillip  Schyler  Esqr. 

INDORSED: 

Sir  Wm.  Johnson 
Jan'.  18*.  1768 


1  In  Harvard  University  Library.   Sparks  Collection.    Signature  has  been 
cut  from  this  MS. 

2  Lieutenant  Francis  Pfister  of  the  60th  regiment. 


Indian  Affairs,   1766-68  417 

PENNSYLVANIA  ASSEMBLY  TO  BENJAMIN  FRANKLIN  AND 

RICHARD  JACKSON 

Cop)? 

[January  19,  1768] 

Gentlemen 

By  Order  of  the  House  we  inclose  you  Copies  of,  a  Letter 
from  his  Excellency  General  Gage,  a  Message  from  the  Governor 
to  the  Assembly  and  their  Answer  and  the  Examination  of  George 
Croghan  Esqr.  Deputy  Superintendant,  under  Sir  William  John- 
son for  the  Western  District,  taken  before  the  House ;  By  which 
you  will  Perceive,  The  present  Critical  and  alarming  Situation  of 
Indian  Affairs,  and  that  there  is  a  prospect  of  an  immediate 
Rupture  with  the  Natives  unless  Measures  are  adopted  to  prevent 
it.  By  the  Answer,  you  will  observe,  That  the  Representatives  of 
the  People  are  exerting  themselves  in  every  manner,  That  they 
can  conceive,  will  tend  to  this  salutary  End.  They  have  formed  a 
Bill  now  before  the  Governor,  making  the  offence  of  Continuing 
after  notice,  on  the  Indian  unpurchased  Lands,  felony  of  Death, 
without  Benefit  of  Clergy,  and  warmly  addressed  the  Governor, 
To  exert  himself,  in  bringing  the  Authors  of  the  late  horrid  & 
cruel  massacre  of  the  Indians,  at  Conestogo  &  Lancaster  (which 
we  find,  is  one  of  the  Causes  of  the  Indian  Discontent)  to  condign 
Punishment.  What  will  be  the  Effect  of  this  Law,  should  the  Bill 
be  passed,  or  what  Part,  The  Government  will  act  on  the  Occa- 
sion, Time  alone  can  discover. 

But  as  the  House  is  of  opinion,  founded  on  Mr.  Croghan's 
Examination,  That  there  is  another  Cause  of  Indian  Jealousy  and 
Dissatisfaction,  without  the  speedy  removal  of  which,  no  Durable 
and  permanent  Peace,  can  be  Established  between  the  Natives 
and  his  Majestys  Colonies.  They  have  ordered  us  to  represent  it 
to  you,  in  the  strongest  Terms.  For  altho'  the  Power  of  redress 
does  not  Lye  with  them,  yet  They  esteem  it  their  Duty,  in  a 
matter  of  so  much   Concern   to   the   safety   and   Peace   of  his 


1  Printed    in   Illinois   Historical   Collections,    16:156-58.     Original    in 
Johnson  manuscripts  was  destroyed  by  fire. 


418  Sir  William  Johnson  Papers 

Majestys  Subjects,  To  contribute,  as  much  as  is  in  their  Power, 
towards  so  important  a  Service. 

The  Cause,  we  mean  is  the  non  establishment  of  a  Boundry, 
negotiated,  about  three  Years  ago,  by  his  Majestys  Orders  to  Sir 
William    Johnson,    between    these    Colonies    and    the    Indian 
Country.2  The  Delay  of  the  Confirmation  of  this  Boundry,  The 
Natives  have  warmly  complained  of,  and  That  altho'  they  have 
received  no  Consideration,  for  the  Lands  agreed  to  be  ceded  to 
the  Crown,  on  our  Side  of  the  Boundary  yet  That  its  Subjects, 
are  daily  settling  and  occupying  those  very  Lands,  and  a  number 
of  the  Indian  Warriors  have  been  lately  murdered,  by  the  frontier 
People,  chiefly  those  of  Virginia,  in  their  Passage  to  or  from  War, 
against  the  Cherokees.  What  has  been  the  Cause  of  this  Delay, 
The  House  are  not  apprized  —  But  it  is  their  clear  opinion,  That 
nothing  less,  than  the  final  Confirmation  of  this  Boundary,  can  lay 
the  foundation  of  a  solid  &  lasting  Peace,  with  the  Indians.  As, 
they  fear,  no  Laws  however  Penal,  will  prevent  a  Set  of  Lawless 
Men  who  infest  the  Frontiers  of  the  Colonies,  from  entering  and 
settling  on  these  Lands,  and  when  intoxicated  with  Liquor,  from 
killing  the  Natives,  who  may  fall  in  their  Way.  But  shou'd  this 
Boundary  be  established,  these  frequent  Causes  of  Indian  Dis- 
satisfaction, would  be  removed,  at  least  for  Many  Years,  as  the 
Distance  between  our  Frontiers  and  the  Indian  Country,  wou'd 
be  considerable  and  their  Right  of  Passage  to  War,  near  the  In- 
habited Parts  of  the  Province,  Taken  away.  Under  this  View  of 
Indian  Affairs,  The  House  have  directed  us,  earnestly  to  desire, 
That  you  wou'd  use  your  Interest  with  his  Majestys  Ministry,  To 
obtain,  as  soon  as  possible,  The  Accomplishment  and  final  ratifi- 
cation of  this  Boundary,  so  necessary  to  the  future  safety  of  the 
Colonies  —  and  to  prevent  the  immense  Expence,  which  otherwise 
must  unavoidable  Arise  to  Great  Brittain. 

Copy.3  Signed  by  all  the  Committee. 


2  Doc.  Rel.  Col  Hist.  N.  Y.,  7:718-41. 

3  From  this  point  to  the  end,  including  indorsement,  in  another  hand. 


Indian  Affairs,  1766-68  419 

directed  To  Benjamin  Franklin  and  Richard  Jackson  Esquires 
Agents  for  the  Province  of  Pennsylvania  at  the  Court  of  Great 
Britain. 


INDORSED: 


Letter  from  the  Committee  of  Correspondence  to  the 
Agents  in  London. 

Copy 
Read  in  the  House  and  agreed  to  January  19th.  1  768 
Sent  away  ^  Packet  Jan?.  22d.  1 768 


FROM  JOHN  PENN 

Copy1 
Philadelphia,  21  st  January,  1768. 

Sir: 

A  few  days  ago  I  was  favour'd  with  your  Letter  of  the  2d 
Instant.2  It  gives  me  great  Pleasure  to  know  that  you  approve  of 
the  Conduct  of  the  Proprietary  Commissioners  towards  the 
Deputies  of  the  Six  Nations  that  attended  the  Surveyors  in  running 
the  Line  between  this  Province  and  Maryland,  and  of  the  Satis- 
faction made  the  Indians  for  their  Services;  and  I  am  much 
obliged  to  you  for  your  Goodness  in  advancing  the  40  Dollars  for 
the  Deceased  Indian,  Jacob's  Wife,  which  I  shall  transmit  to  you 
very  soon,  together  with  the  Ballance  you  mention  to  be  due  to 
you  in  the  Accompt  sent  me. 

It  is  with  the  deepest  Concern  that  I  must  now  acquaint  you, 
that  on  Wednesday  last  I  received,  by  William  Blyth,  who  then 
came  to  this  City  from  his  House  at  Middle  Creek,  on  the  West 
side  of  Susquehanna,  the  disagreeable  and  Melancholy  Intelli- 
gence of  a  very  Barbarous  and  unprovoked  Murder  committed 
on  four  Indian  Men,  three  Indian  Women,  two  Girls  and  a  Child, 
at  that  Creek,  by  one  Frederick  Stump,  a  German,  on  the  1 0th  & 


1  Printed  in  Pennsylvania  Colonial  Records,  9:424-25. 
^  Ante  pp.  401-02. 


420  Sir  William  Johnson  Papers 

1  1  th  days  of  this  Month,  the  particulars  of  which  are  contained 
in  the  inclosed  Copy  of  the  said  Blyth's  Deposition. 

I  am  under  the  greatest  apprehensions  that  this  unhappy  affair 
will,  at  this  Juncture,  when  the  Indians  are  so  much  discontented 
by  the  Injuries  already  done  them,  be  productive  of  the  most 
Calamitous  Consequences;  But  nothing  on  the  part  of  this  Gov- 
ernment shall  be  wanting  to  remove  all  the  Causes  of  their  Com- 
plaints, and  to  give  them  the  utmost  Satisfaction  in  the  late 
Instance  of  Barbarity  committed  on  their  People.  I  have  caused 
the  Chief  Justices  Warrants  to  be  dispatched  to  all  the  Sheriffs 
and  other  Officers  of  the  Frontier  Counties,  commanding  the  most 
diligent  search  to  be  made  for  the  Perpetrator  of  the  Murders,  and 
for  apprehending  and  bringing  him  to  Condign  Punishment.  I 
have,  also,  written  Letters  to  all  the  Magistrates  of  Cumberland, 
Lancaster,  and  Berks  Counties,  in  the  strongest  Terms,  requiring 
them  to  exert  themselves,  in  the  most  Active  manner,  upon  this 
occasion,  by  giving  their  best  assistance  to  the  Sheriffs  and  other 
Officers  in  the  immediate  Execution  of  the  Warrants  sent  them, 
and  taking  all  other  measures  for  the  speedy  apprehending  the 
attrocious  Villain,  and  bringing  him  to  Justice;  and  to  induce  the 
People  the  more  willingly  to  engage  in  the  undertaking  with  the 
Sheriffs,  I  have  signified  to  the  Magistrates  that  I  will  give  a 
Reward  of  Two  Hundred  Pounds  to  the  Person  or  Persons  who 
shall  apprehend  and  secure  him,  and  in  a  little  time  I  shall  issue  a 
Proclamation  for  the  same  purpose,  which  I  have  delayed  for  a 
while,  till  the  more  private  Measures  I  have  concerted  are  carried 
into  Execution,  and  lest  the  setting  up  Proclamations  and  making 
them  public  immediately,  might  be  a  means  of  alarming  him  and 
putting  him  on  absconding  or  making  his  Escape  before  the 
Officers  of  Justice  could  have  an  opportunity  of  taking  him. 

In  order  to  prevent  as  much  as  possible  the  fatal  Consequences 
that  may  be  likely  to  attend  this  very  unfortunate  Affair,  I  must 
beg  you  will  be  pleased  to  take  the  most  early  occasion  to  com- 
municate it  to  the  Six  Nations  in  as  favourable  a  point  of  light  as 
the  Nature  of  the  Case  will  admit  of,  and  to  acquaint  them  with 
the  Measures  I  am  using  to  give  the  Indians  satisfaction  in  bring- 


Indian  Affairs,  1766-68  421 

ing  the  murderer  to  Exemplary  Punishment.  I  am  in  hopes,  from 
the  Representation  you  give  them  of  this  matter,  they  will  dis- 
tinguish between  the  Acts  of  private  Individuals  and  those  of 
Government,  and  be  convinced  that  tho'  it  is  not  in  the  Power  of 
the  Wisest  Laws  to  restrain  vicious  Men  from  committing  Acts  of 
Violence  and  Wickedness,  yet  this  Government  Possesses  the 
most  sincere  and  steady  Intentions  to  redress  their  Injuries  at  all 
times,  and  to  preserve  public  Faith  with  them  to  the  utmost  of  its 
Power. 

The  Assembly,  who  are  now  sitting,  have  sent  me  a  Bill  for 
Removing  the  Settlers,  and  preventing  others  from  Settling  on 
any  Lands  in  this  Province,  not  purchased  from  the  Indians,  which 
inflicts  the  Penalty  of  Death  on  all  that  shall  be  found  settled 
on  those  Lands  after  a  regular  and  Legal  notice  of  30  Days  has 
been  given  to  them  to  remove.  I  have  this  Day  returned  the  Bill 
to  the  House,  and  have  agreed  to  pass  it  with  a  necessary  Amend- 
ment, which  they  can  have  no  objection  to,  and  I  am  in  great 
hopes  this  Law  will  effectually  answer  the  good  purpose 
designed  by  it. 

I  am,  with  great  Regard,  Sir, 

Your  most  obedient  humble  Servant, 

John  Penn. 
To  Sir  William  Johnson,  Bar1. 


TO  JOSEPH  GALLOWAY 

Copy1 

Johnson  Hall  J  any.  22,  1768 

By  the  reduction  of  Canada  a  Door  was  opened  to  many 
Numerous  Nations  with  whom  before  we  had  scarcely  any  Inter- 
course these  Indians  had  received  the  worst  of  Characters  of  the 


1  From  the  notes  of  C.  H.  Mcllwain.  All  except  the  first  paragraph  was 
printed  in  C.  H.  Mcllwain's  edition  of  Peter  Wraxall's  An  Abridgement 
of  the  Indian  Affairs,  p.  xxiv.  The  draft  of  the  letter  was  destroyed  by  fire. 


422  Sir  William  Johnson  Papers 

Whole  British  Nation  from  the  French  whose  interest  amongst 
them  was  much  greater  than  ours  from  the  different  System  they 
pursued  to  acquire  it. 

The  Lower  order  of  people  settled  about  the  frontiers  im- 
agining I  presume  that  they  had  nothing  to  apprehend  since  the 
removal  of  our  European  Enemys,  began  by  Overreaching  and 
defrauding  the  Indians,  they  proceed  to  personal  Insults  and 
Murders  in  time  of  peace,  under  pretence  of  Retaliation  for  In- 
juries sustained  during  the  heat  of  a  furious  War,  —  Many  unjust 
practices  were  made  use  of  in  different  Quarters  to  deprive  them 
of  their  properties,  and  a  Number  of  persons  in  defiance  of 
Justice  &  policy,  &  Contrary  to  the  Express  Orders  of  Govern- 
ment established  themselves  on  the  Indn.  Lands  within  &  about  the 
Frontiers  of  Pennsilvania  &  cet  and  altho'  many  Steps  were  taken 
for  their  removal  they  have  hitherto  proved  ineffectual.  —  In  the 
Mean  time  the  Indians  irritated  at  the  Murders  committed  on  the 
frontiers,  at  the  Insults  their  parties  repeatedly  met  with,  the  111 
treatment  of  the  Tuscaroras  who  were  called  to  Joyn  them  from 
Carolina,  &  the  barbarity  Exercised  on  the  Unhappy  Conestoga 
Indians,  as  well  as  the  Unjustifiable  Settlements  formed  within 
their  country  without  the  Least  colour  of  right,  unless  the  Seduc- 
tion of  a  few  Drunken  Delawares  whose  Nation  have  no  preten- 
sions thereto  can  be  admitted  as  such,  began  to  consider  amongst 
themselves  what  was  best  to  be  done,  and  from  an  Apprehension 
that  such  Conduct  would  not  have  been  permitted  by  us  who  are 
Governd  by  Laws,  unless  we  intended  to  put  in  practice  a  plan  for 
Surrounding  and  Destroying  them  of  which  they  have  been  long 
Suspicious,  and  which  they  are  still  taught  to  believe  by  many 
interested  French  amongst  them.  They  resolved  to  commit  Acts 
of  hostility  &  by  beginning  a  War  against  us  to  Check  those 
Settlements  of  which  they  became  apprehensive. 


Indian  Atfairs,   1766-68  423 

TO  THOMAS  GAGE 
A.L.S.1 

Johnson  Hall  Janry.  22d-  1768 
Dear  Sir  — 

I  have  had  the  favour  of  your  letter  of  the  8th.  Ins1.2  together 
with  another  which  I  have  by  some  means  mislaid,  but  shall 
certainly  find  it  before  next  opertunity.  —  As  to  the  Affair  of 
the  Arms  taken  by  Co1.  Bradstreet  for  the  use  of  the  Indians  in 
1  764  Application  has  been  before  made  to  me  but  I  apprehended 
it  was  most  fitting  they  should  pass,  'thro  his  Accts.,  however  as 
you  will  admit  it  in  mine,  I  shall  include  them  in  the  next,  when  I 
am  advised  what  price  to  set  upon  them,  which  (until  I  enquire 
about,)  I  am  realy  at  a  loss  about.  — 

Mr.  Croghan  who  is  the  Bearer  of  this  having  waited  upon  You 
at  New  York,  I  need  not  to  particularize  the  Issue  of  his  pro- 
ceedings to  the  Westward,  but  observe  on  the  Whole  of  his  report 
to  me,  and  the  concurring  Accts.  daily  received  that  the  Inds. 
only  wait  until  the  Spring  to  concert  Measures,  &  that  therefore 
a  General  Congress  with  ye.  Several  Confederacys  appears  highly 
necessary  to  be  called  as  Early  in  the  Spring  as  possible.  — 

There  are  some  Accts.  brought  to  me  by  Mr.  Croghan,  which 
not  being  properly  vouched  I  have  not  accepted  them,  Many  of 
the  Accts.  I  received  are  greatly  augmented  by  expences  regarding 
the  Troops,  Such  as  Escorts,  partys  hired  to  hunt  for  ye.  Garrison 
Expresses  &ca.,  which  I  conceive  might  as  well  be  Settled  by  the 
Qr.  Master  Genr1.,  these  Articles  particularly  encrease  the  Com- 
missarys  Accts.  at  Fort  Pitt.  This  is  Submitted  to  your  considera- 
tion. — 

Mr.  Croghan  tells  me  that  a  Voucher  of  Cap*.  Murrays3  for 
£  45 1  .  .  4 .  .  —  of  the  Ace*,  which  he  is  now  to  deliver  to  You 
remains  in  your  Secretarys  Office,  but  could  not  be  found  at  his 


1  In  William  L.  Clements  Library. 

2  Not  found. 

3  Captain  William  Murray. 


424  Sir  William  Johnson  Papers 

coming   away,   if   such  Voucher   appears   I   can   admit   of   the 
Amount.  — 

I  promised  the  Hurons  of  Detroit  to  apply  to  You  for  the  Bell 
which  is  at  Niagra  &  which  they  say  was  first  intended  for  the  use 
of  their  Church,  Major  Bayard4  was  likewise  spoke  to  about  it,  & 
said  He  would  mention  it  to  You.  They  have  Several  times  Since 
applied  so  pressingly  for  it,  that  I  think  it  will  be  best  to  gratify 
them  with  it  at  the  next  Meeting,  it  being  made  no  use  of  at 
Niagra.  — 

From  perusing  the  proceedings  in  Mr.  Hays5  case  I  find  that 
he  has  been  verry  unjustly  accused  by  ye.  Persons  who  complained 
of  him,  and  I  think  it  verry  hard  that  He  can  obtain  no  Satisfac- 
tion for  the  freedom  taken  with  his  Character,  but  on  this  or  any 
other  Subject  the  Multiplicity  of  business  I  am  now  engaged  in 
will  not  permit  me  to  enlarge.  — 

I  am  with  the  most 

perfect  Esteem  &  Regard 
Dear  Sir 

Your  most  Obedient 

&  verry  Humble  Servant 

W.  Johnson 

His  Excellency 

General  Gage  — 

indorsed  : 

Sir  Wm.  Johnson  Bar1. 
JanT.  22<*.  1 768. 
received  Janr>\  30th.  — 
Inclosing  an  Accf.  from 
Fort  Pitt  — 

Answered  — 


4  Major  Robert  Bayard  of  the  60th  regiment. 

5  Lieutenant  Jehu  Hay. 


Indian  Affairs,  1766-68  425 

FROM  GEORGE  CROGHAN 

PMk  Fefcy.  7*  1768. 
Sir 

yesterday  I  gott  hear  &  brought  home  with  Me  A  Sevare  fitt 
of  the  Rumitiseum.  I  wrote  your  Honour  from  New  york  that  one 
Stump  &  his  Servant  had  Made  Some  Indians  Drunk  &  Murdred 
them  Ten  in  Number  Men  Women  &  Children  they  ware  Taken 
by  A  Smart  young  Felow  one  Cap*,  paterson  who  had  fermerly 
been  in  the  province  Servece  and  Deliverd  to  the  Sherriff  in 
Carlisle  who  had  then  Received  the  Cheef  Justuses  Warrent  to 
aperehend  those  Murdress  and  bring  them  to  Phill.  for  Examina- 
tion the  Justusis  of  ye.  paice  of  ye.  County  wold  Nott  Sufer  ye. 
Sherriff  to  Obay  the  Warrent  butt  Commeted  them  to  ye.  County 
Prison  from  whence  in  [trvof  Six  Days  they  Ware  Risquead  by 
A  Number  of  pople  from  the  Fronteers  in  ye.  Midle  of  ye.  Day 
this  has  Caused  high  Disputes  between  the  Governer  &  ASembly 
&  Revived  ye.  old  Dispute  About  the  Murder  of  the  Conistoga 
Indians  the  ASembly  Charging  the  Governer  with  A  Neglect 
&  want  of  Duty  on  the  Executive  part  of  Goverment  whare 
itt  will  End  Lord  knows  the  ASembly  Say  they  will  Grant  A 
Sume  of  Mony  to  be  putt  Into  yr.  honours  hands  for  Condoleing 
with  the  Six  Nations  and  Ohio  Indians  (&  I  Blive  they  will) 
As  Soon  as  this  hapens  I  will  Inform  you  of  itt  I  have  Nott 
been  Able  to  See  the  Governer  as  yett  Butt  will  Soon 

I  am  Very  Sorrey  fer  those  Disputes  As  there  Cartianly 
Should  Nott  be  A  Day  Lost  In  Doing  Somthing  with  the  Ohio 
Indians  and  those  on  Susquehanna  the  Repated  Murders  on 
those  Fronteers  and  ye.  Want  of  power  in  ye.  Goverment  to 
bring  ye.  Murdreres  to  punishment  Must  bring  on  hostilitys  unless 
Some  Attonment  Can  be  Made  the  Indians  by  Condoleing  & 
presents  Very  Early  this  Spring. 


1  In  Historical  Society  of  Pennsylvania,  Cadwalader  Collection. 

2  Words  italicized  and  in  brackets  crossed  out  in  manuscript. 


426  Sir  William  Johnson  Papers 

plese  to  present  My  Complemts.  to  Sir  John  and  all  the  Gentle- 
men &  Ladys  &  Blive  Me  with  Greatt  Respect  yr.  honours  Most 

Obeident  &  Most 


Humble.  Servant 

Geo:  Croghan 


To  the  Honble. 

Sir  William  Johnson  Barr1. 

indorsed:3 

7*.  Feb.  1 768 

Copy 


Letter  to  Sr.  Wm.  Johnson  Bl 


FROM  JAMES  PHYN 

Contemporary  Copy1 

Schenectady  8  Febry.  1768 
Sir 

I  am  favd.  wf.  your  Letter  enclosing  Mr.  Roberts  Df'.  accepted 
in  the  manner  we  always  meant 

Your  being  so  much  crowded  w*.  Company  &  some  urgent 
Business  wh.  called  Mr.  Ellice  &  me  home  a  Friday  night  I 

hope  will  excuse  our  not  waiting  upon  you  that  morning  at  the 
Hall 

I  take  the  liberty  to  inclose  you  a  list  of  those  Indian  Goods  we 
have  now  by  us  should  any  of  them  be  suitable  we  will  esteem  any 
part  of  your  order  a  Singular  favour  —  those  articles  which  you 
may  require  &  not  to  be  had  from  Mr.  Campbell  or  us  should  it 
be  agreable  we  will  lay  in  for  you  at  Albany  in  the  best  Terms 
in  our  power 

I  come  now  to  inform  you  when  we  was  in  New  York  we  was 
lucky  enough  to  Effect  a  Settlement  with  our  friend  J.  D2  &  at 


3  Letter  and  signature  in  hand  of  Croghan ;  indorsement  in  another  hand. 

1  In  Buffalo  Historical  Society,  Phyn  &  Ellice  letter  books. 

2  John  Duncan. 


Indian  Affairs,  1766-68  All 

that  time  procured  Tolerable  good  Security  but  as  none  of  the 
money  he  owes  us  will  come  in  befor  next  Summer  we  shall  be 
somthing  straitned  to  make  up  the  remainder  of  our  English  Re- 
mittances we  therefor  shall  be  Glad  to  know  for  our  Governement 
what  part  of  the  anexed  Bils  you  immagine  will  be  paid  next  Ap1. 
as  we  can  purchase  Sev1.  Bills  now  to  be  paid  at  that  time.  I  hope 
you  will  pardon  my  giving  you  so  much  trouble  &  forgive  my  free- 
dom in  writing  you  on  this  Subject  as  it  will  be  much  Service  to 
our  affairs  to  know  in  a  few  Posts 

I  have  &c 

JP- 
Lieu'.  Roberts  favr.  Edward  Pollard 88 .  .    6 .  .    1 

Monsr.  Decorne3 .  .  .Hugh  Boyle 50.  .  — .  . — 

ColR  Croghan  on  yourself  for  Interprs  sallrey  ..167..    8 .  .    6 

if  right  John  Duncans  order  D°.  Transmitted  G 

Johnson    124.  .  18.  .    6 

Mr.  Buyrne  D°.  D°.  recd  from  Andw  McFarline  69.  .  — .  . — 

L.  Roberts  D°.  D° 171..   8.  .   7 


£671..    1..   8 
To  Sir  William  Johnson  Bar1.  &c. 


FROM  THOMAS  PENN 

L.5.1 

London  Feby.  13,  1768  — 
Dear  Sir  — 

Upon  further  consideration  upon  the  present  boundary  of  the 
purchase  we  made  in  1  754  Some  of  the  land  to  the  north  of  the 
west  branch  of  Sasquehanah  was  included  in  that  purchase  and 
which  neither  you  nor  the  Indians  can  wish  to  take  again  from 
us,  therefore  I  must  again  press  you  to  use  your  utmost  endeavours 


3  Jean  Baptiste  de  Couagne. 

1  In  Historical  Society  of  Pennsylvania. 


428  Sir  William  Johnson  Papers 

to  get  the  boundary  established  in  some  other  manner  than  has 
been  proposed  to  the  Lords  of  Trade  and  if  the  Indians  will  not 
agree  to  make  the  River  Ohio  to  the  Source  of  it  the  boundary 
yet  that  the  Forks  of  Sasquehannah  may  be  included,  and  some 
Land  between  that  River  and  Delaware,  tho  it  cannot  be  as  high 
as  Tohickon  &  Popatunk  but  as  the  Ohio  near  those  two  places  is 
the  most  natural  division  I  hope  you  can  easily  bring  them  to 
agree  to  it. 

Mr.  Wilmot2  has  been  so  much  in  attendance  upon  his  Wife 
who  has  been  dangerously  ill  in  the  Country,  that  he  could  not 
attend  your  Grant  but  as  she  is  better,  I  hope  very  soon  to  give 
you  a  good  account  of  it.  I  am  with  great  regard 

Dear  Sir 

Your  most  humble  and  most 
obedient  Servant 

Tho  Penn 


indorsed:3 


London  Febry.  13fh.  1768 


Mr.  Penns  Letter  — 


2  Henry  Wilmot. 

3  In  Sir  William's  hand. 


TO  THOMAS  GAGE 
A.L.S} 

Johnson  Hall  Fefry.  18th.  1768 
DR.  Sir  — 

Your  favour  of  the  31st.  Ult°.2  arrived  here  whilst  I  laboured 
under  an  Attack  of  my  old  Disorder,  which  prevented  me  from 
answering  it  until  now,  Two,  or  Three  Days  before  I  recd.  a 


1  In  William  L.  Clements  Library.    Draft  in  mutilated  form  printed  in 
Johnson  Papers,  6:114-16. 

2  Johnson  Papers,  6:85-87. 


Indian  Affairs,  1766-68  429 

letter  from  LA  Govr.  Penn  wth.  an  Acc{.  of  his  proceedings  in 
Indian  Affairs  together  with  the  particulars  of  the  barbarous 
Murder  committed  by  Frederick  Stump  as  mentioned  in  your 
letter,  which  I  consider  as  one  of  the  most  dangerous  Accidents 
that  could  have  happened  at  this  Period,  and  I  much  fear  that 
the  Lawless  Gentry  on  the  Frontiers  will  render  it  worse  by 
screening  the  Murderer  or  contributing  to  his  Escape.  —  The 
Effects  of  this  Additional  Act  of  cruelty  may  better  be  fore- 
seen than  prevented. 

The  Indians  of  Susquahana  have  already  wrote  to  me  upon  it, 
in  consequence  of  Belts  sent  thro  the  Six  Nations  with  the  News, 
And  they  say  that  Several  of  their  People  the  Tuscaroras  (one  of 
whom  made  his  Escape)  who  were  Hunting  in  that  Country  are 
withheld  from  returning  by  the  White  People,  least  the  News 
should  be  too  Soon  propagated,  in  Consequence  of  which  they  are 
vastly  uneas)',  and  desired  a  Pass  to  fetch  them  away,  which  I 
granted  them  a  few  days  ago,  This  detention  of  these  Indians,  as 
it  will  doubtless  be  misinterpretted  by  the  Confederacy  will 
encrease  their  resentment,  &  the  Indians  Justly  remark  in  their 
Letter,  "that  altho  ye.  Affair  may  be  smoothed  over  in  Council, 
their  Minds  cannot  be  healed  in  the  present  disposition  they  are." 
—  I  wish  the  Establishment  of  the  Governments  you  Mention 
may  not  make  things  much  worse,  as  I  have  reason  to  fear  they 
will,  I  have  often  observed  that  nothing  of  that  kind  could  be 
undertaken,  with  due  regard  to  policy  untill  all  prejudices  were 
removed,  a  Firm  tranquility  established,  &  the  Indians  previously 
consulted  thereon.  The  verry  report  of  the  intended  Colony  on 
Ohio  advertised  by  Ll.  Webb*  was  made  a  considerable  cause 
of  the  late  Indian  War,  &  the  Indians  have  already  heard  of  these 
intended  Governments  under  the  most  unfavourable  Circum- 
stances. — 

L'.  Roberts4  being  (on  Ace1,  of  the  Expences  Attends,  his 
long  Journey)  in  much  want  of  Cash  writes  to  me,  that  he  may  if 


3  Lieutenant  Thomas  Webb. 

4  Lieutenant  Benjamin  Roberts,  commissary  at  Michilimackinac. 


430  Sir  William  Johnson  Papers 

I  apply  for  it  receive  the  am1,  of  the  Expences  incurred  since 
sending  in  my  last,  being  £310.  .  3 .  .11  Curcy.  on  my  allowing 
Mr.  Mortier5  to  deduct  so  much  out  of  my  next  Warr1.,  I  shall  be 
glad  that  that  is  Settled  for  him,  as  I  believe  he  has  much  Occa- 
sion for  it.  —  As  for  the  Disbursements  at  Fort  Pitt  they  are  verry 
considerable,  yet  I  have  Vouchers  for  the  Whole  except  for  the 
first  Article  £451  .  .4.  .  mentioned  to  have  been  incurred  by 
order  of  Cap1.  Murray,6  the  Voucher  for  which  was  Said  to  be 
in  your  Secretarys  Office,  if  so,  I  can  have  no  Objection  to  its 
being  paid,  but  should  in  that  case  be  glad  to  have  the  Voucher. 
The  Amount  of  Drafts  on  me  from  Major  Rojers7  at  present 
in  my  hands,  is  £  4852 .  .  1 2 .  .  2  York  Curcy.  On  this  Head  I 
have  a  Petition  from  the  Traders  &ca.  requesting  my  Interest  with 
You  that  the  same  might  be  paid,  as  they  apprehended  that 
Rojers  (from  what  he  told  them)  had  full  powers  to  take  up 
Cash  or  Goods,  and  what  they  advanced  was  Judged  by  them 
to  be  for  the  Good  of  the  Service,  I  shall  beg  the  favour  of  your 
Answer  thereon.  — 

I  am  with  all  imaginable  Esteem 
&  Regard, 

Dear  Sir 
Your  most  Obedient 
His  Excellency  &  most  Humble  Servant 

General  Gage  —  W  Johnson 

INDORSED : 

Sr.  Wm.  Johnson 

1 8th.  Feb'?.  1 768. 

received  1st.  March 
answered  — 


5  Abraham  Mortier,  deputy  paymaster  general. 

6  Captain  William  Murray. 

7  Major  Robert  Rogers,  former  commandant  at  Michilimackinac. 


Indian  Affairs,  1766-68  431 

TO  JOHN  PENN 

Copy1 

Johnson  Hall,  1 8th  Feb'ry,  1768. 
Sir, 

When  I  received  your  last  favor  with  the  disagreeable  news  of 
the  Barbarous  murder  committed  by  Fred'k  Stump2  within  your 
government,  I  was  very  much  indisposed  with  an  attack  of  a 
Disorder  which  has  visited  me  often  of  late  years,  from  which  I 
am  now  somewhat  recovered. 

That  bloody  transaction  gives  me  no  small  uneasiness  as  it 
has  happened  at  the  most  unfortunate  period,  when  the  Indians 
had  no  occasion  for  a  fresh  instance  of  cruelty  to  inflame  their 
resentment,  insomuch  that  I  fear  all  my  endeavors  to  protract 
their  designs,  and  prevent  their  Associations  will  prove  ineffectual. 
I  heartily  wish  you  may  be  able  to  apprehend  the  murderer,  and 
am  very  glad  to  hear  of  the  measures  you  are  taking  for  the  relief 
of  the  Indian  Grievances  the  necessity  for  which  appears  daily 
more  obvious. 

Since  the  receipt  of  your  letter  I  find  that  the  Six  Nations  have 
received  Belts  and  Messages  setting  it  forth  in  the  worst  Light,  on 
which  occasion  I  have  received  a  letter  from  the  Indians  at 
Onoghquagey,  informing  me  of  it,  and  that  several  Tuscaroras 
who  were  hunting  not  far  from  the  place  where  the  Murder  was 
committed,  have  been  detained  by  the  white  people,  to  prevent 
the  news  from  spreading  amongst  the  Indians.  This  gives  the  Six 
Nations  much  additional  concern,  and  one  of  the  Tuscaroras  has 
desired  a  pass  to  go  and  fetch  them  away,  I  am  therefore  of 
opinion  that  they  should  be  dismissed  civilly  without  delay,  and  as 
I  expect  the  Six  Nations  daily  to  treat  about  peace  with  the 
Cherokee  Deputys,  I  shall  on  their  arrival  represent  the  affair  in 


1  Printed  in  Pennsylvania  Archives,  First  Series,  4:290.  Draft  in 
mutilated  form  was  printed  in  Johnson  Papers,  6:117-18,  incorrectly 
labeled  "To  Thomas  Penn." 

2  See  Colonial  Records  Vol.  IX,  424-490  for  various  documents  re- 
specting this  affair. — Note  in  Pennsylvania  Archives. 


432  Sir  William  Johnson  Papers 

the  most  favorable  point  of  Light,  and  to  the  utmost  of  my  power 
endeavor  to  make  them  easy,  but  I  really  can  have  little  hopes 
from  its  happening  at  a  period  when  their  discontent  appears  at 
the  highest  pitch,  and  as  the  Indians  in  their  letter  justly  observe, 
'That  should  the  affair  be  smoothed  over  in  Council,  their  minds 
cannot  be  healed  in  their  disposition." 
I  am  with  the  most  perfect  esteem  sir, 

Your  most  obedient,  and 

very  humble  servant, 

W.  Johnson 

The  Hon'ble  LlEUT.  G0VR.  PENN. 


FROM  JOHN  PENN 

L.5.1 

Philadelphia,  18lh.  February  1768. 
Sir, 

I  have  the  pleasure  to  inform  you  that  the  Assembly  have  con- 
curred with  me  in  a  Law  for  raising  a  Sum  of  Money,  part  of 
which  is  to  be  laid  out  in  Presents  to  the  Indians  by  way  of 
Condolance,  as  well  for  such  of  their  Brethren  as  were  lately 
killed  by  Frederick  Stump  on  Middle  Creek  as  for  all  others  who 
have  heretofore  been  murdered  in  this  Province  by  our  People; 
hoping,  by  this  Means,*  effectually  to  remove  the  Uneasiness 
and  Discontent,  which  may  arise  or  remain  in  their  Minds  on  that 
Account;  and  to  regain  their  Friendship.  The  Persons  appointed 
by  Law  to  dispose  of  the  Money,  in  Conjunction  with  myself, 
have  appropriated  the  Sum  of  One  Thousand  Pounds  for  this 
Service. 

But  as  the  Application  and  Distribution  of  the  intended 
Presents  cannot  be  made  with  so  much  Propriety,  or  Judgment,  by 
any  Person  as  yourself;  and  as  no  time  should  be  lost  in  a  matter 


1  In    New   York   Public   Library.     Printed   in   Pennsylvania   Colonial 
Records,  9:468-69. 


Indian  Affairs,   1766-68  433 

of  so  much  Importance,  We  have  agreed  that  the  Presents  should 
be  made  at  a  General  Treaty,  which  I  am  informed  you  are  soon 
to  hold  with  the  Indians.  I  am  therefore  under  the  Necessity  of 
requesting  the  Favour  of  You  to  dispose  of  the  above  Sum  at  the 
ensuing  Treaty,  in  the  Name  and  on  the  Behalf  of  this  Govern- 
ment, in  Presents,  to  such  particular  Indians  and  Tribes  of 
Indians,  as  you  shall  judge  will  be  most  proper  and  likely  to 
answer  the  good  Ends  we  propose.  The  Money  shall  be  im- 
mediately paid  to  such  Person,  or  remitted  to  you  in  such  a 
Manner,  as  you  shall  please  to  direct.  — 

The  Assembly  are  of  Opinion  that  it  would  be  expedient  and 
necessary  that  Commissioners,  appointed  by  me,  should  be  sent 
to  attend  the  Treaty,  if  the  Time  between  this  and  the  holding  the 
Treaty  would  admit  of  it.  —  I  would  therefore  request  the  Favour 
of  You  to  inform  me,  by  the  return  of  the  Bearer  whom  I  send 
Express  to  You  on  this  Occasion,  whether  such  a  Measure  is 
practicable.  — 

As  several  of  the  Inhabitants  of  this  Province  have  been 
murdered  by  the  Indians,  since  the  General  Peace  established 
with  them  in  1  764 ;  You  will  no  doubt  think  it  advisable,  at  the 
same  time  that  you  condole  with  them  on  the  Loss  of  their 
People,  to  remind  them  of  the  Injuries  done  to  us;  and  that  we 
have  received  no  Satisfaction  from  them  on  these  Accounts.  — 
For  which  purpose,  I  herewith  send  you  a  List2  of  the  Names  of 
the  Persons  belonging  to  this  Province  who  have  been  killed  by 
the  Indians.  —  I  also  inclose  you  the  Names  of  the  Indians 
killed  by  Frederick  Stump,  and  the  Tribes  they  belong  to. 

I  beg  leave  further  to  observe  to  you,  that  the  whole  Sum  ap- 
propriated by  the  Law  to  be  expended  in  Presents  to  the  Indians 
for  reconciling  them  to  this  Province,  is  £2500.  —  But  as  we  are 
of  Opinion  that  there  is  more  Reason  to  apprehend  a  Rupture 
with  the  Western  Indians,  than  those  of  the  Six  Nation  or 
Northern  Tribes,  we  have  thought  it  advisable  to  allot  the  greatest 


2  Two  lists  which  follow  this  letter  are  printed  in  Pennsylvania  Colonial 
Records,  9:469-70. 


434  Sir  William  Johnson  Papers 

part  of  that  Sum  to  be  applied  in  Presents  to  the  former,  which 
it  may  be  most  convenient  to  distribute  among  them  at  Fort  Pitt. 
But  as  we  have  the  greatest  Confidence  in  your  Judgment  & 
Knowledge  in  Indian  Affairs,  we  submit  this  Matter  to  your 
Discretion ;  and  if  You  shall  judge  it  most  expedient  and  necessary 
to  lay  out  £200.  or  £300.  more  than  the  £1000,  above 
mentioned  to  be  presented  to  the  Indians,  with  whom  you  are  about 
to  hold  Conferences,  I  have  Liberty  from  the  Commissioners  to 
empower  you  to  expend  that  additional  Sum,  and  to  do  every 
thing  else  in  this  Business,  on  the  part  of  the  Province,  which 
you  may  think  most  conducive  to  its  true  Interest  and  Safety.  — 
I  shall  not  endeavour  to  apologize  for  troubling  you  on  this 
Occasion,  as  your  Readiness  at  all  times  to  serve  this  Province 
renders  any  thing  of  that  kind  unnecessary. 

I  am  with  great  Regard 
Sir 

Your  most  obedient 
humble   Servant 

John  Penn 
Sir  William  Johnson,  Bar1. 

NB.3  it  is  not  a  bribe  or  present  be  it  ever  so  considerable,  that 
can  in  such  case  remove  their  uneasiness  or  quiet  their  Minds,  un- 
less the  future  conduct  of  the  Frontier  People  be  such,  as  may 
convince  them  of  their  detestation  of  wf.  is  passed,  &  tally  wlh.  ye. 
Governments  present  declarations  or  something  like  this.  — 


3  This  note  refers  to  the  point  marked  by  asterisk  above. 


Indian  Affairs,  1766-68  435 

FROM  JOSEPH  GALLOWAY 
A.L.S.1 
Philadelphia  Feby.  18.  1768  — 

Sir 

The  House  of  Assembly  were  extremely  obliged  by  your 
Favor,  of  the  22d.  Ult°.2  —  Which,  as  it  contained  Matters  of 
the  greatest  Importance  to  the  Colonies,  I  thought  it  my  Duty,  to 
Lose  no  Time  in  communicating  [it]  to  them.  Before  the  Receipt 
of  this  Letter,  their  Deliberations  on  Indian  Affairs  rested  in 
Uncertainty,  as  the  Province  for  Some  Time  past,  has  not  in- 
termeddled in  those  Transactions.  But  the  Causes  of  the  present 
Dissatisfaction  of  the  Indians  so  fully  and  judiciously  pointed  out 
by  you,  enabled  them  to  proceed  immediately  and  Chearfully  in 
their  Design  of  removing,  as  far  as  in  their  Power,  every  Founda- 
tion of  their  Discontent  against  this  Province.  And  I  have  now 
the  Pleasure  to  inform  you,  That  they  have  adopted  the  Measure, 
intimated  in  your  Letter,  of  making  proper  Presents  of  Condol- 
ance,  for  the  Indians  murdered,  within  &  on,  the  Frontiers  of  this 
Government,  since  the  Peace,  and  other  Gifts  to  regain  the 
Friendship  of  the  Natives.  The  Sum  they  have  granted  for  these 
Purposes,  is  £  2500  —  This  Currency,  placed  in  the  Hands  of 
the  Governor  and  three  Commissioners.  This  Sum  is  intended  to 
be  Subject  to  your  Draughts  on  them,  whenever  you  shall  be 
pleased  to  draw  them.  I  beg  Leave,  however  to  add  for  your  olvn 
Information,  that  as  there  have  been  Several  Indians  murdered  in 
the  Province,  as  well  of  the  Western  as  Northern  Tribes,  and 
good  Policy  Seems  to  dictate  the  necessity  of  satisfying  all,  and 
forming  a  Division  of  their  Councils  at  this  Crisis,  The  House 
imagined,  if  the  Grant  was  nearly  equally  divided  and  disposed  of 
at  the  Different  Treaties  shortly  to  be  held  by  you  and  Mr. 
Croghan,  it  woud  answer  very  valuable  Purposes.  I  drop  this 
Information  of  ye.  Sentiments  of  the  House  in  perfect  Confidence, 
as  I  conclude  it  will  be  agreable  to  you,  to  know  them. 


1  In  Historical  Society  of  Pennsylvania. 

2  Ante  pp.  421-22. 


436  Sir  William  Johnson  Papers 

The  Sitting  of  Assembly  not  being  ended,  it  prevents  my 
enlarging  at  present  —  As  soon  as  the  December  Packet  arrives, 
I  expect  to  Receive  some  Account  of  our  Illinois  Affair,  and 
other  Publick  Matters  from  Dcctr.  Franklin3  or  Mr.  Jackson,4 
when  I  propose  to  do  myself  the  Pleasure  of  Communicating 
whatever  I  may  receive  worthy  of  your  Attention.  In  the  mean 
Time,  I  beg  Leave  to  assure  you,  That  I  am  with 

great  Truth  &  Regard 
your  most  Obedient 
&  very  humble  Servf. 

Jos.  Galloway5 

The  Honble  SR.  WM.  JOHNSON  Baronet 

P.S. 

Since  I  wrote  the  above,  it  is  agreed  between  the  Governor  & 
myself,  if  you  shoud  concur  in  Opinion  wth.  us,  That  about  the 
Sum  of  £  1 000  will  be  sufficient  for  the  Northern  Indians,  as  the 
Province  seems  more  connected  with,  and  has  more  to  fear  from 
the  Western  Than  the  Northern. 


INDORSED:6 


Philadelphia  Feb'?.  1 8th.  1  768 


M1'.  Galloway  Speaker 
of  the  Assemblys  Letter 


3  Benjamin  Franklin. 

4  Richard    Jackson,    colonial   agent   for   Pennsylvania,    1 763-69,    and 
correspondent  of  Franklin. 

5  Member  of  the  Pennsylvania  assembly  almost  continuously  from  1  75  7 
until  the  Revolution,  and  its  speaker  from  1  766  till  1  774. 

6  In  Sir  William's  hand. 


Indian  Affairs,   1766-68  437 

TO  JELLES  FONDA 

Copy1 

Johnson  Hall  February  24,  1768. 
Sir: 

I  am  very  glad  to  hear  you  are  recovered  of  your  fit  of  illness, 
and  hope  you  will  take  better  care  of  your  health  for  the  time  to 
come,  as  it  is  the  most  valuable  thing  upon  earth  to  all  people ;  for 
without  it,  riches,  titles,  and  every  thing  else  are  nothing. 

I  am  obliged  to  you  for  the  offer  of  your  interest  at  the  ensuing 
election,  and  can  only  say,  that  I  have,  for  certain  reasons  which 
I  think  are  very  sufficient,  promised  my  vote  and  interest  to  Mr. 
Minerdtson,"  and  shall  be  glad  if  my  friends  are  of  the  same 
mind,  as  I  think  friends  and  neighbors  should  always  go  hand 
in  hand,  and  then  their  interest  will  be  more  respectable,  and 
carry  more  weight.  Nay,  I  think  the  people  of  this  river  ought 
in  good  policy  to  stand  by  one  another,  and  then  they  will  become 
so  formidable  in  a  little  time  as  to  carry  any  point  they  may  want. 
Whereas,  if  they  are  divided  in  interest,  sentiments,  and  friend- 
ship, they  may  forever  remain  the  dupes  of  Albany  and  Sche- 
nectada  politicians,  who  have  only  their  own  interest  in  view.  I 
really  had  no  thoughts  of  going  down  at  this  troublesome  busy 
time,  but  that  I  hear  some  unfair  means  are  made  use  of  to  carry 
the  election  at  any  rate.  I  have  nothing  farther  to  add  at  present, 
than  my  best  wishes  for  your  health,  and  that  I  am  your  sincere 
friend  and  humble  servant. 

W.  Johnson 
Capt.  Jeles  Fonda. 

P.S.  —  The  woman  you  mention,  did  not  deliver  me  the  stock- 
ings nor  ribband,  but  wears  them  herself.  —  This  is  not  your 
fault;  it  is  hers. 


1  Printed  in  The  Reflector  and  Schenectady  Democrat,  Nov.  30,  1  838. 

2  Jacobus  Mynderse  (Mynderson)  who  was  elected  to  the  assembly  from 
Schenectady.  See  letter  of  Isaac  Vrooman  et  al,  Johnson  Papers,  6 : 1  30- 
31. 


438  Sir   William  Johnson  Papers 

FROM  JOHN  CHRISTIE 

Contemporary  Copy1 

Michillima*.  24th.  Feby.  1768. 
Sir.— 

In  my  last  from  this,  I  informed  you  that  Major  Rogers2  was 
confined  for  Treason  by  general's  Orders.  he  at  that  time 
seemed  to  submit  to  his  Fate,  saying  he  had  it  in  his  power  to 
satisfy  the  world  of  his  Innocence,  and  Loyalty  to  his  King.  — 
As  subtil  &  deep  as  Hell  itself  has  this  Traitor  been,  and  happy 
are  we  here,  who  have  found  out  his  treacherous  Designs,  as  you 
will  see  by  his  behaviour  since  his  Confinement.  —  About  the 
1 0th.  of  December  two  Indians  came  to  this  Fort,  he  seeing  them 
coming  near  his  room  rushed  to  the  Door  and  opened  it.  the 
Indians  hastily  passed  the  Sentry,  and  both  took  him  by  the  hand, 
which  we  took  care  to  prevent  for  the  future.  —  He  then  for  some 
time  sent  for  the  Soldiers  Wives,  and  to  gloss  his  designs  gave 
out  that  it  was  to  keep  Mrs.  Rogers  Company  whom  they  all 
loved,  —  at  last  the  Searjants  &c  to  keep  him  Company,  and  to 
make  merry  with  him,  which  obliged  Cap*.  Spiesmacker3  Com- 
mandant to  give  orders  that  none  belonging  to  the  Troops  shou'd 
enter  the  Doors  of  his  Confinement.  This  order  offended  him 
much,  he  sent  for  me  in  a  great  Passion,  —  said  he  was  ill  used, 
as  he  was  a  Prisoner  cou'd  but  complain  to  the  General,  —  that 
Cap1.  Spiesmacker  might  repent  it,  for  that  as  he  was  innocent, 
he  wou'd  be  at  liberty  some  time,  or  other,  and  then  was  de- 
termined to  pursue  those  who  had  used  him  so  ill,  to  the  utmost 
Limits  of  the  Earth,  or  to  the  last  verge  of  life,  swearing  he  had 
never  invited  the  Serjeants,  or  Soldiers  to  visit  him.  —  I  answered 
him  that  I  thought  him  a  very  bad  man  for  threatning  those  who 
had  used  him  so  tenderly,  —  that  I  knew  it  for  a  truth  that  he  had 
invited  both  the  men  and  women  to  sit  and  drink  with  him,  —  that 


1  In  Canadian  Archives,  Indian  Records,  Vol.  7. 

2  Major  Robert  Rogers,  former  commandant  at  Michilimackinac. 

3  Captain  Frederick  Christopher  Spiesmacher  of  the  60th  regiment,  com- 
mandant of  Michilimackinac. 


Indian  Affairs,   1766-68  439 

I  believed  his  designs  evil  in  so  doing,  —  but  shou'd  take  Care  of 
him.  —  he  then  desired  that  David  Fullerton  Soldier  might  wait 
on  him  during  his  stay  here.  I  told  him  I  believed  he  cou'd  not 
have  him,  and  that  I  shou'd  let  the  Commandant  know  his 
threatenings.  — 

The  Serjeants,  and  others  being  sent  for,  they  were  all  sworn, 
and  declared  the  above  to  be  truth,  the  Commandant  then  ordered 
that  no  Person  whatever  shou'd  enter  his  door  without  an  Order  in 
Writing  except  those  on  Duty,  and  the  Commissioned  Officers.  — 

About  the  last  of  January  a  Canadian,  an  Inhabitant  of  this 
place  came  privately  to  Captain  Spiesmakacer,  and  told  him  he 
had  a  Secret  of  the  greatest  Consequence  to  communicate  to  him ; 
—  that  it  was  now  time  to  discover  it,  but  wanted  his  Honour  in 
Pledge,  as  he  thought  his  life  might  be  in  danger  from  the 
Soldiers,  and  others  if  he  was  known  to  be  the  Discoverer.  his 
request  being  granted,  he  then  informed  him  that  Major  Rogers 
had  sent  him  several  Messages  by  his  former  Servant  David 
Fullerton  Soldier  in  the  2d.  Battalion  60th.  Regim*.  to  do  what  he 
cou'd  to  Save  his  life,  —  that  the  Major  was  in  the  French 
Interest,  and  wou'd  make  his  fortune  if  he  would  befriend  him, 
that  the  Informant  hear'd  him  (Fullerton)  with  patience,  and  told 
him  he  woud  See  the  Major  soon,  but  wanted  to  know  how  many 
Friends  he  had  in  the  Garrison  to  assist  him  in  his  Designs  in 
getting  his  liberty,  and  what  his  designs  were.  David  Fullerton 
answered  that  he  was  his  friend,  and  all  the  soldiers  in  the  Garri- 
son except  three  or  four,  one  man  of  the  Artillery  &  Lieu1. 
Christies  Serv1. 

The  night  after  he  (the  Canadian,  by  name  Ans)4  went  to 
the  Major,  who  wanted  to  know  if  he  was  his  friend;  being 
answered  in  the  affirmative,  the  Major  then  begged  him  to  get 
Savages  in  his  Interest  to  decoy  the  Commandant,  and  Lieu1. 
Christie  out  of  the  Fort  to  ride  in  a  Careole,  or  otherwise  to  take 
them  Prisoners,  —  Ensign  Johnston5  being  at  the  Mission  was 


4  Joseph  Louis  Ainse. 

5  Ensign  Robert  Johnson  (Johnston)  of  the  60th  regiment. 


440  Sir  William  Johnson  Papers 

easy  to  get  at,  after  these  being  thrown  to  the  mercy  of  the 
Savages;  the  rest  he  woud  undertake  himself,  being  assured  the 
Serjeants  woud  deliver  him  the  Keys  of  the  Fort,  that  then  he 
wou'd  have  it  in  his  power  to  make  a  fortune  before  he  Joined 
the  French  on  the  Mississippi,  and  not  go  barehanded,  —  that  as 
soon  as  the  Fort  was  in  his  hands,  (the  Savages  being  in  his  in- 
terest) he  wou'd  then  have  Powder,  and  Cannon  plenty  to  take 
Detroit,  &  after  that  the  Illenois,  —  that  his  life  or  death  was  in 
his  Hands :  —  for  some  letters  have  been  intercepted  from  Cap*. 
Hopkins,6  whom  he  intended  shou'd  come  with  a  few  men  and 
as  soon  as  he  arrived,  wou'd  deliver  this  Fort  into  his  hands.  — 
The  Informant  answered  him  (Rogers)  that  he  did  not  know  but 
that  he  wou'd  assist  him,  he  then  begged  him  to  keep  his  mind  to 
himself.  — 

The  next  Meeting  (being  sent  for)  the  Major  repeated  to  him 
again  as  before  at  the  last  meeting,  &  to  go  a  hunting  by  the 
Commandant's  leave  often,  in  order  the  better  to  cloak  his 
Designs  to  get  the  Savages,  (Naming  several  Chiefs  of  different 
nations  who  he  was  certain  were  his  friends)  to  make  sure  of  the 
Commandant,  and  Lieu1.  Christie,  and  also  Mr.  Frobisher7  Mer- 
chant from  Montreal,  —  that  then  every  thing  wou'd  be  well,  — 
for  the  French  had  two  Battalions  waiting  for  him,  and  that  after 
his  present  Designs  were  put  into  Execution  they  would  have 
Fortune  plenty  to  help  them  off,  that  he  had  sent  sixty  Keggs  of 
Liquor  among  the  Indians  last  spring,  and  expected  a  good  re- 
turn, —  besides  a  large  quantity  of  it  he  had  in  the  Fort  —  That 
in  a  little  time  after  he  wou'd  return,  and  fall  upon  New  England, 
also  Carolina,  it  being  one  of  the  richest  Provinces  on  the  Con- 
tinent, —  and  with  elevated  Spirits  told  them  that  their  Names 
wou'd  be  conspicuous  through  the  whole  world,  —  for  in  about 


6  Captain  Joseph  Hopkins,  from  Maryland,  formerly  of  the  1 8th  regi- 
ment, who  after  service  in  the  West  Indies  joined  the  French.  See  his 
letter  of  April  9,  1  766,  in  Doc.  Rel.  Col.  Hist.  TV.  Y.,  7:993-94,  urging 
Rogers  to  join  the  French.  This  letter  was  also  given  in  Indian  Records, 
Vol.   7. 

7  Benjamin  Frobisher. 


Indian  Affairs,  1766-68  441 

four  Years  he  did  believe  there  wou'd  be  but  few  English  in  the 
Country,  —  for  that  a  great  many  of  the  French  and  Illenois 
Indians  with  many  English  from  the  Provinces  wou'd  join  them. 
—  Rogers  also  told  him  that  he  designed  the  Cutting  off  this 
Garrison  last  Spring,  but  could  not  do  it  at  that  time,  nor  now 
attempt  any  thing  without  his  (this  Informants)  assistance,  — 
begged  him  to  consider  his  present  Situation,  to  keep  Secret,  and 
to  befriend  him.  —  Next  meeting  with  David  Fullerton  he  told 
him  to  take  great  Care  for  fear  of  a  Discovery ;  for  if  it  was  but 
suspected,  he  was  determined  to  fly  among  the  Indians,  —  but  all 
depended  on  him  for  his  assistance,  —  that  if  the  Major's  first 
Scheme  failed,  he  had  fallen  upon  another  to  make  his  escape,  — 
that  he  had  one  who  was  to  sett  him  up  a  Ladder  against  the 
Picket,  and  to  throw  over  Snow  shoes  &  Mokesons,  that  he  wou'd 
take  the  life  of  any  man,  or  Sentry  that  shou'd  oppose  him,  — 
that  they  then  woud  goe  to  S'.  Joseph's.  — 

The  Informant  being  told  by  the  Commandant  that  I  was  the 
only  Person  he  cou'd  advise  with,  he  agreed  to  it,  and  I  being 
sent  for,  and  made  acquainted  with  the  whole,  my  advice  being 
asked,  and  solemn  Secrecy  promised,  it  was  agreed  to  let  David 
Fullerton  to  do  duty  still,  and  to  admit  a  fourth  Person  into  the 
Secret,  Mr.  Frobisher,  whom  I  esteem  a  man  of  strict  Honour, 
and  who  understands  the  French  language,  in  which  the  Plot  was 
forming.  we  considered  our  approaching  danger,  and  to  find 
out  all  these  concerned.  And  that  there  might  be  no  doubt  to  get 
a  clear  Proof  of  such  Treachery,  it  was  thought  advisable  that 
the  Informant  shou'd  gett  David  Fullerton  to  his  house,  and  that 
Cap1.  Spiesmacker,  and  Mr.  Frobisher  shou'd  be  conceal'd  in  or 
about  the  room,  who  shoud  see,  and  hear  the  whole  Conversa- 
tion. In  the  mean  time  I  gave  my  honour  in  pledge  that  Rogers 
shou'd  not  break  from  his  confinement  'till  all  was  brought  to 
light.  —  I  could  not  at  this  time  trust  the  Troops,  even  those  on 
Duty.  —  the  want  of  Sleep,  and  other  nourishment  for  six  days, 
and  nights  so  fatigued  me  that  I  have  scarce  recovered  yet.  — 

However  to  my  Joy,  about  the  fifth,  or  sixth  of  February  ended 
my  Doubts  &  fears  for  the  safety  of  the  Garrison.       the  above 


442  Sir  William  Johnson  Papers 

Gentlemen  acquainted  me  that  all  was  truth,  and  without  any 
doubt,  they  having  discovered  the  whole  Plot,  and  wou'd  give 
their  Oaths  accordingly.  —  We  then  advised  Cap*.  Spiesmacker  to 
give  the  Informant  liberty  to  visit  Major  Rogers  immediately  in 
order  still  to  get  stronger  Proofs  of  his  Villainy,  —  that  he  shou'd 
even  sign  it  with  his  own  hand.  Accordingly  the  Informant  had  a 
Pass  for  that  purpose.  —  We  desired  him  to  acquaint  the  Major 
that  thefhe]  might  depend  on  his  Friendship,  and  at  the  same  time 
to  know  from  him  what  he  was  to  do  for  him  for  so  great  an  under- 
taking, as  he  wou'd  not  only  be  banished  from  the  English  settle- 
ments for  the  future,  but  also  from  his  Friends,  and  was  certain  he 
cou'd  not  get  liberty  to  visit  him  any  more  in  his  Confinement.  — 
he  (the  Informant)  did  as  we  advised,  and  the  same  Evening 
returned  with  a  Prommissary  note  which  he  saw  wrote,  and  signed 
with  his,  (Rogers)  his  own  hand,  and  delivered  with  these  Words 
"I  depend  on  your  Friendship"  Wrote  as  follows  viz1. 

At  Michillimackinac  4  Febv.  1768  — 
I    Promise   to  pay   Mr.   Joseph  Ans   annually   an   Hundred 
Pounds  Sterling  for  five  Years  successively  to  carry  me  to  Mr. 
Hopkins  as  Witness  my  hand.  — 

Robt.  Rogers  — 

The  whole  being  thus  settled,  and  the  different  Oaths  taken 
signed,  and  sealed,  I  undertook  though  very  unwell  to  keep  every 
thing  quiet,  and  strictly  to  guard  against  any  accident  'till  day  light 
next  morning,  and  that  David  Fullerton  being  on  guard  shou'd 
not  be  confined  till  that  time,  and  then  to  be  brought  to  the  com- 
manding Officer's  Room  in  order  to  learn  the  Disposition  of  the 
two  Companies  of  the  60th.  Regiment,  &  men  of  Artillery,  whom 
we  imagined  to  be  in  the  Interest  of  the  Traitors.  —  David  Fuller- 
ton  was  accordingly  privately  brought  to  the  Command18,  room, 
and  burst  into  tears,  begged  for  his  life,  cursing  Rogers  and  his 
Spouse,  and  confessed  his  treacherous  Designs,  as  taken  down  on 
his  Oath  by  Cap*.  Spiesmacker  in  my  Presence,  and  Serjeant 
McMurray.  —  Rogers  and  he  are  now  in  Irons,  and  men  to  guard 


Indian  Affairs,  1766-68  443 

them  in  their  different  apartments  day  and  night  'till  the  Vessel 
arrives.  — 

As  David  Fullerton  has  had  a  good  character  both  in  the  78lh. 
Regiment,  and  this,  and  as  I  verily  believe  it  was  through 
simplicity  he  has  been  brought  in,  I  beg  you  wou'd  make  interest 
for  him  with  the  General  that  his  life,  if  possible,  may  be  saved, 
as  he  sincerely  regrets  his  Villainy.  — 

I  am  Sir,  with  greatest  respect  &c  — 

John  Christie  Lieu*.  60lh.  Regim*. 
To  Sir  Wm.  Johnson. 


FROM  ROBERT  JOHNSTON 
Contemporary  Copy1 
Michilimakinac  February  the  24th.  1768 

(Copy) 

Sir 

I  did  myself  the  Honor  to  write  to  you  by  L*.  Roberts,2  since 
which  time  I  had  the  Misfortune  to  loose  a  part  of  my  Hand,  and 
readily  obtained  Leave  to  go  to  Detroit  for  the  Benefit  of  my 
Wound  a  few  days  after  my  Arrival  here,  an  Express  arrived 
from  General  Gage,  to  confine  Captain  Rodgers3  for  High 
Treason,  I  went  a  Volunteer  with  this  Express  the  21.  of  Novr. 
and  arrived  at  Michilimacc.  in  thirteen  Days  after.  —  Rodgers 
was  accordingly  arrested,  he  seemed  to  bear  up  with  a  good  deal 
of  Resolution,  and  affirmed  to  the  utmost  his  Innocence,  but  even 
at  this  Time  he  was  forming  the  most  horrid  Plot,  with  an  Intent 
to  put  it  in  Execution  on  the  Arrival  of  two  Indians.  —  I  at  this 
Time  had  gone  to  the  Mission,  a  place  about  30.  Mile  from  the 


1  In  William  L.  Clements  Library,  inclosed  in  Johnson  to  Gage,  Nov. 
1 8,  1  768,  the  copy  is  in  Guy  Johnson's  hand  inclosed  by  Sir  William. 
Another  contemporary  copy  is  in  the  Canadian  Archives,  Indian  Records, 
Vol.  7. 

2  Lieutenant  Benjamin  Roberts,  commissary  at  Michilimackinac. 

3  Robert  Rogers,  former  commandant  at  Michilimackinac. 


444  Sir  William  Johnson  Papers 

Fort,  his  Intention  was  to  have  had  me  killed  there  Cap*. 
Spiesmaker4  &  Ll.  Christie5  taken  Prisrs.  and  sent  to  the  Indian 
Country,  he  had  actually  got  over  some  Soldiers  and  French 
Inhabitants,  the  Fort  was  to  be  delivered  up  to  the  Indians,  the 
Soldiers  that  would  not  join  his  party  to  go  in  Conjunction  with 
the  Indians  to  the  Attack  of  Detroit  where  to  be  put  to  Death ;  this 
Fort  he  intended  to  plunder  to  satisfy  the  Soldiers  &  Savages  he 
had  with  him,  then  to  proceed  to  France  by  the  Missisipy.  — 

There  is  a  Report,  that  Hopkins6  is  now  at  the  Ilinois,  which 
I  believe  may  have  some  Foundation.  The  Particulars  of  this  dark 
Plot  are  many,  the  Proofs  positive,  he  even  acknowledges  some 
part  of  it,  but  I  am  assured  Cap'.  Spiesmaker  will  be  particular,  in 
giving  you  Information  of  every  Circumstance,  I  believe  I  shall 
have  the  Conducting  of  him  to  Detroit,  I  have  good  Information 
the  Indns.  will  make  an  Attempt  to  set  him  at  Liberty,  but  if  they 
ever  set  him  at  Liberty  alive  when  he's  in  my  charge,  I  hope  to 
be  hanged  in  his  place,  he  is  now  in  Irons  with  a  Soldier  a 
principal  Confederate,  alltho  formerly  a  good  Man,  I  luckily  was 
the  Means  of  this  Plots  being  discovered  by  meer  Accident,  I  un- 
expectedly came  from  the  Mission  to  the  Fort  desired  Captain 
Spiesmaker  to  confine  young  Cardin  a  Frenchman  on  Suspicion 
of  Treason,  but  as  I  had  no  other  proof  than  my  own  Conjectures 
Cap1.  Spiesmaker  would  not  comply. 

I  however  persisted  &  declared  on  the  first  Notice  of  any  bad 
Designs  whatsoever,  I  would  myself  put  that  Man  to  Death,  by 
this  its  thought  I  had  by  some  channel  got  acquainted  with  the 
Plot,  and  a  full  Discovery  was  immediately  made  to  Cap1. 
Spiesmaker.  — 

I  hope  Rodgers  will  meet  with  a  just  Punishment  for  his 
treacherous  Crimes,  if  the  Law  acquits  him  it  will  be  a  bad 
Precedent  for  those  upper  Parts;  but  he  never  will  be  acquitted 


4  Captain  Frederick  Christopher  Spiesmacher  of  the  60th  regiment,  who 
succeeded  Rogers  as  commandant  at  Michilimackinac. 

5  Lieutenant  John  Christie  of  the  60th  regiment. 

6  Joseph  Hopkins.  For  his  antecedents  see  Doc.  Rel.  Col.  Hist.  N.  Y., 
7:994. 


Indian  Affairs,  1766-68  445 

by  those  he  has  attempted  so  cowardly  to  destroy,  honourable 
Satisfaction,  which  he  dont  deserve,  must  take  place.  — 

I  am 
Sir 

Your  most  Obedient 
humble  Servant 
Sir  Wm.  Johnson  Robt.  Johnson7 

indorsed:8 

Michilimacinac 
Feb'?.  24th.  1768  — 
From  Ensn.  Rob'.  Johnston 
to  Sir  W  Johnson  concerning 
Major  Rojers  — 

Copy  — 


FROM  BENJAMIN  GALE 

A.L.SS 

Killingworth  in  Connecticut  24th.  Feby.  1768 
Sr 

Yesterday  I  was  honour'd  with  Your  kind  and  Oblidging 
Letter  to  Dr.  Johnson,2  dated  23  Decr.3  which  You  was  so  good 
as  to  permit  him  to  communicate  to  me,  and  would  embrace  the 
earliest  Oppertunity  to  return  You  my  most  humble  &  hearty 
thanks  for  Your  Condescention  &  readiness  to  serve  me  in  my 
request  signified  in  Letter  to  Him  which  he  was  so  kind  as  to 
transmit  to  You. 

The  true  Spirit  of  Benevolence,  which  breaths  through  every 
paragraph  of  Your  Letter,  gives  me  the  most  sensible  pleasure  and 
Satisfaction. 


7  Ensign  Robert  Johnston  (Johnson)  of  the  60th  regiment. 

8  In  Sir  William's  hand. 

1  In  Historical  Society  of  Pennsylvania. 

2  The  Rev.  Dr.  Samuel  Johnson. 

3  Johnson  Papers,  6:30-32. 


446  Sir  William  Johnson  Papers 

A  Chearfull  readiness  to  promote  the  Happiness,  or  releive 
the  distresses  of  humane  nature,  is  a  Godlike  Virtue,  which  adds  a 
Lusture  to  the  Greatest,  and  cannot  fail  to  afford  a  rational  and 
manly  pleasure  and  solid  Satisfaction,  to  a  mind  disposd  to  pro- 
mote the  one  or  releive  the  other. 

I  have  long  been  attempting  some  method  to  Obtain  from  the 
Natives,  the  Knowledge  of  the  Vertues  of  American  plants, 
which  they  have  acquired  by  experience,  through  successive  Ages, 
Could  I  discover  any  plant  a  Specifick  or  a  Certain  and  Effectual 
remedy  in  any  one  disease  Incident  to  the  humane  body,  I  should 
highly  prize  the  discovery. 

All  Medical  Knowledge  owes  its  Origin  to  experimettal 
Philosophy.  The  Specifick  Qualities  of  any  Medicine  being  fully 
known,  may  be  rendred  Salutary  in  other  diseases  under  the  same 
state  of  the  Solids  and  fluids 

In  this  the  Europeans  have  Advantages  superior  to  the 
American  Natives,  by  the  help  of  Letters,  the  experiments  of 
former  ages,  being  handed  down  to  posterity,  enables  them  to 
reason  by  Analogy,  from  the  known  principles  of  Natural  &  ex- 
perimental Philosophy,  by  this  means,  Europeans  have  discovered 
many  vertues  in  the  peruvian  Bark,4  of  which  the  peruvians  were 
wholly  Ignorant,  and  like  advantage  may  arise  in  Other  Instances 
from  future  discoveries. 

I  Observe  You  mention  Two  Species  of  plants  made  use  of  in 
the  Cure  of  the  Venereal  disease,  Dr.  Haller  likewise  mentions  it, 
and  adds  that  which  is  Usd  in  the  most  Obstinate  Cases,  must  be 
Us'd  with  Caution,  that  if  given  in  too  large  a  Dose  is  poysenous, 
Must  therefore  request  the  Favour,  that  You  would  take  the 
trouble  to  be  particular,  as  to  the  Quantities  to  be  made  use  off, 
of  each  Species  for  a  proper  dose  for  a  Man. 

Should  be  glad  likewise  to  Know  in  what  disorders  of  the 
Bowels  the  Natives  make  Use  of  this  root,  which  will  throw 
greater  light  on  its  Specifick  Qualities. 


4  Cinchona  tree  bark,  the  source  of  quinine. 


Indian  Affairs,  1766-68  447 

As  I  purpose  after  proper  tryals  to  transmit  The  Account 
home,  (in  which  I  shall  be  carefull  to  Acquaint  them,  to  whose 
influence  any  discoveries  of  this  kind  ought  to  be  Ascrib'd)  shall 
esteem  my  self  under  the  highest  Obligations,  to  have  such  a 
Quantity  procured  at  the  Opening  of  the  Spring,  while  the  roots 
retain  their  highest  Virtues,  as  may  be  sufficient  for  proper  tryals. 
here,  and  allso  to  transmit  to  the  Society  of  the  College  of  Phisi- 
cians  at  Home. 

I  have  likewise  for  a  Long  time  been  Using  Endeavours  to 
Discover  some  medicine,  which  perhaps  the  Natives  may  be 
acquainted  with,  which  by  taking  the  decoction  Internally,  will 
infalliably  expel  the  poyson  of  our  American  Viper  the  Rattle- 
snake. 

The  venemous  saliva  of  the  Rattlesnake,  when  mix'd  with  the 
Animal  fluids,  brings  on  a  Sudden  Dissolution  of  the  Blood,  and 
produces  Heemorrhages,  purple  or  Livid  spots,  which  the  Ignor- 
ant impute  to  a  resemblance  of  the  Skin  of  the  Snake,  from  a  Sort 
of  Sympathetick  influence,  but  in  reality  is  nothing  more,  than  the 
red  Globules  of  the  Blood,  broken  &  disolv'd  by  the  Animal 
poyson,  discharg'd  from  the  containing  Vessels,  and  lodg'd  under 
the  Skin,  Just  in  the  Same  Manner,  as  like  Symtoms  are  producd 
in  Spotted,  Malignant,  and  pestilential  fevers,  which  make  such 
Havock  of  the  Humane  Species,  by  this  you  will  readily  perceive, 
I  do  not  want  this  Medicine,  for  the  Cure  of  the  bite  of  that 
Serpent,  which  rarely  happens  here,  but  for  the  cure  of  pulvid 
spotted  or  Malignant  fevers,  which  are  accompanied  with  Simular 
Symptoms,  arising  from  a  Broken  disolv'd  texture  of  the  Blood; 
I  mention  this  only  to  shew  of  how  much  Importance  a  discovery 
of  this  kind  would  be  to  mankind,  if  my  reasonings  upon  this  Sub- 
ject are  Just;  Indeed  I  beleive  it  would  be  of  the  greatest  Service 
even  in  the  plague,  of  any  medicine  yet  discovered  to  the  world. 
That  Herb  which  will  preserve  the  Blood  from  dessolution  by  the 
Bite  of  the  Rattlesnake,  will  most  probably  preserve  it  from 
undergoing  the  Same  fate  by  the  plague,  which  makes  much 
slower  progress  than  the  poyson  of  the  Rattlesnake. 


448  Sir  William  Johnson  Papers 

Topical  or  external  Applications  I  look  upon  rather  as  magic 
Charms,  (the  Viper  Stone  so  much  Fam'd  may  perhaps  have 
some  magnetic  Quality,  to  Extract  the  poison  by  the  wound,) 
Such  things  only  as  enters  the  Blood  &  Cures  by  sheathing  & 
Obtunding  the  Aerid  particles  of  the  Animal  poison,  untill  it  is 
again  discharg'd  by  some  of  the  excretions  of  the  body,  will 
Answer  the  end  propos'd  in  Such  Fevers. 

You  will  pardon  the  Wandrings  of  my  pen,  when  on  a  Topick 
I  have  so  long  been  engag'd  in,  which  if  it  can  be  discovered, 
would  be  of  Infinite  Service  to  Mankind. 

Notwithstanding  I  have  been  Thirty  Years  in  the  practice  and 
have  been  Honour'd  with  a  Medical  Corrispondence  with  some 
Phisicians  of  the  first  Rank  in  Europe,  I  should  think  my  time 
Well  spent  to  pass  a  Month  under  the  Tuition  of  an  experienc'd 
Native  —  if  I  could  be  Introduc'd  to  them,  &  reiye  on  an  honest 
&  open  Discovery  of  the  Vertue  of  American  plants,  for  the 
Removal  of  Diseases  Incident  to  them,  in  Common  with  us.  —  I 
am  under  the  Strongest  &  Highest  Sense  of  Gratitude 

Sr.  Your  Most  Oblidged 
&  Most  Hum,e.  Serv*. 

Benjn.  Gale5 
To  the  Hon".  SR.  WM.  Johnson 

Please  to  order  Those  Roots  Yr.  Honr.  Purpose  to  Favr.  me  with 
to  the  Care  of  Dr.  Thos.  Bridgen  Atwood  In  N  York 


Benjamin  Gale,  physician. 


Indian  Affairs,  1766-68  449 

FROM  FREDERICK  CHRISTOPHER  SPIESMACHER 

Contemporary  Copy1 

Michillimacinac,  Feby.  [25th]  1768. 
Sir  — 

My  last  from  the  1 1 th.  December2  I  hope  has  reached  your 
hands.  in  it  I  had  the  honour  to  acquaint  you  that  the  Com- 
mander in  chief  appointed  me  Command*.  &  ordered  me  to  confine 
Major  Rogers3  for  High  Treason,  which  accordingly  was  done. 
—  Since  his  Confinement  he  has  done  his  Endeavours  to  gain  the 
affection  of  the  Soldiers  in  order  to  gain  his  liberty  to  head  them 
with  the  Indians,  his  Friends,  in  order  to  take  Detroit  &  Illenois, 
and  go  with  the  Plunder  to  Mississippi,  and  join  Cap1.  Hopkins4 
who  had  wrote  for  him.  —  a  certain  Canadian5  he  had  trusted 
with  his  Designs  informed  me  upon  Oath  of  the  whole.  —  Lieu1. 
Christie,6  &  another  Gentleman  being  in  the  secret  with  me,  we 
advised  the  Informer  to  go  to  the  Major  and  assure  him  of  his 
Friendship,  and  to  get  a  Recompence  for  his  undertaking,  he 
did  so,  and  returned  with  a  Promissary  Note  signed  by  Roger's 
hand  to  pay  him  one  Hundred  Pounds  annually  for  five  Years  to 
carry  him  to  the  late  Cap1.  Hopkins,  upon  condition  he  shou'd  get 
the  Savages  to  his  interest  to  take  me,  Lieu1.  Christie,  and  Ensign 
Johnston7  Prisoners,  &  have  us  at  their  mercy ;  for  he  was  certain 
the  Soldiers  were  his  Friends,  except  a  few,  and  those  he  meant 
that  should  oppose  his  des.gns,  shcu'd  be  masccrr.d.  —  His  own 
servant,8  or  orderly  man  a  Soldier  in  the  60th.  Regim1.  being  a 
chief  Conspirator  also  with  him,   has  begged   for  his  life,   and 


1  In  Canadian  Archives,  Indian  Records,  Vol.  7.    Exact  date  fixed  by 
reference  in  his  letter  of  May  6,  1  768,  post  pp.  491-92. 

2  Not  found. 

3  Major  Robert  Rogers,  former  commandant  of  Michilimackinac. 

4  Captain  Joseph   Hopkins.    See   Hopkins  to   Rogers,  April   9,    1 766, 
printed  in  Doc.  Rel.  to  Col.  Hist.  N.  Y.,  7:993-94. 

5  Joseph  Louis  Ainse  (Ans). 

6  Lieutenant  John  Christie  of  the  60th  regiment. 

7  Ensign  Robert  Johnson  of  the  60th  regiment. 

8  David  Fullerton,  soldier  in  the  2nd  battalion,  60th  regiment. 


450  Sir   William  Johnson  Papers 

confessed  his  Treason.  —  however  they  are  both  in  Irons,  and 
men  to  guard  them  till  the  vessel  arrives,  wcl\  God  send  soon.  I 
believe  he  has  spirited  up  the  Savages  against  us,  wch.  I  hope  will 
not  have  any  effect. 

On  the  8th.  of  July  arrived  two  Indians  that  wintered  between 
the  Falls  of  Sl.  Mary  &  here.  in  the  evening  they  were  drunk, 
and  told  the  Interpreter  that  last  Fall  they  had  a  Council  there, 
and  that  it  was  resolved  there  that  all  the  English  shou'd  be  killed, 
and  that  Pondiac  was  gone  to  the  Illenois  last  Summer,  and  had 
told  the  chief  great  Swan  &  Dennie  to  lift  up  their  Tomahawks, 
and  not  lay  them  down  till  they  came  back  from  their  French 
Father.  — 

The  1 4th.  Ins1,  arrived  here  two  Chippaweighs  from  the  River 
Sabel,  one  a  great  Rascal,  and  I  believe  both  Spies  —  In  the 
evening  the  Interpreter  gave  them  Rum  in  order  to  find  out  if  they 
had  any  news.  he  reported  to  me  the  day  after  that  they  roared, 
and  cryed  for  the  Major,  and  that  they  wou'd  see  him,  and  that 
they  wou'd  have  him  in  the  Spring;  and  one  of  them  told  the 
Interpreter  that  when  he  did  know  what  was  past,  he  wou'd  cry ; 
the  other  Indian  not  so  drunk  pushed  him  —  not  to  speak  more. 

—  a  little  after  one  of  them  asked  him  (the  Interp1".)  if  I  walked 
often  out  of  the  Fort.  the  Interpreter  answered,  no,  —  he  has  a 
great  deal  of  business  in  the  Fort.  —  the  Interpreter  has  in- 
formed me  that  he  was  last  Year  at  New  Orleans,  that  one 
Monsieur  Carrie  a  rich  Merchant  there  had  offered  him  one 
Canoe  load  of  Rum,  or  Brandy,  and  a  Piaster  <P  day  to  carry 
it  to  the  Pous,  or  Powtawatamie  Nation,  to  give  it  to  them  in 
order  to  engage  the  Indns.  of  that  nation  to  war  against  the 
English,  which  he  had  refused.  —  and  further  that  the  French 
at  New  Orleans  had  encouraged  the  Indians  to  make  war  with 
them,  —  but  they  wou'd  not  have  it  known  it  came  from  them 

—  As  it  is  customary  every  Year  to  hear  bad  news,  and  it  is  not 
right  to  believe  all,  for  all  that,  I  think  it  my  Duty  to  report 
every  thing  I  hear,  to  you.  —  Mr.  Joseph  Ans9  is  the  Informant 


9  Joseph  Louis  Ainse. 


Indian  Affairs,  /  766-68  451 

to  me  of  the  Major's  bad  designs,  to  encourage  him,  I  have  ap- 
pointed him  Interpreter,  which  I  hope  you  will  approve  of,  and 
wish  you  will  take  into  consideration  to  reward  him  accordingly. 

The  bearer  of  this  to  Detroit,  Monsieur  Filie,  of  good  Family 
in  Canada,  has  approved  himself  a  good  Subject,  willing  to  do  all 
he  coud  for  the  interest  of  Britain,  as  may  be  wittnessed  by  his 
Services  to  Cap1.  Howard,  and  on  sev1.  Occasions.  Rogers  sent 
him  last  Fall  with  Mr.  Roberts  to  Detroit,  and  has  done  sev1. 
Services  —  &  no  thanks  for  it  —  is  a  great  sufferer.  — 

I  have  wrote  to  Cap1.  Turnbull10  to  send  the  Vessell  so  soon 
as  the  Lake  is  open,  to  get  the  Traitor  from  this,  and  our  enemies 
within,  and  then  we  will  have  nothing  to  fear  from  without.  —  I 
am  very  happy  that  Lieu1.  Christie  was  appointed  to  this  Place, 
and  much  obliged  to  him  not  only  for  his  good  advices,  but  for  his 
care,  and  diligence  for  the  public  good.  —  I  am  also  much  obliged 
to  Mr.  Frobisiere1  *  for  his  assistance  in  finding  out  the  Plot  — 
I  am  wth.  great  Esteem  &c 

F:  Spiesmacker12  — 
Cap1.  Lf.  60th.  Regim*.  Command1. 
To  Sir  Wm.  Johnson  Bar*. 


JOURNAL  OF  INDIAN  AFFAIRS 
Contemporary  Copy1 

[January  I -February  29,  1768] 

[Janu]ary  1st. 

Sir  William  dispatched  an  Interpreter,  &  an  Indian  with  a  Belt 
of  invitation  to  the  Six  Nations,  directing  them  [to]  have  them 
here,  (if  possible)  by  the  10th.  of  February,  and  recommending, 
to  let  all  the  nations  know  that  amongst  other  things  it  was  ex- 


10  Captain  George  Turnbull  of  the  60th  regiment,  commandant  at  Detroit. 

11  Benjamin  Frobisher. 

12  Captain    Frederick    Christopher    Spiesmacher    of    the    60th    regiment, 
named  commandant  at  Michilimackinac  to  succeed  Rogers. 

1  In  Canadian  Archives,  Indian  Records,  Vol.  8. 


452  Sir   William  Johnson  Papers 

pected  they  would  now  make  peace  with  the  Cherokees,  and  that 
they  would  come  well  disposed  [for]  that  purpose. 

f  Sir  William  received  a  Letter  from  the  Interpreter, 
then  at  Onondaga,  accquainting  him  that  he  had  got  a  number  of 
the  Senecas  with  him,  that  as  soon  as  the  Cayugas  arrived  [  ], 

he  would  Set  off  with  them,  &  the  Onondagas,  &  take  [the] 
Oneidas  &  Tuscaroras  by  the  hand  also  —  The  Old  Sachems  and 
Chiefs  requested,  that  they  might  be  allowed  Sleds  to  carry  them 
from  the  upper  Settlements,  as  they  would  be  quite  fatigued  by  the 
time  they  got  there,  and  also,  that  they  would  [be]  allowed  a  plenty 
of  Provisions  along  the  road  hither  — 

]2  Captn.  Butler  was  sent  to  the  German  Flats  in  order  to 
purchase  Provisions  &  procure  Sleds  for  them  — 

]23d.  —  A  Runner  from  the  Caghnawage  Sachems 
arrived,  and  accquainted  Sir  William,  that  a  number  of  their 
people  were  on  their  way  hither,  and  would  reach  this  place  in 
four  days,  provided  they  were  assisted  with  Sleds  and  Provi- 
sions. — 

Two  Messengers  arrived  from  the  Six  Nations,  with 
advice  their  Chiefs  [  ]  and  in  great  want  of 

]3  untill  the  whole  body  was  assembled,  and  then  come 
together  —  They  wlh.  three  Strings  of  Wampum  requested  Sir 
William  not  to  be  impatient  at  their  delaying  so  long  —  That  he 
would  point  out  their  encampmts.,  and  lastly  that  the  Cherokees 
might  not  be  introduced  to  them  'till  they  were  all  assembled,  and 
some  other  matters  first  settled  with  him  — 

Feb?.  29th.  —  Sir  William  sent  the  Messengers  back  to  the  main 
body,  and  desired  them  to  accquaint  the  Sachems  and  Chiefs,  that 
he  was  glad  to  hear  of  their  safe  arrival  at  Stoneraby,  and  that  as 
Provisions  were  scarce  there,  they  would  make  the  best  of  their 
way  hither,  where  he  had  Provisions  prepared  for  them,  and  also 
that  their  desire  regarding  the  Cherokees  Should  be  complied 
with  — 


2  Marginal  dates  missing  where  manuscript  is  mutilated. 

3  Last  line  of  page  of  manuscript  missing. 


Indian  Affairs,  1766-68  453 

TO  JOHN  PENN 

Cop})1 

Johnson  Hall  Febry  29*,  1768. 
Sir, 

I  have  had  the  favour  of  your  letter  of  the  18th  Ins1.,2  inform- 
ing me  of  the  sum  raised  by  yr.  Assembly,  for  presents  of  Con- 
dolence with  the  Indians,  of  which  I  have  been  likewise  advised  by 
letter  from  Mr.  Galloway,  I  think  this  a  very  seasonable  step,  and 
am  much  oblidged  to  you  for  the  opinion  you  express  in  my 
favour  for  the  application  of  it,  in  which  you  may  rest  assured 
that  I  shall  be  solely  guided  by  my  regard  for  the  Interests  and 
Security  of  the  Province;  at  the  same  time  I  must  observe,  from 
the  present  disposition  of  the  Indians,  that  no  Present  or  Gratifi- 
cation will  avail  unless  the  Conduct  of  the  Frontier  Inhabitants 
should  change,  or  that  by  a  vigorous  exertion  of  sound  Laws  they 
be  restrained  from  Murders,  Encroachments  &  Outrages  in  future, 
which  I  have  some  reason  to  hope  will  be  the  case  from  those 
lately  enacted. 

The  presence  of  Commissioners  from  Pensilvania  would  be 
very  agreeable  to  me  upon  this  Occasion,  but  many  of  the  Indians 
being  already  arrived,  &  the  whole  expected  within  2  or  3  Days 
at  the  farthest,  it  will  be  impossible  to  have  them  here  in  sufficient 
time. 

It  happens  Luckily  at  this  period  that  so  great  and  general  a 
Congress  is  to  be  held,  as  it  will  enable  me  to  assure  so  many 
Nations  of  the  detestation  yr.  Government  manifests  for  such  acts 
of  cruelty,  &  of  their  further  intentions  to  punish  the  guilty  authors, 
at  the  same  time  I  shall  take  care  to  enlarge  in  a  proper  manner 
on  the  Injuries  you  have  received,  however  I  should  remark, 
that  the  crew  of  ye.  Boat  on  the  Ohio  were  not  murdered  by  any 


1  Printed  in  Pennsylvania  Archives,  First  Series,  4:293-95.    Draft  in 
mutilated  form  was  printed  in  Johnson  Papers,  6:125-26. 

2  Ante  pp.  432-34. 


454  Sir  William  Johnson  Papers 

of  the  Six  Nation  Confederacy ;  But  my  regard  for  the  Welfare 
of  the  Province,  and  my  desire  to  apply  its  money  in  the  manner 
which  will  best  promote  the  Ends  for  which  it  was  granted,  induces 
me  to  observe,  that  altho  Tribes  &  Emigrants  in  its  Neighbourhood 
may  at  first  View  appear  to  be  the  most  material  to  be  reconciled, 
the  case  is  certainly  otherwise,  for  these  Indians  are  not  only  de- 
pendant upon,  but  much  inferior  in  Numbers,  power,  &  Interest  to 
the  Six  Nations,  amongst  whom  the  Senecas  alone  are  above  1 000 
fighting   men,   whose    Interests   with   all   the   Confederacys   are 
Notorious,  who  have  been  represented  as  the  Authors  of  the  late 
Indian  War,  and  without  whose  concurrence  the  rest  will  not 
attempt  any  publick  Acts;  these  People,  and  indeed  ye.  whole 
Confederacy,   have  been  greatly   Irritated  against  us  for  some 
time  past,   which   from   the   Accots.    I   have   received   from  ye. 
Indians,  who  already  come  to  this  place  is  much  increased,  par- 
ticularly by  the  Murder  of  the  White  Mingo  &  his  Family,  and 
therefore  in  their  present  disposition,  &  from  a  thorough  knowledge 
of  their  power  &  influence,  I  am  of  opinion  that  too  much  cannot 
be  done  towards  preventing  the  effects  of  their  resentment,  until 
we  can  more  effectually  convince  them  of  the  purity  of  our  In- 
tentions by  our  future  Justice  &  good  treatment  for  these  reasons,  & 
from  my  desire  more  effectually  to  serve  the  Province,  I  cannot 
think  that  less  than  £  1 300  yrs.  money  will  make  much  impres- 
sion, &  that  judiciously  given,  and  therefore  I  have  given  directions 
for  a  present  to  that  amount,  which  I  shall  deliver  to  such  Per- 
sons, &  in  such  manner  as  will  best  conduce  to  the  proposed  Ends, 
by  shewing  the  Indians  that  the  Province  is  Innocent  of  Acts 
perpetrated  by   Individuals,  of  which  you  are  desirous  to  give 
them  strong  proofs.  The  shortness  of  the  time  would  not  admit  of 
my  drawing  for  the  money  for  the  purchase  of  the  Presents,  but  I 
shall  do  it  by  the  next  opertunity,  &  instruct  Mr.  Croghan  in 
what  he  is  to  do  &  say  to  those  in  your  Quarter,  to  whom  the 
remainder  of  the  sum  may  be  given  in  like  manner. 

I  shall  not  neglect  acquainting  you  with  ye.  Issue  of  my  pro- 
ceedings on  this  occasion,  in  which  I  shall  omit  no  opertunity  of 


Indian  Affairs,  1766-68  455 

testifying  my  regard  for  the  Interests  of  your  Government,  &  con- 
vincing you  how  much 

I  am,  Sir, 

Your  most  sincere  Wellwisher, 
&  very  Humble  Servant, 

W.  Johnson 
The  Hon'ble  LT.  Gov*  Penn 

INDORSED : 

Received  8th  March,  1  768,  by  T.  Apty  Express. 


TO  JOSEPH  GALLOWAY 

Df.1 

[Johnson  Hall  March  K,  1768] 

I  1 

]  since  my  last  to  [  ]  Congress  being 

now  ended,  I  Judge  [  ]  you  a  few  lines  on  that  Subject, 

tho'  the  |  |  trouble  which  they  give  previous  to  their 

]  and  the  necessary  pacquets  which  must  be  prepared 
]  delay  will  not  permit  me  to  be  particular.  — 
The  Northern   Indians  have  at  Length  given  peace  to  the 
Cherokees  \  ]  occupied  Some  days  of  the  Congress,  the  re- 

mainder was  spent  [in]  publick  and  private  Conferences  and  in 
condoling  with  them  [and]  reconciling  them  to  the  Late  Murders 
&ca  committed  in  [Pennsylvania,  [which]  My  public  Transac- 
tions &  private  discourses  [wit]h  their  Chiefs  have  at  Length 
produced  as  good  an  effect  as  [  I  h]ad  any  reason  to  hope  for,  and 
I  believe  that  they  will  take  [no]  rash  Steps  in  Consequence 
thereof  provided  care  is  taken  [for  —  future]  to  remove  any  re- 
maining Grievances  and  prevent  |  mis]take  for  the  time 
to  come,  otherwise  their  engagements  cannot  [be  dependjed  on. 
As  the  Spirit  of  resentment  will  take  fire  with  the  | 


1  In  handwriting  of  Guy  Johnson. 


456  Sir  William  Johnson  Papers 

spark  it  receives  hereafter  from  the  discontent  they  discovered 
to  the  late  Act  of  Cruelty.   Such  deeds   'tho'   they 
may  ]ver,   being  seldom   forgotten  by  persons  of  their 

]  position  who  at  bottom  apprehend  the  Worst  things 
]  with  some  difficulty  (considering  my  present  [ 
sent  an  Extract  to  Ll.  Govr.  Penn,  of  the  [  |  Trans- 

actions relative  to  the  affairs  [  ]  him  for  £  1 300 

—  the  [  ]  in  the  best  manner 

[  f 


JOURNAL  OF  INDIAN  AFFAIRS 

Contemporary  Copy1 

[Johnson  Hall  March  1-3,  1768] 

March  1st.  The  Chiefs  of  the  Mohawks  arrived  here  on  Sir 
William's  call,  with  whom  he  settled  the  ceremony  of  condolence 
in  the  properest  manner  to  be  performed  when  all  the  nations  shd. 
be  assembled. 

1 f.  The  Sachems  and  Chiefs  of  the  Onondagas  &  the  Senecas 
arrived,  and  Say'd  that  the  Cayugaes,  Oneidas,  Tuscaroras,  and 
Tuteloes  would  be  here  next  day.  —  in  the  evening,  Bunt,  the 
Speaker,  and  several  chiefs  sat  with  Sir  William  4  or  five  hours, 
which  time  he  employed  to  the  best  advantage,  sounding  them 
&ca  — 

2d.  All  the  Sachems,  Chieftains,  and  Warriors  of  Onandaga  and 
Senecas  came  to  pay  their  respects  to  Sir  William,  and  to  let  him 
know  that  the  badness  of  the  roads,  and  the  many  points  they  had 
to  discuss,  and  settle  amongst  themselves,  prevented  their  coming 
sooner  —  That  they  were  now  assembled,  and  would  be  ready  to 
begin  upon  business,  as  soon  as  the  Cayugaes,  Oneidas,  Tus- 
caroras and  Tutelas  were  arrived,  who  were  hourly  expected.  — 
Sir  William  told  them  he  had  expected  their  arrival  for  some 
time,   and  being  now  made  acquainted  w,h.  the  cause  of  their 


2  Lines  burned  off. 

1  In  Canadian  Archives,  Indian  Records,  Vol.  8. 


Indian  Affairs,  1766-68  457 

tardiness,  bid  them  heartily  wellcome,  and  Ordered  Provisions, 
Tobaco  &  Pipes  &c  for  them  —  They  then  requested  to  have 
their  Arms,  Axes,  &  other  Implements  mended,  which  Sir 
William  agreed  to,  and  gave  them  charge  to  behave  themselves 
well,  and  not  to  commit  any  violence  on  the  cattle  of  the  Inhabi- 
tants, or  any  thing  belonging  to  them,  which  their  Chiefs  promised 
to  prevent  —  also  acquainted  them  of  his  having  forbid  the 
Sale  of  Liquors  during  the  congress,  and  his  reasons  for  so 
doing,  which  they  all  approved  of  and  particularly,  as  the  Chero- 
kees  were  here  to  desire  peace. 

Then  the  Speaker  returned  Sir  William  several  strings  of 
Wampum  sent  with  Messages  to  them  concerning  the  Cherokees, 
and  withdrew. 

I  The  same  day  the  remainder  of  the  Coghnawageys  Sanughsa- 
dageys  &c  arrived  at  three  o'  the  Clock  — 
Being  all  seated  in  the  Council  room,  a  Tiadaroo  chief  of  the 
Wolf  Tribe  stood  up,  and  in  the  name  of  the  seven  nations  in 
Canada,  expressed  his  satisfaction  on  finding  Sir  William  well, 
having  heard  he  had  lately  a  fit  of  sickness  returned  thanks  to  the 
great  spirit  above  for  his  recovery,  and  their  safe  arrival  hither, 
and  the  pleasure  of  seeing  him,  on  whom  all  their  eyes  were 
fixed.  — 

Sir  William  thanked  them  for  their  good  will  towards  him, 
congratulated  them  on  their  safe  arrival,  &  heartily  wellcom'd 
them  here  where  he  accquainted  them  that  the  six  Nations  were 
Assembled  on  his  Summons  —  Then  Attakullakulla  came  in,  & 
seeing  Taghtaghquisera  Chief  of  the  Cognawageys,  with  whom  he 
formerly  lived,  as  his  adopted  Brother,  embraced  him  in  the 
presence  of  the  whole  Assembly,  and  was  greatly  rejoiced  to  see 
him  —  The  other  expressed  the  like  Joy  on  this  Occasion,  and 
was  kindly  invited  by  Attakullakulla  to  take  up  his  Quarters  wth. 
him  —  Sir  William  then  Ordered  them  all,  Pipes,  Tobaco,  paint, 
Drams,  and  Sent  them  to  their  Quarters.  — 

The  same  day  part  of  the  Cayugaes  and  Oneidas  arrived,  and 
said  that  that  the  remainder  with  the  Tuscarores,  Tuteloes,  and 
Conajoharees  would  be  here  the  day  following  — 


458  Sir  William  Johnson  Papers 

At  Six  P.M :  a  Messenger  was  sent  to  let  Sr.  William  know, 
that  they  were  all  arrived,  but  it  being  late,  they  deferred  paying 
their  respects  as  usual  untill  the  next  morning.  —  Monsieur 
Perthuis  and  Saquinet  arrived  here  from  Canada 

Thursday  March  3d.  At  10  A.M.  The  Sachems,  Chieftains  & 
Warriors  of  the  Cayugaes,  Oneidas,  Tuscaroras,  Tuteloes,  & 
Nanticokes  came  into  the  Council  room ;  and  Thomas  King  being 
speaker  first  returned  the  great  Spirit  thanks  for  allowing  them  this 
opportunity  of  seeing,  and  shaking  hands  with  their  brother  — 
then  appologiz'd  for  their  keeping  him  so  long  waiting  for  them, 
and  assigned  as  reasons  the  badness  of  the  roads,  and  depth  of 
Snow,  which  made  it  impracticable  for  their  Sachems  to  travel, 
but  above  all  the  consideration  of  the  weighty  affairs  which  he 
recommended  to  them,  and  which  took  up  a  long  time  to  agree  to 

—  That  on  their  way  hither,  they  received  the  Shocking  news  of 
a  Number  of  their  People  being  killed  by  the  Whites  near  to 
Chinaghsa  in  Pennsylvania  Government,  which  had  very  near 
Occassioned  them  to  return  home,  but  that  the  Steadiness  of  some 
of  their  Sachems  had  prevented  it.  — 

Sir  William  thanked  them  for  what  they  had  said,  and  after 
admitting  the  reasons  they  assigned  for  their  not  coming  sooner, 
wellcomed  them  to  Johnson  Hall,  and  told  them  that  he  expected 
they  were  then  come  with  resolutions  to  do  what  was  expected  at 
that  meeting,  and  that  they  would  chearfully  manifest  their  accord 
to  peace  with  his  Majestys  freinds,  and  Allies,  the  Cherokees, 
who  had  long  waited  their  Arrival.  —  They  then  according  to 
custom  requested  to  have  their  Arms,  and  other  Implements  re- 
paired, which  Sir  William  Ordered  to  a  Smith  for  that  purpose 

—  Then  having  called  for  Pipes,  Tobacco  and  Rum,  drank  their 
Healths,  &  ordered  them  Provisions,  after  which  they  retired  to 
their  encampment.  — 


Indian  Affairs,  1766-68  459 

TO  THOMAS  GAGE 

Johnson  Hall  5ih.  March  1768 
Dear  Sir  — 

I  wrote  You  a  few  lines  in  a  great  hurry  by  return  of  your 
Express,  who  brought  me  yr.  favour  of  the  22d.  Ult°.2  with  the 
enclosure  from  Mr.  Croghan,  and  also  a  Letter  from  Lord  Shel- 
burne,  acknowledging  ye.  receipt  of  my  last  with  some  remarks, 
and  Amendments  proposed  for  my  Department,  which  have  been 
honoured  with  his  Majestys  Approbation,  and  his  Lordship  as- 
sures me  that  I  shall  receive  by  next  pacquet  Instructions  for 
Settling  the  Boundary,  to  which  End  he  directs  me  to  give  the 
Indians  Notice,  that  they  may  be  in  readiness  in  the  Spring.  — 
The  Nature  of  this  Boundary  he  has  not  explained  to  me,  that 
which  was  formerly  desired  &  mentioned  to  me  by  the  Ministry, 
was,  that  Measures  Should  be  taken  with  the  consent  &  Con- 
currence of  the  Indians  to  Ascertain  a  fixed  Boundary  for  the 
Lands  to  be  reserved  to  them,  and  where  no  Settlement  what- 
ever Should  be  allowed,  on  this  I  sounded  the  Indians  who 
Agreed  to  it,  &  they  were  promised  a  verry  handsome  Return 
for  what  they  should  give  up  to  the  Provinces,  In  this  light  the 
Matter  has  been  hitherto  understood,  Should  it  appear  other- 
wise from  his  Lordships  letter  to  You,  I  must  beg  to  be  favoured 
with  the  particulars  least  on  calling  them  together,  they  may  meet 
with  an  Unexpected  Disapointment.  — 

Amongst  the  Several  Reports  concerning  Slump,3  one  is,  that 
the  Persons  who  rescued  him  have  since  enabled  him  to  make  his 
Escape,  perhaps  out  of  that  Government,  these  lawless  Men  will 
I  beleive  grow  so  hardened,  that  at  last  nothing  but  Military  Force 
will  do  with  them.  —  That  Province  has  Voted  £2500  for 
condoling  with  the  Indians  for  the  Several  Murders  committed 


1  In  William  L.  Clements  Library:  draft  in  mutilated  form  was  printed 
in  Johnson  Papers,  6:137-38. 

2  Johnson  Papers,  6:119-20. 

3  Frederick  Stump. 


460  Sir  William  Johnson  Papers 

therein,  part  of  which  I  am  to  give  them  in  a  present  here  on  behalf 
of  Pensilvania.  — 

The  Six  Nations  are  at  length  arrived,  Amt§.  (with  the  Cheifs 
from  Canada)  to  700  &  upwards,  &  Yesterday  I  opened  the 
Congress,  went  thro  all  the  Ceremonies  of  Condolence  for  their 
Several  losses,  this  Day  I  propound  the  peace,  and  introduce  the 
Cherokees,  to  whose  request  I  apprehend  I  shall  be  able  to  bring 
them  to  agree.  Yesterday  they  were  so  Sullen  that  when  agreable 
to  Custom  I  took  the  Axe  out  of  their  Heads  they  omitted 
performing  the  Same  on  our  parts  when  they  came  to  answer  me, 
a  Circumstance  which  altho  trifling  in  Appearance  is  neverthe- 
less well  known  to  indicate  discontent  &  Dissatisfaction  by  those 
acquainted  with  their  ways.  However,  this  Day  in  consequence  of 
a  private  Meeting  I  had  with  their  Cheifs  to  whom  I  spoke  on 
that  occasion  they  assembled  &  performed  that  Ceremony  which 
the  Day  before  they  had  neglected.  — 

I  have  forwarded  your  Pacquet  for  Ontario  by  one  Express,  & 
that  for  Niagra  by  another  both  trusty  hands,  at  this  Season  one 
Express  would  not  undertake  it,  as  Osswego  is  Several  Days 
Journey  out  of  the  way,  as  they  are  now  oblidged  to  travel  slow 
on  Ace1,  of  ye.  Deep  Snow,  &  high  Water. 

I  am  with  all  imaginable  Esteem 
Dear  Sir 
Your  most  Obedient 
&  Verry  Humble  Servant 
His  Excellency  W.  JOHNSON 

Genrl.  Gage  — 

indorsed  : 

Sr.  Wm.  Johnson 

5*.  March  1  768. 
received  March  18th. 
Answered  — 


Indian  A  fairs,  1766-68  461 

TO  GEORGE  CROGHAN 

L.5.1 

Johnson  Hall  March  5th.  1768. 
Dear  Sir 

When  I  wrote  to  you  the  29th.  ult°.2  I  was  in  hopes  by  this 
time  to  have  had  it  in  my  power  to  have  wrote  You  more  fully  but 
the  Indians  have  been  coming  in  so  fast  ever  Since,  that  I  have 
Scarcely  Leisure  to  write  these  few  Lines  and  inclose  your  Instruc- 
tions for  Meeting  the  Indians  at  Fort  Pitt.  There  are  already  here 
above  700,  including  1  7  Chiefs  from  Canada,  and  Yesterday  I 
Opened  the  Congress,  from  which  I  have  reason  to  Expect  that 
the  Peace  will  be  well  Settled  with  the  Cherokees  and  the  Indians 
sent  home  in  a  much  better  temper  than  they  came  out. 

I  have  heard  from  and  Answered  Lieut.  Govr.  Penn  and  Mr. 
Galloway,  and  Shewn  them  that  £  1 300,  is  the  least  can  be  given 
the  Indians  here  in  behalf  of  the  Province,  which  Sum  would 
have  made  but  a  Small  figure  had  they  not  been  called  down  on 
other  business.  Those  Indians  who  are  Inferior  to  and  dependant 
on  the  Six  Nations,  would  not  undertake  any  publick  Act  without 
the  Privity  and  consent  of  the  Majority  particularly  of  the 
Senecas,  who  are  not  a  little  enraged  at  the  Loss  of  the  White 
Mingo.  The  remainder  you  can  Lay  out  to  the  best  advantage 
with  Mr.  Wharton  as  you  desire  he  having  Goods  at  Fort  Pitt, 
Agreeable  to  my  Letter  to  the  Governor  and  Speaker  that  you 
shou'd  dispose  of  the  £  1 200,  as  a  present  for  the  Tribes  in  that 
Quarter  on  which  Subject  I  wou'd  write  you,  as  you  will  find  in 
your  Instructions  so  that  in  fact  no  more  can  be  said  to  th[ose]3 
Gentlemen  who  ought  to  be  at  Liberty  to  send  Commis[ 
with  you  or  not. 

I  would  have  you  by  all  means  to  be  particular  in  the  Cere- 
monys  with  the  Indians  upon  this  occasion,  to  acquaint  them  with 


1  In  Historical  Society  of  Pennsylvania,  Cadwalader  Collection;  draft 
in  mutilated  form  printed  in  Johnson  Papers,  6: 1  36-37. 

2  Johnson  Papers,  6:122-23. 

3  Brackets  indicate  missing  portion  of  manuscript. 


462  Sir  William  Johnson  Papers 

what  is  doing  here  thereon,  to  represent  to  them  any  Murder  or 
Outrages  they  have  been  Guilty  of,  and  recommend  a  Good 
Treatment  of  the  Cherokees,  who  will  return  their  way,  when 
you  shall  hear  further  from  me. 

I  have  a  Letter  from  Lord  Shelburne  with  an  Account  of  the 
Receipt  of  my  Last  and  Expressing  his  Majesties  intire  approba- 
tion of  the  proposals  with  regard  to  Indian  Affairs  I  last  trans- 
mitted and  Assureing  me  yl.  I  shall  receive  Orders  concerning 
the  Boundary  Line  by  next  Pacquet. 

The  Traders  Petition  which  you  transmitted  with  those  before 
in  my  hands,  I  shall  Answer  as  Soon  as  my  present  hurry  is 
over  — 

4I  wish  You  a  pleasant  time  of  [ 
and  am,  Sir 

Your  Sincere  Freind 

&  verry  Humble  Servant 

W.  Johnson 
George  Croghan  Esqr. 

P.  All  the  Males  of  my  Family  are  here  attending  ye.  Congress 
&  Desire  to  be  kindly  remembered  to  you  — 


INSTRUCTIONS  TO  GEORGE  CROGHAN 

D.S.1 

[Johnson  Hall  March  5*   1768] 

Instructions  for  George  Croghan  Esqr.  Deputy  Agent  for  Indian 
Affairs  — 

The  Late  Barbarous  Murder  committed  by  an  Inhabitant  of 
Pensilvania  on  the  bodies  of  Ten  Indians  within  that  Province, 
happening  at  a  period  when  the  several  Nations  were  already 
but  too  much  exasperated  against  us  renders  it  particularly  neces- 
sary that  you  should  Meet  the  Tribes  on  that  Frontier  at  Fort  Pitt, 


4  From  this  point,  closing  and  postscript,  in  Sir  William's  hand. 
1  In  Historical  Society  of  Pennsylvania,  Cadwalader  Collection. 


Indian  Affairs,  1766-68  463 

in  order  to  Condole  with  them  and  endeavour  to  remove  their 
Resentment  on  that  and  former  Occasions  whilst  I  do  the  Like  at 
the  General  Congress  now  to  be  held  at  this  place  with  the  Princi- 
pal Nations.  — 

The  House  of  Assembly  of  Pensilvania  having  Voted  £2500 
for  these  purposes  of  which  £  1 300  is  Judged  necessary  to  be 
given  this  way,  the  remaining  £  1 200,  you  will  Lay  out  in  the  best 
manner  possible  so  as  to  purchase  a  good  and  proper  Assortment 
of  Goods  for  the  present,  to  be  delivered  them  in  the  most  Publick 
Manner  on  the  part  of  that  Province  after  having  performed  The 
Ceremonys  usual  on  those  Occasions  and  reconciled  them  to  the 
late  Act  of  Cruelty. 

After  the  first  Ceremonys  you  will  take  the  Hatchet,  out  of 
their  Heads  and  bury  it  deep  under  a  large  Pine  Tree  so  as  it 
shall  be  no  more  found,  with  regard  to  which  and  the  other  Cere- 
monys no  part  whereof  Should  be  omitted,  You  will  be  guided  by 
your  own  knowledge  of  their  Customs  in  Similar  cases.  — 

You  will  then  Acquaint  them  of  the  concern  felt  by  that 
Government  for  the  late  Murders,  and  that  they  will  omit  nothing 
towards  apprehending  the  Guilty  Authors  in  order  to  their 
Suffering  death  for  the  Same,  That  they  hope  that  the  Indians 
will  consider  it  as  the  Rash  Act  of  an  Individual  Against  the 
inclination  and  without  the  knowledge  or  Connivance  of  the 
Publick,  and  that  as  a  Proof  of  their  Regard  they  are  providing 
by  Wholesome  Laws  for  the  preventing  of  all  Acts  of  Cruelty 
and  Injustice  for  the  future,  and  on  these  Subjects  you  will  enlarge 
as  much  as  the  nature  of  the  Case  appears  to  require,  and  you  will 
at  the  Same  time  take  notice  in  the  best  manner  you  can  of  the 
Murders  with  which  some  of  their  People  have  been  charged  and 
of  the  necessity  and  Reasonableness  there  is  for  their  Making  us 
Satisfaction,  the  better  to  Intitle  them  to  receive  the  Like  from  us 
on  the  same  Occasions. 

You  will  then  inform  them  that  the  like  measures  are  taking 
here  with  the  Six  Nations,  Coghnarvagas,  and  other  Chiefs  from 
Canada,  ammounting  to  about  700,  who  are  now  Satisfied  that 
it  was  the  Act  of  an  Individual  who  when  apprehended  will  Suffer 


464  Sir  William  Johnson  Papers 

death  for  it,  which  is  all  the  Satisfaction  could  be  obtained  had  he 
killed  as  many  English. 

You  are  likewise  to  inform  them  by  my  direction  That  a  Peace 
is  at  Length  effected  and  made  between  the  Six  Nations 
Coghnawagas  &c,  and  the  Cherokees,  who  came  here  to  demand 
it  of  them,  to  which  I  expect  they  the  Shawanese  &c.  will  Agree, 
and  to  that  end  the  Cherofyees,  are  to  go  from  hence  to  the  Shaw- 
anese, &  Delaware,  Towns,  in  their  way  home,  and  where  I  ex- 
pect that  they  as  our  Brothers,  and  under  his  Majesties  protection 
will  meet  with  good  Treatment,  and  be  enabled  to  return  to  their 
Nation  with  the  News  of  their  Admission  into  the  great  Chain  of 
friendship  which  binds  us  all  together  in  the  strictest  tyes  of 
Friendship,  a  Friendship  which  I  hope  they  will  all  Consider  as 
Sacred  and  Indissolluble.  — 

The  Relations  and  Friends  of  those  lately  killed  as  well  as  of 
those  who  formerly  Suffered  in  that  Province,  should  receive 
particular  favor  on  this  occasion,  this  you  will  therefore  be  carefull 
about  as  their  discontent  would  affect  the  rest  beyond  their  own 
concerns. 

When  these  points  are  Settled  and  that  you  have  done  what 
you  can  to  remove  that  Spirit  of  Resentment  which  has  appeared 
so  much  of  late,  by  Assuring  them  that  any  Suspicions  they  enter- 
tain of  us  are  without  Just  Grounds  and  that  every  measure  is 
taking  for  the  Security  of  their  Persons  and  property.  You  should 
endeavour  to  find  out  the  true  Origin  of  the  intended  Meetings 
amongst  the  Indians  and  endeavour  to  prevent  their  taking  place. 

Lastly  you  are  without  delay  to  transmit  to  me  Copys  of  your 
whole  proceedings  with  such  Informations  and  discoveries  as  may 
have  come  to  your  knowledge.  — 

Given  under  my  Hand  at  Johnson 
Hall  March  5*.  1 768  — 

W  Johnson 


Indian  Affairs,  1766-68  465 

FROM  THOMAS  GAGE 
Contemporary  Copy1 

New  York  March  I5ib.  1768  — 

Dear  Sir, 

I  have  been  favored  with  your  Letters  of  the  18th.2  &  28th.3 
Febx.  and  5th.  of  March.4  It's  Said,  but  by  what  Authority  I  cant 
tell  Except  the  Agent  of  this  Province  who  writes  it,  that  the 
Appointment  of  the  New  Governments  is  for  the  present  laid 
aside  — 

The  Money  You  desire  will  be  paid  Lieut.  Roberts,5  and 
Managed  in  the  Manner  You  point  out  to  Me.  Captain  Maturin6 
had  the  Voucher  for  the  Sum  Paid  at  Fort  Pitt,  &  has  transmitted 
the  Same  to  You,  by  the  Hands  of  Mr.  Croghan.  — 

With  respect  to  the  reasons  given  by  the  Traders  for  discharg- 
ing Major  Roger's7  Draughts,  I  can't  admit  them  to  be  Valid;  No 
Man  will  give  Money  or  Goods  for  Bills  unless  he  thinks,  or  is 
made  to  believe,  that  the  Person  who  draws  them  is  Empowered 
so  to  do ;  And  the  Same  reason  may  be  given  for  Paying  the  Bills 
drawn  by  Every  Commander  of  Commissary  at  any  of  the  Posts, 
who  Shall  be  wicked  enough  to  defraud  the  Government,  and 
Such  an  Example  would  Encourage  all  the  Traders  to  Advance 
them,  as  to  an  Unlimited  Credit.  — 

Your  Letter  of  28th.  February  only  Acknowledge's  the  Receipt 
of  the  Letters  Sent  You  by  Express  from  hence  — 

I  now  come  to  your  Letter  of  the  5th.  of  March,  and  that  You 
may  be  Exactly  informed  of  what  Lord  Shelburne  wrote  to  Me 
concerning  the  Boundary,  I  transmit  You  an  Extract  from  His 
Letter  relating  thereto.  His  Lordship  Says,  The  Running  of  a 
Boundary  Line  between  the  Several  Provinces  which  have  not 


1  In  William  L.  Clements  Library. 

2  Ante  pp.  428-30. 

3  Not  found. 

4  Ante  pp.  459-60. 

5  Lieutenant  Benjamin  Roberts,  commissary  at  Michilimackinac. 

6  Captain  Gabriel  Maturin. 

7  Major  Robert  Rogers,  former  commandant  at  Michilimackinac. 


466  Sir  William  Johnson  Papers 

yet  Compleated  it  and  the  Indian  Hunting  Grounds.  From  hence 
I  have  concluded  that  those  Provinces  who  have  not  yet  done  it, 
Should  do  it  in  the  Same  Manner  as  those  who  have  Compleated 
it.  Georgia,  South  and  North  Carolina,  are  the  only  Provinces 
who  have  yet  fixed  their  Boundarys,  but  I  have  not  heared  of  any 
Gratuity  given  by  the  Crown  to  the  Indians  for  any  Tracts  they 
may  have  Yielded  at  the  Settling  of  Said  Boundarys.  Nor  do  I 
Imagine  that  the  Crown  Means  any  more  Should  be  done  in  this 
respect,  when  the  other  Provinces  who  have  hitherto  Neglected 
it  shall  fix  their  Several  Boundarys.  But  that  Certain  Limits 
should  be  fixed  by  Mutual  Agreement.  I  understand  that  the 
Indians  allow  the  Province  of  Pensylvania  to  Extend  Some 
Miles  West  of  the  Ohio;  But  the  Lands  between  the  further- 
most Settlements,  and  the  Ohio  being  yet  Unpurchased,  they 
are  not  to  be  Settled  till  they  are  Purchased.  Now  if  all  the 
Lands  Still  Unpurchased,  within  the  Limits  Allowed  by  the 
Indians  to  belong  to  Pensylvania,  are  to  be  purchased,  The  Quere 
is,  who  is  to  Pay  for  them  at  the  Settling  of  the  Boundary?  If 
the  Crown  Admits  Mr.  Penn's  Claim,  it  is  not  reasonable  to 
Suppose  She  will  make  the  Purchase,  and  Make  Mr.  Penn  a 
present  of  the  Lands.  And  Mr.  Penn  as  far  as  I  have  heared,  but 
it's  only  Hearsay,  Never  designed  more  than  to  purchase  those 
Lands  by  Degrees,  as  fast  as  he  should  find  means  of  Settling 
them.  And  as  for  the  other  Provinces,  it  was  much  in  the  same 
way.  Particular's  Petitioned  to  purchase  Lands  of  the  Indians, 
tho'  within  the  Allowed  Limits  of  the  Provinces.  Private  People 
always  became  the  Purchasers,  I  know  no  Instance  Except  at 
first  Settling  of  a  Province,  where  the  Crown  has  purchased  any 
Large  Tracts.  And  I  always  conceived  the  intent  of  the  General 
Boundary  was,  that  the  Indians  were  to  fix  the  Point  to  which 
they  Allowed  the  Jurisdiction  of  Each  Province  to  Extend, 
beyond  which,  they  would  not  Suffer  any  purchases  to  be  made, 
but  reserve  all  beyond  it  to  themselves  and  Posterity.  That  the 
Unpurchased  Lands  within  the  Limits  were  to  remain  Unsettled 
as  their  Property  till  they  Should  be  purchased  and  to  be  Sold  by 
them  as  People  Should  purchase  them.  — 


Indian  Affairs,  1766-68  467 

I  only  give  You  the  Ideas  I  had  formed  of  the  Intention  in 
drawing  these  Boundary  Lines.  If  You  have  received  Accounts 
more  clear  and  Explicit,  whereby  the  Crown  intended  to  purchase 
at  once  all  the  Unpurchased  Lands  belonging  to  the  Indians,  to 
the  Points  that  Shall  be  Agreed  upon,  as  the  Limits  of  the  Several 
Provinces,  You  must  certainly  be  right  in  your  Conjectures  on  this 
Subject. 

I  have  heared  nothing  Since  my  last  worth  Communicating. 
There  are  Letters  lately  arrived  at  Philadelphia  from  Fort  Pitt, 
but  I  hear  of  Nothing  Material  from  thence.  — 

I  am,  with  great  Regard, 
Dear  Sir 
&ca 
Sir  Willm.  Johnson  Bar*. 

INDORSED : 

Copy./. 

To  Sir  Wm.  Johnson  Bar1, 
at 

Johnson  hall 
New  York  15*.  March  1768 


TO  JOHN  PENN 

Copy1 

Johnson  Hall,  March  1 6th,  1768. 
Sir: 

Since  my  last  Return  of  your  Express  I  have  had  the  Congress2 
with  the  several  Nations,  and  the  most  troublesome  I  ever  held, 


1  Printed  in  Pennsylvania  Colonial  Records,  9:495-96.  Date,  March 
1  6,  and  text  are  given  as  printed,  varying  slightly  from  the  draft.  Draft 
in  mutilated  form  was  printed  in  Johnson  Papers,  6:154-56,  dated  March 
1  5,  1  768;  see  also  Johnson  Calendar,  p.  390. 

2  The  draft  of  the  minutes  of  this  Congress  which  Johnson  inclosed  with 
his  letter  is  in  the  Pennsylvania  State  Library,  and  is  printed  in  the 
Pennsylvania  Colonial  Records,  9:496-506;  also  printed  in  Doc.  Rel.  to 
Col.  Hist.  N.  Y.,  8:38-53. 


468  Sir   William  Johnson  Papers 

yet  I  have  the  pleasure  to  acquaint  you,  that  the  Pains  I  took 
amongst  the  principal  Indians  in  private,  has  produced  a  much 
more  favourable  Disposition  in  them  than  before,  which  is  as 
much  as  I  could  possibly  expect.  To  remove  their  discontent 
totally,  when  we  consider  the  Nature  and  Number  of  their 
Grievances,  was  more  than  could  possibly  be  done;  nor  can  it 
be  expected,  till  they  experience  the  Change  in  us.  I  inclose  you 
that  part  of  the  proceedings  which  relates  to  the  Affair  in  your 
Province,  the  rest,  containing  the  Proceedings  on  behalf  of  the 
Cherokees,  &ca.,  having  no  connection  with  it. 

The  disagreeable  News  of  the  late  Murder  reached  the  six 
Nations  on  their  way  hither,  as  well  as  that  the  Murderer  had 
been  rescued,  which  had  the  like  to  have  occasioned  them  to  return 
back.  On  their  Arrival,  their  discontent  was  but  too  visible,  and 
that  Affair  was  considered  by  them  as  an  Introduction  to  some- 
thing worse,  which  their  natural  Jealously  had  long  caused  them 
to  suspect,  but  the  Pains  I  took  with  their  Chiefs  in  Private,  and 
the  many  Arguments  I  made  use  of  fully  to  explain  the  Acts 
lately  passed  by  the  Province,  and  the  Steps  which  were  every- 
where taking  for  the  future  prevention  of  Murders  and  encroach- 
ments, together  with  the  Light  in  which  I  placed  the  Present 
ordered  by  your  Government,  produced  as  good  an  Effect  as  I 
had  Reason  to  hope  for,  and  brought  them,  in  the  End,  to  a  more 
favourable  way  of  thinking,  in  which  I  am  hopeful  they  may  be 
continued,  if  they  find  these  Laws  operating  in  their  behalf.  The 
Number  of  Indians  who  attended  on  this  occasion  was  760,  besides 
which,  70  more  arrived  during  the  Congress,  some  of  whom  were 
related  to  the  deceased.  These  I  took  particular  notice  of,  and,  as 
I  laid  out  the  Sum  intended,  in  such  Presents  as  would  best  agree 
with  their  wants,  it  has  proved  very  agreeable  to  them. 

I  now  take  the  liberty  to  draw  on  you,  in  favour  of  Mr.  James 
Plyn,3  Merchant  at  Schenectady,  or  Order  for  thirteen  hundred 
Pounds,  Pennsylvania  Currency;  and  suppose  that  Mr.  Croghan 


3  James  Phyn. 


Indian  Affairs,  1766-68  469 

is,  by  this  time,  enabled  to  proceed  to  Fort  Pitt,  agreeable  to  the 
Instructions4  I  have  sent  him,  to  treat  with  the  Indians  in  that 
Quarter,  so  as  to  put  a  Period  to  that  disagreeable  Business,  which 
I  have  endeavoured,  to  the  best  of  my  Power  and  Influence,  to 
conclude  in  the  best  manner  for  the  Peace  of  the  Province. 

I  am  so  hurried  at  this  time,  in  sending  off  part  of  the  Cherokee 
Delegates  by  land,  with  a  large  Body  of  the  Six  Nations  to  escort 
them  Home,  by  the  way  of  Fort  Pitt,  that  I  have  only  time  to 
assure  you  of  my  readiness  always  to  serve  you  and  the  Family. 

As  I  am,  Sir 

Your  most  Obedient  and  very  humble  Servant 

W.  Johnson 

P.S.  A  Gentleman  from  Connecticut,  who  dined  with  me  Yester- 
day, told  me  that  that  Government  was  determined  to  send  home 
a  Agent  in  the  Spring  to  Sollicit  the  Susquehanna  Affair. 


TO  THOMAS  GAGE 

Johnson  Hall  March  16*.  1768 
Dear  Sir  — 

The  5th.  Ins1.2  I  had  the  pleasure  of  writing  to  You,  & 
informing  You  of  the  Arrival  of  the  Indians  with  whom  I  have 
now  Just  concluded  Matters.  I  shall  as  soon  as  I  get  rid  of  them 
all  enclose  You  the  principal  parts  of  their  proceedings,  from 
which  You  will  see  that  they  have  been  severely  discontented,  and 
I  heartily  wish  that  they  may  be  thoroughly  satisfied.  — 


4  Ante  pp.  462-64. 

1  In  William  L.  Clements  Library. 

2  Ante  pp.  459-60. 


470  Sir  William  Johnson  Papers 

What  I  had  formerly  said  to  them,  as  well  my  private  Con- 
gresses after  their  last  Arrival  has  induced  them  to  agree  to  a 
Peace  with  the  Cherokees,  and  they  have  Subscribed  to  an 
Instrument  on  Parchment  to  be  deposited  with  me  as  a  Testimony 
thereof,  after  having  gone  thro'  all  their  own  Forms  (wh.  are 
many)  on  that  Occasion.  —  The  Number  of  the  Indians  present 
was  760,  besides  which,  Several  more  have  come  here  Since, 
amongst  whom  were  some  of  the  Relations  of  those  lately 
Murdered  in  Pensilvania,  the  news  of  which  reached  the  Six 
Nations  on  their  way  to  this  place,  and  had  verry  nigh  occasioned 
them  to  return  Home,  wh.  would  have  been  a  verry  unhappy 
Affair.  On  this  Occasion  I  condoled  with  them  in  the  fullest  & 
most  solemn  Manner  first  on  behalf  of  the  Public  in  General  & 
afterwards  on  that  of  Pensilvania  in  particular,  and  having  in- 
formed them  of  the  Laws  they  had  passed  in  that  Province  for 
removing  Encroachments,  and  of  the  other  Steps  which  were 
taking  for  their  Redress,  I  at  last  brought  them  to  be  better 
reconciled  to  it,  tho  I  apprehend  they  are  not  fully  satisfied  in 
their  Minds,  and  that  they  expect  the  Last  Murder  will  be  an 
Introduction  to  what  their  old  Jealousy  has  Suggested,  especially 
as  they  had  heard  of  the  Rescue  of  the  Murderers.  — 

My  private  Conferrences  with  ye.  principal  Men  of  Each 
Nation,  Joined  to  those  I  held  in  public  have  however  given  a 
check  to  their  Measures  for  ye.  present  their  future  behaviour  will 
solely  depend  upon  the  Redress  of  Greiviances,  removing  En- 
croachments and  putting  a  Stop  to  Murders  &ca.,  if  this  is  done,  I 
can  answer  for  their  being  a  more  reasonable  People. 

Of  the  Names  sent  to  me  (by  Lf.  Govr.  Pen)  of  Persons 
murdered  in  &  about  Pensilvania  &ca.  since  the  Peace  in  1  764, 
there  appears  not  to  have  been  one  Killed  by  any  of  the  Six 
Nations,  neither  were  they  concerned  in  the  Murder  of  the  1 0  On 
Ohio.  Notwithstanding  which  I  took  Care  to  set  these  Murders 
forth  in  a  Strong  light  to  them.  — 

I  have  been  so  hurried,  and  am  still  So  pestered  with  their 
many  demands,  Discourses  &ca  previous  to  their  departure,  as 
well  as  with  fitting  out  the  Cherokees  &  a  large  body  of  the  Six 


Indian  Affairs,   1766-68  471 

Nations  who  Accompany  them  Home,  that  I  have  only  time  at 
present  to  add,  that,  I  am 

Dear  Sir 
Your  most  Obedient 

&  verry  Humble  Servant 

W  Johnson 

His  Excellency 
General  Gage  — 

P  S  I  send  this  by  Mr.  Watts  Interpreter,3  who  behaved  verry 
well  all  the  time,  &  took  great  pains  to  keep  ye.  Cherokees  in 
proper  Order  —  who  have  been  here  79  Days.  —  I  recd.  the 
enclosed  Accts.  Yesterday  by  Express  from  Messrs.  Baynton 
Wharton  &  Morgan,  who  have  Drafts  on  Me  for  the  Amount  of 
both.  I  have  all  the  Vouchers  by  me  Certified  by  Lf.  Co1.  Reed.4 
So  that,  (if  approved  of  by  You)  I  have  wrote  them  Gentlemen 
by  return  of  their  Express  that  I  would  recommend  to  You  the 
payment  of  the  whole  —  either  to  them  or  their  Order,  wh.  I 
believe  they  are  in  great  want  of  — 

W.  Johnson 


indorsed  : 


Sir  Wm.  Johnson 
March  16*.  1768. 
received  March  30th.  — 
Inclosing  two  Accts.  of  — 
Commissi.  Cole  stationed  in  the 
Illinois  Country,  viz1,  from  24th. 
Sep1.  1 766  to  25*.  March  1 767. 
And  from  24*.  March  to  25*.  Sep1. 
1 767.  — 

Answered  — 


3  Mr.  Watts,  the  Cherokee  interpreter,  is  mentioned  by  Gage,  Johnson 
Papers,  6:453. 

4  Lieutenant  Colonel  John  Reid  of  the  42d  regiment. 


472  Sir  William  Johnson  Papers 

TO  GEORGE  CROGHAN 

Johnson  Hall  March  16*.  1768  — 
Dear  Sir  — 

Aitafyullakulla,  Alias  Little  Carpenter  (who  with  Some  of  his 
People,  Conducted  by  Some  of  the  Six  Nations  is  now  Setting  of 
for  his  Country,  by  the  way  of  Fort  Pitt)  will  deliver  You  this, 
Should  he  [  |  You  there,  wh.  I  doubt.  In  case  he  should,  I 

would  have  them  well  used,  and  Supplied  with  some  Amunition 
&  provision  if  wanted,  —  I  must  say,  I  never  See  the  Six  Nations 
so  hearty  in  any  thing,  as  in  this  Peace,  and  so  were  the 
Caghnawageys  &ca.  The  Cherokees  tell  me  that  their  Nation  & 
the  Shawanese  are  upon  verry  good  terms,  if  so  there  remains  but 
the  Delawares  in  y*.  Quarter  for  them  to  make  peace  with,  wh. 
may  be  easily  Accomplished  after  what  has  been  done  here.  — 

The  Interpreter  Watts  with  Auconnastota  the  Raven  King, 
&  one  More  goes  by  Water  to  Charlestown,  &  Set  off  to  Morrow. 
—  I  have  my  own  trouble  with  them  all,  nay  I  never  see  them  so 
craving  as  at  this  Treaty.  Should  any  of  the  Hurons  be  at  yr. 
Treaty  You  will  doubtless  let  them  also  know  wl.  has  been  done 
here,  &  I  expect  they  will  come  in  to  it.  —  I  am  so  Hurried 
Setting  off  this  party,  that  I  have  only  time  to  wish  y[  j  all 

Success,  &  to  assure  You,  I  am  with  great  truth 

Dear  Sir 


George  Croghan  Esqr.  — 

My  Compliments  to  Mr.  Mc.Kee  — 


Yrs.  Sincerely 

W  Johnson 


1  In  Historical  Society  of  Pennsylvania,  Cadwalader  Collection. 


Indian  Affairs,  1766-68  473 

FROM  GEORGE  CROGHAN 
Contemporary  Copy1 

Philad.  March  18,  1768 

Dear  Sir 

Two  Days  ago,  I  was  favoured  With  yr.  Letter  of  the  5th 
of  this  Month,  inclosing  Me  yr.  Instruct5,  to  proceed  to  Fort  Pitt; 
And  as  from  late  Letters  I  have  recd.  from  both  Thomas  McKee 
&  his  Son  No  Time  Ought  to  be  lost  before  I  arrive  there.  I  shall 
therefore  this  Day  leave  this  Place.  — 

Upon  receiving  yr.  Instructions,  I  waited  On  Govr.  Penn  &  the 
Provincial  Commissions  &  strongly  urged  the  Propriety  of  Send- 
ing Up  Commisrs.  to  represent  the  Province  at  the  Treaty :  —  But 
I  am  informed,  by  the  Speaker,  That  the  Gentlemen  Who  were 
named  by  the  General  Assembly  for  this  Service,  met  yesterday, 
And  chose  rather  to  submit  the  Whole  affair  to  Myself.  — 

In  the  conducting  this  Conference,  your  Honour  may  be  as- 
sured, That  I  shall  in  Every  respect,  pay  the  strictest  attention  to 
yr.  Instructions  And  use  my  Utmost  Address  for  the  Good  of  his 
Majestys  [general]2  Intrest,  as  well  as  placing  the  Conduct  of  this 
Province,  in  the  most  advantageous  Light. 

I  have  not  the  least  Doubt,  But  as  so  many  Indians  have  met 
you  And  the  Congress  was  opened  —  You  will  be  able  to  settle 
every  Thing  entirely  to  yr.  Satisfaction  And  especially  as  so  many 
Chiefs  [had  met  you]  were  arrived  from  Canada;  Who  I  am  sure, 
will  upon  yr.  Advice,  back  the  Mohocks  in  carrying  Every  Thing, 
for  the  Good  of  the  Service,  thro'  the  Six  Nations.  I  shall  Make  it 
a  Point  with  the  Shawanese  &  Delawares  to  grant  a  Safe  Passage 
[i/jem]  and  give  a  good  Treatment  to  the  Cherokees,  thro'  their 
Country.  — 

It  gives  me  great  Pleasure,  that  you  have  recd.  an  Answer 
from  Lord  Shelburne  to  the  Representations  you  made  last  Fall 
On  Indian  Affairs  &  That  They  have  met  with  his  Majestys 


1  In  Historical  Society  of  Pennsylvania,  Cadwalader  Collection.  Printed 
in  part,  in  mutilated  form,  in  Johnson  Papers,  6: 1  61-62. 

2  Words  italicized  and  in  brackets  are  crossed  out  in  the  manuscript. 


474  Sir  William  Johnson  Papers 

entire  Approbation.  —  I  hope  the  Orders  for  the  Boundary,  will 
be  So  explicit,  as  that  you  will  be  able  to  settle  it  upon  the  Most 
permanent  Footing.  That  so,  Peace  may  be  {thoroughly]  fully 
restored  to  the  Provinces  and  the  Natives  [be  generally]  Satis- 
fied.— 

As  soon  as  I  arrive  at  Fort  Pitt,  I  shall  inform  your  Honr.  of 
the  Temper  of  the  Indians  in  that  Quarter  [</iere]  and  So  soon  as 
I  have  finished  the  Business  committed  to  my  Care  there,  I  shall 
immedy.  Set  off  for  Johnson  Hall,  In  Order  to  attend  you  for  the 
Summer ;  I  having  Settled  all  my  affairs  in  this  Province  &  rented 
My  Place,  Near  this  City,  —  As  I  promised  You  when  We 
parted. 

I  cannot  close  this  Letter,  Without  informing  you,  that  yester- 
day the  Royal  Regiment  of  Ireland  celebrated  their  Saints  Day 
—  at  Peg  Mullers.  —  They  paraded  thro'  the  Streets  &  fired  at 
the  Coffee  House  &c.  —  And  then  dined  at  Pegs  —  Where 
there  was  no  Want  of  good  Beeff  &  Claret,  [And  be  assured] 
&  Where  I  assure  you  yr.  Honor  &  the  Six  Nations,  Were  not 
forgot,  [by  us] ;  —  To  Day  the  Whole  Choir  dine  With  at  the 
Center  &  from  There  I  shall  take  my  Departure  for  Fort  Pitt, 
With,  I  fear  a  very  aching  Head. 

Please  to  present  My  Compls.  to  Sir  John,  Captain  Clause, 
Captain  Guy  Johnson  &  the  Ladies  And  believe  to  be,  With 
great  Respect  &  Truth  yr.  Honor's  — 

Most  Ob1,  hble  Svt. 

To  GC 

Sir  William  Johnson 


HUGH  WALLACE 

Painted  from  a  miniature  by  Daniel  Huntington,  1905.  Courtesy  of  the 
Chamber  of  Commerce  of  the  State  of  New  York. 


Indian  Affairs,  1766-68  475 

FROM  HUGH  WALLACE 

Nev>York20AprillI768 
Dear  Sir 

I  had  the  honor  of  yours  8  Ins'.2  with  an  order  for  the  Amo1. 
of  Major  Goreham's  acco1.  £  1  1 4 .  .  1  .  .  7%  Curr>\  &  also  the 
Amo1.  of  the  Marble  Slabb  £16  which  is  paid,  &  for  wch.  I 
thank  you.  Major  Goreham  expect  you  will  soon  send  me  a 
further  Bill  for  his  Sallary  —  We  have  not  a  syllable  of  news 
of  any  kind  here,  the  Feb>\  Mail  &  the  London  ships  are  hourly 
expected. 

I  am  pleased  that  American  affairs  seem  to  be  getting  into  some 
regularity,  &  that  we  are  to  have  so  good  a  Man  as  Lord  Hills- 
borough to  superintend  us. 

Yr.  late  Negotiations  with  the  Indians  have  terminated  happily 
for  the  Provinces,  and  must  do  you  great  Honor  — 

I  am  extreamly  sorry  to  hear  of  yr.  ill  state  of  Health,  &  wish 
the  Salt  water  may  relieve  you,  &  I  am  glad  to  hear  you  propose 
that  remedy,  as  it  gives  us  the  pleasure  of  seeing  you  here.  The 
best  place  for  you  will  be  on  Long  Island  near  the  Narrows  —  I 
am  always  with  much  Esteem 

Dear  Sir 

Your  most  obed'.  hum  Servf. 

Hugh  Wallace 
Sir  Will  Johnson  Bar*. 
Johnson  Hall 


1  In  possession  of  Mrs.  Harrie  F.  Reed,  Haverford,  Pa. 

2  See  Johnson  Papers,  6:187-88. 


476  Sir  William  Johnson  Papers 

TO  THOMAS  GAGE 

/H.  .JL_/.^J. 

Guy  Park  April  23d.  1768 

Dear  Sir  — 

When  Your  favour  of  the  4fh.  Ins*.2  arrived  I  was  verry  unwell, 
and  incapable  of  Answering  it,  but  having  Just  recovered  Strength 
enough  to  proceed  on  my  Journey,  I  was  this  Day  met  at  this 
place  by  yr.  Express  with  Your  favours  of  the  18th.  Ins1.3  &  the 
Enclosures.  — 

Lord  Shelburne  has  enclosed  me  a  Copy  of  the  Letter  from  the 
Lords  of  Trade,  which  is  a  recital  of  the  Several  Reports  trans- 
mitted to  them  at  different  times,  with  regard  to  the  limits  therein 
described  they  are  pretty  exact,  except  their  beginning  at  Owegy* 
which  on  a  perusal  of  my  letters  to  their  Lordships  they  will  find 
was  not  so  easily  agreed  to,  there  being  much  opposition  made  to 
it  by  some  of  the  Nations,  on  Accf.  of  their  Tribes  living  within 
them  Limits,  Nevertheless  I  hope  to  obtain  their  general  agree- 
ment to  it  at  the  final  Settlement  of  these  Matters.  — 

The  only  method  I  know  of  for  carrying  this  Plan  into  Execu- 
tion will  be  to  assemble  all  ye.  Indians  concerned  in  which  Number 
besides  the  Six  Nations  &  the  Seneca's  of  Ohio,  the  Shatoanese 
&  Delaivares  tho  their  Dependants  Should  be  considered,  as  Some 
of  the  Lands  actually  belonged  to  them  formerly,  and  as  their 
Vicinity  to  Pensilvania  &  Virginia  makes  their  perfect  Agreement 
necessary.  At  the  Same  time,  I  think  the  Governments  concerned 
(wh.  are  those  You  have  mentioned  Maryland  having  no  concern 
in  it)  Should  be  apprized  of  this  Generall  Congress,  &  Consulted 
on  such  points  as  may  effect  them,  &  may  if  they  please  Send 
Commissioners  to  be  present  to  ratify  it  under  the  Seals  of  their 


1  In  William  L.  Clements  Library;  draft  in  mutilated  form  was  printed 
in  Johnson  Papers,  6:205-07. 

2  Johnson  Papers,  6:176-77. 

3  Ibid.  6:200-01. 

4  See  Map  of  the   Boundary  Line  Proposed  by  Lords  of  Trade,  in 
Johnson  Papers,  5  :286. 


Indian  Affairs,  1766-68  477 

respective  Provinces,  'Tho  I  think  it  best  for  me  to  Conclude  the 
affair  on  behalf  of  the  Crown  for  the  whole,  &  afterwards  when 
Indians  are  appointed  to  see  the  Line  run,  Each  Province  can 
Send  Commissioners  to  be  present  &  ratify  it  on  their  parts,  by  this 
means  Provincial  disputes  and  difficulties  about  each  Provinces 
Share  will  be  avoided,  &  afterwards  that  due  regard  may  be  paid 
to  the  Limits  so  Agreed  upon,  the  Legislature  of  each  Province 
may  enact  Laws  describing  such  Limits,  making  it  felony  to  any 
who  Should  transgress  by  encroaching  beyond  them.  I  cannot  See 
any  thing  farther  to  be  done  by  the  Colonies,  as  all  the  rest  is  I 
presume  to  be  transacted  by  the  Superintendant. 

You  will  doubtless  write  upon  these  Heads  to  ye.  Governmls. 
concerned,  as  I  purpose  to  do,  I  have  already  received  a  letter 
from  Mr.  Blair5  (who  at  present  holds  the  Administration  of 
Virginia)  relative  thereto,  which  I  have  Answered,  and  desired  a 
Map  or  Survey  of  that  Frontier  as  I  shall  require  of  the  rest,  it 
being  extremely  necessary  at  the  Settlement  of  the  Affair  with  the 
Indians.  —  That  Province  is  desireous  to  have  its  Line  terminate 
at  ye.  S.  W.  Corner  of  Pensilvania  which  will  be  agreed  to,  as  to 
determining  the  parts  to  be  assigned  to  this,  or  that  Province  I 
am  entirely  of  your  opinion  that  it  would  be  verry  difficult  to  bring 
it  to  a  Conclusion.  However  if  the  Virginia  Line  terminates  where 
I  have  mentioned,  it  may  be  adjusted  with  the  Others,  they  taking 
the  parts  which  fall  within  their  respective  Claims.  —  The 
Provinces  can  be  soon  Consulted,  but  it  will  take  at  least  three 
Months  to  Assemble  all  the  Indians  necessary,  by  which  time  I 
am  in  hopes  I  shall  be  returned,  &  able  to  attend  it,  if  not,  my 
Deputy  here  will  conduct  the  Affair,  as  he  will  likewise  transact 
all  other  business  during  my  Absence.  — 

At  present  I  cannot  think  of  any  thing  farther  on  that  head 
necessary  except  as  to  the  place  of  Meeting  &  the  Sum  which  may 
be  requisite,  as  to  the  former,  it  will  certainly  be  cheapest  to  meet 
them  in  this  Province,  for  the  Latter,  it  must  be  a  considerable 


5  John  Blair    (1687-1771)   was  acting  governor  of  Virginia  after  the 
death  of  Governor  Fauquier,  March  3,  1  768. 


478  Sir  William  Johnson  Papers 

Sum,  as  it  will  be  an  Important  Transaction,  but  it  is  difficult  at 
present  to  Say  how  much.  — 

I  am  happy  to  find  that  you  approve  so  Much  of  the  Transac- 
tions at  the  late  Congress,  and  am  fully  of  your  Opinion  that  it 
will  be  impossible  to  make  Regulations  for  the  Indian  Trade 
agreable  to  the  Wishes  or  Interests  of  everry  Trader.  The  General 
Interests  of  the  Whole,  &  the  Security  of  Peace  on  the  Frontiers  is 
what  alone  should  be  pursued.  —  My  Deputy  has  Directions  to 
address  You  on  these  Heads,  and  is  acquainted  with  all  the 
Affairs  of  the  Department.  — 

Mr.  Coles6  Ace1,  is  great  indeed,  &  Since  I  find  by  one  of  his 
Letters  that  there  is  no  prospect  of  his  retrenching  I  think  it  best  to 
withdraw  him.  As  to  what  may  be  given  as  reasons  for  admitting 
them,  Unless  the  Securing  the  Numerous  Tribes  in  that  Quarter 
to  our  Interest,  preventing  them  from  withdrawing,  and  receiving 
&  entering  into  Treatys  with  so  many  Nations  who  were  before 
Strangers  to  Us,  or  something  like  that  may  be  considered  as  Such, 
And  the  Government  may  be  advised  that  such  Expences  will 
abate  for  the  future.  — 

I  am  advised  to  go  by  way  of  New  England  for  the  benifit  of 
Exercise  in  Travelling  by  Land,  &  so  to  some  of  the  Isleands 
near  New  London  in  order  to  enjoy  ye.  benifit  of  the  Air  as  well 
as  some  Ease  &  Retirement.  It  would  be  a  real  pleasure  to  me 
could  I  wait  upon  You,  but  in  case  I  am  deprived  of  an  opertunity, 
The  Affairs  of  the  Department  here,  are  placed  in  such  a  manner 
in  the  hands  of  Co1.  Johnson,7  that,  I  persuade  myself  nothing 
will  be  neglected,  and  You  will  be  pleased  in  answer  to  this,  or  on 
any  other  Subject  to  Signify  Your  thoughts  &  Directions  to 
Him.— 

Be  Assured  Dear  Sir,  that  I  am  always  with  the  most  Cordial 

Your  most  Obedient, 

Much  Oblidged, 
&  faithfull  Humble  Servant 
W  Johnson 


6  Edward  Cole,  commissary  for  Illinois. 

7  Guy  Johnson. 


Indian  Affairs,  1766-68  479 

His  Excellency 
General  Gage  — 

P  S.  Magra  is  gone  for  Canada  I  wish  he  had  left  this  Conti- 
nent entirely.  —  A  principal  cause  of  my  going  the  Rout  I  men- 
tion is  to  avoid  too  much  Company  wh.  in  my  present  verry  low 
State  would  exhaust  my  Spirits.  — 

INDORSED : 

Sir  Wm.  Johnson  Bar1. 
April  23<  1 768. 
received  April  30lh.  — 
Answered  — 


FROM  JEHU  HAY 

Contemporary  Copy1 

Detroit  25th.  April  1768.  — 
Sir  — 

This  minute  an  Express  arrived  from  Michillimacinac  by  which 
we  are  informed  that  Major  Roger's  villainous  designs  are  con- 
firmed, he  has  attempted,  or  at  least  layd  a  Scheme  to  make  his 
escape  and  has  given  a  note  of  hand  to  a  Frenchman  one  Joseph 
Louis  Aince2  to  pay  him  100£  <}$  ann  for  five  Years  to  take  him 
to  meet  Cap1.  Hopkins3  to  the  Mississippi,  he  laid  Another 
scheme  to  get  Capf.  Spiesmaker,4  and  Lieu*.  Christie5  out  of  the 
Fort,  who  were  to  be  delivd.  to  some  Indians  he  named,  that  he 
was  sure  were  in  his  Interest,  and  then  he  was  to  make  himself 
master  of  the  Garrison,  having  much  the  greatest  part  of  the 
Soldiery  in  his  Interest 


1  In  Canadian  Archives,  Indian  Records,  Vol.  7. 

2  Joseph  Louis  Ainse  (Ans). 

3  Captain  Joseph  Hopkins,  in  the  French  service. 

4  Captain  Frederick  Christopher  Spiesmacher  of  the  60th  regiment,  com- 
mandant at  Michilimackinac. 

5  Lieutenant  John  Christie  of  the  60th  regiment. 


480  Sir  William  Johnson  Papers 

The  above  Frenchman  is  the  person  who  gave  the  first  Informa- 
tion &  Cap*.  Spiesmacker  has  appointed  him  Interpreter  for  the 
present  &  says  he  hopes  he  will  be  rewarded  —  As  there  are  two 
letters  from  thence  I  believe  you  will  have  a  more  particular 
account  of  it  than  I  can  give  you. 

I  have  sent  a  Belt  to  Pondiac  to  induce  him  to  come  here,  but 
if  he  has  had  any  knowledge  of  this  affair  probably  it  will  not 
have  the  desired  Effect.  —  In  a  former  letter  I  think  I  have 
mentioned  to  you  that  when  Rogers  passed  this  Post  he  desired 
Mr.  Labute6  to  tell  Pondiac  he  wou'd  be  glad  to  see  him  at 
Michillimackinac  the  next  Spring.  —  The  Chippaweighs  have 
been  in  great  fear  of  the  Six  nations.  but  I  believe  that  Jealousy 
is  now  beginning  to  Subside.  —  I  am  wth.  Respect  &c  Yours  — 

Jehu  Hay7 


AN  INDIAN  CONFERENCE 
Contemporary  Copy1 

[Schenectady,  April  26,  1768] 

Proceedings  at  a  Meeting  with  the  Mohiccons  held  at 
Sckenectady  April  26th.  1  768  —  by  Col°.  Johnson 

Present  —  Gy.  Johson  Esqr.  Depy.  Ag*.  for  Indn.  Affairs 
M'.  Campbell2 
Mr.  J.  B.  Van  Epps  Interpreter 

The  old  chief,  namely  Kaysoakamake  spoke  as  follows  — 
Father  — 

We  are  happy  in  seeing  you  hearty,  and  well  this  day  and  I  am 
glad  to  find  my  self  able  to  speak  chearfully  to  you,  &  to  remind 
you  of  the  old  agreement  entered  into  with  our  Forefathers,  which 


6  Pierre  Labute. 

7  Lieutenant  Jehu  Hay  of  the  60th  regiment,  commissary  at  Detroit. 

1  In  Canadian  Archives,  Indian  Records,  Vol.  8. 

2  Daniel  Campbell  of  Schenectady. 


Indian  Affairs,  1766-68  481 

we  are  now  come  to  renew,  and  to  let  you  know,  that  we  still 
observe  it  faithfully.  And  we  request  that  if  any  of  our  People  as 
far  as  the  High-Lands  should  misbehave,  our  Sachems  may  be 
told  of  it,  as  they  will  do  you  Justice.  — 
Father  — 

On  your  first  arrival  amongst  us,  we  entered  into  a  Covenant 
Chain  with  you,  and  took  you  into  the  Bonds  of  friendship,  which 
we  fastned  to  a  Tree.  We  now  come  to  grease  that  Chain  least  it 
should  contract  rust,  and  we  assure  you,  —  that  we  shall  allways 
be  ready  to  attend,  or  Serve  you  should  you  have  any  Occasion 
for  us,  and  that  we  would  be  glad  to  hear,  early  any  news  from 
you,  or  if  any  bad  reports  stirring  in  the  country,  that  we  might  be 
made  acquainted  with  them.  And  our  principal  reason  for  coming 
to  see  you  at  this  time  is  to  be  informed  if  any  thing  ill  has 
happened,  and  to  offer  our  Services,  —  and  we  assure  you,  that 
we  are  very  happy  to  See  you  so  well  and  hearty,  and  that  the 
day  is  so  fair,  and  bright  — 

A  Belt  of  7  Rows  — 
Father 

We  are  now  in  tears,  we  have  lost  every  thing.  —  The  Patroon 
has  got  all  our  Lands,  and  we  have  nothing  for  them,  and  being 
old  &  helpless,  I  have  undertaken  this  Journey  in  hopes  that  these 
things  may  be  considered,  and  that  my  Father  will  assist  me,  and 
likewise  that  I  may  get  some  consideration  for  these  Lands  —  and 
we  beg  we  may  have  some  provisions  and  a  little  Clothing  to  cover 
us  — 

Gave  three  Strings  — 

To  which  Coll.  Johnson  gave  the  following  answer  — 

Children  — 

I  am  Sorry  to  hear  of  your  Losses,  and  Complaints  as  to  the 
Lands  you  mention.  —  I  Shall  make  some  enquirys  into  these 
matters  for  your  relief  —  in  the  mean  time  I  recommend  it  to  you, 
to  apply  yourselves  to  Industry,  by  which  your  Young  men  can 
very  well  subsist.  It  is  not  in  my  power  to  consider  all  your 
wants,  —  nevertheless,  as  a  Testimony  of  my  regard  for  your 
fidelity   I  Shall  order  a   Blanket,   some   Provisions,   Rum,   and 


482  Sir  William  Johnson  Papers 

Amunition  to  enable  you  to  kill  Game  on  the  road,  and  I  heartily 
wish  that  your  conduct  may  allways  entitle  you  to  this  Notice,  and 
that  by  your  prudence,  Industry,  and  Quiet,  you  may  continue 
in  the  esteem  of  the  English.  — 

Then  took  Leave  &  departed  — 


FROM  SAMUEL  WHARTON 

Philad".  April  29th.  1768 
Sir 

The  Stocking  Weaver  disapointed  Me,  otherwise  I  should 
before  Now  have  forwarded  the  Dozen  of  large  Cotton,  Which 
I  got  made  for  you;  —  However  I  have  this  Day  sent  Them,  by 
the  Land  Stage  to  New  York,  to  the  Care  of  Doctor  Levine2  (as 
He  has  little  to  do  and  will  be  fond  to  have  an  Oppertunity  of 
showing  his  attention  to  your  Interest)  With  Orders  to  Him,  to 
forward  Them  by  the  first  Albany  Sloop,  to  the  particular  Care  of 
Mr.  Cartright  Innkeeper  —  ;  Your  Honor  will  therefore  be 
pleased  to  give  the  Necessary  Directions,  for  getting  Them  from 
Thence.  They  are  packed  in  a  small  Bag  directed  to  you,  That 
They  might  not  be  injured,  in  the  Transportation. 

I  flatter  myself,  They  will  please  you,  as  They  are  as  fine  as 
the  pattern  Stocking  &  much  larger.  We  have  no  News  from  Mr. 
Croghan  —  except  That  He  got  Safe  to  Pittsburgh,  Notwith- 
standing the  Resolutions  of  the  Black  Boys3  to  the  Contrary. 

I  am  with  great  Respect  &  Esteem  Sir 

Yr.  much  Obliged  &  faithfull  Serv1. 

Saml.  Wharton 


1  In  Historical  Society  of  Pennsylvania,  Gratz  Collection. 

2  Dr.  John  Levine  of  New  York. 

3  The  Paxton  Boys  of  Pennsylvania. 


SAMUEL   WHAKTON 


SAMUEL  WHARTON 

From  the  woodcut  of  a  miniature  painted  in  England,  in  possession  of  the 

Historical  Society  of  Pennsylvania. 


Indian  A  fairs,  1766-68  483 

ADDRESSED: 

To  Charged  PM  4..  16 

to  S'.  Wm. 

The  Honourable  Sir  William  Johnson 

Baronet 
Superintendent  of  Indian  Affairs  &c 

a  at 


<P  post  Johnson  Hall  — 

POSTMARKED : 

PHILA 

DELPHIA 

INDORSED:4 

Phil-.  Api.  29*.  1 768 


From  Mr.  Wharton 


ACCOUNT  OF  WILLIAM  JOHNSTON 

D. 

[Michilimackinac,  April  I768]1 

The  Honourable  Sir  William  Johnson  Bar1. 
To  William  Johnston  Dr. 
To  Smiths.  work  for  the  Indians 

June    12th. 

1 767  To  mending  a  Gun £  3.  .6. 

To  mending  three  Hoes 3  .  .  6 . 

To  Laying  a  wood  Ax 2  . 

19th.  To  mending  a  Gun 4. 

26th.  To  one  Steele 1  .  .  6 

July    20th.  To  mending  a  Gun 1  .  .6 

25th.  To  mending  a  kettle 3  . 

4  In  Sir  William's  hand. 

1  Date  from  Johnson  Calendar,  p.  393. 


484  Sir  William  Johnson  Papers 

To  mending  a  Gun .  .9. 

27*  D° 1..6. 

To  mending  a  Gun  Lock 1  .  .6. 

Sepr.     9th.  To  mending  two  Axes 2  .  .  6 . 

To  mending  a  Gun 4 .  .  6 . 

D° 5. 

D° D° 8. 

D° D°.  .  .  .D° 4. 

D° D°.  ..D°.  ..Do 1..6. 

Octr.     5th.  To  mending  a  trap 4.  .6. 

To  one  Ax  for  an  Indian 4 .  .  6 . 

To  mending  a  trap 1  .  .6. 

To  Laying  an  Ax 2 . 

To  one  New  Ax 6. 

D° 6. 

To  one  Steele 1  .  .6. 

To  one  Beaver  Spear 1  .  .  6 . 

To  mending  a  Gun  Lock 1  .  .  6 . 

Nov1".  To  one  New  Ax 5 . 

To  mending  two  Axes 3  .  .  9 . 

To  mending  two  kettles 1  .  .  6 . 

To  mending  a  Gun 3  . 

Decr.  To  mending  a  Gun  Lock 1  .  .6. 

D° 1..6. 

D° D° 1..6. 

]ry    1  768     To  mending  two  Gun  Locks ...  4 .  .  6 . 

To  mending  a  Gun 3  .  .  6 . 

To  work  Done  to  a  pipe  Axe.  .  7. 

To  mending  a  Gun 2  .  .  6 . 

D° 6.. 

D° D° 3.. 6. 

To  mending  two  Axes 2 .  . 

[to  one]  Steele 1  .  .6. 

[  ] 1..6. 

£6..7..0.. 


Indian  A  fairs,   1766-68  485 

Brought  over  from  the  Other  Side 

£6.  .7.  .0 


March 

1 768  To  mending  a  Gun 6 

To  mending  a  Gun  Lock 5 

D° 8 

D° D° 5 

D° D° 2.  .6 

To  mending  a  Gun 3  .  .  6 

D° 5. 

D° D° 3 

D° D° D° 7 

Gun  Lock  mended 6 

To  Gun  Mended    4 

To  mending  a  Barrell 2  .  .6. 

To  mending  a  Gun 12 

To  Brass   mounting    for   a    Rifle 

Gun 1  •  • 

To  mending  a  Gun  Lock 3 

Do 5 

D° D° 3 

D° D° 4 

To  mending  a  Gun 2 

D° 8 

Lock  mended 4 .  .  6 . 

Gun  mended    6 

Lock  mended 5 

D° 3 

D° 1..6. 

Rifle  mended 5 

Lock  mended 2 .  .  6 

D° 5.. 6 

mending  a  Gun 7 

D° 8 


486  Sir  William  Johnson  Papers 

D° D° 5 

mending  a  Gun  Lock 4 .  .  6 .  . 

D° 4 

D° D° 2.  .6.. 

To  two  trap  Springs  for  Ciuguas  8 
To  mending  a  pipe  Ax  for  mo- 
hawk  Indian    4 

April  To  mending  a  Gun 1 

D°. 2[        ] 

To  mending  a  Large  Brass  kettle 

To  mending  an  Ax 

To  mending  a  Gun 


Totall [  ] 


INDORSED:2 


Wm.  Johnston  Smith 
His  Ace',  of  Work  for  ye. 
Inds.  to  April  1  768. 
£16. .11. .3 


2  In  Sir  William's  hand. 


FROM  THOMAS  GAGE 

Contemporary  Copy1 

New  York  May  2*.  1768 
Dear  Sir, 

I  inclose  you  some  Extracts  from  a  Letter,  which  I  recieved 
some  Days  ago  from  Captain  Turnbull2  Commanding  at  the 
Detroit;  by  which  you  will  see  that  two  Traders  have  been 
Murdered  by  the  Indians  of  S'.  Joseph,  and  suspected  to  have 
been  perpetrated  at  the  Instigation  of  the  French  who  have 
Seated  themselves  at  Sl.  Josephs  and  the  Miamies,  particularly 


1  In  William  L.  Clements  Library. 

2  Captain  George  Turnbull  of  the  60th  regiment,  commandant  at  Detroit. 


Indian  Affairs,  1766-68  487 

of  one  Chevalier3  who  has  been  at  Sf.  Josephs  for  sometime,  by 
whose  Authority  or  by  whose  leave  Goods  have  been  sent  to  him, 
or  others  residing  at  the  above  Villages  to  trade  with  the  Savages, 
I  have  not  been  informed. 

You  will  see  the  Necessity  of  falling  upon  some  Measures  to 

root  out  the  French  Settlers  from  amongst  the  Indians,  and  to 

demand  Satisfaction  for  the  Murders  which  have  been  committed 

upon  the  two  Traders  above  mentioned,  as  well  as  upon  the  Ten 

Men  killed  in  the  Autumn  upon  the  Ohio,  which  Actions  have 

been  committed  by  Nations  who  have  no  just  cause  of  complaint 

against  us,  or  indeed  who  pretend  to  any  as  far  as  I  have  been 

informed.    If   these   Murders    are   passed   over   without   Notice, 

there  will  be  no  end  to  them,  every  Petty  Tribe  will  Murder  our 

Traders  at  Pleasure,  and  we  may  as  well  at  once  give  up  our 

Trade.  I  see  no  better  Method,  than  to  follow  the  example  set 

us  by  the  French  in  Affairs  of  this  kind,  whenever  one  Nation 

killed  their  People  they  had  others  ready  and  willing  to  Assist 

to  Chastise  them.  The  Commissarys  placed  in  the  several  Forts, 

should  know  the  Jealousy's  and  Enmity's  which  always  Subsist 

between  the  several  Nations  and  have  Dexterity  enough  to  work 

them  to  our  Advantage.  The  Pouteatmies  of  Sl.  Josephs  and  the 

Chippewas  of  the  Bay  of  Saguinam  are  the  Indians  accused  of 

the  Murders  now  complained  of,  a  most  rascaly  set,  tho'  I  find 

others  have  shewn  a  readiness  to  join  in  any  Mischief.  I  have 

wrote  to  the  Commander  of  the   Detroit  on  these  heads,   and 

should  be  glad  you  would  send  proper  directions  thereon  to  the 

Commissary's.  I  have  desired  that  this  Monsieur  Chevalier  may 

be  sent  for,  and  all  the  proofs  got  against  him  which  can  be 

obtained.  And  that  particular  care  may  be  taken  to  prevent  any 

Goods  going  to  him  for  the  purpose  of  Trade,  or  any  others 

Settled  in  the  Indian  Villages 

I  Am  with  great  Regard. 
Dear  Sir, 
&ca. 


3  Louis  Chevallier. 


488  Sir   William  Johnson  Papers 

Sir  Wm.  Johnson  Bart. 

Johnson  Hall. 
INDORSED : 

Copy./ 

To 
Sir  William  Johnson 

Johnson  Hall. 
New  York  May  2d.  1  768 


GUY  JOHNSON  TO  THOMAS  GAGE 

Guy  Park  May  4*.  1768  — 
Sir, 

I  have  had  the  honor  of  receiving  Your  Excellencys  Letter  of 
the  25th.  Ult°.2  addressed  to  Sir  Wm.  Johnson  who  left  this  place 
the  23d.  and  was  seemingly  much  better  when  I  parted  him  near 
Albany. 

Agreable  to  his  Instructions  I  have  wrote  to  Fort  Pitt  directing 
a  Belt  and  Message  to  be  sent  to  the  Indians  of  Ohio,  and  the 
Shawanese  and  Delawares,  and  shall  send  the  like  to  the  Six 
Nations  in  a  few  days;  as  these  last  are  so  much  nearer  I  Judged 
it  best  to  postpone  the  Message  to  them  for  a  Short  time,  least 
Some  should  come  down  before  the  whole  could  Assemble  & 
thereby  create  an  Unnecessary  Expense.  —  The  time  proposed 
by  Sir  William  for  the  Congress  is  about  the  20th.  of  July  next, 
and  proper  persons  are  directed  to  Conduct  the  Indians  in  a  Body, 
as  they  consume  much  provisions  on  the  road  when  in  Straggling 
partys.  — 

On  the  Article  of  provisions  I  am  directed  to  apply  to  your 
Excellency  that  you  may  please  to  give  such  orders  as  you  shall 
Judge  best  for  a  necessary  supply,  but  I  am  really  at  a  Loss  to 
Say  the  Exact  Quantity  wanting,  for  altho'  the  Chiefs  only  of 
the  Several  Nations  are  Summoned,  I  am  certain  that  a  Consider- 


1  In  William  L.  Clements  Library. 

2  Johnson  Papers,  6:208-09. 


Indian  A  fairs,  1766-68  489 

able  Number  of  others  who  might  be  dispensed  with  will  attend 
upon  all  Such  Occasions,  and  on  this  proposed  I  have  reason  to 
think  they  will  far  exceed  a  thousand  persons.  If  their  Number  is 
not  greater  and  that  the  Congress  lasts  but  a  Week,  50  Barrels 
of  Pork,  and  a  proportion  of  Flour,  will  be  found  to  be  little 
enough  for  them,  but  as  I  have  rated  their  Numbers  and  the  time 
of  their  Stay  a  good  deal  Short  of  what  I  apprehend  they  will 
prove,  Your  Excellency  will  doubtless  give  such  Orders  thereon 
as  shall  be  most  fitting,  and  also  for  provisions  when  they  come  to 
the  settlements,  as  Kings  Provisions  can  be  sent  to  the  German- 
flatts  at  less  charge  than  they  can  be  supplied  by  the  Inhabitants. 

I  have  wrote  to  Sir  Henry  Moore,3  and  Lieut  Govr.  Penn4 
that  they  may  communicate  such  points  as  regard  their  Provinces 
seperately,  agreable  to  the  Orders  Sir  Wm.  received;  desiring  to 
be  furnished  with  such  surveys,  &ca  as  may  be  necessary  the 
better  to  facilitate  the  obtaining  a  Competent  Cession  of  Lands 
and  I  must  beg  to  be  honored  with  your  Excellencys  directions 
respecting  any  other  matters  which  you  shall  Judge  necessary  to 
be  done  previous  to  the  Congress.  — 

Lieut  Roberts5  is  before  this  time  at  Montreal  on  his  way  to 
Michilimackinac,  but  I  shall  agreable  to  your  Excellency's  of  the 
25th.  ult°.  Write  to  him  to  appear  against  Majr.  Rogers,0  and 
also  to  collect  all  other  Evidence  tending  to  prove  the  Charge 
against  him,  and  I  shall  be  glad  to  be  informed  where  he  is  to 
be  tryed  that  Mr.  Roberts  may  be  made  acquainted  with  it.  —  I 
apprehend  it  will  be  difficult  to  obtain  sufficient  Evidence  to  prove 
such  a  Charge,  perhaps  the  Testimony  of  the  late  Mr.  Potter7 
before  the  Chief  Justice  of  Quebec  Government  may  operate  in 
some  degree  towards  it.  — 

The  two  Letters  to  Sir  Wm.  from  Michilimackinac  contain 
only  a  short  account  of  the  manner  in  which  Major  Rogers  was 


3  Governor  of  New  York,  1  765-69. 

4  John  Penn,  lieutenant  governor  of  Pennsylvania. 

5  Lieutenant  Benjamin  Roberts,  commissary  at  Michilimackinac. 

6  Major  Robert  Rogers. 

7  Nathaniel  Potter. 


490  Sir  William  Johnson  Papers 

secured  with  the  Information  they  had  received  of  the  discontent 
of  some  Indians  on  that  occasion,  which  is  not  surprising  when  we 
consider  the  favors  they  received  from  him. 

Sir  Wm.  purposed  to  call  the  Western  Nations  together  as 
soon  as  possible ;  the  Expence  attending  it  was  all  that  prevented 
him.  —  several  of  the  Chiefs  from  thence  were  to  have  been 
down  this  Year  and  I  am  of  opinion  that  a  proper  Message  to 
them  now  will  be  regarded,  and  that  as  the  Affair  of  the  Bound- 
ary, and  the  presents  Expected  on  that  occasion  will  engage  All 
the  politicks  of  the  Six  Nations,  Senecas  of  Ohio,  Shawanese  &ca, 
the  latter  of  whom  have  great  influence  over  most  of  the  Western 
Indians,  there  will  hardly  be  any  thing  done  to  disturb  the  publick 
Tranquillity  at  Least  whilst  that  is  in  Agitation.  However  I  shall 
Give  the  Commissaries  in  that  Quarter  the  best  Instruction  I  can 
for  their  Government  at  this  time.  — 

I  forwarded  some  Letters  for  Head  Quarters  brought  by  return 
of  Sir  Wms.  Express  from  Niagara,  and  since  his  departure  a  few 
Indians  have  been  here  complaining  about  Lands  —  Whatever 
Intelligence  I  shall  receive  farther  relative  to  any  discontent  to  the 
Westward  I  shall  imediately  communicate,  and  I  hope  to  dis- 
charge my  Duty  during  Sir  Wms  absence  to  your  Excellencys 
satisfaction,  by  doing  every  thing  as  far  as  my  Experience  shall 
Suggest  for  the  Service,  and  requesting  the  honor  of  your  Com- 
mands on  any  of  the  foregoing  heads  I  beg  Leave  to  Subscribe 
myself.  With  the  highest  respect, 
Sir, 

Your  Excellency's  most  Obliged, 

and  most  Obedient  humble  Servant, 

G  Johnson 
His  Excellcy.  Major  Genl.  Gage 

INDORSED: 

Guy  Johnson  Esqr. 
Guy  Park  May  4th.  1 768 
Received  the  15th. 
Answered  — 


Indian  Affairs,   1766-68  491 

FROM  FREDERICK  CHRISTOPHER  SPIESMACHER 

Contemporary  Copy1 

Michilli™.  6ih.  May  1768.  — 
Sir  — 

By  an  Express  the  25  th.  of  February2  last  I  acquainted  you 
with  the  different  transactions  which  happened  here  during  the 
Winter,  as  did  also  Lieu1.  Christie.3  I  hope  these  letters  have 
reached  you  ere  this  time.  Since  that  date  I  have  got  different 
informations  from  Indians  of  different  nations,  the  whole  intend- 
ing a  War  against  us  this  Summer,  and  threatening  to  release 
Major  Rogers  from  his  Confinement.  — About  the  18th.  ins1,  the 
Ottawa  Nation  from  the  Grand  Riviere*  and  Abrecros5  headed 
by  La  Force,6  and  a  Chief  of  the  Grand  Riviere  arrived  here 
without  Arms.  The  Chiefs  in  Council  acquainted  me  that  several 
nations  had  got  giddy  headed,  but  that  they  were  determined  to 
hold  a  fast  Friendship  for  us,  begged  of  us  to  be  continually  on 
our  Guard  for  fear  of  a  Surprize  from  others.  —  Two  days  after 
the  Chippaweighs  arrived  wth.  Arms  headed  by  La  Grand  Sabre, 
MongamiJ^,  and  Bonnais  seemingly  much  discontented  by  throw- 
ing their  English  Colours  into  the  Lake,  and  by  inviting  the 
Ottawas  to  feast  with  them  &  to  join  with  them  in  forcing  their 
Father  Rogers7  from  his  Confinement.  —  the  Ottawas  absolutely 
refused,  and  went  peaceably  to  their  Village  —  I  invited  the 
Chippaweighs  to  Council  in  the  Fort,  and  spoke  to  them  with 
what  Eloquence  I  was  master  of.  they  seemed  to  be  sincerely 
sorry  for  their  behaviour,  and  have  begged  of  me  to  restore  them 
the  English  Colours  again,  since  which  time  they  have  been  very 
peaceable  and  quiet  in  Camp.  —  These  Disturbances  have  made 


1  In  Canadian  Archives,  Indian  Records,  Vol.  7. 

2  Ante  pp.  449-51. 

3  From  John  Christie,  Feb.  24,  1  768,  ante  pp.  438-43. 

4  The  Ottawa  River. 

5  Arbre   Croche,   immediately   north   of   Little   Traverse    Bay,   on   the 
northwest  corner  of  the  peninsula  of  Michigan. 

6  An  Ottawa  Chief. 

7  Major  Robert  Rogers. 


492  Sir  William  Johnson  Papers 

a  small  additional  Expence,  which  cou'd  not  be  prevented.  — 
Rogers  has  been  the  cause,  and  blest  be  God,  this  Garrison  is 
quit  of  him.  —  Yesterday  I  sent  him  on  board,  and  his  accomplice 
Fullerton,8  and  dispatch  the  Vessel  to  morrow  for  Detroit.  — 
Inclosed  You  have  the  different  Affidavits  which  I  thought  my 
Duty  to  enquire  into,  and  report  to  you  concerning  the  liquor 
sent  out  by  Major  Rogers  which  was  seized  by  Mr.  Roberts9  to 
which  Papers  I  refer  you  on  that  subject,  and  hope  for  your 
Directions  what  to  do  wth.  sd.  Liquor. 

Beazly10  who  has  been  reported  to  you  to  be  in  Confinement 
here  this  winter,  being  a  man  of  such  bad  Character,  and  so  much 
attached  to  the  Indians,  I  thought  proper  to  send  him  also  to 
Detroit  with  a  desire  that  he  may  be  sent  from  this  Indian 
Country  —  Be  assured  that  I  will  make  it  my  study  to  be  at  a 
small  expence  concerning  Indians,  —  nothwithstanding  it  will  be 
a  difficult  task  for  me  as  Major  Rogers  by  his  villainous  views 
has  formerly  been  so  liberal  to  them.  —  I  am  with  great  Respect 
&c  Yours  — 

F:  Spiesmacker. 

N:B:  Since  I  wrote  the  foregoing  I  have  recd.  an  account  by 
Express  from  the  Ottawa  Chief  La  Force  that  they  have  dis- 
covered in  the  Woods  the  Tracks  of  a  vast  number  of  Indians, 
—  with  War  Canoes ;  and  as  they  had  reason  for  some  time  past 
to  think  the  Six  Nations  might  visit  them  at  their  village.  Since  that 
is  not  the  case  it  is  verily  believed  some  French  &c  with  the  Illenois 
&  Se.  Joseph  Inds.  are  lurking  about  in  order  to  do  us  what  mis- 
chief they  can.  We  are  constantly  on  our  guard.  — 


8  David  Fullerton. 

9  Lieutenant  Benjamin  Roberts,  commissary  at  Michilimackinac. 

10  See  John  Christie  to  Johnson,  Oct.  28,  1  767,  Johnson  Papers,  5:765, 
where  the  name  is  written  "Bazlie." 


Indian  Affairs,  1766-68  493 

FROM  THOMAS  GAGE 
Contemporary  Copy1 

New  York  May >8A.  1768. 
Sir, 

I  have  recieved  your  Letter  of  the  23d.  of  April,2  from  Guy 
Park,  where  you  recieved  the  Express  with  Your  Letters  by  the 
last  Packet  with  the  January  Mail. 

Sir  Henry  Moore  has  seen  Lord  Shelburne's  Letter  to  Me, 
with  the  Report  of  the  Board  of  Trade  to  His  Lordship  on  the 
Subject  of  the  Boundary  Line  to  be  run,  to  divide  the  Limits  of 
the  Provinces  from  the  Indian  hunting  Grounds.  And  is  of 
opinion  that  the  Province  of  New  York  is  not  concerned  in  it. 
The  Line  as  described  in  the  Report  is  to  begin  at  Owegy ;  No 
mention  is  made  about  the  Western  Boundarys  of  New  York 
Province,  or  hinted  that  it  extends  to  Owegy.3  And  I  believe 
there  is  no  doubt  that  the  whole  Line  from  Owegy,  to  some  Miles 
below  Fort  Pitt  will  fall  within  the  Province  of  Pensylvania; 
And  if  Maryland  has  nothing  to  claim,  within  the  Tract  to  be 
ceded  by  the  Indians  on  the  Settlement  of  the  Limits,  it  appears 
that  the  whole  tract  will  be  divided  between  Pensylvania  and 
Virginia. 

All  Nations  who  have  Pretensions  should  certainly  be  con- 
sulted, and  treated  with  on  this  Occasion,  which  may  prevent 
disputes  with  any  of  the  Nations  in  time  to  come. 

Tho'  there  may  be  differences  between  the  Provinces,  about 
their  respective  Limits,  with  each  other,  yet  with  respect  to  the 
Indians,  the  Line  is  so  bounded  by  Rivers,  that  there  seems  noth- 
ing left  to  Dispute  with  them,  unless  it  may  be  in  the  Line  to  be 
drawn  from  the  West  Branch  of  Susquehanna  to  Kittaning,  unless 
some  Natural  Marks  shall  be  found  to  describe  that  part  of  the 
Boundary  in  such  manner  as  not  to  Admit  of  Doubt  or  Chicane. 
Disputes  may  arise  about  it  hereafter.  Whether  the  Provinces  will 
enact  such   Laws   as  you  mention   to  make  it   Felony   for   any 


1  In  William  L.  Clements  Library. 

2  Ante  pp.  476-79. 

3  Owego. 


494  Sir  William  Johnson  Papers 

Persons  to  enroach  beyond  the  Boundary  Line,  is  doubtfull,  par- 
ticularly with  respect  to  Virginia;  Pensylvania  has  already  done 
something  of  the  kind,  and  may  do  it  again,  but  if  they  do  not  put 
the  Laws  in  force,  they  had  better  make  none ;  And  all  the  good 
I  can  foresee  from  the  present  Boundary  is,  that  it  will  Stop  the 
Clamors  of  the  Indians  for  a  short  time.  The  Crown  will  be  put 
to  an  immense  Expence,  which  the  Provinces  should  bare,  the 
Wound  is  only  skinned  over,  and  not  probed  to  the  Bottom.  If 
means  are  not  fallen  upon  to  protect  the  Indians  in  their  Persons 
and  Property's,  it  matters  little  where  the  Boundarys  are  fixed. 
The  frontier  People  have  now  transgressed  them,  have  neither 
been  effectualy  removed  or  punished  for  their  Encroachments.  And 
when  the  proposed  Limits  shall  be  fixed,  I  despair  not  of  living 
long  enough  to  hear  that  they  have  transgressed  them  also. 

The  Provinces  concerned  I  imagine  will  not  hesitate  to  send 
Commissarys  to  attend  the  running  of  the  Line  and  to  ratify  the 
agreement,  in  such  manner  as  shall  be  required.  As  to  the  Line 
of  Virginia  terminating  at  the  S.W  Corner  of  Pensylvania,  I 
Apprehend  that  to  be  a  matter  between  the  two  Provinces,  the 
Indian  Boundary  is  to  run  down  the  Ohio  as  far  as  the  great 
Kanahwa,  and  the  Country  between  that  River  and  the  Sea,  I 
understand  is  to  be  ceded  by  them,  to  the  English  in  general;  It 
matters  not  to  them,  to  which  Province  it  is  to  be  distributed. 

It  would  be  proper  to  make  some  Conjecture  of  the  Sum  that 
will  be  wanted  to  finish  those  Transactions,  before  it  is  im- 
mediately demanded,  as  the  Contractors  should  have  Notice  to 
prepare  for  such  a  Demand;  And  it  may  be  worthy  Considera- 
tion, whether  the  Indians  should  be  paid  at  once  or  in  different 
Payments.  We  must  expect  .a  great  deal  of  debauchery  amongst 
them  as  long  as  the  Money  lasts,  and  little  hunting.  And  I  fear 
that  we  shall  find  it  difficult  to  restrain  the  Traders  from  going 
amongst  them,  who  will  be  tempted  to  risk  every  thing  as  long  as 
the  Indians  have  a  Penny  left  to  spend. 

I  Am  with  great  Regard. 
Dear  Sir, 

Sir  Wm.  Johnson  Bart.  &ca. 


Indian  Affairs,  1766-68  495 


INDORSED: 

Copy./ 

To 
Sir  William  Johnson,  Bart. 
Johnson  Hall. 
New  York  May  8th.  1 768. 


FROM  BAYNTON,  WHARTON  AND  MORGAN 

Copy1 

Philad".  May  8th.  1768 

Sir 

One  of  Us  expected  to  have  been  in  New  York  immediately 
after  the  receipt  of  your  last  Favor,  In  Respect  to  Mr.  Cole's  two 
accounts,  —  But  He  was  taken  very  ill  and  has  Ever  since  been 
confined  to  his  Chamber;  Wherefore  we  wrote  to  Mr.  Maturin,2 
The  General's  Secretary,  to  know  Whether  his  Excellency  the 
General  would  be  pleased  to  give  us  a  warrant  for  the  amount  of 
Them,  as  we  were  in  extreme  Want  of  money,  Just  now,  we  have 
been  favored  with  an  answer  from  Mr.  Maturin,  Wherein  He  is 
pleased  to  inform  us  —  "I  have  upon  Receipt  of  your  Letter 
addressed  the  General  upon  the  Subject  and  He  seems  inclinable 
to  grant  a  warrant  to  Sir  William  Johnson  for  the  Amount  of 
those  Disbursements,  You  must  Therefore  settle  with  Sir  William 
Johnson  the  availing  yourselves  of  the  warrant,  when  granted; 
For  as  the  money  is  made  payable  to  Sir  William  Or  his  assigns 
Only,  The  authority  for  receiving  it,  must  come  from  Him."3 

Your  Honor  knows  Our  Situation.  We  shall  not  Therefore 
trouble  you  with  a  Repetion  of  Our  very  urgent  Demand  for 
money  —  But  Only  beg,  as  a  most  singular  Favor,  —  That  you 


1  Printed    in   Illinois   Historical    Collections,     16:278-79;    original,    in 
mutilated  form,  was  printed  in  Johnson  Papers,  6:2 1  5-1  6. 

2  Gabriel  Maturin. 

3  Letter  printed  in  Illinois  Historical  Collections,  16:278. 


496  Sir  William  Johnson  Papers 

will  be  pleased,  if  practicable,  by  the  Return  of  the  Post,  To  be 
so  kind,  as  to  send  us  your  Order  for  receiving  the  amount  of  the 
General's  Warrant  And  That  you  will  transmit  your  Letter  and 
Order  to  us,  Under  Cover  to  Robert  Leake  Esquire  Commissary 
General  of  Provissions,  There  to  be  left,  until  called  for,  as  One 
of  us  shall  the  last  of  this  week,  proceed  to  New  York  to  receive 
the  money. 

We  have  no  news  as  yet  from  Mr.  Croghan. 

We  are  with  the  highest  Respect  &  Esteem  Sir  Yr.  most 
Obedient  And  much  Obliged  Servants 

Baynton  Wharton  &  Morgan 

The  Honorable  Sir  William  Johnson  Bart. 

INDORSED: 

Philad*.  May  8th.  1  768 

From  Messrs.  Baynton  &  Wharton  &c 

concerning  cash  &c 

Ansrd.  23d.  Ins1. 


FROM  JAMES  DUANE 

Df.  S.1 

Nen>  York  9lh.  May  1768 

Sir 

George  Klock2  having  pleaded  Not  Guilty  to  the  Information 
Exhibited  agl.  him  for  Barratry  [by]  upon  your  [directions] 
Application  —  I  propose  to  bring  it  to  a  Trial  at  the  next  Circuit 
[in  June]  for  Albany  County  —  It  [wod.]  will  be  necessary  that 
the  Officers  of  the  Crown  [she]  be  furnished  with  the  Names  of 
the  Witnesses  to  support  the  Inform  and  the  Substance  of  their 


1  In  New  York  Historical  Society. 

2  George  (Ury)  Klock. 


Indian  Affairs,  1766-68  497 

Evidence  for  which  we  must  depend  upon  you  &  [wch  purpose 
you  will  be  pleased  to  Instruct  [give]  some  person  acquainted  rvith 
the  Offence  as  we  are  Strangers  to  furnish  me  with  what  is  neces- 
sary] —  and  [/  will  send  up  shall  take  Care  to  send  him  Sub- 
poenas &  Tickets  in  order  to  be  served  for  the  Witnesses]^  Care 
will  be  taken  to  [furnish]  forward  the  Subpenas  and  Tickets  when 
we  are  favourd  with  the  necessary  Instructions. 

As  the  Charge  of  the  Crown  Business  has  devolved  upon  me 
in  the  Absence  of  the  Attorney  General  you  will  be  pleased  to 
write  to  me  on  this  Subject, 

I  have  the  Honour  to  be  with  grate  Respect 

Sir 

Your  most  Obedient  & 
most  humble  Serv1 
Sir  William  Johnson  Baronet  Jas.  Duane 

INDORSED: 

Duane  9th.  May  1  768 


Letter  to  Sir  Wm.  Johnson  from 
Mr.  Duane 


Klock 


AN  INDIAN  CONFERENCE 

Contemporary  Copy1 

[Guy  Park,  May  9,  1768] 

Keewahal  al  Arie  a  Mohiccon  with  21  of  his  People  arrived 
at  Guy-Park,  and  addressed  ColK  Johnson2  as  followes  — 


3  Words  italicized  and  in  brackets  are  crossed  out  in  the  manuscript. 

1  In  Canadian  Archives,  Indian  Records,  Vol.  8. 

2  Guy  Johnson. 


498  Sir  William  Johnson  Papers 

Father 

We  are  very  glad  to  See  you  well  at  this  time ;  we  have  longed 
very  much  to  see  you,  on  account  of  a  Dream  which  we  have 
had  —  Father,  I  lately  had  a  dream  concerning  my  Father  Sir 
William  Johnson,  which  gave  me  uneasiness,  I  therefore  im- 
mediately prepared  to  come,  and  See  him,  with  these  my  People, 
but  found  the  way  all  dark,  and  could  not  find  him,  I  therefore 
now  come  to  you,  who  has  the  care  of  us  in  his  Absence  — 

Gave  three  Strings 
Father  — 

With  these  three  Strings  we  congratulate  you  on  your  good 
State  of  Health,  and  we  remove  every  bad  thing  from  your 
Heart,  —  We  likewise  clear  your  sight,  &  Open  your  Ears,  that 
you  may  See,  and  hear  us  distinctly,  and  I  begg  that  if  I  should 
say  any  thing  out  of  the  way,  you  will  attribute  it  to  my  Age  & 
the  forgetfullness  attending  it. 

Father  — 

Being  disappointed  of  Seeing  Sir  William,  Mr.  Van  Epps3 
directed  us  to  you,  before  whom  we  are  now  assembd. 

3  Strings 
Father 

We  have  been  long  in  your  Alliance,  —  we  saw  you  first  come 
to  this  river,  and  entered  into  alliance  with  you,  which  we  have 
ever  since  observed;  we  hope  that  you  will  allways  do  the  same, 
and  we  now  assure  you  that  our  Bodies  are  purged  of  every  bad 
thing,  and  that  all  nations  Shall  witness  our  good  behaviour,  — - 
We  have  cleared  the  Sky,  that  the  Sun  may  shine  bright  upon  us 
both.  In  old  times,  we  had  wiser  men  amongst  us  than  now,  — 
most  of  our  People  being  young,  are  less  acquainted  with  the  old 
customs,  and  forms,  in  which,  if  we  should  fail  you  will  excuse  us. 
—  we  were  formerly  well  clothed,  we  now  come  poor,  &  naked 
before  you,  but  we  cannot  help  it.  —  our  Women  also  are  in  the 
same  plight,  their  Nails  are  of  their  fingers  to  the  Bone,  by  en- 


3  John  Baptist  Van  Eps,  interpreter. 


Indian  Affairs,  1766-68  499 

deavoring  to  raise  Bread  for  their  Familys.  —  Father,  We  used 
to  be  well  treated  for  our  fidelity,  —  we  hope  that  you  will  not 
forget  us  now,  as  we  are  poor  —  there  are  still  Beasts,  and  Birds 
left,  but  we  have  not  Guns  to  shoot  them.  —  we  often  take  up 
a  Stick,  and  present  it  wishing  it  would  kill  Game  for  our  Sub- 
sistance  —  We  are  ashamed,  Father,  to  appear  before  you  so 
bare.  —  We  hope  that  you  will  consider  us,  —  that  you  will  let 
us  have  a  Gun  to  shoot  with,  and  something  to  cover  us,  and  that 
you  will  chear  our  Hearts  with  Liquor.  —  We  have  not  as 
formerly  a  Skin  to  give  with  our  words;  we  hope  you  will 
furnish  us  with  the  means  of  getting  Skins.  —  We  thank  You 
from  our  Hearts  for  the  favorable  reception  we  have  met  with 
from  you,  and  we  beg  that  you  will  consider  us.  — 

A  Belt  of  7  Rows 

Colonel  Johnson  answered  them  as  follows  — 

Children  — 

I  am  glad  to  see  you  all  in  health  at  my  House.  —  I  have 
attended  to  all  you  have  said,  and  shall  give  you  as  favorable  an 
answer,  as  is  in  my  power.  — 

Children  — 

I  am  pleased,  that  you  have  not  forgot  your  old  Customs,  that 
you  have  cleared  my  sight,  and  opened  my  Ears;  I  now  do  the 
same  that  you  may  See,  and  hear  me 

3  Strings 
Children  — 

It  is  well  done  of  you  to  remember  the  old  Covents.  entered 
into  with  our  Forefathers,  and  that  you  have  purged  your  Bodies 
of  all  Evil.  —  I  now  tell  you  that  the  English  remember  the 
agreements  likewise,  and  that  their  Bodies  are  purged  of  every 
thing  that  is  bad,  and  will  keep  the  Sky  clear  over  your  heads,  — 
and  as  they  are  wise,  and  have  the  use  of  Letters,  they  will  be 
indulgent  to  any  mistakes,  you  may  make  thro'  the  want  of 
Learning.  —  Your  necessities  I  am  sorry  to  hear  of,  particularly, 
as  it  is  not  at  present  in  my  power  to  relieve  you  in  them  all,  as 


500  Sir   William  Johnson  Papers 

there  are  no  Arms,  or  Clothing  here.  —  What  I  can  do  now  to 
relieve  you,  I  will  with  a  willing  heart,  and  Shall  order  you  some 
Provisions,  and  Amunition  for  such  arms  as  you  have,  and  a  little 
Liquor.  —  This  is  all  I  can  do  now  —  When  your  fathr.  Sir 
William  returns,  he  may  perhaps  consider  your  necessities  farther, 
in  the  mean  time  be  sober,  and  industrious  &  friendly  to  the 
English,  and  you  will  not  fail  of  meeting  with  such  countenance, 
and  protection  as  it  is  convenient  to  afford  you.  — 

A  Belt  — 


THOMAS  GAGE  TO  GUY  JOHNSON 
Contemporary  Copy1 

New  York  16*  Max,  1768. 

Sir, 

I  have  had  the  Pleasure  to  recieve  yours  of  the  4th.  Instant,2 
in  Answer  to  mine  to  Sir  William  Johnson  of  the  25th.  Ultmo.3 
The  Messages  you  have  sent  to  the  Six  Nations,  Shawnese, 
Delawares  &ca.  together  with  Mr.  Croghan's  Conferences  at  Fort 
Pitt  with  the  latter,  and  Seneca's  of  the  Ohio,  will  no  doubt  render 
them  for  a  time  more  tractable,  and  the  Ensuing  Congress  to  settle 
the  Boundarys  will  make  them  forget  their  Grievances  as  long  as 
the  Money  or  Presents  they  are  to  recieve  shall  last.  It  is  neces- 
sary to  proceed  to  other  matters  as  soon  as  we  can,  of  which  I  shall 
write  hereafter  to  Sir  William,  but  it  seems  to  me  very  proper  to 
do  something  which  shall  put  a  stop  to  the  Murder's  on  the  Lakes. 
I  hear  that  the  Ottawa's  as  well  as  the  Miamis  are  disturbed  on 
Account  of  the  Murder  of  Hombach,4  by  the  Pouteatamies  of 
Sl.  Joseph,  and  full  of  Resentment  that  Blood  should  be  shed  in 
their  Village.  The  Indian  Commissary's  should  improve  this  Dis- 


1  In  William  L.  Clements  Library. 

2  Ante  pp.  488-90. 

3  Johnson  Papers,  6:208-09. 

4  Henry  Hambach   (Hambough)   who  was  captured  at  St.  Joseph's  in 
1  763  and  held  a  prisoner.   See  Johnson  Papers,  10:715,  914. 


Indian  Affairs,  1766-68  501 

position,  and  demand  the  fullfilling  of  their  Promises  to  protect  all 
the  Traders  sent  to  their  Village.  There  is  a  strong  Suspicion  that 
the  Vagabond  Canadian  Settlers  amongst  the  Indians  have  been 
guilty  of  exciting  the  Savages  to  Mischief  to  keep  all  the  Trade 
in  their  hands;  for  the  Pouteatamies  went  out  with  a  Resolution 
to  kill  all  the  English  Traders  they  should  find,  Wintering 
amongst  the  different  Nations.  It  may  be  a  difficult  Business,  but 
we  must  on  the  first  Conference  that  Sir  William  shall  have  with 
those  Indians  make  a  Point  of  it,  that  they  shall  remove  all  those 
Vagabonds,  as  the  only  means  to  preserve  Peace  and  Tranquility 
in  their  Country. 

The  Commissary  General  has  been  spoke  to  concerning  the 
Provisions  that  will  be  wanted  at  the  Ensuing  Congress,  and  will 
take  care  to  have  it  ready.  I  think  it  very  proper  that  the 
Provinces  concerned  should  have  Commissioners  present  at  the 
Congress,  of  which  Sir  William  has  wrote,  and  I  mean  to  write 
immediately,  to  the  respective  Governors,  as  well  to  do  every  thing 
that  shall  be  Judged  Necessary  on  the  part  of  the  Provinces,  as 
to  certifie  the  delivery  of  the  Sum  that  shall  be  agreed  upon  to 
the  Indians ;  which  they  also  shou'd  give  Receipts  for,  in  the  most 
Publick  and  formal  Manner,  to  prevent  all  Chicane,  doubt  or 
pretence  hereafter,  that  they  have  not  recieved  to  the  last  farthing 
what  shall  be  stipulated  in  the  Agreement,  for  the  Cession  of  their 
Lands,  on  the  final  Settlement  of  the  Boundary.  In  the  Letter  by 
last  Packet  to  Sir  William  from  Lord  Hillsborough,5  I  presume 
that  he  is  provided  with  a  Map6  wherein  this  Boundary,  together 
with  those  already  concluded  with  the  Southern  Indians  is  marked. 
By  this  Map  and  the  Description  given  of  the  Boundary  in  the 
Letter  from  the  Board  of  Trade  and  Plantations  to  Lord  Shel- 
burne,7  the  Line  begins  at  Orvegy,  which  I  conclude  in  Pennsyl- 
vania, no  mention  is  made  how  far  the  Western  Boundary's  of 
New  York  is  to  extend  towards  Owegy,  and  this  Province  does 


5  March  12,   1768.  Doc.  Rel.  Col.  Hist.  N.  Y.,  8:35-36. 

6  Printed  in  Johnson  Papers,  5  :286. 

"  March  7,  1768.  Doc.  Rel.  Col.  Hist,  N.  Y.,  8:19-34. 


502  Sir   William  Johnson  Papers 

not  appear  to  be  concerned ;  The  Line  from  the  West  Branch  of 
Susquehanna  to  Kittaning  is  also  drawn  upon  the  Map.  Bound- 
ary's by  Water  seem  wanting  there,  but  other  Natural  Bound- 
ary's may  be  discovered  perhaps,  on  running  the  Line. 

I  have  wrote  likewise  as  well  as  you  to  Mr.  Roberts8  about 
his  Appearance  at  Major  Roger's  Trial,  and  desired  he  would 
leave  Missilimakinak  with  Captain  Spiesmacher,9  and  the  rest 
of  the  Officers  of  that  Garrison.  If  Sir  William  Judges  it  right  to 
employ  any  other  Person  during  Mr.  Robert's  Absence  to  trans- 
act the  Business  of  the  Post,  he  will  of  course  do  it. 

I  Am, 
Sir, 

&ca. 
INDORSED : 

Copy./.  To 

Guy  Johnson  Esqr. 
Johnson  Hall, 
New  York  16th.  May  1768. 


JOURNAL  OF  INDIAN  AFFAIRS 

Contemporary  Copy1 

[Guy  Park,  May  12-17,  1768] 

May    1 2th.  —  Warrnughsisfra    a    Seneca    chief,    and    his    wife 

arrived  beging  some  assistance,  their  House  being  burned 

1 3th.  —  At   a    Meeting   with   the    Mohocks,    Colonel   Johnson2 

addressed  them  as  followes  — 

Brethern  — 

I  give  you  all  a  hearty  wellcome  to  this  place.  —  the  occasion 
of  my  calling  you  together,  was  to  accquaint  you  of  his  Majesty's 


8  Lieutenant  Benjamin  Roberts. 

9  Captain  Fred.  Christopher  Spiesmacher,  who  succeeded  Major  Robert 
Rogers  as  commandant  at  Michilimackinac. 

1  In  Canadian  Archives,  Indian  Records,  Vol.  8. 

2  Colonel  Guy  Johnson. 


Indian  Affairs,   1766-68  503 

gracious  intention  to  have  the  Boundary  Line  with  you  im- 
mediately settled,  to  which  end  it  will  be  necessary,  that  not  only 
the  Six  Nations,  but  all  their  dependants  to  the  Southward  shd. 
be  present,  least  they  Should  plead  Ignorance  thereof,  and  from 
their  vicinity  to  the  Settlements,  become  troublesome;  for  this 
reason,  I  have  allready  sent  a  Message  to  them,  as  they  live  so  far 
from  hence,  and  I  now  Judge  it  a  proper  time  to  apprise  the  Six 
Nations  therewith,  that  they  may  be  ready  to  accompany  their 
Nephews  in  one  body  to  this  place  on  their  Arrival,  so  as  to  be 
here  about  the  20th.  of  July  next.  —  I  have  likewise  to  inform  you, 
that  the  King  has  been  pleased  to  appoint  a  particular  Nobleman 
to  attend  the  American  Affairs,  who  will  lay  all  Sir  Williams 
representations  before  him  whenever  they  come  to  hand.  —  It 
only  remains  for  me  to  tell  you,  that  as  I  am  to  send  a  Belt  to  the 
Six  Nations  by  the  hands  of  a  white  man  to  call  them  here  within 
ten  days,  you  will  consider  of  two  fit  persons  of  your  nation  to 
accompany  him,  and  also  to  point  out  to  me  any  thing  further, 
which  may  occurr  to  you,  as  necessary  upon  that  Occasion,  which 
I  shall  pay  proper  regard  to.  —  for  altho'  I  have  been  long 
accquainted  with  your  affairs,  I  would  willingly  avoid  erring  in 
point  of  form,  on  this  occasion.  — 

The  Mohock  Speaker  gave  thanks  for  what  had  been  said, 
and  desired  to  withdraw  to  consider  an  answer  —  Having  with- 
drawn for  about  half  an  hour,  he  returned,  and  addressed  Colonel 
Johnson  — 

Brother  — 

We  thank  you  for  the  attention  which  you  have  shewn  to  our 
Affairs,  and  are  glad  to  hear  the  good  news  you  have  communi- 
cated to  us,  which  we  hope  will  put  an  end  to  the  frauds  practised 
upon  our  People,  and  be  a  means  of  continuing  Peace.  —  We 
have  attended  to,  and  considered  all  you  have  said,  with  which 
we  are  well  pleased  —  The  Steps  you  have  taken  in  calling  our 
Nephews,  and  giving  them  the  earliest  Notice  of  the  Affair 
intended,  are  so  exactly  correspondant  with  our  own  Sentiments, 
that  we  cannot  Say  anything  in  addition  thereto;  the  Words  you 


504  Sir  William  Johnson  Papers 

have  Spoken,  Shewing  you  to  be  as  well  accquainted  with  our 
Forms,  as  we  know  you  to  be  with  our  affairs,  and  Interests.  — 
We  Shall  therefore  immediately  comply  with  your  desire,  and, 
on  the  arrival  of  those  who  are  absent,  Shall  consult  together  who 
are  the  fittest  of  our  People  to  send  thro'  the  Nations,  after  which 
we  shall  wait  upon  You  in  a  few  days  with  the  result  of  our 
deliberations,  that  you  may  See  the  persons  we  have  chosen, 
and  give  them  Such  instructions  as  you  shall  Judge  most  proper  — 
1 3th.  —  Had  a  little  discourse  w*.  Warioughssa  — 
1 5  th.  — -  Was  visited  by  a  Seneca  chief  who  had  been  long  in- 
disposed, had  lost  his  Hunting,  and  could  not  attend  the  late 
Meeting  —  Gave  him  &  Warrughissa  orders  for  a  little  Clothing, 
&  Some  Cash  &c  — 

Was  visited  by  sev1.  other  Indns.  — 
1 7th.  —  The  Senecas  after  much  difficulty  took  Leave  and  re- 
turned home  — 


AN  INDIAN  CONFERENCE 
Contemporary  Copy1 

[Guy  Park]  May  19*.  ,  / 768 

At  a  Meeting  with  the  Mohocks  — 

Present  —  Sir  John  Johnson  Knl. 

Guy  Johnson  Esqr.  —  Dep>\  Ag'.  — 
Messrs.  Adams2  &  Tice3  — 
John  Butler  Esqr.  Interpreter 
Abraham  Speaker  — 
Brother  — 

At  our  last  meeting,4  we  told  you  that  the  Sunday  following  we 
Should  all  assemble,  to  consult  on  whom  we  Should  send  as  a 


1  In  Canadian  Archives,  Indian  Records,  Vol.  8. 

2  Robert  Adems. 

3  Captain  Gilbert  Tice. 

4  May  I  3,  1  768,  ante  pp.  502-04. 


Indian  Affairs,  1766-68  505 

Messenger,  agreeable  to  your  desire,  thro'  the  nations,  which  hav- 
ing settled,  we  apprehended  that  the  late  Loss5  might  have  pre- 
vented you  from  being  able  to  attend  to  us,  'till  we  heard  from  Mr. 
Butler,  that  this  day  you  would  be  ready.  —  We  are  therefore, 
now  come  before  you,  who  has  the  care  of  us,  and  the  manage- 
ment of  our  affairs,  and  as  we  look  upon  you  now  in  the  same 
place  with  Sir  William  Johnson,  we  are  ready  to  give  you  an 
answer,  and  observe  your  directions.  — 
Brother  — 

We  now  Speak  to  you  as  to  Sir  William,  &  according  to  our 
antient  Customs,  considering  that  you  must  be  in  Grief  for  the 
late  Loss,  we  with  this  String  wipe  your  eyes,  that  you  may  see 
Clearly,  and  we  open  your  ears,  and  remove  all  concern  from 
your  Heart,  gathering  together  the  Bones  of  the  deceased,  &  bury- 
ing them  that  they  no  more  Offend  your  Sight.  — 

Gave  three  Strings 
Brother  — 

1 9th.  —  Having  thus  far  complied  w,h.  antient  customs,  we  now 
with  this  Belt  Level  the  Grave  of  the  deceased,  so  that  it  shall  no 
more  be  seen,  but  that  we  may  proceed  to  business  as  usual.  — 

A  Belt  of  7  Rows 

To  which  Col.  Johnson  answered  — 

Brothers  — 

I  return  you  many  thanks  for  your  condolance,  and  am  glad  to 
see  you  preserve  in  Memory  the  antient  Customs,  —  but  being  out 
of  Wampum,  and  less  experienced  in  these  matters,  I  must  refer 
you  to  Sir  William  who  will  answer  you  fully  on  his  return.  — 

Then  Abraham  proceeded  — 
Brother  — 

We  are  prepared  to  answer  you  on  the  subject  of  our  last 
meeting,  and  we  are  to  accquaint  you  that  we  have  made  choice 
of  6  and  6  together  with  this  Boy 


5  This    death,    apparently    in    the    Johnson    household,    has    not    been 
identified. 

6  Blank  in  the  manuscript. 


506  Sir  William  Johnson  Papers 

(pointing  to  6  to  accompany  them,  least  they 

Should  be  sick  by  the  way ;  these  persons  are  ready  to  attend  your 
time  &  do  what  [you]  shall  think  necessary 
To  which  Colonel  Johnson  answered  — 

Brothers  — 

I  am  heartily  glad  to  find  that  you  have  made  choice  of  two 
such  proper  persons  to  go  on  a  business  of  so  much  importance, 
and  I  also  approve  of  your  sending  the  boy,  who  may  be  of 
Service,  Should  they  fall  sick,  or  meet  with  any  of  those  accidents, 
to  which  those  are  liable,  who  make  long  Journeys.  —  I  have  sent 
for  the  white  man,  who  is  to  accompany  them,  but  he  is  not  as 
yet  arrived,  —  so  soon  as  he  comes,  I  shall  give  you  notice  that 
the  men  you  have  chosen  may  attend,  and  hear  what  I  have  to 
say  to  him,  and  them,  that  no  mistakes  may  be  made  — 

They  then  appologised  for  two  of  the  Tribes  not  attending  the 
Funeral,  having  several  People  sick  —  after  which  Colonel  John- 
son told  them  — 

Brothers  — 

Since  our  last  Meeting,  another  Pacquet  is  arrived  from  the 
Secretary  of  State  who  assures,  that  by  the  power  given  to  the 
Super-Intendant,  such  regulations  will  Shortly  be  made,  as  will 
prove  most  effectual  for  preventing  the  Ills  you  have  complained 
of.  —  This  I  Judged  it  necessary  to  inform  you  of,  as  I  knew  it 
must  be  agreeable,  and  as  I  would  conceal  no  news  from  you.  — 
I  have  likewise  the  pleasure  to  accquaint  you,  that  I  have  heard 
yesterday  of  Sir  William's  being  much  better  —  Brothers,  I  have 
only  at  present  to  add,  that  I  am  persuaded  you  will  give  the  men 
you  send,  proper  advice  previous  to  their  Journey,  that  no  mistakes 
may  be  made  — 

To  which  Abraham  answd.  — 

Brother  — 

We  shall  assuredly  do  what  you  desire,  and  we  thank  you  for 
the  agreeable  news  you  have  communicated  to  us ;  —  We  now 
think  it  necessary  to  remind  you,  that  we  have  been  thinking  that 


6  Blank  in  the  manuscript. 


Indian  Affairs,  1766-68  507 

our  Brothers,  and  Nephews  at  Onoghquagey,  and  others,  who  live 
on  the  road,  had  best  to  be  called  to  the  Congress.  —  This  we  tell 
you,  as  you  have  been  so  good  as  to  desire  our  advice.  —  but  we 
Submit  this  matter  entirely  to  you  — 
To  which  CoK  Johnson  answered  — 

Brothers  — 

It  was  my  intention  from  the  beginning  that  your  Brothers,  and 
Nephews,  who  live  out  of  the  road,  should  be  called,  and  I 
thought  it  unnecessary  to  mention  them,  when  I  named  the  Six 
Nations  to  whom  many  of  them  are  Brothers,  and  the  rest 
Nephews,  as  the  Shawanese  &  Delawares  are,  who  are  likewise 
called,  I  therefore  entirely  agree  to  it,  and  only  add,  that  as  busi- 
ness is  best  carried  on,  when  none  but  fit  men  go  about  it,  there 
is  no  Occasion  for  the  attendance  of  any,  but  Chiefs,  and 
Warriors  — 


GUY  JOHNSON  TO  THOMAS  GAGE 

Guy  Park  May  20ih.  1768. 

Sir, 

Since  the  Letter  of  the  4th.  Inst2  which  I  had  the  honor  to 
address  to  your  Excellency,  Your  Letters  of  the  second3  and 
third4  instant  arrived  here,  the  former  with  Extracts  from  that 
Wrote  by  Capt.  Turnbull5  concerning  the  Murder  of  the  Two 
Traders,  of  which  I  have  likewise  received  an  Account  from  Com- 
missary Hay,G  as  also  of  the  Murder  of  James  Hill  Clark1  by  one 
Meyet  a  French  Man,  at  the  House  of  Mini  Chesnes  in  the  pres- 


1  In  William  L.  Clements  Library. 

2  Ante  pp.  488-90. 

3  Ante  pp.  486-88. 

4  Johnson  Papers,  6:21  1-13. 

5  Johnson  Papers,  6:121-22. 

6  Lieutenant  Jehu  Hay. 

7  A  trader. 

8  An  interpreter  at  Detroit. 


508  Sir  William  Johnson  Papers 

ence  of  several  Canadians,  and  from  the  Depositions  taken  thereon 
it  appears  that  Chesne  suffered  the  Offenders  to  get  off,  and 
Clarks  goods  to  be  cut  up  and  divided.  — 

Mr.  Hay  farther  reports  that  one  Beau  Soliel  at  S*.  Josephs 
who  acts  as  he  gives  out  as  Commandant  there,  by  Appointment 
from  Major  Rogers,  Informs  that  the  Chiefs  of  that  place  deny 
their  knowledge  of  the  murder  of  Mr.  Hambach,9  and  say  it  was 
committed  by  some  who  have  left  their  Village  &  disregard  their 
Admonitions;  all  which  I  take  to  be  an  idle,  stale  Excuse.  Mr. 
Hay  adds  that  an  Ottawa  Chief  conversing  with  him  about 
Major  Rogers  said  "he  was  a  good  father  but  that  Mr.  Roberts10 
begrudged  them  every  thing  altho  the  property  of  the  King."  — 
That  Major  Rogers's  last  Words  to  him  were  to  Come  in  with 
his  people  so  soon  as  the  Ice  was  gone,  having  something  of  great 
importance  to  communicate,  after  which  he  would  set  out  to  Wait 
on  your  Exce!lcJ\,  and  that  the  Indians  give  out  they  have  received 
Belts  from  the  Spaniards  to  kill  all  the  English  who  may  be  found 
trading  in  their  Country.  Mr.  Hay  farther  says,  that  the  Indians 
who  killed  Rogers11  came  to  the  House  of  L.  Chevallier,12  and 
in  the  presence  of  sev1.  Frenchmen,  desired  that  the  Command*, 
and  Commissary  shod.  be  informed  that  their  intentions  were  bad, 
&  that  they  would  go  against  Detroit,  or  Fort  Pitt  so  soon  as  the 
Snow  was  gone  Assisted  by  the  Shawanese ;  —  That  they  had 
killed  Rogers  to  shew  that  they  would  suffer  no  Englishman 
amongst  them,  and  that  the  only  terms  on  which  they  made  peace, 
were,  that  no  Englishman  should  be  sent  amongst  them.  —  Mr. 
Hay  also  gives  an  account  of  the  Murder  of  a  Huron  (whose 
brother  was  killed  by  a  Soldier  in  1  764)  by  a  french  Man  at 
the  Detroit,  and  that  on  the  late  Accidents  he  assembled  the 
Traders  who  agreed  to  send  French  men  to  protect  their  effects 
in  the  Indian  Country  &  to  put  their  Rum  into  a  general  store, 
giving  bonds  to  each  other  that  none  should  give  beyond  a  Glass 


9  Frederick  Hambach. 

10  Commissary  Benjamin  Roberts. 

11  A  trader. 

12  Louis  Chevallier.  See  Johnson  Papers,  6:121. 


Indian  Affairs,  1766-68  509 

5p   diem  to  an  Indian,  but  he  seemed  to  doubt  the  continuance 
of  this  Resolution.  — 

From  these  reports,  as  well  as  in  Obedience  to  your  Excellencys 
Letter  I  have  wrote  fully  both  to  the  Comissy*.  &  to  Mr. 
Croghan  and  I  wish  it  may  have  a  proper  effect  The  French 
who  live  in  the  Indian  Country  are  without  doubt  at  the  bottom 
of  all  this:  But  their  Influence  over  &  Connection  with  the 
Indians  will  make  it  a  Work  of  much  difficulty  to  remove  them, 
which  I  apprehend  the  Indians  will  hardly  consent  to,  and  Should 
force  be  found  necessary,  it  may  be  productive  of  a  Quarrel,  — 
One  means  of  Withdrawing  them  will  be  the  prohibition  of  Goods 
to  them.  Yet,  so  long  as  other  Traders  are  suffered  to  go  into  the 
Indian  Country,  they  will  get  Supplies,  Our  Traders  often 
finding  it  their  advantage  to  sell  to  those  who  are  on  such  terms 
with  the  Indians  that  they  can  afford  to  give  high  prices  for  goods, 
which  they  dispose  of  to  them  at  a  proportional  Advance  without 
giving  them  discontent,  whereof  proof  has  been  often  given  to 
Sir  William  Johnson,  —  The  practices  of  these  French  gives 
Occasion  to  the  Quebec  Merchants  to  desire  an  Unlimitted  indul- 
gence throughout  the  Indian  Country.  Ailedging  that  the  Trade 
will  otherwise  be  drawn  down  the  Misisipi  and  in  all  probability 
it  originated  with  the  French  who  were  sensible  that  when  in 
Conjunction  with  our  Traders  they  had  once  obtained  this 
Liberty,  they  would  render  it  of  no  use  to  any  but  themselves 
through  the  Artifices  of  their  Agents,  —  The  Traders  may  now 
see  the  danger  of  being  in  a  Country  Exposed  to  the  artifices  of 
French,  and  the  fury  of  Indians,  and  I  hope  they  will  become 
sensible  of  the  Necessity  of  some  Restrictions,  when  found  to 
operate  In  their  favor,  and  to  the  disadvantage  of  these  Dis- 
turbers. Lieut  Roberts  being  called  down  I  have  wrote  Mr.  Hay 
concerning  Michilimackinac,  as  it  will  be  without  a  Commissary, 
and  since  My  Last  two  Letters  are  arrived  from  the  Earl  of 
Hillsborough  the  one  to  Notify  his  Appointment,13  the  other14  on 


13  See  Doc.  Rel  Col.  Hist.  N.  Y.,  8:7. 

14  March  12,  1768.  Ibid.,  8:35-36. 


510  Sir   William  Johnson  Papers 

the  Subject  of  the  Boundary  and  Signifying  the  intentions  of 
Government  to  regulate  Speedily  many  of  the  Affairs  of  the  De- 
partment, with  a  Map  delineating  the  Line  required.  —  The 
Opinion  that  N  York  is  not  concerned  in  it  arises  I  apprehend 
from  a  Mistake  made  concerning  Orvegy.  —  When  Sir  William 
sounded  the  Indians  on  this  Subject  Three  years  ago  being  not 
Authorized  at  that  time  to  Settle  it,  he  did  not  come  to  any 
Agreement  with  them  concerning  the  continuation  of  the  Bound- 
ary North  east  of  that  place,  Nevertheless  it  was  always  under- 
stood &  Expected  to  be  continued  between  the  Six  Nations  and 
the  Claims  of  this  Province,  the  Settlements  of  which  are  already 
far  advanced  into  the  Country  of  the  Oneidas,  who  with  the  rest 
of  the  Confederacy  are  very  particularly  interested  herein,  but 
as  the  Boundary  from  Owegy  happened  not  to  be  pointed  out,  the 
Board  of  Trade  did  not  advert  (I  presume)  to  it,  or  were  not 
acquainted  with  its  necessity.  I  am  fully  persuaded  that  unless 
the  boundary  is  strictly  adhered  to,  and  all  Transgressors  punished, 
what  is  now  proposed  will  rather  make  things  worse,  as  it  is  not 
the  Enacting  Laws,  or  making  regulations  but  the  Vigorous 
Execution  of  them,  alone,  that  can  convince  the  Indians  of  our 
Inclination  to  do  them  Justice,  or  remove  those  prejudices  they 
have  so  long  conceived  against  us.  —  The  Executive  powers  of 
Government  must  be  more  than  Ordinarily  exerted,  from  the 
Licentious  habits  acquired  by  the  frontier  Inhabitants,  otherwise 
little  can  be  Expected.  —  I  persuade  myself  that  Sir  William 
Johnson  is  of  the  same  sentiments.  —  I  expect  to  have  his 
thoughts  in  a  few  days  concerning  the  Expence  of  the  intended 
Congress,  if  not,  I  shall  make  as  near  a  calculation  as  I  possibly 
can,  which  I  shall  transmit  to  your  Excellency,  tho'  I  despair  of 
being  able  to  Ascertain  it  with  any  degree  of  Exactness. 
I  have  the  honor  to  be,  with  the  highest  repect, 

Sir,  Your  Excellency's 
most  Obedient 
and  most  humble  Servant. 

G  Johnson 
His  Excel!0?.  General  Gage 


Indian  Affairs,  1766-68  511 

INDORSED: 


Mr.  Guy  Johnson 
Depy.  Indn.  Agent 
Guy  Park  20th.  May  1  768. 
received  28th.  May 
Answered  — 


FROM  WILLIAM  FRANKLIN 

Burlington  May  23d.  1768 
Sir  — 

It  is  not  without  great  Concern  that  I  reflect  on  my  having 
suffered  so  long  a  Time  to  elapse  without  writing  to  you.  I  have 
been  imperceptibly  led  into  this  Omission  from  a  continued  Ex- 
pectation of  being  soon  enabled  to  inform  you  of  something 
decisive  respecting  the  Subject  which  first  occasion'd  me  the  Favor 
of  your  Correspondence.  But  tho'  I  have  from  time  to  time  been 
disappointed  in  this,  yet,  whenever  I  receiv'd  any  Intelligence 
concerning  that  Matter,  I  have  immediately  communicated  it 
either  to  Col.  Croghan  or  Mr.  S.  Wharton,  who  I  knew  kept  up 
a  regular  Correspondence  with  you,  that  thro'  them  it  might  come 
to  your  Knowledge.  This,  upon  the  whole,  I  thought  rather  more 
eligible  than  to  give  you  the  Trouble  of  frequent  Letters  which 
could  contain  nothing  determinate  or  satisfactory.  My  Friend  Mr. 
Wharton,  however,  having  just  call'd  on  me  in  his  Way  to 
Johnson-Hall,  I  cannot  omit  so  good  an  Opportunity  of  offering 
my  Apologies  to  you  for  my  seeming  Neglect,  and  of  sending  you 
Extracts  of  such  Letters  from  my  Father2  as  relate  to  the  propos'd 
Settlement  at  the  Ilinois,  the  Boundary,  &  other  Matters  respect- 
ing your  Department. 

You  will  see,  Sir,  by  these  Extracts,  that  there  was  great 
Probability  of  having  the  Ilinois  Scheme  take  place  while  Lord 


1  In  Historical  Society  of  Pennsylvania. 

2  Benjamin  Franklin. 


512  Sir  William  Johnson  Papers 

Shelburne  continued  at  the  Head  of  the  American  Department, 
but  that  since  Lord  H's3  Appointment  contrary  Sentiments  are 
likely  to  prevail.  By  several  other  Letters  which  I  have  seen  it 
appears  that  he  is  not  only  averse  to  any  new  Settlements  in  the 
Indian  Country,  but  for  abandoning  all  the  Posts  we  already  have 
there,  and  even  for  abolishing  the  Superintendencies.  I  can  scarcely 
think  that  this  Plan  will  be  finally  approv'd  by  the  Administra- 
tion, yet  there  is  no  answering  how  far  a  new  Minister  may  be 
induc'd  to  deviate  from  the  Measures  adopted  by  his  Predecessors 
in  office.  I  have  wrote  my  Sentiments  fully  against  it  to  my 
Father.  It  indeed  appears  evident  to  me,  that  if  there  is  not  a 
Colony  establish'd  at  the  Ilinois,  it  will  be  in  the  Power  of  the 
Spaniards  at  any  Time  to  cut  off  the  Garrison  there,  &  to 
engross  all  the  Trade  with  the  numerous  Indian  Nations  which 
inhabit  that  Country.  And  if  the  Garrisons  at  our  several  Posts 
are  withdrawn,  the  Spaniards  or  Indians  will  get  Possession  of 
them  before  the  Colonies  can  come  to  any  Agreement  about  Sup- 
porting them,  and,  having  got  such  strong  Holds  in  the  Back 
Country,  will  be  the  sooner  induc'd  to  go  to  War  with  us  in 
future.  Besides  the  Posts  propos'd  to  be  abandoned  are  not  in 
any  Colony  at  present,  &  those  Colonies  who  have  no  Concern 
in  the  Indian  Trade  will  refuse  to  contribute  any  thing  towards 
the  Expence  of  garrisoning  them,  &  even  those  who  have  will 
differ  about  their  Proportions.  —  In  fact,  the  Trade  carried  on 
with  the  Indians  being  chiefly  with  British  Manufactures,  makes  it 
to  the  full  as  much,  if  not  more,  a  British  than  an  American  Con- 
cern. And  it  must  appear  a  strange  Solecism  in  Politics  that  at 
the  very  Time  when  they  are  obliging  the  Americans  to  pay 
Duties  for  the  better  protecting  &  securing  the  Colonies,  the 
Troops  should  be  drawn  from  the  Places  where  only  they  are  of 
any  real  Service.  Equally  impolitic  does  it  appear,  to  abolish  the 
Superintendencies,  &  to  leave  their  Business  to  be  transacted  by 
so  many  unconnected  Colonies,  &  of  such  different  Sentiments 
and  Dispositions  with  regard  to  Indian  Affairs.  But  I  need  not 


3  The  Earl  of  Hillsborough. 


Indian  Affairs,  1766-68  513 

enlarge  on  Matters  in  which  you  are  much  more  conversant  than 
I  can  pretend  to  be;  nor  shall  I  take  up  more  of  your  Time  at 
present  than  to  assure  you  that  I  am,  with  the  greatest  Regard  & 
Sincerity, 

Sir 

Your  most  obedient 
humble  Servant 
WM.  Franklin4 
To  the  Honble.  Sir  WM.  JOHNSON,  Bar*. 


INDORSED  :5 


Burlington  May  23d.  1768 


Governor  Franklands  Letter 
w,h.  Sundry  Enclosures 
^   Mr.  Wharton6 


TO  THOMAS  GAGE 

A.L.S.1 

New  London  Maj  24th.  1768 
Dear  Sir  — 

Since  my  Arrival  here,  I  have  had  a  most  pressing  and  moving 
letter  from  Messrs.  Baynton  Wharton  &ca.  (to  whom,  Mr.  Cole2 
at  the  Ilinois  gave  a  Draft  upon  me  for  the  Amount  of  the  two 
Half  Years  Accts.  to  September  last,  which  I  laid  before  You, 
they  amount  to  upwards  of  Ten  thousand  Pounds)  begging  in  the 
most  urgent  manner  that  I  would  pay  the  Draft.  1  have  therefore 
to  request  that  (in  case  you  are  determined  to  allow  the  Ace1.,  as 
it  is  now  vouched  by  ye.  Commanding  Officer)  You  would  please 


4  William  Franklin,  the  last  colonial  governor  of  New  Jersey. 

5  In  Sir  William's  hand. 

6  Samuel  Wharton. 

1  In  William  L.  Clements  Library. 

2  Edward  Cole,  commissary  at  Illinois. 


514  Sir  William  Johnson  Papers 

to  grant  me  a  Warrant,  or  Warrants  for  both,  that  I  may  be 
enabled  to  discharge  said  drafts,  &  get  rid  of  such  importunity. 
—  I  have  wrote  them  Gentlemen  this  Day  desireing  they  would 
not  after  this  Advance  such  Quantitys  of  Goods  to  Mr.  Cole,  As 
no  such  Accts.  would  be  allowed  of  for  the  time  to  come,  I  dare 
say  they  will  be  verry  cautious  in  giving  him  Credit  for  the 
future.  — 

Lf.  Guy  Johnson  (with  whom  I  have  left  Directions  to  transact 
public  business  in  my  Absence)  has  Sent  me  two  letters  from  Ld. 
Hillsborough,  the  One  dated  the  23d.  Janr?.3  the  other  the  1 2th. 
March,4  the  former,  is  to  notify  his  Appointment  to  that  Office 
usually  dispatched  by  the  Secretary  of  State  for  the  Southeren 
Department,  and  the  latter  acknowledges  the  Receipt  of  my 
Several  late  letters  to  Lord  Shelbume,  of  whose  last  letter,  he 
Sends  me  a  Duplicate,  "least  the  first  Should  have  miscarried,  it 
being  of  great  importance  that  You  Should  receive  the  Kings 
Commands  signified  to  You  in  that  letter  by  his  Lordship,  which 
You  will  not  fail  to  carry  into  Execution"  then  enlarges  a  good 
deal  on  ye.  Advantages  He  thinks  must  derive  from  such  a  Bound- 
ary Line,  as  is  deliniated  on  a  Map  which  he  has  sent  me,  and 
adds  that  he  hopes  soon  to  be  enabled  to  signify  his  Majestys 
pleasure  wth.  regard  to  the  conduct  of  the  Indian  Trade  in  Gen- 
eral, the  Unjustifiable  Occupancy  of  their  Lands,  and  the  par- 
ticular Dutys  of  my  Office  in  such  a  manner  as  to  give  entire 
Satisfaction  to  the  Indians  in  all  points  &ca.  —  I  have  long  &  often 
wished  that  some  effectual  method  might  be  fallen  upon  to  remove 
these  Doubts  &  Difficulties,  occasioned  by  the  want  of  some 
power,  and  precise  Instructions,  which  frequently  embarrass  me, 
&  impede  the  Service,  but  hitherto  in  vain,  so  that  I  am  heartily 
tired  of  the  employment.  — 

Having  received  little  or  no  benifit  from  ye.  Air  here,  I  pur- 
pose Setting  of  in  a  Day  or  two  for  Block  Isleand,  where  I  shall 
have  more  of  the  Sea  Air,  I  intend  spending  about  three  Weeks 


3  Earl  of  Hillsborough  to  the  Governors  in  North  America,  Jan.  23, 
1  768,  Doc.  Rel.  Col.  Hist.  N.  Y.,  8:7. 

4  Doc.  Rel.  Col.  Hist.  N.  Y.,  8:35-36. 


Indian  Affairs,   1766-68  515 

there,  &  in  my  return  try  the  Springs5  wh.  border  upon  the  Govern- 
ment of  New  York.  — 

I  am  with  the  most  perfect  Esteem, 
Dear  Sir 
Your  most  Obedient 
His  Excellency  &  Affectionate  Humble  Servant 

General  Gage  —  W  Johnson 

INDORSED : 

Sr.  Wm.  Johnson 

New  London  24th.  May  1  768. 

received  May  29th.  — 


AN  INDIAN  CONFERENCE 

Contemporary  Copy1 

[Guy  Park,  May  24-27,  1768] 

At  a  Meeting  with  the  Mohocks  before  Guy  Johnson  Esqr.  D : 
Ag*.— 

Present  —  Sir  John  Johnson  Knf.  — 

Lieu1.  Carroll2  16th.  Regim*. 
Mr.  Denniston3  — 
Mr.  Adams4  — 
Colonel  Johnson  addressed  the  Indians  as  follows  — 
Brothers  — 

I  am  glad  to  See  you  all  here  this  day,  and  am  now  to  Inform 
you,  that  the  Messenger  of  whom  I  spoke  at  the  kst  Meeting,  is 


5  Lebanon  Springs,  N.  Y.,  discovered  by  a  British  officer  in  1  766,  and 
visited  by  Sir  William  in  August  1  767,  Johnson  Papers,  5  :631 ,  and  Doc. 
Hist.  N.  Y.,  2:862-63.  William  L.  Stone  related  in  his  Life  and  Times  of 
Sir  William  Johnson,  2:289-91,  of  Sir  William's  visit  to  Saratoga  Springs 
in  1  767.  From  the  letters  cited  it  is  clear  that  both  visits  were  to  Lebanon 
Springs  which  he  described  as  on  the  New  England  border. 

1  Canadian  Archives,  Indian  Records,  Vol.  8. 

2  Lieutenant  Frederick  Carrol  of  the  1  6th  regiment. 

3  Daniel  Denniston. 

4  Robert  Adems. 


516  Sir  William  Johnson  Papers 

now  here,  ready  to  receive  my  instructions  for  going  thro'  the 
six  Nations,  together  with  the  persons  you  have  agreed  upon;  and 
as  I  have  prepared  his  instructions,  I  shall  explain  them  for  your 
satisfaction,  and  Guidance  in  this  business.  — 

Here  explained  the  Instructions  — 
Brothers  — 

I  have  only  to  add  on  this  Subject,  that  I  persuade  my  self, 
you  will  give  necessary  instructions  to  your  Messengers  for  their 
Sober  conduct,  and  Government  on  the  way,  and  for  their  corres- 
ponding, and  Co-operating  with  Mr.  Spencer5  in  all  matters 
necessary  for  the  effectual  execution  of  this  important  business, 
who  will  act  the  like  part  with  regard  to  them,  &  be  in  readiness 
to  set  out  any  day  this  week  wcl\  yu.  Shall  chuse  — 

To  which  Abraham  answered  — 
Brother 

I  Leave  the  Point  entirely  to  your  self  with  regard  to  setting 
out  —  I  Should  be  glad  to  know  whether  the  Onoghquagoes 
should  not  be  called,  and  also  the  Indians  of  Canada,  as  we  ap- 
prehend that  they  will  be  necessary.  —  We  likewise  desire  to  be 
informed,  whether  Mr.  Croghan  be  on  his  way  hither  as  was  re- 
ported, because,  we  fear  that  if  he  is,  he  may  miss  your  Letters 
for  calling  the  Shawanese  together  — 

26th.  —  Mr.  Remson6  having  come  up  a  few  days  before,  and 
produced  full  Powers  from  the  Patentees  of  Kayadarosseras  for 
an  Accomodation  with  the  Indians,  Assembled  them  this  day  to 
lay  the  affair  before  them.  — 
27th.  Met  the  Mohocks  again  concerning  Kayadaroseras  — 


5  Thomas  Spencer. 

6  Peter  Remsen. 


Indian  Affairs,  1766-68  517 

THOMAS  GAGE  TO  GUY  JOHNSON 
Contemporary  Copy1 

New  York  May  29*.  1768. 

Sir, 

Your  Letter  of  the  20th.  Instant2  has  been  duely  recieved,  and 
by  the  same  Opportunity  I  recieved  Letters  from  the  Detroit  of 
the  same  import  as  those  you  have  recieved  from  Mr.  Hay. 

There  is  the  greatest  reason  to  Suspect  that  the  French  are 
Endeavoring  to  engross  the  Trade,  and  that  the  Indians  have 
acted  thro'  their  Instigation,  in  the  Murders  they  have  committed, 
and  the  Resolutions  we  are  told  they  have  taken,  to  suffer  no 
Englishman  to  trade  with  them.  And  in  this  they  have  rather  been 
Assisted  by  the  English  Traders,  who  having  no  Consideration 
but  that  of  a  present  gain,  have  thro'  fear  of  exposing  their  own 
Persons,  or  hopes  of  obtaining  greater  influence  with  the  Indians, 
continualy  employed  French  Commissarys  or  Agents,  whom  they 
have  trusted  with  Goods  for  them  to  Sell  at  an  Advanced  price  in 
the  Indian  Villages.  The  Commanders  of  the  Posts  as  well  as  the 
Indian  Commissary's  have  seen  this,  confessed  the  Impropriety 
of  it,  and  yet  these  things  have  been  done,  tho'  contrary  to  the 
Regulation's  made,  of  fixing  the  Trade  at  the  Posts  only.  I 
Apprehend  that  the  Applications  made  by  the  Indians  to  have 
the  Traders  in  their  Villages  have  been  so  frequent  and  so  strong, 
that  they  have  not  judged  it  right  to  refuse  them. 

I  have  sent  Orders  to  Captain  Turnbull3  to  make  it  Publickly 
known  amongst  the  Indians  and  French,  that  no  Traders  what- 
ever will  be  suffered  in  any  Nation  where  the  English  have  not  an 
equal  Liberty  to  trade,  and  the  same  protection  that  the  French 
have,  and  where  this  is  not  strictly  complied  with,  no  Goods  on 
any  Account  must  be  suffered  to  be  sent  from  any  Post.  I  shall 
write  also  to  desire,  that  the  Indians  on  the  Miamis  may  be  in- 
formed that  we  expect  Satisfaction  from  them  for  the  Trader's 


1  In  William  L.  Clements  Library. 

2  Ante  pp.  507-11. 

3  Captain  George  Turnbull,  of  the  60th  regiment,  at  Detroit. 


518  Sir  William  Johnson  Papers 

Murdered  in  their  Village,  and  who  were  under  their  Protection. 
And  that  Mr.  Chevalier4  and  Beau  Soleil  if  they  can  be  drawn 
away  from  Sl.  Joseph's  may  not  be  suffered  to  return,  or  any 
Goods  sent  amongst  those  Savages,  till  they  give  satisfaction  for 
the  Murders  which  their  Nation  have  Committed.  These  Methods 
as  you  observe  will  be  the  best  to  bring  the  Indians  to  Terms; 
And  I  agree  perfectly  with  you  to  prohibit  absolutely  any  Traders 
or  other  French  residing  in  the  Indian  Towns,  having  any  Goods 
consigned  or  entrusted  to  them ;  which  may  bring  many  of  them  in. 
And  tho'  we  may  not  be  able  to  root  them  out  entirely,  the  doing 
this,  and  insisting  on  their  Removal,  on  any  future  formal  Congress 
with  the  Indians,  may  in  great  measure  effect  it,  and  leave  but  few 
French  amongst  them,  I  understand  that  you  have  wrote  much  to 
the  above  purport  to  Mr.  Hay,5  who  should  act  in  Conjunction  in 
all  these  matters  with  the  Commissary  of  Missilimakinak,  as 
should  the  Commanders  of  those  two  Forts,  or  the  one  will  undo 
what  the  other  does.  The  Murders  Committed  by  the  Chippewas 
of  the  Saguinam  last  fall  upon  the  Ohio,0  on  the  Crews  of  the 
two  Boats,  should  not  either  be  overlooked,  but  Satisfaction  de- 
manded. As  for  Major  Rogers  his  Designs  appear  more  Sus- 
picious, but  if  we  get  him  fairly  out  of  the  Country,  I  Apprehend 
he  will  be  of  no  further  Consequence. 

I  Am  with  great  Regard 
Sir, 

&ca 
Guy  Johnson  Esqr. 

As  Mr.  Croghan  has  left  Fort  Pitt,  intending  to  go  to  Sir 
William's  House  across  the  Country;  I  inclose  you  a  Letter  for 
him.  Also  some  Letters  for  Niagara  &c  which  last  You  will 
please  to  forward  by  the  first  safe  Conveyance  that  Offers  to 
Niagara  or  Ontario. 


4  Louis  Chevallier. 

5  Jehu  Hay. 

6  See  Jehu  Hay  to  George  Croghan,  October  15,  1  767,  Johnson  Papers, 
5  :  728-31 ,  for  an  account  of  these  murders. 


Indian  Affairs,   1766-68  519 


INDORSED: 

Copy./  To 


Guy  Johnson  Esq1-. 
Johnson  Hall 
New  York  May  29th.  1  768. 


GUY  JOHNSON  TO  THOMAS  GAGE 
A.L.S.1 

Guy  Park  May  30th.  1768. 
Sir, 

I  have  been  honored  with  your  Excellencys  Letter  of  the  1 6th. 
inst.2  since  dispatching  my  last  of  the  20th. ?  and  I  am  very 
happy  to  find  that  the  steps  I  have  taken  are  correspondent  with 
your  Excellencys  sentiments  to  give  a  Check  to  the  conduct  of  the 
Indians  about  the  Lakes  'till  some  more  effectual  provision  can 
be  made.  — 

It  is  Sir  Williams  intentions  that  the  proceedings  at  the  proposed 
Treaty  concerning  the  Boundary  shall  be  conducted  in  the  most 
publick  manner,  and  proper  Acquittances  taken  for  the  Sum  to  be 
paid  to  the  Indians  to  remove  any  doubts  or  disputes  on  that  score 
for  the  future.  — 

As  Sir  Henry  Moore4  writes  me  that  he  will  be  here  in  a  few 
days,  I  shall  take  the  opportunity  of  giving  him  my  reasons  for 
the  continuation  of  the  Boundary  Line  from  Oivegy,  Northerly, 
agreable  to  what  I  observed  in  general  thereon  in  my  last  to  your 
Excellency.  —  The  bounds  of  this  Province  from  all  I  ever  could 
find  are  but  doubtfully  expressed  to  the  N  West,  that  Country 
being  very  imperfectly  known  at  the  time  of  the  Grant  to  the  Duke 
of  York  (afterwards  King  James  the  Second).  —  The  Delaware 
is  I  believe,  its  boundary  with  Pennsylvania,  as  far  as  the  head  of 


1  In  William  L.  Clements  Library. 

2  Ante  pp.   500-02. 

3  Ante  pp.  507-1  I. 

4  Governor  of  New  York,  1  765-1  769. 


520  Sir   William  Johnson  Papers 

the  Mohock  branch,5  And  there  are  Grants  from  this  Province 
Extending  down  the  Susquehanna  to  Tuanendadon6  about  20 
miles  below  Cherry  Valley;  but  whatever  difficulty  may  arise 
between  Pennsylvania  and  N  York  concerning  their  respective 
Claims,  it  need  not  I  apprehend  tend  to  prevent  the  Continuation 
of  the  boundary  Line,  this  Way,  for  the  satisfaction  of  the  Six 
Nations  and  the  obtaining  a  Cession  of  Territory  to  the  Crown. 
—  Lord  Hillsborough  has  transmitted  a  Map  which  Answers 
the  description  given  by  your  Excellency,  and  is  carried  no  farther 
than  Owegy,  which  must  be  attributed  to  the  reasons  given  in  my 
last  Letter.  —  Owegy  is  far  within  the  Claims  of  Pennsylvania, 
but  part  of  their  Claim  has  been  fully  released  to  the  Indians  some 
years  ago  by  an  Instrument  from  the  Proprietors;7  and  I  appre- 
hend from  the  settlements  which  the  Indians  have  on  the  Susque- 
hanna, and  the  reluctance  shewn  by  many  of  them  in  1 765, 
when  Owegy  was  proposed,  that  it  will  be  difficult  to  get  them  to 
admit  the  Line  so  far  up  the  River;  as  to  that  from  the  west 
branch  of  susquehanna  to  Kittaning  it  may  be  adjusted  by  Natural 
boundarys  which  will  give  more  permanency  to  the  Transac- 
tion.8 — 

I  have  not,  as  yet  heard  from  Sir  William  concerning  the  sum 
necessary  upon  this  occasion,  which  will  depend  much  upon  the 
Number  of  Indians,  and  the  extent  of  the  Cession ;  but  I  recollect 
that  on  Mr.  Croghan's  return  from  England  he  said  that  the  board 
of  Trade  Judged  £  1 0,000  Ster  necessary  for  that  purpose ;  and  I 
humbly  apprehend  that  when  we  consider  the  extent  of  the  Cession 
proposed,  and  private  presents  to  Chiefs  which  is  an  invariable 
practice  on  all  such  occasions,  the  whole  Expence  will  not  fall 
much  short  of  that  Sum,  neither  will  it  be  ill  bestowed  at  the 


5  West   Branch  of  the  Delaware.    See  Guy  Johnson's  map  of    1  768 
showing  the  line  of  the  treaty,  Johnson  Papers,  6:450. 

6  Tionondadon,  a  branch  of  the  Susquehanna  near  Otsego  Lake,  present- 
day  Schenevus  Creek. 

7  At  the  Easton  Treaty,  October,  1  758. 

8  See  Guy  Johnson's  Map  of  the  line  finally  drawn  at  Fort  Stanwix, 
Johnson  Papers,  6:450. 


Indian  Affairs,  1766-68  521 

rate  Lands  have  been  sold  for  several  Years  past;  as  from  its 
situation  &ca  it  may  in  a  very  few  Years  produce  a  Revenue  of 
£2000  str.  <p  Ann,  If  Granted  to  the  subject  on  the  Quit  rent 
now  payable  in  this  Province.  — 

I  have  this  Moment  received  the  Pacquet  herewith  inclosed 
from  Niagara  &ca  which  I  now  forward ;  with  it  I  received  Letters 
from  Michilimackinac  of  the  24t}l.  feby,9  giving  an  account  of  a 
most  Traiterous  plot  concerted  between  Major  Rogers  &  some  of 
the  Garrison,  the  whole  of  which  has  been  fortunately  discovered 
when  Just  at  the  point  of  Execution.  —  From  the  circumstances 
transmitted  me  there  now  appears  very  little  difficulty  in  Criminat- 
ing the  Wicked  Author,  and  I  am  only  apprehensive  that  he  may 
have  found  means  to  Escape  before  the  Vessell  could  arrive ;  but 
as  your  Excellency  will  have  all  the  particulars  in  the  pacquet 
herewith  sent,  I  need  not  to  add  any  thing  farther  on  that 
subject.  — 

There  is  nothing  Material  since  my  last  concerning  Indian 
Affairs,  but  Several  Onondagas,  Senecas,  &ca  have  been  here 
whose  Chief  errand  was  to  obtain  News  concerning  Sir  Williams 
health  of  which  they  had  received  very  unfavorable  Accounts.  — 

I  have  the  honor  to  be,  with  the  greatest  respect, 

Sir, 

Your  Excellencys 
Most  Obedient,  and 
His  Excellency  most  humble  Servant 

Major  General  Gage  G  Johnson 

indorsed : 

Guy  Johnson  Esqr. 
Guy  Park  May  30th.  1 768. 
Received  June  5  th. 
Answered  — 


9  See  letters  of  John  Christie  and  Robert  Johnston,  of  this  date,  and  of 
Frederick  Christopher  Spiesmacher  of  February  25,  ante  pp.  438-45, 
449-5  1 .  It  is  significant  that  these  letters  to  Sir  William  arrived  while  he 
was  absent  on  account  of  his  health. 


522  Sir  William  Johnson  Papers 

THOMAS  GAGE  TO  GUY  JOHNSON 

Contemporary  Copy1 

New  York  5th.  June  J  768 
Sir, 

I  have  received  yours  of  the  30th.  Ultimo.2  If  the  Indians 
continue  to  shew  the  reluctance  they  did  in  1  765  to  carry  the  line 
as  high  up  as  Owegy,  on  Account  of  the  vicinity  of  some  of  their 
Settlements  to  that  Place,  it  might  not  be  prudent  to  insist  upon 
it,  as  it  will  not  be  easy  to  reconcile  them,  so  entirely  to  it,  as  to 
prevent  their  ill  humour  appearing  on  every  triffling  Accident  that 
shall  happen;  And  if  we  get  so  very  near  their  Settlements,  we 
may  expect  to  hear  of  frequent  complaints  of  them,  and  of  the 
Settlers  against  each  other.  It  is  to  be  wished  that  the  Board  of 
Trade  had  considered  the  Western  Boundarys  of  this  Province, 
which  it  may  be  right  to  have  Settled  with  the  Indians,  to  prevent 
disputes.  I  Apprehend  it  may  be  a  long  time  before  the  Crown 
will  receive  any  quitt  Rents  for  these  Lands,  and  the  largest  share 
will  fall  to  a  Proprietary  Government.  The  Tract  to  be  ceded  is 
certainly  a  large  one,  but  Lands  so  far  back  are  at  present  of  little 
value. 

I  have  recieved  Letters  from  Missilimakinak,  which  contain 
Accounts  of  Major  Roger's  Conduct  of  the  same  import  as  what 
you  have  recieved  from  those  parts,  he  was  watched  very 
narrowly,  and  put  in  Irons. 

Captain  Brown3  has  sent  me  a  Copy  of  a  Letter  sent  him  to 
Niagara  from  Monsieur  Chabert4  who  resides  at  the  Detroit ;  You 


1  In  William  L.  Clements  Library. 

2  Ante  pp.   519-21. 

3  Captain  John  Brown  of  the  60th  regiment.  See  Gage  to  Brown,  June 
6,  1  768,  Johnson  Papers,  6:250. 

4  Daniel  Joncaire,  Sieur  de  Chabert  and  Clausonne.  A  former  French 
officer  and  trader  known  for  his  intrigue.  In  1  767  he  had  been  granted  per- 
mission to  trade,  and  had  promised  to  use  his  influence  to  quiet  the  Indians 
in  Canada,  but  Sir  William  then  reported  on  his  duplicity.  See  letter  to 
Shelburne,  Dec.  3,  1767.  Doc.  Rel.  Col.  Hist.  N.  Y.,  7:999-1000.  See 
also  Doc.  Hist.  N.  Y.,  2:887. 


Indian  Affairs,  1766-68  523 

will  be  so  good  to  shew  it  to  Sir  William  Johnson  when  he  returns 
home,  who  will  be  the  best  Judge  of  the  Propriety  of  Monsieur 
Chabert's  Advice.  A  Belt  from  the  Six  Nations  might  possibly 
have  the  same  effect  as  the  Embassy  proposed  by  Monsieur 
Chabert  of  whose  sincerity  in  promoting  peace,  Sir  William  I 
believe  will  have  no  great  Opinion.  The  Belts  which  have  been 
carried  about  far  and  near  to  raise  the  Indians  against  us  as  I 
understand  Originated  amongst  the  Six  Nations,  at  least  amongst 
the  Senaca's,  who  make  the  largest  part  of  the  Confederacy.  And 
spread  Westward  by  means  of  the  Shawanese  and  Delawares. 
I  am  with  great  Regard, 

Sir, 

&ca. 
Guy  Johnson  Esqr. 

INDORSED : 

Copy./  To 
Guy  Johnson  Esqr. 
Johnson  Hall 
New  York  5lh.  June  1  768 
^'.  Post 


GUY  JOHNSON  TO  GEORGE  CROGHAN 
li.  .jL/.w3. 

Guy  pari?  June  6th  1768. 
Dear  Croghan  — 

Young  Groot  your  Waggoner  brought  me  late  last  Night  A 
pacquet  containing  a  Letter  from  the  General,  also  One  for  you, 
&  one  from  Sir  William.  As  I  thought  the  Genls.  Letter  to  you 
Might  contain  something  [of]2  necessary  for  my  imediate  knowl- 
edge I  opened,  and  now  return  it.  —  As  to  the  Directions  to  the 


1  In  Historical  Society  of  Pennsylvania,  Cadwalader  Collection. 

2  Words  italicized  and  in  brackets  are  crossed  out  in  original. 


524  Sir  William  Johnson  Papers 

Commissarys,  I  wrote  you  my  thoughts  upon  it  in  those  Letters 
which  were  sent  you  long  since.  —  I  wrote  also  to  Mr.  Hay3 
Recommending  it  to  him  to  take  more  than  Ordinary  care  at  this 
period  to  discover  the  Views  or  schemes  of  the  Indians,  and  to 
Circumvent  them,  also  to  endeavor  all  in  his  power  to  prepare  the 
Indians  to  bring  away,  or  part  With  the  french  Amongst  them, 
with  many  other  particulars  as  Contained  in  the  Letters.  —  As 
you  know  the  Nature  of  all  these  Affairs  your  directions  to  the 
Commissarys  &c  [will]  can  be  easily  made  to  Correspond  with 
Mine  &  that  in  such  a  manner,  as  to  Shew  both  the  French  & 
Indians  that  no  Trade  can  be  Expected,  or  Goods  sent  into  the 
Indian  Country  Whilst  the  Conduct  of  the  Indians  (by  them  I 
beleive  Excited,)  Continues  as  it  has  done  for  some  time  past.  — 
I  shall  Write  Sir  William  by  Next  post  &  have  only  to  add 
that  I  am  with  great  Truth 

Dr.  Croghan 

your  friend  &  Servant 

G  Johnson 
G  Croghan  Esqr. 

I  inclose  a  few  Lines  for  Sir  John.  Compliments  to  Mr.  Mc.Kee. 
—  &  pray  think  about  sending  off  forthwith  to  the  Shawanese  & 
Ohios  &c. 

Mr.  Yates  tells  me  he  gave  you  the  Map.  I  hope  you'll  send  it  by 
Lf.  Prevost,  &  also  write  me  how  you  desire  to  Act  in  endeavoring 
to  obtain  an  Addition  to  your  late  Survey  &c. 

ADDRESSED: 

To 

G  Croghan  Esq1-. 


3  Lieutenant  Jehu  Hay. 


Indian  Affairs,  1766-68  525 

GUY  JOHNSON  TO  THOMAS  GAGE 

Guy  Park  June  16  J768 

Sir, 

At  the  receipt  of  your  Excellencys  Letter  of  the  29th.  ult°.2 
I  was  so  occupied  with  the  several  affairs  to  be  transacted  in  the 
presence  of  Sir  Henry  Moore,  then  Just  arrived  that  I  was  under 
the  necessity  of  deferring  my  Answer.  —  Yesterday  his  Ex- 
cellency proceeded  for  New- York  and  last  night  I  was  honored 
with  your  Letter  of  the  5th.  Instant.  — 3 

The  Letter  for  Mr.  Croghan  I  imediately  sent  after  him,  he 
having  set  off  that  day  for  N  York,  but  had  no  safe  opportunity 
for  forwarding  those  to  the  posts  'tho  I  hourly  expect  one.  — 

The  Subject  of  your  Excellencys  letter  of  the  29th.  regarding 
the  Trade  and  the  Machinations  of  the  French,  and  your  orders 
thereon  would  have  proved  the  best  remedy  that  could  now  be 
applied  to  remove  these  abuses  which  endanger  the  public  safety, 
But  from  a  pacquet  from  Lord  Hillsborough  which  I  received  Two 
days  ago  I  find  that  a  new  System  is  established ;  on  which  I  have 
no  occasion  to  enlarge  as  you  have  doubtless  received  Letters  on 
the  same  subject.  —  I  only  take  the  Liberty  of  observing  that  the 
reform  of  the  Indian  Department  by  putting  the  Trade  entirely 
under  the  direction  of  the  Colonies  seems  to  have  been  Suggested 
by  some  Traders  Supported  by  their  Friends,  as  will  appear  from 
sev1.  passages  of  the  Report  made  by  the  Board  of  Trade,4  —  It 
may  be  deemed  presumption  in  me  to  offer  any  thoughts  hereon, 
but  to  your  Excellency  I  cannot  help  Observing,  That  the  principle 
upon  which  that  part  of  the  Report  seems  founded.  That  the 
Colonies  will  manage  better  and  be  more  cautious  in  preventing 
frauds  in  Trade  at  this  day  than  formerly,  when  under  greater 
Apprehensions  from  the  Indians,  does  not  seem  to  promise  all  that 


1  In  William  L.  Clements  Library. 

2  Ante  pp.  517-19. 

3  Ante  pp.  522-23. 

4  See  Representations  of  the  Lords  of  Trade  on  the  State  of   Indian 
Affairs,  Doc.  Rel.  Col.  Hist.  N.  Y\,  8: 1  9-31 . 


526  Sir  William  Johnson  Papers 

their  Lordships  Expect  from  it,  it  will  nevertheless  be  a  present 
saving  of  Expence  to  the  Crown,  and  of  disputes  to  the  Super- 
Intendant ;  But  these  are  remarks  for  which  I  must  humbly  entreat 
your  Excelleneys  indulgence,  conscious  that  they  would  come 
with  much  more  propriety  from  Sir  Wm  Johnson.  —  For  the 
same  reason  I  must  be  silent  with  regard  to  the  rest  of  the  report, 
more  especially  as  he  may  be  Expected  home  within  a  few  Weeks 
when  he  will  doubtless  lay  before  you  whatever  he  thinks  neces- 
sary thereon. — 

Your  Excelleneys  Observation  in  your  favor  of  the  5th.  inst 
that  no  point  should  be  insisted  on,  to  which  the  Indians  Express 
a  reluctance  appears  very  strong  to  me,  and  it  is  I  am  persuaded 
Sir  Williams  Opinion  for  unless  they  are  thoroughly  satisfied  with 
every  part  of  the  Cession,  disputes,  &  dissatisfaction  must  follow, 
for  Indians  may  by  over  persuasion  be  Led  to  give  their  Assent  at 
some  times  to  what  they  in  secret  disapprove  of,  the  consequences 
of  which  are  always  bad,  And  as  there  are  strong  reasons  for  Sus- 
pecting that  a  Spirit  of  discontent  Subsists  amongst  several  Nations 
which  Some  are  ready  to  Manifest  by  Acts,  We  should  cautiously 
avoid  furnishing  them  with  any  Arguments  against  us,  drawn  from 
our  Conduct  in  Matters  so  peculiarly  affecting,  and  interesting  to 
them.  — 

I  find  that  the  Proprietaries  of  Pennsylvania  are  desirous  of 
Extending  the  boundary  beyond  that  prescribed,  so  as  to  Compre- 
hend the  Land  between  the  Forks  of  Susquehanna,  by  a  direct 
Line  from  the  head  of  the  West  branch  towards  Owegy  and 
indeed  it  seems  best,  provided  the  Indians  will  agree  to  it,  for  the 
rest  of  the  Province  stretching  along  the  Susquehanna,  &  Almost 
surrounding  the  Tract  within  the  Forks,  encroachments  will  be 
made  upon  it,  by  the  White  people  who  will  not  chuse  to  leave  so 
Valuable  a  piece  of  Ground  unoccupied  in  the  midst  of  them.  — 
Sir  William  writes  me5  that  he  thinks  the  boundary  line  with  N 
York  the  most  Essential,  as  here  the  dispute  must  begin,  &  on 
perusing  the  Transactions  of  1765.  I  find  that  the  Line  was  then 


5  Letter  not  found. 


Indian  Affairs,  1766-68  527 

proposed  but  that  the  Indians  declared  it  difficult  to  determine  on 
accot  of  the  Many  Tribes  residing  on  Susquehanna,  So  that  Sir 
William  who  was  then  only  endeavouring  to  obtain  their  general 
sentiments  declined  proceeding  to  particulars  which  now  ought 
certainly  to  be  settled.  — 

I  shall  at  Sir  Williams  return  lay  Monsr.  Chaberts  Letter 
before  him  agreable  to  your  Excellencys  Orders,  and  I  apprehend 
he  will  Join  you  in  opinion  about  sending  a  belt  rather  than  an 
Embassy,  on  the  former  the  Indians  will  make  fewer  mistakes.  I 
can  hardly  think  that  Mr.  Chabert  has  taken  so  much  pains  to 
Convince  the  Indians  that  the  King  of  France  considers  them  as 
Rascals,  &  Traitors  and  would  Exterminate  them  if  he  could, 
this  is  sufficient  to  render  all  he  has  said  doubtfull  in  some  measure. 
The  Rout  which  Mr.  Croghan  took  from  Fort  Pitt  occasioned  him 
to  miss  my  Letters,  however  the  Shawanese  &ca  are  now  sent  to, 
but  they  can't  be  here  before  September,  —  I  had  sent  a  proper 
Man  to  Conduct  the  Six  Nations  down  on  the  arrival  of  the  rest, 
and  he  is  to  transmit  me  any  intelligence  of  importance  from  the 
Senecas  Country,  being  furnished  with  proper  Instructions  for  his 
Government  there. 

I  have  only  at  present  to  request  that  your  Excellency  will 
honor  me  with  your  Commands  touching  any  of  these  matters 
which  I  shall  endeavor  to  execute  in  the  best  manner  I  can  for  the 
purposes  intended.  —  I  have  the  honor  to  be 

with  the  most  sincere  respect,  Sir, 
Your  Excellencys, 

Most  Obliged 

and  most  Obedient 

Humble  Servant 

t  t-   i-      ii  i     t  i    1 1  G  Johnson 

His  tixceJlency  the  rionble 

Major  General  Gage 

The  Affair  of  Kayadarosseras  which  it  was  thought  wod.  have 
been  now  settled  here,  came  to  nothing.  —  The  Indians  would 
not  recede  from  a  Certain  Line  to  which  the  Agent  of  the  Pro- 
prietors wd.  not  agree  'till  he  had  consulted  them. 


528  Sir  William  Johnson  Papers 

INDORSED : 

Guy  Johnson  Esqr. 
Guy  Park  June  16th.  1768 
Received  June  26th. 
Answered  — 


FROM  HORATIO  SHARPE 

Copy1 

Annapolis  the  27  June  1768. 
Sir 

The  General  Assembly  having  met  here  the  24th.  of  last  Month 
I  communicated  to  them  the  two  Letters  you  were  pleased  to 
favour  me  with  the  1st.  of  May  1  7672  &  the  25th.  of  March  last3 
together  with  a  Petition  Subscribed  by  the  Indians  called  Nanti- 
cokes  desiring  that  an  Act  might  pass  impowering  them  to  sell  the 
Lands  which  were  heretofore  appropriated  by  the  Legislature  in 
this  Province  to  the  use  of  that  Tribe.  In  Consequence  of  my 
recommending  this  Affair  to  their  immediate  Consideration  the 
Lower  House  of  Assembly  appointed  a  Committee  to  examine 
into  the  nature  of  those  Indians  Claim  &  on  their  making  a  Report 
presented  to  me  the  inclosed  Address,  however  on  my  sending 
them  a  Message  &  on  some  of  the  Persons  who  had  a  Right  to 
enter  on  part  of  the  Land  in  case  the  Indians  should  relinquish 
it  interesting  themselves  in  the  Business  the  Members  agreed  to 
accept  an  Offer  Mr.  Ogden4  had  thought  fit  to  make  on  behalf  of 
the  Indians  &  a  Bill  was  accordingly  framed  for  granting  him 
the  Sum  he  required,  which  was  a  few  Days  afterwards  pass't 
into  a  Law  &  I  herewith  send  you  a  Copy  of  it,  the  Assembly 


1  Printed  in  Archives  of  Maryland,  (Correspondence  of  Governor 
Sharpe,  III)  14:511-12.  Original  letter,  in  mutilated  form,  printed  in 
Johnson  Papers,  6:263-64. 

-Johnson  Papers,  5:544-45. 

3  Ibid.  6:172-73. 

4  Amos  Ogden,  attorney  for  the  Nanticoke  Indians. 


Indian  Affairs,  1766-68  529 

agreed  likewise  to  defray  the  Expence  which  had  been  occasioned 
by  Mr.  Ogden's  &  the  Indians  coming  down  last  year  from 
Otsiningo5  to  treat  with  those  that  lived  in  this  Province.  I  in- 
tended to  have  wrote  to  you  by  Mr.  Ogden  but  he  was  so  im- 
patient to  get  away  immediately  after  the  Act  pass't  &  he  had 
received  the  Dollars  that  I  had  not  leisure  at  that  time,  but  I 
presume  he  has  eer  this  advised  you  of  his  proceedings  &  informed 
you  in  what  manner  the  Business  that  brought  him  hither  was 
concluded.       I  am  &c. 

To  Sir  William  Johnson 


5  Near  Binghamton,  N.  Y. 


AN  INDIAN  CONGRESS 

Contemporary  Copy1 

[Johnson  Hall,  June  8-28,  1768] 

June  8th.  —  At  a  Congress  held  by  Guy  Johnson  Esqr.  Dep>\ 

Agent  for  Indian  Affairs,  at  Johnson-Hall  — 

Present 

His  Excels.   Sir  Henry  Moore  Bar1.  Goverr.  of  N.  York 

Colonel  Schuyler2 

Co1.  —  Claus3 

Mr.  Duer4 

Major  Glen5 

Cap1.  Duncan6 

Mr.  Vroman7 


1  In  Canadian  Archives,  Indian  Records,  Vol.  8. 

2  Colonel  Philip  John  Schuyler. 

3  Colonel  Daniel  Claus. 

4  William  Duer,  1  747-1  799;  see  DAB. 

5  Major  Jacob  Glen. 

6  Captain  John  Duncan. 

7  Adam  Vrooman. 


530  Sir  William  Johnson  Papers 

Mr.  Remson8       |  agts.  from  the  Proprie". 


Mr.  Mc.  Crea 


9 


of  Kayadorosseras 


Mr.  Butler10  —  Interpreter  — 

The  Chiefs  and  Warriors  of  the  Mohocks.  — 

Abraham  Speaker  —  On  being  asked  whether  they  were  all 
Assembled,  answered  in  the  Affirmative, 

His  Excellency  addressed  them  as  follows  — 
Brothers  — 

You  may  remember,  that  when  I  was  last  here,  among  the  many 
Complaints  then  laid  before  me,  the  Patent  of  Kayadarosseras 
was  particularly  pointed  out;  and  I  then  made  you  a  Promise  to 
enquire  fully  into  it,  and  to  do  you  all  the  Justice  in  my  power. 
—  with  this  intention  I  am  now  come  here ;  and  as  it  would  be 
most  agreeable  to  the  Crown,  that  this  matter  Should  be  amicably 
adjusted,  if  possible,  between  the  Proprietors  of  that  Patent,  & 
the  Indians,  two  Gentlemen,  here  present,  are  ready  to  enter  on 
a  negotiation  with  you  for  settling  that  dispute,  being  furnished 
with  powers  from  the  Patentees  for  that  purpose.  —  If  this  Pro- 
posal is  agreeable  to  you,  they  will,  on  receiving  your  answer 
proceed  to  business,  and  lay  before  you,  the  nature,  and  extent 
of  their  claim  derived  under  that  Patent  — 

To  which  Abraham,  after  repeating  what  had  been  Said  to 
them,  answered  — 

Brother  — 

As  we  have  duely  considered  this  Subject,  it  will  not  take  up 
much  time  for  us  to  answer  you  upon  it.  —  We  formerly  assured 
you,  and  we  now  do  the  Same,  that  after  the  most  diligent  enquiry 
amongst  our  oldest  Chiefs,  we  cannot  find  that  it  was  Sold  to  the 
Patentees ;  but  nevertheless  from  all  that  has  been  Said  to  us,  and 
as  the  Gentlemen  are  here  present  for  that  purpose,  We  Shall  be 

8  Peter  Remsen. 

9  John  McCrea. 
10  John  Butler. 


Indian  Affairs,  1766-68  531 

glad  that  they  first  produce  to  us  the  Indian  Deed,  on  which  this 
Claim  is  founded  — 

Mr.  Remson  being  asked  for  Such  Deed,  Said  that  he  had  not 
brought  it  with  him,  but  at  last  produced  a  Copy  of  one  dated  the 
26th.  of  August  1  702  —  Signed  by  Joseph  Dehanochrakas  and 
Hendrick  Tioyonmenhoseawea,  witnessed  by  Lawrence  Clase, 
and  Margaret  Livingston,  from  the  Office  of  Records  at  Albany, 
to  David  Schyler,  and  Robert  Livingston  Junr.  for  a  certain  piece 
of  Land  Situate  &ca.  on  the  West  side  of  "Hudson's  river  above 
Scaratoga  bounds,  beginning  opposite  to  the  Creek  called  Tionee- 
endogake,  and  so  running  along  said  side  of  the  river  above  the 
Second  Carrying  place,  to  a  small  Island,  in  sd.  river,  and  West- 
ward into  the  woods,  as  far  as  their  Property  belongs  together 
with  all  Creeks  &ca.  —  Consideration,  divers  Goods"  — 

The  Indians,  on  inspection,  said  that  one  of  the  Subscribers 
was  a  Tuscarora,  and  denied  the  two  Subscribers,  as  Chiefs  of  the 
Village  saying  that  in  so  extensive  a  Grant,  they  did  not  appre- 
hend that  if  it  was  a  fair  transaction,  it  would  be  subscribed  to  only 
by  two  Indians.  —  His  Excellency  then  repeated  his  question, 
whether,  under  these  circumstances,  they  would  proceed  to  the 
Settlement  of  the  Affair,  or  not.  —  They  answered,  —  that  they 
were  a  good  deal  surprised  to  find  Gentlemen  come  to  Settle  such 
an  affair,  without  the  necessary  Papers,  &  that  they  thought  it 
unaccountable.  —  Then,  a  Copy  of  another  Deed  was  presented 
to  them,  bearing  date  at  Albany,  the  6th.  of  October  1  704  — 
Signed  by  Joseph  Hendrik,  Gideon,  &  Amos,  Hillifie,  Van 
Olinda,  Interp.  Hend.  Jansen.  —  Johns.  Rosiboome,  Tobs. 
Cuyler,  Johns.  Mynseel,  Justices  to  Samson  Shelton  Broughton 
for  a  Tract  "Called,  or  by  the  name  of  Kayaderosseras,  adjoin- 
ing to  the  North  bounds  of  Schenectady  Patent,  together  with  the 
vacancy  that  lies  between  u  place  down  along 

the  river,  about  one  Mile,  more,  or  less,  on  the  East  Side  thereof, 
to  the  West  Bounds  of  Saratoga  Patent,  on  the  North  Side 
thereof,  to  the  river  of  Albany  and  on  the  West  side  thereof,  to 


11  Blank  in  the  manuscript. 


532  Sir   William  Johnson  Papers 

the  Native  Indians  &  Proprietors  thereof,  for  their  improvement; 
the  north  Bounds  running  along  Said  river  of  Albany"  &ca.  — 
consideration  —  £30.  .York  Curr**.  — 

To  this  Second  Deed  they  paid  no  regard,  —  observed,  that 
they  were  ready  to  hear,  what  was  to  be  proposed  to  them,  as  the 
foundation  of  which,  it  was  necessary,  some  Indian  Deed  Should 
be  produced,  which  they  said  had  not  yet  been  done  — 

His  Excellency  then  Observed,  that  such  old  transactions  were 
liable  to  many  inaccuracies,  —  that  the  Gentlemen  were  now 
come  up  to  Settle  it  amicably,  and  he  would  be  glad  that  they 
would  consider  it  by  tomorrow  morning  —  Then  Col  Johnson 
addressed  them 

Brothers 

The  validity  of  the  Indian  Purchase,  does  not  appear  to  me  to 
be  the  dispute  at  this  time,  You  have  been  made  accquainted 
with  these  matters,  and  had  Some  of  the  Deeds  produced  to  you 
long  since  by  Sir  William  Johnson,  at  whose  request  you 
promised  to  attend  to  the  Patentees  proposals,  which  promise  you 
have  likewise  since  confirmed  to  me,  when  I  met  you  on  this 
Subject.  —  I  desire  you  will  therefore  take  the  same  into  con- 
sideration, without  delay  — 

To  which  Abraham  made  answer  — 

Brother 

We  are  glad  to  find,  that  the  Patentees  are  so  heartily  disposed 
to  accomodate  the  dispute  in  an  amicable  way,  and  we  Shall  be 
ready  tomorrow  to  hear  their  Proposals  upon  that  Subject.  — 

Adjourned  'till  tomorrow  — 
June  9th.  —  At  a  Congress  —  Pursuant  to  adjournment  —  Pres- 
ent as  before  — 

Performed    the    ceremony    of   Condolance    for   the   death   of 
12  wife  to  Cornelius  w,h.  3  strings  of  Wampum 
Then  Laid  before  them  a  Map  of  Kayadarosseras,  and  ex- 
plained the  nature,  and  extent  of  the  Patentees  Claim,  after  which 


12  Blank  in  the  manuscript. 


Indian  Affairs,  1766-68  533 

desired  they  would  come  to  Some  speedy  restitution,  —  whether 
they  would  admit  of  it  in  its  full  Extent,  and  accept  of  a  con- 
sideration, or  make  a  division  thereof,  and,  if  so,  in  what  manner  — 
Then  Abraham  after  repeating  the  former  proceeds,  before 
Sir  William  Johnson  Said 

Brother  — 

The  Patent  of  Kayadarosseras  has  caused  great  uneasiness 
amongst  us,  from  the  first  time  that  we  discovered  that  there  was 
such  a  Grant,  —  We  have  repeatedly  complained  of  it,  and  were 
in  hopes  that  Sir  William  would  have  obtained  redress  for  us  from 
his  Majesty  'ere  now,  as,  after  the  most  diligent  enquiry  amongst 
our  eldest  People,  we  have  never  been  able  to  hear  that  such 
Tract  had  been  sold  by  us,  and  therefore  we  resolved  to  die, 
rather  than  part  with  it  —  The  Proposal  made  formerly  by  the 
Patentees,  was,  that  they  Should  have  the  one  half  of  their  Claim, 
and  we  are  now  glad  to  See  them  so  ready  to  accomodate  matters 
amicably,  as  we  would  not  like  to  be  bullied  out  of  it,  the  conse- 
quence of  which  might  be  bad ;  —  for  altho'  we  may  be  thought 
at  present  an  inconsiderable  People,  we  are  the  head  of  a  con- 
federacy that  has  powerfull  Alliances.  —  Having  weighed  these 
matters,  and  in  consideration  of  all  that  Sir  William  has  Said,  to 
persuade  us  to  an  amicable  Settlement,  we  agree  to  fall  upon  such 
a  one,  —  and  as  we  have  now  before  us,  his  Excellency,  the  Gov- 
ernor, on  behalf  of  the  white  People,  and  the  Officer  of  the 
Department  of  Indian  Affairs,  we  rely  upon  them,  to  see  that  the 
transaction  be  honestly,  and  securely  conducted  — 

Then  Mr.  Remson  proposed  to  them  the  releasing  of  their  whole 
Claim,  and  the  accepting  of  a  handsome  consideration  in  con- 
sequence thereof.  — 

To  which  Abraham  answered 

We  are  Surprised  to  find  a  new  Proposal  made  that  we  Should 
release  the  whole  after  the  former  which  was  a  part,  —  We  are 
determined  never  to  agree  to  Such  a  Proposal,  neither  Should  we 
ever  have  inclined  to  give  up  the  half  (as  considering  it  to  be  our 


534  Sir   William  Johnson  Papers 

Just  property)   but  from  the  many  persuasive  arguments  of  Sir 
William  Johnson  to  us. 

Colonel  Johnson  then  Said 

Brothers  — 

I  am  directed  by  my  Instructions  to  endeavor  to  Obtain  the 
most  advantageous  terms  possible  for  the  Patentees,  and  therefore, 
I  cannot  but  Observe,  that  the  half  will  be  far  Short  of  it,  — - 1 
must  desire  you  will  reconsider  the  matter,  and  in  consideration 
of  all  that  has  been  said  to  you,  I  expect  you  will  agree  to  a  Line 
more  favorable  for  the  Patentees  — 

The  Indians  answered  — 

Brother  — 

We  have  attended  to  what  you  have  said  to  us,  &  are  obliged 
in  answer  to  assure  you,  that  it  is  our  determined  resolution,  never 
to  agree  to  any  other  proposal,  than  that  of  the  half  of  that 
Tract,  which  we  could  not  even  admit  of  but  thro'  the  repeated 
sollicitations  of  Sir  William  Johnson  — 

Then  his  Excellency  the  Governor  asked  Mr.  Remson,  what 
was  supposed  to  be  the  contents  of  the  Patent;  who  replied  that 
M'.  Bleecker13  of  Albany  Said  it  was  250,000  Acres.  —  His 
Excellency  then  asked  if  the  parties  would  be  contented  with  that 
Quantity.  —  Mr.  Remson  declined  it,  —  His  Excellency  then 
expressed  his  Surprise  by  observing,  that  they  had  come  up  with 
a  defective  draft,  and  without  one  Original  Indian  deed  &ca.  to 
prove  their  Claim  against  the  Indians,  and  told  them,  that,  if  this 
meeting  was  not  attended  with  the  desired  Success,  he  then  appre- 
hended, upon  the  report  he  Should  make  of  it  to  his  Majesty,  that 
measures  wou'd  be  taken  in  England  to  vacate  the  Patent,  and 
grant  it  away  to  other  People.  —  Then  Mr.  Yates14  who  had 
formerly  traversed  the  Creek,  was  desired  to  give  an  account  of 
it,  and  accordingly  laid  down  on  Mr.  Remson's  Map,  the  Courses 
he  had  traversed  on  a  N.  58  E.  Course  26  Ms.  to  the  head  of  the 


13  John  R.   Bleecker. 

14  Christopher  Yates,  surveyor. 


Indian  Affairs,  1766-68  535 

most  Northerly  Branch,  &  on  a  N.  73  E.  Course  18  Ms  to  the 
head  of  the  other  branch  — 

The  Indns.  being  then  desirous  to  confer  together,  withdrew 
for  a  little  time,  —  the  Governor  desired  Col  Johnson,  to  take 
that  opportunity  of  proposing  to  them,  to  run  from  the  head  of 
Kayadarosseras  to  the  Falls  at  Fort  Miller,15  which  Colonel 
Johnson  said,  he  had  done  before,  but  to  no  purpose,  —  he  accord- 
ingly again  proposed  it,  but  the  Indians  declined  it,  saying  they 
would  rather  take  from  the  Patentees  any  where  else,  than  there, 
as  they  had  Settled  sev1.  families  thereabouts,  which  might  occa- 
sion future  contention ;  Colonel  Johnson  reported  this  answer  to  his 
Excellency,  and  the  Indians  returned  to  the  Council  room,  when 
Abraham  stood  up  and  spoke  as  follows  — 

Brother  — 

We  are  happy  in  being  now  before  the  Governor,  and  the 
officer  directing  our  affairs.  —  We  withdrew  to  consider  farther 
on  the  matter,  and  are  now  ready  to  communicate  our  final  reso- 
lutions. We  therefore  desire  that  you  will  inform  us,  whether 
those  men  who  are  come  up  to  transact  business  with  us,  are  men 
of  probity,  and  ability  to  secure  us  in  what  is  released  —  His 
Excellency  answered  them,  that  if  the  Powers  were  executed  by 
the  whole  claiming  under  the  Patent,  as  he  apprehended,  that 
then  they  might  safely  treat  with  them  —  Colonel  Johnson  signi- 
fied his  sentiments  in  like  manner  — 

Then  Abraham  said 

Brother  — 

We  now  conclude  that  we  may  safely  treat  about  this  matter, 
and  we  call  upon  the  Spirit  above  as  Witness  of  the  same,  who 
will  doubtless  punish  those,  who  infringe  the  agreement  now  to  be 
entred  into.  —  Then  looked  over  the  Map,  and  fixed  the  Line 
Tinghtanoonda  to  the  head  of  the  nearest  branch  of 
Kayadarosseras,  and  thence  by  a  direct  Line,  to  the  Falls  above 


chug 
from 


15  Fort    Miller    at    the    portage    between    Fort    Edward    and    Saratoga, 
the  Little  Carrying  Place. 


536  Sir  William  Johnson  Papers 

Fort-Edward,  and  this  they  declared  to  be  the  utmost  they  would 
ever  yeild,  and,  that  they  did  it  for  Peace  sake,  and  at  the  re- 
peated Solicitations  made  them  for  that  purpose  — 

To  this  Mr.  Remson  refused  his  assent,  but  again  requested, 
that  it  might  be  brought  to  the  most  Northerly  head,  and  thence 
to  the  Falls  above  Fort-Edward,  for  which  Cession  he  would  give 
one  Thousand  Dollars,  and  have  proper  Instruments  executed.  — ■ 
This  the  Indians  still  refused,  but  said  to  shew  their  love  for 
Peace  that  they  would  give  the  Patentees  the  preference,  of  such 
Lands  as  they  should  retain  for  themselves.  —  Mr.  Remson  said 
that  he  could  not  take  upon  him  to  agree  to  such  a  Line,  but  that 
he  would  goe  down,  and  lay  the  same  before  the  Patentees,  and 
accordingly  went  away,  —  after  which  the  Congress  was  ad- 
journed till  next  day.  — 

June  1 0th.  —  At  a  Congress  —  June  the  1 0th.  —  Present  as 
before 

His  Excellency  the  Governor  desired  that  the  Mohawks  might 
be  asked,  whether,  if  they  had  settled  with  Mr.  Remson,  the  Line 
they  proposed,  they  would  have  been  satisfied  with  the  1000 
Dollars  which  was  Offered  them  — 

Abraham  answered 

Brother  — 

When  we  for  Peace  sake  agreed  to  the  Line,  wch.  we  resolved 
to  be  the  only  one  we  would  admit  of,  we  Submitted  to  his  Ex- 
cellency, and  to  the  Officer,  who  has  the  direction  of  our  affairs, 
to  settle  the  consideration,  persuaded,  that  they  would  consider, 
that  we  had  never  received  any  Purchase  money,  and  that  they 
would  propose  what  was  reasonable  — 

His  Excellency  then  Said  — 

Brothers  — 

I  am  heartily  Sorry  that  this  affair  has  not  been  settled  to  your 
satisfaction.  I  had  it  much  at  heart,  and  was  desirous  to  have  every 
thing  Settled  at  this  Meeting,  that  I  might  have  made  a  report  of 
it  on  my  return  to  New-York  — 


Indian  Affairs,   1766-68  537 

Abraham  answered  — 

We  were  readily  disposed  to  Settle  the  affair  according  to  the 
Line  we  mentioned  —  the  fault  seems  to  lye  on  the  Gentlemen 
from  New  York,  who  went  away  so  abruptly,  without  an  agree- 
ment. We  now  desire,  that  all  Proceedings  in  this  affair,  and  all 
surveys  and  pretensions  may  be  stopped,  untill  we  hear  further 
about  it,  to  which  end,  we  shall  wait  a  reasonable  time;  Should 
we  not,  we  shall  desire  that  the  King  may  be  made  accquainted 
wth.  it,  and  do  us  Justice  — 

To  which  his  Excellency  answered  — 

Brothers  — 

You  may  be  assured  that  no  Surveys  will  be  made,  or  any 
other  Steps  taken,  but  what  shall  be  thought  necessary  to  the 
settling  this  dispute.  I  think  it  necessary  to  inform  you,  that  the 
Map  produced  yesterday,  was  very  defective,  and  the  heads  of 
the  Creeks  laid  down  with  so  little  certainty,  that  no  dependance 
could  be  had  on  them.  —  I  would  therefore  propose,  that  an 
actual  Survey  Should  me  [be]  made  from  Hudsons  river,  to  the 
mouth  of  the  Creek,  thence  up  that  Creek,  and  its  branches,  to  de- 
termine the  true  situation  of  the  heads,  and  from  thence  to  the 
mouth  of  Tinghtanoonda  Creek  —  The  Survey  of  the  whole  to 
be  returned  by  the  Surveyor  on  Oath,  some  of  your  own  People 
may  attend,  to  the  end  that  they  may  be  convinced,  that  nothing 
but  their  benefit  is  intended  by  what  is  now  proposed  — 

To  which  Mr.  Mc.Crea  agreeing  on  behalf  of  his  Employer  — 
Abraham  answered 

Brother  — 

We  much  approve  of  what  you  have  proposed,  &  readily  agree 
to  send  some  of  our  people  to  attend  the  Survey,  as  the  surest 
means  of  coming  to  a  certainty  — 

It  was  then  mentioned  by  themselves,  and  approved  of  that 
Mr.  Yeats10  should  survey  it,  and  that  he  should  deliver  in  the 


1 6  Christopher  Yates,  surveyor. 


538  Sir  William  Johnson  Papers 

Survey  upon  Oath,  and  that  three  of  their  people  viz1.  Aaron 

17  Should  attend  it,  when  Colonel  Johnson  gave 
them  notice  — 

Then  Sale  was  made  of  one  thousand  Acres  at  Schohare,  to 
Vroman,18  in  the  presence  of  his  Excellency  — 

Then,  Purchases  before  applied  for  by  Mr.  Glen,19  Wether- 
head20  and  their  Associates,  were  recommended  to  them,  to  which 
they  refused  their  consent,  adding,  that  they  had  signified  the 
same  sentiments  to  some  of  the  Gentlemen  yesterday 

Then  Abraham  Stood  up  and  Said  — 

Brother  — 

We  have  allways  had  a  certain  Boundary  between  us,  and  the 
French  Country.  This  was  never  conquered;  but  since  the  reduc- 
tion of  Canada,  we  have  observed  several  Surveyors  running 
Lines  about  Lake  George,  and  the  river,  which  we  hear  are 
patented,  —  and  this,  we  request,  may  be  stopped  — 

His  Excellency  answered  — 

Brothers  — 

This  Province  considers  all  the  Land  West  of  this  river,  as  your 
sole  property,  in  which  no  Grants  will  be  made,  'till  legal 
Sales  are  first  made  by  you.  —  The  Patent  of  Queensborough  was 
granted  before  I  came  to  the  Administration,  and  some  Grants 
have  been  made  since,  near  Lake  George,  &  Lake  Champlain 
in  consequence  of  his  Majesties  proclamation,  to  half  pay  officers, 
and  disbanded  Soldiers,  which  were  never  considered  as  within 
your  rights  —  You  may  be  assured,  that  no  Grants  will  [be] 
made  within  your  just  claims,  and  to  the  Westward  of  Hudson's 

river  — 

Adjourned 'till  P:M,— 


17  Blank  in  the  manuscript,  no  other  names  given. 

18  Adam  Vrooman.  Calendar  of  Land  Papers,  p.  459. 

19  Henry  Glen. 

20  John  Weatherhead. 


Indian  Affairs,   1766-68  539 

P:M  —  The   Conajoharees   arrived,   and  being   assembled   ad- 
dressed Sir  Henry  Moore  as  follows  — 

Brother  — 

We  the  Conajoharees  bid  you  hearty  wellcome  to  this  place, 
agreeable  to  our  antient  custom,  &  are  very  glad  to  See  you  — 

A  String 

To  which  his  Excellency  answered  —  thanking  them  for  their 
polite  Wellcome,  and  assuring  them  that  he  was  very  glad  to  see 
them,  at  that  time,  returned  the  String  —  then  went  thro'  the 
rest  of  the  ceremony  usual  with  Strings,  and  Belts,  and  addressed 
them  as  follows  — 

Brothers  — 

The  occasion  of  my  calling  you  together  now,  is,  that  I  have 
heard  you  have  entered  into  agreements  with  some  persons  for  the 
Sale  of  Lands,  and  that  the  same  might  be  concluded  in  my 
presence;  being  willing  to  save  you  the  trouble  of  a  Journey  to 
New-York  for  that  purpose  —  I  likewise  desire  to  know  whether 
your  disputes  with  George  Klock,  are  still  depending,  and  whether 
he  has  executed  the  deed  of  release  which  you  shewd  me,  when 
I  was  last  here,  and  was  the  Subject  of  one  of  your  Complaints  — 

Then  Cayenquizagoe  stood  up  with  the  Deed  in  his  hand,  and 
said 

Brother  — 

When  your  Excellency  was  last  here  we  unanimously  requested, 
that  George  Klock  might  be  obliged  to  sign  the  Deed,  as  the  rest 
had  done,  and,  you  then  was  so  kind  as  to  give  us  a  favorable 
answer,  —  He  has  not  yet  executed  it,  and  we  now  request  that 
he  may,  if  possible,  be  compelled  to  sign  it,  before  we  proceed 
to  any  business  — 

His  Excellency  then  called  Klock,  and  desired  him  to  attend 
to  what  the  Indians  then  said,  and  added,  —  "y°u  to^  me  a  few 
days  agoe,  that  when  the  Indians  should  be  assembled,  I  should 
find  that  they  were  so  far  from  desiring  you  to  execute  the  release, 


540  Sir  William  Johnson  Papers 

that  on  the  contrary  you  would  be  requested  to  keep  it  in  your 
own  hands  —  It  is  very  plain,  that  you  have  attempted  to  Impose 
on  me,  by  an  Assertion,  which  is  now  contradicted  by  them,  and  I 
desire  therefore  that  you  will  now  declare,  whether  you  will  sub- 
scribe to  the  release,  or  not.  — 

To  this  Klock  hesitated,  alledged  that  they  had  given  him  the 
Land,  —  that  it  had  cost  him  £45.  —  that  they  took  out  his 
Sons  to  Survey  it  —  that  the  Chiefs  got  5021  of  Corn,  that  it 
would  ruin  him,  for  that  he  had  sold  it,  &  hoped  that  his  Ex- 
cellency would  not  ruin  him,  and  desired  to  have  some  Evidences 
he  had  brought,  examined  — 

His  Excellency  answered,  that  the  only  Question  he  had  to 
ask  at  this  Juncture,  was  whether  he  would  sign  the  Release,  or 
not;  and  that  if  he  still  persisted  in  his  refusal,  he  should  direct 
the  proper  Officer  to  proceed  against  him,  and  compell  him  to 
do  it  by  a  due  course  of  Law.  —  Klock  still  refused,  and  said 
that  the  Act  of  Assembly  had  rendered  it  unnecessary  —  The 
Indians  accused  him  of  falsehoods,  of  breeding  disturbances,  and 
after  denying  his  assertions,  insisted  on  his  signing  it,  before  they 
proceeded  to  any  other  business.  —  Mr.  Duncan  had  declared 
that  his  own  party  had  stopped  the  Survey  of  it,  and  had  broke 
his  Chain.  —  and  Mr.  Butler  said,  that  two  days  after  the  pre- 
tended Sale  to  Klock,  the  Conajoharee  Indians  complained  to 
him,  that  Klock  had  been  breeding  disturbance,  and  had  been 
seducing  their  young  men.  —  Klock  was  again  called  upon  to 
sign  the  release,  which  he  still  declined,  and  made  use  of  every 
rude  expression  to  the  Speaker  of  the  Indians,  after  which  he 
desired  to  withdraw  a  few  minutes,  to  consider  whether  he  should 
sign  it,  or  not  —  after  being  long  out,  he  returned,  and  said  he 
could  not  sign  it  till  he  could  consult  his  Lawyers,  and  that  Mr. 
Philip  Livingston  told  him  at  New- York  in  the  presence  of  his 
brother  William  Livingston,  that  he  Should  not  Sign  it,  because 
his  (P:  Livs.)  signing  it  was  nothing,  as  Klock  had  the  Deed 
—  for  the  truth  of  this  he  appealed  to  Mr.  Duncan,  who  denied 


21  The  name  of  the  measure  is  omitted  in  the  manuscript. 


Indian  Affairs,  1766-68  541 

the  knowledge  of  it,  —  being  again  desired  by  his  Excellency 
to  Sign  it,  he  refused,  and  was  dismissed,  after  which  his  Ex- 
cellency accquainted  the  Indians  with  what  he  had  said,  and  told 
them,  that  a  prosecution  was  now  on  foot  against  him,  and  that, 
he  (the  Governor)  would  use  his  utmost  endeavors  to  compell 
him  to  execute  the  Release,  and  do  them  ali  possible  Justice ;  — 
that  as  it  was  late,  he  advised  them  to  goe,  and  settle  with  the 
Land  Purchasers,  so  as  to  be  prepared  the  next  morning  to 
execute  the  Sales  intended  — 

The  Indians  then  thanked  his  Excellency  for  what  he  had 
promised,  and  said  that,  after  taking  some  refreshm1.  they  would 
return,  and  settle  the  Land  affairs  with  the  Gentn.  as  was  recom- 
mended to  them  — 
June    14th.  —  At  a  Meeting  with  the  Mohocks  June    14,h. — 

Present  as  before  — 

Abraham  Speaker  —  Said  — 

Brothers  — 

We  are  very  thankfull  for  your  coming  so  far,  for  the  reasons 
you  have  mentioned,  and  as  business  is  now  over,  we  embrace 
the  Opportunity  of  speaking  to  you,  and  the  officer  who  repre- 
sents Sir  William  Johnson,  on  the  Subject  of  our  grievances  — 

We  have  now  to  put  you  in  mind  of  the  claim  made  by  Albany 
to  our  Flat  Lands.  —  we  daily  hear  of  their  insisting  on  their 
Claim,  which  if  they  persist  in  we  must  be  certainly  ruined,  and 
obliged  to  apply  to  our  confederacy  for  Lands  to  subsist  on  —  We 
have  not  only  heard  of  this,  but  we  also  find,  that  within  these 
ten,  or  twelve  days  past  some  persons  have  Surveyed  these  Lands 
privately,  and  have  marked  the  Trees,  as  has  been  Observed,  both 
by  ourselves,  and  by  several  white  people,  whose  Opinion  we 
asked  about  it.  —  we  therefore  rely  upon  you  for  relief  — 

His  Excellency  answered  — 

Bretheren  — 

You  should  not  give  credit  to  any  idle  Stories,  you  may  have 
heard  from  any  of  your  Neighbours,  as  you  may  remember,  that, 
when  I  was  last  here,  the  Mayor  of  Albany  disavowed  the  claim 


542  Sir  William  Johnson  Papers 

—  As  to  the  survey  you  speak  of,  it  need  not  give  yu.  the  least 
concern,  as  transactions  so  privately  carried  on,  can  never  deprive 
you  of  your  property.  —  I  shall  make  it  my  business  to  enquire 
into  this  matter,  and  take  every  step  in  my  power  to  prevent  any 
Injustice  being  done  to  you,  and  recommend  it  to  you  only  to 
depend  on  what  you  hear  from  Sir  William  Johnson,  or  myself. 

At  this  the  Mohocks  expressed  much  satisfaction  and  took  their 
leave  — 

Same  day  met  the  Onoghquageys,  who  after  going  thro'  the 
ceremony  of  condolence,  complained  to  his  Excellency,  that  the 
Patent  of  Hardenbergh  unjustly  comprehended  all  their  Land  to 
the  Mohock  Branch  of  Delaware,  that  the  Popaghtunk  branch 
was  their  Boundary  with  the  river  Indians,  and  that  they  ex- 
pected redress,  having  never  Sold  it.  — 

His  Excellency  gave  them  a  very  gracious  answr.  whereupon 
they  proceeded  to  execute  a  Deed  to  Harper,22  and  his  As- 
sociates23 for  250,000  Acres,  on  the  west  side  of  the  Mohock 
Branch  of  Delaware  —  Then  Spoke  on  a  String  of  Wampum  on 
behalf  of  a  Woman  at  Scohare,  who  wanted  to  buy  a  piece  of 
Land  from  them  sufficient  for  a  Farm.  —  To  which  his  Excels. 
answd.,  that,  as  the  Parties  were  not  present,  all  he  could  do,  was, 
to  witness  some  short  Deed,  which  they  might  keep  in  their  hands, 
'till  the  consideration  was  paid,  —  but  observed,  that  the  trans- 
action would  be  very  uncertain  —  so  that  the  affair  was  dropped 
for  that  time  — 

His  Excellency  then  Performed  the  Ceremony  of  condolence 
on  the  part  of  the  English,  after  wch.  they  took  Leave  — 
June  26th.  —  The  Mohocks  came  to  deliver  the  News  brought 
by  their  Messenger  —  but  Mr.  Butler  not  being  able  to  ac- 
company them,  they  appointed  to  meet  the  28th.  — 
28th.  —  Tacarioga  came  to  Guy  Park  being  attack'd  with  a 
bleeding  at  the  nose,  —  I  then  sent  for  his  family  and  the  Doctor 
who  relieved  him 


22  John  Harper  of  Cherry  Valley. 

23  See  Calendar  of  Land  Papers,  p.  459. 


Indian  Affairs,  1766-68  543 

At  a  Congress  with  the  Mohocks  June  28th.  at  Guy  Park  — 
Present  —  Colonel  Johnson 

Lieu*.  Col.  Butler  —  Interpreter  — 

After  shaking  hands  &c  Abraham  said  he  came  to  accquaint 
me  of  the  return  of  their  Messenger  from  the  Six  Nations,  and  to 
communicate  the  intelligence,  and  discoveries  they  had  made  by 
the  way,  but  first  desired  that  Col.  Johnson  would  let  them  know 
what  Spencer,  had  wrote  upon  that  Subject,  The  necessary  parts 
of  which  being  explained  to  them,  Abraham  desired  the  Mes- 
sengers to  tell  the  News  — 


GUY  JOHNSON  TO  THOMAS  GAGE 
A.L.S.1 

Cm>  Park  fob  5ih.  1768.  — 

Sir, 

Your  Excellencys  Letter  of  the  20th.  ult°.2  addressed  to  Sir 
William  came  to  my  hands  too  late  for  acknowledging  the  receipt 
of  it  <j$  last  post.  —  I  have  inclosed  it  to  him  that  no  time  may  be 
lost  in  procuring  the  papers  necessary  for  the  Trial,  which  are  not 
all  in  my  Custody  — 

Since  I  had  the  honor  of  writing  last  to  your  Excellency  which 
was  on  the  1 6th.  ult°.3  the  Indians  who  accompanied  the  Messenger 
to  the  Six  Nations  concerning  the  Boundary  are  returned,  and 
have  delivered  me  sundry  particulars  of  Intelligence  they  gained 
by  the  way.  I  have  likewise  a  Letter  thereon  from  the  White  Man 
who  is  to  wait  the  arrival  of  the  Shawanese  &ca  at  Chenussio 
the  Heads  of  all  which  are  That  Belts  from  the  French  and 
Spaniards  have  passed  from  the  Misisipi  thro'  the  hands  of  the 
southern  Indians  to  the  Shawanese  who  have  forwarded  them  by 
the  Susquehanna  to  the  Six  Nations,  the  purport  of  which  is  to 
excite  them  to  take  Arms,  for  that  the  French  and  Spaniards  as- 


1  In  William  L.  Clements  Library. 

2  Johnson  Papers,  6:259-60. 

3  Ante  pp.  525-28. 


544  Sir  William  Johnson  Papers 

sure  them  they  are  resolved  to  have  another  Trial  with  the  English, 
and  will  commence  hostilities  at  farthest  next  Spring.  It  is  farther 
said  that  Monsr.  Chabert*  has  likewise  spoke  to  the  same  effect  to 
the  Western  Indians  in  private,  and  indeed  the  several  Accounts 
are  so  correspondent  the  one  with  the  other,  as  not  to  admit  of  a 
doubt  that  such  belts  have  been  Sent  tho'  probably  not  from  the 
Authority  Mentioned.  Yet  as  I  know  the  effects  of  such  belts  on 
the  Minds  of  Indians  (many  of  whom  are  already  ill  disposed) 
Whether  by  Authority  of  a  Foreign  Court,  or  Invention  of  a 
French  Trader  to  be  the  same.  I  am  taking  all  the  pains  I  can  to 
trace  this  Belt  from  its  rise  to  where  it  has  Stopped  in  order  to  get 
it  out  of  the  hands  of  the  Indians,  and  deliver  them  one  of  a 
different  nature,  agreable  to  their  own  Customs  and  usages.  —  It 
is  farther  said  that  the  Shawanese  are  Much  out  of  humour,  and 
that  all  the  Nations  are  making  up  their  private  disputes  with  all 
possible  Expedition.  — 

A  few  days  past  I  received  a  Letter  from  Mr.  Hay5  who 
among  other  things,  says,  that  Young  CuillerieQ  who  your  Ex- 
cellency may  recollect  escaped  from  Confinement  on  a  Charge 
of  Murder  has  been  very  busy  in  spreading  the  most  dangerous 
reports  amongst  the  Indians  on  the  Wabache,  and  that  Baptiste 
Campeau,  La  Motte,  Bartholomie,  &  Capucin,7  are  doing  the 
same  at  the  Miamis ;  —  he  adds  that  Michicawiss  a  Chief  of  the 
Chipeweighs  with  Four  of  his  people  were  come  to  Detroit  to  pro- 
ceed to  Sir  Wm.  on  business  from  their  whole  Nation.  that  a 
Visit  from  one  of  his  influence  might  prove  of  great  service  at  this 
time  but  that  the  Traders  for  the  Sake  of  his  packs  endeavoured 
to  deterr  him  from  proceeding  by  reporting  that  the  Smallpox 
raged  down  the  Country  which  had  prevented  A  man  whom  Mr. 


4  Daniel  Joncaire,  Sieur  de  Chabert  and  Clausonne. 

5  Jehu  Hay. 

6  For  the  affair  of  Young  Cuellerie,  accused  of  murdering  Mrs.  Fisher's 
child,  see  Johnson  Papers,  5:644,  653,  670,  672,  688. 

7  French  Canadian  traders.  The  last  three  were  mentioned  by  Guy 
Carleton,  March  27,  1 767,  as  among  the  Indians  without  passports. 
Johnson  Papers,  5:523. 


Indian  Affairs,   1766-68  545 

Hay  hired  from  accompanying  him ;  however  the  Indian  at  length 
set  out,  and  I  have  just  now  received  the  disagreable  News  that 
on  his  arrival  at  Niagara  the  Boats  (by  some  Instigation)  refused 
to  Carry  him  down,  saying  that  the  Smallpox  had  overspread 
all  the  Country  below,  on  which  he  went  back  greatly  dis- 
appointed, so  Villainous  a  procedure  demands  an  enquiry,  &  has 
induced  me  to  be  at  some  pains  to  detect  the  Authors  who  I  hear 
are  gone  to  Schenectady,  so  soon  as  they  are  discovered  I  shall 
hope  for  your  Excellencys  Assistance  in  directing  them  to  be 
brought  to  some  punishment  for  their  behavior,  and  I  shall  Write 
forthwith  to  Detroit  that  the  Affair  may  be  properly  Explained  to 
the  Indians.  — 

Sir  William  is  returned  from  the  Neighbourhood  of  N  London 
to  the  Springss  where  he  spent  some  time  last  year;  his  stay  there 
will  be  but  a  few  Weeks;  In  the  meantime  I  shall  be  glad  to  be 
honored  with  your  Excellency's  Sentiments,  and  directions  on  any 
Matter  occurring,  and  also  whether  some  of  the  provisions  now 
coming  up  had  not  best  be  Sent  directly  from  Schenectady  to  the 
German  flatts  agreable  to  my  former  Letter,  as  the  Indians  can- 
not be  Supplied  there  so  Cheap,  or  So  Well  on  their  Way  to  the 
General  Congress. 

I  have  the  honor  to  be,  with  profound  respect, 

Sir,    Your    Excellencys,    most    Obedient 
and  most  humble  Servant 

G  Johnson 
His  Excellcy  Genl.  Gage 

INDORSED : 

Guy  Johnson  Esqr. 
July  5,  1768. 
received  1  7th.  July 
answered 


8  Lebanon  Springs,  N.  Y. 


546  Sir   William  Johnson  Papers 

THOMAS  GAGE  TO  GUY  JOHNSON 

Contemporary  Copy1 

New  York  July  I  UK  1768. 
Sir, 

Your  favour  of  the  16th.  Ultimo2  requiring  no  particular 
Answer,  I  have  deferred  Acknowledging  the  Receipt  of  it  till 
now.  As  for  the  New  Regulations  concerning  the  Management 
of  the  Indian  Trade,  I  have  much  the  same  Opinion  of  that 
matter  as  yourself,  And  Am  pretty  certain  Sir  William  will  not 
differ  from  us  in  Sentiment  about  it. 

Your  will  recieve  a  Letter  from  Mr.  Blair  president  of  the 
Council  of  Virginia  on  the  Subject  of  the  Boundary.3  By  his 
Letter  to  me  I  understand,  that  he  imagines,  Sir  William  is  to 
settle  Limits  between  the  Provinces,  which  I  believe  is  a  matter 
not  to  be  done  by  any  Persons  on  this  Side  the  Atlantick,  and 
must  be  referred  home  for  further  Orders.  If  Sir  William  can  fix 
a  general  Boundary  between  the  Provinces  and  Indians  to  the 
Satisfaction  of  the  latter,  so  as  to  prevent  disputes  with  them,  he 
will  do  a  good  work,  And  the  Provinces  must  settle  the  rest 
between  themselves  if  they  can,  or  referr  their  Disputes  to  the 
Decision  of  the  King  and  Council. 

Mr.  Blair  says  that  two  Commissioners  have  been  chose  by  the 
Council,  if  they  will  undertake  it,  and  they  think  to  send  them 
this  Month  to  Shamokin4  at  a  venture  to  attend  the  Congress.  You 
will  find  out  these  Commissioners,  that  they  may  be  acquainted 
when  and  where  the  Congress  is  held.  If  I  hear  of  them,  I  shall 
likewise  do  it,  when  I  am  informed  of  Sir  William's  final  Deter- 
mination in  these  Respects. 

I  Am  with  great  Regard  0. 

oir 

Guy  Johnson  Esqr.  °cca 


1  In  William  L.  Clements  Library. 

2  Ante  pp.  525-28. 

3  This  letter  of  John  Blair's  has  not  been  found.    See  reference  to  it  in 
Sir  William's  letter  to  Gage,  July  20,  1  768,  post  pp.  552-56. 

4  Sunbury,  Pa. 


Indian  Affairs,   1766-68  547 


INDORSED : 

Copy/  To 


Guy  Johnson  Esq1". 

Johnson  Hall 
New  York  1  1  *  July  1  768.5 


FROM  THOMAS  GAGE 

Copy1 

New  York  July  15,1768 
Dear  Sir. 

I  thank  you  for  your  letter  of  the  27th.  of  June2  &  I  hope 
you  will  receive  such  answers  from  the  Scioto  Indians,  to  the 
messages  delivered  by  Thomas  King,  as  will  ensure  tranquillity.  I 
have  late  letters  from  the  lakes,  everything  is  quiet  at  Niagara. 
At  MissiK  there  is  news  of  quarrels  among  many  nations.  I  send 
you  an  extract  of  my  letter  on  those  subjects. 

The  French  at  the  Ilinois  &  at  Post  Vincent  complain  of  your 
setting  the  Cherokees  &  Chickisaws  to  molest  them,  &  that  the 
death  of  Pondiac  committed  by  a  Pevin  of  the  Ilinois  &  beleived 
to  have  been  excited  by  the  English  to  that  action  had  drawn 
many  of  the  Ottawas  and  other  northern  towards  their  Country 
to  revenge  his  death.  These  circumstances  they  say  occasion  much 
fear  among  the  Inhabitants  who  pray  for  redress. 

They  are  turning  the  Tables  upon  us  by  way  of  answering  our 
complaints  against  their  own  intrigues. 

I  am  with  great  regard 
Dear  Sir, 
Your  most  obedient  humble  Serv*. 

Thos.  Gage 
Sir  William  Johnson  Bar1. 


5  Received  July  20,    I  768.  according  to  Sir  William  to  Gage,  of  that 
date. 

1  In  Library  of  Congress,  Force  transcripts. 

2  Not  found. 


548  Sir   William  Johnson  Papers 

AN  INDIAN  CONGRESS 

Contemporary  Copy1 

[Guy  Park  July  10-16 ,  / 768] 

At  a  Congress  held  at  Guy  Park  July  the  10th.  with  Michi- 
coniss  a  Chief  of  the  Chipeweighs  and  some  of  his  People  — 
Present  —  Colonel  Guy  Johnson  —  Dep?.  Agent 
Lieu'.  Col.  Butler2 
M'.  Tice3  & 
Pero  Interpreter  — 
Colonel  Johnson  addressed  them 

Brother  — 

I  am  very  glad  to  see  you  and  your  People  safe  arriv'd  at  this 
place  after  all  your  difficulties,  and  the  length  of  your  Journey, 
and  I  now  take  you  by  the  Hand,  and  heartily  welcome  you  here 
on  the  part  of  Sir  William  Johnson,  who  on  his  return  home  will 
speak  more  fully  to  you.  —  At  present  I  have  to  assure  you  of 
his  regard,  and  the  good  will  of  his  majesty  towards  your  people. 
I  persuade  my  self  that  you  come  here  with  the  like  disposition 
towards  the  English,  and  that  your  people  are  all  of  the  same 
Sentiments,  and  will  continue  to  act  such  a  part,  as  will  be  most 
agreeable  to  their  inclinations,  and  their  Interests  —  and  I  am 
glad  to  find  that  your  regard  for  your  Father  Sir  William,  &  your 
desire  to  see  him,  prevailed  over  all  the  Stories  which  I  understand 
were  framed  to  deter  you  from  prosecuting  your  Journey  — 

To  which  the  Chief  answered  — 

Brother  — 

I  am  very  glad  to  See  you  this  day,  and  to  see  the  Sun  Shine 
so  bright  at  this  our  meeting  —  I  remember  to  have  seen  you 
during  the  war  at  Niagara,  I  hope  I  shall  soon  see  my  father  Sir 
William,  being  his  adopted  Child,  and  fast  friend,  —  and  I  can 


1  In  Canadian  Archives,  Indian  Records,  Vol.  8. 

2  Colonel  John  Butler. 

3  Captain  Gilbert  Tice. 


Indian  Affairs,  1766-68  549 

tell  yu.  that  my  people  are  well  disposed,  and  ready  to  Shew 
their  regards  for  the  English,  but  towards  the  Missisipi,  the  People 
are  very  bad,  and  now  meditating  mischief  —  You  will  hear  all 
these  things,  and  the  important  business  on  which  I  am  come,  on 
Sir  William's  arrival,  when  I  shall  lay  every  thing  before  him, 
and  I  hope  that  he  will  be  here  soon,  having  so  long  a  Journey  to 
take  on  my  return,  that  I  fear  I  cannot  reach  home  before  the 
winter  sets  in  Should  I  be  long  delayed  here  — 
Colonel  Johnson  answered  — 

Brother  — 

I  have  attended  to,  and  am  well  pleased  with  what  you  have 
said,  as  you  will  doubtless  be  with  the  reception,  &  information 
you  will  receive  from  Sir  William  —  I  expect  that  he  will  be 
here  in  a  fortnight,  and  I  shall  notify  your  arrival  here  by  a 
letter  to  him  by  Colonel  Butler,  on  whose  return,  which  will  be  in 
four  days,  I  shall  have  a  certain  account  of  Sir  William's  return, 
which  I  shall  immediately  accquaint  you  with,  and  in  the  mean 
time,  orders  are  given,  that  you  shall  meet  with  good  treatment  at 
his  house,  where  I  hope  you  will  soon  see  him  — 

The  Chief  expressed  a  desire  of  going  to  Sir  William,  from 
which,  however,  he  was  dissuaded  —  Gave  him  a  feast,  plenty  of 
Madaira  &ca.  — 

July  1  1 lh.  —  The  Chipeweighs  returned  to  the  Hall,  and  on  the 
13th.  came  down  to  Guy-park,  danced  all  night,  and  took  leave 
the  day  following  — 

1 4th.  —  Sir  William  arrived  at  Guy-Park,  on  his  way  from  New 
England,  and  on  the  15th.  arrived  at  Johnson-Hall  — 
1 6th.  —  A  number  of  the  Onondagas,  Conajoharees,  &  Mohocks 
arrived  here,  and  going  thro'  the  ceremony  of  Condolance  in  full, 
&  which  was  also  performed  in  return  by  Sir  William,  they  pro- 
ceeded on  the  business,  which  occasioned  their  coming  here  — 
viz1.  First  to  acquaint  Sir  William,  that  several  Belts  of  Wampum 
had  been  lately  dispersed  amongst  the  Indian  Nations  from  the 
French,  and  Spaniards,  assuring  them  of  their  determined  resolu- 
tions, to  attempt  the  recovery  of  their  Country  from  the  English, 


550  Sir  William  Johnson  Papers 

who,  they  alledged,  had  snatched  it  from  them  by  mere  accident, 
and  exhorting  them  to  hold  themselves  in  readiness,  to  act  in  con- 
junction with  them  next  Spring,  —  and,  that,  in  order  to  dis- 
tinguish between  their  Children,  and  others,  they  had  given  a 
number  of  white  Flags,  which  on  the  arrival  of  the  French,  and 
Spaniards,  they  were  to  display,  and  not  before  —  That  one  of 
these  Belts  was  Lodged  at  Osteningo  — 

Secondly  —  That  they  wanted  to  know  something  of  the  busi- 
ness of  the  intended  meeting,  that  they  might  come  prepared, 

—  And  lastly  to  accquaint  Sir  William,  that  they  understood, 
that  the  Shawanese,  and  Delawares  were  not  determined  to 
attend  the  Treaty  — 

The  same  day  Sir  William  returned  them  thanks  for  com- 
municating to  him  the  reports  they  had  heard,  &  thereupon,  had 
assured  them,  that  they  were  propagated  only  by  a  few  illdisposed 
Renegadoes,  who  had  fled  amongst  the  Several  Nations  for 
Shelter  least  the  English  shoul'd  pursue  them  for  the  recovery  of 
debts  &  incense  the  English  agl.  them.  —  He  hoped  their  nation 
had  too  much  sense  to  pay  any  regard  to  such  ridiculous  false- 
hoods, —  and  desired  that  they  would  undeceive  all  such  of  their 
neighbours,  and  Countrymen,  as  had  been  imposed  on  by  such 
villains  —  Sir  William  then  gave  them  some  information  of  what 
was  to  be  transacted  at  the  general  Congress,  and  told  them,  that 
he  hoped,  their  good  Offices  would  not  be  wanting  to  bring  about 
the  Settlement  of  a  proper  Line  between  the  Indians,  and  the 
English  —  He  then  accquainted  them,  and  desired  that  they 
would  make  it  known  to  the  rest  of  the  Indians,  that  he  intended 
to  hold  the  Congress  at  Fort  Stanwix,  and  that,  as  soon  as  they 
could  be  assembled  —  Sir  William  then  gave  them  a  Present 

—  some  Provisions  to  carry  home.  —  some  Liquor  to  drink  by 
the  way,  and  at  their  respective  villages,  —  they  then  departed  — 


Indian  Affairs,  1766-68  551 

FROM  HENRY  MOORE 

L.S.1 

Fort  George  July  I8ih.  1768 
Sir 

I  have  lately  had  another  application  from  the  Patentees  of  the 
Kanyaderosseras  Land,  who  have  delegated  two  Persons  from 
hence  with  Power  to  treat  again  with  the  Indians  concerning  the 
settlement  of  the  dispute  between  them;  They  expect  that  the 
Survey  which  I  order'd  to  be  made  will  be  compleated  by  the  time 
these  Deputies  arrive  at  Albany,  by  which  means  the  contending 
Parties  will  be  able  to  fix  their  lines  with  more  certainty  [and] 
of  course  to  enter  into  an  Agreement  which  [might]  be  lasting. 

They  desire  that  I  would  recommend  [this  majtter  strongly 
to  you  and  hope  [you  will  give  all]  the  Assistance  in  your 
Power  [on  the  Occasion,  and  I  am  the  more  readily  inclined  to 
comply  with  this  request  on  account]  of  what  has  been  mentioned 
in  the  Secretary  of]  State's  letter  to  me,  for  (after  [the  disappoint- 
ment] I  have  so  lately  met  with) ,  I  sh[all  ]  to  send  home  a 
satisfactory  Accou[  |  proceeding  which  I  am  sorry  to 
s[ay                  ]  my  power  at  present, 

While  I  was  at  Your  Ho[use  I]  ask'd  for  the  Indian  Records, 
but  wa[s  told  that]  they  were  lock'd  up,  which  I  th[ought  a]  little 
extraordinary  as  there  were  no  [other]  motives  for  this  last  ex- 
cursion of  mi[ne  but  to]  transact  Business  with  the  Indians :  [What] 
I  desir'd  to  see  was  the  Result  of  (a  Meeting)  which  was  held 
upon  this  very  di[spute  some]  years  ago,  and  beg  the  favor  of  you 
[to  let  me]  have  an  Attested  Copy  of  that  [Transaction]. 


1  Printed  in  mutilated  form  in  Johnson  Papers,  6:276-77.  Original 
manuscript  is  damaged  by  fire,  but  words  in  brackets  have  been  supplied 
by  two  copies;  the  first  two  paragraphs  were  quoted  in  Indian  Records, 
Vol.  8 — Indian  Conference  dated  July  28,  1768,  post  pp.  565-67;  the 
third  and  fourth  paragraphs  were  copied  by  C.  H.  Mcllwain,  and  printed 
in  his  edition  of  Peter  Wraxall's  An  Abridgment  of  the  Indian  Affairs 
(Cambridge,  1915)  pp.  xciii-xciv. 


552  Sir  William  Johnson  Papers 

The  Meeting  [was  held  at  Albany]  at  the  time  Mr.  Living[ston 
was  Secretary  for]  Indian  Affairs,  wh[ose  Son  (Alderman  Living- 
ston] of  this  City)  t[hen  acted  as  his  Deputy.] 

[Your  presejnce  here  is  thought  absolutely  [necessjary,  and  I 
shall  be  very  glad  to  assure  you  personally,  that  I  am  with  great 
truth  and  Esteem 

Sir  — 

Your  most  Obedient  and 
humble  Servant  — 

H:  Moore. 

INDORSED : 

Sir  H.  Moore's  Letter 
wth.  an  Enclosure  — 


TO  THOMAS  GAGE 
A.L.S.1 

Johnson  Hall  July  20*.  1768 

Dear  Sir 

I  arrived  here  the  15th.  Ins*,  after  almost  Three  Months 
Absence,  and  whether  owing  to  the  Change  of  Air,  or  Exercise, 
I  find  myself  somewhat  improved  in  health.  — 

I  often  wished  to  have  had  it  in  my  power  to  have  seen  You  at 
York,  but  the  Plan  I  had  laid  down,  &  the  rest  &  retirement  which 
I  so  much  wanted  would  not  admit  me  that  pleasure,  &  induced 
me  to  take  the  Springs2  in  my  way  back,  to  try  their  effect  on  my 
Legs,  which  I  do  not  find  much  better.  —  Mr.  Johnson3  has  com- 
municated your  Correspondence  during  my  Absence,  and  I 
am  verry  glad  to  find  that  what  has  been  done  proves  agreable  to 
You.— 


1  In  William  L.  Clements  Library. 

2  Lebanon  Springs,  N.  Y. 

3  Guy  Johnson. 


Indian  Affairs,   1766-68  553 

Your  favour  of  the  1  1 th.  Inst.4  to  him  came  to  Hands  this  Day, 
as  did  also  One  from  Mr.  Blair5  concerning  the  Boundary.  —  I 
think  I  have  only  to  do  with  the  general  Line  between  the  English, 
&  Indians,  and  that  all  Matters  of  a  Provincial  Nature  must  be 
settled  in  the  Manner  You  have  observed.  —  A  Mistake  has  been 
made  by  which  the  Line  is  not  proposed  by  the  Board  of  Trade 
to  the  Northward  of  Owegy.  This,  as  far  as  I  can  see  has  been 
occasioned  by  'its  not  having  been  Settled  at  the  Congress  in 
1765  (as  I  find  Mr.  Johnson  has  observed  to  You)  the  Indians 
did  not  meet  me  at  that  time  for  that  particular  purpose,  I  only 
took  that  opertunity  of  finding  out  how  they  were  generally  dis- 
posed, that  I  might  Govern  myself  accordingly  whensoever  I  re- 
ceived final  Orders  for  fixing  the  Line,  but  unless  the  Line  is  con- 
tinued Northerly  from  Owegy,  So  as  to  form  a  Boundary  Between 
the  Six  Nations  &  New  York,  the  Indians  will  not  be  secure,  & 
the  affair  of  the  Boundary  will  be  defeated  in  its  principal  Object, 
this  must  be  so  obvious  that  an  Explanation  is  unnecessary,  Sir 
H.  Moore  (as  I  am  Informed)  did  not  think  it  was  requisite 
with  regard  to  New  York,  and  if  it  was  Settled,  was  of  opinion 
that  it  should  not  restrict  this  Province  in  purchasing,  but  I  appre- 
hend he  will  alter  this  Opinion,  as  it  is  contrary  to  the  Intention  of 
the  Boundary.  — 

I  have  received  letters  from  the  Secretary  of  State  with  a 
Reform  of  the  Indian  Department,  which  Mr.  Johnson  I  find  has 
Mentioned  to  You,  on  which  there  is  Subject  for  much  Enlarge- 
ment, It  places  the  Management  of  ye.  Indian  Trade  in  the  Hands 
of  the  Colonies  with  a  View  to  a  Saving,  [&  after  admitting]  and 
after  admitting  that  they  were  Guilty  of  Notorious  Errors  at  a 
time  when  the  Colonies  had  reason  to,  &  did  actually  fear  them, 
It  Supposes  that  at  this  period  when  their  opinion  is  so  much 
changed  into  a  dangerous  Security,  that  they  will  take  more  pains, 
&  be  at  more  expence  than  before.  —  This  was  always  a  trouble- 
some part  of  my  Duty,  but  the  Present  Change  has  Originated 


4  Ante  pp.  546-47. 

5  John  Blair,  president  of  the  Council  of  Virginia. 


554  Sir  William  Johnson  Papers 

with  the  Merchants  Who  have  represented  the  Hardships  of  Re- 
strictions &ca.  The  Government  before  the  last  War  do  not  appear 
to  have  given  a  great  deal  of  Attention  to  Indian  Affairs,  &  are 
now  tired  of  the  Expence  incurred  by  the  Establishment  for 
Trade,  but  the  Necissity  of  a  System  under  One  Person  has 
Existed  ever  since  our  Connections  with  them  were  enlarged  & 
particularly  since  the  Reduction  of  Canada.  The  Moderate  Ex- 
pence  of  former  times  was  owing  to  ye.  narrow  Limits  of  our 
Connection  with  Indians,  &  the  verry  inconsiderable  Opinion  they 
had  of  the  Colonies,  who  were  then  no  Objects  of  Jealousy,  but 
the  French  were  verry  much  so.  —  In  proportion  as  they  became 
better  acquainted  with  us  &  their  Assistance  courted,  they  rose  in 
their  Expectations,  &  as  Soon  As  our  power  &  encrease  became 
visible  to  them  all  they  all  became  Jealous  of  Us,  &  from  that  time 
required  An  Officer  to  Manage  them,  After  the  reduction  of 
Canada  the  Connections  we  then  formed  with  so  many  powerfull 
Nations  prejudiced  against  Us,  rendered  the  Department  more 
necessary  than  before.  —  I  cannot  help  observing  that  besides 
the  limitting  the  Expences  in  the  present  Reform,  The  extent,  & 
business  of  the  two  Departments  does  not  appear  to  have  been 
duely  weighed,  The  Northern  District  was  always  considered  to 
exceed  the  other  verry  much,  as  it  realy  does,  and  whilst  the 
Secretary  of  State  writes  me  to  retrench  all  the  Establishments 
&ca.  regarding  the  Indian  Trade,  I  do  not  see  any  provision  made 
for  my  Deputys  Sallaries,  who  had  their  Offices  without  a  View  to 
the  Trade  &  Antecedent  to  it  &  who  are  so  necessary  to  the 
Department  that  it  cannot  be  carried  on  without  them,  neither  is 
there  any  mention  made  of  Smiths  or  Interpreters  &  the  £3000 
<P   Annum  is  a  Sum  too  Small  for  Presents  &  Incidental  Ex- 
pences to  pay  them  out  of  it.  An  Addition  of  £  1 000  ^  Anm. 
might  as  the  Affair  of  Trade  is  placed  in  other  Hands,  have  in 
some  measure  Answered,  &  defrayed  the  Sallaries  of  the  Officers 
necessary,  &  this  might  be  taken  with  the  greatest  reason  & 
propriety  from  the  Southeren  Districts  Allowance.  I  shall  be  much 
oblidged  if  you  will  represent  what  You  think  best  hereon  to  the 
Secretary  of  State,  that  Something  may  be  done,  for  if  I  am  to 


Indian  Affairs,  1766-68  555 

continue  in  Office,  or  do  any  Service  I  would  pay  the  People  out 
of  my  own  Sallary  rather  than  want  those  Assistances  that  are 
absolutely  &  indispensably  necessary,  &  I  hope  to  hear  from  You 
on  those  Subjects,  &  to  know  whether  I  should  not  remove  the 
Commissarys  forthwith.  — 

I  enclose  You  an  Ace1,  of  Pay  &  Disbursements  which  could 
not  come  down  in  time  to  be  inserted  in  my  last  &  beg  the  favour 
of  You  to  order  payment  for  it.  — 

I  have  made  out  a  list  of  Such  Goods  we  will  be  necessary  to 
give  the  Indians  for  their  Cession,  I  have  been  to  the  full  as 
Moderate  as  I  could  in  the  Calculation,  &  I  now  send  Mr. 
AdemsG  (who  is  a  verry  good  Judge  of  such  Articles)  to  purchase 
them,  and  have  given  him  an  Order  on  Mr.  Mortier7  for  to  re- 
ceive ye.  Amount  of  them,  as  Soon  as  Your  Warrant  is  Issued, 
there  will  also  be  wanting  for  other  Articles  here,  &  private 
presents  to  the  Cheifs  about  £2000,  in  Dollars,  wh.  I  have 
directed  Mr.  Adems  to  bring  up  with  him.  It  is  impossible  to  de- 
termine the  exact  amount  of  the  Expence  necessary,  but  as  I  have 
calculated  it,  I  cannot  think  that  less  than  Ten  thousand  Pounds 
Sterling  will  answer,  &  that  I  fancy  will  be  thought  a  verry 
cheap  purchase  for  such  a  Tract  of  Country.  — 

The  White  People  about  Conajohare  (or  Fort  Hendrick)  are 
daily  taking  away  the  Materials  of  the  Block  Houses  there,  and 
the  Indians  applyed  to  me  2  days  ago  requesting  liberty  to  remove 
what  is  left  of  them  in  order  to  build  them  a  Church.  I  hope  you 
will  have  no  Objection  to  it,  Indeed,  I  told  them  when  I  had  that 
Fort  built  that  whenever  the  Garrison  was  withdrawn,  &  that  we 
had  no  occasion  for  it,  they  might  apply  it  to  their  own  use.  — 

The  Chippawae  Cheif  with  his  party  (who  Mr.  Johnson  wrote 
You  could  not  get  a  passage  from  Niagra)  is  however  since  come 
here,  &  has  business  of  importance,  which  he  will  speak  upon  to 
Morrow.  There  are  likewise  above  100  Indians  from  ye.  upper 
Nations,  on  all  which  Subjects  I  hope  to  write  You  Soon.  — 


6  Robert  Adems. 

7  Abraham  Mortier,  deputy  paymaster  general. 


556  Sir  William  Johnson  Papers 

I  shall  send  the  papers  you  require  to  the  Judge  Advocate  In 
Canada  as  Soon  as  I  possibly  can.  — 

I  am  most  respectfully 
Dear  Sir 

Your  Most  Obedient 

&  verry  Humble  Servant 

W  Johnson 

His  Excellency  GENERAL  GAGE 

P  S.  I  send  by  Mr.  Adems  Croghans  Ace'.,  &  Maisonvills,8  vA, 
I  would  be  glad  to  have  after  You  peruse  them. 

INDORSED : 

Sir  Wm.  Johnson  — 

20*.  July  1 768.  — 
received  2d.  August  — 
Inclosing  An  Ace1,  of  the 
Pay  of  the  Department  to  25th. 
March  1  768.  With  Several 
Disbursements.  — 
answered  — 


ACCOUNT  AGAINST  THE  CROWN 

Contemporary  Copy1 

Johnson  Hall  July  20lh.  1768 

The  Crown Dr. 

To  Goerge  Croghan  Esqr.  Deputy 
Agent  Salary  from  the  24th. 
Sepf.  1767  to  the  25th.  March 
1768   


£171.. 8.  .6% 


8  Alexander  Maisonville. 

1  In   William   L.   Clements   Library,   Gage   Papers;   inclosed  in  Gage's 
warrant  to  Mortier,  New  York,  August  1  6,  1  768. 


Indian  Affairs,   1766-68 


557 


To  Joseph  Gorham  Esqr.  Dept?. 
Agent  Account  of  Disbursements 
from  24th.  Sepf.  1767,  to  25th. 
March  1768 

To  Edward  Cole  Comissry.  Acco1. 
of  his  Pay,  Interprtrs.  Smith  and 
Disbursements    from   24th.   Sepf. 

1767  to  25*.  March  1768 

To    Alexander    McKee    Comissry. 

Acco1.  of  his  Pay,  Interpreters, 
Smith  and  Disbursements  from 
24th.  Sepf.  1 767  to  25th.  March 

1768   

To  Jehu  Hay  Comissry.  Ace',  of  his 
Pay,  Interpfs.  Smith  and  Dis- 
bursements from  the  24th.   Sepf. 

1767  to  25*.  March  1768 

To    Norman    MacLeod    Comiss1?. 

Acco'.  of  Disbursements  from  the 
24th.  Sepf.   1  767  to  25th.  March 

1768   

To  Thomas  McKees  Pay  from  d°. 

to  d° 

To  Henry  Montour  d°.  from  d°.  to 
d° 

To  George  Croghan  Esqr.  Deputy 
Agent,  as  <P  Account  will  Ap- 
pear    


Y 


174..   5..  94/- 


1969..   4..112/7 


1263. .18. .11 


882.. 19..  4( 


206..  10..  94/7 


51..   8 

42. .17 


77 


.  6 
.    1 


2236..    1..10 


£6998..15..10Vt2 


(Signed)  W  JOHNSON 


2  Gage's     warrant     converts     this    sum     in     New     York     currency    to 
£4082.  .12.  .  63/4  Sterling. 


558  Sir  William  Johnson  Papers 

AN  INDIAN  CONGRESS 
Contemporary  Copy1 

[Johnson  Hall,  July  22-27,  1768] 
At  a  Congress  at  Johnson  Hall  with  the  Chipeweighs  —  July 

Present  —  Sir  William  Johnson  Bar*.  —  Super-Intend'. 
George  Croghan  _         _      , 

n      j  ,  y  Esqrs.  Dy.  Agts. 

Liuy  Johnson 

M'.  A.  M'Kee2 

Pero  —  Interpreter 
Then  went  thro'  the  Ceremony  of  smoaking  the  Pipe  according 
to  the  custom  of  the  Western  Nations 

Then  Wachicouess  arose,  and  shook  hands,  after  which  he  laid 
down  a  Beaver  Blanket,  &  then  said 

Father  — 

I  now  open  your  Ears,  that  you  may  hear,  and  understand  what 
I  have  to  say.  —  I  have  had  an  ardent  desire  to  see  you  for  a 
long  time  past,  and  I  now  meet  yu.  to  tell  you  what  I  am  charged 
with  from  the  Chiefs  of  all  our  people  — 

Father  — 

You  desired  us,  at  Niagara,  to  conceal  nothing  from  you,  but 
to  report  any  news  of  consequence.  —  We  now  come  to  tell  you, 
that  things  are  growing  bad  to  the  Westward,  and  that  some  of 
the  Ground  there,  gets  wet,  and  out  of  order,  —  This,  I  am  now 
come  to  accquaint  you  of,  and  to  know  what  you  will  say,  in  re- 
gard to  it,  to  our  People  — 

Gave  a  Beaver  Blanket 

Then  laid  down  anothr.  &  Said  — 

Father  — 

When  I  last  saw  you,  you  united  my  heart  with  yours.  —  mine 


1  In  Canadian  Archives,  Indian  Records,  Vol.  8. 

2  Alexander  McKee. 


Indian  Affairs,  1766-68  559 

still  remains  entirely  devoted  to  you,  &  in  consequence  thereof  I 
now  offer  you  our  Service,  as  your  Son;  and  to  assure  you  that 
we  are  ready  to  do  whatever  you  desire,  I  now  acquaint  you 
that  there  are  bad  Birds  who  have  come  to  our  towns  singing  bad 
songs,  but  that  we  would  not  listen  to  them.  —  They  come  to  us 
every  Spring,  but  we  have  thrown  them  over  our  shoulders.  —  We 
now  desire  to  know  your  mind  concerning  these  bad  Birds  —  & 
perhaps  you  know  where  they  come  from.  —  We  think  they  come 
from  the  Sea  Side.  —  The  great  Chief  of  our  People  would  not 
listen  to  them  as  yet,  and  has  now  sent  me  to  tell  you  of  this,  and 
to  accquaint  you  that  the  Spaniards  have  given  the  Birds  liquor, 
and  made  them  bad,  and  that  they  have  sent  a  great  Hatchet  to 
Powtewatamis,  and  us,  but  that  our  People  resolve  to  have  noth- 
ing to  do  with  it,  'till  we  receive  your  answer,  according  to  which 
we  shall  endeavor  to  settle  matters,  so  as  to  unite  hearts,  as  they 
were  before,  and  to  make  the  Ground  good  again.  —  These  bad 
Birds  come  from  the  Missisipi,  and  buzze  so  many  stories  in  our 
ears,  that  we  don't  know  what  to  do.  —  our  chiefs  sit  as  yet,  Still, 
and  Quiet,  and  do  not  Stir  out,  and  according  to  your  answer  will 
regulate  their  future  conduct  — 

A  Beaver  Blanket 
Then  with  a  Belt  Said 

Father  — 

Our  hearts  shall  stick  fast  together.  —  we  are  ready  to  do 
what  you  desire,  as  are  the  Chipeweighs,  with  whom  you  spoke  at 
Niagara;  and  we  are  now  come  to  assure  you  of  our  union  with 
you,  and  that  if  affairs  continue  unsettled,  we  shall  take  up  the 
Hatchet,  and  be  guided  by  you  entirely,  and  are  at  any  time  ready 
to  follow  your  advice  to  reclaim  the  Ground,  and  bring  things 
into  their  proper  order.  —  We  c«me  to  hear  What  you  resolve 
upon,  &  to  desire  that  you  will  bind  our  arms  fast  together  with 
Iron,  that  we  may  be  strongly  united,  &  act  together.  —  If  you 
find  that  this  bad  news  is  true,  we  now  tell  you  that  we  are  ready 
to  Join  you  immediately,   and   to   follow  your  desires.  —  The 


560  Sir   William  Johnson  Papers 

Shawanese  once  brought  us  a  Hatchet  to  employ  against  you, 
but  we  declined  taking  it,  or  making  any  use  of  it  — 

An  Ax  Belt 
Then  Laid  down  another  Beaver  Blanket  and  Said 

Father 

We  The  Western  People  are  glad  to  see  your  way  so  open, 
and  the  Sun  so  clear  in  this  part  of  the  Country.  We  are  your 
adopted  Sons,  and  will  take  good  notice  of  what  you  say,  and 
when  I  return  home  I  shall  communicate  it  to  all  my  people,  who 
will  follow  your  advice.  —  they  desired  me  to  make  haste,  as 
they  are  sitting  still  about  Michilimackinac  until  my  return  —  I 
hope  that  you  will  look  upon  me,  and  use  me  as  your  Son.  — 
my  Party,  and  I  are  in  want  of  Clothing,  and  you  promised  to 
Send  us  all  some.  —  If  you  will  send  a  Boat  with  it,  and  some 
Powder,  and  arms,  as  they  desire,  I  shall  deliver  it  to  them  — - 
These  Speeches  are  not  from  one  body  of  Indians,  they  are  sent 
from  all  our  People  —  and  I  hope  that  you  will  send  two,  or 
three  hands  with  the  Boat  with  us  to  Oswego,  where  we  have  a 
large  Canoe  waiting  for  us.  —  We  hope  that  you  will  be  steady, 
and  as  soon  as  we  receive  your  answer,  I  shall  return  and  call  all 
cur  chiefs  together,  and  tell  them  your  resolutions  —  the  Batteaus 
goe  back  and  forward  very  much  between  Mitchilimackina,  and 
the  Illenois  —  and  now  they  have  got  ground  there,  and  will 
settle  about  that  place,  where  they  get  a  great  deal  of  Goods 

—  I  hope  that  you  will  give  me  a  piece  of  your  heart  to  instill  into 
the  minds  of  our  Young  people,  and  give  them  understanding  — 
Should  I  find  things  bad  at  my  return,  I  will  come  back  to  you, 
and  accquaint  you  with  them  according  to  your  desire  to  us,  when 
you  was  at  Niagra,  and  as  the  Season  is  advanced,  and  our 
Journey  long,  we  shall  take  leave  of  you  in  three  days  — 

Gave  a  Beaver  Blanket 
To  which  Sir  William  answered. 

Children  — 

I  am  very  glad  to  see  you,  and  to  hear  all  that  you  have  said, 

—  I  am  very  glad  that  you  bear  in  mind  all  your  engagements, 


Indian  Afairs,   1766-68  561 

and  am  thankfull  to  you  for  the  intelligence  you  have  given  me  of 
affairs  to  the  Westward,  all  which  I  shall  take  into  Consideration, 
&  give  you  a  proper  answer  upon  it  in  due  time  — 

July  27th.      At  a  Congress  at  Johnson-Hall 
Present  —  As  before  — 

Sir  William  addressed  the  Chipeweighs  as  follows  — 

Children  — 

Having  duely  considered  the  speech  you  made  to  me  the  other 
day,  I  desire  you  now  to  Open  your  ears,  and  to  give  attention  to 
it.  —  I  am  very  glad  to  find  you  continue  Observant  of  your 
engagements,  and  that  you  have  preserved  in  memory  the  words  I 
formerly  spoke  to  you.  —  persevere  in  your  good  resolutions,  and 
you  may  be  assured  that  you  will  feel  the  good  effects  of  your 

fidelity 

A  Belt  — 

I  have  heard  for  some  time  past  of  some  bad  Birds  to  the 
Westward,  which  astonished  me,  as  the  rest  of  this  Country  is 
quiet,  and  peaceable  to  the  rising  of  the  Sun  —  I  thank  you  for 
the  intelligence  you  have  given  me,  and  I  hope  that  you  will  men- 
tion fully,  and  plainly,  what  you  know  about  it.  —  This  will 
shew  that  your  hearts  are  realy,  &  firmly  united  with  mine,  and 
your  Chiefs  shall  allways  find  mine  to  be  warmly  attached  to 
their  interest  — 

A  Belt  — 

If  all  the  Indians  knew  the  true  value  of  our  friendship,  they 
would  not  risque  the  Loss  of  it,  by  listening  to  bad  stories,  or 
falsehoods  —  Let  these  Stories  be  of  what  nature  they  will  — 
those  who  carry  them  amongst  you,  are  not  your  Friends.  —  they 
are  Secret  dangerous  Enemies,  who  want  to  get  away  all  your 
trade  by  breeding  Quarrells,  and  then  Leave  you  in  the  Lurch.  — 
for  they  can  do  nothing  for  you,  nor  anything  to  hurt  us  —  It  is 
only  like  the  barking  of  a  cross  dog  for  which  we  can  allways  find 
a  Switch  when  we  are  much  vexed  —  You  see  they  dare  not  to 


562  Sir  William  Johnson  Papers 

come  amongst  us  with  their  Lies  —  They  keep  at  a  great  distance 
least  we  should  chastise  them,  as  they  deserve  —  whenever  any 
such  come  amongst  you,  Let  me  know  it,  and  shut  your  ears 
against  them,  and  if  this  will  not  do,  You  should  take  them,  and 
shake  them  by  the  head  —  Should  all  this  not  do,  we  must  then 
cut  a  Small  Switch,  and  Scourge  them  'till  they  recover  their 
Senses,  and  get  Sober  —  This  is  what  all  our  Allies  have  agreed 
to  at  the  making  of  the  Peace  — 

A  Black  Belt  — 

Same  day  Michicawiss  the  chief  answered,  that  he  was  happy 
to  hear  the  good  words  that  were  spoke,  and  that  he  would  speak 
further  with  Sir  William  in  the  afternoon  — 

P:  M 

At  a  Congress  with  Michicawiss  &ca. 
Present  —  Sir  William  Johnson  Bar. 

Guy  Johnson  Esqr.  Dep>\  Agl.  — 

John  Butler  Esqr. 

—  Pero  Interpr.  — 
Michicawiss  Speaker  — 

Father  — 

Before  my  departure,  I  will  in  consequence  of  your  desires, 
give  You  such  farther  particulars  as  I  know  concerning  the  dis- 
orders in  our  Country  —  I  have  told  you  how  they  began,  &  I 
now  tell  you  that  the  Powtewatimis  are  the  principal  people  who 
have  accepted  the  Hatchet  from  the  Spaniards,  and  are  gone  out 
to  do  mischief  among  the  people  with  a  Number  of  Canoes.  — 
what  the  rest  will  do,  as  yet  I  cannot  tell,  but  hope  that  the  good 
words  I  heave  heard  from  you,  for  whom  they  have  a  true  regard, 
will  have  a  good  effect;  and  I  Shall  make  it  known  thro'  all  our 
people  without  altering,  or  forgetting  a  Word.  — 
Sir  William  answered  — 

Children  — 

I  thank  you  for  your  words,  and  I  Love  &  esteem  your  people, 
as  well  as  all  those  Indians  who  sensible  of  the  blessings  of  peace, 


Indian  Affairs,   1766-68  563 


and  the  duty  of  their  Obligations,  remain  friends  to  the  great  King 
of  England  —  This  Wise  and  humane  Monarch  does  not  love  to 
see  blood  foolishly  spilled.  —  You  should  follow  his  worthy 
example,  You  should  be  deaf  to  all  idle  Stories  propogated  by 
men  who  are  now  weak,  and  defeated  in  their  several  projects  — 
These  dangerous  men  should  be  removed  out  of  your  Country, 
for  be  assured,  that  so  long  as  they  remain  amongst  you,  you  can- 
not be  happy,  or  Enjoy  peace;  for  they  will  allways  disturb  you 
for  their  own  Interest  —  I  hope  you  will  make  my  words  known, 
to  the  Setting  of  the  Sun,  and  that  they  will  be  regarded  —  as  they 
will  most  certainly  contribute  to  your  Happiness  —  I  Shall  now 
prepare  the  Present  which  in  his  Majesty's  Name,  I  give  You  as 
a  proof  of  his  esteem  for  well  disposed  Indians,  and  of  my  personal 
regard  for  you,  and  your  people,  and  wishing  you  a  safe  passage 
to  your  own  Country,  &  that  you  may  ever  remember  my  words 
—  I  now  take  my  Leave  — 

A:  M:  Michicowiss  the  Chipeweigh  chief  with  his  party  having 
finished  all  business,  and  received  a  handsome  present  took  leave, 
and  set  out  for  Caghnawaga  where  a  Boat  was  prepared  to 
convey  them  to  Ontario  on  their  way  home  — 


TO  WILLIAM  FRANKLIN 

Df.1 

Johnson  hall  July  28th.  J  768. 
Sir  — 

Mr.  S.  Wharton  delivered  to  me  your  kind  favor  of  the  23d 
of  May  with  the  Several  Inclosures  for  which  I  give  you  many 
thanks.  —  I  hope  you  will  Excuse  my  having  deferred  an  Answer 
to  it,  until  my  return  home  which  was  some  days  ago,  having 
received  it  Whilst  on  a  Tour  to  the  sea  side  [which  was]2  for  the 


1  In  American  Antiquarian  Society.  In  hand  of  Guy  Johnson. 

2  Words  italicized  and  in  brackets  are  crossed  out  in  the  manuscript. 


564  Sir  William  Johnson  Papers 

recovery  of  My  health  which  was  brought  very  low  thro'  my 
fatigues  &ca.  — 

Tho'  I  by  no  means  accuse  you  of  neglect  of  Writing  I  shall 
be  very  happy  in  your  Agreable  &  friendly  Correspondence 
abstracted  from  any  Motives  arising  from  the  Subject. 

The  Extracts  you  were  pleased  to  send  me  were  very  Accept- 
able, as  they  contain  abundance  of  Judicious  Remarks,  & 
Sufficiently  shew  My  Much  esteemed  Mr.  Franklin's  Experience, 
attention  &  knowledge  in  American  affairs.  — 

You  must  before  this  time  have  been  advised  of  the  New 
Arrangement  of  all  these  matters,  and  of  the  Reform  by  which  the 
[Affairs]  Management  of  the  Indian  Trade  is  Committed  to  the 
Care  &  Charge  of  the  respective  Colonies  Whereby  the  Altera- 
tions which  you  wisely  foresaw,  are  in  part  made,  [as  to  the  event 
of]  the  powers  of  the  Super  Intendts.  are  however  pretty  Strongly 
tho'  Generally  Expressed,  their  Sallarys  encreased,  but  they  are 
Limited  to  a  very  Small  Ann1.  Sum  for  the  Various  Services  & 
Contingent  Expences  of  their  Departments.  The  Event  of  which, 
you  seem  so  Justly  Sensible  of  that  I  cannot  but  be  intirely  of 
your  Opinion,  altho'  l[t  does  not  seem  according]  find  that  the 
Lords  of  Trade  think  every  post  that  is  kept  up  shod.  be  Gar- 
risoned by  the  Kings  Troops,  Yet  there  will  be  sundry  other  Ex- 
pences found  necessary  for  the  Colonies  to  be  at  for  the 
preservation  of  the  Trade,  which  may  render  it  impracticable,  as  a 
Union  of  Sentiment  on  these  Occasions  cannot  be  Expected,  for 
the  reasons  you  have  Judiciously  Assigned.  — 

The  Settlement  of  the  Boundary  Line  will  I  believe  shortly 
take  place,  it  is  only  retarded  by  reason  of  the  distant  residence 
of  the  Shawanese  &  Delawares  whose  presence  I  Judged  neces- 
sary not  as  Owners  of  the  Land  but  as  Nigh  Neighbours  to  the 
Settlements,  [with]  to  whom  they  may  easily  be  troublesome  — 
Your  Province  does  not  appear  concerned  in  this  Line,  but  as  the 
Governm1.  think  the  Colonies  should  give  all  security  to  the  Trans- 
action by  Laws,  to  prevent  their  people  from  Transgressing  which 
may  be  a  Case  Common  to  every  Colony,  I  thought  it  best  to  men- 
tion it,  and  in  Case  you  think  the  attendance  of  [a]  one  or  two 


Indian  Affairs,   1766-68  565 

Commissioners  from  Your  Government  necessary  to  attend  the 
Treaty  You  will  doubtless  take  measures  accordingly.  — 

I  have  only  now  to  add  that  I  am  with  perfect  Esteem,  Sir, 

Your  Excellys  &c 
His  Excels. 

GovR.  Franklin 


AN  INDIAN  CONFERENCE 
Contemporary  Copy1 

[Johnson  Hall,  July  28,  1768] 

Sir  William  having  received  a  Letter  from  Sir  Henry  Moore 
Governor  of  New  York  dated  the  18th.  of  July,2  informing  him 
that  he  lately  "had  another  application  from  the  Patentees  of  the 
Kayadarosseras  land,  who  had  delegated  two  persons  from  thence 
with  power  to  treat  with  the  Indians  concerning  the  Settlement  of 
the  dispute  between  them,  and  that  they  expected  the  Survey  which 
he  ordered  to  be  made,  would  be  compleated  by  the  time  these 
Deputies  arrived  at  Albany,  by  which  means  the  contending 
parties  would  be  able  to  fix  their  Lines  with  more  certainty,  and  of 
course  to  enter  into  an  agreement  which  might  be  lasting."  to 
which  he  added,  "They  desire  that  I  would  recommend  this  matter 
strongly  to  you,  and  hope  you  will  give  all  the  assistance  in  your 
power  on  the  Occasion,  and  I  am  the  more  readily  inclined  to 
comply  with  this  request  on  account  of  what  has  been  mentioned  in 
the  Secretary  of  States  Letter  to  me  &ca."  — 

Sir  William  therefore  on  Mr.  Remson's3  arrival  for  the  purpose 
before  mentioned  gave  notice  to  the  Mohocks  who  attended  ac- 
cordingly 


1  In  Canadian  Archives,  Indian  Records,  Vol.  8. 

2  Ante  pp.  551-52. 

3  Peter  Remsen. 


566  Sir  William  Johnson  Papers 

28th.  —  At  a  Meeting  with  the  Mohocks 
Present  —  Sir  William  Johnson  Bar1. 

Guy  Johnson  Esqr.  D>\  Agl. 

Mr.  Remson  Attorney  for  the  Proprietors  — 

Sir  William  spoke  — 

Brothers  — 

You  are  once  more  called  together  on  the  affair  of 
Kayadarosseras.  —  As  the  agents  from  the  owners  of  that  Patent 
would  not  agree  to  your  proposal  'till  he  had  consulted  the 
Patentees,  the  last  Meeting  did  not  produce  any  Settlement.  —  his 
Excellency,  the  Governor,  having  directed  the  Creek  to  be 
survey'd,  now  writes  to  me,  that  the  Patentees  request  it  should 
be  again  laid  before  you,  and  here  is  the  Gentleman  (Mr.  Rem- 
son) whom  they  have  fully  impowered  to  treat  with  you  about  it. 
—  I  therefore  recommend  it  again  to  your  serious  consideration, 
and  as  the  Agent  has  brought  an  Original  deed  with  him  which 
you  have  not  yet  seen,  and  as  the  Branches  of  Kayadarosseras 
have  been  since  traversed,  and  the  heads  laid  down,  and  delivered 
into  me  upon  Oath,  which  will  explain  the  Just  extent  of  their 
claim,  and  thereby  facilitate  the  settlement,  I  expect  that  you  will 
Judge  favorably  of  the  Patentees,  and  come  to  the  most  favorable 
agreement  with  their  Agent,  for  relinquishing  your  Claim  in 
this  Patent  — 

Then  Abraham  the  Chief  of  the  Mohocks  stood  up  and  re- 
peated their  Old  Complaint  against  the  Patent,  and  urged  what 
they  formerly  said,  Condemning  its  unreasonableness,  and  the  cir- 
cumstances of  imposition  attending  it  &  proceeded 

Brother  — 

Nothwithstanding  all  we  have  justly  said  against  this  Patent, 
you  may  See  that  we  have  demonstrated  our  readiness  for  peace 
sake,  to  do  anything  reasonable,  when  applied  to  for  that  purpose 
by  the  Patentees.  —  We  agreed  to  this  formerly  on  your  recom- 
mendation, We  gave  a  proof  of  it  lately  when  the  Governor  was 


Indian  Affairs,   1766-68  567 

here,  and  we  offered  them  such  terms,  and  proposed  such  a  Line, 
as  we  thought  best.  —  The  Governor  proposed  Fort-Miller  to  us, 
but  we  went  still  further,  &  we  agreed  to  let  them  go  to  the  place 
they  wanted  above  Fort-Edward,  as  the  only  way  to  avoid  dis- 
putes with  the  white  people  lately  settled  thereabouts,  &  that  they 
might  be  comprehended  in  the  patent,  and  that  our  people  might 
have  no  communication  with  them.  —  we  would  agree  to  no  other 
Line,  and  we  apprehend  we  offered  them  very  fair  terms,  but  they 
would  not  be  accepted.  —  Their  Agent  refused  our  offer,  and 
said  he  would  first  go  to  New- York  to  consult  the  Patentees.  — 
Although  we  thought  it  odd  that  he  did  not  agree  to  our  proposal, 
yet  as  it  was  an  affair  strongly  recommended  by  you,  &  as  a  proof 
of  our  good,  and  peaceable  disposition,  we  then  agreed  to  wait  a 
little  longer  quietly  in  expectation  of  hearing  from  them ;  and,  now 
that  the  Agent  is  returned  here  about  that  business,  to  shew  our 
good  will,  and  from  what  you  have  said  to  us,  we  shall  hear  what 
he  has  to  Say,  and  take  the  same  into  consideration.  —  we  there- 
fore desire  that  he  will  speak  thereupon.  — 

Mr.  Remson  then  laid  before  them  an  Original  Indian  deed 
bearing  date  the  6,h.  day  of  October  1  704  —  which  had  not  been 
produced  before;  and  after  representing  that  the  Survey  of  the 
Creek  was  now  performed,  the  head  of  which  appeared  less  favor- 
able to  the  Patentees,  than  was  imagined.  That  the  Patentees  had 
heard  that  several  persons  were  about  purchasing  whatever  Lands 
were  cut  off  by  the  Indians.  —  That  the  Patentees  therefore  were 
extremely  desirous  to  Obtain  the  whole  of  their  Claim,  and  pay 
what  was  thought  necessary  for  a  general  Release,  as  Judging  that 
they  had  a  reasonable  title  to  this  preference.  —  The  Indians 
answered  that  they  would  return  home,  and  take  their  request  into 
consideration  in  a  full  meeting,  and  would  on  Monday  the  first 
day  of  August  assemble  at  Johnson-Hall  &  give  their  answer.  — 
Then  Adjourned 


568  Sir  William  Johnson  Papers 

FROM  HECTOR  THEOs.  CRAMAHE 

Quebec  28th.  July  1768  — 

Sir 

The  Commander  in  Chief  having  been  pleased  to  order  Major 
Rogers  to  be  tried  at  Montreal  by  a  General  Court  Martial,  and 
to  direct  me,  as  Deputy  Judge  Advocate  for  North  America,  to 
carry  on  the  Prosecution,  in  behalf  of  the  Crown,  intimated  to  me, 
when  transmitting  sundry  Papers  for  said  Purpose,  that  you  was 
likewise  to  furnish  me  with  your  Instructions  to  the  Major,  and  a 
List  of  the  Bills  he  had  drawn  upon  you,  which  are  not  yet  come 
to  Hand  — 2 

It  is  likewise  supposed  that  Potter's  original  Deposition3  is  in 
your  Hands,  those  transmitted,  by  the  Chief  Justice,  to  the  Com- 
mander in  Chief  and  Brigadier  General,  being  only  Copies,  and 
as  this  Paper  may  prove  of  material  Use,  am  to  request  your  send- 
ing the  same,  with  those  abovementioned,  or  any  others  you  think 
may  tend  to  the  Discovery  of  the  Truth,  by  the  very  first  Oppor- 
tunity, that  no  Time  may  be  lost  in  carrying  His  Excellency's 
Orders  into  Execution  — 

I  have  the  Honor  to  be 
Sir 

Your  most  Obedient  & 
Most  Humble  Servant 

H.  T.  Cramahe  D.J.A. 
N.  America 

Sir  Wm.  Johnson  Bar1. 
Sup1.  N.  District  &c 


1  In  Harvard  University  Library,  Sparks  Collection. 

2  See  Johnson  to  Cramahe,  July  23,   I  768,  Johnson  Papers,  6:288. 

3  Doc.  Rel.  Col.  Hist.  N.  Y.,  7:990-92. 


Indian  Affairs,   1766-68  569 

AN  INDIAN  CONFERENCE 

Contemporary  Copy1 

[Johnson  Hall  July  29,1 768] 

July  29lh.  A.M.  A  Messenger  arrived  at  Johnson-Hall  to  notify 
(with  a  String  of  Wampum)  the  approach  of  a  Party  of  Indians 
from  Sl.  Francois,  on  the  river  Sl.  Lawrence  — 

When   all   arrived,    they    addressed   Sir  William   as   follows 

Father  — 

We  are  rejoiced  to  See  you  after  our  long  Journey,  and  we 
thank  the  great  Spirit  that  we  find  you  in  health  and  with  these 
strings  we  congratulate  you  upon  it 

Gave  three  Strings  — 

Sir  William  answered  — 

Children  — 

I  am  heartily  glad  to  see  so  many  of  you  from  the  Village  of 
S*.  Francois  at  this  fire  place,  and  that  the  great  Spirit  has  pre- 
served you,  and  enabled  us  this  day  to  meet  in  health 

gave  three  Strings 
P:  M.  At  a  meeting  with  the  S*.  Francois  Indians  — 
Present  —  Sir  William  Johnson  Bar*. 

Guy  Johnson  Esqr.  Depy.  Ag*.  — 
John  Butler  Esqr.  Interpr.  — 
One  of  the  chiefs  addressed  Sir  William 

Father  — 

Your  Children  at  S'.  Francois  have  had  an  ardent  desire  to 
visit  their  father.  —  they  knew  that  a  road  was  open  for  them, 
and  they  were  desirous  of  trying  whether  it  was  good  and  passable. 
—  We  are  but  as  Children  to  you,  and  liable  to  mistakes.  — 
Should  we  commit  any,  we  hope  for  your  favorable  indulgence,  & 
that  ycu  will  set  us  right  — 


1  In  Canadian  Archives,  Indian  Records,  Vol.  8. 


570  Sir  William  Johnson  Papers 

Father  — 

To  you,  our  Safety,  and  Happiness,  since  the  reduction  of 
Canada  is  entirely  owing.  we  are  throughly  sensible  of  it,  and 
we  Sincerely  thank  you  for  your  care  of  us,  as  our  Chief  &  Super- 
Intendant.  —  It  is  six  years  since  those  of  our  nation  have  been 
with  you  at  this  place.  —  we  are  now  sent  to  you  by  all  our 
Chiefs,  our  Warriors,  our  Women,  and  Children,  who  send  you 
their  best  wishes  with  this  Belt  — 

A  Belt  of  8  Rows  — 

Father 

When  we  were  last  here,  you  recommended  to  us  to  collect  our 
scattered  People,  and  settle  regularly  in  one  place.  —  we  are 
now  to  Inform  you  that  we  have  followed  your  advice,  and  have 
collected  our  selves  accordingly.  — 

We  have  however  of  late  had  disagreeable  news,  and  several 
black  Belts  have  been  sent  among  us  from  the  illdisposed,  but  we 
would  not  attend  to  them,  as  our  hearts  are  white,  and  innocent,  & 
incapable  of  any  thing  bad  — 

A  Belt  of  7  Rows  — 

Father  — 

We  have  sustained  great  Losses,  our  great  chief  died  six  years 
agoe,  and  we  have  lost  others  of  our  chiefs  since.  —  These  mis- 
fortunes have  been  the  occasion  of  much  grief  amongst  us.  — 
We  now  bring  you  two  men  according  to  antient  Customs  for  your 
approbation,  that  they  may  be  made  Chiefs  of  our  Nation.  —  The 
one  of  them  was  formerly  a  great  Warrior,  but  now  takes  care  of 
our  civil  affairs  —  In  the  times  of  the  French,  they  called  us, 
Children,  —  you  who  have  been  great,  and  successfull,  have 
kindly  called  us,  Brothers,  —  we  think  it  best  to  be  called  your 
children,  you  are  a  great  and  wise  people.  —  Father,  we  are 
obliged  to  disperse  for  a  time.  —  we  are  poor  —  we  are  now  as- 
sembled, and  we  wish  to  have  a  Flag  for  us,  and  another  for  our 
neighbours,  in  case  we  have  business  to  you  or  elsewhere  — 

A  Belt  — 


Indian  Affairs,  1766-68  571 

Father  — 

On  the  reduction  of  Canada  eight  years  ago,  You  desired  us 
to  collect  our  selves,  and  to  light  our  fire  again  at  our  Village, 
since  which  you  have  recommended  the  same  to  us  four  times,  the 
last  of  which  was  last  year :  —  we  complied  with  your  desire,  and 
were  for  a  time  easy,  and  contented.  —  but  now  we  begin  to  be 
uneasy,  and  discontented,  which  is  occasioned  by  some  body  who 
makes  the  earth  uneasy  under  us  — 

A  Large  Belt  of  7  rows  — 

Father  — 

We  are  very  happy,  and  thankfull  in  having  got  a  Priest,  who 
makes  us  more  happy,  and  settled  in  our  minds,  as  we  can  now 
attend  to  the  dutys  of  our  Religion,  but  as  you  must  be  sensible, 
that  we  are  obliged  to  live  upon  Corn,  Fish,  and  what  we  can  get, 
we  are  greatly  at  a  Loss  how  to  provide  for  him,  as  he  cannot  con- 
form to  our  Diet  —  The  maintenance  of  one  man  must  be  a 
triffle  to  the  English,  we  therefore  hope  that  our  father  will  take 
it  into  consideration.  — 

3  Strings  of  Wampum 

Sir  William  answered  — 

Children  — 

I  bad  you  wellcome  to  this  place,  and  am  glad  to  see  you,  — 
I  have  duely  attended  to  what  you  have  said,  and  shall  take  the 
same  into  consideration,  and  return  you  an  answer  as  soon  as  I 
can  —  Then  ordered  them  some  Liquor,  Provisions  &ca.  —  and 
Adjourned 


572  Sir  William  Johnson  Papers 

AN  INDIAN  CONGRESS 

Contemporary  Copy1 

[Johnson  Hall,  Aug.  2-4,  1768] 

At  a  Congress  with  the  Mohocks  at  Johnson-Hall  August  2d. 
1768  — 

Present  —  Sir  William  Johnson  Bar*. 

Guy  Johnson  Esqr.  D?.  Agf. 

g  „    or      ay-  I  Mesgrs  Remson>2  Low3  &  Mc.Crea4 

adarossearas 

Messrs.  Glen5  &  Tice6  — 
John  Butler  Esqr.  Interpr.  — 
Mess".  Silvester7  &  Deypyster8  — 

Abraham  addressed  Sir  William  as  follows  — 

Brothers  — 

Agreeable  to  what  you  Said  to  us  the  other  day,  we  have  now 
met  to  answer  you  on  the  affair  of  Kayadarosseras,  &  we  can  now 
accquaint  you  that  we  are  ready  to  proceed  on  that  business  — ■ 

Thereupon  Sir  William  spoke  as  follows 

Brothers  — 

I  am  hopefull  that  you  have  well  weighed  and  considered  what 
I  said  to  you  the  other  day  on  the  present  application  of  the 
Patentees  of  Kayadarosseras,  who  are  now  represented  by  the 
Gentlemen  here  present.  —  I  hope  that  your  resolutions  are  such 
as  they  can  agree  to,  and  that  you  will  consider,  that  they  are 
earnestly  disposed  to  the  amicable  adjustment  of  this  dispute  in  a 
manner  consistant  with  their   and  your   Interest,  —  and   as   an 


1  In  Canadian  Archives,  Indian  Records,  Vol.  8. 

2  Peter  Remsen. 

3  Isaac  Low. 

4  John  McCrea. 

5  Major  Jacob  Glen. 

6  Captain  Gilbert  Tice. 

7  Peter  Silvester. 

8  John  DePeyster. 


Indian  Affairs,  1766-68  573 

Original  Indian  Deed  has  been  now  produced  and  the  Creek  with 
all  its  Branches  Surveyed,  you  will  act  accordingly  — 
To  which  Abraham  answered  — 

Brother  — 

We  have  heard  what  you  have  said,  and  beg  you  will  give 
attention  to  our  answer.  —  We  hope  that  the  Gentlemen  here 
present  believe  that  we,  though  a  Small  Nation,  have  been,  and 
are  Still  the  head  of  a  powerfull  Confederacy.  — 

Brother.  — 

This  affair  has  been  long  in  agitation,  and  we  had  many 
meetings  concerning  it,  but  hitherto  we  came  to  no  conclusion. 
—  We  had  lately  a  Meeting  in  your  absence  about  it  before  the 
Governor  of  New  York,9  and  we  shall  proceed  to  tell  you  the 
reasons,  why  it  could  not  then  be  settled,  to  which  we  desire  you 
may  all  give  ear  — 

Brother 

The  Gentlemen  here  from  New  York  on  behalf  of  the 
Patentees,  as  we  understood;  formerly  proposed  the  dividing  the 
Patent  between  us,  and  afterwards  when  the  Six  Nations  warmly 
espoused  our  cause,  to  prevent  the  consequences,  and  for  the  sake 
of  Peace,  we  agreed  to  come  into  the  most  favorable  terms  we 
could.  —  When  we  were  last  called  together  by  Colonel  Johnson 
on  the  arrival  of  the  Governor  of  New  York,  we  hoped  that  the 
matter  would  have  been  finaly  settled  —  We  shall  now  tell  you 
why  it  was  not  then  done  —  At  that  time  the  Agents  proposed 
the  running  of  a  Line  to  the  Northwestmost  head  of  Kayadaros- 
seras  and  from  thence  to  the  Falls  above  Fort-Edward.  — 
our  offer  was  to  goe  to  one  of  the  Branches  of  that  Creek,  and 
from  thence  to  the  Same  Falls.  —  at  the  same  time  a  confusion 
arose  —  for  the  Governor  proposed  our  running  a  Line  to  the 
Falls  of  Fort  Miller,10  which  we  would  by  no  means  agree  to, 


9  See  ante  pp.  529-43. 
10  Fort  Miller,  the  Little  Carrying  Place,  at  the  portage  between  Fort 
Edward  and  Saratoga. 


574  Sir   William  Johnson  Papers 

because  several  People  had  of  late  settled  above  that  place,  which 
if  left  out,  would  prove  the  cause  of  fresh  disputes,  a  matter  to 
which  we  are  averse.  —  besides  the  Patentees  did  not  produce  to 
us  any  Original  deed  with  our  Ancestors  mark  to  Shew  from 
whence  they  derived  their  Claim  — 

Brother  — 

We  find  that  the  Patentees,  are  yet  disposed  to  settle  the  affair 
amicably,  of  which  we  were  accquainted  two  days  agoe.  —  we 
have  taken  it  into  consideration,  and  hope  that  they  are  sincere, 
and  do  not  mean  to  impose  on  us,  as  others  have  done  with  some 
of  our  people.  —  We  have  now  the  pleasure  to  be  called  before 
you,  at  the  grand  fire  place,  and  in  a  proper  manner,  and  we  now 
declare,  that  for  the  sake  of  peace,  and  thro'  your  sollicitations, 
we  shall  do  what  is  desired  on  our  parts  provided,  the  Agents  will 
act  Justly,  and  equitably  on  theirs  — 

Brothers 

We  hope  that  the  agents  are  disposed  to  Act  fairly,  and  that 
they  will  believe  nothing,  but  the  Love  of  peace,  and  attention 
to  your  advice  could  effect  this.  —  We  likewise  hope  that  the 
consequences  may  be  good,  and  that  our  Heads  may  no  more  be 
turned  about  it,  and  as  we  are  now  disposed  to  do  a  great  thing, 
as  a  proof  of  our  pacific  disposition,  we  agree  to  the  Patent  ac- 
cording to  its  true  extent,  and  Claim,  but  with  this  condition, 
that  nothing  may  be  done  unfairly,  &  that  as  you  know  these 
things,  you  will  not  Suffer  us  to  be  imposed  upon,  —  and  that  as 
these  people  of  Kayadarosseras  claim  Lands  which  were  honestly 
sold  by  our  Ancestors  to  fair  purchasers,  we  expect  the  same  will 
be  fully  secured  to  them,  and  that  you  who  have  the  care  of  us, 
will  see  it  securely  performed,  so  that  we  may  not  appear  to  act  as 
degenerate  Children,  unworthy  of  our  Ancestry,  and  unmindfull 
of  their  just  Acts.  —  All  this  we  do,  to  Shew  our  honest,  and 
peaceable  disposition.  —  You  may  have  seen  that  we  have  sold 
large  Tracts  of  Land  in  this  country,  which  we  have  never 
disputed,  because  they  were  fair  &  moderate  Purchases,  honestly 


Indian  Atfairs,  1766-68  575 

paid  for.  —  We  have  now  told  our  resolutions  to  the  Patentees, 
and  on  these  conditions,  &  provided,  they  take  the  matter  into 
serious  consideration,  and  make  us  proper  satisfaction  for  our 
relinquishing  so  large  a  claim,  we  shall  grant  their  desire  — 

The  agents  then  returned  thanks  to  the  Indns.  on  behalf  of 
the  Patentees,  whose  honest,  and  peaceable  disposition  they  as- 
sured them  of,  and  added  that  they  would  the  next  morning  give 
them  an  answer  on  all  these  matters.  —  Then  earnestly  requested 
that  Sir  William  would  propose  whatever  Sum  he  thought  wd.  be 
necessary  on  this  Occasion  — 

Sir  William  likewise  thanked  the  Indns.  for  their  agreeing  to 
the  proposal  of  the  Patentees,  and  told  them,  that  he  was  very 
glad  to  see  that  an  end  was  to  be  put  to  that  old  Dispute,  assuring 
them  that  as  he  had  attended  to  all  that  they  had  said,  so  he  wd. 
take  care  [that]  the  whole  of  the  transaction  should  be  honestly 
and  securely  conducted  agreeable  to  their  wishes  — 

Then  Adjourned 

Aug1.  3d.  —  At  a  Congress  with  the  Mohocks  at  Johnson-Hall 

Present  as  before 

Sir  William  addressed  them  as  follows  — 

Brothers  — 

The  Gentlemen  employed  on  behalf  of  the  Patentees  of 
Kayadarosseras  are  extremely  thankfull  to  you  all  for  your 
kindness  in  offering  them  the  terms  you  did  yesterday,  and  in 
consequence  of  their  promise  to  you  then,  they  are  now  before 
you  to  answer  you  concerning  the  conditions  proposed,  which  they 
seem  resolved  to  comply  with,  as  much  to  your  Satisfaction  as 
possible;  and  I  hope  you  will  find  them  so,  and  approve  of  them 
accordingly.  — 

The  Gentlemen  have  requested  of  me,  to  propose  the  Sum  of 
money,  a  thing  which  I  would  willingly  decline,  but  being  so 
pressed  to  do  it,  I  am  now  to  ask  you,  whether  you  will  on  your 
parts  agree  to  accept  of  such  sum  as  I  shall  propose  —  To  which 
Abraham  answered 


576  Sir  William  Johnson  Papers 

Brother  — 

We  have  harkened  attentively  to  what  you  have  said  to  us 
yesterday.  —  You  know  that  we  settled  the  matter  except  as  to 
some  of  the  Conditions,  and  as  the  matter  is  now  after  repeated 
Trials,  so  far  concluded,  and  that  the  Gentlemen  have  referred  it 
to  you  to  settle  the  sum  of  money,  they  are  to  give  us,  we  are 
very  well  satisfied,  and  readily  concur  in  doing  the  same  on  our 
parts,  promising  to  abide  by  whatever  you  shall  do  on  our 
behalf.  — 

The  Map  being  then  laid  before  them,  and  explained,  the 
Indians  then  admitted  that  the  Bounds  were  from  the  mouth  of 
Canada  Creek  to  the  North-west-most  Branch  of  Kayadarosseras, 
agreeable  to  a  Survey  then  before  them  lately  made  by  Mr. 
Christ*.  Yeats,11  Thence  eight  Miles  North,  thence  to  the  third 
Falls  of  Hudson's  river,  called  by  the  Indians  Adiga  above  Fort- 
Edward,  thence  in  like  manner  as  expressed  by  the  words  of  the 
patent,  and  this  to  remain  on  record  in  the  Entries  of  Indian 
affairs  — 

Sir  William  then  answered  — 

Brothers  — 

Having  so  far  settled  matters,  and  explained  every  thing,  so 
as  to  prevent  any  dispute  when  the  Land  is  to  be  surveyed,  and 
as  you  have  left  to  me  the  decision  of  the  sum  of  money  you  are 
to  receive,  —  now  at  the  Joint  request  of  you,  and  the  Gentlemen 
pies1.,  I  propose  that  the  Patentees  give  you  five  Thousand 
Dollars,  to  which  I  hope  they  will  agree,  and  that  you  will  there- 
with be  satisfied.  — 

The  agents  from  the  Patentees,  and  the  Indians  having  agreed 
to  this  Sum  of  money,  the  former  observed  that  they  only  had  at 
present  2000  Dollars,  which  they  would  immediately  pay,  and 
would  pass  their  Note  to  Sir  William  for  the  remaining  3000 
Dollars  which  they  promised  to  send  up  on  their  arrival  at  New- 
York.  — 

Then  Abraham  said  — 


11  Christopher  Yates,  surveyor. 


Indian  Affairs,  1766-68  577 

Brother 

We  left  the  matter  to  you,  and  to  shew  that  we  are  men  of  our 
words,  we  agree  to  accept  of  the  Sum  you  proposed,  and  the 
manner  of  payment.  —  We  have  to  add,  that  we  expect  that 
every  thing  will  be  settled,  as  is  proposed,  &  that  when  the  Lands 
come  to  be  Surveyed,  and  divided,  care  will  be  taken  not  to  ex- 
ceed the  Bounds  we  have  agreed  to  as  described  on  the  Map.  — 
We  particularly  expect,  that  you  will  See,  that  those  persons  who 
have  Lands  which  were  fairly  bought  from  us,  be  firmly  Secured 
in  their  properties,  that  this  transaction  may  be  lasting.  —  And 
we  have  likewise  to  add  that  Mr.  John  Glen,  here  present,  having 
an  Indian  deed  Signed  by  our  people  for  Lands  claimed  in  the 
Patent,  may  be  made  easy,  and  allowed  to  enjoy  sd.  Land  — 

As  we  have  now,  with  a  view  to  peace,  settled  this  matter, 
and  given  up  all  pretensions  to  this  Tract,  and  are  at  Present 
reduced  to  a  very  small  scanty  portion  for  our  Subsistance,  we 
now  address  you,  Brother.  —  recommending  it  to  you,  to  take 
this  matter  into  consideration,  &  requesting  you  to  procure  some 
good  Strong  writing,  as  a  Security  for  the  Land  we  live  upon,  that 
we  may  no  more  be  disturbed,  or  alarmed  with  apprehensions, 
and  Storys,  that  this  Land  will  be  taken  away  from  us.  —  This, 
Brother,  we  earnestly  desire,  and  request  from  you.  — 

Then  Mr.  Low,  on  behalf  of  the  Patentees  addressed  ye. 
Indns.  — 

Brothers  — 

I  am  very  happy  to  find  this  old  dispute  so  amicably  settled.  — 
The  Patentees  will  all  be  extremely  obliged  to  you  for  your 
friendship  to  them  on  this  Occasion,  and  I  am  to  inform  you  on 
their  parts,  that  they  will  faithfully  Observe  all  that  you  have 
recommended,  and  never  will  act  contrary  thereto.  — 

Sensible  of  Sir  William  Johnson's  interest  and  influence  w,h. 
you,  they  applied  to  him  for  them,  and  although  the  Sum  of 
money  which  is  proposed  to  be  given  to  you,  be  larger  than  we 
expected,  we  readily  agree  to  it,  and  shall  honestly  pay  you  with- 
out delay.  —  and,  that  this  agreement  may  be  remembered  by  your 
Posterity,  we  invite  Some  of  your  people  to  be  present  when  we 


578  Sir  William  Johnson  Papers 

survey  the  Lands,  that  you  may  see,  we  mean  to  act  agreeable  to 
your  desires,  and  as  disposed  to  do  what  is  fair,  We  are  now 
preparing  Releases  to  give  to  all  these  persons,  who  have  old 
Patents  fairly  obtained  within  our  Claim,  and  shall  do  so  by  all 
persons  who  are  intitled  thereto,  all  which  we  shall  punctualy 
abide  by,  &  with  that  view  shall  take  Mr.  Glen's  case  into  con- 
sideration, and  if  it  appears  justly  founded,  we  shall  act  accord- 
ingly as  a  proof  of  our  integrity,  and  good  meaning.  — 

Then  Sir  William  expressed  his  satisfaction  that  this  old  dispute 
was  so  amicably  terminated,  and  his  wishes  that  the  terms  of  Ac- 
comodation might  be  ever  remembered,  and  faithfully  observed. 
—  after  which  the  Indians  were  paid  2000  dollars  in  part,  and  a 
Note  passed  to  Sir  William  Johnson  for  the  remainder  signed 
by  Is.  Low,  P :  Remson,  and  John  Mc.  Crea.  —  Then  two  Chiefs 
of  each  Tribe  executed  the  Release  at  the  desire,  and  in  the 

presence  of  the  rest —  -ri         j-  j 

^  1  hen  adjourned 

At  parting,  Sir  William  assured  the  Mohocks  that  he  would 
take  their  case  into  the  most  serious  consideration,  and  endeavor 
to  the  utmost  of  his  power  to  have  their  Lands  secured  to  them, 
and  their  Posterity,  in  the  most  effectual  manner  — 
Aug1.  4th.  Messrs.  Remson  and  Mc.Crea  agreeable  to  their 
engagement  with  the  Mohocks  this  day  executed  releases  for  the 
following  Old  Patents  within  their  Bounds 

Acres 
Release  for  the  Patent  of  Hansen12.  .2000.  .  .]7iK   July    1713 
for  the  Patent  of  Cagnawaga.  .  .2000.  .  .  4th.  Novr.   1714 

for   the    Patent   of   Butler13 

acres  affected 

for  the  Patent  of  Holf 

for  the  Patent  of  Ganswort14 
acres  affected 


U000...3R  Dec.  1735 


H000 1741 


These  were  Signed  by  fifty  two  persons,  by  their  Attorneys. 


12  Hans  Hansen.  See  Calendar  of  Land  Papers,  p.  101 

13  Walter  Butler,  See  Ibid.  p.  272. 

14  Lendert  Gansevoort.  Ibid.  p.  245. 


Indian  Affairs,  1766-68  579 

AN  INDIAN  CONGRESS 
Contemporary  Copy1 

[August  5  J 768] 

At  a  Congress  with  the  Sl.  Francois  Indians  who  had  hitherto 
waited  for  an  answer  on  account  of  the  hurry  of  other  business  — 
Present  —  Sir  William  Johnson  Bar1. 

Guy  Johnson  Esqr.  Dep>\  Agf.  — 

Sir  William  addressed  them  as  follows 

Children  — 

An  affair  of  much  importance  tending  to  the  Quiet  of  the 
neighbouring  Indians,  having  engaged  my  attention  for  some  days 
past,  I  have  been  obliged  to  defer  giving  you  an  answer  until 
now.  —  I  have  considered  all  that  you  have  said  to  me,  and  give 
all  your  People  thanks  for  their  fidelity,  and  the  regard  they  ex- 
press for  me,  and  am  to  assure  you,  that  the  road  will  be  allways 
kept  open  on  our  part  — 

A  Belt  — 

Children 

I  am  well  pleased,  that  in  consequence  of  my  advice,  you  have 
collected  yourselves,  and  returned  quietly  to  your  settlements,  and 
I  hope  that  you  will  find  your  advantage  in  having  so  done,  and  I 
commend  you  for  not  paying  any  regard  to  those  black  Belts,  or 
flying  news,  propagated  by  ill-disposed  people  — 

A  Belt  — 

Children  — 

At  the  Same  time  that  I  express  my  concern  for  the  death  of 
your  Chiefs,  I  cannot  but  be  pleased  that  you  have  made  choice  of 
such  good  men  to  succeed  them,  and  they  have  my  approbation. 
—  I  shall  readily  agree  to  call  you  Children.  —  my  regards  for 
you,  have  all  ways  been  as  those  of  a  father,  and  I  shall  give  you 
a  flag  for  yourselves,  &  another  for  your  neighbours 

A  Belt  — 


1  In  Canadian  Archives,  Indian  Records,  Vol.  8. 


580  Sir  William  Johnson  Papers 

Children  — 

I  am  concerned  to  hear,  that  after  you  had  collected,  and 
settled  your  scattered  people,  you  should  meet  with  any  disturb- 
ance, or  find  your  repose  interrupted,  &  I  shall  be  glad  to  afford 
you  succour  — 

A  Belt  — 
Children  — 

The  conduct  of  a  Frenchman  who  gives  you  that  uneasiness  by 
claiming  your  Land,  is  very  odd,  but  as  at  this  distance  I  cannot 
be  accquainted  with  all  the  necessary  particulars,  I  refer  you  to 
my  Deputy  Col.  Claus,  who  being  in  Canada,  can  best  enquire 
into  the  nature,  and  Extent  of  your  rights,  and  of  his  Claim,  and 
will  be  directed  to  do  what  he  can  for  your  relief  therein 

A  Belt  — 

Children 

I  am  glad  that  your  having  a  Priest  amongst  you  contributes 
to  your  satisfaction.  I  have  taken  your  requests  into  consideration 
concerning  him,  and  shall  write  to  my  Deputy  in  Canada,  that 
he  may  fall  on  some  method  for  his  relief,  and  his  Subsistance,  and 
I  recommend  it  to  you  to  behave  with  fidelity  to  the  King,  and  to 
live  in  peace  with  his  Subjects,  and  with  one  another;  thereby  you 
will  be  regarded  by  the  English  &  enjoy  their  friendship  &  pro- 
tection 

A  Belt  — 

P.  M.  —  A  Swegatchy  Chief,  who,  with  a  French-man  arrived 
a  few  days  before,  had  a  private  Meeting  with  Sir  William,  whom 
he  Spoke  to  as  follows  — 

Brother 

Our  people  have  desired  me  in  their  names  to  represent  to  you 
our  present  disagreeable  situation.  —  After  the  war,  they,  by  your 
advice  drew  them  selves  together  to  their  villages,  and  lived  for 
some  time  happy,  but  affairs  are  greatly  changed :  —  they  had 
heard,  and  allways  understood  that  no  Trader  should  debauch 
them  with  Rum  —  But  for  Some  time  past,  a  man  has  been 


Indian  Affairs,  1766-68  581 

amongst  us,  who  Sells  Liquor  in  such  abundance,  that  we  are 
threatned  with  ruin.  —  Our  village  is  all  in  confusion,  and  Several 
of  our  people  who  have  been  intoxicated  wth.  rum,  have  been 
lately  drowned  in  the  river.  —  we  therefore  beg  that  you  will 
consider  our  Case,  and  prevent  this  man  from  Selling  Liquor, 
otherwise  our  ruin  is  inevitable.  — 

A  Black  Belt 
Sir  William  answered  — 

Brothers 

I  am  heartily  Sorry  to  hear  of  the  condition  in  w^.  you  repre- 
sent yourselves,  and  Shall  do  what  lyes  in  my  power  to  prevent 
the  abuses  you  complain  of,  to  which  end,  I  shall  write  to  my 
Deputy  in  Canada  to  enquire  further  about  them,  and  particularly 
to  take  measures  to  prevent  the  Sale  of  Liquors  so  pernicious  to 
you ;  —  in  the  mean  time,  I  recommend  it  to  your  Chiefs  to  exert 
themselves  in  preventing  the  progress  of  drunkness,  by  checking 
their  young  men,  and  restraining  them  as  much  as  possible  from 
that  practice  — 

Returned  the  Belt  and  gave  a  Present  — 


TO  GOLDSBROW  BANYAR 
A.L.S.1 

August  6th.  1768  — 
Dear  Banyar  — 

I  was  so  much  hurried  when  Mr.  Low2  went  away  that  I  had 
not  time  to  write  an  Answer  to  Mr.  DeLancey3  and  You,  wh. 
You  will  readily  excuse  I  am  Sure  when  he  tells  You  how  I  was 
circumstanced,  You  may  never  the  less  both  be  assured  that  I  shall 
do  all  in  my  power  for  Your  Interest  in  the  Affair  entrusted  to 
Mr.  Low,  which,  I  desired  him  to  acquaint  You  with.  — 


1  In  New  York  Historical  Society,  Banyar  Papers. 

2  Isaac  Low. 

3  Oliver  De  Lancey. 


582  Sir  William  Johnson  Papers 

The  Bearer  Mr.  Harper4  Having  obtained  A  Lycence  last 
Year  to  purchase  a  Large  Tract  of  Land  near  to  the  Delaware 
River,  did  then  enter  into  Bond  to  let  the  Late  Mr.  French,0  &  a 
Mr.  Brush"  Come  in  for  38  thousand  Acres  In  said  Tract,  the 
purchase  has  been  made  lately  when  the  Gov1",  was  here,  &  the 
Consdr".  Money  paid,  So  that  Mr.  Harper  begged  of  me  to  write 
to  Some  of  my  freinds  concerning  it.  And  as  I  know  no  person 
can  advise  him  better  than  You  can,  I  take  the  liberty  to  request 
You  will  put  him  in  a  way  to  get  them  Gentlemens  Share  of  ye. 
purchase  &ca.,  or  that  they  may  drop  their  pretensions  &  deliver 
him  his  Bond.  wh.  I  think  is  but  right  —  Excuse  the  Hurry  I 
write  in,  &  beleive  Me  Dr.  Banyar 

Yrs.  Sincerely  &  Aff ectfr. 

W.  Johnson 
Compliments  to 

]  De  Lancey  — 


FROM  JOHN  PENN 
A.L.S.1 
Philadelphia  August  6ih.  1768  — 

Sir 

Mr.  Guy  Johnson  during  your  absence  in  New  England,2 
acquainted  me  that  the  expected  Congress3  with  the  Indians, 
could  not  be  held  till  the  beginning  of  September,  and  as  I  am 
desirous  that  the  Commissioners,  whom  I  shall  appoint  to  attend 
the  same,  on  the  part  of  the  Proprietaries,  should  arrive  at  Johnson 
Hall  several  days  before,  in  order  to  consult  with  you  respecting 


4  Probably  John  Harper. 

5  John  French. 

6  Crean  Brush. 

1  In  Historical  Society  of  Pennsylvania. 

2  Sir  William  left  Johnson  Hall  April  24,  for  the  New  England  coast; 
he  returned  to  Johnson  Hall,  June  15,1  768. 

3  Congress  at  Fort  Stanwix  in  September,  1  768. 


Indian  Affairs,  1766-68  583 

the  Boundary  Line,  and  purchase  to  be  made  of  the  Indians;  I 
beg  you  will  be  pleased  to  inform  me  by  the  first  Post  the  exact 
time  when  you  expect  they  will  be  convened,  and  the  place  of 
holding  the  Congress ;  I  am  with  great  regard, 

Sir, 

Your  most  obedient 
humble  Servant 
SR.  William  Johnson  Bar1.  John  Penn 

INDORSED : 

Philadelphia  Aug1.  6th.  1  768 


From  Lieut  Govr.  Penn 
Son  of  Wm.  Penn  — 


FROM TO  THOMAS  GAGE 

Contemporary  Copy1 

[August  7  J 768] 
Copy./. 

Extract2  of  a  Letter,  to  General  Gage  from  the  Ilinois  — 

The  immense  Expence  Attending  the  Indian  Department  must 
be  a  considerable  Burthen  to  the  Crown,  if  all  the  Other  Nations 
on  the  Continent  are  so  plentifully  Supplyed  as  those  in  this 
Neighborhood.  I  have  for  some  time  Observed,  that  the  more 
presents  they  receive,  the  Oftner  they  Return,  and  are  Less  Con- 
tented; And  that  their  chief  Dependance  rests  more  upon  His 
Majesty's  Bounty,  than  their  own  Industry,  for  while  they  are 
Supplied  with  Necessary s  and  Provisions,  they  never  move  from 
their  Village,  but  begging  and  hanging  upon  the  Inhabitants, 
which  gives  them  such  a  habit  of  Idleness  (particularly  the  Four 
Tribes  in  this  District)    that  they  are  by  the  Constant  use  of 


1  In  William  L.  Clements  Library;  inclosed  in  Gage  to  Johnson,  Aug. 
7,  1  768. 

2  See  Johnson  Papers,  6:31  3. 


584  Sir  William  Johnson  Papers 

Spirituous  Liquors  become  Effeminate  and  Debilitated,  so  much 
that  nothing  can  be  Apprehended,  from  such  a  Dastardly  race 
of  Cowards,  who  impute,  the  Bounty  they  Receive,  proceeds  from 
fear  not  of  Love. 

The  Commissary  I  believe  Acts  for  the  best,  &  takes  the 
greatest  pains  to  keep  them  in  our  Interest,  which  is  easily  done 
as  the  French  at  present  have  no  Occasion  for  their  Service,  and 
gives  them  presents  but  of  small  Value  — 

As  it  may  be  Necessary  to  give  them  presents  Annualy,  those 
Should  be  purchased  at  the  lowest  prices,  &  could  be  bought  con- 
siderably under  the  Price,  the  Government  is  at  present  Charged 
with.  Viz1.  Lead  that  is  Charged  25  Sols  <p  wt  could  be  had  for 
1  7,  —  Spirits  Issued  at  Fifteen  Livers  could  be  procured  at  Eight 
or  Nine  <p  Gallon,  Blankets,  Strouds,  &  all  other  Articles  in 
proportion,  which  would  considerably  reduce  the  publick  Ex- 
pence.  —  Please  pardon  this  hint,  which  I  would  not  have 
Offered,  but  the  distance  we  are  here  from  the  world,  conceals 
many  things  from  your  knowledge,  which  cannot  be  divin'd  with- 
out some  Information,  and  think  it  my  duty  to  discover  Abuses, 
that  I  hope  to  be  of  some  Consequence  without  falling  under  the 
Character  of  an  Informer  — 


TO  ROBERT  LEAKE 

A.  L.  S.1 

Johnson  Hall  August  1 3th.  1768. 
Dear  Sir 

It  is  long  since  I  had  the  pleasure  of  a  line  from  you,  and  my 
being  so  much  from  Home  lately  makes  me  forget  whether  I  am 
in  Yr.  Debt  a  letter  or  not,  for  my  part,  I  never  Stand  upon 
punctilios  with  a  friend  in  those  Cases,  &  I  hope  it  is  so  with  you. 
—  Mr.  Croghan  who  is  now  here,  informed  me  that  a  Comissary 
of  provisions  would  (he  believed)  be  wanting  for  the  Ilinois, 
if  so,  &  that  you  are  not  already  provided  with  one,  &  have  no 


1  In  Franklin  D.  Roosevelt  Library,  Hyde  Park,  N.  Y. 


Indian  Affairs,  1766-68  585 

Objection  to  Mr.  Michael  Byrn  a  former  Comissary  of  yours, 
(&  now  out  of  Employ)  I  would  take  ye.  liberty  to  recommend 
him  to  you  for  that  or  any  other  Post  which  may  be  Vacant.  Yr. 
answer  hereon  will  oblidge  me  Who  am  Sincerely  Sir 

Yr.  Welwisher  &  Humble  Serv*. 

W.  Johnson 
Robert  Leake  Esqr. 

indorsed  : 

13th.Answd.22d.Augl.  1768 
Sir  Wm.  Johnson  Bar'. 


INDIAN  SPEECHES 

Contemporary  Copy1 

Detroit  August  14th.  1768 

Copy  of  a  Speech  made  by  Machioquisse  a  Chief  of  the 
Puttawattamees  of  this  Place 

Father 

as  you  have  frequently  recomended  it  to  me  to  inform  you 
of  any  thing,  I  might  hear,  and  as  I  have  as  Often  promised  it, 
I  come  to  Shew  you  a  string  of  Wampum,  Sent  from  our  Allies 
the  Puttawattamees  of  Sl.  Josephs,  who  are  at  the  Forks  of  the 
Kuankikee  and  the  Illinois  river  which  informs  me  of  a  Speech 
sent  by  the  Spaniards  to  them  which  was  deliver'd  by  some 
Frenchmen,  as  our  Brother  who  was  present  at  the  delivery  of 
this  Speech  brought  it  me  he  will  repeat  you  what  passed, 

A  String 
Wabanois's  Son  Spoke 
Father 

what  I  am  going  to  Say  was  told  us  by  Some  french  men  who 
addressed  themselves  to  one  of  our  Chiefs  called  Tataxoen  in  the 
name  of  the  Spaniards  with  these  Strings  of  Wampum. 


1  In  William  L.  Clements  Library,  inclosed  in  Gage  to  Johnson,  Sept. 
30,  1768,  post  pp.  599-601. 


586  Sir  William  Johnson  Papers 

Children 

Listen  to  what  I  Shall  say  to  you,  as  what  you  will  hear  will 
be  truth. 

Children 

when  you  come  to  me  you  tell  me  that  the  English  say  the 
whole  Country  belongs  to  them,  and  that  I  and  the  French  also 
belong  to  them.  No  they  are  not  my  master  nor  the  master  of  the 
French,  we  are  our  own  Master,  and  they  are  their  own  master. 

Children 

What  is  the  Reason  you  do  not  Live  with  your  Father  the 
English  as  you  Lived  with  your  late  Father;  you  keep  at  a 
distance  from  them ;  tho  it  was  me  that  made  you  lay  down  your 
Hatchet  the  last  war  you  had  with  him. 

Children 

The  latter  end  of  next  month  you  will  See  I  Shall  have  a 
great  Fort,  at  La  Bay,2  one  at  Post  Vincennt,3  one  at  Aucat- 
tanon,4  one  at  Miamis,  and  one  at  Sl.  Josephs,  this  is  the  inten- 
tion of  your  late  Father,  and  I  only  wait  for  one  of  his  great 
Officers  who  is  coming  with  men  to  put  it  in  Execution  and  if 
the  English  oppose  us  we  Shall  fight,  in  a  Word  we  Shall  make 
war  with  them.      these  are  my  last  words 

Eight  Strings  of  Wampum 
Machioquisse  took  the  Strings  and  deliver'd  them  up  saying  if  it 
had  been  a  report  among  Indians,  he  would  not  have  thought 
much  of  it,  but  as  they  Spoke  with  Wampum,  and  their  Allies 
were  at  the  pains  to  Send  it  so  far  to  him  their  might  be  something 
in  it. 

INDORSED : 

Speech  from  the  Spaniard15 
to  the  Indians  by  the  French 
1768 


2  La  Baye,  Green  Bay,  Wisconsin. 

3  Vincennes. 

4  Ouiattanon,  Wawiaghtonon,  near  site  of  present  Lafayette,  Ind. 


Indian  Affairs,  1766-68  587 

FROM  THOMAS  GAGE 

7Ven>  York,  August  14,  1768. 
Dear  Sir, 

I  have  just  received  your's  of  the  5th.  Ins1;2  whether  the  Belts 
mentioned  by  the  Chippewa  Chief,  to  have  gone  amongst  the 
Western  Nations,  are  those  which  were  passed  thr'o  the  Nations 
the  Beginning  of  the  Winter,  or  any  new  Affair,  he  has  not  Ex- 
plained. There  was  no  doubt  a  Stirr  amongst  them,  and  the 
French  Traders  will  invent  Lyes,  and  excite  them  to  Mischief,  as 
long  as  they  remain  Neighbours  to  us ;  and  that  there  is  a  Compe- 
tition for  the  Trade  between  them  and  the  English  Traders.  I 
have  ordered  all  the  French  Traders  to  be  seized,  who  are  found 
on  our  side  of  the  Mississippi;  and  have  given  notice  thereof  to 
Don  Ulloa,  that  he  may  publish  his  order,  to  prohibit  either 
Traders  or  Hunters  from  transgressing  their  Boundarys,  by  com- 
ing into  His  Majesty's  Territorys. 

I  have  heared  nothing  from  the  Province  of  Jersey  concerning 
the  Business  of  the  Boundary,  as  I  did  not  write  to  the  Govr.  of 
that  Province  about  it.  But  Governor  Sharpe  laid  my  Letter  to 
him  before  the  Council  of  Maryland  who  did  not  apprehend  their 
Province  to  be  anyways  affected  by  running  the  Line  as  described 
in  the  Report  of  the  Board  of  Trade  and  had  nothing  to  com- 
municate upon  the  subject.  Both  the  Mentioned  Provinces  ought 
no  doubt  to  pass  Laws  to  prevent  the  Transgression  of  the 
Boundarys  could  People  transgress  them  immediately  from  their 
Jurisdictions,  which  I  apprehend  will  not  be  the  Case,  as  they 
must  go  into  other  Provinces  before  they  can  reach  the  Boundary. 
The  omission  of  the  Province  of  New  York  should  be  re- 
marked to  the  Secretary  of  State  which  I  mean  to  do  by  first 
opportunity.  And  in  this  affair  which  is  meant  to  be  general,  that 
Province  ought  to  be  included;  or  more  work  will  remain  to  be 


1  Printed  in  Illinois  Historical  Collections,  1  6:374-75,  from  Gage  Letter 
Book,  Harvard  University  Library. 

2  Johnson  Papers,  6:307-08. 


588  Sir  William  Johnson  Papers 

done  hereafter,  if  not  finished  now.  You  may  depend  upon  it  that 
no  Province  will  abide  by  any  Boundary  that  shall  be  settled  at 
this  Congress  between  the  Provinces  respectively;  tho  their  re- 
spective Governors  should  agree  upon  it.  And  in  my  opinion  you 
would  give  yourself  very  needless  Trouble  in  trying  to  settle 
more  than  a  Boundary  between  the  Indian's  Lands  and  the 
Provinces  in  general. 

I  am  very  glad  the  Affair  of  Kayaderosseras  is  at  length  ac- 
comodated. Be  so  good  to  send  the  Papers  about  Rogers  to  Govr. 
Carleton  as  soon  as  possible.  Major  Rogers  is  arrived  at  Montreal, 
and  they  only  wait  the  evidences  from  Missilimakinac  to  begin  his 
Tryal. 

I  am  with  great  Regard, 

Dr.  Sir,  your  most  obedient  humble  servant 

Thos.  Gage 


WARRANT  OF  THOMAS  GAGE  TO  ABRAHAM  MORTIER 

Contemporary  Copy1 

[New  York  16th.  August  1768] 

By  His  Excellency  The  Honorable  Thomas  Gage  &ca  &ca  &ca 

You  are  hereby  directed  and  required  out  of  such  Monies  as 
are,  or  shall  come  to  your  Hands,  for  the  Contingent  or  Ex- 
traordinary Expences  of  His  Majestys  Forces  under  My  Com- 
mand, to  Pay,  or  Cause  to  be  Paid,  to  Sir  William  Johnson  Bar'. 
His  Majesty's  Sole  Agent  for,  and  Superintendant  of  the  Affairs 
of  the  Six  Nations  of  Indians,  Inhabiting  on  the  Mohawk  River 
and  their  Confederates,  or  his  Assigns  without  Deduction,  the 
Sum  of  Six  Thousand  Nine  Hundred  Ninety  Eight  Pounds 
Fifteen  Shillings,  and  Ten  Pence,  New  York  Currency ;  Equal  to 


1  In  William  L.  Clements  Library,  Gage  Papers.  Similar  warrants  from 
Gage  to  Mortier,  accompanying  Sir  William's  accounts  and  having  the 
same  form,  are  not  printed  post,  but  a  footnote  will  indicate  the  amounts 
converted  from  New  York  currency  to  sterling. 


Indian  Affairs,  1766-68  589 

Four  Thousand  Eighty  Two  Pounds,  Twelve  Shillings,  and  Six 
Pence  Three  Farthings  Sterling;  Being  on  Account  of  a  Half 
Years  Salary,  due  to  His  Agents,  Commissary's,  Interpreters, 
Smiths  &ca.,  Likewise  Disbursements  on  Account  of  the  Indians, 
at  the  Several  Forts  and  Posts,  and  other  Contingencies  in  His 
Department,  as  per  the  Annexed  Accompt;  the  Vouchers  and 
Certificates  respecting  which,  are  lodged  with  Sir  William  John- 
son: And  for  so  Doing,  this,  with  the  Acquittance  of  the  Said 
Sir  William  Johnson  Bar'.,  or  his  Assigns,  Shall  be  your  Sufficient 
Warrant  and  Discharge.  — 

Given  &ca  New  York  1 6th.  August  1  768 
To  Abraham  Mortier  Esqr. 
Dep :  Paymr.  Gen : 

INDORSED : 

Copy/.  N°.  89 

Warrant 
To  Abraham  Mortier  Esqr. 
to  Pay  to  Sr.  Wm.  Johnson  Bar1.  Sole 
Agent  &  Superintendant  of  the  Affairs 
of  the  Six  Nations  of  Indians  on  the 
Mohawk  River  &ca  the  Sum  of 
£4082.  .12.  .634  Sterk  Being 
on  acco1.  of  a  Half  Years  Salary 
due  to  his  Comissrys.  Interpreters 
Smiths  &ca ;  Likewise  Disbursmts. 
on  acco1.  of  the  Indians  &  other 
Contingencies  in  his  Department 

Dated 
New  York  16lh.  Augst.  1760 


590  Sir  William  Johnson  Papers 

AN  INDIAN  CONGRESS 

Contemporary  Copy1 

[Johnson  Hall,  August  16-19,  1768] 

August  1 6th.  —  Four  Mississageys  from  Le  Miscotaigna  to  the 
north  of  Ontario  arrived  here.  —  Paapinass  Chief  spoke  as  fol- 
lows — 

Father 

We  are  now  come  a  great  way  to  See  &  speak  to  you ;  we  are 
sent  by  our  Chiefs,  and  would  be  glad  to  know  when  we  shall 
have  a  Conference  with  you,  as  we  are  desirous  of  returning  home 
soon  — 

Sir  William  then  answered  them,  that  although  he  had  much 
business  on  his  hands,  he  would  endeavor  to  meet  them  the  day 
following.  —  He  wellcomed  them  to  his  House,  and  assured  them 
that  he  was  glad  to  See  them,  then  gave  them  Pipes,  Tobacco, 
and  Rum,  and  they  went  to  their  encampment  — 
August  1  7th.  —  Captain  Doudy  a  Delaware,  with  others  arrived 
with    Letters    from    the   Virginia    Commissioners   who    were    at 
Shamoken,2  having  understood  that  there,  the  general  Congress 
concerning  the  Boundary  Line  was  to  have  been  held.  — 
August  1 8th.  —  At  a  Meeting  with  the  Missisagas 
Present  —  Sir  William  Johnson  Bar1. 

Guy  Johnson  Esq1".  D>\  Agent 

Their  Chief  spoke  as  follows  — 

Father  — 

I  thought  of  you  in  my  own  Country,  and  am  now  come  to  See, 

and  pay  my  respects  to  you.  —  when  I  Left  home  I  resolved 

upon  coming  to  See  you,  and  to  know  how  you  were  in  health.  — 

3  Strings 
r  ather  — 

Harken  to  me,  and  hear  my  Words,  they  are  but  the  words  of 

a  Child,  —  but  I  beg  of  you  to  hear  them.  —  I  am  to  accquaint 


1  In  Canadian  Archives,  Indian  Records,  Vol.  8. 

2  Shamokin,  now  Sunbury,  Pa. 


Indian  Affairs,  1766-68  591 

you,  father,  that  this  Belt  comes  from  our  people  to  inform  you  of 
the  death  of  our  chief,  and  your  Friend  Wabicomicot,  and  to 
assure  you  that  all  our  people  are  quiet  and  easy.  —  Here  is 
described  on  this  Belt,  your  Habitation,  and  fire  place,  and  here 
is  ours  with  a  road  Open,  clear,  and  safe  between  them.  The 
agreement  has  been  long  between  us  —  the  Sky  has  been  since 
clear,  and  the  Sun  Shines  bright  whensoever  we  meet.  —  It  is  long 
since  we  have  counciled  together  to  spread  Peace  throughout  the 
Land,  and  we  have  now  the  pleasure  to  find  it  established.  — 
Gave  a  Belt  wth.  two  villages  in  white  upon  it.  — 
Father  — 

Since  we  first  councilled,  bad  Birds  have  sometimes  come 
amongst  us,  but  we  have  Shut  our  ears,  and  have  paid  no  regard 
to  them  —  We  have  Studied  to  promote  peace,  and  advised  all 
nations  to  do  the  Same  —  We  Shall  be  glad  to  hear,  if  you  have 
any  birds  amongst  you,  or  any  news  from  France,  and  also  to  hear 
your  advice  thereon,  that  on  our  return  home  we  may  communicate 
it  to  our  Chiefs.  — 

3  Strings  — 

To  which  Sir  William  answered  — 

Children 

I  have  heard,  and  attended  to  what  you  have  said,  shall  take 
the  same  into  consideration,  &  return  you  an  answer  tomorrow 

P:M: 

The  Delawares  met,  and  spoke  on  Some  Strings,  —  first, 
pointed  out  one  of  their  Party  who  was  ye.  last  of  the  relations  of 
the  Indns.  murdered  by  Frederick  Stump,  and  had  not  received 
Presents.  —  By  the  second  String  they  beg'd  for  Provisions  for 
the  Nanticokes  lately  arrived  at  Otsiningo.  —  By  the  third  gave 
information  that  they  had  received  several  kind,  and  agreeable 
messages  from  Pennsylvania  concerning  the  late  Murders,  but  as 
they  chuse  allways  to  keep  their  eyes  on  Sir  William,  and  to  con- 
sult him,  they  would  not  go  down  in  consequence  thereof,  'till 
they  had  his  approbation.  — 


592  Sir   William  Johnson  Papers 

August  1 9th.  —  At  a  Meeting  with  the  Missisagas 
Present  as  the  day  before  — 
Sir  William  addressed  them  — 

Children  — 

I  am  glad  to  See  you  all  here  at  this  time,  &  to  find  that  you 
thought  on  me  in  your  own  Country,  I  likewise  think  allways  of 
your  People  — 

3  Strings  — 
Children  — 

I  have  attended  to  all  your  words,  and  am  greatly  concerned 
to  hear  of  the  death  of  Wabbicomat  your  chief,  who  was  a  man  I 
greatly  esteemed.  —  I  am  very  glad  to  hear  that  his  death  has 
produced  no  111  Consequences,  and  yf.  the  Sky  is  still  clear,  and 
the  road  Open  between  us.  —  I  hope  that  a  proper  man,  and  of  a 
good  heart,  may  be  appointed  to  succeed  him,  and  that  you  will 
still  keep  steady  to  your  engagements.  —  I  give  you  assurances 
that  our  Sky  is  clear,  that  our  road  shall  allways  be  open,  and  our 
Councils  always  conducted  with  a  view  to  peace 

A  Belt  — 
Children  — 

I  know  that  there  are  many  Birds  who  go  about  spreading 
lies.  —  It  is  their  interest  to  make  divisions  between  the  English 
and  you;  but  it  is  yours  to  remain  steady  to  your  engagements;  and 
I  am  rejoiced  to  find  you  are  so  sensible  of  your  true  interest,  as 
to  pay  no  regard  to  such  bad  Birds  —  You  may  be  assured  that 
we  are  too  wise  a  people  to  Listen  to  them,  &  as  for  any  Stories 
you  may  hear  concerning  the  French,  be  assured  they  are  without 
foundation,  they  are  the  inventions  of  men  who  know  nothing  of 
news,  but  at  the  same  time  are  used  as  means  to  deprive  you  of 
your  trade,  and  engross  it  to  themselves.  —  You  can't  but  have 
Observed  that  they  have  amused  you  from  year  to  year  w*. 
Stories  of  Fleets,  and  Armies,  and  that  they  have  constantly 
deceived  you;  so  that  they  are  no  longer  intitled  to  your  notice; 
you  should  cast  your  eyes  here,  and  make  your  enquiries  in  this 
place,  where  you  have  not  been,  nor  ever  shall  be  deceived;  for 


Indian  Affairs,  1766-68  593 

the  English  are  too  honest,  and  too  powerfull  to  wish  to  deceive 
you.  —  You  may  therefore  return  to  your  people  with  a  con- 
fidence in  our  esteem  so  long  as  you  continue  peaceable  and  well 
disposed.  — 

3  Strings  — 

The  Chief  answered 

Father  — 

I  am  highly  pleased  with  what  you  have  Said,  and  am  certain 
that  it  will  yeild  great  content  to  my  nation  when  I  deliver  them 
your  words,  and  Belts,  —  it  will  rejoice  them  all  to  hear  what  you 
now  Said,  and  they  will  pay  a  due  regard  thereto.  — 

Then  Sir  William  made  them  a  Present  of  some  Clothing, 
Amunition  &ca.  for  which  they  returned  many  thanks,  and  also  of 
five  Casks  of  rum,  and  a  Laced  Coat  to  the  Chief,  and  plain  ones 
to  the  rest,  at  which  they  were  all  much  pleased  — 

Then  finished  — 


TO  THOMAS  GAGE 
A.L.S} 
Johnson  Hall  August  27 ih.  1768 


1  Letter  of  this  date  in  William  L.  Clements  Library  is  identical  with 
that  of  August  24,  1  768,  printed  in  Johnson  Papers,  6:331-34,  from  the 
draft  in  New  York  State  Library;  copy  by  Clarence  E.  Carter  made 
before  the  Capitol  fire  is  printed  in  Illinois  Historical  Collections,  16:383- 
86.  Since  this  is  the  copy  sent,  it  seems  that  the  draft  was  written  three  days 
before  the  letter  was  dispatched.  Gage's  indorsement  states  that  it  was  re- 
ceived September  3. 


594  Sir  William  Johnson  Papers 

FROM  WILLIAM  ALLEN 

Mount  Airy,  Sept*.  10th.  1768 
Dear  Sir 

At  the  desire  of  Sundry  of  my  friends  Merchants  in  our  town 
that  were  great  Sufferers  in  the  beginning  of  the  late  war  by  the 
loss  of  their  effects  in  the  Indian  Country  I  take  the  freedom  to 
Sollicit  your  favor  in  their  behalf. 

When  I  was  in  England  by  their  letters  delivered  me  by  Mr. 
Croghan  I  was  requested  to  apply  to  the  Ministry  to  have  com- 
pensation made  them  out  of  the  Money  arising  from  the  Sale  of 
the  French  prizes  taken  before  the  declaration  of  war  by  way  of 
reprisal  for  the  injury  his  Majestys  Subjects  had  Sustained. 

I  Soilicited  the  matter  very  warmly  in  which  I  had  Mr. 
Croghans  assistance  who  can  inform  you  of  the  steps  that  were 
then  taken.  The  upshot  of  the  affair  shortly  was  that  the  prize 
money  was  applied  to  another  use  at  least  the  greatest  part  of  it, 
and  none  of  the  residue  Could  be  obtained,  though  there  was  still 
left  a  Sufficiency  to  near  Satisfie  the  Claimants.  Mr.  Greenviles 
Ministry  being  a  time  you  well  know  of  great  Parsimony  to  say 
no  worse.  At  length  however  some  hints  were  thrown  out  that 
the  Sufferers  Should  be  So  far  Considered  as  to  have  a  grant  of 
Some  of  the  Crown  land. 

The  Merchants  are  informed  that  the  Indians  are  in  the 
insuing  treaty  like  to  be  induced  to  recomend  it  to  the  Crown  and 
express  their  desire  that  some  part  of  the  land  they  are  about  to 
release  should  be  appropriated  to  the  use  of  the  Sufferers.  They 
would  fain  therefore  hope  Should  that  be  the  case  that  all  the 
Sufferers  may  be  Considered  in  proportion  to  their  losses  and  that 
none  should  be  excluded  that  have  sufficient  vouchers  for  their 
demands. 

I  have  told  them  that  I  conceive  their  information  is  not  well 
founded  and  that  in  case  the  boundary  should  be  fixed,  the 
propper  Application  for  a  grant  of  land  should  be  made  to  his 
Majesty.   However  I  have  ventured  to  assure  them  that  if  the 


1  In  Historical  Society  of  Pennsylvania,  Gratz  Collection. 


Indian  Affairs,  1766-68  595 

matter  should  Come  any  way  under  your  Cognisance  that  they 
would  meet  with  the  utmost  Justice  and  strictest  impartiality.  The 
bearer  Mr.  John  Cox  is  among  the  Sufferers  and  at  the  instance 
of  many  of  them  has  been  induced  to  wait  on  you  and  to  represent 
their  case.  I  beg  leave  to  recommend  him  to  your  Friendly  notice. 
He  is  a  gentleman  of  large  property  among  us,  and  bears  the 
Character  of  an  honest  Sensible  man,  and  for  whom  I  have  a 
personal  regard.  It  will  be  quite  needless  for  me  to  enter  into  more 
particulars  as  Mr.  Cox  can  give  you  a  full  information  on  every 
point  relative  to  the  affair  being  perfectly  acquainted  therewith. 

I  can  with  great  truth  assure  you  that  I  have  no  small  pleasure 
in  beleiving  that  I  have  the  honor  to  be  numbered  among  your 
many  friends  and  should  frequently  have  expressed  the  high 
sense  I  have  of  that  favor,  but  was  loath  to  give  you  the  trouble 
of  reading  my  Scrawls,  and  perhaps  a  detail  of  Some  disagreeable 
occurrences  in  this  Province.  I  chose  therefore  to  be  silent  rather 
than  intrude  on  your  time  in  that  way;  Making  it  a  general  rule 
of  my  Conduct  Not  to  be  troublesome  to  my  friends.  I  cannot 
therefore  take  the  freedom  I  now  do  without  apologising  for  it  and 
must  depend  on  your  goodness  to  excuse  me. 

My  Son  John  attends  our  Governor  to  the  treaty.2  I  there- 
fore request  you  would  favor  him  with  your  friendship  and 
countenance.  Your  Civility  to  him  and  Your  kind  offices  to  the 
Merchants  in  their  application  by  Mr.  Cox  will  conferr  a  great 
obligation  on  Dear  Sir 

Your  very  affectionate  Friend 

and  Most  obedient  Humble  Servant 

Will  Allen 

To  the  Honble.  SlR  WM.  JOHNSON  Baronet 


INDORSED:3 


SeptK   10*.   1768 
Cheif  Justice  Aliens 
letter  by  Mr.  Jn.  Cox 


2  Treaty  of  Fort  Stanwix  was  attended  by  Governor  John  Penn  of  Penn- 
sylvania. 

3  In  Sir  William's  hand. 


596  Sir   William  Johnson  Papers 

TO  JOHN  PENN 

Copy1 

Johnson  Hall  Sepf.  12,  1768 
Sir. 

I  was  favored  Last  night  with  your  Letter  of  the  3  d.  inst.  and 
am  glad  to  find  that  I  shall  have  the  pleasure  of  Seeing  you  at 
the  Congress.  [Tomorrow  I  purposed  to  Set]2  From  the  reports 
I  have  had  since  my  last  to  you,  I  was  induced  to  fix  upon 
tomorrow  for  proceeding  on  my  Journey  but  altho'  it  is  necessary 
I  should  be  at  Fort  Stanwix  before  the  Inds.  are  met  shall  post- 
pone my  Journey  till  Thursday  the  15th.  hoping  by  that  time  to 
have  the  pleasure  of  Seeing  You  and  your  Company  here,  if  not, 
Shall  give  [you]  directions  for  your  accommodations  along  the 
Road  in  the  best  manner  the  Country  affords.  — 

Your  first  days  Journey  from  Schenectady  should  be  to  Mr. 
Hendrick  Freys  near  Conajoharee  which  is  38  Miles.  Your  next 
[days  journey]  to  Shoemakers  at  the  Upper  End  of  the  German 
flatts  would  be  about  28  Miles.  From  thence  to  Fort  Stanwix  is 
40  which  is  best  performed  by  Water  [to  which]  and  I  shall  See 
to  provide  a  Boat  for  you  at  the  flatts,  that  will  Carry  you  to  Fort 
Stanwix  in  Two  days.  I  apprehend  it  will  be  necessary  to  take 
Some  bedding  with  you  &  as  to  Liquors,  particularly  Wine,  you 
will  find  but  very  Indifferent  along  the  Road  —  If  you  can't 
reach  Mr.  Freys  the  first  days  journey  from  Schenectady  You 
may  easily  come  to  Mr  Jeles  Fondas  at  Caghnawaga,  which  is 
about  26  Miles  &  where  I  shall  Likewise  leave  directions  for  your 
Entertainment.  From  hence  you  can  go  to  John  Nicholas  Herki- 
mers  House  near  the  little  falls  [from  whence-]  within  a  few 
Miles  of  the  German  flatts.  This  last  rout  you  will  most  probably 


1  In  Oneida  Historical  Society,  Utica,  N.  Y.  Mutilated  draft  was 
printed  in  Johnson  Papers,  6:364-65.  This  supplies  much  that  was  missing 
in  the  second  paragraph  of  the  manuscript. 

2  This  copy  has  been  compared  with  the  partly  burned  manuscript. 
Words  italicized  and  in  brackets  were  crossed  out  in  manuscript  draft. 


Indian  Affairs,  1766-68  597 

take  in  case  You  should  chuse  to  come  in  a  Waggon  or  indeed 
any  other  Carriage. 

3  I  heartily  wish  you  &  the  Gentlemen  [with]  you  a  Safe  & 
Speedy  Arrival  &  remain  with  great  regard 

Sir, 
W.J. 

INDORSED : 

[Letter  to  Gov  Penn]4 

SepuV.  12*.  1768 

Sent  by  Mr.  Wetherhead 


FROM  THOMAS  GAGE 
Contemporary  Copy1 

New  York  12lh.  Sept'.  1768  — 
Sir, 

I  have  not  much  to  trouble  You  with,  and  indeed  from  the 
Business  You  must  have  on  hand,  it  would  be  an  Improper  time ; 
But  as  You  will  have  a  Meeting  with  all  the  Indians,  I  am  to 
mention  to  You  My  design,  to  withdraw  the  Garrison  of  Fort 
Ontario,2  as  Soon  as  ever  this  Province  will  take  Some  Resolution 
concerning  it.  The  Artillery  &  heavy  Stores  are  already  Ordered 
to  be  Embarked  for  Oswegatchie.  You  will  be  the  best  Judge, 
whether  or  not  it  would  be  best  to  mention  it  to  the  Indians,  and 
what  Should  be  Said  to  them  upon  the  Subject.  The  Fort  will 
probably    be    kept    up    in    the    manner    that    Fort    Stanwix    is 

I  am  with  great  Regard, 
Dear  Sir, 
Sir  Wm.  Johnson  Bar1.  &ca 


3  This  closing  was  omitted  from  the  copy;  and  is  taken  from  the  manu- 
script. 

4  This  line  of  indorsement  from  the  copy. 

1  In  William  L.  Clements  Library. 

2  At  Oswego. 


598  Sir  William  Johnson  Papers 

INDORSED: 

Copy./. 

To  Sir  Wm.  Johnson  Bar1, 
at 

Johnson  hall 
New  York  12th.  Sept*.  1768 


FROM  ELEAZAR  WHEELOCK 

Contemporary  Copy1 

Lebanon  I9ih.  Sepr.  1768 
Sir. 

May  it  please  your  Honour 

As  I  was,  by  a  series  of  unavoidable  providences,  and  par- 
ticularly by  ye.  sickness  of  two  &  ye.  death  of  one  of  my  family, 
prevented  the  pleasure  of  paying  you  yl.  honour  &  respect  which 
I  [designed]  desired  to  do  when  you  was  in  these  parts  last 
summer;  and  the  turn  of  your  affairs  disappointed  my  raised  ex- 
pectations of  waiting  upon  you  on  your  return  from  N  London  by 
which  means  I  also  failed  of  ye.  opportunity  to  acknov/ledge  your 
expressions  of  respect  to  my  Son,2  and  bespeak  ye.  continuance  of 
your  favour  and  influence  towards  the  design  of  christianizing  ye. 
Savages  under  your  inspection ;  which  I  am  the  rather  emboldned 
to  depend  upon,  as  I  trust  your  Honour  has  had  some  occasion 
to  observe  the  good  influence  of  feeble  endeavours  already  used 
among  the  Oneidas 

The  Bearer  the  Revd.  Jacob  Johnson,3  whatever  his  appear- 
ance &  address  may  at  first  suggest,  is  by  those  best  acquainted 
with  him  esteemed  a  man  of  real  worth,  an  honest  upright- 
hearted  Minister  of  Christ  —  He  is  prevailed  upon  to  leave  his 
family  and  flock  at  Groton,  and  supply  Mr.  Kirtlands4  place  at 


1  In  Dartmouth  College  Library,  Havemeyer  Collection. 

2  Ralph  Wheelock. 

3  The  Rev.  Jacob  Johnson  of  Groton. 

4  The  Rev.  Samuel  Kirkland.  Wheelock  here  employs  the  older  spelling 
of  the  name  used  by  Kirkland's  father. 


Indian  Affairs,  1766-68  599 

Oneida  for  a  while  till  Mr.  Kirtland  has  recovered  his  health  — 
And  as  I  understand  there  is  or  like  soon  to  be  a  favourable  op- 
portunity to  recommend  the  design  of  introducing  religion  &  learn- 
ing among  the  Tribes,  to  their  chiefs  when  together  at  their  present 
congress;5  I  have  desired  Mr.  Johnson  by  the  best  advice  and 
assistance  to  improve  ye.  same,  and  I  humbly  beg  your  Honours 
favour  and  countenance  therein,  and  in  whatever  else  may  be 
properly  devised  &  planned  for  the  furtherance  of  ye.  cause  & 
kingdom  of  our  common  Lord  in  the  wilderness  —  I  hope  your 
Honour  will  esteem  the  nature  of  this  affair  sufficient  excuse  for 
this  freedom  &  trouble  —  And  believe  [me]  that  I  am  with  sincere 
respect  &  esteem 

Your  Honours 

most  obedient  &  most  humb,e.  Serv1. 

Eleazar  Wheelock 

The  honble.  SR.  WM.  Johnson  Bar1. 

INDORSED : 

To  Sr.  Wm.  Johnson  Bar1. 
Sep'.  19lh.  1768 


TO  THOMAS  GAGE 

Fori  Stamvix  Septo'.  30th.  1768 
Dear  Sir  — 

My  last  was  I  think  of  the  2  which  I  hope  that  You 

have  received,  on  the  19th.  Ins1.  I  arrived  at  this  place  with  Gov- 


5  Congress  at  Fort  Stanwix,  Sept.  to  Nov.   1  768,  where  Jacob  Johnson 
and  David  Avery  represented  Wheelock. 

1  In  William  L.   Clements  Library;  draft  in  mutilated  form  printed  in 
Johnson  Papers,  6:423-24. 

2  Blank  space  in  manuscript. 


600  Sir  William  Johnson  Papers 

ernour  Franklin  &ca.,  Since  which  Govr.  Penn  &ca.  Came  up. 
By  the  way  I  had  the  pleasure  to  receive  an  Express  with  a  letter 
informing  me  that  the  Shawanese  &  Delawares  would  be  here,  & 
that  some  of  them  were  actually  arrived  at  Chenussio,  this  has  re- 
tarded the  Six  Nations  who  would  otherwise  have  come  down 
without  them,  however  I  am  in  hopes  that  the  whole  will  be  here 
in  5  or  6  Days.  —  The  Mohawks  &  a  large  Body  of  the 
Oneidaes  wth.  Several  from  the  Susquahana  are  already  come, 
whose  presence  might  be  dispensed  with  'till  all  are  met,  as  it 
occasions  a  Great  Consumption  of  provisions,  about  80  of  the 
Stockbridge  came  3  Days  ago,  who  have  but  little  business  here 
tho  I  find  they  were  invited  by  the  Six  Nations,  I  shall  get  rid 
of  them  if  possible.  — 

By  the  way  I  had  the  pleasure  of  Yours  of  the  12th.,3  and 
shall  mention  the  withdrawing  the  Garrison  from  Ontario  in  the 
best  manner  I  can.  Indeed  I  find  that  Several  of  them  have 
already  heard  of  it,  I  beleive  they  are  far  from  being  concerned 
at  a  Garrison  so  Small  as  that  is,  and  would  much  rather  it  was 
continued  than  to  have  other  People  there  who  might  be  for 
cultivating  or  clearing  Lands,  I  am  realy  of  opinion  that  it  will  be 
best  to  keep  up  the  Fort  with  a  few  Men  under  the  Command  of 
some  proper  Person,  for  Should  it  fall  into  other  hands,  it  would 
not  meet  with  any  Care  (altho  hereafter  there  may  be  occasion 
for  it)  and  the  Materials  would  be  consumed  or  applied  to  other 
Uses.  — 

By  a  letter  I  have  Just  received  from  Cornish.  Hay4  I  find 
that  the  Shawanese  had  Stopped  a  Party  of  Chippawaes  who 
were  going  against  the  Cherokees,  I  likewise  received  some  other 
Informations,  and  a  Speech5  respecting  the  Assurances  daily 
given  the  Indians  that  France  &  Spain  will  make  War  upon  Us 
verry  Soon,  a  Copy  of  which  I  enclose  You.  I  hope  to  be  able 


3  Ante  pp.  597-98. 

4  Jehu  Hay,  commissary  at  Detroit. 

5  See  Indian  Speeches  dated  Detroit,  Aug.   14,  1768,  ante  pp.  585-86. 


Indian  Affairs,   1766-68  601 

to  inform  You  of  the  Arrival  of  the  Whole  at  this  place  within 
a  few  Days,  and  remain  with  the  most  perfect  regard 

Dear  Sir 

Your  most  Obedient 

&  verry  Humble  Servant 

W  Johnson 
His  Excellency 
General  Gage  — 

In  the  body  of  the  letter  I  forgot  to  mention  that  I  have  re- 
ceived some  intelligence  from  a  Delaware  I  think  I  may  Credit, 
the  particulars  of  wh.  I  also  enclose.  — 

INDORSED : 

Sr.  Wm.  Johnson 

Fort  Stanwix  Sep'.  30th.  1  768 

Received  Octr.  22d.  — 
Inclosing  a  Speech  from  the 
Spaniards  to  the  Indians,  with 
some  Intelligence  recd.  by  a  Delaware 
Indian  from  the  Illinois 
Answd.  — 


INDIAN  INTELLIGENCE 
Contemporary  Copy1 

Fort  Stanwix  Septenf.  30th.  1768 

Intelligence  Received  from  a  Delaware  Indian  just  arrived 
here  from  Fort  Chartres  in  the  Illinois  Country  which  Place  he 
left  about  one  hundred  and  ten  days  agoe. 

He  informs  me  that  while  he  was  there  he  took  several  opper- 
tunitys  of  Conversing  with  the  Cheifs  of  the  Huskuskees,  and 
other  Tribes  of  Indians  who  live  in  that  Country,  That  he  found 


1  In  William  L.  Clements  Library;  inclosed  in  Johnson  to  Gage,  Sept. 
30,  1  768. 


602  Sir  William  Johnson  Papers 

them  much  in  the  french  and  Spanish  Interest,  That  they  looked 
on  them  as  one  People  and  that  they  informed  him  a  war  would 
soon  break  out  in  that  Country  with  the  french  &  Spaniards,  and 
the  English,  and  that  all  the  Nations  living  on  the  Mississipie, 
with  the  Chocktaws  had  Engaged  to  join  the  French  and 
Spaniards. 

That  the  Spaniards  were  building  a  strong  Fort  Near  the 
Missurie  and  intended  to  build  two  more  as  Soon  as  that  was 
Finished. 

He  says  while  he  was  there  he  went  to  See  the  Corn  Cob,  a 
Shawannise  Chief,  who  has  lived  long  with  the  French,  and  is 
well  acquainted  with  all  the  Councils  of  the  French  and  Indians 
in  that  Country,  and  he  Confirmed  Every  thing  the  other  Indians 
had  told  him,  and  added  tho'  the  English  thought  the  several 
tribes  of  Indians  thereabouts  were  their  freinds  they  would  find 
themselves  mistaken  for  to  his  knowledge  they  had  all  engaged  to 
Assist  the  French  and  Spaniards  as  far  as  Sf.  Joseph's,  and  were 
Ready  to  strike  the  English  as  soon  as  the  French  and  Spaniards 
let  them  know  they  were  Ready. 

While  he  was  at  Fort  Chartres  an  Englishman  with  three 
Indians  arrived  there  from  the  Sea  Side  with  Letters  for  the 
Commanding  Officer  of  that  post  (by  the  description  of  the  place 
they  came  from,  I  immagine  it  must  be  Pensacola)  after  the 
Commanding  Officer  perused  his  Letters  he  says  he  desired  him 
to  prepare  himself  to  return  to  Fort  pitt  the  Next  day  as  he 
wanted  to  send  letters  there,  and  he  says  the  Officer  told  him  that 
he  Expected  the  French  and  Spaniards  there  to  fight  with  the 
English  as  they  were  preparing  at  New  Orleans  in  order  to  Come 
up  the  river  for  that  purpose. 

This  Indian  says  he  set  off  the  Next  day  with  letters  for  Fort 
Pitt  and  as  he  passed  through  the  Nations  living  on  the  Oubache 
he  says  he  found  the  English  had  no  freinds  amongst  them  but 
the  Twigtwees  and  Weoughtanons,  and  while  he  was  at 
Weoughtanon2  a  Party  of  the  Kicapos  past  by  there  with  two 


2  Ouiattanon,  present  day  LaFayette,  Indiana. 


Indian  Afiairs,   1766-68  603 

English  scalps  which  they  had  taken  at  Fort  Chartres  after  he 
Left  it. 

INDORSED : 

Intelligence  received 
by  a  Delaware  Indian 
from  the  Ilinois  — 
1768. — 


AGREEMENT  BETWEEN  MOHAWK  AND  STOCKBRIDGE  INDIANS 

Contemporary  Copy1 

Copy  of  Agreement  between  the  Mohocks  &  Stockbridge 
Indians  made  in  the  Presence  of  Sir  William  Johnson  Bar1,  at 

Fort  Stanrvix  September  the  30th.  1768.  — 

We  the  Sachims,  Chiefs,  and  Warriors  of  the  Mohocks  as- 
sembled this  day  at  Fort  Stanwix  together  with  the  Indians  of 
Stockbridge  in  the  Presence  of  Sir  William  Johnson  Bar',  his 
Majesty's  Superintendant  of  Indian  Affairs,  Do  at  the  Desire  of 
the  Stockbridge  Indians,  and  in  consequence  of  a  former  Promise 
made  them  in  public  Meeting,  Now,  Declare,  and  make  known 
to  all  People  that  we  do  freely,  and  Unanimously  Yeild  up, 
and  Quit  any  Claim  we  may  have  had  to  Lands  on  the  East  Side 
of  Hudson's  River,  or  to  any  Pretensions  they  the  Stockbridge 
Indians  may  have  along  the  East  bounds  of  our  Just  and  true 
Claim  which  is  bounded  by  Hudson's  River  upwards  to  Fort- 
Edward,  thence  to  Wood  Creek,  and  from  thence  along  the  Same 
to  Lafye  Champlain,  and  down  the  Same  to  the  Mouth  of  Otter 
Creek,  the  Country  to  the  Westward  of  which  that  has  not  been 
fairly  disposed  of  by  us,  or  our  Ancestors,  remaining  in  us,  as  the 
rest  formerly  did.  All  which  the  Stockbridge  Indians  do  acknowl- 
edge, Neither  are  they  ever  after  to  dispute  any  Sales  of  Lands 
formerly   made   to   the    Eastward   of   Hudson's   River,   by   the 


1  In  Canadian  Archives,  Indian  Records,  Vol.  8. 


604  Sir  William  Johnson  Papers 

Mohocks.  —  At  the  same  time  We  the  Mohocks  do  acknowledge 
the  Title  of  the  Scarticook  Indians  to  the  Lands  East  of  our 
Bounds,  And  We  the  Mohocks,  &  Stockbridge  Indians  do  de- 
clare the  foregoing  Bounds  to  be  Just,  and  true,  &  Mutually 
Covenant  to  Abide  by  the  same  for  ever,  and  we  desire  that  this 
our  Agreement  may  be  Entered  in  the  Superintendant's  Office 
that  it  may  more  effectually  be  Preserved.  In  Testimony  whereof 
we  the  Chiefs  of  the  Mohocks,  and  Stockbridge  Indians  have 
hereunto  Affixed  our  Marks  at  Fort  Stanwix  the  30th.  day  of 
September  1  768.  — 

Abraham  —  "] 

t  _  Chiers   or  the 

u_t ,  Mohocks 


Henrick  - 

Jacob  — 
John  — 
Solomon 


J 


Stockbridge 
Chiefs  — 


FROM  PHYN  AND  ELLICE 
Contemporary  Copy1 

Scheny.8  0cf.  1768  — 
Sir 

We  have  sent  express  w*.  your  letters  as  farr  as  Fort  Johnson 
wl.  directions  to  the  man  to  proceed  to  F  Stanwix  if  Sir  John  or 
Co1.  Clause  requires  it 

Last  spring  when  in  New  York  we  had  an  oppertunity  of 
ordering  a  Couple  Casks  Lisbon  from  that  Port  of  the  first 
quality  its  now  arrived  &  w*.  us  in  Schenectady  we  think  it  ex- 
cellent &  farr  prefferable  to  any  lisbon  wh.  is  commonly  to  be  met 
with  we  therefor  request  youl  do  us  the  favr.  to  accep  of  em  as 
we  sent  for  them  wl.  that  intent  we  likewise  hope  youl  excuse  our 
lodging  em  in  your  Celler  af.  the  first  oppertunity.  that  the 
wine  may  be  fine  befor  you  return  wh.  we  wish  may  be  soon  & 
w*.  perfect  health  — 


1  In  Buffalo  Historical  Society,  Phyn  &  Ellice  letter  books. 


Indian  Affairs,  1766-68  605 

To  morrow  or  next  day  we  sett  out  for  N  Y  where  if  you  have 
any  Commands  that  we  can  execute  it  will  give  us  pleasure  to 
receive  em  we  imagine  your  letter  may  reach  us  in  N  Y  should 
you  find  it  necessary  to  write  us  soon  after  recipt  of  this  —  We 
take  the  liberty  of  anexing  some  Bills  which  we  now  hold  on 
Your  department  least  you  should  want  to  know  the  Am1,  when 
you  make  up  your  accts.  —  which  perhaps  may  be  befor  we  return 
or  have  the  pleasure  of  seeing  you  Bussiness  in  Generall  is  com- 
plained of  this  season  up  the  Country  altho  we  have  no  greater 
cause  than  our  nighbours  we  imagine  all  these  Bills  will  be 
excepted  &  retired  as  soon  as  is  convenient  which  will  be  of  the 
utmost  service  to  us  &  will  in  some  degree  make  up  for  other 
dissapointments  we  have  met  with  in  a  different  quarter  we  shall 
trouble  you  no  further  but  only  say  we  found  it  best  to  accept 
of  Mr.  Duncans  orders  for  all  Accots.  againest  the  Families  as 
last  made  out  &  given  him  recepts  accordingly  notwf.standing  if 
errors  or  overcharges  appr.  we  w*.  great  pleasure  shall  allow  them 

We  have  the  honor  to  be  &c 

P&E 

To  the  Honble.  SlR  W  JOHNSON 
Fort  Stanwix 


TO  THOMAS  GAGE 
A.L.S.1 

FortStamvixOctb*:  13th.  1768 
Dear  Sir  — 

My  last  was  of  the  30th.  Ult°.,2  Since  which,  I  have  been 
detained  here  waiting  for  the  upper  Nations  Who  nevertheless 
are  Still  behind,  occasioned  by  the  death  of  a  Seneca  Cheif,  on 
which  Accf.  they  halted  to  perform  the  Ceremony  of  Condolance, 
there  are  however  at  this  time  above  900  Indians  here,  which  is 


1  In  William  L.  Clements  Library;  draft  in  mutilated  form  was  printed 
in  Johnson  Papers,  6:436-37. 

2  Ante  pp.  599-601. 


606  Sir  William  Johnson  Papers 

an  Unlucky  'tho  an  Unavoidable  Circumstance,  and  occasions 
such  a  Consumption  of  provisions  that  had  I  not  bought  up  a 
large  Number  of  Cattle,  &  a  great  quantity  of  Wheat  Corn 
Pease  &ca.  We  should  have  been  greatly  distressed  on  that  Ace1, 
before  the  Whole  could  arrive,  which  from  what  I  can  now  hear 
will  be  near  3000,  —  The  Nations  present  are  the  Mohawks 
Oneidaes,  Tuscaroras,  Delawares,  Canoys  Nanticokes,  Seme 
Caghnawageys  &  the  Inds.  of  Susquahana.  Those  on  their  way 
are  the  Seneca's,  Cayugaes,  Ondagaes  &  Shawanese  &ca.  from 
Ohio.  —  Co1.  Lewis3  one  of  ye.  Virginia  Commissrs.  is  gone  to 
attend  the  Meeting  which  is  to  be  held  on  the  Frontiers  of  that 
Province,  &  Governour  Penn  tired  of  attending  so  long  talks 
of  going  down  the  Country  more  especially  as  the  conduct  of  the 
New  Englanders  seems  to  render  it  necessary  that  He  should  be 
within  his  Governm1.  I  am  however  well  assured  that  all  the 
Indians  will  be  come  in  about  the  1  7th.  Ins1.  — 

Lieu1.  Mc.Dougal4  late  of  the  60th.  Just  Arrived  from 
England,  in  talking  with  me  on  some  Detroit  Affairs  took  occa- 
sion to  observe,  that  being  connected  there  &  having  Many  freinds 
he  was  fully  persuaded  he  could  fall  upon  a  Method  for  with- 
drawing the  French  from  Amongst  ye.  Indians  which  would  be 
Successful  provided  he  was  authorized  by  You  and  had  a  Com- 
mand of  a  party  of  the  Militia  for  that  purpose.  He  observed 
a  good  deal  with  regard  to  the  Detroit  Militia  Which  I  realy 
do  think  might  be  made  useful  on  that  &  Many  other  Oc- 
casions, if  under  the  Command  of  one  of  His  Majestys  Natural 
born  Subjects,  and  I  would  take  the  liberty  of  recommending 
him  to  You  for  that  Station  Should  You  think  it  necessary. 
—  One  Material  Advantage  in  having  them  under  the  Command 
of  an  Englishman,  and  employing  them  occasionally,  would  be 
the  convincing  the  Indians  that  they  were  bound  to  obey  us,  A 
Circumstance  they  now  doubt  verry  much,  &  have  been  taught 
to  disbelive,  Another  is,  that  there  are  some  Occasions  in  which 


3  Colonel  Andrew  Lewis. 

4  Lieutenant  George  McDougall. 


Indian  Affairs,  1766-68  607 

they  are  better  calculated  for  our  Service  than  Other  People, 
for  instance  they  can  be  successfully  employed  in  bringing  in 
their  own  Renegadoes,  which  would  be  a  Work  of  Difficulty 
to  our  People,  &  perhaps  could  not  be  done  without  a  Quarrel 
with  the  Indians,  who  would  not  be  apt  to  resist  the  French,  and 
altho  Several  of  the  latter  might  obey  with  reluctance  at  first, 
within  a  little  time,  &  thro  means  of  a  Man  who  has  a  personal 
Influence  &  Connections  they  would  be  reduced  to  due  Obedi- 
ence, &  pride  themselves  on  being  employed  and  bearing  Commis- 
sions. —  I  shall  be  happy  to  find  that  these  are  your  Sentiments, 
and  remain  with  the  Utmost  Regard  &  Esteem, 

Dear  Sir 
Your  most  Sincere  Welwisher 
His  Excellency  &  verry  Humble  Servant 

General  Gage  —  W  Johnson 

We  have  Strange  Accts.  from  Some  of  the  Colonies,  and  as  we 
are  at  a  great  distance  Should  be  glad  to  be  favoured  with  any 
thing  material  at  your  leisure  — 

INDORSED : 

Sir  William  Johnson  Bl.  — 
[Johnson  Hall] 
Fort  Stanwix  Oct.  13th.  1768 
Recd.  at  Boston  Oct.  30th.  1  768. 
Answd.  — 


TO  JOHN  GLEN 

A.L.S.1 

Fort  Stanwix  Octbr.  16th.  1768 
Sir  — 

This  Day  Mr.  Crawford2  arrived  here,  And  Yesterday  Mr. 
Preston3  who  both  came  from  the  Indians  4  Days  ago  then  at 


1  In  Historical  Society  of  Pennsylvania,  Gratz  Collection. 

2  Hugh  Crawford. 

3  Lieut.  Achilles  Preston. 


608  Sir  William  Johnson  Papers 

Cayuga,  to  a  great  Amount  &  Say  they  will  be  here  in  about 
four  Days,  when  with  the  Number  we  already  have  here,  the 
whole  (at  the  nearest  computation)  will  amount  to  near  three 
thousand.  — 

And  as  the  Provisions  which  I  had  for  the  Congress  is  already 
consumed  by  the  Number  of  Indians  who  have  been  here  above 
three  Weeks  waiting  ye.  Arrival  of  the  rest,  I  know  not  what  to 
do,  unless  You  can  Send  up  imediately  a  large  quantity  of  pork  & 
flour.  —  You  may  Judge  what  Quantity  about  3000  Inds.  will 
eat  in  3  Weeks  time,  and  I  am  certain  we  shall  not  be  able  to 
dispatch  them  Sooner,  having  many  weighty  Matters  to  Settle 
with  them  at  this  time.  —  If  there  had  been  a  possibility  of  pro- 
curing provisions  in  these  parts  I  should  not  be  so  much  dis- 
tressed, as  I  am  at  present,  as  there  is  not,  I  must  therefore  desire 
You  will  Send  a  large  quantit)'  of  provisions  up  here  as  Soon  as 
possible,  otherwise  it  must  overset  the  design  of  this  Congress,  as 
it  cannot  be  Supposed  that  Hungry  Indians  can  be  kept  here,  or 
in  any  temper  without  a  Bellyfull.  —  I  need  not  add  further 
than  to  wish  that  the  great  work  in  hand  may  not  be  frustrated 
(after  all  the  Expence  &  trouble  we  have  had)  for  the  want  of 
a  timely  Supply  of  provisions. 

I  am  Sir 

Yr.  Verry  Humble  Serv*. 
John  Glen  Esqr.  W  Johnson 

P.S.  as  I  had  finished  my  letter,  ye.  Boats  wth.  ye.  provision 
arrived,  &  bring  me  the  disagreable  news  of  ye.  want  of  provs. 
below  if  You  cant  Send  me  up  more  I  dont  know  what  to  do.  — 
I  hope  yl.  nothing  will  be  left  undone  to  procure  provisions  — 

ADDRESSED: 

His  Majestys  Service 
To         John  Glen  Esq1-, 
at  Schenectady 


W  Johnson 


Indian  Affairs,  1766-68  609 

FROM  JOHN  PENN 
A.L.S.1 

Schenectady  October  17th.  1768  — 

Sir 

When  we  arrived  at  Shoemakers  on  Saturday  night  last,  we 
found  it  impossible  to  procure  a  Batteau  to  proceed  with,  and 
must  have  waited  there,  for  some  days  upon  an  uncertainty,  as 
Shoemaker  gave  us  no  expectation  of  being  able  to  provide  us 
one;  I  therefore  took  the  Liberty  of  coming  on  in  your  batteau, 
which  I  hope  you  will  excuse  as  it  was  a  case  of  necessity,  and  we 
were  told  the  loading  would  not  be  ready  under  four  days  in 
which  time  or  within  a  day  after  I  hope  the  boat  will  be  returned 
to  Shoemakers 

I  heartily  wish  you  well  through  the  troublesome  and  tedious 
business  you  have  in  hand  and  am  with  Compliments  to  Col: 
Johnson  &  Col :  Claas 

Sir 

Your  most   obedient 
humble  Servant 

John  Penn 


In  Harvard  University  Library,  Sparks  Collection. 


AN  ORDER 

Contemporary  Copy1 

G:  O:    Niagara  23d.  October  1768. 

Copy. 

Captain  Brown2  having  Received  a  letter  from  the  Commander 
in  Chief,  informing  him  that  the  Management  of  the  Trade  with 
the  Indians  is  taken  from  the  Supperintendant,  and  put  under  the 
direction  of  the  Several  Provinces  and  that  no  expence  whatever 


1  In  William  L.  Clements  Library;  inclosed  in  Johnson  to  Gage,  Nov. 
20,  1  768. 

2  Captain  John  Brown. 


610  Sir  William  Johnson  Papers 

is  to  be  incurred  for  the  Future  on  that  acco'.  at  this  Fort.  —  The 
Commissary  for  Indian  Affairs  and  others  Employed  in  that  De- 
partment, are  to  pay  attention  to  the  same,  and  Discontinue  to 
draw  Provisions  &ca  on  acco*.  of  their  former  Offices  — 

The  above  orders  to  be  communicated  to  Cap1.  Mc.Leod,3  the 
Interpreter  and  Black  Smith  — 


3  Captain  Normand  MacLeod. 

FROM  BENJAMIN  GALE 
A.L.S.1 

Johnson  Hall  Oct'.  24  J  768 
S* 

Agreable  to  my  design  of  Yesterday  which  I  forwarded  to  Fort 
Stanwix  I  have  view'd  Your  Seat  at  the  Hall,  and  think  the 
Design  Truly  grand  &  noble.  I  was  the  rather  Induc'd  to  ride  up 
to  The  Hall,  now  knowing  but  [Your]  Mr.  Van  Sickle,  or  Some 
of  the  Servants  might  happen  to  be  Acquainted  with  The  Lobelia 
describd  by  Dr.  Haller,  which  I  find  by  Mr.  Van  Sickle  they  are 
not,  and  have  prevail'd  upon  him  to  Accept  of  four  Dollars  in 
order  to  Hire  some  person  to  procure  some  for  me;  after  Your 
return  by  Your  Direction,  to  be  Sent  to  N  York  to  the  Care  of 
George  Harrison  Esqr.  to  be  Forwarded  to  me,  But  as  I  fear  it 
may  not  get  down  to  New  York  this  Season,  if  the  Winter  should 
set  in  early,  I  have  prevaild  upon  a  Young  Man  who  Is  a  Jorny- 
man  to  Davis,  and  is  coming  down  this  Fall,  within  25  Miles  of 
Killingworth  the  place  of  my  residence,  to  bring  me  down  a  small 
parcel  of  it,  which  I  want  for  present  Use,  for  Two  persons  The 
one  an  Obstinate  Venereal  Case,  The  Other  is  a  Freind  of  Docr. 
Johnsons,2  who  Labours  Under  a  desperate  Leprosey  or  Con- 
firm'd  Scurvey,  when  I  told  Dr.  Johnson  of  this  Medicine 
Mentioned  by  Mr.  Kalm3,  &  that  I  presum'd  this  medicine  was 
the  most  probable  to  Effect  his  Cure,  [whereupon]  he  Introduc'd 


1  In  Historical  Society  of  Pennsylvania. 

2  The  Rev.  Dr.  Samuel  Johnson. 

3  Peter  Kalm,  the  Swedish  naturalist. 


Indian  Affairs,  1766-68  61  1 

my  Letter  to  Your  Honr.  wherefore  I  owe  it  as  a  Just  Tribute  to 
Dr.  Johnson  to  procure  it  as  speedy  as  I  can. 

Dr.  Haller  from  Mr.  Kalm  Mentions  Three  or  four  things 
Us'd  by  the  Natives  The  first  of  Which  He  terms  Lobelia. 
The  old  Stems  he  says  is  Yl  inch  Diamiter  the  Roots  resembling  a 
Green  Pod,  the  Leaves  in  Autumn  has  brown  Spots,  Flowers  in 
July,  the  Seeds  Ripe  in  September,  the  Taste  like  Tobacco  — 

To  dry  up  the  Ulcers  he  says  they  Use  the  Powder  of  another 
Root  Which  he  Terms  Geum. 

In  Case  the  Disease  proves  Stubborn  the  Natives  Use  [the] 
Another  Root  Calld  Ranunculus  mixing  it  the  Lobelia.  This  he 
says  must  be  Usd  with  Caution. 

He  allso  says  That  a  Noted  Savage  for  Curing  the  Venereal 
Disease  and  Imparted  the  Method  to  You,  said  he  had  some- 
times given  the  Lobelia  but  Confided  more  in  another  Viz  the 
Roots  of  Ceanothus  Linnei  of  Celastus  Inermis  the  Decoction 
of  which  he  says  is  as  red  as  Blood,  and  that  whenever  they  are 
afraid  the  Disease  is  Deep  rooted  They  Use  the  Rubus  Caule 
Aculeato  —  Thus  far  Dr.  Kalm  —  You  will  please  to  Com- 
municate the  Sorts  You  shall  Cause  to  be  Sent  me,  the  Quantity  & 
Manner  of  Use,  which  I  shall  more  relye  Upon  than  what  Docr. 
Kalm  has  wrote  —  You  was  pleas'd  to  Mention  to  me  another 
thing  which  You  said  prov'd  very  Diuretick  —  if  any  of  that  may 
be  Obtaind  for  the  same  Conveyance  it  would  greatly  Oblidge 
as  the  materia  Medica  is  Same  with  regard  to  that  —  I  have 
given  Your  Smith  a  Specimen  of  Steel  of  our  own  Manufacture, 
in  which  I  am  Interested,  if  it  proves  to  his  Liking,  &  I  can 
supply  with  it,  You  will  please  to  Command  me,  in  which  I 
should  Take  pleasure  in  rendring  any  Services,  —  Could  any 
of  the  Seeds  be  procured  of  any  of  the  Above  plants  it  would  be 
Acknowledged  in  the  most  gratefull  Manner  by  Sr. 

Your  Most  Oblidged 

&  Most  Obf.  Humle.  Serv1. 
Benjn.  Gale 

To  the  Honle.  SR.  WM.  Johnson  Barn*. 


612  Sir  William  Johnson  Papers 

ADDRESSED : 

To 

The  Honbl.  Sr.  Wm.  Johnson  Barn', 
at 

Johnson  Hall 
Present. 


INDORSED:4 


Octb.  24*.  1 768 


Doctor  Gales  Letter 


FROM  BENJAMIN  ROBERTS 

Contemporary  Copy1 

Montreal  29.  Oct*.  1768 
(Copy) 
Sir 

I  was  the  first  Evidence  called  at  the  general  Court  Martial; 
I  was  asked  what  I  knew  of  Major  Rogers's  Conduct  at 
Michilimc.,  I  informed  the  Court  of  your  orders  to  me,  of  Potters 
Affidavit2  and  all  the  ill  treatment  he  gave  me,  my  informations 
from  people  present.  I  was  told  these  things  would  come  better  in 
other  evidence  the  Judge  Advocate  was  desired  to  put  down  the 
heads,  we  were  not  allowed  any  Minutes,  every  body  seemed  very 
ready  on  the  catch  to  mark  down  any  slip  that  would  be  in  his 
favour,  all  the  Officers  stuck  up  to  their  informations,  Mr.  John- 
son excepted,  who  knew  nothing  to  his  prejudice;  when  [he]  ex- 
amined Ainse3  our  Interpr.  was  allowed  to  give  a  most  distinct 
and  Circumstantial  evidence  with  a  great  deal  of  modesty  and 


4  In  Sir  William's  hand. 

1  In  William  L.  Clements  Library;  inclosed  in  Johnson  to  Gage,  Nov. 
18,  1768. 

2  Doc.  Rel.  Col.  Hist.  N.  Y.,  7:990-92. 

3  Joseph  Louis  Ainse. 


Indian  Affairs,   1766-68  613 

good  sense  corresponding  exactly  with  his  affidavit;  Fullerton4 
the  Kings  evidence  equivocated  a  great  while,  at  last  said  that  he 
was  forced  by  Spiesmaker  and  Christie  to  swear  what  was  the 
Truth,  he  said  that  Rogers  intended  to  throw  them  into  the  hands 
of  the  Indians,  but  that  their  lives  should  not  be  lost.  the  Evi- 
dence after  being  examined  one  by  one  we  put  into  a  separate 
room  from  these  not  examined,  Questiones  asked  of  Captn.  Spies- 
maker5  if  he  bribed  any  body,  many  evidences  examined  for  him 
concerning  his  accots.  but  none  that  contradicted  the  Material 
Evidences.  —  I  mentioned  BostwickG  for  the  prosecution  but  the 
Judge  Advocate  did  not  examine  him,  but  in  the  defence,  wherein 
he  said  that  Ainse  was  in  the  room  when  the  Indians  plundered 
his  goods  when  the  Fort  was  taken,  that  he  was  taken  prisoner  in 
his  presence,  and  he  thinks  by  Ainses  motions  he  wanted  the 
Indians  to  kill  him.  Ainse  was  sent  for  the  next  day  to  Court,  to 
be  asked  some  questions,  he  had  a  memorial  in  his  Pocket,  and 
certificates  from  Bostwick,  given  by  his  Clerk  by  his  order  for  his 
good  beheavour  in  saveing  his  effects  from  pillage  also  setting 
forth  his  innocence  by  going  down  express  to  Detroit  from  Capta. 
Ethrington7  when  the  Fort  was  taken. 

When  he  got  out  of  the  court  he  was  taken  Prisr.  by  a  guard 
of  men  with  Bayonts.  to  his  breast  and  all  parts  of  his  Body,  his 
Pockets  rummaged,  and  he  was  carried  to  Goal,  when  in  a  short 
time  they  put  the  same  Irons  on  him  that  were  taken  of  the  Panis 
that  killed  Shlosser,  and  he  was  thrown  into  the  black  hole,  Mr. 
Goddards  and  I  refused  to  speak  to  him,  and  the  Goaler  said, 
this  you  got  for  swearing  against  Major  Rogers.  he  is  most 
sincerely  lamented  by  all  honest  men,  Col.  Jones  and  the  Judge 
advocate  sympathize.  Mr.  Goddard  goes  down  to  Quebec  to 
morrow  with  affidavits  in  his  favor  and  requests  of  the  principal 
people  to  have  his  affair  tried  immediately  at  Quebec,  everybody 


4  David  Fullerton. 

5  Captain  Frederick  Christopher  Spiesmacher. 

6  Henry  Bostwick. 

7  Captain  George  Etherington. 

8  James  Stanley  Goddard,  a  trader. 


614  Sir  William  Johnson  Papers 

convinced  Bostwicks  affidavit  can't  hurt  him,  tho  the  civil  Law 
has  taken  hold  of  him,  every  body  thinks  him  innocent  and  its  all 
spleen.  he  was  threatned  with  many  enemies  if  he  swore 
against  Rogers.  I  beleive  its  clear  to  every  body  that  tis  to  get 
his  accounts  paid  every  body  wants  to  save  him,  as  they  think  if 
he  is  found  guilty  nothing  will  be  paid  —  two  Lawyers  stand 
behind  him  dictateing  and  writeing  questions  for  him.  Mr. 
Howard  and  a  number  of  Merchants  that  were  last  Year  against 
him  [are]  now  entirely  for  him,  there  are  only  Spiesmaker, 
Christie,  Goddard,  Ainse,  Forbisher9  and  I  against  him.  I  hear 
they  have  thrown  Ainse's  Evidence  out,  because  he  was  arested 
for  felony,  his  freinds  seem  to  have  well  concerted  the  matter. 
Law  Suits  threatned  at  every  side,  I  should  not  be  surpriz'd  if 
Felony  was  swore  against  some  of  us.  Rogers  asked  Spiesmaker 
what  he  did  with  his  papers,  he  answer'd:  thinking  t'was  papers 
relative  to  his  debts  at  the  Garrison  that  Rogers  desired  to  be 
left  there,  that  Cap',  Glasier10  had  them;  he  wanted  to  make  a 
handle  that  it  was  amongst  them,  all  his  papers  for  his  justifica- 
tion were,  since  Spicemaker  and  Forbisher  has  proved  all  papers 
left  in  his  own  possession,  except  those  sent  to  the  General ;  Mr. 
Johnston11  swore  Roger's  pockets  were  searched  by  order  when 
he  was  going  on  board,  by  the  way  we  Evidences  for  the  Crown 
are  looked  upon,  one  would  Imagine  twas  thaught  we  had  con- 
spired against  this  fellows  life.  The  Gentlemen  whose  Affidavits 
you  have  enclosed  will  shew  you  their  opinion  of  poor  suffring 
Ainse,  he  now  lies  in  a  Dungeon,  with  the  vilest  of  wretches 
loaded  with  Irons,  he  who  has  saved  the  Lives  &  properties  of  his 
Majesties  subjects  and  preserved  his  Garrison,  think  what  any 
may  expect  if  a  Fort  is  cut  off,  a  Treason  to  be  discovered,  who 
will  venture  to  assist  them,  this  affair  forwards  Rogers's  design, 
alienates  the  minds  of  the  Indians  amongst  whom  Ainse  is  adored ; 
I  fear  this  affair  will  have  consequences  more  serious  than  may 


9  Benjamin  Frobisher. 

10  Captain  Beamsly  Glasier. 

11  Ensign  Robert  Johnston. 


Indian  Affairs,   1766-68  615 

appear  at  first  View.  Notwithstanding  all  the  Govr.  has  said,  my 
affair  has  been  pushed  with  the  utmost  Vigor,  especially  bail  has 
been  given  for  my  appearance  in  Febr>\,  my  bail  would  have  been 
forfeited  if  Dobie12  did  not  treaten  to  arrest  him  for  a  large 
sum  he  owes  his  company  in  case  he  would  not  allow  it  to  be 
deferred.  Cap'.  Spicemaker  and  Christie  have  read  this,  we  desire 
you'll  send  such  parts  of  this  letter  to  the  Gen1,  concerning  Rogers 
as  you  think  proper. 

The  post  was  not  expected  to  go  out  till  to  morrow  night  it  goes 
directly ;  pray  excuse  this  scrawl  you  must  judge  our  present  Cir- 
cumstances. Evidence  closed  on  both  sides  to  day.  on  Monday 
there  is  to  be  a  sitting  it  is  thought  by  all  parties,  Rogers 
Acquittance  is  determined.  Recommend  me  to  Your  family,  and 
beleive  me  unalterably  with  respect,  Sir, 

Your  Sincere  Servant 

B  Roberts 
To 

Sir  Wm.  Johnson 

Christie  sets  of  to  Morrow  or  the  next  day  Michilima. 

INDORSED : 

Copy 

From  L'.  Roberts 

to  Sir  Wm.  Johnson 

Dated  Montreal  29  Octr.  1  768. 


A  DEPOSITION 

Contemporary  Copy1 

[Oct.  29,  1768] 
This  day  personally  appeared  before  me.  Fredc.  Spiesmaker 
Esqr.  late  Command1",  of  Michilimackinac,  Lieut'.  John  Christie 


12  Richard  Dobie,  Montreal  merchant. 
1  In  William  L.  Clements  Library;  inclosed  in  Gage  to  Johnson,  Nov. 
18,  1768. 


616 


Sir  William  Johnson  Papers 


&  Benjn.  Frobisher  Merch1.  and  maketh  Oath  on  the  holy 
Evangelist,  that  they  were  at  Michilimackinac  the  last  winter, 
and  were  Eye  Witnesses  to  the  beheavour  of  Louis  Joseph  Ainse 
now  a  Prisoner,  and  that  from  the  whole  Tenor  of  his  Conduct 
since  they  knew  him  they  beleive  him  to  be  an  honest,  worthy 
and  good  man. 

That  the  Evidence  he  there  gave  against  Major  Robert 
Rogers,  we  since  understand,  he  has  delivered  to  the  Court 
Martial  in  the  most  clear  &  sensible  manner  and  from  his  readiness 
to  come  down  altho  threatened  with  a  prosecution  together  with 
Certificates  which  he  has  produced  to  us  for  goods  which  he  saved 
in  the  pillage  belonging  to  the  prosecutor,  and  other  circumstances, 
we  beleive  him  innocent,  and  sincerely  are  of  opinion,  that  he  is 
prosecuted  from  malice  and  a  Violent  Party  Spirit  in  a  few 
individuals. 

The  Deponents  further  declare  that  had  he  agreed  to  the  pro- 
posals made  him  by  Major  Rogers  of  betraying  the  Garrison  & 
Causeing  the  Officers  &c.  to  be  taken  prisoners  by  the  Indians  that 
it  was  in  his  power  to  do  it.  that  altho  Rogers  gave  him  his  note 
of  hand  for  £500  as  an  encouragement  to  undertake  the  same, 
he  impeached  him  of  his  crimes,  thro  which  means,  the  deponents 
solemnly  declare  that  their  lives  were  saved  and  his  Majestys 
Garrison  preserved.  — 


Sworn  before  me 
at  Montreal  this 
29  day  of  Oct'.  1  768 
(Signed)  Dumas 

J:P: 


signed 


F:  Spiesmaker 
John  Christie 
Benjn.  Frobisher 


INDORSED : 


(Copy) 

Deposition  of 

Capt  Spiesmacher,  L'. 

Christie  &  Mr.  Frobisher 

Mercht.  in  favor  of  Mr. 

Ainse  Interpreter  — 


Indian  Affairs,   1766-68  617 

CONGRESS  AT  FORT  STANWIX 
Contemporary  Copy1 

[Sept.  15-Oct.  30,  1768] 

Sir  William  Johnson,  having  in  consequence  of  his  Majesties 
orders  signified  to  the  Governors  of  the  sev1.  Colonies  concerned, 
the  time,  and  place  for  the  general  Congress,  to  treat  about  the 
Boundary  Line,  Commissioners  were  appointed  to  attend  the  same 
from  Virginia,  and  Pennsylvania,  Sir  William  acting  on  behalf  of 
New  York,  at  the  instance  of  the  Governor2  — 

The  commissioners  from  Virginia  arrived  at  Johnson  Hall 
about  the  beginning  of  Septemr.,  and  a  few  days  after,  Governor 
Franklin3  of  New  Jersey,  with  other  Gentlemen.  — 

The  Present  for  the  Indians  consisting  of  divers  Goods  — 
amunition  Cash  &ca.  being  prepared,  and  sent  forward  in  20 
Boats  to  Fort-Stanwix,  Sir  William  departed  from  Johnson-Hall 
Septemr.  the  1 5t!\  and  proceeded  to  the  place  of  meeting,  ac- 
companied by  the  Governor  of  New  Jersey,  commissrs.  and  officers 
of  the  department,  and  several  others  sent  from  the  German 
Flatts  —  He  and  his  Company  proceeded  in  five  Boats  with 
Stores  &ca.  and  arrived  at  Fort-Stanwix  on  Monday  the  19th. 
day  of  September.  —  About  the  Same  time  a  Party  of  the 
Oneidas,  and  Tuscaroras  arrived  from  Conawarohere,4  and 
twenty  Indians  from  Oghquagoe,  who  told  Sr.  William  that  the 


1  In  Canadian  Archives,  Indian  Records,  Vol.  8.  See  Johnson  to  the 
Earl  of  Hillsborough,  Fort  Stanwix,  Oct.  23,  1  768,  in  Doc.  Rel.  to  Col. 
Hist.  N.  Y.,  8:104-06,  which  tells  of  this  meeting  at  Fort  Stanwix.  The 
proceedings  of  the  Congress  at  Fort  Stanwix  are  printed  in  Doc.  Rel.  to 
Col.  Hist.  N.  Y.,  8:11  1-34.  Since  the  first  part  of  the  narrative  in  the 
Indian  Records  supplements  with  additional  data  the  printed  account,  it  is 
given  here. 

2  Sir  Henry  Moore. 

3  Governor  William  Franklin  of  New  Jersey  was  the  only  governor  to 
attend  the  sessions  of  the  Congress.  Pennsylvania  and  Virginia  were  repre- 
sented by  commissioners. 

4  Canowaroghere,  now  Oneida  Castle,  an  Oneida  town  twelve  miles  from 
Oneida  Lake. 


618  Sir  William  Johnson  Papers 

Delawares,  and  others  from  the  Susquahanna  were  arrived  at 
Oneida,  and  waited  the  arrival  of  the  rest.  — 

Monday  some  Mohawks  arrived,  and  told  Sir  William  that 
the  Mohawk  Castles  were  on  their  way,  and  would  be  here 
tomorrow  with  upwards  of  one  hundred  of  the  Stockbridge 
Indians  — 

Tuesday  an  Express  was  dispatched  by  Sir  William  and  the 
Virginia  Commissioners  to  Mr.  Blair5  President  of  Virginia,  also 
to  Mr.  John  Stuart  Super-Intendant  for  the  Southern  District  — 

Sep1".  2 1 st.  Messrs.  Wharton  and  Trent  delivered  in  accounts  of 
Traders  Losses,  together  with  their  powers  for  Obtaining  a  retri- 
buition  in  Lands  from  the  Indians,  and  left  them  for  Sir  William's 
perusal,  and  on  the  28,h.  they  delivered  in  a  Memorial,  praying 
that  Sir  William  would  apply  to  Mr.  Cox6  to  bring  in  his  Claim, 
and  Charge  against  them,  whereupon  Colonel  Johnson  went  to 
him,  and  desired  him  so  to  do,  as  Sir  William  would  soon  be  so 
hurried  that  he  could  not  attend  to  them.  —  Mr.  Cox  thereupon 
promised  to  deliver  them  in  the  morning  following  — 

29th.  Five  Delawares  from  Muskingam  arrived  at  Fort-Stan- 
wix,  and  Said  that  they  parted  [from]  the  Shawanese  &ca.  at 
Fort-Pitt,  as  they  were  to  go  different  routs  — 

30th.  The  Mohawks,  and  Stock-bridge  Indians  settled  their 
Boundarys  in  Sir  Wm.  Johnson's  presence  by  articles7  in  writing 
to  their  mutual  Satisfaction  — 

October  —  2d.  Sir  Wm.  Johnson  dismissed  the  Stock-bridge 
Indians  to  the  number  of  eighty,  and  gave  them  an  order  on  Mr. 
Campbell8  of  Schenectady  for  Sixty  pounds  Ster1.  in  Goods, 
besides  Cash  to  defray  their  expence  —  Same  day  a  Number  of 
the  Mohawks  and  Schohares  arrived,  as  did  Mr.  Ellis  from 
Detroit,  who  brought  sev1.  Letters  Some  of  which  contained  a 
good  deal  of  intelligence,  and  Sir  William  imediately  transmitted 
them  to  the  General  — 


5  John  Blair,  president  of  the  council  of  Virginia. 

6  Daniel  Coxe.  See  Doc.  Rel.  Col.  Hist.  N.  Y.,  7:226n. 

7  Ante  pp.  603-04. 

8  Daniel  Campbell. 


Indian  Affairs,   1766-68  619 

4th.  —  A  Deputation  from  the  several  nations  here  was  sent 
to  Sir  William's  Quarters  to  accquaint  him  that  they  intended 
waiting  on  him  the  next  day  — 

5th.  —  Seneca  George  &  Bill  Chillaway  with  a  number  of 
Nanticoks  and  Conoys  came  to  visit  Sir  William  — 
P:  M:  The  Mohawks,  Conojoharees,  Senecas,  Onondagas, 
Oneidas,  Delawares,  Nanticokes,  Conoys,  and  Munseys  came  to 
Sir  William's  Quarters,  and  in  a  very  handsome  manner  per- 
formed the  ceremony  of  Condolence  on  the  death  of  Anne  Claus9 
his  Grand-daughter,  youngest  Child  of  Col  Claus  —  Observing 
that  as  he  had  now  kindled  a  fire  at  Fort-Stanwix  in  order  to  hold 
a  Congress  of  great  importance,  his  grief  for  the  late  accident 
should  by  all  means  be  removed  without  delay,  so  as  to  enable  him 
to  give  his  attention  to  the  great  affairs  which  he  had  in  hands  — 

2  Belts  &  a  String 

Then  with  three  Strings  addressed  him  —  saying,  that  as  both 
he  and  the  Governor,  and  the  Gentlemen  who  came  to  attend  the 
Congress  were  probably  uneasy  at  waiting  so  long,  they  begg'd 
that  they  would  not  think  ill  of  them  on  that  account,  but  that 
they  would  make  an  allowance  for  the  many  delays  and  acci- 
dents which  might  have  retarded  them.  — 

3  Strings  — 

Same  day  Messrs.  Trent10  and  Wharton11  delivered  in  a  long 
State  of  their  case  in  answer  to  Mr.  Coxes  Memorial  for  a  retribu- 
tion of  Losses  Sustained  during  the  late  war,  by  a  Cession  of 
Lands  — 

Octor.  8th.  —  Sir  William  Sent  off  two  Mohock  Indians  as 
Messengers  with  a  Letter  to  the  Interpreter,  and  a  Belt  to  hurry 
the  Indns.  to  come  to  the  Congress  — 

1 4th.  —  Sir  William  Johnson  having  shewn  Governor  Penn 
and  his  Council,  for  their  satisfaction,  the  allegations  &c  in  the 


9  Anne,  or  Nancy  Claus,  daughter  of  Daniel  Claus  and  Nancy  Johnson, 
died  Sept.  29,  1  768,  at  Claus'  home,  "Williamsburg."  Johnson  Papers, 
6:422. 

10 William  Trent. 

11  Samuel  Wharton. 


620  Sir  William  Johnson  Papers 

affair  between  Messrs.  Trent  and  Cox  concerning  the  Traders 
Losses,  and  the  retribution  applied  for,  the  Governor  with  his 
Council  Messrs.  Peters,12  Chew13  &  Tilghman14  waited  on  Sir 
William  this  morning,  and  returned  the  papers,  when  Mr. 
Tilghman  on  their  behalf  addressed  him,  saying  "that  they  had 
perused  the  whole  of  the  Papers,  from  all  which  it  appeared 
clearly  to  them,  that  the  traders  who  had  sustained  Losses  during 
the  Indian  war  in  1  763  had  applied  to  Sir  William  to  Obtain  a 
retribution  from  the  Indns.  for  the  same,  that  he  had  complied 
with  their  request  at  a  Congress  in  1  765,  and  prevailed  on  the 
Indns.  to  promise  them  a  Tract,  when  the  Boundary  should  be 
settled,  —  that  no  Losses  before  that  time,  appeared  to  have 
been  applied  for,  and  that  it  appeared  as  well  from  the  Memorials, 
as  from  the  accounts  given  by  Mr.  Croghan,  that  the  Traders 
who  applied  for  Losses  in  1 763  were  ignorant  of  any  further 
application  at  home,  since  the  affair  had  been  set  aside  in  England. 
—  They  were  therefore  entirely  of  Opinion  with  Sir  William 
Johnson,  that  the  application  now  made  by  Messrs.  Trent  and 
Wharton  was  reasonable,  and  the  very  same  which  had  been 
proposed  before,  and  that  it  was  the  only  one  which  could  be 
properly  laid  before  the  Indians;  and  that  any  other  application 
for  Losses  sustained  during  the  French  war,  which  had  never 
before  been  mentioned  to  the  Indians,  might  be  disagreeable  to 
them,  and  might  tend  to  Obstruct  the  proceedings,  —  at  the 
same  time  they  persuaded  themselves  that  Sir  William  would 
Join  them  in  the  reasonableness  of  their  applications  home,  and 
proposing  to  Obtain  a  retribution  for  the  Old  Losses,  as  a  seperate, 
distinct  affair,  and  that  for  their  parts,  they  could  have  nothing 
further  to  Say  about  a  matter  in  which  they  were  disinterested, 
to  which  Sir  William  assured  them  that  he  should  have  no  Objec- 
tion, and  expressed  his  satisfaction  at  their  agreeing  with  him  in 
Sentiments  — 


12  Richard  Peters. 

13  Benjamin  Chew. 

14  James  Tilghman. 


Indian  A  fairs,   1766-68  621 

P :  M :  —  A  Party  of  Cayugas  arrived  wth.  a  String  of 
Wampum  from  the  Chiefs  of  their  nation  requesting  Sir  William 
not  to  be  uneasy  at  their  delay,  &  informing  him  that  all  the 
Indians  who  were  to  attend  the  Congress  were  arrived  at 
Kanadasega,  amounting  to  a  great  Number,  and  would  set  for- 
ward from  thence  immediately,  and  that  if  they  did  not  arrive  at 
Cayuga,  wth.in  2  days  they,  the  Cayugas  would  come  without 
them  — 

15th.  A:  M.  — Governor  Penn  with  Mr.  Chew  Attrney  Gen- 
eral, Mr.  Allen15  &ca.  set  off  for  Philadelphia,  not  being  able 
to  wait  any  longer  on  account  of  the  business  of  the  Province.  — 
Messrs.  Peters  and  Tilghman  were  left  behind  as  Commissioners 
on  behalf  of  Pennsylvania  — 

Same  day  Lieu1.  Preston10  with  three  Senecas  dispatched  by 
their  nation  arrived  at  Fort-Stanwix,  and  said  that  they  parted 
the  main  body  of  the  Indians  at  Cayuga  crossing  a  Ford  the  1  1 th. 
Ins*.  —  that  they  were  so  numerous,  it  would  take  them  a  day  to 
get  over,  and  Six  days  more  to  reach  this.  —  that  Caustrax  the 
old  Chief  of  the  Senecas  had  detained  them  Several  days,  as  also 
the  ceremony  of  condolance  for  the  chief  OnoghfyaridaTve}),  who 
died  on  their  arrival  in  the  Seneca  Country  — 

1 6th.  —  About  noon  Mr.  Crawford1 '  arrived  with  two  of  the 
Mohocks  messengers,  and  reported  that  the  Indians  would  be  in, 
in  less  than  nine  days  from  his  leaving  Cayuga,  as  they  were 
numerous,  and  travelled  very  Slow,  that  they  purposed  to  stop 
two    nights    at    Oneida;    that    there    were    then    assembled    at 

Cayuga  —  Senecas     397 

Cayugas      254 

Delawares     27 

Tuteloes      25 


703  in  all 


15  William  Allen,  of  Philadelphia,  chief  justice  of  Pennsylvania,   1  750- 
1774. 
1 G  Lieutenant  Achilles  Preston. 
17  Hugh  Crawford,  Indian  trader. 


622  Sir   William  Johnson  Papers 

Crawford  brought  sev1.  Letters  from  the  Illenois,  and  Fort-Pitt 
which  contained  some  particulars  of  the  French  &  Spanish  designs, 
and  of  a  Congress  held  at  the  Missisipi  to  which  they  had 
invited  all  the  Indians.  —  Crawford  informed,  that  had  they  not 
been  called  by  Sir  William  at  that  time,  they  would  all  have  gone 
to  attend  the  congress,  to  which  they  had  been  urged  by  the 
Spaniards,  and  that  many  of  them  would  afterwards  go  to  it  as  he 
believed  — 

At  night  the  Mohocks  came,  and  told  Sir  William  that  one  of 
their  people  had  received  Intelligence  from  a  Sf.  Francois  Indian 
who  had  been  to  the  West-ward,  and  at  the  Missisipi  for  four 
years  past,  and  was  just  returned  by  way  of  Mitchilimackinac, 
that  the  French  and  Spaniards  assured  them  that  they  were  united 
firmly  against  the  English,  and  that  they  were  very  buisy  in  bring- 
ing them  over  for  that  purpose.  —  That  Pondiacfy  thro'  the 
artifices  of  Bellestre,18  and  other  French,  was  very  busy  in  calling 
the  Indians,  and  sending  Belts  amongst  them  for  a  general  Con- 
vention, —  and  that  he  had  sev1.  meetings  for  that  purpose. 

1  7th.  Sir  William  condoled  with  the  Cayugas  of  Susquahana 
for  the  death  of  one  of  their  Warriors  some  time  agoe,  and  gave 
three  Strings  of  Wampum,  and  two  black  Strouds,  for  which 
they  returned  thanks,  and  said  that  they  would  give  an  answer  the 
day  following  — 

Octobr.  18th.  —  A:  M:  Sir  William  sent  an  Indian  Express 
with  a  String  of  Wampum  to  Conoghquieson  chief  of  Oneida 
&ca.  accquainting  him  that  he  had  been  then  a  month  at  Fort- 
Stanwix  without  seeing  them,  and  therefore  desired  them  to  come 
there  without  delay,  as  their  presence  was  necessary.  —  This  was 
done  that  the  upper  nations  might  not  be  delayed  by  them  in  the 
Oneida  Country.  — 

Sir  William  also  dispatched  Col.  Croghan  wth.  Mr.  Crawford 
to  Canorvaroghere,  that  the  Indians  might  not  delay  too  long  there 

Same  day  an  Express  arrived  from  Oneida  accquainting  Sir 
William,  and  the  Nations  of  Indians  at  Fort-Stanwix,  that  the 


18  Francois  de  Bellestre. 


Indian  Affairs,  1766-68  623 

Cayugas  were  expected  at  Canowaroghere  the  day  following, 
and  that  the  Senecas  were  at  Onondaga,  and  that  on  the  arrival  of 
the  former  at  said  Village  they  were  resolved  to  condole  for  the 
death  of  Kanaghgaridaawi  the  Seneca  Chief  who  died  lately,  for 
which  purpose  the  Oneida  Chiefs  sent  an  express  that  the  several 
nations  then  there  woud  Join  them  in  performing  said  Ceremony 
by  sending  <P  return  Several  Belts  of  Wampum  for  that 
purpose  — 

Sir  William  accquainted  the  Bearer  that  he  had  this  morning 
dispatched  a  Messenger  to  the  Sachems  of  Oneida,  desiring  them 
to  attend  the  Congress  wth.out  further  delay,  that  he  was  then 
sending  Col.  Croghan  with  a  white  man  to  hasten  the  coming 
of  the  Canowaroghere  Indians,  and  to  accquaint  them,  that  as  he 
had  lighted  a  great  Council  fire  at  this  place  for  the  six  Nations, 
and  their  Allies,  he  considered  it,  that  the  Ceremony  of  Condol- 
ence ought  rather  to  be  performed  here  in  presence  of  the  whole 
body  of  Indians,  than  in  any  other  Village  —  He  further  added 
that  he  would  leave  the  Indians  whom  they  had  sent  to  for  Belts, 
to  act  as  they  had  thought  proper  — 

After  consulting  together,  they  came,  and  reported  that  they 
had  agreed  to  the  request  of  the  Oneidas,  and  Sent  them  the  Belts 
accordingly.  — 

8br.   18th.  At  a  Conference  at  Fort-Stanwix  with  a  Tuscarora 
Chief  called  Tiagawehe 
Present  —  Sir  William  Johnson  Bar1.  — 

Richard  Peters     I  Commissioners  of  the  Province 
James  Tilghman  j  of  Pennsylvania 
Guy  Johnson  Esqr.  Dy.  Agl.  as  Secrete. 
Fredck.  Smith  Esqr.  Chief  Justice  of  New  Jersey 

The  Tuscarora  Chief  renewed  a  Complaint  that  he  had  form- 
erly made  to  Sir  William  Johnson,  and  set  forth  as  follows  — 
that  in  the  year  1 766  he  had  conducted  above  One  hundred  & 
thirty  Tuscarora  Indians  from  North  Carolina  to  their  own  nation 
on  the  headwaters  of  the  Susquehanna  —  that  in  traveling  through 


624  Sir  William  Johnson  Papers 

Pennsylvania  Six  Horses  were  taken  from  him  and  his  Company 
by  some  persons  unknown  in  the  night  time,  and  that  enquiry  & 
search  were  made  after  said  Horses  to  no  purpose  —  that  the  said 
six  horses  were  worth  Fifty  pounds.  —  that  he  had  accquainted 
Sir  Wm.  Johnson  the  first  time  after  he  Saw  him  after  his  return 
home,  and  had  desired  him  to  write  to  the  Governor  of  Pennsyl- 
vania with  a  request  on  behalf  of  the  Tuscarora's  that  they  might 
have  sd.  Loss  compensated  by  that  Government,  —  he  further 
added,  that  if  any  Sum  wd.  be  allowed  the  Sufferers,  he  was  em- 
powered by  them  to  receive  it  — 

Sir  William  Johnson  interpreted  the  speech,  and  declared  that 
he  had  received  information  from  the  said  Chief  of  the  Loss  above 
mentioned,  which  he  by  Letter  had  communicated  to  Goverr. 
Penn,  advising  at  the  same  time  that  a  proper  satisfaction  should 
be  made  to  the  Indians,  who  were  much  incensed  on  account  of 
said  Loss.  —  Sir  William  further  said,  that  the  Governor  had 
Consented  to  make  Such  Satisfaction,  —  and  the  Value  of  said 
horses  being  Settled  at  Sixteen  half  Johanne's,19  that  Sum  was  now 
paid  on  behalf  of  the  Government  of  Pennsylvania,  by  the  said 
Ccmmissioners  to  the  said  Chief,  who  gave  his  receipt  for  the 
same  in  full  of  all  demands  from  him  &  the  rest  of  the 
Sufferers.  — 

gbr  19th. — A:  M:  Sir  William  received  a  Letter  ^  an 
Indian  express  from  Colonel  Croghan  at  Canowaraghere,  ac- 
cquainting  him,  that  the  Body  of  Indians  were  not  yet  arrived, 
that  he  had  dispatched  a  runner  last  night  to  recommend  haste  to 
them,  and  that  when  they  arrived,  he  would  endeavor  to  get 
them  forward  without  condoling  at  Oneida.  —  Sir  William  im- 
mediately wrote  to  him  by  the  return  of  the  express,  that  as  it 
would  Save  time  &  provisions  he  might  as  well  have  the  Ceremony 
of  Condolence  performed  at  Oneida. 

Octobr.  20th.  A  number  of  Tuscaroras,  Nanticoks,  &  Conoys, 
&  others  living  on  the  Susquahanna  met  at  Sir  Wms.  Quarters, 
when  Kanigut  a  Tuscarora  Chief  their  Speaker,  addressed  Sir 


19  Johannes,  a  Portuguese  gold  coin,  worth  about  $8.81 . 


Indian  Affairs,   1766-68  625 

William  Saying,  that  formerly  the  English  had  allowed  them  a 
Smith  to  mend  their  Arms,  Implements  of  Husbandry  &ca.  but 
that  they  had  not  any  Such  person  for  some  years,  —  &  were 
greatly  distressed  for  the  want  of  one  —  &  that,  as  they  had 
behaved  well  during  the  late  war,  they  begged  that  they  might 
be  allowed  to  have  a  Smith  amongst  them  at  their  own  expence, 
—  and  that  Some  Goods  might  be  sent  amongst  them  for  Sale  — 
that  they  would  take  good  care  of  any  person  sent  amongst  them 
for  that  purpose,  and  protect  him  in  case  of  a  rupture,  and  give 
him  timely  Notice  to  depart 

Gave  a  Belt  of  7  rows  — 

Then  Said  that  as  their  Corn  Lands  had  for  a  long  Series  of 
time  bore  Crops  without  any  Tillage,  they  were  now  im- 
poverished, they  therefore  requested  that  some  white  man  might 
be  permitted  to  bring  a  Plough  to  them  to  plough  their  Lands 

Gave  three  Strings 

Sir  William  answered  them,  that  he  would  take  these  matters 
into  consideration,  and  give  them  an  answer  — 

2 1 st.  The  Tuscaroras,  Nanticoks,  Conoys  &c  being  assembled, 
Sir  William  told  them,  that,  as  he  was  sensible  of  their  good  be- 
havior during  the  late  war,  and  since,  he  would  make  enquiry  for  a 
good  man  to  go  amongst  them  in  capacity  of  a  Smith,  &  expected 
that  they  would  behave  friendly  to  him  — 

returned  a  Belt 

Sir  William  also  agreed  to  allow  any  good  honest  white  man 
to  go,  and  Plough  up  their  Grounds,  &  strongly  recommended  to 
them  to  cultivate  their  fields  properly  as  the  best  means  of  enabling 
them  to  Support  their  families  — 

returned  the  3  Strings 

About  12  o'  the  Clock  Mr.  Croghan  with  Mantour20  the 
Interpreter  arrived  from  Oneida,  and  reported  that  the  Senecas 
were  on  their  March,  and  would  be  here  this  evening  —  Js. 
Spencer21  arrived  soon  after  &  informed  Sir  William  that  a  large 


20  Henry  Montour. 

21  Thomas  Spencer. 


626  Sir  William  Johnson  Papers 

Body  of  the  Senecas  were  close  by,  and  desired  to  know  their 
Ground  for  Encampment  —  Sir  William  Ordered  a  proper 
person  to  point  out  a  place  for  that  purpose,  after  which  the  Chief 
Warriors  came  to  his  Quarters,  where  he  wellcomed  them,  and 
gave  them  a  strict  Charge  to  keep  their  Young  men  sober  &  in 
proper  Order  — 

They  assured  him  that  they  would  admonish  all  their  warriors 
on  their  return  to  their  Camp,  and  much  approved  of  Sir  Wms. 
having  prohibited  the  Sale  of  rum  during  the  congress,  as  they 
were  very  sensible  of  the  pernicious  effects  of  drunkeness  —  then 
Sir  William  drank  their  healths,  &  Ordered  them  rum,  Tobacco 
&  121b.  of  Paint  for  their  young  Warriors  to  dress  with,  —  As  it 
was  then  too  late  to  Issue  provisions  regularly,  he  ordered  a 
Bullock  to  their  Camp  to  Supply  them  that  night  —  Then 
parted  — 

October  22d.  Sayenquaraghta  Chief  Warrior  of  the  Senecas 
wth.  Sev1.  more  came  early  in  the  Morning  to  request  that  Sir 
William  would  Order  the  Traders  at  this  place  to  deal  reasonably 
with  such  of  them  as  had  Skins,  and  Furs  to  dispose  of,  which  he 
promised  to  do  —  Then  a  Number  of  Arms  &c  were  brought  to 
be  repaired,  for  which  Orders  were  given  accordingly  to  Sundry 
Smiths  — 

At  4  P :  M  —  The  Chiefs  of  Conowaroghares  waited  on  Sir 
William,  and  paid  him  the  usual  Complements,  wch.  he  returned, 
and  after  ordering  them  Pipes,  Tobacco,  &  a  dram  &  paint  for 
their  Warriors,  they  withdrew,  —  after  which  sev1.  other  setts  did 
ye.  same 

23  —  This  morning  early  Bunt  Chief  of  the  Onondagas,  the 
Speaker  Ticaivarunte,  Canaquiesa  Chief  of  Oneida,  Senughisis, 
and  Nicholazera,  Abraham  Chief  of  the  Mohocks  &c  assembled 
at  Sir  William's  Quarters  requesting  to  Join  him  in  the  condolence 
for  Onoghcaridavi  a  Chief  of  the  Senecas  who  died  lately  —  Sir 
Wm.  agreed  to  it  as  it  would  be  a  means  of  expediting  the  affairs 
of  the  Congress,  and  settled  matters  with  them  accordingly  — 

At  10PM  —  Caustrax  with  ten  of  his  people  brought  up  the 
rear,    waited   immediately    on   Sir   William,    and   made   several 


Indian  Affairs,   1766-68  627 

appologies  for  his  long  delay,  such  as  old  age,  high  water,  &  the 
Loss  of  a  Grand-Child  &c  —  which  he  hoped  would  plead  his 
excuse.  — 

Sir  William  thereupon  told  him  the  many  inconveniencies  wch. 
their  delay  had  Occasioned,  such  as  the  extraordinary  consump- 
tion of  provisions  which  must  be  a  heavy  expence  to  the  Govern- 
ment, and  also  the  detaining  of  the  several  Gentlemen  from  distant 
Provinces  at  this  late  season  of  the  year  &c,  for  which  he  hoped 
they  would  make  amends  by  their  prudent  and  good  Conduct  at 
this  Congress  —  then  ordered  him,  and  his  people  provisions, 
some  rum,  Tobacco,  Pipes  &  Paint,  and  then  they  parted  — 

P :  M  The  Cayuga  Chiefs  waited  on  Sir  William  Johnson,  and 
paid  him  the  usual  Complements,  and  accquainted  him  that  they 
were  48  in  number  now  here,  and  that  more  of  their  nation  were  on 
their  way  after  them  —  after  Sr.  Wm  s.  returning  the  Complement, 
&  ordering  them  Pipes,  Tobacco,  &  Paint  &c,  they  went  to  their 
Encampment  — 

Octobr.  24th.  At  a  Treaty  with  the  Six  Nations  —  Shawanese, 
&  Delawares,  Senecas  of  Ohio  &  depend,s.  held  at  Fort-Stanwix 
on  Monday  the  24th.  day  of  October  — 

Present  —  The  Honoble  Sir  Wm.  Johnson  Bar1.  Super-Intend*. 
His  Excellcy.  Wm.  Franklin  Esqr.  Goverr.  N:  Jersey 
Thomas  Walker  Esqr.  Commissr.  from  Cob.  Virginia 
The  Honble  Fredk.  Smith  Ch.  Justice  of  New  Jersey 
Richd.  Peters  &  James  Tilghman  Esqrs.  Commissi 
from  the  Province  of  Pennsylvania  — 

•  George  Croghan         r->     „    r>.     „    A    ,     T    ,       -•  . 

_      *    .       5  y  Esqrs.  Depx.  Agts.  Indn.  affairs 

Dan1.  Claus 

Guy   Johnson   Esqr.    Depy.    Agf.    as  Secretary   with 

Sundry  other  Gent",   from  different  Colonies 

John  Butler  Esqr.,  Mr.  Andw.  Montour 

&  Philip  Philips  —  Interpreters  — 


628 


Sir  William  Johnson  Papers 


Moharvks  — 

Abraham 

Kanadagaya 

Hendrick 

Aroghiadecka 

Tobarihoga 

Onohario 

with  232  others 


Indian  Chiefs  present 
Onondagas  — 
The  Bunt 
Teyawarurit 
Diaquanda 
Tawashughti 
Adiushkanoran 
Depokadori 
wth.  326  others 


Senecas — 

Gaustrax 

Odongot 

Sayenquaraghta 

Ausquisahawe 

Osourdoa 

Wanugsissa 

wth.  470  others 


Oneidas 

Ganaghquieson 

Nicholazera 

Senughsis 

Gayugeta 

Tagawaron 

Tayehase 

Wadori 

wlh.  480  others  — 


Cayugas 

Tagaaia 

Skanarady 

Attawawna 

Kaingseraragarat 

Tohutiniendantea 


Tuscaroras 
Saquareesera 
Kanigot 
Tyaghawehe 


with  410  others  —        wth.  350  others 


The  Pheasent  —  Benevissica  —  Killbuck  &  Turtleheart  — 

wth.   16  others —  wth.  410  others —  wth.  27  others  — 


Nanticokes  — 
jemmy  Nanticok 
with  1 38  others  - 

Chughnuts  — 
Adarundungas 
wth.  65  others 


Oughwagoes  — 
Adam  &  Peter 
wth.  278  others  — 

Minisink  Indns.  - 
Tot  —  90  — 


Canoys  —     Tuteloes 
last  night        38  ,  — 

wth     96   Qrs 

• 

Cognawageys 
Tot  —  29  — 


Total  of  IncR  3102  —  22 


* 


* 


22  From  this  point  the  narrative  is  identical,  except  for  the  following 
enumeration  of  Indians  and  concluding  paragraphs,  with  that  printed  in 
Doc.  Rel.  io  Col.  Hist.  N.  Y.,  8:11  3-34. 


Indian  Affairs,   1766-68 


629 


Octob'.    30th. 

This  day  the  number  of  Indians  present  stood  as  follows 


Mohocks  &  Conajohares.  196 

Oneidas    480 

Tuscaroras  of  3  Villages .  377 

Onondagas     320 

Cajugas    410 

Senecas    470 

Shawanese 44 

Delawares    39 

Caghnawages     37 

Nanticokes     138 


2511 


Conoys     96 

Chugnuts    65 


Onougquagoes 
Tuteloes 
Schohares     .  . 
Oriscas   &ca. 


Tot 


175 
38 
36 
87 


497 


2511 


3008 


Ind 


ns 


* 


#        # 


Novr.  6th.  Sunday  —  At  the  Ceremony  of  Condolence  Sir 
William  gave  6  New  Black  Belts  to  Cover  the  Graves  of  the  Six 
following  Chiefs  viz  — 


One  for  Kanadiorah,  a  Mo- 
hock 

One  for  Kadirehoakta,  an 
Oneida 

One  for  Tianaghroongo,  a 
Cayuga 


One     for     Onaghkaridawi,     a 

Seneca 
One     for     Misquibelahihe,     a 

Shawanese 
One     for    Tepiskahawang,     a 

Delaware 


Which  gave   the   utmost  pleasure   to   their  Connections,   and 
satisfaction  to  the  sev1.  Nations  assembled  then  at  Fort-Stanwix  — 


630  Sir  William  Johnson  Papers 

FROM  THOMAS  PENN 

L.S.1 

London  Novbr.  2d.  1768 
Dear  Sir  — 

I  have  just  received  the  favour  of  your  Letter  of  the  24th.  of 
August,2  before  which  I  had  an  account,  which  gave  me  much 
concern,  that  you  had  been  very  much  indisposed,  and  was  gone 
to  the  Sea  water  for  the  recovery  of  your  health;  which  by  your 
return,  and  immediate  attendance  on  business,  I  hope  is  estab- 
lished ;  I  am  very  much  concerned  any  expression  in  my  Letter  of 
the  13th.  of  February3  should  have  given  you  the  least  dissatis- 
faction, I  am  sure  anything  that  was  said  did  not  proceed  from 
the  least  doubt  I  had  of  your  doing  every  thing  in  your  power  for 
the  Service  of  my  family,  consistant  with  your  duty  to  the  Crown, 
but  as  I  wrote  to  a  publick  officer  I  only  hoped  there  was  not  any 
thing  in  my  request  that  would  interfere  with  the  interest  of  the 
publick,  for  as  to  any  private  interest  of  your  own  I  had  not,  nor 
could  not  have  had  that  in  view;  I  hope  this  will  remove  any 
disagreable  impression  the  reading  that  Letter  may  have  made 
upon  you,  and  make  not  the  least  doubt  but  you  will  transact  this 
treaty  with  the  Indians  as  far  as  regards  Pensilvania  in  such 
manner  as  will  be  most  beneficial  to  us  as  far  as  you  can  get  the 
Consent  of  the  Six  Nations.  I  have  an  entire  dependance  on  your 
friendship,  and  as  I  hear  my  Nephew4  Mr.  Peters5  Mr.  Chew* 
and  Mr.  Tilghman'  will  wait  on  you,  fully  expect  all  matters 
will  be  settled  in  such  manner  as  will  be  perfectly  to  our  satisfac- 
tion, I  can  with  great  truth  assure  you  that  I  wish  much  to  get 
your  affair  here  finished  as  much  to  your  satisfaction,  and  hope 


1  In  New  York  Public  Library. 

2  Johnson  Papers,  6:335-36. 

3  Ante  pp.  427-28. 

4  Lieutenant  Governor  John  Penn,  of  Pennsylvania. 

5  Richard  Peters. 

6  Benjamin  Chew. 

7  James  Tilghman. 


Indian  Affairs,   1766-68  631 

it  will  be  so  in  the  end  and  with  smal  expence  as  it  is  proposed  to 
make  the  grant  here  without  referring  you  to  the  Governor  of 
New  York,  when  we  can  get  over  the  affair  of  the  associates  who 
now  appear  to  have  an  interest  in  the  Land,  and  I  expect  to  have 
soon  your  answer  to  my  Letter  of  the  1  1 lh.  of  August8  last  on 
that  subject. 

I  am  very  Sensible  the  persons  Concerned  in  the  New  England 
claim  do  not  approve  of  your  doing  us  justice  in  your  opinion  of 
that  affair  if  they  think  it  worth  their  while  to  apply  to  the 
King  in  Council  I  wish  they  would  do  it,  as  I  think  it  more 
propper  such  a  dispute  should  be  heard  soon  than  delayed  'til  the 
people  are  dead  that  could  give  the  best  evidence  of  the  facts 
relating  to  the  affair. 

I  am  much  concerned  to  hear  of  the  Reformation  in  the  Indian 
affairs,  as  the  saving  a  little  money  may  be  the  Means  of  loosing 
twenty  times  the  Sum,  as  well  as  the  lives  of  our  Inhabitants.  Lord 
Shelburne  has  resigned,  as  has  Lord  Chatham,  we  shal  soon  see 
on  the  meeting  of  Parliament  what  America  is  to  expect.  I  hope 
her  interests  will  be  cooly  considered,  tho  we  have  too  many 
violent  people  in  the  house  that  I  fear  will  choose  rather  to  shew 
their  power  by  taxing,  than  their  wisdom  by  giving  encouragement 
to  Trade  to  get  ten  times  the  Sum.  You  may  be  assured  of  my 
constant  attention  to  your  affair  as  I  am  with  great  truth 

Dear  Sir 

Your  most  affectionate  Friend  and 
obedient  humble  Servant 
Sir  Wm.  Johnson  Bar*.  —  Tho  Penn 


8  Johnson  Papers,  6:320-21. 


632  Sir  William  Johnson  Papers 

AN  INDIAN  CONFERENCE 

Contemporary  Copy1 

At  a  Meeting  with  the  Shawanese,  Delawares  &  Mingoes  of 
Ohio  held  at 

Johnson-Hall  November  the  12th.  1768  — 

Being  all  assembled  Sir  Wm.  addressed  them  as  follows 

Brothers,  the  Shawanese  &  Delawares  &ca.  — 

I  bid  you  all  wellcome  to  my  House  where  the  Council  fire 
turns  bright  for  you,  and  all  other  nations  in  alliance  with  the 
great  King  of  England,  and  I  am  glad  to  see  you  well  after  your 
Journey,  and  the  fatigues  of  the  Congress,  which  I  hope  has  been 
agreeable  to  you  all,  and  that  you  throughly  understood  the  whole 
of  it,  and  are  able  to  make  it  known  to  your  sev1.  nations,  which  I 
expect  you  will  fully  do  — 

4  Strings  — 
Brothers 

I  Spoke  to  you  at  Fort-Stanwix  with  a  new  Belt,  and  desire 
you  will  keep  in  mind  what  was  said  thereon.  —  I  have  a  few 
things  more  (which  I  think  very  necessary)  to  say  to  you,  and 
desire  that  you  will  attend  seriously  to  them  — 

4  Strings 
Brothers  — 

Nothwithstanding  his  Majesty,  the  King  of  great  Britain  is 
now  at  Peace  with  all  the  European  powers,  &  desirous  of  con- 
tinuing so,  there  are  some  foolish,  and  ill  disposed  Tribes  of 
Indians  living  to  the  Westward  of  us,  and  at  the  back  of  you,  who 
contrary  to  their  promises,  and  Engagements,  often  (Since  the 
reduction  of  Canada)  entred  into  with  me,  and  my  Officers  have 
Violated  the  same,  and  in  Contempt  of  us,  and  our  numerous 
Allies,  killed  &  plundered  several  of  the  Kings  Subjects,  your 
Bretheren,  &  friends  going  to  and  from  the  Illenois  Country,  with 
Cargoes   of    Merchandize    for   the   use   of   all    Nations   in   that 


1  In  Canadian  Archives,  Indian  Records,  Vol.  8. 


Indian  Affairs,   1766-68  633 

Quarter,  by  which  means,  the  road  is  become  bloody,  and  likely 
to  grow  up  with  Briars,  and  other  prickly  Brambles,  unless  pre- 
vented by  you,  and  the  other  well  disposed  Nations  in  them  parts, 
whose  interest  it  is  to  keep  that  communication  free  and  open.  — 
I  do  therefore  by  this  Belt  desire  &  expect  that  you  will  on  your 
return  speak  to  them  foolish  Indians,  &  let  them  know,  that  if 
they  further  disturb  the  Peace  of  this  Country,  that  the  English, 
as  well  as  their  Numerous  Allies  to  the  Sun-rising  will  look  upon 
them  as  drunken  people,  and  Shake  them  by  the  head,  untill  they 
come  to  their  Senses 

A  black  Belt  with 
14  nations  represented  thereon 
Brothers  &  Friends  — 

I  am  informed  that  your  Nation,  or  some  of  them  living  at 
Scioto  have  thoughts  of  moving  up  the  river  nearer  to  Fort-Pitt  — 
whether  this  be  so  or  not,  you  have  not  told  me,  neither  have  you 
made  known  to  me  the  purport  of  the  several  Belts  brought  by  you 
to  the  six  nations,  both  wch.  I  ought  to  be  made  acquainted  with, 
I  shall  therefore  be  glad  now  to  hear  the  truth  of  these  things 
from  your  selves  — 

4  Strings 

Benewisco  Chief  of  the  Shawanese  Spoke  as  follows  — 

Brother  — 

When  you  sent  for  our  Nations  to  Ohio  last  Summer  to  attend 
the  Congress  you  was  going  to  hold  with  the  Six  Nations,  and  all 
other  Tribes  in  that  Country,  We,  that  you  see  here  of  the 
Shawanese,  Delawares,  and  Six  Nations,  were  appointed  to 
attend  that  great  Council,  and  to  hear  what  you  had  to  say  to  us 
from  the  Great  King;  and  we  have  heard  every  thing  you  have 
said  to  the  Six  Nations,  and  to  us  at  the  Meeting,  and  likewise 
what  you  have  said  to  us  here  yesterday,  all  which  we  find  to  be 
very  good,  and  you  may  be  Assured,  that  we  will  truely,  and 
faithfully  report  it  to  our  Nations  who  sent  us  here,  as  soon  as  we 
return  home  — 

A  String 


634  Sir  William  Johnson  Papers 

Brother  — 

Three  years  ago  when  our  Deputies  were  here  in  Council  wth. 
you,  and  all  the  Nations  in  this  Country,  you  spoke  to  us  & 
recommended  to  our  Nations  at  Ohio  to  make  every  thing,  you 
told  us  there,  known  to  all  the  Nations  down  the  Ohio,  and  over 
the  Lakes,  &  likewise  to  all  the  Southern  Nations,  with  whom 
we  must  be  acquainted,  —  all  which  we  have  done,  —  at  the 
same  time,  the  Six  Nations  spoke  to  us  to  the  same  purpose, 
which  we  likewise  complied  with.  —  we  promised  you  that  we 
would  undertake  that  great  work.  —  and  we  have  accordingly 
kept  our  own  Warriors  quiet  ever  since,  and  done  every  thing 
in  our  power  to  promote  Peace  with  all  Nations  to  the  Sun- 
setting,  many  of  which  are  very  ill-disposed,  and  we  have  often 
desired  you  not  to  let  your  people  scatter  alone  [along]  down 
the  River,  and  in  the  Woods  amongst  those  foolish  Tribes  'till  we 
had  got  their  final  determination,  which  we  have  not  yet  done,  but 
as  soon  as  we  do,  you  may  be  assured  you  Shall  hear  it  from  us. 
—  As  to  the  Speeches  we  brought  to  the  Six  Nations,  we  have 
told  your  Deputy  the  heads  of  them  —  (here  they  allude  to  what 
they  told  Col.  Croghan  at  Fort-Stanwix,  and  which  you  have  in 
writing)  —  And  we  desire,  Brother,  that  you  will  not  think  amiss 
of  us,  and  we  deliver  this  Belt  to  you  to  assure  you  that  we  will 
for  the  future  inform  you  of  everything  that  comes  to  our 
knowledge.  — 

A  Belt  — 
Brother  — 

Yesterday  you  desired  to  know  if  it  was  true  that  some  of  our 
nation  were  coming  to  settle  at  Loggs-town  —  it  is  our  old  fire 
place,  and  our  old  King  died  there.  —  we  have  been  scattered  in 
the  Wars,  and  we  are  now  come  to  fix  our  Council  fire  there,  near 
our  Brothers  the  English,  where  the  News  from  all  the  Western 
Nations  will  come.  —  for  we  desire  nothing  more  than  Peace, 
and  to  be  at  Liberty  to  Hunt,  &  exchange  our  Peltry  with  your 
Traders,  and  request  that  you  will  order  them  to  deal  fairly  with 
us,  and  do  us  Justice,  as  there  are  bad  men  of  all  nations,  and  we 
hope  that  you  will  order  those  who  are  to  have  the  care  of  our 


Indian  Affairs,  1766-68  635 

affairs,  to  See  that  Justice  be  done  us  in  our  Trade  with  your 
People.  — 

A  String 
Brother 

I  have  now  done  Speaking,  and  will  inform  our  Nations  of 
every  thing  you  have  Said,  —  And  as  sev1.  Deputies  from  our 
Nations  are  gone  different  ways,  I  believe  you  may  Soon  expect 
to  hear  from  us.  —  I  will  tell  you  one  thing.  —  Rum  is  the  thing 
that  makes  us  Indians  poor  &  foolish,  and  some  of  our  Nations 
have  thought  a  good  deal  about  that  matter,  and  if  all  the  other 
Nations  will  agree  to  it  we  intend  to  desire  you  to  prevent  its 
being  sent  into  our  Country 

Sir  William  gave  them  a  handsome  Present,  and  an  order  to 
Colonel  Fry2  for  Waggons  to  carry  them  to  Lake  Otsego,  and 
also  an  Order  to  Major  Wells3  to  Supply  them  with  Provisions 
whilst  there  and  for  their  Journey,  and  also  for  Boats  —  Gave 
them  three  Pair  of  Colours.  viz1,  one  for  the  Mingoes,  one 
for  the  Shawanese,  &  another  for  the  Delawares  —  gave  them 
also  Some  Cash  to  purchase  provisions  on  their  road  home- 
wards — 

TO  THOMAS  GAGE 

A.L.S.1 

Johnson  Hall  Novbr.  13th.  1768 
Dear  Sir  — 

My  time  has  been  of  late  so  totally  engrossed  with  the  Indians, 
&  the  affairs  of  ye.  Treaty  that  I  had  scarcely  a  Moment  to 
myself,  and  indeed  from  the  many  difficulties,  delays  &  obstruc- 
tions I  could  not  take  upon  me  to  write  with  absolute  Certainty 
concerning  the  Issue  of  my  proceedings. 


2  Colonel  Hendrick  Frey. 

3  Major  John  Wells  of  Cherry  Valley. 

1  In  William  L.  Clements  Library;  draft,  varying  slightly  and  in  muti- 
lated form,  was  printed  in  Johnson  Papers,  6:453-54.  In  the  draft  the  first 
sentence  was  preceded  by,  "Since  the  receipt  of  your  Letters  of  the  10th. 
UK" 


636  Sir  William  Johnson  Papers 

The  Indians  had  Several  Belts  of  a  verry  dangerous  tendency 
amongst  them,  the  Distance  of  time  since  the  first  proposal  of  the 
Boundary  and  the  Artifices  practiced  upon  them  Since,  with  a 
varity  of  other  concurring  circumstances  had  made  the  Boundary 
to  appear  in  a  verry  different  light  to  the  Indians  than  before, 
&  consequently  rendered  it  a  work  of  much  difficulty.  — 

The  upper  Nations  were  verry  long  by  the  way,  performed 
several  condolances,  and  had  many  private  Meetings  together  in 
each  Nation,  this  retarded  the  Treaty,  and  greatly  encreased  the 
Expence,  particularly  in  the  Article  of  provisions,  as  above  1 000 
of  them  were  Assembled  for  Several  Weeks  before  the  Whole 
came  in,  who  together  made  ab*.  3100,  So  that  I  was  necessitated 
to  buy  up  all  the  Cattle  I  could  procure  for  them,  Corn,  pease, 
flower  &ca.  — 

As  I  only  returned2  here  a  few  days  ago,  &  am  yet  Surrounded 
by  a  Number  of  Gentlemen  who  accompanied  me,  as  also  by  the 
Shawanese,  Delawares,  &  Mingoes  of  Ohio  it  is  but  in  my 
power  to  inform  You  that  notwithstanding  the  many  difficulties 
&  delays  I  had  to  struggle  with,  the  Line  is  at  length  Settled 
beyond  my  expectations  and  more  favourably  than  was  proposed 
by  ye.  Crown.  They  have  executed  a  Deed  of  Cession  to  his 
Majesty  and  I  have  reason  to  think  are  returned  home  in  a  Much 
better  disposition  than  they  came  out  with.  —  The  particulars 
I  am  necessitated  to  defer  for  the  present,  but  I  shall  as  soon  as 
possible  lay  them  before  You,  together  with  the  Material  parts 
of  my  Transactions,  and  I  shall  be  verry  happy  to  find  that  they 
meet  with  your  approbation.  — 

I  now  enclose  You  as  many  of  ye.  Accompts  of  the  last  half 
Year,  as  are  come  to  my  Hands,  for  the  amount  of  which,  I  shall 
be  glad  to  have  yr.  Warrant.  I  shall  Send  you  by  next  Post  the 
Ace1,  of  Expences  which  attended  the  late  Treaty.  In  mean  time 

I  am,  Dear  Sir 
Your  most  Obedient 
His  Excellency  &  verry  Humble  Servant 

General  Gage  —  W  Johnson 


2  From  the  Congress  at  Fort  Stanwix. 


Indian  Affairs,  1766-68  637 


INDORSED : 

Sir  WilK  Johnson  B*. 
Johnson  Hall  Nov'.  13th.  1768 
Inclosing  2  Accts.  — 
Recd.  at  N  York  1 sl.  Decr.  — 
Answd.  — 


FROM  HENRY  MOORE 

New  York  No*.  13k  1768. 

I  have  lately  receiv'd  a  letter  from  Ld.  Holland2  desiring  that 
I  would  pay  for  his  part  of  the  purchase,  as  likewise  the  fees  of 
Office  &  send  his  Patent  home  to  him,  His  Lordship  tells  me 
that  as  soon  as  he  receives  his  Patent  the  Earl  of  Ilchester3  will 
send  me  directions  concerning  his  share  so  that  these  shares  must 
now  be  divided  which  I  never  apprehended  would  be  the  case. 
—  I  must  now  beg  the  favor  of  you  to  let  me  know  what  will  be 
the  amount  of  Ld.  Hollands  proportion,  as  he  is  to  have  20,000, 
Acres;  which  is  more  than  he  would  have  been  intitled  to  for  a 
tenth  part  of  the  whole;  Mr.  Hasenclever4  is  satisfy'd  with  the 
18,000  Acres  allotted  to  him,  as  is  likewise  General  Gage  with 
his  share,  &  Mr  Walton5  has  only  the  half  (viz.  12000  Acres) 
of  what  was  intended  for  Mr  Schuyler;6  The  remainder  I  appre- 
hend was  to  be  divided  among  the  Gentlemen  for  whom  you  were 
concern'd  together  with  Ld.  Ilchester,  Ld.  Holland,  after  a  loca- 
tion was  granted  to  Cap1.  Sterling7   of  An  Officer's  right  for 


1  In  New  York  Public  Library. 

2  Henry  Fox,  first  Lord  Holland,  1  705-1  774. 

3  Stephen  Fox  Strangways,  first  Earl  of  Ilchester. 

4  Peter  Hasenclever. 

5  William  Walton,  ei  al. 

6  Probably  David  Schuyler. 

7  Captain  Thomas  Stirling. 


638  Sir  William  Johnson  Papers 

3000  Acres.  By  this  I  imagine  that  the  share  you  take  will 
amount  to  about  25,000  Acres,  &  as  the  rest  of  the  Persons 
concern'd  are  now  going  to  take  out  their  Patents  that  the  lands 
may  be  divided;  If  you  will  be  pleas'd  to  give  orders  to  any  person 
in  Town  to  forward  your  share  through  the  Offices,  the  Expences 
relative  to  LA  Holland  shall  be  allow'd  out  of  the  Fees  of  the 
great  Seal.  I  desir'd  Mr  Wetherhead8  to  let  you  know  that  Mr. 
Lawyer9  had  been  twice  in  town  concerning  the  Schoharie  Patent, 
&  that  we  now  only  wait  for  your  Orders.  —  I  hope  this  will  find 
you  return'd  home  &  that  the  Congress  has  answer'd  your  Expec- 
tation, Pray  let  me  know  as  soon  as  you  conveniently  can,  what 
has  been  done  in  regard  to  this  Province,  &  if  either  Indisposition 
or  Business  should  prevent  your  coming  to  this  Town,  You  will 
favor  me  with  the  Plan  you  had  form'd  for  the  Indian  Trade,  that 
I  may  lay  it  before  the  House  of  Assembly  which  is  now  Sitting. 
—  I  think  it  would  be  proper  for  you  to  write  me  a  letter  relative 
to  the  request  made  by  the  Mohawk  Indians  concerning  the  Lands 
about  their  Castles  being  secur'd  to  them  that  I  may  be  able  to 
ground  an  Act  of  Assembly  upon  it.  —  I  am  with  the  greatest 
truth  &  Regard 

Sr 

Your  Most  Obedient 
&  humble  Ser1. 

H :  Moore 
The  Location  of  3000  Acres  for  Cap1.  Stirling,  was  to  be  out  of 
the  surplusage  of  the  General's  share  who  paid  for  one  5th. 


INDORSED 


,10 

Novb-\  13*  1768 

Govr.  Moores 
Letter  — 


8  John  Wetherhead. 

9  Johannes  Lawyer. 

10  In  Sir  William's  hand. 


Indian  Afairs,   1766-68  639 

FROM  DANIEL  CLAUS 

IV™. bwg2  13  Nov.  1768  — 
9  p.m. 
Honored  Sir 

Inclosed  I  send  my  Acco1.  of  Indn.  Expences  of  last  half  Year 
wch,  agreable  to  your  Letter  I  made  up  since  4  oClock  this  After- 
noon it  amounts  something  higher  than  usual  on  Acco1.  of  a  greater 
Number  of  distant  Nations  having  been  at  Montreal  last  Summer; 
As  I  did  not  receive  your  Approbation  of  charging  Mr. 
Goodards3  Expences  before  the  Expiration  of  September  Term 
I  shall  bring  it  in  next  Acco1.  —  I  have  restricted  Mr.  Pillet4 
with  regard  of  incurring  any  Expences  during  this  Winter  without 
immediate  Necessity  and  I  conceive  there  can  hardly  be  any  in 
the  course  of  the  Winter.  — 

Mrs.  Claus  joins  me  in  Duty  &  Respect  And  am  honored  Sir 

Your  Obedient  Son 

Dan.  Claus 
To 

The  Honble.  Sir  Wm.  Johnson  Bar1. 
&c  &c  &c  &c  — 

indorsed:5 

Co1.  Clau's  Letter 
Novo'.  13th.  1768 
wth.  his  Acc,s.  to  7br.  last 


1  In  New  York  State  Library. 

2  Home   of    Daniel    Claus,    first    home    of    Sir   William    north    of   the 
Mohawk. 

3  James  Stanley  Goddard. 

4  J.  G.  Pillet.  ' 

5  In  Sir  William's  hand. 


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REPORT  OF  INDIAN  TRADE 

Contemporary  Copy1 

[Niagara  1 6th.  Novemr.  1768] 

An  Ace*,  of  the  Numbr.  of  Batteaus  arrived  at  &  passed 
Niagara,  with  the  Value  of  their  Cargoes  from  27th.  April  1767 
to  1 6th.  Novemr.  1  768. 


Total 


No.  of  Batteaus 


245 


No.  of  Men 


954 


Where  come 
from 


Schenecdy. 
Montreal 


Where  bound  to  Gallons  of  Rum 


Pounds  of 
Powder 


Total 


Detroit,  Niagara 

Michillina.  & 

Illenois 


68,3 1 2 


16,011 


Pounds  of  Lead 

N°.  of  Fusees 

Value  of 

Cargoe  N.  York 

Currency 

Total 

27,996 

261 

£30,102..  18* 

Quebec  Currency  — 

Total 

£18,119..  19*.  .0d.— 

Normd.  MacLeod 

Commissi  of  Indn.  Affairs 


1  In  Canadian  Archives,  Indian  Records,  Vol.  7. 


Indian  Affairs,   1766-68  651 

TO  THOMAS  GAGE 

Johnson  Hall  Novbr.  I8ih.  1768 
Dear  Sir  — 

At  the  desire  of  the  Gentlemen  signified  in  the  enclosed  letter 
from  Lf.  Roberts,2  I  send  it  You  together  with  an  Affidavit,  and 
Copy  of  a  letter  from  Ensign  Robert  Johnston3  to  me,  not  with 
a  View  to  his  prejudice  but  to  shew  the  Sentiments  he  formerly 
conceived  of  Rojers.  I  find  that  Ainse4  the  Interpreter  who  I  have 
always  understood  to  be  a  good  Man,  of  much  Influence  amongst 
the  Indians,  is  now  in  Jail  loaded  with  Irons  on  a  Charge  of  Mr. 
Bostwick,5  that  he  was  present  and  busy  in  the  plundering  his 
Goods  at  Michilimacinac  altho  he  has  (as  I  am  informed)  Cer- 
tificates of  his  Good  behaviour  at  that  time.  I  know  there  are 
several  French  Men  whom  ye.  Traders  have  Sworn  to  be  aiding 
&  Assisting  in  both  Robberies  &  Murders  during  the  Indian 
War,  who  have  hitherto  escaped  with  impunity,  if  Ainse  is  of 
that  Number  He  deserves  no  favour,  but  should  it  appear  that  at 
this  distance  of  time  he  has  been  arrested  to  invalidate  his  Testi- 
mony on  Ace1,  of  the  weight  of  his  Evidence  agst.  Rojers,  and 
that  People  busied  themselves  in  his  behalf  thro  an  apprehension 
that  they  should  lose  their  Money  unless  he  was  Acquitted,  I 
think  the  Case  a  little  odd,  and  that  the  Man  deserves  Relief. 
These  things  with  the  enclosures  I  take  the  liberty  to  Mention 
in  confidence  to  You,  being  only  meant  to  explain  Matters,  as  I 
should  be  sorry  that  any  part  of  a  private  Correspondence  with 
me  should  operate  to  the  prejudice  of  any  Person  mentioned 
in  them.  — 


1  In  William  L.  Clements  Library;  draft  in  mutilated  form  was  printed 
in  Johnson  Papers,  6:466-68. 

2  Benjamin  Roberts  to  Johnson,  Oct.  29,  1  768,  ante  pp.  612-15. 

3  Feb.  24,  1  768,  ante  pp.  443-45. 

4  See  Deposition  of  October  29,  1  768,  ante  pp.  615-16. 

5  Henry  Bostwick. 


652  Sir  William  Johnson  Papers 

I  wrote  You  last  Week,  &  enclosed  my  Accfe.,  I  therein  told 
You  that  I  should  give  You  the  principal  parts  of  my  late  Trans- 
actions soon,  which  I  hope  to  do  by  next  Post. 

My  great  hurry  whilst  at  Fort  Stanwix  has  I  find  occasioned 
me  to  neglect  answering  your  letter  of  the  10*.  Ult°.6  with  en- 
closures from  the  Ilinois  &ca.,  on  the  Subject  of  which  I  likewise 
received  information  about  ye.  Same  time.  It  is  impossible  to 
prevent  the  Nations  about  the  Ouabache  from  being  guilty  of 
Some  Disorders  so  long  as  ye.  Spaniards  or  rather  the  French 
their  Agents  have  that  intercourse  with  them,  which  they  now 
actually  have,  at  the  same  time,  Such  Acts  of  Violence  are  not 
to  be  borne  with,  &  some  measures  should  be  imediately  taken 
to  check  them.  — 

As  the  Cheifs  of  the  Shawanese  &  Delawares  attended  the 
Late  Treaty,  and  as  the  former  in  particular  have  much  Inter- 
course &  Connection  with  those  You  mention,  I  have  Spoke  to 
them  &  the  rest  Generally  at  the  Treaty,  and  now  as  they  return 
home  by  this  rout,  I  have  particularly  &  warmly  spoke  to  them 
on  these  Subjects  with  Several  Belts  to  their  People  to  be  com- 
municated to  all  their  Connections  in  such  a  manner  as  I  hope 
may  be  paid  regard  to,  any  thing  else  that  can  occurr  to  me  shall 
be  performed,  and  proper  regard  paid  to  whatever  You  shall 
direct  on  the  Subject. 

I  perfectly  agree  with  You  in  opinion  that  the  Apprehending 
any  Indians  who  might  come  in  to  Sue  for  peace  to  Fort  Chartres 
will  be  (at  least  by  their  Nation)  deemed  a  breach  of  faith,  and 
fail  of  answering  ye.  purpose  intended,  'Tho  I  am  persuaded  the 
Officer  meant  it  for  the  best.  One  thing  I  have  found  by  repeated 
experience  is,  that  when  Indians  are  guilty  of  any  outrage,  the 
punishment  of  an  Individual  rather  makes  them  worse,  and  that 
they  are  never  to  be  threatened,  unless  we  are  prepared  &  find  it 
practicable  to  put  our  threats  into  imediate  execution,  being 
naturally  a  cool  people  unaccustomed  to  utter  their  Sentiments 
wth.  much  Warmth,  do  usually  consider  a  threat  as  a  Declaration 


6  Johnson  Papers,  6:433-34. 


Indian  Affairs,  1766-68  653 

of  War,  &  in  general  Act  accordingly,  and  should  we  fail  of 
Accompanying  our  Words  with  Actions,  they  acquire  fresh 
Courage  &  fury  from  the  Supposition  that  we  are  afraid,  or  unable 
to  attack  them,  for  amongst  themselves  should  One  Nation  affirm 
they  are  Angry  with  another,  Hostilities  always  ensue,  if  the 
partys  are  able  to  commit  them,  and  they  are  too  apt  to  Judge  of 
Others  by  themselves. 

I  hope  You  find  Matters  go  on  quietly  at  Boston,  I  beleive 
You  know  my  Sentiments  of  these  People,  they  never  Expected 
that  the  Government  would  have  adventured  to  find  fault  with 
their  Conduct,  &  their  Mortification  is  equal  to  their  Dis- 
apointment,  — 

I  am  with  the  most  perfect  Esteem 
&  Respect 

Dear  Sir 
Your  most  Affectionate 
His  Excellency  &  verry  Humble  Servant 

General  Gage  —  W,  Johnson 


INDORSED : 


Sir  Wm.  Johnson  Bf. 
Johnson  Hall  Nov.  18th.  1  768. 
Inclosing  a  Letter  from  Mr. 
Roberts,  &  a  Certificate 
concerning  the  Behavior 
of  Louis  Ainse.  Copy  of  a 
Letter  from  Ensign  Johnston 
Recd.  at  N.  York  1  Decr.  — 
Answd.  — 


654  Sir  William  Johnson  Papers 

TO  THOMAS  GAGE 

A.L.S.1 

Johnson  Hall  Novbr.  20th.  1768 
Dear  Sir  — 

Since  Sending  off  my  last  of  the  18th.2  DeCoaugne  the  In- 
terpreter arrived  from  Niagra  with  Letters  in  consequence  of  the 
inclosed  order  Issued  by  Capf.  Brown.3  —  You  will  please  to 
recollect  that  Some  time  ago  I  wrote  You,  that  I  thought  it  best 
not  to  remove  the  Officers  of  Trade  too  Suddenly,  but  to  continue 
them  to  next  March,  to  give  the  Colonies  time  to  form  necessary 
Establishments,  otherwise  they  might  in  case  of  any  disturbances 
alledge  that  the  Removals  were  made  before  their  Legislatures 
had  time  to  make  the  necessary  provision,  of  all  which  You  were 
pleased  to  approve.  In  consequence  thereof,  I  directed  them  to 
retrench  as  Much  as  possible,  but  continue  in  Office  'till  farther 
Orders,  Now  as  they  cant  possibly  Stay  without  provisions  &ca. 
I  think  it  best  to  direct  Mc.Leod4  &ca.  to  buy  flour  &ca.  to  give 
occasionally,  when  necessary  until  you  may  please  to  give  Orders 
for  their  receiving  provisions  'till  March. 

As  I  am  on  the  Subject  I  would  desire  ye.  favour  of  You  to 
inform  me  whether  You  think  best  that  the  Comisrys.,  Smiths  & 
Interpreters  Should  be  directed  to  withdraw  by  the  25th.  of 
March  next,  &  whether  it  Should  be  general  to  extend  to 
Michilimacinac  or  not,  as  some  are  at  a  great  distance  the  Sooner 
they  are  fully  advised  thereof  the  better.  — 

The  Indians  have  spoke  verry  warmly  on  Some  of  these  Sub- 
jects, &  made  Some  Articles  the  Conditions  of  their  Cession  to 
the  King,  as  You  will  See  when  I  send  that  part  of  the  Transac- 
tions, I  am  therefore  of  Opinion,  that  Some  body  may  be  found 
absolutely  necessary  on  the  part  of  the  Crown,  particularly  if  the 


1  In  William  L.  Clements  Library;  draft  in  mutilated  form  was  printed 
in  Johnson  Papers,  6:479. 

2  Ante  pp.  609-10. 

3  Captain  John  Brown,  commandant  at  Niagara. 

4  Captain  Normand  MacLeod. 


Indian  Affairs,  1766-68  655 

Provinces  dont  make  proper  provision  for  Interpreters  &  Black- 
smiths. 

I  am  so  hurried  that  I  have  only  time  to  add  that 

I  am  most  Sincerely  &  Affectionately 
Dear  Sir 

Your  most  Obedient 
His  Excellency  &  verry  Humble  Servant 

General  Gage  —  W,  Johnson 

The  enclosed  came  under  cover  to  me 

INDORSED : 

Sir  William  Johnson  Bl. 
Johnson  Hall,  Nov'.  20th.  1  768. 
Inclosing  an  Order  given  out 
by  Captn.  Brown  at  Niagara. 
Recd.  at  N  York  Dec'.  4th.  1  768. 
Answd.  — 


JOURNAL  OF  INDIAN  AFFAIRS 

Contemporary  Copy1 

[Johnson  Hall,  Nov.  20  J  768] 

Novr.  20th.  —  A  Deputation  from  the  Conajoharees  arrived 
here,  &  acquainted  Sir  William  that  at  a  full  meeting  of  their 
nation  they  had  concluded  to  request  him  to  get  them  a  place  of 
worship  built  towards  which  they  had  collected  amongst  them- 
selves one  Hundred  Dollars,  and  promised  that  they  would  assist 
all  in  their  power  towards  the  building  of  one,  as  all  their  people 
were  desireous  of  having  it,  and  of  having  their  young  people 
instructed  — 

Sir  William  promised  them  all  the  assistance  in  his  power,  and 
to  convince  them  of  his  readiness  wrote  to  Mr.  Harkimer2 


1  In  Canadian  Archives,  Indian  Records,  Vol.  8. 

2  First  name  not  given.  Intended  for  Herkimer. 


656  Sir  William  Johnson  Papers 

to  employ  people  to  Quarry  Stones  for  that  purpose,  and  at  the 
same  time  wrote  to  Doctor  Auchmuty,3  Mr.  Peters4  &ca.  con- 
cerning their  request.  — 

They  returned  many  thanks,  and  then  begg'd  that  Sir  Wm. 
would  get  a  Surveyor  for  them  to  run  round  their  Lands,  that 
they  might  mark  the  Trees,  and  set  up  Monuments  of  Stone  at 
the  sev'.  angles  thereby  to  prevent  disputes  between  them  &  the 
White  people  — 

Sir  William  answered  them,  that  he  would  have  it  surveyed  as 
soon  in  the  Spring  as  the  Weather  would  permit.  — 

The  Indians  of  the  Several  Nations  as  far  as  Cayuga  repre- 
sented to  Sir  William  the  melancholly  prospect  of  starving  unless 
assisted  by  him,  as  all  their  Corn  was  destroyed  by  the  early 
frosts.  —  Sir  William  promised  them  assistance,  and  accordingly 
wrote  to  York  for  a  couple  of  thousand  Bushells  of  Corn  for  that 
purpose  — 


TO  GOLDSBROW  BANYAR 

A.L.S.1 

Johnson  Hall  Novb'.  24*  1768 
Dear  Banyar  — 

I  now  sit  down  to  acknowledge  ye.  Receipt  of  Your  Several 
letters  &  other  papers.  I  could  easily  give  You  Sufficient  reasons 
for  my  Silence,  but  flatter  myself  there  is  no  necessity  for 
apologizing,  as  You  Must  be  in  some  measure  sensible  of  the 
Arduous  Task  I  had  in  hand  these  three  Months  past,  which  I 
have  at  length  got  'thro,  much  for  the  Interest  of  the  Crown,  and 
I  hope  to  the  Satisfaction  of  all  concerned.  — 

I  do  assure  You  that  the  greatest  trouble  &  difficulty  I  met 
with  was  to  bring  the  Oneidaes  to  allow  the  Line  to  run  any 
farther  West  than  Oriskane  Creek,  this  engaged  All  my  Interest 


3  Rev.  Dr.  Samuel  Auchmuty.  Letter  not  found. 

4  Rev.  Richard  Peters.  Letter  not  found. 

1  In  New  York  Historical  Society,  Banyar  Papers. 


GOLDSBROW  BANYAR 
Portrait  by  John  Trumbull  in  Albany  Institute  of  History  and  Art. 


Indian  Affairs,   1766-68  657 

&  Influence  three  Days  &  almost  3  Nights  they  gave  many  reasons 
for  their  unwillingness  to  part  with  the  Lands  above  that  Creek.  I 
shall  only  mention  a  few,  Viz',  that  a  line  from  any  part  farther 
West  thence  towards  Delaware  would  take  in  some  Settlements 
of  Indians,  and  come  close  to  their  own  Villages,  which  they 
plainly  foresaw  would  be  productive  of  Several  Inconveniencies, 
if  not  Squabbles  &  Daily  Disputes  between  them  &  us,  which 
they  chose  to  avoid.  That  it  was  the  property  of  a  few  Familys 
who  did  not  incline  to  part  with  so  Valuable  a  Tract,  &  so  good 
a  place  as  that  is  for  Hunting  &  Fishing.  They  likewise  observed 
that  altho  they  had  long  disused  transporting  goods  over  the 
carrying  place,  yet  as  Game  grew  daily  scarce  they  purposed  to 
keep  Horses  &  Carriages  to  carry  over  Goods  &c  as  formerly  to 
earn  some  Money  for  their  Familys  And  notwithstanding  all  I 
had  said  to  them  concerning  ye.  Characters  of  those  who  made 
the  Oriskane  purchase,  they  said  they  had  the  greatest  reason  to 
doubt  of  an  Indian  Deed  wh.  had  but  one  Signers  name  to  it, 
besides  all  this  there  were  2  New  England  Missionaries  who 
attended  the  Congress,  and  used  everry  means  in  their  power  with 
the  Oneidaes  (whose  particular  property  that  part  of  the  Country 
is)  to  prevent  their  parting  with  it,  poisoning  their  Minds  with  a 
thousand  Storys,  &  publickly  avowing  before  Several  Gentlemen 
that  they  had  given  all  the  obstruction  they  could  to  it,  and  would 
continue  to  do  so.  However  I  at  last  prevailed  on  them  to  give  up 
all  Claim  to  the  Patent  of  Oriscane  for  the  Sum  of  one  thousand 
Dollars  which  I  then  paid  them,  &  also  prevailed  on  them  to  ex- 
tend the  Boundary  line  with  this  Province,  by  running  from  the 
Susquahana  along  the  West  Side  of  Tianaderha  Creek2  &  its 
West  Branch,  to  the  Mouth  of  Canada  Creek,  which  Empties 
into  Wood  creek  about  8  Miles  beyond  Fort  Stanwix.  This 
was  the  Utmost  I  could  get  them  to  consent  to. 

When  Governour  Moore  was  up  here  about  2  Years  ago,  I 
purchased  a  Tract  of  Land  from  the  Oneidaes  on  the  North 
Side  of  the  Mohawk  River,  Supposed  then  to  contain  about  200 


2  The  Unadilla. 


658  Sir  William  Johnson  Papers 

thousand  Acres,  but  on  a  Survey  turned  out  to  be  no  more  than 
127  thousand  Acres,  of  which  I  reserved  one  Fifth  for  Some  of 
my  freinds  who  had  repeatedly  applied  to  me  to  get  them  some 
Land.  I  advanced  the  purchase  Money,  private  presents,  Ex- 
pences  of  Survey  &ca.  as  <p  the  inclosed  Ace*,  will  appear.3  — 
Govr.  Moore  in  his  letter  of  the  13th.  Curr'.4  writes  me  that  Lord 
Holland  (who  is  to  have  a  part  of  Sd.  Tract)  is  now  verry  de- 
sireous  of  having  the  Affair  Settled,  &  a  Pattent  for  his  Share  Sent 
to  him,  As  is  also  Lawyer  of  Scohare,  who  he  says  has  been 
twice  to  York  to  Get  out  a  patent  for  a  Tract  of  30,000  Acres 
lying  at  Scohare,  of  which  I  am  to  have  a  fourth  part,  and  have 
paid  £  1 32  towards  my  part  of  the  Expences,  at  the  time  the 
purchase  was  made,  So  that  by  the  Governors  own  Calculation 
I  am  Still  to  pay  £173.  .9.  .  7'/2,  which  Compleats  my  fourth 
part  of  the  whole  Expence  of  that  Patent,  &  What  I  fall  short 
of  the  other,  will  appear  by  the  inclosed  Ace1.,5  for  the  payment 
of  both  which  Deficiencys,  I  send  you  a  Draft  on  Mr.  Mortier 
for  Two  Hundred  &  thirty  pounds,  which  I  beleive  will  be  about 
the  Sum,  and  which  I  must  beg  the  favour  of  You  to  manage 
for  me  in  the  best,  &  most  expeditious  manner  You  possibly  can. 
I  wrote  You  several  Months  ago  concerning  Some  Lots  of 
Land  in  little  Sacondaga  &ca.,  but  by  yr.  not  Answering  I  imagine 
ye.  letter  did  not  reach  You,  if  it  did,  I  should  be  glad  You 
would  inform  me  what  they  are,  and  where  little  Sacondaga  lyes 
as  I  know  no  such  place.  —  The  Number  of  letters  &  [ 
papers  before  me,  wh.  require  dispatch,  prevent  my  touching  upon 
other  Subjects  at  this  time,  and  oblidge  me  to  defer  adding  further 
at  present  than  to  Assure  You,  that  I  am 

Dear  Banyar, 

Your  most  Sincere  freind 
&  Affec".  Humble  Servant 
Golds  Borrow  Banyar  Esqr.  W  Johnson 


3  Post. 

4  Ante  pp.  637-38. 

5  Post. 


Indian  Affairs,   1766-68 


659 


PS.  The  Patent  of  Oriscane  is  a  verry  fine  Tract,  and  it  gave  me 
great  pleasure  that  I  effected  that  point  in  the  Manner  &  on  the 
Terms  I  did  for  the  Parties  concerned,  there  are  about  9  Indian 
familys  that  live  on  it,  Who  they  expect  will  not  be  removed, 
but  they  have  not  long  resided  there,  neither  will  they  long  con- 
tinue as  I  apprehend,  and  had  I  insisted  on  their  imediate  removal, 
it  would  have  prevented  the  Settlement,  &  would  have  likewise 
obstructed  ye.  Boundary  Line. 


INDORSED: 


November  24th.  1 768 

From  Sir  William 
Johnson 


ACCOUNT  OF  EXPENCES 

A.D.S.1 

[November  24,  1768] 

The  Oneidae  Tract  on  the  North  Side  of  the  Mohawk  River 
on  the  back  of  Cosby's  Mannor,  Dr.  — 
To  the  first  Expences  &  payment .  .  . 
To  2  Cheifs  Decbr.  30th.  following . 

To  ye.  purchase  of  3  Miles  added  to 
ye.  former  so  as  to  make  up  the  25 
Miles 

To  Fry  &  Yates  Surveyors  as  <p  Ace* 


D° O. 

By  Cash  paid  Sir  H.  Moore , 


Ballance  due  to  me  this  24th 
Day  of  Novber  1  768 


£  917. 

.   5. 

.  2 

8. 

.   7. 

.   0 

206. 

.15. 

. — 

172. 

.16. 

.   4 

£1305. 

.  3. 

.   6 

£  462. 

.   6. 

. — 

£  842. 

.17. 

.   6 

W  Johnson 


1  In  New  York  Historical  Society,  Banyar  Papers. 


660 


Sir  William  Johnson  Papers 


I  am  to  have  a  full  fifth  part  of  the  Whole  Tract  the  Expence 
of  which  You  will  be  so  good  to  pay,  what  I  fall  Short,  cant 
be  much  — 

[Reverse  of  sheet] 

Expences  attending  Lawyers  Tract  as  Sent  me  by  the  Gov- 
ernour,  who  is  to  have  a  fourth  part  as  well  as  my  self  — 
To  the  Survey  as  <j$  Lawyers  Ace*. .  . 

Indian    purchase 

Receiver  Generals   Fees 

Surveyor  Generak  D° 

Secretary  of  the  Province 

Attorney   General 

Great    Seal 


My  fourth  part  of  that  Sum  is 

I  Advanced  to  Lawyer  at  ye.  time  ye. 
purchase  was  made 


£    111. 

2. 

.  6 

430. 

— . 

. — 

5. 

16. 

. — 

90. 

— . 

. — 

120. 

— . 

. — 

90. 

— . 

. — 

375. 

— . 

. — 

£1221. 

18. 

.   6 

£   305. 

9. 

•  iVi 

132. 

___ 

So  that  I  owe  yet 


£    173..  9..   7|/2 
W  Johnson 


REPORT  OF  INDIAN  TRADE 

Contemporary  Copy1 

[Niagara,  November  24,  1768.] 

Return  of  the  Peltry  Traded  for  at,  &  passed  Niagara  from 
the  1 4th.  of  May  1 767  to  the  24th.  November  1  768.  — 


No.  of  Batteaus 

No.  of  Men 

Where  come 
from 

Detroit  Niagara 
&  Michillmak*. 

Total 

313 

886 

(•     «t     <i 

1  In  Canadian  Archives,  Indian  Records,  Vol.  7. 


Indian  Affairs,   1766-68 


661 


Where 
bound  to 

Packs  of  & 

Montreal  & 
Schenectady 

Packs  of 
Beaver 

Packs  of 
Otters  — 

loose  Fishr. 
Skins 

Total 

it     it     «t 

786 

31|/2 

1 

Packs  of  & 
loose  Bear  Skins 

Packs  of  dress'd 
Leathr. 

Packs  of 
undress'd  Leathr. 

Total 

L    P 

2304-612 

1,255 

729 

Packs  of 
Racoons 

Packs  of 
Fox  Skins 

Packs  of 
Cat  Skins 

Total 

849|/2 

17 

29 

Packs  of  & 
loose  Martin 

d«. 

Ps.  of  mixed 
Peltry 

Packs  of  & 

loose  Elk 

Skins 

Tot  of 
Packs 

Total 

48:2 

355 

12:114 

4781 

Nord.  McLeod 

Commissary  of  Indian  Affairs 


662  Sir  William  Johnson  Papers 

TO  THOMAS  GAGE 

A.L.S.1 

Johnson  Hall  Novb'.  [Deck.]2  9*.  1768 
Dear  Sir  — 

I  have  wrote  You  Several  letters,  the  last  of  which  was  the 
24th.  Ult°.3  with  Inclosures  which  I  hope  You  have  received,  and 
that  this  will  find  You  returned  to  New  York.  — 

I  now  Inclose  You  the  Ace',  of  Expences  Attending  the  late 
Treaty4  (for  ye.  Am',  of  which  I  beg  the  favour  of  yr.  Warrant) 
which,  tho  at  first  View  it  may  Seem  large,  will  on  a  due  consider- 
ation of  the  length  of  time  attending  it,  the  Number  of  Indians  & 
the  great  Extent  and  value  of  the  Cession  be  found  verry  moderate. 

This  goes  by  Major  Gorham,0  who  amongst  other  things  tells 
me  that  there  are  about  6000  Stand  of  French  Arms  lying  use- 
less &  Spoiling  in  the  Arsenal  at  Hallifax,  Some  parts  of  which, 
if  occasionally  given  out  to  those,  &  the  Indians  of  Nova  Scotia, 
would  be  verry  Seasonable  and  acceptable  to  them,  and  would 
create  a  Saving  of  Expence  which  I  submit  to  Your  Considera- 
tion. — 

I  have  lately  received  a  Letter  from  Lord  Hillsborough  in- 
closing me  a  Copy  of  a  report  of  the  Board  of  Trade,  with 
Memorials  &ca.  relating  to  an  Application  for  a  Grant  of  the 
Mines  about  Lake  Superior  and  desireing  my  Opinion,  I  find  that 
the  Same  is  laid  before  You  for  Yours,  which  if  favourable  the 
Affair  will  be  forthwith  Settled,  and  Some  Persons  of  Con- 
sequence in  England  are  to  be  concerned  in  it,  I  should  be  glad 
to  hear  from  You  upon  it,  and  happy  if  we  agree  in  Sentiments  in 


1  In  William  L.  Clements  Library;  draft,  in  mutilated  form,  dated  Dec. 
9,  1  768,  is  printed  in  Johnson  Papers,  6:524-25. 

2  Should  read  "Decbr.";  draft  was  so  dated,  indorsement  makes  correc- 
tion, and  Johnson  to  Gage,  Jan.  4,  1  769,  post  pp.  682-83,  acknowledges 
mistake. 

3  November  24,  1  768,  printed  in  Doc.  Hist.  N.  Y.,  4:397-98. 

4  Treaty  of  Fort  Stanwix. 

5  Major  Joseph  Gorham,  deputy  superintendent  of  Indian  Affairs  in 
Nova  Scotia. 


Indian  Affairs,   1766-68  663 

the  Matter,  I  beleive  the  point  can  be  soon  Settled  with  the 
Indians,  &  that  it  may  be  made  appear  to  be  their  Interest,  This  is 
the  principal  thing  they  want  from  me,  and  I  beleive  the  Object 
may  be  worthy  Attention  from  the  Acc,s.  generally  given  of  the 
quantity  &  value  of  the  Ore  in  that  Country.  — 

Ll.  Patt.  Sinclair  has  wrote  me  twice  concerning  His  Servant 
who  was  killed  by  the  Indians,  requesting  that  He  may  have 
some  Allowance  for  Him,  I  submit  it  to  Your  Consideration 
whether  I  should  pay  him  any,  or  what  Sum  as  a  Restitution 
for  the  Loss.  —  6 

Just  As  I  had  finished  this,  I  received  a  pacquet  from  Michili- 
macinac  wherein  Cap1.  Glasier7  gives  me  Some  particulars  of  the 
Artifices  of  the  French  &  Spaniards  Corroborating  what  I  have 
often  wrote  upon,  of  Discoveries  he  had  made  concerning  Rojer's 
Schemes  to  the  Westward  &ca.  &ca.,  but  I  need  not  to  particularize 
these  Matters  as  I  suppose  He  has  mentioned  them  in  the  Letter 
to  You  which  I  send  by  Major  Gorham.  — 

I  am  with  the  most  perfect 
Regard, 

Dear  Sir 

Your  Most  Obedient 
&  most  faithfull  Humble 
His  Excellency  Servant 

General  Gage  —  W  Johnson 

indorsed  : 

Sir  Wm.  Johnson 

dated  Novr.  (Supposed  to  Mean 

Dec'.)  6*.  1768.8 

received  Decr.  1  7th.  — 


6  The  case  of  the  murder  of  Lieut.  Sinclair's  servant  was  related  in  John- 
son to  Gage,  July  1  1  and  Sept.  22,  1  767,  Doc.  Hist.  N.  Y.,  2:858,  and 
866-67. 

7  Captain  Beamsly  Glasier. 

8  Correct  date  is  December  9,  1  768. 


664  Sir  William  Johnson  Papers 

Transmiting  a  general  Ace1, 
of  the  Expences  of  the  Treaty 
at  Fort  Stanwix,  for  Settling 
The  general  Boundary  with 
the  Indians  — 
Answered  — 


TO  GOLDSBROW  BANYAR 

Decb>:  9th,  /768 
Dear  Banyar  — 

I  wrote  You  lately,  which  I  hope  You  got  safe,  this  goes  by 
Major  Gorham2  meerly  to  ask  You  what  is  done  in  Co1. 
Vaughans3  Land  Affair,  wh.  was  Surveyed  this  last  Summer.  He 
wrote  me  Some  time  ago,  that  he  had  advanced  to  Mr.  French4 
on  his  Draft  the  Sum  of  £  120  Str§.,  altho  nothing  done  in  it  at 
that  time,  neither  have  I  heard  that  there  has  been  any  thing  done 
in  it  Since,  except  the  Survey.  and  who  paid  for  the  Survey 
I  know  not.  the  Inds.  who  attended  it  are  not  yet  paid.  I 
wish  You  would  by  ye.  next  Post  let  me  know  about  that  affair, 
as  also  abl.  Everry  thing  wrote  You  in  my  last.  — 

I  am  Dear  Banyar  with  great  truth,  Yr.  Welwisher 

&  Humble  Servant 
Goldsborow  Banyar  Esqr.  —  W  Johnson 

I  did  not  observe  before  I  finished  this,  that  it  was  but  a  half 
sheet,  so  hope  y1.  excuse  it.  I  have  not  time  to  write  it  over, 
being  much  hurried  — 


1  In  New  York  Historical  Society,  Banyar  Papers. 

2  Major  Joseph  Gorham. 

3  Lieutenant  Colonel  John  Vaughan. 

4  John  French. 


Indian  Affairs,   1766-68 


665 


ACCOUNT  AGAINST  THE  CROWN 

Contemporary  Copy1 

Johnson  Hall  Dec.  9th.  1768 

The  Crown Dr. 

Novemr.  1768 

To  what  Paid  to  the  Six  Nations, 
&ca  in  Publick  for  the  Cession  of 
Land  they  made  to  the  Crown .  .  . 
Sterling  £  10,460.  . 7.  .3 


17,932..   7..  91/2 


Private  presents  to  the  principal 
Sachems  of  the  Several  Nations,  & 
to  the  Chieftains  in  Cash 

To  a  Party  of  80  Stockbridge 
Indians  &  13  Abanacks,  Cash, 
and  an  Order  for  a  Present  to  be 
made  them  in  Schenectady  before 
the  Treaty  began,  as  their  Stay 
would  Occasion  a  greater  Scarcity 
of   Provisions 

To  Expences  in  going  to  Fort  Stanwix 

To  2  Indians  who  came  Express  from 
Ohio  with   Letters 

To  2   Indian   Express   from  Chenessio 
Sent  by  the  Interpreters 

To    an    Express    from    Albany    with 
Letters    

To  Cleaning  &  Repairing  the  Sev- 
eral Apartmts.  making  Tables  and 
Benches  for  the  Company 


978.. 12..— 


106. .11 


15..  3. 
12. .16. 

5. .14. 

6. . — . 
12. .17. 


1  In  William  L.  Clements  Library,  Gage  Papers;  inclosed  in  Gage  to 
Abraham  Mortier,  New  York,  Dec.  20,  1  768. 


666 


Sir  William  Johnson  Papers 


To  2  Indians  Sent  to  hurry  the  Nations 

To  making  a  large  Arbour  for  a  Coun- 
cil house,  Seats  &ca 

To     Corporal     Pearson     for    Sundry 
Services     

To  the  Oneida  Chief  Thomas  &  An- 
other   

To  2   Cayugas  Sent  by  their  Nation 
with  Messages 

To  3  Senecas  Sent  by  the  Interpreters 
with  Letters 

To  Cash  to  the  Oghquagoe  Indians 
for  3  Canoes  Supplied  the  Chero- 
kees  last  Spring  returning  by  the 
way  of  Susquehana 

To   the    Oneidas    for   Cattle   &    Hogs 
killed  for  the  Upper  Nations 

To  1 0  Bushels  of  Indian  Corn  for  them 
@  4S/^     

To  making  a  parcel  of  Wampum  Belts 
at  Fort  Stanwix 

To  Lace  bought  for  36  Hats,  &  putting 
it    on 

To    54    fat    Cattle,    bought    of    John 
Wickwier    

To  4  fat  Cattle  bought  from  the  Oris- 
kane    Indians 

To  2   Messengers  Sent  to  Oneida   to 
hurry  the  Indians 

To  an  Express  Sent  by  Mr.  Croghan 
from  the  Indian  Country 

To  Canquiesa  for  an  Ox  &  a  Hog  bof. 
from   him 


5..  4.. 
9. .17.. 
3. .12.. 
1.18.. 
4. .12.. 
7. .19.. 

8. .16.. 


10. 

.12. 

.  — 

2. 

.  — . 

. — 

6. 

.15. 

. — 

18. 

.15. 

.  9 

302. 

.11. 

.   6 

20. 

. — . 

. — 

3. 

.  6. 

. — 

4. 

.18. 

. — 

8. 

.  2. 

Indian  Affairs,  1766-68 


667 


To  an  Express  from  Albany  with  the 
Genls.  &  other  Letters 

To  an  Indian  Sent  by  Spencer2  with 
an  Acco*.  of  the  Approach  of  the 
Indians    

To  Horse  hire  in  the  Seneca  Country 
for  the  Interpreters 

To  Nicholosera  &  AnouV.  Indn.  for  2 
fat  Cows  &  a  hog 

To  3  Indians  hired  to  Accompany 
Mr.  Preston3  Sent  to  Collect  the 
Indians  who  were  25  Days  gone 

To  an  Oghquage  Chief  for  a  hog  of 
his   given   to    Indians 

To  a  Man  Sent  Express  to  the  Flatts 
for  more  Cattle 

To  5  Sheep  bought  at  Fort  Stanwix .  .  . 

To  Cash  to  the  Indians  of  the  Sev- 
eral Nations,  thro'  whose  towns 
the  rest  passed  for  Provisions  Sup- 
plied  them 

To  Several  Canoes  &  Boats  to  carry 
the  Sick  &  Old  home 

To  their  Rum,  Powder,  &ca 

To  a  Feast  to  the  Oneidas  on  giving  up 
to  Canada  Creek 

To  Horse  Hire  to  the  Several  In- 
habitants, Attendance  &ca 

Riding  firewood  7  weeks  &  Cutting  it 
for  all  the  Company 

To  Expences  Returning  from  Fort 
Stanwix     


6.  .  — . 


1. 

5. 
12. 
15. 


14 
16 
10 


2..16..— 

2..—..— 
5. .  — . . — 

16. . 18. . 10 


27. 

.12.. 

8. 

.16.. 

6. 

. — . . 

38. 

. — . . 

22. 

.18.. 

19. 

M.. 

8 


2  Thomas  Spencer. 

3  Lieutenant  Achilles  Preston. 


668 


Sir  IVilliam  Johnson  Papers 


To  Thomas  Spencer's  Pay  from  the 
26th.  April  to  the  10th.  November 
199  Days  @  8/Collectg.  &  bring- 
ing down  several  Nations 

To  Achilles  Preston  69  Days  on  Same 

Service  @  8/ 

To   Jeles   Fundas    Acco'.    for  Sundry 

goods    

To   Rudolph   Shoemaker's   Acco'.    for 

Cattle,  Corn,  Flour  &ca 

To  Gilbert  Tice's  Account 

To  Duggart's  Acco' 

To  the  Taylors  Acco'.  making  Blanket 

Coats,  Flags  &ca 

To  John   Burk   7   Weeks  &   5    Days 

keeping  the  fat  Cattle 

To  John  Butler's  Accof 

To  Cattle  purchased  at  Fort  Stanwix 
for  provision  to  supply  the  most 
distant  Nations  homewards 

To  Losses  Sustained  by  the  Inhabi- 
tants, Viz'.  Fences,  Grain  &ca 
from  the  great  Number  of  Indns. 
assembled  after  leaving  Fort  Stan- 
wix    

To  Quin  and  Bradhacks  for  Sundrys . 

To  Hendrick  Markets  Acco' 

To  an  Express  Sent  to  York  with  the 
Cession  &  proceedings 


79.. 12..- 


27. 

.12. 

. — 

271. 

.  9. 

.11 

883. 

.  2. 

.  2 

665. 

.  3. 

.  6 

1. 

.18. 



27. .19..  8 

9..  8..— 
28. .15..  4 

46..—..— 


56. .14..  8 

38.12..— 

36..16..— 

10..  —  ..— 


Curcy.     £21,923..  2..  3|/24 
(Signed)      W  JOHNSON 


4  Gage's    warrant    converts     this    sum     in     New    York    currency    to 
£12, 788.. 9.  .8  Sterling. 


Indian  Afairs,  1766-68  669 

FROM  MICHAEL  BYRNE 

Copy1 

Fort  Ontario  9th.  December  1768 
DR.  Sir. 

This  being  the  last  Opportunity  I  can  Expect  the  pleasure  of 
writing  you,  it  is  my  duty,  Even  to  trouble  you  with  the  little 
occurrences  of  this  Place,  tho'  there  has  been  more  Indians  here 
Since  the  winter  Set  in,  than  was  known  to  come  the  three  past; 
I  have  not  been  Stoped  or  Impeded  in  carrying  on  the  business 
of  my  Duty,  for  the  Department  as  usual.  The  Comanding 
officer  Lieut.  Grant  a  Good  officer  and  a  Sencible  Man,  I 
Imagen  confideing  in  me,  gives  me  a  Discretionary  Power,  to 
give  provisions  to  Indians  as  I  think  necessary,  which  I  believe  will 
be  continued  to  me,  if  not  countermanded  by  Orders  from  the 
General  as  at  Niagara,  See  in  my  last  Extracts  from  Capt. 
Brown's  letters  to  Lieut.  Grant  Comanding  this  Post,  as  I  have 
no  certainty  to  continue  in  this  Service  longer  than  the  24th. 
March  next  I  beg  you  will  remember  to  inform  me  before  that 
time,  whether  I  am  to  be  or  not  to  be  a  servf.  to  the  Crown  under 
you  or  to  the  Province  under  who,  Either  of  which  I  lave  Soly 
to  your  better  Judgment  and  continued  kindness,  Ever  present  to 
a  grateful  mind  in  me.  — 

•J*  •*•  T*  *3^  ^f* 

Capt.  Farrel2  having  suffered  much  by  bad  weather  on  his 
passage  hither,  remains  here  this  winter  as  dose  Lieut.  Cristy3  on 
his  return  from  Montreal,  it  is  now  too  late  to  attempt  the  Lake 
to  Niagara.     *     *     *     * 
Sir  Wm.  Johnson  Michl.  Byrne 


1  In  Oneida  Historical  Society,  Utica,  N.  Y.  Original  letter  in  mutilated 
form  was  printed  in  Johnson  Papers,  6:522-23;  the  above  extract  does  not 
include  one  paragraph  there  printed,  q.v.,  and  the  final  paragraph  above 
does  not  appear  on  the  damaged  manuscript. 

2  Also  referred  to  as  "old"  Captain  Farrell,  and  "Daddy  Farrell." 
See  Johnson  Papers,  5  :68,  757. 

3  Lieutenant  John  Christie  of  the  60th  regiment. 


670  Sir  William  Johnson  Papers 

JOURNAL  OF  INDIAN  AFFAIRS 
Contemporary  Copy1 

[Johnson  Hall,  Dec.  8-16,  1768] 

Decern1".  8th.  A  party  of  Tuscaroras  arrived  here  to  accquaint 
Sir  William  that  after  the  late  Treaty  at  Fort-Stanwix,  the 
Senecas  in  their  way  through  their  Village  had  killed  the  only 
Cow  their  Chief  had,  and  begged  that  they  would  make  up  his 
Loss,  as  it  was  Occasioned  by  his  calling  the  Indians  to  the  said 
Treaty.  —  They  also  requested  to  be  Supplied  with  some  Pro- 
visions for  the  Support  of  some  of  their  people  lately  arrived  from 
the  Southward,  who  had  none  of  their  own,  and  consequently 
must  starve  if  not  assisted  — 

Sir  William  being  convinced  of  the  truth  of  what  they  said, 
and  of  the  reasonableness  of  assisting  them  in  their  great  distress, 
paid  them  for  the  Cow,  and  gave  them  Orders  on  the  Inhabitants 
of  Stone-Raby  for  some  Grain  &ca.  &  also  gave  them  some 
Amunition  —  &  then  Parted  — 

Decr.  1 5  th.  A  Deputation  from  Conowarohere2  arrived  at 
Johnson-Hall,  after  the  usual  Complements  paid  to  Sir  William, 
they  told  him,  that  they  were  sent  by  their  People  to  accquaint 
him  with  the  hard  treatment  their  Village  (in  particular)  had  met 
with  at  the  late  Treaty  at  Fort-Stanwix  in  the  small  share  they 
had  received  of  the  great  Present  and  Money  given  them  (except- 
ing the  Cash  they  got  from  Sir  William  for  some  Lands  given  up 
by  them  from  Oriskane  to  Canada  Creek),  the  Tuscaroras  &ca. 
having  carried  away  what  they  could  without  allowing  a  division 
to  be  made,  as  is  usual  in  such  Cases.  —  they  therefore  requested 
that  Sir  William  would  cause  an  equal  Division  to  be  made  of  the 
ten  thousand  Dollars,  which  the  Proprietors  of  Pennsylvania 
were  to  pay  for  the  Purchase  of  Lands  made  by  them.  —  other- 
wise they  were  apprehensive  of  being  wronged  by  the  other 
nations,  as  they  were  in  Present  &  money  given  by  the  King  — - 
they   also  acquainted  Sir  Wm.  that  a   Disorder  raged  in  their 


1  In  Canadian  Archives,  Indian  Records,  Vol.  8. 

2  Canowaroghare,  now  Oneida  Castle,  south  of  Oneida. 


Indian  Affairs,  1766-68  671 

Nation  which  carried  away  25  of  their  Village  lately,  and  there- 
fore begg'd  that  he  would  allow  them  a  Doctor  for  some  time,  as 
they  themselves  did  not  know  what  to  do  in  sd.  disorder  — 

They  then  requested  that  Sir  William  would  Order  their 
Arms,  Axes  &c  to  be  repaired,  and  to  grant  them  some  Amuni- 
tion  &  Provision  &c  — 

Decr.  1 6th.  Being  all  assembled  Sir  William  told  them,  that  it 
gave  him  concern  to  hear  of  the  unequal  Division  made  of  the 
Kings  present  of  money  and  Goods  by  the  Senecas  &ca.  after  his 
repeatedly  recommending  to  their  Sachems  a  fair,  and  equal  dis- 
tribution, in  which  case  the  whole  Confederacy  would  have 
Shared  handsomely  of  it.  — 

He  then  told  them,  that  as  soon  as  he  received  the  10,000 
Dollars,  he  would  assemble  the  Chief  men  of  every  nation  who 
had  a  right  to  receive  their  Shares,  and  that  himself  would  take 
the  trouble  to  see  a  fair  division  made,  since  they  could  not  trust 
one  another  — 

Sir  William  then  ordered  their  Arms  &ca.  to  be  repaired,  & 
gave  them  some  Amunition,  and  Provision  &ca.  —  then  parted. 


672 


Sir  William  Johnson  Papers 


ACCOUNT  FOR  PROVISIONS 

D.S.1 

New  York  I7ih.  Decern'.  1768. 

Account  of  provisions  sent  from  Albany  to  Schenectady  for 
the  use  of  the  several  Nations  of  Indians  which  lately  met  in 
Congress  with  Sir  William  Johnson  at  Fort  Stanwix. 


When  sent  to 
Schenectady. 

Flour 
pounds 

Pork 
pounds 

Rice 
pounds 

Between  25th.  May  & 
24th.  Octob'.  1 768. 

35,197 

36,330 

5,119 

equal  to  46,603  Yl  Rations  which  at  3^4  d. 
Sterl  cp   Ration,  is 

The  Expence  of  Transporting  said  provi- 
sions from  Albany  to  Schenectady,  is ...  . 


Sterling 
£728.. 3.. 7 

30..0..10 


Total     £758.. 4.. 5 


Robt.  Leake,  Comry 
To  His  Excellency 
The  Honble.  Thomas  Gage 

General,  and  Commander  in  Chief  &ca.  &ca.  &ca 


INDORSED: 


Acco'.  of  provisions  sent  from  Albany 
to  Schenectady  for  the  use  of  the  Indians 
at  the  late  Congress  held  at  Fort  Stanwix 


1  In  William  L.  Clements  Library,  Gage  Papers. 


Indian  Affairs,   1766-68  673 

TO  THOMAS  GAGE 

A.L.S.1 

Johnson  Hall  Decbr.  21si.  1768 
Dear  Sir 

Since  I  had  the  honour  of  writing  You  on  the  9th.2  &  10th. 
Ins1.,3  I  have  had  the  pleasure  of  Your  Letters  of  the  5th.4  and 
one  of  the  4th.  Ins'.5  and  I  am  glad  to  find  by  the  last  mentioned 
that  You  approve  of  what  I  took  the  liberty  of  proposing  concern- 
ing ye.  Detroit  Militia. 

I  hope  that  any  affair  of  party  arising  from  the  late  proceedings 
against  Major  Rojers  may  totally  Subside.  If  not  it  will  be  easy 
to  see  what  keeps  it  up,  the  Gentlemen  concerned  in  the  prosecu- 
tion not  having  ye.  same  Inducements  to  do  him  a  prejudice  as 
Himself  &  Sundry  others  have  to  manifest  his  Innocence,  &  induce 
the  publick  to  Deem  the  Whole  as  a  Malicious  Attack  upon  a 
Man  of  worth. 

Everry  thing  that  could  possibly  occur  to  me  was  Said  to  the 
Shawanese  &  Delawares,  as  well  at  the  Treaty,  as  at  my  House, 
and  it  appeared  to  have  made  a  good  Impression  on  them  from 
their  Answers  &  Observations  on  what  I  had  said  to  them,  and  I 
gave  them  at  their  return  Some  Additional  presents,  and  sent 
them  away  as  well  Satisfied  with  the  whole  of  the  Transactions 
as  was  in  my  power,  for  notwithstanding  their  dependency  on  the 
Six  Nations,  their  perfect  Accordation  to  the  Boundary  is  a 
Matter  in  which  Pensilvania  &  Virginia  are  much  interested  from 
their  Vicinity.  —  I  sent  the  Interpreter  back  to  Niagra  with 
orders  to  Capf.  MacLeod6  to  purchase  provisions  &ca.  'till  your 
pleasure  should  be  known,  &  I  presume  You  will  send  an  Order 


1  In  William  L.  Clements  Library ;  draft  of  this  letter  in  mutilated  form, 
dated  Dec.   16,   1  768,  was  printed  in  Johnson  Papers,  6:536-38. 

2  Ante  pp.  662-63. 

3  Doc.  Hist.  N.  Y.,  4:400-01. 

4  Johnson  Papers,  6:511-15. 
*Ibid.  6:509-10. 

6  Normand  MacLeod,  commissary  at  Niagara. 


674  Sir  William  Johnson  Papers 

respecting  these  Matters,  as  Cap1.  Brown7  Seems  to  think  he  can- 
not revoke  the  former  'till  ye.  receipt  of  fresh  Orders 

The  Board  of  Trade  might  have  had  in  view  the  keeping  up 
Smiths  &  Interpreters  at  the  Posts,  and  Indeed  I  am  persuaded 
that  there  will  be  no  doing  without  them,  but  ye.  Allowance  is 
too  Small  for  that  and  other  necessary  Officers  &  Expences  with- 
out which  the  business  cannot  be  transacted,  What  I  proposed  to 
the  Government  'thro  You  was  the  verry  lowest  that  could  pos- 
sibly be  thought  on,  so  as  to  give  any  attention  at  all  to  Indn. 
Affairs.  I  beleive  the  Crown  is  satisfied  that  some  attention  is 
necessary,  and  I  am  convinced  they  will  never  be  able  to  do  it 
with  fewer  Establishments,  or  at  so  low  a  rate  as  I  lately  pro- 
posed. 

I  am  much  obliged  to  your  kind  Congratulations  on  the  Con- 
clusion of  the  late  Treaty,  which  I  endeavoured  to  render  as 
advantagious  to  the  Crown  &  Publick  as  it  was  in  my  power.  I 
flatter  myself  that  the  proceedings  which  regard  the  continuation 
of  the  Boundary  to  the  Cherokee  River  can  have  no  111  Effect, 
what  I  have  done  is  only  vesting  the  Claim  of  the  Northeren 
Indians  (which  would  always  hang  over  that  Country)  in  the 
Crown.  —  The  Cherokees  in  my  Presence  &  at  my  House  many 
Years  ago  claimed  no  farther,  And  all  the  other  Nations  have 
ever  considered  that  as  the  Six  Nation  Bounds,  but  should  it  now 
be  viewed  otherwise  the  principal  Claim  is  removed,  and  the 
Crown  has  only  to  Settle  with  the  Southeren  Indians  concerning 
it,  and  Should  they  refuse  to  give  it  up,  It  is  in  his  Majestys 
power  to  prevent  the  Colonies  from  availing  themselves  of  the 
late  Cession  in  that  Quarter,  'till  it  can  be  done  with  safety,  & 
ye.  common  Consent  of  all  who  have  Just  pretensions  to  it,  which 
I  beleive  will  be  easily  obtained.  — 

The  Commissioners  on  the  part  of  their  Provinces  have  promised 
that  Good  Laws  Shall  be  Enacted  for  the  Security  of  the  Bound- 
ary, these  Should  certainly  be  penal,  &  as  Explicit  as  possible, 
otherwise  they  will  be  eluded,  &  this  Should  be  prevented  by  a 


7  Captain  John  Brown,  commanding  at  Niagara. 


Indian  Affairs,  1766-68  675 

Vigorous  Exertion  of  these  Laws  against  the  first  Offenders.  — 
The  views  of  the  Missionaries  appear  obvious  under  the  dis- 
guise of  Christian  Zeal,  it  would  exceed  ye.  bounds  of  a  Letter 
were  I  to  relate  likewise  the  many  Arguments  they  Secretly 
produce  to  weaken  the  Church  of  England  which  the  Indians 
verry  ingeniously  repeat  afterwards,  —  I  have  Made  the  Society 
for  propagating  the  Gospel  &  Several  of  the  Clergy  &ca.  ac- 
quainted with  a  good  deal  of  their  Conduct.  —  The  Objects 
they  have  in  view,  &  the  Civil  &  Religious  preeminence  they  are 
gradually  establishing  demands  the  timely  attention  of  those 
whose  business  it  is  to  promote  the  National  Church,  &  secure  i'ts 
Rights  &  Privilidges.  — 

I  am  with  the  most  perfect  Esteem, 

Dear  Sir. 
Your  most  Obedient 
His  Excellency  &  faithfull  Humble  Servant 

General  Gage  —  W  Johnson 

indorsed: 

Sr.  Wm.  Johnson 
Dec'.  21st.  1768 
received  2d.  Janr>\ 
Answered  — 


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680  Sir  William  Johnson  Papers 

ALEXANDER  McKEE  TO  GEORGE  CROGHAN 

[Fort  Pitt,  December  I768]1 

]m  very  sorry  to  find  by  your  favour  that  you  have 
[bee]n  Indisposed.  and  should  be  very  glad  if  you  [w]ould 
come  up:  If  not  I  must  request  the  favour  of  you  to  settle  matters, 
that  I  may  go  down;  with  the  return  of  the  first  convoy.  If 
there  is  to  be  any  Accomodation  with  the  Indians  I  dare  say 
the  Delawares,  most  of  them  will  be  fond  of  it  as  a  great  many  of 
them  were  much  against  the  War. 

I  have  Acquainted  Mrs.  R-t-n-  with  what  you[de]sired.  [S]he 
is  well  &  desire  to  be  remembered  to  you  —  be  so  good  as 
write  my  father  first  oppertunity  [  ]  him  know  I  am  well. 

Mr.  Hutchins3  presints  his  [com]pliments. 

I  am  Dr.  Sir 
Your  very  Humble 
Servant 
Alexander  McKee 

]ON  Esqr. 
ADDRESSED: 

To 

George  Croghan  Esqr. 
at 

Fort  Bedford 


1  Probable  date  supplied  from  Johnson  Calendar,  p.  412. 

2  Thomas  McKee. 

3  Thomas  Hutchins. 


Land  Development,   1769-74  681 

FROM  THOMAS  GAGE 

Contemporary  Copy1 

New  York  January  2d.  1769.  — 
Dear  Sir, 

I  have  only  time  to  thank  you  for  your  Letter  of  the  21st. 
Ultimo.2  You  will  recieve  a  Letter  from  Lord  Hillsborough  by 
this  Opportunity  on  the  Subject  of  the  allowances  for  your  De- 
partment, and  the  Expences  of  the  Congress.3  I  don't  see  how  the 
Expences  can  now  be  got  from  the  Provinces  concerned,  or  in 
what  manner  their  different  Quota's  can  be  ascertained.  As  the 
Lands  Ceded  are  the  Property  of  the  Crown,  they  may  be  sold, 
as  I  concieve  for  the  Benefit  of  the  Crown,  as  before  they  were 
sold  by  the  Indians,  I  speak  of  the  Tracts  Ceded,  that  shall  fall 
to  the  Share  of  New  York  and  Virginia. 

Mr.  Penn4  must  make  an  Agreement  for  the  Tract  which 
falls  within  his  Province. 

These  methods  occurr  to  me  as  the  only  means  by  which  the 
Crown  can  be  reimbursed.  I  shall  have  the  pleasure  to  hear 
from  you  on  these  Subjects. 

I  Am, 
Dear  Sir, 
Sir  Wm.  Johnson  Bart.  &ca 

INDORSED : 

Copy./ 
To 
Sir  Wm.  Johnson  Bart. 
Johnson  Hall 
New  York  January  2d.  1  769. 


1  In  William  L.  Clements  Library. 

2  Ante  pp.  673-75. 

3  Congress  at  Fort  Stanwix. 

4  John  Penn,  lieutenant  governor  of  Pennsylvania. 


682  Sir   William  Johnson  Papers 

TO  THOMAS  GAGE 

Johnson  Hall  Janrv.  4th.  J  769 
Dear  Sir  — 

I  had  the  favour  of  your  letter  of  the  1 9th.  of  last  Month,2  and 
acknowledge  the  Mistake  of  the  Date  of  my  letter  You  mention, 
which  should  have  been  the  9th.  of  Decbr.  — 

I  have  sent  your  letters  for  Niagra  &ca.  by  a  verry  carefull 
Hand,  and  have  heard  that  ye.  Schooner  which  ran  on  Shore  at 
Sandusky  has  been  since  got  off  by  cutting  away  her  upper 
Works  &ca.  and  is  arrived  at  the  Detroit.  I  suppose  that  the 
Speeches  Cap1.  Glasier3  has  transmitted  are  the  Same  with  those 
He  sent  me,  I  enclose  You  an  Extract  of  everry  thing  material  in 
his  letter,  —  You  will  find  by  it  that  the  Letters  from  La  Rain 
which  he  says  contained  Matter  of  Importance  were  mislaid,  and 
are  not  come  to  Hands.  —  The  Substance  of  his  Intelligences 
are  of  much  the  same  Nature  with  regard  to  ye.  Spaniards  & 
French  as  those  I  have  had  &  continue  to  receive  from  different 
Quarters.  — 

I  wrote  Ll.  Sf.  Clair4  somewhat  to  the  effect  mentioned  in 
Yours,  as  I  am  of  the  same  way  of  thinking,  and  I  should  not 
have  mentioned  it  to  You  but  that  I  have  been  well  assured  that 
that  Gentleman  had  taken  upon  him  at  one  of  the  Posts  to  Con- 
demn my  Conduct  as  unjust  for  not  paying  him,  and  to  make  use 
of  some  extraordinary  Language  which  it  is  not  his  Interest  I 
should  repeat.  — 

I  am  much  cblidged  to  You  for  the  Extract  of  your  Letter 
concerning  the  Mines  at  Lake  Superior,  and  I  agree  with  You 
regarding  the  great  improbability  of  its  answering  the  Expence 
that  must  attend  it,  As  to  prevailing  upon  the  Indians  to  admit 


1  In  William  L.  Clements  Library;  draft  in  mutilated  form  is  printed  in 
Johnson  Papers,  6:564-65. 

2  Johnson  Papers,  6:540-41. 

3  Captain  Beamsly  Glasier. 

4  Lieut.  Patt  Sinclair. 


Land  Development,   1769-74 


683 


of  their  project  I  beleive  it  practicable  with  the  Assistance  of 
some  Persons  who  are  concerned  that  have  great  Influence  there, 
and  by  taking  effectual  measures  to  prevent  the  Indians  from 
being  imposed  upon  or  111  treated,  which  is  a  difficult  task,  as 
for  the  rest  I  observed  that  I  had  often  heard  of  these  Mines  & 
that  the  Ore  was  verry  rich  but  that  former  Attempts  of  Persons 
in  Canada  had  totally  failed  of  Success  altho  the  Hire  of  Battoe- 
men  &  the  prices  of  Labour  were  then  much  lower  in  that  Country 
than  they  are  at  present,  that  the  Distance  &  Difficulties  of  Trans- 
portation were  great  which  I  explained  in  General  Terms,  and 
that  with  regard  to  the  Quantity  of  the  Ore,  or  whether  it  was  an 
Object  that  would  answer  the  Expence  I  could  not  take  upon 
me  to  answer  wth.  Certainty.5  — 

I  am  with  greath  Truth  &  Esteem 
Dear  Sir 

Your  Most  Obedient 
&  verry  Humble  Servant 

W  Johnson 
His  Excellency 
General  Gage 


INDORSED : 


Sr.  Wm.  Johnson 
Jan*.  4th.  1  769 


received 
answc 


Inclosing  Extract  of  a  Letter  from  Cap1.  Glasier  at  Missilimakinac 


5  Compare  Sir  William's  letter  to  the  Earl  of  Hillsborough,  Doc.  Rel.  to 
Col  Hist.  N.  Y.,  8:140-42. 


684  Sir  William  Johnson  Papers 

TO  GOLDSBROW  BANYAR 

January  5th.  1769 
Dear  Banyar  — 

Since  mine  to  You  of  the  24th.  Novbr2  &  9th.  Ult°.3  I  am 
favoured  with  Yours  of  the  19th.  of  Decbr.4,  and  am  to  thank 
You  for  your  promise  of  acting  for  me  in  the  Two  Patents  I 
am  concerned  in. 

I  find  by  a  late  letter  from  Governr.  Moore  that  the  Calcula- 
tion which  he  formerly  sent  me  was  wrong  both  as  to  the 
quantity  of  Land  &  the  amount  of  Fees,  by  his  last  Estimate 
of  the  Fees  of  Lawyers  purchase  (which  he  now  calls  37,000 
Acres)  I  am  yet  to  pay  £231  .  .  1 .  .  V/2  Which  with  £  132  I 
paid  towards  the  Indian  purchase  makes  up  the  fourth  part  of  ye. 
Whole  which  is  what  I  am  to  have  in  that  Tract.  — 

As  to  the  Fees  of  my  Fifth  part  of  the  Oneida  purchase  on 
the  North  Side  of  the  Mohawk  River,  (in  the  Name  of  Peter 
Servis)  You  will  be  so  Good  to  Settle  also.  You  have  the  Ace1, 
of  what  I  advanced  for  those  Concerned  therein,  which  is 
£  1 305 .  .  3 .  .  6,  of  which,  I  received  from  GoV.  Moore 
£  462  .  .  6 .  .  —  So  that  the  Ballance  Still  due  by  them  to  me  is 
£  842 .  .  1  7 .  .  6,  and  falls  Short  of  my  fifth  Share  of  ye.  Fees 
&  Expences  of  that  Tract  £43.  .3.  .2  by  my  Calculation  for 
which  I  send  you  a  Draft  on  Mr.  Mortier  enclosed,  which, 
with  the  one  before  Sent  You  will  I  think  make  out  my  Share 
of  Fees  in  the  two  above  mentioned  Tracts  for  which  I  wish  the 
Patents  were  Granted,  that  I  might  fulfill  my  promise  to  Several 
Gentlemen  who  are  to  have  part  in  them.  — 

I  am  extremely  glad  it  was  in  my  power  to  Serve  Mr.  De 
Lancey5  &  the  other  Gentlemen  concerned  in  the  Several  Tracts 
on  both  Sides  of  the  Mohawk  River  from  Cosbys  Mannor  up- 


1  In  New  York  Historical  Society,  Banyar  Papers. 

2  Ante  pp.  656-59. 

3  Ante  p.  664. 

4  Not  found. 

5  Oliver  DeLancey. 


Land  Development,  1769-74  685 

wards,  &  hope  that  what  I  was  oblidged  to  pay  the  Oneidaes  for 
them  on  that  Ace*,  will  not  be  thought  unreasonable,  having  had 
I  assure  You  a  long  &  hard  Struggle  to  bring  them  to  agree,  or 
accept  of  so  Small  a  Sum.  — 

As  to  what  You  mention  with  regard  to  the  Zagaghquetna6 
Tracts,  I  am  to  inform  You  that  the  Indians  have  given  up  all 
pretensions  to  all  them  Tracts,  and  the  Same  is  entered  in  the 
private  Minutes  which  were  too  lengthy  to  be  copied,  the  like 
they  have  done  to  the  Tracts  on  the  North  Side,  altho  the  Line 
was  not  continued  North  of  Canada  Creek,  because  (as  I  think 
I  observed  to  the  Governour)  the  Indians  were  for  limitting  the 
Province  in  a  Manner  that  would  not  have  been  agreable  And 
even  desired  that  it  should  run  from  Canada  Creek  to  the  North 
West  Corner  of  the  Last  purchase  on  the  North  Side  of  the  River, 
&  so  continue  it  to  Lake  George,  along  the  Rear  of  the  present 
Grants.  This  I  objected  to,  and  it  was  at  last  agreed  that  the 
line  should  Stop  at  Canada  Creek  until  his  Majestys  pleasure 
is  known,  when  I  hope  with  his  Orders  that  I  shall  be  enabled 
to  obtain  a  much  more  advantagious  Line  to  the  Northward.  — 

I  had  a  letter  lately  from  Mr.  Harry  Cuyler7  of  Albany  con- 
cerning \J.  Co1.  Vaughans8  Land,  on  wh.  I  answered  him  as  fully 
as  I  could,  the  Survey  is  yet  unpaid,  as  are  the  Indians  who 
attended  it,  &  who  are  daily  plauging  me  for  their  pay.  the 
Indian  purchase  was  paid  by  me,  wh.  was  soon  after  repaid  by 
Lf.  Borvden,9  I  have  not  seen  the  Survey  but  am  Informed  it  will 
be  about  5,  or  6  thousand  Acres  — 

I  wish  you  all  Happiness,  and  am  with  real  regard, 

Dear  Banyar, 

Your  most  Sincere  Freind 
&  Humble  Servant 
Golds  Borrow  Banyar  Esqr.  —  W  Johnson 


6  Sidaghqueda   (Sadaghqueda)   Creek.  See  Sauthier's  Map.  Doc.  Hist. 
N.  Y.,  I,  774;  and  Beauchamp,  Aboriginal  Place  Names,  p.  141. 

7  Henry  Cuyler,  Albany  merchant.  Letter  not  found. 

8  Lieutenant  Colonel  John  Vaughan. 

9  Lieutenant  Thomas  Bowden  of  the  46th  regiment. 


686  Sir  William  Johnson  Papers 

PS.  pray  let  me  know  in  which  of  ye.  Patents  above  Cosbys 
Mannor,  that  the  Clarks  are  concerned,  whether  they  would  Sell, 
for  how  much,  &  whether  any  Division  between  them  &  the  other 
Patentees  was  ever  made.  — 


INDORSED: 


Janx.  5.  1 769 

From  Sir  Wm.  Johnson 

24  Nov.  1768  Order  on  Mr.  Mortier  for  £230  — 

5Jany.  1769  for  £50 


FROM  CADWALLADER  COLDEN 

Copy1 

Spring  Hill  January  //"■.  1769. 
Dear  Sir, 

It  is  a  very  long  time  since  I  had  the  pleasure  of  receiving  a 
line  from  you  or  of  writing  to  you.  You  may  have  reason  to  think 
that  I  am  principally  to  blame  since  I  had  the  last  letter  from 
you.  I  delayed  writing  in  hopes  of  having  some  subject  to  write 
on  &  tho'  I  expected  such  I  was  disappointed.  Now  I  cannot 
suffer  the  new  year  to  begin  without  renewing  that  correspondence 
which  has  given  me  so  much  pleasure.  May  this  year  be  no  less 
honorable  to  you  by  your  successful  services  to  the  crown  &  your 
Country  than  the  last  was  &  which  will  remain  forever  on  our 
records.  The  measure  lately  taken  of  putting  the  Regulation  of 
the  Indian  Trade  into  the  hands  of  the  Assemblies  of  the  several 
Colonies  will  help  to  set  in  a  clearer  light  &  shew  the  value  of 
your  abilities  and  &  past  services. 

The  Assembly  have  left  to  the  members  of  Albany  to  concert 
proper  regulations  of  the  Indian  Trade  —  this  (in  my  opinion) 
is  to  leave  it  to  the  Traders  to  regulate  themselves  to  guard 


1  Printed   in  New   York  Historical  Society  Collections,   1877,   Colden 
Papers,  pp.    183-85. 


Land  Development,   1769-74  687 

against  the  frauds  &  abuses  daily  committed  by  the  Traders  of 
which  the  Indians  have  perpetually  complained  &  which  have 
been  the  principal  source  of  all  the  contentions  between  us  and 
the  Indians. 

The  Assembly  agreed  to  pay  the  expence  of  running  &  as- 
certaining the  Boundary  as  agreed  to  by  you  and  the  Indians. 
This  ought  to  be  done  with  some  solemnity  —  no  doubt  con- 
siderable numbers  of  the  Indians  will  attend  &  some  respectable 
number  of  our  people  ought  likewise  to  be  present  to  perpetuate 
the  boundary  by  monuments  &  accurate  descriptions.  Both  Indians 
&  Christians  will  expect  to  be  supported  at  the  publick  expence. 
The  Assembly  judge  that  this  expence  ought  not  to  exceed  one 
hundred  pounds  —  at  least  that  they  will  not  pay  more.  Time 
will  make  the  necessity  of  your  office  appear. 

In  the  last  session  the  members  had  nothing  but  their  popu- 
larity in  view.  You  know  the  two  parties  who  are  struggling  for 
the  lead.  One  was  resolved  to  make  every  popular  motion  which 
the  others  dared  not  appose  without  danger  of  the  loss  of  their 
popularity  tho'  it  is  thought  that  they  concurred  much  against 
their  inclination.  The  Governor  is  thought  to  favor  one  side 
which  is  confirmed  by  his  speech  at  the  dissolution.  The  whole 
force  of  both  sides  will  be  exerted  in  the  election  for  the  city 
of  New  York  &  that  party  will  prevail  in  the  next  assembly  which 
prevails  in  that  Election.  This  will  be  the  case  if  we  be  left 
to  ourselves  but  if  Great  Brittain  interpose  as  from  the  Kings 
speech  may  be  expected  things  may  take  a  different  turn  from 
what  is  expected  in  the  views  of  the  several  parties. 

The  Governor  received  orders  from  my  Lord  Hillsborough  in 
the  King's  name  to  apply  to  the  Assembly  for  the  payment  of  the 
arrears  of  my  Sallary  and  compensation  for  the  losses  I  suffered 
in  1  765.  The  assembly  have  paid  the  arrears  of  sallary  to  the 
full  but  came  to  no  resolution  as  to  the  losses.  They  objected  I 
am  told  to  my  saying  in  the  account  that  it  was  done  by  the  mob. 
I  should  have  thought  the  objection  would  have  been  stronger 
had  I  given  room  to  suspect  that  Gentlemen  &  persons  of  distinc- 
tion had  a  hand  in  it. 


688  Sir  William  Johnson  Papers 

I  am  sorry  to  hear  that  you  had  sometimes  suffered  in  your 
health  last  year.  It  will  give  me  great  pleasure  to  hear  that  you 
have  recovered  it.  I  enjoy  as  much  health  &  spirit  as  I  can 
expect  at  my  age  tho'  I  feel  the  infirmities  of  old  age  daily  in- 
creasing. I  am  with  great  sincerity  and  respect,  Sir 

To  the  Honble.  SlR  WlLLIAM  JOHNSON  Bart. 


JOURNAL  OF  INDIAN  AFFAIRS 

Contemporary  Copy1 

[Johnson  Hall  Jan.  15-21,  1769] 

Jan?.   15  —  Sir  William  Sent  two  Mohawk  runners  to  call  the 
Chiefs  of  Onoghquage  to  his  House  at  the  request  of  Governor 
Moore  where  according  to  his  Letter  to  him  he  was  to  meet  them, 
and  the  Chiefs  of  both  Mohock  Castles  about  the  10th.  of  Febru- 
ary in  order  to  make  some  Purchases  of  Lands  from  them 
Jan.  20th.  —  Thomas  Wildman  al  Kagnechiagoe  a  Cognawagey 
Chief    arrived    at   Johnson-Hall.        he   came,    chiefly    to    know 
whether  Sir  William  could  give  any  account  of  the  twelve  men 
of  their  nation  who  accompanied  the  Cherokee  Deputies  from 
hence  last  year,  having  had  no  account  from  them  since  their  de- 
parture, and  that  as  their  People  were  very  uneasy  least  some  mis- 
fortune might  have  befallen  them.  —  He  then  accquainted  Sir 
Wm.  of  the  unhappy  Situation  the  Indns.  of  Canada  were  in  for 
want  of  Corn,  it  being  destroyed  by  early  frosts,  so  that  without 
his  assistance  one  half  of  their  nations  must  inevitably  perish, 
wherefore  they   earnestly   requested  Sir  William   to   take  com- 
passion on  them,  &  grant  them  some  Provisions.  — 
Jan?.  21st.  —  Sir  Wm.  sent  for  Tcm  Wildman  &c  to  attend,  when 
he  addressed  them  as  follows  — 


1  In  Canadian  Archives,  Indian  Records,  Vol.  8. 


Land  Development,  1769-74  689 

Brethern  &  Friends  of  Canada  — 

I  do  with  these  Strings  of  Wampum  remove  all  uneasiness  from 
your  Breasts,  &  all  grief  from  your  hearts  which  the  Loss  of  some 
of  your  People  of  late  has  Occasioned  — 

3  Strings 

Bretheren  &  Friends 

It  is  with  pleasure  that  I  now  acquaint  you  that  I  received  a 
Letter  three  days  ago  from  Mr.  Stuart2  the  Super-Intendant  for 
the  Southern  District  informing  me  of  the  arrival  of  Attafyullafyiilla 
alias  the  little  Carpenter  the  Cherokee  Depy.  with  a  number  of 
your  Nation  who  accompanied  him  last  year  to  his  Country  — 
they  were,  when  he  wrote,  (which  was  43  days  ago)  at  Chottee,3 
sitting  on  a  white  Seat,  and  expected  the  arrival  of  the  Chicasaws, 
and  Creeks  there  this  Spring,  in  order  to  settle  a  Peace  with  them, 
to  which  end  a  Message  was  sent  to  them  by  Thomas  King  &ca. 
—  and  the  Super-Intendant  informs  me  that  one  of  his  Officers 
will  attend  Said  Meeting  — 

It  is  with  concern  that  I  hear  from  the  Cherokees  that  nothwith- 
standing  all  the  Northern  Indians  have  made  peace  with  them 
agreeable  to  his  Majesties  desire,  that  the  Western  Confederacy 
continue  Hostilities  against  them  with  more  violence  than  before, 
and  what  is  more  unwarantable  in  them,  that  they  kill  the  English 
Traders  wherever  they  meet  them.  —  This  is  such  an  Open 
Violation  of  the  Treaties  of  Peace  settled  with  them  Nations,  as 
cannot  be  suffered.  —  You  all  know  that  the  Cherokees  are  now 
your  friends  as  well  as  ours  since  the  peace  settled  with  them  last 
year,  and  that  our  agreement  (after  the  reduction  of  Canada)  was 
that  we  should  jointly  act  ag'.  any  nation  which  would  disturb 
the  publick  tranquility. 

I  therefore  make  it  known  to  you  who  those  Male-contents 
be,  they  are  the  Ouiachtanoes,  Kicapoes,  Piornkashaes,4  Miamis, 


2  John  Stuart. 

3  Chota,  a  Cherokee  town. 

4  Piankashaws. 


690  Sir   William  Johnson  Papers 

Ottawais,  &  Illenois  Indians,  and  you  shall  hear  farther  from  me 
on  the  Subject  when  I  Judge  it  requisite  — 

A  Bunch  of  Wampum 
with  a  red  Ribbon  — 

Sir  William  then  gave  Wildman  a  handsome  present,  and  four 
pounds  in  Cash  &  dismissed  him  — 

The  same  day  Sir  William  ordered  a  Quantity  of  Corn, 
Wheat,  Meal,  and  Pease  to  Conajohare  for  the  use  of  the 
Indians  of  that  Village  who  were  Starving  —  and  directd.  Mr. 
Shoemaker5  of  the  German  Flats  to  purchase  a  Qt>\  of  Grain, 
and  to  Store  it  for  the  use  of  the  upper  Nations  in  the  Spring  when 
they  are  to  transport  it  in  their  Canoes  to  their  respective 
Countries  — 


FROM  JOHN  McCREA 
A.L.S.1 

Albany  24th.  January  1769 

Sir. 

When  I  saw  you  Last  at  Mr.  Frys  I  took  your  receipt  for  a 
note  of  hand  given  by  Mr.  Remsen  Son  and  Myself  for  a  Note 
of  hand  —  the  Gentelmen  at  New  York  wrote  me  to  get  the  note 
which  youl  please  send  me  by  the  first  convenient  Oppurtunity 

There  is  a  man  named  Achilles  Preston  that  lives  near  Sir 
William  who  has  lately  been  arrested  from  New  York  who  has 
informed  me  that  you  would  answer  the  Debt  for  him  if  so  I 
would  be  glad  if  Sir  William  would  please  favour  me  with  a 
Line 

from  Sir  your 

very  humble  Servt. 
To  Sir  William  Johnson  Bart.  John  M.Crea 


5  Rudolph  Shoemaker. 

1  In  Historical  Society  of  Pennsylvania,  Gratz  Collection. 


Land  Development,  1769-74  691 


ADDRESSED : 

To 

Sir  William  Johnson  Bart, 
at 
Johnson  Hall 


INDORSED:2 


Alby.  24th.  Janry.  1 769 


Letter  from  Jn.  Mc.Crea 

recd.  7  th.  Febry  and 
Ansrd.  imediately  also  Enclo 
-sed  to  him  his  Note  — 


2  In  Sir  William's  hand. 


TO  GOLDSBROW  BANYAR 

Johnson  Hall  Janry.  29lK  1769 
Dear  Banyar 

By  my  last  I  think  I  have  fully  answered  that  part  of  yours  of 
the  5th.  Ins'.2  regarding  Peter  Servis'  25  thousand,  five  Hundred 
Acres  of  Land,  and  hope  that  'ere  now  that  Affair,  as  well  as 
Lawyers  purchase  is  Compleated,  they  have  indeed  been  a  long 
time  in  hand  which  is  no  Small  Inconvenience  to  Such  of  the 
Patentees  as  are  inclined  to  make  Settlements.  — 

Your  Letter  was  accompanied  with  one  from  Mr.  Phil  Schyler 
requesting  my  Interest  at  the  Election,  at  the  Same  time  I  recd. 
Sundry  letters  all  Corroborating  what  you  had  heard  of  con- 
cerning his  Conduct  towards  me,  of  which  Reports  I  took  proper 
Notice  in  my  Answer  to  him,  this  produced  an  Exculpatory 
Letter  from  him,  from  which  it  never  the  less  appears  that  he  has 
been  Saying  more  than  was  necessary,  a  Circumstance  wh.  I  shall 


1  In  New  York  Historical  Society,  Banyar  Papers. 

2  Not  found. 


692  Sir  William  Johnson  Papers 

convince  him  of  the  first  opertunity,  In  the  mean  time  I  would 
not  entirely  condemn  him  as  he  might  have  been  drawn  in  to  be 
the  Tool  of  a  Party  from  whom  I  have  no  freindly  Offices  to 
Expect.  —  It  is  verry  probable  that  the  Attempt  made  in  the 
House  (wh.  however  Mr.  Schyler  denys  his  knowledge  of)  to  pre- 
vent the  Council  from  Voting  or  any  wise  interfering  in  Elections 
was  levelled  at  me,  as  I  beleive  they  are  verry  sensible  that  I 
have  some  Interest  wh.  I  have  Honestly  acquired,  'tho  I  make  little 
or  no  use  of  it.  Whenever  I  do  It  shall  not  be  prostituted  meerly 
to  party.  —  No  new  Candidates  offered  for  this  County,  My  Son 
does  not  at  all  incline  to  a  Seat,  and  the  Notice  was  so  Short, 
and  the  Roads  so  remarkably  bad,  that  had  it  been  otherwise,  it 
would  have  been  next  to  impracticable  to  Assemble  the  Free- 
holders from  so  many  remote  places  under  these  Circumstances. 
—  The  Conduct  of  the  Missionaries,  their  daring  to  oppose  the 
orders  of  ye.  Crown  &  the  Interests  of  the  Province  deserve  a 
verry  different  Treatment  than  they  met  with.  The  Representation 
I  made  of  them  was  far  Short  of  what  I  could  have  said  with 
Truth  upon  the  Occasion.  I  realy  did  not  think  them  worthy  much 
Attention.  —  The  Advantages  of  the  late  Treaty,  the  Difficulties 
I  had  to  Encounter  &  the  greatness  &  Value  of  the  whole  Cession 
will  Speak  for  Itself,  but  I  know  the  Views  &  prejudices  of  a 
Party  too  well  to  be  Surprised  at  their  Attempts  to  Misrepresent 
these  or  any  other  Matters.  —  I  should  imagine  that  the  same 
Affair  which  occasioned  the  late  Dissolution  will  be  renewed  at 
the  next  Sitting.  but  I  imagine  all  this  will  in  some  measure 
depend  on  the  next  news  we  shall  have  from  England.  — 
I  am  Dear  Banyar  Sincerely 

Yr.  Affectionate  Freind 
&  Humble  Servant 

Golds  Borrow  Banyar  Esqr.  W  Johnson 

INDORSED : 

January  29.  1  769 


From  Sir  Wm.  Johnson 


Land  Development,  1769-74  693 

FROM  PHYN  AND  ELLICE 

Contemporary  Copy1 

Schenectady  30  January  1769 
Sir 

Being  hard  pushed  for  some  money  which  we  owe  &  Exr. 
pretty  lowe  we  take  the  liberty  to  request  your  assistance  as  far 
as  may  be  convenient  for  you  we  wd.  be  glad  to  receive  drafts  on 
N  York  as  we  have  most  part  of  the  money  to  remit  there.  We 
begg  leave  to  assure  you  that  necessity  only  urges  us  to  write  you 
on  this  subject  we  have  the  honor  to  be  &c 

To  the  Honble.  P  &  E 

Sir  Wm.  Johnson,  Bar1. 


1  In  Buffalo  Historical  Society,  Phyn  &  Ellice  letter  books. 


JOURNAL  OF  INDIAN  AFFAIRS 

Contemporary  Copy1 

[Johnson  Hall  Feb.  1-2  J  769] 

Februry.  1 st.  —  Sixteen  Indians  arrived  at  Johnson-Hall  from  the 
Susquehanna  on  a  Call  given  to  them  to  attend  here  about  the 
eight  ins1.  —  after  they  performed  the  usual  ceremonys  with  three 
strings  of  Wampum,  they  told  Sr.  William  that  the  rest  of  their 
Party  would  come  in  the  next  day.  —  Sir  William  told  them, 
that,  as  it  was  then  late,  he  would  defer  saying  any  thing  to  them 
until  the  arrival  of  the  whole  Party.  —  in  the  mean  time  Ordered 
them  Provisions,  Pipes,  Tobacco,  Drams  &c  on  which  they  went 
to  their  respective  Quarters  — 

Febry.  2d.  —  KarandaWana  a  Seneca  Chief  with  two  others  of  his 
nation  who  accompanied  N  Grant  from  Niagra  arrived  here, 
and  were  greatly  Surprized  at  his  going  away  without  seeing  or 
paying  them.  —  He  then  with  a  Belt  of  Eleven  rows  accquainted 


1  In  Canadian  Archives,  Indian  Records,  Vol.  8. 


694  Sir  William  Johnson  Papers 

Sir  William  that  his  Nation  was  greatly  displeased  on  account  of 
the  commanding  officer  of  Niagra  his  behavior,  and  aribitrary 
treatment  to  them,  and  all  Indians  who  go  [to]  the  Fort,  viz1,  taking 
all  their  fresh  Provision,  such  as  Venison,  Turkeys  &ca.  at  his  own 
Price,  and  for  his,  and  his  Soldiers  use;  ordering  Soldiers  with 
fixed  Bayonets  to  bring  them  and  their  fresh  meat  where  he 
pleased,  and  not  allowing  them  to  sell  a  Mosell2  to  their  acquaint- 
ances, the  traders,  who  credited  them  for  the  amunition  with  which 
they  killed  the  Game,  nor  even  to  the  Person  appointed  by  you 
there  to  take  care  of  them  and  their  affairs,  whilst  at  that  place. 

this  we  think  very  hard  of,   and  cannot  longer  bear  Such 

treatment.  We  are  a  free  People,  and  acustomed  to  Sell  what- 
ever we  have  to  whom,  &  where  we  liked  best  —  We  Judged 
it  right  to  acquaint  you  wth.  these  matters,  in  expectation  that 
there  will  be  a  Stop  put  to  that  great  man's  doings,  otherwise  it 
will  not  be  good  — 

Sir  William  told  them  he  was  concerned  to  find,  that  nothwith- 
standing  all  the  care  he  had  taken  to  put  every  matter  relative  to 
them,  on  the  best  footing  at  that  place,  there  was  still  something 
wrong,  which  matter  was  communicated  to  him  by  the  Commissary 
residing  there,  and  that  he  would  write  to  the  commanding  officer 
at  that  post  on  the  Subject  of  their  Complaint,  which  he  hoped 
would  be  effectual  in  putting  a  Stop  to  any  such  Irregularities  for 
the  future.  —  in  the  mean  time  Sir  William  desired  by  a  Belt  of 
Wampum  that  they  would  not  resent  what  was  past,  but  keep 
their  young  People  Quiet,  and  in  good  temper.  — 

A  Belt  — 

The  Speaker  of  Onondaga  Tiawarunt  with  six  of  his  Nation, 
Canahquieson  chief  of  Oneida,  with  sev1.  of  that  Nation  arrived 
at  Johnson-Hall,  and  told  Sir  William  that  they  were  sent  by  their 
Chiefs  to  him  in  order  to  know  when,  &  where  they  were  to  receive 
the  Purchase  money  of  Mr.  Penn's,3  for  which  they  had  his  Note, 


2  Morsel. 

3  John  Penn,  lieutenant  governor  of  Pennsylvania. 


Land  Development,  1769-74  695 

and  added  that  all  the  Six  Nations  had  agreed  to  leave  the  Divi- 
sion of  that  Sum  (being  10,000  Dollars)  to  Sir  William  — 

Sir  William  answered,  that  he  had  received  all  the  Money  in 
Dollars  from  Mr.  Penn's  Agents,  which  he  shew'd  to  them,  and 
said,  that  as  he  was  resolved,  there  should  be  no  unequal  Division 
made  of  it,  as  sometime  ago  had  been  the  Case,  he  was  determined 
to  send  each  Nation's  part  in  a  boat  early  in  the  Spring  to  their 
respective  Countries  — 


FROM  THOMAS  PENN 

London  feby.  2.  1769 
Dear  Sir  — 

I  am  now  to  acknowledge  the  receipt  of  your  very  obliging 
Letter  giving  me  an  account  of  your  having  brought  the  Treaty 
with  the  Indians  for  a  general  boundary  to  a  conclusion,  and  I 
have  also  received  a  more  particular  account  of  what  relates  to 
Pensilvania,  from  Mr.  Tilghman,  who  informs  me  how  greatly 
my  Family  are  obliged  to  you  for  your  endeavours  to  bring  the 
Indians  to  agree  to  the  boundary  we  wished  to  be  setled  through 
our  Province,  but  that  you  could  not  get  their  consent  to  fix  one 
more  northward  than  discribed  in  the  Deed,  however  your  merit 
and  friendly  intentions  towards  us  are  the  same,  as  if  you  had 
succeded,  and  I  desire  you  will  accept  of  our  best  thanks  for  the 
trouble  you  have  taken  in  this  affair. 

The  manner  in  which  it  is  done  I  also  much  approve  of,  the 
doing  it  seperate  from  the  general  deed  made  to  the  King,  as  it 
frees  us  from  any  accounting  on  that  head. 

I  wish  I  could  inform  you  that  the  Attorney  General  had  con- 
sidered  your  Letter,  which   Mr.  Wilmot  has  communicated  to 


1  In  Massachusetts  Historical  Society. 

2  November  18,  1  768,  in  Johnson  Papers,  6:472-73.  Describes  Treaty 
of  Fort  Stanwix. 


696 


Sir  William  Johnson  Papers 


him,  but  he  says  he  cannot  think  of  any  thing  'til  Mr.  Wilke's 
hearing  before  the  House  of  Commons  is  over,  which  I  hope  will 
be  in  two  or  three  days,  as  soon  as  he  can  dispatch  this  business 
you  may  be  certain  I  will  advise  you  of  it.  I  beg  my  respects  to 
your  Son,3  and  am  with  great  regard  Dr.  Sr.  Your  most  obliged 
and  most 

obedient  Servant 
SR.  WM.  Johnson  Tho  Penn 


ADDRESSED : 


To 

Sir  William  Johnson  Bar*, 
at  Johnson  Hall 
New  York 


POSTMARKS : 

PHILA            28 

NEW         29 

DELPHIA        MR 

YORK        MR 

Charged  JM4  2 

INDORSED:5 

London  Feb*.  2d.  1 769 

Mr.  Penns  Letter 


70  GOLDSBROW  BANYAR 

A.L.S.1 

Johnson  Hall  Febry.  10th.  1769 
Dear  Banyar 

As  I   am  full  of  Company  here,  &  Several  Indian  Matters 
going  forward  before  Sir  H.  Moore,  I  have  only  time  to  Ac- 


3  Sir  John  Johnson. 

4  Initials  of  John  Monier,  Albany  postmaster. 

5  In  Sir  William's  hand. 

1  In  New  York  Historical  Society,  Banyar  Papers. 


Land  Development,  1769-74  697 

knowledge  the  receipt  of  yr.  last  letter  with  ye.  Acct  of  Fees  paid 
for  my  fourth  part  of  Lawyers  purchase,  &  thank  You  for  your 
good  offices  therein.  — 

I  think  it  hard,  &  indeed  unreasonable  that,  When  I  have 
money  due  me  by  the  Gentlemen  Concerned  in  the  Oneida  pur- 
chase, I  shall  Still  be  oblidged  to  advance  more  for  the  obtaining  a 
Patent.  —  I  have  Spoke  with  Sir  H.  Moore  [respecting  it.  He 
Says  he  will  answer  for  Ld.  Hollands2  £  226.  —  [a]nd  promised 
me  that  he  would  pay  into  yr.  hands  Ld.  Ilchesters3  [£]226  as 
Soon  as  he  receives  it,  which  he  expects  will  be  soon,  [tjhen,  there 
will  be  but  that  of  General  Gage,  Hasenclever,4  Walton5  &  Sterl- 
ings" to  receive,  all  which,  he  tells  me  are  ready,  and  I  must  beg 
the  favour  of  You  to  collect,  &  pay,  Viz1.  £328.  .3.  .W/i, 
Exclusive  of  LA  Ilchesters.  Then  the  Deficiency  as  You  make  it 
out  will  be  £238.  .9.  .6J/2  for  which  Sum,  I  enclose  You  a 
Draft  [for]  on  Mr.  Mortier  So  that  there  may  be  no  Obstruction 
to  the  Issuing  the  Patent.  — 

I  have  paid  to  Sir  Harry  Moore  the  Ball;  of  £66.  .3  which 
was  due  to  him  by  Lawyer.  So  that  I  think  that  Affair  is  entirely 
Settled.  — 

I  am  Dear  Banyar 

Most  Sincerely  &  Affectionately 

Y» 

Golds  Borrow  Banyar  Esqr.  W  Johnson 

PS.  Be  so  Good  as  to  Send  me  a  proper  Instrument  for  those 
whose  Names  are  put  in  Trust,  to  Sign.  — 


2  Henry  Fox,  first  Baron  Holland  ( 1  705-1  774) 

3  Stephen  Fox  Strangways,  first  Earl  of  Ilchester. 

4  Peter  Hasenclever. 

5  William  Walton. 

6  William  Alexander,  Earl  of  Stirling. 


698  Sir  William  Johnson  Papers 

TO  JOHN  TABOR  KEMPE 
A.L.S.1 

Johnson  Hall  Feb'y.  25*  1769 

Sir  — 

About  the  time  of  the  Governours  Arrival  I  had  the  favour 
of  yours  of  the  31st.  Ult°.,2  but  as  there  was  a  good  deal  of 
Company  here  at  the  Same  time  &  much  business  to  do,  Some 
things  Escaped  my  Memory,  &  I  had  not  leisure  for  others, 
Amongst  the  rest,  the  Affair  of  the  Release  to  the  Indians  of 
Conajohare,  vA  I  must  do  by  letter. 

I  apprehend  the  Legislature  can  have  no  reasonable  Objection 
to  a  Law  so  necessary,  and  am  Sorry  to  hear  that  there  is  so 
little  prospect  of  releif  from  Chancery,  but  as  I  dont  know 
what  Steps  may  have  been  taken  against  Klock,  and  what  are 
intended,  I  should  be  glad  of  yr.  Information  in  that  particular.  — 

I  am  with  great  Truth, 
Sir  Your  most  Obedient 
&  Very  Humble  Servant 
John  T.  Kempe  Esqr.  W.  Johnson 


1  In   New  York  State  Library.   Draft  by  Guy  Johnson,   in  mutilated 
form,  was  printed  in  Johnson  Papers,  6:635. 

2  Johnson  Papers,  6:616. 


FROM  CADWALLADER  COLDEN 
A.  L.  S.1 

Spring  hill  Feb'y.26lh.  1769 
Dear  Sir 

I  have  the  honour  of  your  very  kind  letter  of  the  26th.  of  last 
month.2  I  feel  sensibly  for  you  in  the  disapointment  you  have 
met  with  in  the  Conduct  of  Indian  affairs  being  left  to  the  several 


1  In  Historical  Society  of  Pennsylvania. 

2  In  Doc.  Hist.  N.  Y.,  2:923-26. 


Land  Development,   1769-74  699 

Colonies.  after  what  you  have  don  to  reduce  them  to  a  regular 
System.  Time  will  verify  the  remarks  you  make  on  this  occasion  & 
nothing  but  experience  will  convince  some  people  of  the  truth  of 
them.  The  Ministry  have  had  so  much  trouble  with  American 
affairs  that  they  are  desirous  to  ease  themselves  of  part  of  the 
trouble  &  to  free  Great  Brittain  as  much  as  possible  from  ex- 
pence  but  I  mistake  greatly  if  the  method  now  taken  do  not  in 
time  give  more  trouble  &  create  greater  expence. 

Tho'  in  the  late  spirited  contest  in  the  late  Elections  Patriotism 
the  Church  &  the  Dissenting  Interests  were  made  the  Pretences 
the  true  motive  was  whether  the  Delancey3  or  the  Livingstone4 
Interest  should  have  the  Lead  in  the  Assembly  for  the  future.  The 
former  act  on  more  generous  principles  &  the  latter  on  selfish. 
It  is  generally  believed  that  the  Governor5  sides  with  the  latter  & 
that  his  representations  home  are  in  their  favour. 

As  to  my  opinion  of  having  the  lands  whereon  you  live  erected 
into  a  Mannor  with  the  privileges  of  a  Market  &  Fairs  &c  this 
must  be  don  with  advice  of  Council  &  for  that  reason  I  think  it 
may  be  proper  for  you  to  be  in  New  York  when  it  is  sollicited. 
The  Attorney  General  is  the  most  proper  person  for  you  to  advise 
with  &  as  Mr.  Smith  Junr.°  is  of  the  Council  his  assistance  will  be 
usefull.  I  make  no  doubt  You  may  have  your  Lands  erected 
into  a  Township  with  privilege  of  Markets  &  Fairs  but  I  doubt  of 
the  Governor's  having  power  to  erect  a  Mannor  I  am  interested 
in  a  despute  which  Mr.  Livingstone  has  with  some  people  on  the 
Oblong  or  Equivalent  lands.  This  induced  me  to  read  &  advise 
on  that  subject.  It  seems  to  be  a  fixed  opinion  in  the  books  that 
the  King  cannot  now  erect  a  Mannor  since  the  abrogation  of  the 
feudal  tenours  if  so  a  Governor  can  less  do  it.  Mr.  Livingstone's 
Patents  are  granted  without  advice  &  consent  of  Council  &  it  is 
the  general  opinion  of  the  Lawyers  in  this  place  that  they  are  void 
for  that  reason.  I  shall  with  great  pleasure  do  every  thing  in  my 


3  The  De  Lancey,  or  Episcopal-Tory  party. 

4  The  Livingstonian,  or  dissenting  party. 

5  Sir  Henry  Moore. 

6  William  Smith,  Jr. 


700  Sir  William  Johnson  Papers 

power  to  serve  You.  but  I  have  litle  in  my  power  Mr. 
Banyar  &  my  son  Alexander  may  be  more  usefull  to  you  &  both 
of  them  will  gladly  serve  you. 

When  the  Packet  left  England  a  change  in  the  Ministry  was 
expected.  I  think  it  probable  because  nothing  of  consequence  has 
been  don  in  Parliament  since  they  met.  It  is  said  E  Chatham  & 
Mr.  Grenville  to  be  secretaries  of  State,  E  Temple  President  of 
the  Council,  Marq.  of  Rockingham  first  Lord  of  the  Treasury  & 
Mr.  Dowdswell  Chancellor  of  the  Exchecquer.  It  is  likewise  said 
that  Wilkes  will  be  pardoned. 

We  shall  know  nothing  with  certainty  of  American  affairs 
before  April  or  May. 

I  am  with  much  affection  &  respect 

Sir 

Your  most  faithfull 

humble  servant 
Cadwallader  Colden 
The  honourable 
Sir  Wm.  Johnson  Bar1. 

indorsed:7 

Feb'?.  26*.  1 769  — 


L*.  GoV.  Coldens  Letter 


7  In  Sir  William's  hand. 


Land  Development,  1769-74 


701 


ACCOUNT  AGAINST  THE  CROWN 
Contemporary)  Copy1 

[March  8  J  769] 


The  Crown 

To  Edward  Cole  Commissary  at 
Fort  Chartres  Salary  from  25th. 
March  to  24th.  Sepf.  1768 

To  d°.  Account  of  Disbursements  at 
d°.  to  the  13th.  Sepf.  1768  as  ^ 
Vouchers 

To  the  Smith  and  his  Assistants 
Salary  at  d°.  for  a  Year,  Omitted 
in  Mr.  Cole's  former  Account .  .  . 

To  Alexander  McKee  Commissary 
at  Fort  Pitt,  Account  of  Disburse- 
ments from  the  25th.  March  to 
24th.  Sept'.  1  768  as  ^  Vouchers 


D'. 


£171..  8..  6% 


1984..  8.. 11 


171...  8..  6% 


1536.. 10..  6 


£3863..  16..  6%2 


1  In  William  L.  Clements  Library,  Gage  papers;  inclosed  in  Gage  to 
Abraham  Mortier,  New  York.  March  8,  1  769. 

2  Gage's  warrant  converts  this  sum  in  New  York  currency  to  £2253.  . 
\7..\]3/4  Sterling. 


702  Sir  William  Johnson  Papers 

FROM  JOHN  TABOR  KEMPE 

A.Df.S.1 

New  York  March  11*  1769. 
[Dear]  Sir 

I  have  been  favored  with  yours  of  the  26h.  Jan?.2  and  25th. 
February3,  and  am  to  thank  you  for  the  Attention  you  paid  to 
my  Request  of  your  Assistance  in  locating  the  Compensation  in- 
tended Mr.  Coxe  by  the  Crown,  and  for  the  friendly  Manner 
in  which  you  express  yourself  on  that  Subject  —  If  hereafter  you 
should  know  of  any  good  plan  for  this  Location  I  [flatter]* 
assure  myself  you  will  not  be  unmindful  of  us. 

I  can  see  no  Reason  at  present  for  any  Objection  on  the  Part 
of  the  Legislature  [to  the  Law]  agl.  passing  a  Law  such  as  I  pro- 
posed to  you,  as  it  seems  so  absolutely  necessary. 

With  Respect  to  the  Proceedings  agl.  Klock  in  July  1  767  An 
Information  was  filed  agf.  him,  for  Barratry,  or  being  a  Common 
Sower  of  Dissentions  &  Discord  and  containing  some  special 
charges,  relative  to  his  doing  this  among  the  Indians,  it  would  have 
been  tried  last  June  had  there  been  a  Circuit,  &  I  propose  to  try  it 
next  June  at  [the]  Albany  if  there  be  [a  Circuit,  and  there  —  be 
Evidence]  one,  I  do  not  recollect  there  any  other  proceedings  at 
present  against  him.  l[f  it]  should  be  glad  to  know  in  Time  the 
particulars  of  the  Evidence  I  may  depend  on  having  ag*.  him. 

I  am 

with  great  Respect 
Sir 

Your  most  obedient 
&  most  humble  Serv*. 
Sir  William  Johnson  Baronet  J.  T.  Kempe 

P.S.  ...   A  few  Days  ago  Mr.  Wetherhead  brought  me  [from 
Coll.  Croghan],  a  Bond  to  put  in  Suit  for  two  Indians  agl.  Domine 


1  In  New  York  Historical  Society,  Kempe  papers. 

2  Not  found. 

3  Johnson  Papers,  6:635. 

4  Words  italicized  and  in  brackets  are  crossed  out  in  the  manuscript. 


Land  Development,   1769-74  703 

Hartwick,5  being  for  an  Indian  Purchase  —  I  understood  Col 
Croghan  brought  it  down  from  you  to  the  Govr.  and  that  he  di- 
rected it  to  be  sent  to  me  —  I  can  do  nothing  with  the  Bond  Hart- 
wick not  being  here  I  believe  he  resides  in  Philadelphia,  or  some 
where  in  Pennsylvania,  would  it  not  be  best  it  should  be  trans- 
mitted to  somebody  there  to  put  in  Suit,  with  at  Power  of  Atr?.. 
from  the  Indians,  as  it  is  uncertain  when  he  will  be  here, 

INDORSED : 

March  11*.   1  769 

Letter  to  Sir  William  Johnson 


FROM  GOLDSBROW  BANYAR 

Df.1 

New  York  13  March  1769 
Dear  Sir  William. 

My  last  inclosed  you  a  Declaration  of  Trust  to  be  signed  by 
those  Persons  to  be  named  as  Grantees  in  Servis's  patent.  I  defer 
sending  it  as  long  as  Sir  Harry2  who  is  very  pressing,  will  let  me, 
in  hopes  of  hearing  from  you  whether  any  Difficulty  occurs  as  to 
the  Names  or  their  Readiness  to  sign  the  Instrument.  that  it 
may  be  removed  before  the  Seal  is  fix'd  — 

In  the  Postscript  of  your  Letter  of  the  5  January3  you  desire 
me  to  let  you  know  in  which  of  the  Patents  above  Cosby's  Manor 
Mr.  Clarke's  are  interested,  whether  they  will  Sell,  the  Price,  and 
whether  divided  —  Immediately  above  Cosbys  on  both  sides  the 
River,  extending  from  the  River  about  3  Miles  is  a  patent  granted 
for  6000  Acres,  now  the  Sole  Property  of  Major  Edward 
Clarke.4  The  Tract  on  the  North  side  is  said  to  contain  2815 


5  Rev.  John  Christopher  Hartwick. 

1  In  New  York  Historical  Society,  Banyar  Papers. 

2  Governor  Sir  Henry  Moore. 

3  Ante  pp.  684-86. 

4  Son  of  Captain  Edward  Clarke. 


704  Sir  William  Johnson  Papers 

Acres  but  as  the  Line  which  at  the  End  of  240  Chains  from  the 
River  runs  North  29  Degrees  West  156  Chs.  to  [the  Land] 
Oriskene  will  not  bring  it  thither  but  will  extend  much  farther, 
[this]  and  on  a  different  Course  to  strike  it  nearst,  [and]  a  much 
greater  Quantity  may  be  supposed  to  be  included  within  this 
Tract,  at  least  2000  Acres  more  I  suppose ;  I  mean  to  petition  for 
this  to  prevent  Disputes,  to  be  granted  on  the  usual  Quit  Rent  to 
Edward  Clarke  —  [/]  The  Major  wants  for  these  6000  Acres 
and  the  Adventitious  [add]  Accession,  £  1 500  Sterling.  I  wrote 
him  [/  had]  some  Time  ago  I  had  offered  it  for  £  1 250  Sterling 
—  You  may  have  it  for  the  latter  Sum  but  not  less  —  paying  Quit 
Rent  from  1  765  to  which  time  I  [Ziave]  paid  it  up  &  have  got 
Receipts.  Perhaps  it  may  suit  you  as  I  understand  the  Lands  are 
good;  [and]  Exchange  at  75  spc1.  only,  and  you  a  larger  Sum 
still  to  receive  out  of  the  Pay  Office  —  If  you  agree  to  take  it  I 
will  apply  instantly  for  the  residue  above  the  6000  Acres  [for 
yourself]  and  if  you  can  furnish  me  with  a  Sketch  of  the  Bounds 
of  Sadaqueta  and  Oriskene  I  shall  be  obliged  to  you  for  it,  as  I 
may  be  better  able  to  locate  the  Residue  [whether  you  take  it  or 
Not]  either  for  you  or  the  Major  [The  Gov.  will  have  no  Objec- 
tion to  taking  the  least  of  the  two  Construct",  which  is  above  2000 
Acres  &  wch.  will  run  from  the5] 

As  to  the  Oriskene  George  Clarke6  has  3/10,  and  if  I  had  an 
encouraging  Offer  I  would  let  him  know  it  because  he  does  not 
suppose  these  Lands  from  the  remoteness  of  their  Situation  will 
yield  any  good  Price  — 

7This  Matter  came  before  the  Council  when  the  Gov.  located 
Lord  Hollands,  whose  S  Westerly  Bounds  are  formed  by  a  Line 
running  N  29  Degrees  West  as  Major  Clarke  runs;  but  runs  much 
farther  than  the  156  chains;  I  believe  there  is  not  less  than  a  Mile 
on  the  N  Side  the  River  added  to  Clarke's  Lott  by  this  Construc- 
tion; and  if  the  Course  N.  29  D.  West  would  touch  Oriskene 


5  Insert  on  margin,  later  crossed  out. 

6  George  Clark,  Jr.,  secretary  of  the  province. 

7  This  paragraph  is  indicated  as  an  insert  at  the  point  where  the  above 
marginal  insert  was  crossed  out. 


Land  Development,  1769-74  705 

at  all  the  Construction  would  include  several  thousands  more  — 
but  to  this  his  Excy  would  have  great  Objection  as  he  is  supposed 
to  be  deeply  interested  in  a  petition  [/ocafea1]  for  the  ceded  Lands 
surrounding  Oriskene  —  I  will  [imagine]  manage  this  Matter  for 
you,  which  will  cost  You  abl.  £25  Currcy.  <$  1000  and 
£  5-1 6-0  to  the  Receiver.  The  patent  is  dated  in  1  736,  of  Course 
the  Quit  Rent  2/6  prov  &  not  Sterling  —  Oriskene  pays  only  1 0s 
—  for  the  whole,  what  do  you  compute  this  contains  —  you  have 
the  Bounds  both  of  [this]  Oriskene  &  Sadaqueda  — 
The  above  is  the  substance  only  of  what  I  wrote  Sir  Wm.  of  this 
Date,  not  an  exact  copy. 

INDORSED : 

1 3  March  1 769 


To  Sir  Wm.  Johnson  — 


TO  GOLDSBROW  BANYAR 

Johnson  Hall  March  21**.  1769 
Dear  Banyar  — 

As  I  did  not  receive  yours  of  the  13th.  Cur'.2  'till  last  Night,  it 
was  not  in  my  power  to  Answer  it  by  the  Same  Post.  —  I  have 
not  had  the  least  difficulty  in  Getting  the  Declaration  of  Trust 
Signed.  There  is  one  Name  Altered  Viz1.  Francis  Rupert  who  is 
run  away  Since  that  time,  and  I  have  put  Francis  Beard  in  his 
Stead,  so  that  I  hope  after  you  receive  this  the  Patent  will  be 
finished  &  Sent  to  me,  with  such  farther  Directions  as  you  may 
Judge  necessary.  — 

I  am  oblidged  to  You  for  ye.  Description  You  were  so  Good 
to  give  me  of  the  Sadaghquedna  &  Oriskane  Tracts,  but  as  Major 
Clarke  &  his  Brother  Value  them  so  high,  I  have  nothing  more 
to  Say  on  that  Subject,  altho  as  You  are  pleased  to  observe  that  I 


1  In  New  York  Historical  Society,  Banyar  Papers. 

2  Ante  pp.  703-05. 


706  Sir  William  Johnson  Papers 

have  a  large  Ballance  in  Mr.  Mortiers  Hands,  I  assure  You  there 
is  not  a  penny  of  it  mine,  and  if  it  were,  &  twenty  times  as  much,  I 
should  not  think  of  giving  so  much  for  y*.  Land,  or  any  other  at 
that  Distance. 

As  to  the  Lines  You  mention,  &  ye.  Addition  of  Land  to  be 
thereby  had,  I  realy  can  say  nothing  at  present  thereon,  having 
lately  lent  my  Map  to  a  Neighbour,  the  want  of  which  prevents 
my  complying  with  yr.  desire,  however  If  still  necessary,  I  will  as 
Soon  as  I  get  my  Map,  Give  You  My  Sentiments,  together  with  a 
Sketch  thereof,  —  The  Oriskane  Land  is  in  General  I  beleive 
verry  good,  but  there  is  no  knowing  the  Quantity  thereof  before 
it  is  Surveyed. 

I  am  glad  you  approve  of  the  Manner  I  have  proposed  to  dis- 
pose of  my  Right  along  the  Susquahana  &  its  Waters  but  I  am 
surprised  that  so  good  a  Judge  of  Land  &  Scituation  as  You  are, 
could  think  the  price  I  ask  to  be  high,  Sure  I  am  my  Dear  freind 
were  it  Yours,  &  that  You  knew  ye.  advantage  of  Scituation, 
Navigation  &  goodness  of  the  Soils  you  would  not  part  it  for  any 
such  price.  —  As  to  the  Difficulty  of  obtaining  a  Pattent  for  it, 
or  Patents  I  see  none,  the  Purchase  was  made  regularly,  and  all 
the  Six  Nations  are  so  well  knowing  to  the  Transaction,  that  they 
would  not  by  any  means  recede  from  it,  nor  of  course  allow  it  to 
be  run  out  for  any  other  Person.  —  I  am  certain  I  could  Sell  great 
part  of  it  for  £150^  Cl.  Acres  in  the  time  of  three  Years.  — 

I  thank  You  kindly  for  the  news  You  were  so  Good  to  com- 
municate, I  long  to  See  the  Resolves  You  mention.  Be  so  good 
&  tell  the  Printer  to  Send  me  ye.  Acts  &  Votes  of  the  late  Session 
entire,  Which  he  should  have  done  before.  — 

I  have  wrote  Mr.  Mortier  this  Day,3  &  I  took  the  liberty  of 
desireing  him  to  pay  into  yr.  hands  whatever  Sum  may  be  due  to 
me  upon  Ballance  at  his  going  away.  Unless  Mr.  Campbel4  of 
Schenectady  should  be  still  there,  In  which  case,  I  have  desired 
Mr.  Mortier  to  pay  it  to  him. 


3  Not  found. 

4  Daniel  Campbell. 


Land  Development,   1769-74  707 

I  am  glad  You  are  to  act  for  him  during  his  Absence  And  I 
wish  that  something  of  that  kind  was  to  fall  to  yr.  Lott,  altho 
that  would  make  you  too  rich,  &  perhaps  forget  yr.  freinds ;  — 
I  am  Dear  Banyar  truely 

Your  Affec".  Freind 
&  Humble  Servant 
GOLDSBORROW  BANYAR  Esqr.  W  JOHNSON 

INDORSED : 

March  2  R  1769 


Letter  from  Sir  Wm. 
Johnson  — 


TO  GOLDSBROW  BANYAR 
A.L.S.1 

[March  21,  I769]2 

I  Judged  it  not  amiss  to  give  You  the  following  private  & 
apart  from  the  Letter.2  —  The  Patent  of  Oriscane  as  I  find 
extends  to  the  Swamp  about  Fort  Bull,  and  is  near  20  Miles  as 
the  Waters  go,  Nothing  can  be  Superior  to  it,  —  great  part  of  it 
is  easy  to  be  cleared,  and  there  are  Several  fine  clearings  upon  it, 
(besides  Oriskane  feild,  which  I  dont  think  equal  to  many  other 
parts)  the  Troops  have  done  it  much  Service,  and  it  is  one  con- 
tinued clearing  from  below  the  Landing  place  at  the  Mohawk 
River  To  Fort  New  Port  at  Wood  Creek,  the  greatest  part  of 
wh.  is  Extraordinary  fine  Land  mostly  meadow,  there  is  a  large 
Clearing  at  Fort  Bull,  and  a  verry  considerable  Space  cleared 
round  Fort  Stanwix,  on  wh.  there  are  three  or  four  White  Familys 


1  In  New  York  Historical  Society,  Banyar  Papers. 

2  Apparently  this  undated  message  accompanied  the  letter  of  this  date. 
In  his  letter  of  March  I  3,  Banyar  sought  Sir  William's  opinion  of  the 
Oriskany  patent.  The  brief  statement  in  the  third  paragraph  of  the  letter 
dated  March  21  is  therefore  elaborated,  and  this  may  have  been  an  in- 
closure. 


708 


Sir  William  Johnson  Papers 


who  make  a  tollerable  Livelyhood  there  by  transporting  Goods 
&ca.  over  the  Carrying  place  this  will  be  verry  valuable  in  time, 
and  therefore  I  thought  a  private  Hint  of  it,  might  be  of  Service 
to  Your  self.  — 

Y». 

WJ  — 


REPORT  OF  INDIAN  TRADE 

Contemporary  Copy1 

[Niagara,  March  24,  1769.] 

Return  of  Peltry  traded  for  at  Niagara  between  the  25th. 
March  1  768,  &  the  24lh.  of  March  1  769  both  days  inclusive  — 


lbs.  of 
Beaver 

lbs.  dressd. 
Leather 

lbs  soft 
Leather 

lbs 
Castorum 

Total    4,127 

9,359 

449 

19!/2 

No.  of 
Bear  Skins 

No.  of 
Cat  Skins 

No.  of 
Martin  skins 

N°.  Fishers 
skins 

Total      626 

96 

642 

126 

No.  Elk 
skins 

N°.  Musk 
Rat  Skins 

N°.  Racoon 
Skins 

N°.  Fox 
Skins 

N°.  Otter 
Skins 

Total 

101 

1,188 

4,374 

15 

355 

No.  Wolf 
Skins 

N°.  Mink 
Skins 

N°.  Beavr. 
eater  skins 

Value  of  the 
foregoing  Peltry 

Total 

2 

59 

1 

£4848..  —  ..— 

Value  of  goods  bartd. 
foregoing  peltry.  — 


Total 


£3039..  —  ..— 


N.B.  The  Trader  at  Fort  Erie  is  not  included  above.  — 

NORD.  MCLEOD 
Commissi  of  Indn.  Affairs.  — 


1  In  Canadian  Archives,  Indian  Records,  Vol.  7. 


Land  Development,  1769-74  709 

FROM  THOMAS  GAGE 

New-\>ork  April  3d.  1769. 

Dear  Sir 

I  have  received  your  Letter  22d.  March,2  and  am  obliged  to 
you  for  dispersing  the  Advertisements. 

The  Virginians  May  very  likely  push  their  Settlements  as  you 
imagine.  They  have  already  made  Objections  to  the  Line  ap- 
proved of  by  the  King  &  ratified  and  confirmed  by  his  order, 
between  their  Province  and  the  Lands  of  the  Cherokees :  Tho'  in 
four  years  Correspondence  between  the  Governor  of  Virginia 
and  Mr.  Steuart,3  no  objection  was  ever  Made  to  the  Line  pro- 
posed. The  Virginians  enforce  their  Pretentions  to  the  Boundary 
which  they  Now  claim  and  desire  to  be  fixed  again  by  a  new 
Negotiation,  by  the  Cession  Made  at  Fort  Stanwix  in  the  late 
Treaty  with  the  Six  Nations,  of  the  Lands  below  the  Kanawa  ex- 
tending to  the  Cherokee  River. 

The  Sense  of  Government  relative  to  the  Cession  below  the 
Kanawa  seems  to  me  to  be  this.  Tho'  the  Cherokees  May  not 
choose  openly  to  deny  the  Right  Which  the  Six  Nations  claim  to 
those  Lands,  which  Might  occasion  a  fresh  Rupture  between 
them,  yet  they  do  not  openly  avow  and  acknowledge  their  Right. 
And  if  by  Virtue  of  the  Claim  of  the  Six  Nations  Made  over  to 
Us,  we  should  in  Consequence  possess  those  Lands,  The  Chero- 
kees would  look  upon  such  a  step  with  a  Jealous  and  evil  Eye, 
and  that  it  would  sooner  or  later  occasion  Hostilities  between  us. 

As  for  the  Boundarys  in  general,  if  they  could  be  inviolably 
preserved,  and  duely  observed  by  the  Provinces,  it  is  certainly 
a  most  useful  Work,  As  it  would  be  the  surest  Means  to  prevent 
Cavils  and  Disputes,  and  finaly,  open  Ruptures  between  us  and 
the  Several  Indian  Nations.  But  I  must  confess  from  My  Ex- 
perience of  Many  of  the  Provinces,  I  am  fully  convinced  that  the 
Boundary  Lines  never  will  be  observed.       The  Frontier  People 


1  In  Historical  Society  of  Pennsylvania. 

2  Johnson  Papers,  6:652-53. 

3  John  Stuart,  southern  superintendent  of  Indians. 


710  Sir  William  Johnson  Papers 

are  too  Numerous,  too  Lawless  and  Licentious  ever  to  be  re- 
strained. The  Legislatures  May  upon  repeated  Complaints  of  the 
Violation  of  the  Boundary  Treaty,  make  Laws,  and  the  most 
Severe  Laws  to  restrain  their  People,  but  those  Laws  will  never  be 
executed ;  They  never  can  be  put  in  Execution  but  with  the  Assisst- 
ance  of  an  armed  Force ;  and  you  will  be  a  very  competent  Judge, 
from  your  long  Acquaintance  with  the  Provinces,  whether  they 
ever  will  raise  a  Force,  employ  any  part  of  their  Militia,  or  require 
the  Assisstance  of  the  King's  Forces,  to  put  Such  Laws  in  Execu- 
tion. They  must  change  their  Principles  in  these  Respects  very 
much,  if  they  ever  Act  with  so  much  Vigour  in  Support  of  Gov- 
ernment. And  I  may  add,  that  there  is  Scarce  any  Province, 
wherein  the  Frontier  Banditti  will  not  find  powerfull  Advocates 
and  Protectors,  for  Reasons  you  need  not  be  told. 

The  Commanders  of  the  Posts  can  not  in  general,  as  you 
observe,  be  competent  Judges  in  the  Matter  of  giving  Presents  to 
the  Indians,  and  I  have  sent  them  orders  after  the  Departure  of 
your  Commissarys  to  Make  No  Presents. 

I  have  wrote  to  the  Governors  of  New-york,  Pensylvania  and 
Quebec,  to  acquaint  them  that  Your  Commissarys,  Interpreters 
&  Smiths  are  ordered  to  be  withdrawn,  and  desired  they  would 
appoint  People  to  Superintend  the  Trade.  I  proposed  that 
Pensylvania  should  appoint  Indian  officers  for  Fort-Pitt  and  the 
Ilinois,  New-York  for  Niagara  &  the  Detroit,  Quebec  for 
Missilimakinac.  I  think  this  is  a  fair  Division.  Tho'  Quebec 
has  but  one  Post,  it  is  the  Most  Expensive  from  the  great  Number 
of  Indians  who  assemble  there.  I  have  referred  them  to  you  for 
proper  Regulations.  The  Assembly  of  this  province  Meets  in  a 
Day  or  two,  6c  Sir  Henry  Moore  will  lay  the  Letter  before  them. 
We  shall  therefore  know  shortly  if  the  Provinces  will  do  any 
thing  effectual  respecting  the  Indian  Trade. 

I  am, 

Dear  Sir, 

Your  Most  obedient, 
humble  Servant, 
SR.  WM.  Johnson  Bar*.  Thos.  Gage 


Land  Development,   1769-74  711 

INDORSED:4 

N  York  April  3<  1 769 


Genr1.  Gages  Letter 


4  In  Sir  William's  hand. 


TO  LORD  ADAM  GORDON 

Df} 

Johnson-hall  April  4th.  1769. 
My  dear  Lord  Adam  — 

It  was  not  till  very  lately  that  I  had  the  pleasure  of  your  kind 
Letter  of  the  25,h.  Augt  last,2  having  been  [from  the  beginning  of 
Sepf.  till  the  middle  of  TV]3  absent  at  the  Treaty  at  Fort  Stanwix 
at  the  time  of  Major  Bruce's  arrival  whom  I  have  not  as  yet  had 
the  honor  to  see,  which  I  am  much  Mortified  at  as  I  should  be 
happy  in  affording  him  any  Services  in  my  power  here,  but  I  hope 
before  it  is  long  we  shall  Meet  together.  — 

I  have  the  same  Complaint  with  you,  that  of  the  Miscarriage 
of  Letters  and  have  particular  reason  to  do  so  having  wrote  you 
last  4  tho'  I  find  it  had  not  come  to  hand  when  you 

Closed  your  last.       My  Son  has  Likiwise  Wrote  you  Twice  since 
the  Letter  you  acknowledge  the  receipt  of. 

The  Temper  of  the  Indians  here  does  not  as  yet  [promise] 
encourage  any  Step  in  the  Affair  of  the  Carrying  place,  but  I 
apprehend  that  it  need  not  be  totally  laid  aside.  Matters  seem  to 
be  coming  to  a  Crisis  here  both  with  regard  to  Whites  &  Indians 
&  perhaps  a  little  time  will  determine  a  great  deal  with  regard  to 
both.  —  what  you  observe  concerning  a  permanent  administration 
&  a  Settled  plan  for  this  Country  I  am  fully  convinced  of  the 


1  In  Massachusetts  Historical  Society.  In  Guy  Johnson's  hand. 

2  Johnson  Papers,  6:336-39. 

3  Words  italicized  and  in  brackets  are  crossed  out  in  manuscript. 

4  Blank  in  manuscript. 


712  Sir  William  Johnson  Papers 

Truth  of,  and  whatever  Side  yields  the  point  in  the  present  dis- 
pute gives  it  up  I  believe  for  ever,  This  is  the  apprehension  of 
those  on  this  Side  of  the  Water,  &  I  am  Sure  it  will  be  found 
to  be  the  Case  on  the  other. 

I  cannot  think  that  these  affairs  [coul-  shall]  can  operate  so  as 
to  give  the  least  obstruction  to  any  plan  which  you  &  the  Duke 
of  Athol  might  have  proposed  with  regard  to  the  Land  I  pro- 
cured for  you,  as  all  Settlements  are  increasing  &  likely  to  do  so 
in  a  much  greater  proportion.  The  quality  of  the  Land  is  very 
good,  and  notwithstanding  that  the  Men  you  sent  came  at  the  very 
Worst  Season  to  these  parts,  &  met  with  all  possible  discourage- 
ment from  the  Inhabitants  who  at  first  are  Extremely  apt  to 
discountenance  the  Settlement  of  Strangers  amongst  them,  they 
seemed  to  me  very  well  pleased  with  it,  altho'  Its  Situation  could 
not  be  justly  conceived  at  that  season  &  the  difficulties  they  met 
with  before  they  reached  my  house  might  from  their  ignorance  in 
these  matters  have  in  some  measure  discouraged  them  —  The 
Patent  fees  you  know  are  £25  York  Curr  for  every  Thousand 
Acres,  the  Quitrent  afterwards  Two  Shilk  &  Sixpence  Ster  the 
hundred.  I  shod.  therefore  think  it  would  be  to  yeur  advantage 
to  keep  it.  The  rather  as  by  the  Settlement  of  the  Gen1,  bound- 
ary with  the  Inds.  last  fall,  the  Line  runs  but  a  Little  to  the  West- 
ward to  that  Tract,  and  Consequently  all  Lands  will  rise  in 
Value.  — 

I  find  that  Sir  Jeff.  Amherst  has  been  since  satisfied  on  the 
Score  of  what  you  wrote,  &  the  last  pacquet  has  brought  some 
spirited  resolves  of  the  House  of  Lords,  but  I  dont  find  that  it  is 
Expected  in  America,  that  these  Matters  will  be  carried  far,  but 
the  arrival  of  the  next  Ships  will  I  [determine  /]  presume  determine 
it.  —  The  People  of  Boston  seem  greatly  dissatisfied  that  the 
Troops  are  Quartered  there  &  some  take  infinite  pains  to  Collect 
instances  of  their  Challenging,  Stopping  people  &cs  but  after  all 
they  do  certainly  [repeal]  receive  considerable  advantag  from 
their  stay  amongst  them,  a  Circumstance  however  w0*1.  policy 
forbids  them  to  acknowledge. 


Land  Development,  1769-74  713 

I  am  very  happy  to  find  that  you  are  so  in  your  present  Scitua- 
tion  possessed  of  a  Lady  whose  Character  I  highly  honor  & 
Cordially  wish  you  a  long  enjoyment  of  Conjugal  felicity,  at  the 
same  time  should  any  Duty,  or  Station  adequate  to  your  Merit 
and  agreable  to  yourself  call  you  abroad,  particularly  to  this 
Country  I  could  not  avoid  rejoycing  at  it  from  the  hopes  of  Seeing 
you  again,  but  warm  as  my  friendship  is  I  would  not  wish  it  on 
any  Terms  but  such  as  were  agreable  to  yourself.  Claus's  Acci- 
dent did  not  Confine  him  long  and  Guy  is  at  length  quite  recovered 
&  has  the  use  of  his  Leg,  each  of  them  has  lost  a  Child,  and  got 
another  Since.  —  They  have  the  highest  respect  for  your  Lord- 
ship, and  send  you  their  best  Wishes.  My  Son  received  your 
kind  Letter  [/rom]  by  Major  Bruce  from  Sr.  H  Moore  who  was 
here  about  Some  Land  purchases  a  few  Weeks  ago,  as  was  the 
Dutchess  of  Gordon  &  Col.  Morris  who  were  So  kind  as  to  pass 
3,  or  4  days  here; — We  Expect  to  See  Major  Bruce  this 
summer.  My  Son  had  [just]  Wrote  to  you  Just  before  the  receipt 
of  that  Letter,  and  he  is  now  writing  to  you,  which  will  be  ac- 
companied with  some  trifles  he  thought  you  wanted.  No  body 
can  more  Sincerely  wish  you  all  happiness  than  he  does  and  his 
Sensibility  of  your  Friendly  patronage  heightens  my  esteem  for 
him.  — 

I  feel  the  weight  of  your  friendship  very  sensibly  in  the  favor- 
able opinion  you  Express  of  my  conduct  in  publick  affairs.  The 
fatigues  &  Anxieties  I  have  had  for  many  Years  now  come  heavily 
on  me,  and  encrease  My  bilious  disorder,  [It]  which  reduced  me  to 
the  lowest  Extremity  last  Year,  &  obliged  me  to  go  to  the  sea 
Side  which  occasioned  the  paragraph  from  New  London  you 
mention.  I  have  been  a  good  deal  better  ever  since  till  within 
These  few  Weeks  I  have  been  threatned  with  a  Return.  I  shall 
not  fail  Sending  you  from  time  to  time  the  things  you  mention  & 
any  thing  else  which  may  be  deemed  Curious  with  you,  or  that  can 
Contribute  to  your  Amusement  &  I  now  send 

I  beg  you  will  offer  my  Most  Sincere  respects  &  best  Wishes 
to  the  Dutchess  of  Athol  with  every  Domestick  blessing,  &  re- 
questing to  be  continued  in  your  friendship  &  to  hear  soon  &  often 


714  Sir  William  Johnson  Papers 

from  you  I  remain  My  dear  Lord  Adam  with  perfect  Truth  & 
regard  Your  Affectionate  &  faithful  Friend, 

&  very  obedient  Servt. 
The  Rl.  honble  W  J. 

Lord  Adam  Gordon 

indorsed: 

April  4*.  1 769. 


To  the  R*.  honble 
Lord  Adam  Gordon 
at  Preston  hall 
near  Dalkeith 
North  Britain 


MASONIC  RECORD 

D.1 

Johnson-Hall  12  April  1769 

Br.  Sir  William  Johnson  was  by  Dispensation  from  our  Worship- 
ful Founder  raised  to  the  Sublime  Deg :  of  Perfection  in  presence 
of  Brs.  Stringer  and  Gamble,  and  signed  the  Bye-Laws.  Sir 
Wm.  paid  to  Br.  Gamble  6  half  Joanne's £  19 — 4 — .  . 


Albany  1  7  April  1  769 
Br.  Batcheler  was  initiated  Perfect  Master  in  presence  of  Brs. 

Stringer,  Gamble,  March  &  Beasley 

Br.   Gamble  delivered  to   Br.   Stringer    £  1 6 — 0 — 0  of  the 

money  he  rec.  from  Sr.  Wm.  Johnson,  and  is  to  be  Chard'd  with 

the  remainder. 


1  Extracts  from  minute  book  of  the  Ineffable  Lodge,  courtesy  Albany 
Lodge.  Printed,  with  facsimile,  in  Thirty-Seventh  Annual  Convocation  of 
the  Council  of  Deliberation  of  New  York — Ancient  Accepted  Scottish 
Rite  of  Freemasonry  for  the  Northern  Masonic  Jurisdiction  of  the  U.S.A. 
(1906),  p.  64.  At  the  installation  of  the  "Lodge  of  Perfection"  at 
Albany,  William  Gamble  became  Master  "until  Sr.  William  Johnson 
should  have  the  refusal  of  it   .    .    ."  Ibid.  p.  38. 


}  J  jjjJUiiJj*  jmvujjjujmjj  jujj  jjjjjjjjjjjjjjijmujjjjjuj  jjtjj  ijj,iijjjj^,'j 


'  iUjjjjjjjji^juuJjJjjij  i  i  i  a  1 1.1  jjj:.  »  i  j  »  ii  i  ii  iiiiiiiiuiii  'i  '.'  '  '  •  •  '  iJ  •  •  ' 

SAMUEL  STRINGER 

Portrait  probably  painted  by  Ezra  Ames,  in  1806.  Courtesy  of  the 

Masonic  Temple,  Albany. 


Land  Development,  1769-74  715 

TO  THOMAS  GAGE 
A.L.S.1 

Johnson  Hall  April  I4lK  1769 
Dear  Sir  — 

I  am  favoured  with  Your  letter  of  ye.  third  Instant,2  and  am 
entirely  of  your  opinion  as  to  the  Conduct  which  may  be  expected 
from  the  Frontier  Inhabitants  particularly  the  Virginians,  I  was 
Sensible  that  they  were  about  to  push  Settlements  &  would  do  so 
in  Virtue  of  their  old  Claim,  that  of  the  Cherokees  I  had  great 
reason  to  think  could  not  be  made  out,  but  in  case  one  Body  of 
Indians  were  to  be  disoblidged,  I  Judged  it  least  dangerous  that 
it  should  be  them  than  the  Northeren  Indians  who  are  more 
capable  of  Shewing  their  Resentment  &  more  inclined  to  do  so, 
besides  I  thought  that  whatever  pretensions  the  former  might  now 
have,  it  could  be  easily  be  settled  to  their  Satisfaction.  — 

I  am  verry  sensible  that  the  Frontier  People  will  meet  with 
but  too  much  encouragement  from  Persons  in  the  Provinces,  and 
that  whatever  Laws  are  made  will  fail  in  the  Execution  for 
reasons  that  are  Obvious,  but  at  present  I  am  most  concerned  as 
to  ye.  Additional  Cession,  from  the  Orders  I  have  to  acquaint  the 
Indians  in  the  best  Manner  I  can  that  his  Majesty  declines  it 
thro'  regard  for  their  Interest,  after  which  if  Settlements  are 
nevertheless  made  on  it,  I  leave  You  to  Judge  of  what  may  be 
the  Consequences  with  regard  to  the  Indians,  I  should  therefore 
be  glad  to  have  your  opinion  whether  under  these  Circumstances 
(with  which  the  Government  may  not  be  acquainted)  it  is  safe 
'till  we  hear  farther,  to  Signify  to  them  his  Majestys  declining  it 
to  the  Indians.  — 

I  am  with  the  most  perfect  Esteem 
Dear  Sir 
Your  most  Obedient 
His  Excellency  &  most  faithfull  Humble  Servant 

General  Gage  W  Johnson 


1  In  William  L.  Clements  Library;  draft,  partly  mutilated  and  without 
the  postcript,  was  printed  in  Johnson  Papers,  5:691-92. 

2  Ante  pp.  709-11. 


716 


Sir  William  Johnson  Papers 


P.S.  The  Poverty  of  the  Indians  in  General  is  (owing  to  their 
Corn  being  destroyed  by  frost  last  Fall)  inexpressible,  I  have 
been  under  a  necessity  of  Supplying  them  hitherto  with  enough 
Just  to  keep  them  alive,  and  am  now  entirely  destitute  of  any, 
So  that  I  should  be  glad  You  would  please  to  order  me  a  quantity 
here  for  their  releif.  I  dont  know  any  thing  that  could  lay  them 
who  receive  it  under  greater  Obligations,  this  is  entirely  Submitted 
to  yr.  Consideration.  — 


INDORSED: 


Sir  Wm.  Johnson 
April  1 4*.  1 769. 
received  April  22d. 
answered  — 


ACCOUNT  OF  WILLIAM  JOHNSTON 

D. 

An  Account  of  Expences  Incurred  since  July  1  768  to  Aprill 
1  769  for  Burning  Coals  &c.  for  the  Indian  Department  &  paid 
By  William  Johnston  Armourer  &  smith  Att  Michilimackinac 
for  the  Indians 

To  Coals  Bought  of  frenchmen £6.. — 

To  5|/2  Cord  of  Coal  wood  @  5/ 1  .  .    7 

To  1  7  Days  work  of  hired  men  to  Assist 

in  makeing  the  Coals  @  5/ 4 .  .    5 

To  ten  Cord  of  Coal  wood  @  5/ 2 .  .  1 0 

Lozways.   Acclt.   for  Riding  ten  Cord  of 

Coal  wood 4.  . — 

1  Day  Riding  the  Coals  in  to  the  Garrison       — .  .    8 

fire  wood  Expences  &  Candles 

To  8|/2  Cord  of  fire  wood  @  20/ 8.  .  10 

7  lb  of  Candles @  2/6  ..17 


£27. .18.. 


Land  Development,  1769-74  717 

I    do   hereby    Certify    that    I    believe   the   above    account 

to  be  Just  — 

B.  Glasier1 

Cap1.  60h.  Regiment 


indorsed:2 


William  Johnston  (Armourer  &  Smith) 
at  Michilimacinac  his 
Ace*,  for  Fire  Wood  Candles  &ca 
£27. .18..— 


1  Captain  Beamsly  Glasier. 

2  In  Sir  William's  hand. 


TO  THOMAS  GAGE 

A.  L.  S.1 

Johnson  Hall  May  5th.  1769 
Dear  Sir — 

I  have  had  the  favour  of  Yours  of  the  23d.  Ult0.,2  and  I  am 
glad  to  hear  that  some  Resolutions  are  likely  to  be  taken  soon 
respecting  the  Claims  of  Virginia,  as  it  will  direct  me  with  regard 
to  the  Execution  of  his  Majestys  Orders  which  cannot  safely  be 
performed  till  I  hear  something  farther  on  yl.  Subject. 

There  is  no  Indian  Corn  to  be  had  on  the  Mohawk  River,  last 
Year  having  proved  unfavourable  to  that  Grain,  the  like  has  been 
the  case  amongst  the  Indians  of  the  Six  Nations  which  is  the 
cause  of  their  present  distress.  As  the  Fund  for  the  Expences  of 
the  Department  is  so  verry  Scanty,  there  can  be  verry  little  if  any 
allowed  for  the  purchase  of  provisions.  Indeed  the  whole  Sum 
applied  to  any  particular  purpose  would  be  by  no  means  too  much, 
if  the  Affections  &  fidelity  of  the  Indians  are  to  be  Well 
Secured.  — 


1  In  William  L.   Clements  Library;   draft,  slightly  mutilated  and  with 
minor  variations  of  content,  was  printed  in  Johnson  Papers,  6:742-43. 

2  Johnson  Papers,  6:708-10. 


718  Sir  William  Johnson  Papers 

I  have  perused  the  Extract  of  Co1.  Bradstreets  Ace'.,  and  do 
recollect  that  all  or  most  of  the  Charges  were  certified  by  me  for 
the  Affairs  of  the  Department,  &  the  Transportation  of  pro- 
visions previous  to,  &  During  the  Treaty  at  Fort  Stanwix.  Since 
the  receipt  of  it  I  have  Not  had  Sufficient  leisure  to  examine  it 
thoroughly,  but  I  recollect  that  Several  of  the  Persons  therein 
mentioned  were  necessarily  detained  for  the  receiving  Issuing  & 
care  of  Goods  &  Provisions,  bringing  grain  &ca.  from  Fort 
Harkemer  killing  Cattle  &  Several  other  Services  wh.  were 
unavoidable. 

If  it  is  necessary  to  enquire  particularly  into  each  Article  it 
shall  be  done  on  the  return  of  my  Clerk  from  New  York  which 
will  be  within  a  few  Days,  I  have  at  present  only  to  add  that  I 
I  am  always  with  the  greatest  regard 

Dear  Sir 
Your  most  Obedient 
His  Excellency  &  faithfull  Humble  Servant 

General  Gage  —  W  Johnson 

INDORSED : 

Sir  Wm.  Johnson  Bar1. 
May  5*    1  769. 
received  May  1 8th. 
answered  — 


TO  GOLDSBROW  BANYAR 
^tI  ..Z_<.o. 

Johnson  Hall  May  1 1*.  1 769 
Dear  Sir  — 

Mr.  Harper  delivered  me  yrs.  of  the  25th.  Ult°.2  With  the  two 
Patents  for  Lawyer  &ca.  &  Peter  Servis  &  others,  —  I  have 
spoke  with   Harper   regarding   my   Susquahana   Lands,   &   also 


1  In  New  York  Historical  Society,  Banyar  Papers. 

2  Not  found. 


Land  Development,  1769-74  719 

wrote  to  Mr.  Campbel  the  Surveyor  on  the  Subject,  however  He 
will  act  therein  I  cant  say.  — 

My  Indian  purchase  in  that  Quarter  was  verry  Extensive,  but 
I  gave  up  a  great  part  thereof  to  the  Indians  Some  few  years  ago. 
as  I  did  not  chuse  to  Stint  or  hemm  them  in  too  much.  So  that  I 
have  now  only  to  Tieanaderrah,3  or  the  Line  wh.  was  Settled  last 
Fall  between  us  &  the  Indians,  If  it  is  included  by  the  Sevr1. 
Gentlemen  who  are  now  about  taking  up  Patents  for  all  the 
Lands  about  it,  on  both  sides,  I  will  pay  to  them  my  Share  of 
the  Expence  of  Patent  &  Survey,  on  their  releasing  to  me;  or, 
Sell  them  now  my  Title  thereto,  agreable  to  the  proposals  sent  by 
Mr.  Croghan,  wh.  (the  goodness  of  the  Land  considered)  is 
reckoned  verry  reasonable.  —  I  could  I  am  certain  if  patented, 
dispose  of  everry  foot  of  it  in  a  Months  time  to  New  England 
People,  who  have  been  with  me  lately  about  it,  &  wanted  Sevr1. 
Townships. 

I  shall  be  much  oblidged  to  You  for  the  Copy  of  the  best  & 
Shortest  form  of  such  a  Release  as  is  necessary  to  be  Signed  by 
those  whose  Names  are  inserted  (in  Trust)  in  [a]  Patents.  and 
that  as  Soon  as  You  Can.  Be  so  Good  also  as  to  Send  me  Copy 
of  a  Deed  Signed  by  a  Number  of  the  Catskill  or  Esopus  Indians 
about  three  Years  ago  for  all  the  Vacant  Lands  of  theirs  within 
ye.  Province,  the  purchase  I  beleive  was  made  by  Mr.  Sinot  6c 
others,  &  Since  patented. 


I  wish  you  all  happiness, 


ADDRESSED : 

Albany  216 

To 

Goldsborrow  Banyar  Esqr. 
Depy.  Secretary  of  the  Province 
New  York 


&  am 

Dear  Banyar 

Yrs.  Sincerely  &  Affect1?. 

W  Johnson 


3  Tienaderha  (Tianadara)  is  Unadilla  Creek. 


720  Sir  William  Johnson  Papers 

INDORSED : 

May  11-1769 


Letter  from  Sr.  Wm.  Johnson 


ACCOUNT  OF  JOHN  STEVENSON 

A.  D. 

Albany  17th.  May  1769 
Sir  William  Johnson  Baronett 

To  John  Stevenson  Dr. 

T.  C.  Q.      lb 

To  1..0..0..12Iron  £36  p'.  Tun £36..  4. 

To  102 J/2 tb  German  steel.  ...  1/6 

To  9  Large  Files 3/    

10  Ditto    2/6 

5  Ditto   1/6 


£36.. 

4. 

0 

7.. 

13. 

9 

1.. 

7. 

— 

1.. 

5. 

— 

7. 

6 

£46. 

.17 

.3 

INDORSED:1 


Mr.  John  Stevensons  Ace*, 
for  Iron  &  Steel 
&46..17..3 


1  In  Sir  William's  hand. 


FROM  GUY  CARLETON 

Quebec  25th.  May  1769 
Sir 

General  Gage  has  lately  informed  me,  that  in  Consequence  of 
His  Majesty's  Regulations  in  Regard  to  the  Management  of  the 
Indian  Trade,  You  had  been  under  a  Necessity  to  discharge 
several  of  your  subordinate  Officers,  and  He  has  at  the  same  Time 


1  In  Harvard  University  Library,  Sparks  Collection. 


Land  Development,  1769-74  721 

been  pleased  to  propose  a  Plan  for  the  respective  Posts  being  in 
Future  provided  in  that  Respect  by  the  Provinces  chiefly  con- 
cerned in  the  Trade  thither;  As  I  am  willing  in  Case  said  Plan 
is  adopted  by  the  other  Provinces,  to  accept,  on  the  Part  of  this 
Province,  of  the  Care  of  Missilimakinac  in  Order  to  the  more 
effectually  providing  for  the  same,  I  am  to  request  a  Communica- 
tion of  the  Instructions  You  gave  your  Comissary  there,  a  State 
of  the  Presents  You  approved  of  as  sufficient,  and  a  List  of  the 
Officers,  You  keep  in  Pay  or  Dismiss,  with  their  respective  Ap- 
pointments, or  any  other  Intelligence  relative  to  those  Matters, 
You  think  may  prove  of  Use,  that  I  may  conform  thereto  as  far 
as  the  Nature  of  the  Service,  and  the  Circumstances  of  this 
Province  will  at  present  admit  — 

I  am  with  great  Regard 
Sir 
Your  most  Obedient 
Most  Humble  Servant 

Guy  Carleton 

The  Honorable  SlR  WlLLIAM  JOHNSON  Bar1. 
Superintendant  of  Indian  Affairs 
in  the  Northern  District  &c. 


FROM  SAMUEL  KIRKLAND 
Extract1 

Fort  Stamvix  25ih.  May  AD  1769 
Sir, 

Tuesday  last  came  here  to  attend  the  funeral  of  Tanihwanegea 
alias  Wadore,  who  the  night  before  was  murdered  by  Onon- 
wakha's  Brother,  &  am  now  waiting  for  their  Head  Men  who 
desired  my  assistance  in  delivers,  a  speech  to  the  people  upon  this 
ground.  —  they   are  now  resolutely  &  unanimously  engaged  to 


1  Copy  in  Oneida  Historical  Society,  Utica,  N.  Y.  This  first  paragraph 
is  largely  missing  from  the  mutilated  manuscript,  as  printed  in  Johnson 
Papers,  6:774-75. 


722  Sir  William  Johnson  Papers 

prevent  ye.  farther  sale  of  spirituous  liquors  at  this  place  &  to 
effect  their  design  will  soon  begg  your  Honour's  advice  &  in- 
fluence. *  *  *  * 


TO  THOMAS  GAGE 

Johnson  Hall  May  27*  1769 
Deak  Sir  — 

I  have  Just  received  two  Alarming  letters  the  one  from  the  late 
Commissary  at  Detroit,  the  other  from  Cap1.  MacLeod,2  the 
purport  of  them  correspond  nearly  with  some  reports  &  rumours 
that  have  lately  prevailed,  &  tho  I  hope  they  may  prove  ground- 
less, yet  it  is  necessary  You  should  know  that  the  Intelligence  has 
been  received  at  these  posts,  that  the  Shawanese,  Deiawares, 
Mingoes  of  Ohio  Associated  with  the  Powtawatamies  Chippe- 
weighs  &ca.  intend  to  break  out,  that  the  Shawanese  have  brought 
a  great  number  of  Cattle  to  the  Miamis  River,  which  they  Say 
they  are  to  live  on  during  the  Seige  of  Detroit,  the  Inhabitants 
of  which  Settlement  as  Mr.  Hay3  writes  are  so  much  alarmed 
that  they  have  brought  a  good  part  of  their  Effects  &  provisions 
into  the  Fort,  with  some  of  their  Women  &  Children,  The 
Panics  first  received  intelligence  of  it,  which  they  communicated  to 
their  Masters,  &  some  Indians  have  advised  the  Traders  they  most 
regarded,  not  to  proceed  to  Detroit,  the  Consequence  of  which  is, 
that  they  have  resolved  to  go  no  farther  than  Fort  Erie,  &  Cap*. 
MacLeod  writes  that  between  20  &  30  Batteaux  now  at  the 
Carrying  place  are  come  to  that  resolution,  this  may  have  bad 
effects,  for  in  case  the  Indians  are  not  realy  disposed  to  do  Mis- 
cheif  as  is  represented,  the  failure  or  scarcity  of  Goods  at  ye. 
season  when  they  come  with  their  peltry  &ca.  in  full  expectation 
of   a   plentiful   Market  will   produce   much  discontent  amongst 


1  In  William  L.  Clements  Library. 

2  Captain  Normand  MacLeod,  commissary  at  Niagara. 

3  Lieutenant  Jehu  Hay,  commissary  at  Detroit. 


Land  Development,   1769-74  723 

them,  I  have  also  received  an  Indian  Speech  from  Detroit  made 
in  the  presence  of  Cap'.  Turnbull4  &  all  his  Officers  in  favour  of 
Cap*.  St.  Clair5  &  full  of  wants,  a  Copy  of  which  I  dare  say  you 
will  receive  from  him  by  this  opertunity,  I  have  also  a  letter  from 
one  Mr.  Robinson  Commanding  a  Vessel  on  the  Lake  Huron 
requesting  some  allowance  to  gratify  the  Indians  whose  Assistance 
is  necessary  to  get  up  his  Vessel  &  representing  that  they  were 
accustomed  to  receive  many  favours  from  Cap'.  Sinclair,  such  as 
condemned  Pork  &ca.,  which  he  cannot  afford  them,  thro  the  want 
of  which  they  may  be  discontented.  — 

Cap1.  MacLeod  only  waited  the  return  of  De  Couagne  the 
Interpreter  whom  he  had  sent  to  procure  farther  Intelligence  of 
the  Indians  designs,  &  would  then  set  out.  I  delayed  the  last  half 
years  Accts.  waiting  for  his,  but  it  not  yet  coming,  I  am  oblidged 
to  inclose  my  Accompt  without  it,  as  many  are  importunate  for 
money.  — 

I  have  seen  Several  of  the  upper  Nations  within  these  few 
Days,  who  have  told  me  of  the  discontents  to  ye.  Southward  &ca., 
and  say,  that  Goods  are  sold  verry  dear,  which  is  ye.  pretext  made 
use  of  by  some  of  the  Nations,  but  as  I  purpose  in  a  little  time 
going  up  to  the  Six  Nations  Country,  I  expect  to  obtain  more 
particular  Information  in  these  matters,  which  I  shall  com- 
municate. — 

I  am  with  the  most  perfect  Esteem 

Dear  Sir 

Your  most  Obedient 
His  Excellency  &  Verry  Humble  Servant 

General  Gage  —  W,  Johnson 

INDORSED : 

Sir  Wm.  Johnson  Bar'. 
Johnson  Hall  May  27lh.  1769 
Inclosing  an  Ace*,  of 


4  Captain  George  Turnbull,  commandant  at  Detroit. 

5  Captain  Patt  Sinclair. 


724  Sir  William  Johnson  Papers 

Pay,  and  an  Account  of 
Contingencies  in  his 
Department. 
Recd.  June  3  d. 
Answered  — 


FROM  WILLIAM  CAMPBELL 
L.S.1 

Halifax  31  May  1769.— 

Sir 

A  few  days  ago  I  had  the  Honour  of  a  letter  from  the  Earl 
of  Hillsborough,  on  the  Subject  of  the  future  care  and  Manage- 
ment of  the  Indians,  in  which  His  Lordship  makes  Mention  of 
your  having  a  deputy  in  this  Province.  but  as  there  has  been  no 
such  person  here  since  the  departure  of  Major  Gorham,2  I  have 
appointed  Mr.  John  Cunningham  to  transact  that  business  untill 
you  shall  think  proper  to  make  an  Appointment.  in  the  mean 
time  I  would  particularly  recommend  Mr.  Cunningham  to  you  for 
your  deputation  in  this  business  not  only  as  a  very  honest  man,  & 
being  very  fit  for  the  business  —  but  also  because  he  had  been 
long  in  that  employment  and  continued  in  it  untill  Major  Gorhams 
Appointment  to  that  business  displaced  him  — 

Mr.  Cunningham  has  had  a  particular  recommendation  to  me 
from  Lord  Hillsborough 

I  am 
Sir 

with  great  regard 

Your  Most  Obedient  & 
Most  Humble  Servant 
William  Campbell3 


1  In  Historical  Society  of  Pennsylvania. 

2  Major  Joseph  Gorham. 

3  Lord  William  Campbell,  youngest  son  of  the  Duke  of  Argyle;  governor 
of  Nova  Scotia,  1  766-1  773;  governor  of  South  Carolina,  1  774-1  775. 


Land  Development,  1769-74  725 

INDORSED:4 

Halifax  3  K  May  1769.— 


From  Ld.  Wm.  Campbell 
Govr.  of  Nova  Scotia. 
Ansd.  Aug1.  20th. 


FROM  THOMAS  PENN 

London  June  6.  1769 

Dear  Sir  — 

Hearing  there  is  a  Ship  to  sail  for  Philadelphia  [to  sail]  this 

evening,  I  was  willing  to  embrace  that,  as  the  first  opportunity,  to 

tell  you,  that  I  was  this  morning  at  the  Council  office  to  press  the 

finishing  of  your  Grant,  and  have  the  pleasure  to  inform  you  it  is 

now  at  the  privy  Seal,  and  will  very  soon  go  to  the  Great  Seal, 

which  will  delay  it  but  a  short  time,  and  when  it  is  done  I  will  send 

you  a  coppy,  and  wait  your  orders  how  the  Original  shal  be  sent ; 

it  is  granted  at  the  Rent  of  two  Beaver  Skins,  and  a  reservation  of 

one  fifth  part  of  gold  &  Silver  Oar,  so  that,  tho  the  fees  will 

amount  to  a  considerable  sum,  you  will  have  a  trifling  &  honary 

Rent  to  pay,  which  I  think  more  honorable  to  you.       I  have  not 

time  to  add  more  than  that  I  am  with  a  most  sincere  regard 

Dear  Sir 

Your  affectionate  Friend  & 

Most  obedient  humble  servant 

Tho  Penn 
Sir  Wm.  Johnson  Bar1. 

It  is  made  to  you  &  your  associates,  the  Attorney  General  would 
not  pass  it  otherwise. 


4  In  Guy  Johnson's  hand. 

1  In  New  York  State  Library.  This  letter  has  the  later  letter  of  June 
29  on  the  back  of  it,  post  p.  740,  and  were  both  answered  by  Sir  William, 
September  15,1  769,  Johnson  Papers,  7 : 1  76-78. 


726  Sir  William  Johnson  Papers 

FROM  THOMAS  GAGE 
Contemporary  Copy1 

New  York  I2ih.  June  1769  — 
Dear  Sir, 

I  have  not  yet  thanked  you  for  your  Letter  of  the  5  th.  May,2 
and  the  arrival  of  April  Mail  prevented  me  answering  your 
Letter  of  27lh.  May3  by  last  Post.  — 

The  Commissary  General  can  purchase  no  Provisions  but  in 
cases  of  Extremity,  &  I  could  not  devise  any  method  by  which 
the  Indian  Corn  you  desired  from  hence  would  properly  be  stated 
in  any  account  of  the  several  Departments.  — 

What  you  have  mentioned  concerning  the  Charges  of  the 
Transportation  of  Provisions,  &  your  Recollection  that  several 
Persons  were  detained  at  Fort  Stanwix  on  various  Services,  is 
Sufficient  to  prove  that  the  People  have  not  given  in  unjust  De- 
mands, and  I  did  not  mean  to  trouble  you  further  on  the  Extract 
from  Colo1.  Bradstreet's  Accounts.  — 

I  have  received  Letters  from  Detroit  &  Niagara  concerning  the 
Reports  you  mention  in  yours  of  27th.  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  displeased, 
because  they  did  not  receive  Presents,  tho'  they  get  Tobacco, 
Rum,  Powder,  Shot,  Salt  &  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  Presents  given  them  at  Fort 
Stanwix.  The  Vessells  was  to  Sail  soon  from  Detroit  to  Fort  Erie, 
so  we  may  soon  get  some  further  Intelligence  concerning  these 
Rumours.  — 

Capt  Turnbull4  has  transmitted  me  the  Speech  from  Detroit 
concerning  Mr.  Sinclair,5  and  his  goodness  to  the  Indians,  where 
his  Vessel  used  to  be  laid  up.  — 


1  In  William  L.  Clements  Library;  mutilated  draft  in  New  York  State 
Library  was  printed  in  Johnson  Papers,  7:14-15. 

2  Ante  pp.  717-18. 

3  Ante  pp.  722-24. 


Land  Development,   1769-74  111 

A  Warrant  will  be  granted  for  the  Account  you  have  trans- 
mitted, but  it  will  be  some  time  before  it  is  discharged  for  there 
is  Actually  no  money  to  be  had  in  this  Place.  — 

I  am,  with  great  Regard, 
Dear  Sir, 
SR.  WM.  Johnson  Bar1.  &ca.  — 

INDORSED: 

Copy./. 

To  Sir  Wm.  Johnson  Bar1, 
at 

Johnson  hall 
New  York  12*.  June  1769 


TO  WILLIAM  FRANKLIN 
Df.1 
Johnson-hall  [May]2  June  12th.  1769. 
Dear  Sir  — 

Your  kind  Letter  of  [Last  Month]  April  10th.3  relieved  me 
from  the  Suspence  which  your  Long  Silence  occasioned  and 
which  you  have  sufficiently  accounted  for.  Indeed  my  own 
Situation  has  been  such  since  we  parted,  that  I  can  the  easier 
excuse  any  omission  of  that  nature  in  another,  and  this  hitherto 
prevented  me  from  Setting  you  a  good  Example,  tho'  I  could  not 
pretend  to  afford  you  equal  entertainment  from  the  unimportant 
events  of  these  parts. 

I  began  a  Letter  near  three  Weeks  ago,  but  dropped  it  in 
[/?ave]  Expectation  of  having  something  worth  communicating  in 
a  little  time  altho'  I  have  waited  to  no  purpose. 

I  thank  you  for  the  Copy  you  transmitted  me,  &  shall  Settle 
the  Matter  with  Col.  Croghan  as  you  desire  when  he  &  I  has 


4  Captain  George  Turnbull,  commandant  at  Detroit. 

5  Captain  Patt  Sinclair  (St.  Clair). 

1  In  American  Antiquarian  Society.  In  hand  of  Guy  Johnson. 

2  Words  italicized  and  in  brackets  are  crossed  out  in  the  manuscript. 

3  Not  found. 


728  Sir  William  Johnson  Papers 

more  Leisure  than  we  have  had  Since  his  arrival  in  these  parts, 
and  I  shall  likewise  talk  fully  to  him  upon  the  Subject.  I  hope  it 
will  go  on  with  better  success  than  it  has  hitherto  done,  but  think 
it  will  require  time  and  perseverance. 

You  have  doubtless  before  this  time  heard  from  our  Friend 
Wharton,4  as  I  expect  to  do  but  have  not  as  yet.  Neither  have  I 
had  any  accounts  from  any  person  concerning  the  event  of  his 
Voyage,  or  on  the  Subject  of  the  retribution.  The  Letter  from 
the  Secy,  of  State  which  I  have  Just  received  by  the  pacquet  con- 
taining very  little,  and  nothing  Material,  and  by  my  other  Letters 
I  find  that  the  Whole  face  of  things  is  much  as  it  was  when  we 
heard  before.  The  Nature  of  the  dispute  about  the  Rights  of 
Parliament,  and  the  disturbed  State  of  Affairs  at  home  Create 
so  many  difficulties  that  when  it  will  end,  or  other  business  be 
fully  attended  to  must  be  uncertain  —  I  thank  you  kindly  for  the 
Pamphlet  you  sent  me  which  is  I  think  a  very  good  performance, 
and  I  fancy  I  could  guess  the  Author  of  it,  —  in  return  I  send  at 
3'our  desire  by  this  opportunity  Evans's  Manuscript  Journal,  I 
also  inclose  you  Copys  of  the  Two  Letters  from  the  Two  Clergy- 
men which  you  wanted,  I  have  since  had  several  Curious  &  Ex- 
traordinary Letters  from  [Jas.  Wm.\  Parson,  Williamson  als. 
Johnson  one  of  a  Very  late  date,  All  on  the  Subject  of  Lands  & 
Establishments  for  the  faithfull  &  desiring  to  know  why  I  did 
not  make  public  the  boundary  that  they  might  take  possess",  of 
their  lands.  There  are  no  New  Steps  taken  for  carrying  on  the 
pious  work  and  the  Oneidas  have  thro'  some  disgust  withdrawn 
most  of  their  Children  from  the  Seminary,  I  believe  all  attention 
is  now  directed  to  the  Susquehanna  Vales,  concerning  the  Settle- 
ment of  which  I  hear  they  have  come  to  Some  Strong  resolutions 
in  Connecticut.  — 

I  wish  I  could  dispose  of  my  right  on  Susquehanna  below  the 
price  I  mentioned,  especially  as  you  Signify  an  Inclination  for  it, 
but  really,  from  the  Trouble  &  Expence  it  has  already  put  me 
to,  and  the  price  I  have  been  very  lately  offered  for  a  great  part 
of  it,  I  cannot  consistently  do  it.       The  Account  of  its  being  very 


4  Samuel  Wharton. 


Land  Development,  1769-74  729 

hilly  &  Stony  must  have  arisen  from  some  Mis  Information,  for 
except  where  some  points  of  hills  happen  to  Come  to  the  River 
which  occupy  but  a  Very  Small  part  of  it,  It  is  perhaps  as  rich 
&  Valuable  for  the  Generality  as  any  Land  whatsoever,  &  this 
is  allowed  by  some  who  have  carefully  viewed  &  are  now 
Sollicitting  me  to  dispose  of  it.  — 

As  to  Indian  Intelligence  I  cannot  say  any  thing  Satisfactorily. 
The  Commissaries  are  withdrawn,  &  I  don't  see  any  speedy  pros- 
pect of  such  Establishments  on  the  part  of  the  Colonies  as  will 
Answer  the  purposes  of  preserving  peace  &  Extending  Commerce, 
neither  can  it  be  expected  that  they  will  make  an  adequate  provi- 
sion, or  from  their  different  Interests  unite  in  a  matter  of  that 
nature  so  as  it  may  be  attended  with  any  Good  effects,  I  have  kept 
Interpreters  &  Smiths  as  yet  at  the  posts,  without  which,  affairs 
would  not  have  gone  on  so  easily  as  they  have  done,  —  Belts  how- 
ever, [are]  Said  to  come  from  the  Southward  are  amongst  the 
Indians  &  there  has  been  an  Alarm  lately  at  Detroit  which 
[alarmed]  Frightened  &  Stopped  the  Traders  at  Niagara,  &  has 
induced  the  Inhabitants  of  the  first  mentioned  Settlement  to 
fortify  themselves  on  the  opposite  Side  of  the  River,  which  will 
probably  alarm  the  Indians,  &  may  have  consequences  different 
from  What  is  intended. 

I   think  to  go  up  the  Country  for  a  little  time  &  do  what 

little   I   can   under   the   present   restrictions   for  preventing   any 

Union  to  our  prejudice,  and  as  my  health  is  but  very  indifferent 

may  possibly  go  down  to  the  Sea  Side  in  the  fall  when  if  I  should 

happen  to  be  near  you,  you  may  be  Assured  that  I  should  Visit 

Burlington  with  great  pleasure  —      In  the  Meantime  I  shall  be 

happy  in  hearing  from  you  whenever  your  Leisure  will  admit  you 

to  write  to  him  Who  is  Always  with  great  Sincerity 

Dr.  Sir, 
His  Excels. 

GovR.  Franklin 

Mess".  Wells  &  Smith  by  whom  you  wrote  the  29th.  April,  for- 
warded the  Letter  but  did  not  come  this  way,  which  deprived  me 
of  an  opportunity  of  shewing  them  those  Civilities  which  your 
Friends  shod.  Always  receive  at  my  hands. 


730 


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740  Sir  William  Johnson  Papers 

FROM  THOMAS  PENN 

A.  L.  S.1 

London  June  29lh.  1769. 
Dear  Sir  — 

I  wrote  you  the  6th.  of  this  month  and  informed  you  that  your 
Grant  had  passed  the  Privy  Seal,  and  have  now  the  satisfaction 
to  acquaint  you  that  it  has  passed  the  great  Seal,  and  to  enclose 
you  a  Coppy  of  it.  The  Grant  I  did  not  think  fit  to  send 
without  your  order,  and  therefore  desire  you  will  give  me  direc- 
tions how  you  would  have  it  sent;  I  hope  you  will  approve  of 
it.  it  was  done  in  a  manner  the  most  agreeable  to  you  I  could 
procure,  the  number  of  associates  much  encreased  the  fees. 
I  have  already  paid  Mr.  Wilmot  four  hundred  &  sixty  pounds 
and  believe  there  will  be  about  one  hundred  and  fifty  pounds 
more,  which  fees  the  King  could  not  give  away;  but  I  have  the 
satisfaction  to  suppose  the  fees  at  New  York  would  have  been 
as  much,  and  you  would  have  had  quitrent  to  paj',  besides  that 
the  having  a  Grant  from  the  King  himself  in  acknowledgment 
of  your  Services  is  an  agreeable  thing  to  you  and  your  Family, 
and  therefore  I  hope  to  have  your  approbation. 

I  heartily  wish  you  long  to  enjoy  it  and  am  with  great  respect 
and  esteem. 

Dear  Sir 

Your  affectionate  Friend  and 

most  obedient  humble  servant 

Tho  Penn 


INDORSED : 


Letters  from  the  Honble 
Thos.  Penn  Esqr.  Dated 
London  June  6th.  and  29lh.  — 
with  a  Copy  of  the  Kings  Grant 

toS'.W.J.— 

Ansd.  Sepf.  15th.2 


1  In  New  York  State  Library.  This  letter  with  indorsement  is  on  same 
sheet  with  the  letter  of  June  6,  ante  p.  725. 

2  Johnson  Papers,  7:176-78. 


Land  Development,   1769-74  741 

FROM  THOMAS  POWNALL 

Contemporary  Copy1 

[June  1769f 
Acquaint  Sir  William  Johnson,  That  you3  do  freely  communi- 
cate with  Governor  Pownal  and  That  you  find  Him  totaly 
inclined  to  his  Service  and  Interest  and  That  you  have  his 
Liberty  to  use  his  Name,  In  what  He  thinks  will  be  of  the  Utmost 
Importance,  for  the  Direction  of  his  Determinations  relative  to  the 
Indian  Transactions  at  Fort  Stanwix.  —  But  Governor  Pownal 
thinks  it  may  be  necessary  to  be  particular,  with  respect  to  his 
present  Situation;  For  When  Sir  William  and  He  used  to  Act 
together,  He  afforded  Him  the  real  Sentiments  of  the  Administra- 
tion, Notwithstanding  their  Instructions  might  have  another 
Appearance;  But  that  now,  He  has  not  any  Connexions  with 
Them  and  his  Intelligence,  does  not  come  directly  from  Them.  — 
Governor  Pownal  authorises  Mr.  Wharton  to  assure  Sir  Wil- 
liam, That  of  his  own  Knowledge,  He  has  undeniable  Reason  to 
be  certain,  That  it  has  [is]  the  final  Determination  of  the  [present] 
Administration,  That  Whatever  Instructions  They  may  have  sent 
Him  or  shall  send  Him,  //  the  Six  Nations  will  not  depart  from 
the  Terms  of  their  Grant,  as  fixed  at  Fort  Stanwix;  But  will 
resolutely  and  steadily  persevere  in  every  Article  of  it,  So  as  that 
He  shall  find  Himself  obliged  by  the  Positiveness  of  the  Six 
Nations  to  abide  by  what  was  then  seteled  [settled],  That  the 


1  In  Historical  Society  of  Pennsylvania,  Cadwalader  Collection.  There 
are  two  of  these  drafts  with  slight  variation,  indicated  by  the  use  of  brackets. 
The  one  followed  has  more  underlining,  shown  by  italics. 

2  Approximate  date  fixed  from  context.  George  E.  Lewis,  biographer 
of  Samuel  Wharton,  sets  the  date  as  May  or  June;  hence  the  outside  date 
for  our  chronology  is  the  end  of  June. 

3  Samuel  Wharton  was  in  England  with  William  Trent  seeking  in- 
demnity for  "the  suffering  traders  of  1  763,"  a  restitution  for  their  losses 
in  the  Pontiac  uprising.  Wharton  arrived  in  England  in  March.  See  Sir 
William  to  Samuel  Wharton,  Feb.  1  7,  I  769,  indicating  Wharton's  serv- 
ing for  him.  Johnson  Papers,  6:633-34. 


742  Sir  William  Johnson  Papers 

Min .  .  .  y4  will  acquiesce  in  it ;  Wherefore  the  final  Determination 
of  the  Boundary  and  all  that  is  connected  with  it,  depend  on  his 
[own]  Management  and  Discretion,  As  He  shall  find  best,  for  the 
British  Interest  in  general,  As  connected  with  Indian  Affairs. 

INDORSED : 

Copy  of  Gov.  Pownals 

Private  hints  to  Sir  Wm.  Johnson. 


FROM  JELLES  FONDA 

L.S.1 

Caughnawaga  6ih.  July  1769 
Sir 

Your  favour  of  the  3d.  Instant  came  to  hand  this  morning,  and 
have  agreeable  to  your  desire  sent  you  <P  Hendrick  Visbach 
Sixty  scipple  of  your  Indian  Corn  one  Loaf  of  Sugar  200  Limes 
and  a  Small  keg  of  Eggs,  Cont§.  80  also  a  small  package  of  Files 
for  John  Johnston  the  Gun  Smith  at  Cahuga,  as  I  thought  it  not 
safe  to  send  the  Corn  without  Covering  have  sent  I  piece  English 
Blankit  |  |  for  that  purpose,  which  hope  may  meet  v/ith 

your  aprobation 

I  am 
Sir 

Your  most  oblidged  and 
Most  Humble  Ser*. 

Jelles  Fonda 

The  Honbe.  SlR  WlLLIAM  JOHNSON  Bar1. 

N.B  I  return  you  hearty  thancks  for  your  kind  advice  about  Mr. 
Adems  on  my  Coming  up  with  Corn  &ca.  I  have  Consulted  him 
on  that  head  and  find  it  agreable  to  him  &  we  propose  sending  off 
the  same  as  soon  as  possibly  we  can  accomplish  what  will  Load  the 
Boats  — 


4  Ministry. 

1  In  Historical  Society  of  Pennsylvania,  Gratz  Collection. 


Land  Development,   J  769-74  743 

ADDRESSED : 

To 
The  Honble.  Sir  William  Johnson  Bar1. 

at 
Onondaga  Lake 


INDORSED:2 


July  6*.  1 769 
Major  Fondas  Letter 


2  In  Sir  William's  hand. 


GUY  JOHNSON  TO  THOMAS  GAGE 

Guy  Park  July  6*.  1769.— 
Sir, 

Your  Excellencys  Letter  of  the  26th.2  ult°.  to  Sir  Wm.  Johnson 
Came  to  my  hands  since  his  departure  for  Seneca,  for  which  he 
sat  out  the  27th.  of  last  Month  pursuant  to  his  last  Letter,  —  I 
shall  forward  yours  to  him  this  Week  (together  with  other 
Letters)  least  he  should  have  something  particular  to  say  on  its 
subject. 

It  has  always  been  Sir  Williams  opinion  that  the  Provinces 
would  do  little  or  nothing  with  regard  to  Establishments  for  the 
Indian  Trade,  and  that  a  Union  of  Sentiments  thereon  could  not 
be  expected  from  them.  —  The  Sum  granted  by  this  Province 
tho'  far  short  of  its  Object  is  probably  more  than  some  of  the  rest 
would  allow,  and  as  any  Laws  that  may  be  enacted  will  not  I 
apprehend  Operate  beyond  the  Limits  of  the  Province,  the  Civil 
power  however  disposed  in  the  Matter  cannot  exert  its  self 
effectually  for  preventing  Abuses.       Sir  William  will  however 


1  In  William  L.  Clements  Library. 

2  Not  found. 


744  Sir  William  Johnson  Papers 

I  presume  on  his  return  give  his  farther  sentiments  respecting  such 
Laws  &ca  as  seem  best  for  answering  the  intention.  — 

By  Letters  from  Detroit  received  since  Sir  Williams  departure 
I  find  that  the  Alarm  is  again  revived  there,  and  the  people  under 
as  much  Apprehensions  as  ever,  but  I  have  as  yet  received  no 
particulars,  I  am  inclined  to  think  that  the  fears  of  the  French 
Inhabitants  are  not  so  great  as  is  represented  because  I  believe 
that  a  Majority  of  them  are  weak  enough  to  entertain  very 
different  expectations  from  a  rupture  with  the  Indians,  &  are 
under  little  apprehensions  as  to  their  own  Security.  Bad  reports 
are  often  Circulated  amongst  the  Indians  which  however  improb- 
able are  too  often  credited,  That  which  we  have  had  here  of  the 
French  having  Surprised  Halifax,  &  that  they  were  going  from 
thence  up  the  River  Sf.  Lawrence  might  have  bad  Consequences 
at  this  time  amongst  the  dissaffected  Tribes.  I  hope  that  Sir 
Williams  Tour  may  prove  of  Service  at  present,  and  make  no 
doubt  that  the  Motives  of  discontent  expressed  by  some  of  the 
Nations  will  be  better  known  at  his  return.  —  He  is  to  Leave 
Onondaga  &  proceed  to  Seneca  the  13th.  instant.  —  I  shall  take 
the  Liberty  of  acquainting  your  Excellency  with  every  thing 
material  during  his  absence,  and  pay  due  regard  to  any  Com- 
mands with  which  you  may  honor  me,  As,  I  am 

With  the  highest  respect, 

Sir, 
Your  Excellencys  Most  Obedient, 
&  most  devoted   humble   Servant. 

G  Johnson 
His  Excels.  — 
Major  General  Gage 

indorsed : 

Mr.  Guy  Johnson  Dep?. 
Indn.  Agent  — 

Guy  Park  Mohock  River 

July  OK  1 769. 
received  July  1 6th.  — 


Land  Development,  1769-74  745 

FROM  ALLAN  GRANT 

Copy1 

Ontario  8th.  August  1769 
Sir. 

Your  favor  by  the  Seneca  Chief  I  got  yesterday  he  shall  be 
treated  as  civily  as  possible  whilst  he  is  here  he  came  here  drunk 
as  all  the  Indians  have  done  that  came  in  lately  Owing  to  the 
meeting  their  Friends  on  the  way  loaded  with  Keggs  of  Rum,  for 
such  Drunkeness  I  never  saw  the  like  all  my  life,  and  I  have  had 
allmost  the  whole  five  Nations  in  lately,  I  wish  it  was  all  over 
and  that  their  dollars  were  once  out,  while  they  have  any  left  the 
Traders  will  let  them  have  rum,  at  any  risk.  I  have  been 
Oblidge  to  let  Indians  have  a  good  deal  of  provision  more  than 
they  used  to  get  at  this  post  and  I  am  much  affraid  the  General 
will  Blame  me  for  it,  I  have  also  given  them  some  presents  besides, 
however  if  I  gett  down  the  Country  with  my  Scalp  on  I  am 
satisfyed.  as  to  the  report  of  the  Traders  here  saying  that  you 
gave  pewter  Dollars  to  the  Indians  there  has  been  no  such  thing 
said  by  any  body  here,  the  Traders  know  very  well  to  the  Con- 
trary, they  have  all  made  fortunes  here  this  Summer  intirely 
owing  to  the  Number  of  Dollars  you  gave  the  five  Nations 
this  Summer,  they  are  much  better  off  than  the  Commanding 
Officer  this  year.  Some  Cayugas  asked  the  traders  here  if  they 
were  not  pewter  Dollars,  I  fancy  owing  intirely  to  their  getting 
so  many  at  once.  Dollars  are  here  now  as  plenty  as  dirt  — 
Wemple2  tells  me  his  Iron  &  Steel  is  allmost  out  which  I  do  not 
dout  we  have  had  more  Indians  this  Summer  than  we  had  the 
three  last  years  past  put  together 

Your  [  ] 

&  most  [ 

Allan  Grant 


1  In  Oneida  Historical  Society,  Utica,  N.  Y.  Original  letter  mutilated 
by  fire,  was  printed  in  part  in  Johnson  Papers,  7:79-81.  The  copy  supplies 
some  key  words  and  phrases. 

2  Myndert  Wemple,  smith. 


746  Sir  William  Johnson  Papers 

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. 


ADDRESSED:3 


His  Majesty s  Service 
Sir  William  Johnson  Bart.  Supper  Intend- 
-ent  of  the  Northern  District  of 
North  America 
at 
Johnson  Hall 


INDORSED:4 


Ontario  August  8th.  1 769 
Ll.  Grants  letter 


TO  THOMAS  GAGE 

Extract1 

Johnson  Hall  Aug.  9.  1769 

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  believe  it  is 
almost  needless  to  say  that  the  more  we  get  Voluntarily  from 
them  the  Less  danger  there  would  be  of  disputes  about  Settle- 
ments, &  the  farther  they  would  be  removed.  The  back  Inhabi- 
tants particularly  of  Virginia,  I  well  knew  were  not  to  be  pre- 
vented from  extending  their  settlements  into  the  Indian  Country, 


3  Address  and  indorsement  from  the  original. 

4  In  Sir  William's  hand. 

1  Copied  before  the  fire  by  C.  H.  Mcllwain,  in  his  notes  and  printed  in 
his  edition  of  Peter  Wraxall's  An  Abridgement  of  Indian  A  fairs,  p.  xxv 
note.  Text  of  the  letter  from  the  mutilated  manuscript,  wherein  this  por- 
tion is  incomplete,  is  printed  in  Johnson  Papers,  7:81-84. 


Land  Development,  1769-74  747 

had  the  Treaty  never  taken  place,  the  danger  in  which  such  a 
procedure  must  Involve  the  frontiers,  could  only  be  prevented  by 
the  purchase  of  that  Country,  but  this  was  not  all,  Virginia 
Claimed  it  in  Virtue  of  an  Old  purchase  under  the  sanction  of 
the  Crown,  and  the  only  objection  his  Majesty  made  to  it  in  his 
Orders  to  me,  were  founded  on  a  Supposition  that  it  was  claimed 
by,  &  would  occasion  disputes  with  the  Cherokees,  as  I  knew 
that  this  was  not  the  Case. 


FROM  JOHN  BRADSTREET 

Albany  10K  Aug*.  1769 
Sir 

Six  or  Seven  hundred  Acres  of  the  Mohawk  Flatts  at  Fort 
Hunter  would  be  very  usefull  to  me  in  my  Land  Schemes,  and 
as  the  Indians  Let-out  almost  all  those  Flatts  to  different  People 
every  Year  (should  You  have  no  objection)  I  would  endeavour 
to  agree  with  them  for  it ;  and  will  give  them  annually  more  than 
they  receive.  —  This  would  not  in  the  least  prevent  the  Legisla- 
ture of  the  Province  passing  any  Law  to  Secure  to  them  their 
Property.  Should  You  not  disapprove  of  this,  I  should  be  glad 
to  get  a  large  quantity  of  wheat  in  this  Autumn. 

As  this  letter  will  probably  get  to  Your  hands  about  the  time 
of  Your  return  from  Your  fatigueing  journey,2  I  shall  take  up  no 
more  of  Your  time  than  to  say,  I  have  desir'd  Col.  Croghan  to 
speak  to  You  on  this  head;  that  I  hope  sincerly  You  injoy  perfect 
health  and  that  You  will  believe  Me  with  great  Esteem 

Sir 

Your  Most  Obedient 
& 
humble  Servant 
Sir  Wm.  Johnson  Bar1.  Jn°.  Bradstreet 


1  In  University  of  Pittsburgh  Library. 

2  On  Aug.  7,  1  769,  Johnson  returned  to  Johnson  Hall  from  a  meeting  in 
July  with  the  Cayugas  and  the  Senecas. 


748  Sir  William  Johnson  Papers 

FROM  ELEAZAR  WHEELOCK 

A.  Df.  S.1 

Lebanon  Aug1.  14th.  1769. 

Sir. 

May  it  please  Your  Excellency. 

A  few  Days  Ago  to  My  great  Surprise  I  Was  advisd  by 
[Gentlemen  of  high  Character  of  England]2  Letters  from  Europe 
that  the  Confidence  I  had  reposed  in  Your  Friendship  was  Vain, 
that  You  have  given  his  Majesty's  Servants  Some  disadvantageous 
Impressions  of  Me  and  particularly  that  You  Accused  Me  of 
Endeavouring  to  defeat  the  purpose  of  his  Majesty's  Instructions 
by  dissuading  the  Indians  from  parting  With  their  Lands  at  a 
late  Congress,3  and  also  that  Other  things  had  been  thrown  out 
to  My  prejudice  — 

This  I  Suppose  Must  Origionate  from  that  Wild,  distracted, 
stupid,  head  long  Conduct  of  Mr.  Jacob  Johnson,  [whom  1  Sent  at 
Mr.  Kirtlands  desire]  Who  was  recommended  to  me  to  Supply 
Mr.  Kirtlands4  place  at  Oneida  While  he  rode  for  his  Health, 
And  I  assure  Your  Honor,  he  had  no  Comission,  Direc11.  or 
countenances  from  Me,  for  one  Step  he  took,  or  any  thing  he  did 
in  opposition  to  the  [Sale  of  the]  Indians  Selling  their  Lands,  or 
any  thing  proposed  in  that  Congress  but  his  Conduct  therein  Was 
as  Contrary  to  My  Mind  or  any  thing  I  expected  as  it  was  to  any 
Gentleman  there.  he  was  directed  to  Attend  upon  that  Congress 
with  a  Single  View  to  ask  for  [the  Benefit  of]  the  Countenance 
of  those  Gentlemen  on  my  design  of  civilizing  &  christianizing 
the  Savages  and  any  Favrs.  for  Missionaries  &  Schoolmasters 
Which  Might  facilitate  the  [Design  of  civilizing  &  christianizing 
the  Savages]  same,  which  I  then  Was  and  Still  am  confident 


1  In  Dartmouth  College  Library. 

2  Words  italicized  and  inclosed  in  brackets  are  crossed  out  in  the  manu- 
script. 

3  Congress  at  Fort  Stanwix,  1  768. 

4  Reverend  Samuel  Kirkland. 


Land  Development,  1769-74  749 

would  have  had  the  concurrance  of  all  Your  Influence  to  promote 
had  he  only  conducted  as  he  Ought  to  have  done. 

When  I  heard  by  the  Indian  Boy  Whom  Mr.  Avery  Sent 
down  to  inform  me,  What  Mr.  Johnson  Was  entring  upon,  I 
Was  filld  with  confusion,  and  hastened  Mr.  Cleveland5  forward 
to  Stop  him  &  prevent  the  Mischeif  Which  appeard  to  threaten. 
When  he  returned  he  opened  the  Disagreable  Scene  to  Me, 
Which  I  could  have  no  pleasure  in  hears,  and  also  informd  me 
that  the  Gentlemen  had  in  his  Opinion  Sufficient  Matter  of  Evi- 
dence that  I  Was  no  ways  Accountable  for  his  Conduct  on 
account  of  any  knowledge  I  had  of  it,  or  of  any  previous  Inten- 
tion of  his  respecting  it,  or  any  the  least  countenance  or  Approbate 
[of  Mine]  thereof.  And  in  particular  he  Was  of  Opinion 
that  Sir  Wm.  Johnson  Was  fully  Satisfied  in  the  Affair.  On 
which  I  thought  it  Adviseable  (depending  upon  Your  friendship 
to  Advise  Me  if  any  hurtful  Consequences  to  Me,  Were  like  to 
accrue  therefrom)  out  of  tenderness  to  the  Gentlemans  Character, 
to  let  ye.  Whole  Sink  in  Oblivion.  And  Accordingly  have  never 
Sought  to  be  further  informd  About  it.  Nor  do  I  yet  find 
Occasion  for  any  uneasie  Reflection  on  anything  I  have  done  in 
the  Affair,  unless  it  be  My  Recommending  the  Gentleman  as  a 
Missionary,  without  discovering  a  total  Deficiency  as  to  [ability] 
common  sense.  If  You  can  point  out  to  me  any  other  Reason 
or  Matter  of  Blame  on  My  part,  I  pray  Your  Excellency  to  do 
it  With  the  Greatest  freedom.  but  in  case  You  are  Satisfied, 
and  the  Accots.  transmitted  home  are  from  Other  Gentlemen 
(Which  I  suppose  is  probably  the  Case)  please  Sir  to  do  me 
the  favour  &  Justice  to  manifest  your  Satisfaction  of  my  Innocence 
therein,  and  prevent  the  further  Mischiefs  Which  threaten  me 
from  that  Quarter.  I  know  So  much  of  the  Goodness  of  Your 
disposition,  Your  Love  of  Justice  &  Benevolence  to  Mankind, 


5  Ebenezer  Cleaveland,  sent  by  Wheelock  to  conciliate  Sir  William 
Johnson.  Partly  because  of  the  attitude  of  the  Rev.  Jacob  Johnson  and 
David  Avery,  Wheelock's  representatives,  Sir  William  Johnson  definitely 
broke  his  friendship  with  Wheelock  after  this  Congress. 


750  Sir  William  Johnson  Papers 

that  I  need  not  add.       Only  that  I  am  With  Much  Esteem 
&  Respect 

Your  Excellency's 

Most  Obed1.  &  Most  Humble  Serv1. 

Eleazar  Wheelock 
His  Excels.  SR.  WM.  Johnson  Bart. 

P.  S. 

Aug1.  24th.  Sir,  since  I  wrote  the  foregoing  letter  Mr.  Kirt- 
land  has  arrived,  and  assures  me  that  Mr.  Johnsons  conduct  at 
the  Congress  exceeded  all  I  had  ever  heard,  and  yf.  upon  that 
occasion  you  was  so  friendly  and  generous  as  even  to  risk  your 
own  Character  to  vindicate  mine;  for  which  I  acknowledge  my 
obligations  to  you.  And  [conclude]  from  various  hints  conclude 
that  the  reports  in  England  went  from  some  Gentlemen  of 
Character  in  New  York;  and  perhaps  were  confirmed  by  others 
in  the  same  Box 

INDORSED: 

To  his  Excels.  Sr.  Wm.  Johnson  Bf. 
Aug*.  14th.  1769. 


TO  GOLDSBROW  BANYAR 

A.L.S.1 

Johnson  Hall  7K  4* 1769 
My  Dear  Banyar  — 

I  have  wrote  You  twice  or  thrice  wth.out  having  a  line  in 
Answer,  which  I  cannot  account  for  unless  they  miscarried,  or 
that  my  absence  from  Home  might  have  occasioned  it.  —  In  one 
of  my  letters  I  requested  You  to  let  me  know  whether  the  Several 
Sums  of  money  due  to  me  by  the  Patentees  of  the  Oneida  Tract 
(wherein  Lord  Holland  has  a  part)  were  paid,  &  which,  I  have 
not  been  well  used  in  that  Affair  by  them,  for  not  with  standing 
I  paid  the  purchase  &  all  other  Expences  amR  to  £  1 305 .  .  3  .  .6 


1  In  New  York  Historical  Society,  Banyar  Papers. 


Land  Development,  1769-74  751 

&  that  without  charging  Interest  for  above  2  Years,  I  was 
oblidged  as  You  know  to  advance  money  for  my  Share  of  the 
Patent  Fees.  You  will  oblidge  me  much  if  You  will  let  me 
know  how  much  my  25000  Acres  in  yl.  Tract  will  Stand  me  in. 
My  reason  for  this  is,  that  as  Some  of  my  freinds  are  to  have 
a  part  of  it  at  the  rate  it  stands  me,  I  am  at  a  loss  to  know  what 
to  charge  them. 

Be  so  good  as  to  let  me  know  the  expence  of  taking  out  y*. 
Patent  for  the  280  Acres  in  John  Brackans  name,  which,  I  should 
never  have  troubled  myself  about,  but  to  disapoint  a  fellow  whom 
You  know,  which  indeed  made  it  verry  Dear  as  the  Land  turns 
out,  Having  paid  for  the  Indian  purchase  Survey  &ca. 
£91  .  .5 .  .6,  which  with  the  Fees  of  Patent  will  be  full  as  much 
as  it  is  worth.  I  should  not  have  paid  so  much  for  it,  but  that  I 
was  deceived  &  told  that  it  was  near  a  thousand  Acres.  — 

pray  inform  me  what  the  Proprietors  of  Orisfyane  intend  to 
do  with  their  Shares  when  divided,  and  at  what  price  You  think 
they  will  Sell,  Who  they  are,  &  whether  all  are  equally  concerned 
therein.  —  Should  ye.  Carrying  place  at  Fort  Stanwix  fall  to  Mr. 
Clark,  &  that  it  is  to  be  Sold,  I  hope  You  will  let  me  have  the 
preference,  or  Should  You  incline  to  be  concerned  therein,  &  in 
other  Lots  on  each  Side  of  it,  I  would  gladly  Join  You,  as  I  am 
certain  I  could  turn  it  to  a  considerable  advantage,  as  Soon  as  yr. 
leasure  will  admit,  Shall  be  glad  to  have  yr.  Sentiments  thereon, 
&  that  it  goes  no  farther,  for  I  have  not  mentioned  it  to  Mankind. 
—  The  Saquaghquetna2  Patent  is  I  think  in  general  Some  of  the 
best  Land  I  have  Seen  in  these  parts,  the  whole  of  it  is  fitt  to 
bear  Hemp.  — 

The  Gentleman  who  is  the  Bearer  of  this  waits,  so  can  add 
nothing  farther  at  present  than  to  Assure  You  that  I  am  as  ever 

Dear  Banyar 

Yours  most  Sincerely 
&  Affectx. 
Golds  Borrow  Banyar  Esqr.  W  Johnson 


2  Sadachqueda     (Sidaghqueda).    See    Beauchamp,    Aboriginal    Place 
Names,  p.   141 . 


752  Sir  William  Johnson  Papers 

INDORSED: 

Sept'.  4.  1769 


From  Sr.  Wm.  Johnson  — 
Answered  1 8  Sepr.  &  sent 
a  Copy  of  his  Account 


FROM  THOMAS  PENN 
Contemporary  Copy1 

Stoke  Sepr.  J3.  /  769. 
Original  By  Mr.  Fell 
Dear  Sir  — 

Having  received  from  Mr.  Wilmot  his  Bill  for  taking  out  your 
Grant  amounting  to  £487.  .6.  . —  I  send  You  a  Copy  of  it, 
which  added  to  the  £57.  .18.  .4  I  paid  before  is  the  whole 
£  545 .  .  4 .  .4  which  you  will  be  so  good  to  remit  me.  The 
Grant  shall  be  sent  as  you  order,  I  should  have  wrote  more  at 
large  but  have  been  &  am  very  111,  which  I  hope  will  plead  my 
Excuse.       I  am  with  great  truth  &  regard.  Dr.  Sir, 

Yr  Most  affecte.  Friend  & 
Obedient  Hble  Serv1. 

SR  WM.  Johnston  T.P.  — 


1  In  Historical  Society  of  Pennsylvania,  Penn  Letter  Books. 


TO  GOLDSBROW  BANYAR 
A.L.S} 

Johnson  Hall  5th.  October  1769 
Dear  Banyar  — 

Your  favour  of  the  1 8th.  Ult°.2  is  come  to  hand  and  I  thereby 
find  that  one  of  my  letters  was  intercepted  by  some  person  of 
less  honour  than  Curiosity,  however  your  last  answers  for  it.  — 


1  In  New  York  Historical  Society,  Banyar  Papers. 

2  Not  found. 


Land  Development,  1769-74  753 

I  spoke  to  Mr.  Wallace3  (who  left  this  Yesterday)  concerning 
my  Intentions  relative  to  the  Oriskane  Patent,  I  mean  that  part  of 
it  which  you  have  ye.  disposal  of,  and  shall  be  entirely  satisfied 
with  whatever  You  &  he  do  in  the  Affair.  I  would  be  glad  to 
know  ye.  Bounds  &  Quantity  of  that  Patent,  as  it  has  now  been 
Surveyed. 

It  is  probable  that  Mr.  Cuzzans  made  his  trial  only  of  the 
Sand  wh.  lyes  along  the  Shoar  at  Saquaghquetna  for  as  the 
Nettles  &  other  Weeds  grow  so  luxuriantly  along  the  Banks  I 
think  he  did  not  venture  thro  them  to  get  to  the  Land.  If  I  have 
any  Judgment  in  Land,  it  is  as  good  as  any  in  them  parts,  and  has 
always  been  deemed  such. 

Be  so  good  to  let  me  know  in  yr.  next  the  quantity  of  Land 
contained  within  the  Bounds  of  the  Oneida  purchase  wherein 
Ld.  Holland  Genr1.  Gage  Myself  &  others  have  Shares  and  how 
many  Patentees  concerned  therein  &  Each's  Share  by  which 
means  only  I  shall  be  able  to  know  what  my  25000  Acres  Stand 
me  in,  for  altho  I  see  by  yr.  Ace1,  that  the  Fees  thereof  Amount  to 
£  620 .  .  2  —  Yet  without  knowing  the  quantity  of  Acres  in  the 
whole  Tract  I  cant  tell  how  much  of  the  £  1305 .  .3.  (wh.  is  the 
Am',  of  the  purchase  Survey  &ca.)  is  to  be  charged  to  me.  I 
have  directed  Mr.  Robert  Adems  to  pay  You  the  Ballance  of 
£  1  1 5 .  .  3 .  .  1  1  and  am  oblidged  to  You  for  advancing  it,  had 
the  others  concerned  paid  me  their  Shares  (which  they  ought  to 
have  done  with  2  years  Interest.  &  thanks)  there  would  have  been 
no  occasion  to  trouble  my  freinds.  Shall  I  presume  to  trouble 
You  with  collecting  what  is  still  due  to  me  on  that  Ace1,  from 
those  Gentlemen  there? 

I  am  heartily  glad  to  find  that  Mr.  Colden  has  reunited  your 
office,  &  I  hope  no  such  Person  as  Hannah  will  for  the  future  be 
employed  that  way.  —  pray  let  me  know  whether  the  new  Com- 
mission for  the  Peace  is  yet  Issued,  and  if  You  would  send  me  a 
List  of  them  it  would  oblidge  me,  can  You  put  me  in  a  way  to 
get  my  money  from  Ld.  Ilchester.       I  am  realy  at  a  loss  what 


3  Hugh  Wallace. 


754  Sir  William  Johnson  Papers 

method  to  take  therein.  —  Co1.  Morris4  importuned  me  greatly  to 
let  him  have  as  much  of  my  Tract  on  the  Susquahana  as  lay 
between  him  &  the  River.  As  did  all  the  others  who  have  lands 
on  either  side  of  that  River  &  Adageghtengy  Creek,5  which  I 
promised  they  should  [Aave]  on  paying  me  £  1 0  <P  Hundred 
Acres  for  my  Indian  purchase;  Croghan  Harper  &  their  As- 
sociates include  in  their  Survey  the  Mile  I  have  on  Each  side  the 
Adageghtengey  Creek,  that  is,  as  far  as  their  Land  Joins  it,  and 
have  given  me  Bonds  with  verry  considerable  Penalties  to  release 
it  as  soon  as  patented,  and  so  have  several  other  Gentlemen  con- 
cerned thereabouts.  but  as  I  find  they  trifle  about  the  price,  I 
am  determind  to  patent  it  as  Soon  as  possible,  and  have  em- 
powered Mr.  Wallace  to  transact  the  Affair  for  me,  towards  the 
effecting  which  I  must  request  Your  good  offices.  —  Campbel  the 
Surveyor  is  this  day  returned  from  the  Survey  of  a  Tract  of  Land 
North  of  this  whereon  I  live,  in  which  a  great  many  People  are 
concerned,  but  he  tells  me  it  is  for  the  most  part  verry  indifferent 
Land,  so  that  I  dont  know  but  that  we  shall  leave  out  ye.  greatest 
part  of  it.  — 

His  Majesty  has  been  pleased  to  grant  me  his  Letters  patent 
under  the  great  Seal  of  great  Brittain  for  the  Conajohare  Tract 
between  the  2  Canada  Creeks,  &  that  for  the  Quit  rent  of  2  Bever 
Skins  <$  Anm.  to  be  paid  at  his  Castle  of  Windsor.  this  is  the 
Tract  which  met  with  so  much  opposition  on  my  first  application 
to  Govr.  &  Council,  abl.  9  Years  ago.  — 

I  am  with  great  Truth  &  Esteem 
Dear  Banyar 

Your  Affect1.  Freind  and 
Welwisher 
Golds  Borrow  Banyar  Esqr.  —  W  Johnson 


4  Staats  Long  Morris. 

5  Adageghtinge  Creek.  Named  Charlotte  River  by  Sir  William. 


i 


Land  Development,   1769-74 


755 


ACCOUNT  AGAINST  THE  CROWN 
Contemporary  Copy1 

Johnson  Hall  October  6lh.  1769. 
The   Crown Dr. 


To  Normand  MacLeod  Commis- 
sary at  Niagara.  His  Accompt 
from  Septemr.  1768  to  23d. 
May   1769 

To  Jehu  Hay  Commissary  at  De- 
troit. —  His  Accompt  from  25th 
March  to  11*.  June  1769 

To  Captain  Beamsly  Glazier  Com- 
manding Officer  at  Missilimak- 
inak.  His  Accompt  from  the 
25th.  Septemr.  1 768  to  24th.  July 
1769   

To  Alexr.  Ferguson  Account  of 
Smith's  Work  from  October 
1767  to  1st.  April  1769  by 
Order  of  Captain  Addison  Com- 
manding the  Fort  of  Oswegat- 
chie,2  and  Fort  William  Augus- 
tus3   Am1.     £9..15..0    Ster'. 


\ 


V 


£467..  6..2|/2 


283.. 12.. 2 


165.  .13.  AVt 


16. .14. .6% 


£933..  6..3M4 


(Signed)      W  JOHNSON 


1  In  William  L.   Clements  Library,  Gage  papers;  inclosed  in  Gage  to 
Abraham  Mortier,  New  York,  Dec.  1  6,  1  769. 

2  Ogdensburg,  N.  Y. 

3  Formerly  Fort  Levi,  on  Chimney  Island  (formerly  Isle  Royale)  three 
miles  below  the  present  city  of  Ogdensburg,  N.  Y. 

4  Gage's  warrant  converts  this  sum  in  New  York  currency  to    £544 
.  .  8  .  .8  Sterling 


756  Sir  William  Johnson  Papers 

FROM  CADWALLADER  COLDEN 

./i  •   L-i.   o. 

Fort  George  New  York  Nov.  29ih.  1769 
Dear  Sir 

I  was  so  much  engaged  in  finishing  my  Despatches  to  his 
Majesty's  Minister  when  I  received  your  favour  of  the  3d. 
Instant2  that  I  could  not  answer  it  by  that  Post. 

I  have  transmitted  a  Copy  of  the  Indian  Purchase  &  Patent  of 
Kayaderosseros  to  the  Lords  of  Trade  &  Plantations  under  the 
Seal  of  the  Province  so  that  it  may  be  brought  Authentically 
before  the  Parliament  &  I  shall  with  this  send  You  a  Copy  of  the 
Indian  Deed  if  I  can  get  it  copied  before  the  Post  Goes. 

The  Proposal  of  your  reconciling  the  Indians  to  that  Patent 
was  an  other  Low  Insinuation  that  the  Dessatisfaction  of  the 
Indeans  arises  from  You.  Which  the  Affidavits,  of  which  you 
sent  me  copies,  removes  &  therefor  it  may  be  proper  for  you  to 
send  Duplicates  of  them  signed  by  the  Justice  before  whom  they 
were  taken. 

I  shall  be  well  pleased  with  any  alteration  you  think  proper 
to  make  in  the  Draft  of  the  letter  I  sent  you  for  I  have  no  other 
view  but  to  serve  you 

I  am  told  the  King  has  taken  a  resolution  not  to  grant  more 
than  20,000  Acres  to  one  person;  if  so,  as  I  believe  it  is  true,  it 
may  be  proper  in  case  your  tract  exceeds  that  quantity  to  think 
of  some  other  name  for  the  remainder  as  I  find  has  been  don  in 
England  by  some  great  men  there  when  they  wanted  more  land 
than  the  King  would  allow  to  one  person. 

Maybee3  has  presented  a  Petition  to  me  in  Council  which  is 
referred  to  you.  If  he  cannot  with  your  assistance  make  the 
Indians  easy  I  shall  order  the  Attorney  General  to  prosecute  but 
in  what  form  it  can  be  don  I  know  not 


1  In  New  York  Public  Library. 

2  Not  found. 

3  Cobus  Maybe. 


Land  Development,  1769-74  757 

There  is  a  matter  of  Great  Consequence  now  before  the  Coun- 
cil whether  Appeals  are  to  be  allowed  from  the  Courts  of  Com- 
mon law  in  civil  cases  to  the  Governor  &  Council  &  from  them  to 
the  King  in  his  Privy  Council.  The  Judges  have  refused  to 
admit  of  such  appeals  &  I  stand  singly  in  support  of  the  Kings 
Prerogative.  This  will  have  great  consequences  after  it  comes 
before  the  King  in  his  Council  as  it  must  do.  The  Owners  of 
the  great  Patent  are  terribly  afrayed  of  it  &  fill  the  minds  of  the 
people  with  unjust  &  unreasonable  Apprehensions,  but  all  they 
can  do  will  only  serve  to  irritate  the  Ministry  for  the  Kings 
Prerogative  will  be  zealously  supported  what  ever  they  may  fool- 
ishly think  of  intimidating  the  King  &  his  Ministers. 
I  am  with  great  esteem  &  affection 

S'. 

Your  most  obedient  & 
humble  Servant 
Cadwallader  Colden 

Honourable 

Sir  William  Johnson 


758 


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766  Sir  William  Johnson  Papers 

TO  GOLDSBROW  BANYAR 

A.L.S.1 

Johnson  Hall  Xcb'.  22*.  1769 
Dear  Banyar  — 

Your  kind  favour  of  the  4th.  Cur1.2  I  received,  and  am  oblidged 
to  You  for  the  Sketch  sent  me  of  ye.  proportions  of  Land  granted 
in  the  Oneidae  purchase,  &  also  for  yr.  promise  of  collecting  for 
me  what  is  still  due  thereon.  —  Should  Lord  Ilchester  decline 
patenting  that  part  (which  is  verry  likely  he  now  may)  I  would  in 
that  case  take  You  in  for  the  half  of  it,  if  agreable  to  You,  on  the 
other  hand  should  he  take  out  a  patent  for  it,  I  think  in  that  case 
it  will  be  but  reasonable  to  charge  him  Interest  for  the  money  now 
above  three  Years  advanced.  Certain  I  am  that  others  would 
expect  it  from  me. 

I've  Sent  a  List  of  Persons  fitting  for  ye.  Commission  of  the 
Peace3  by  particular  desire  of  Sir  Harry  Moore  wh.  List  will 
require  little  or  no  Alteration,  but  should  it  not  be  found  in  the 
office  I  can  send  another.  I  have  not  desired  blank  Militia 
Commissions.  I  recommended  a  Gentleman  by  name  to  Ll. 
Governour  Colden  for  the  Majority  of  Horse,  in  the  place  of  one 
put  in  for  I  know  not  what  purpose,  or  by  whose  Interest  but  who 
was  verry  unfit  for  it.  —  I  sent  Co1.  Johnsons4  Return  of  the 
Militia  down  lately,  but  it  was  not  compleat,  as  some  of  the 
CoK  have  never  made  returns  tho  repeatedly  ordered  so  to  do, 
amongst  whom  is  Co1.  Ranslear,5  of  whose  Regiment  I  should 
have  known  nothing,  but  for  the  repeated  Complaints  made  to 
me  of  it,  which  I  intend  to  write  the  Ll.  GoV.  more  fully  upon,  as 
I  take  it  to  have  been  calculated  for  private  purposes,  which 
should  have  no  weight  in  a  matter  of  so  much  consequence,  as  the 
late  Division  of  the  Regiments  wh.  properly  conducted  will  tend 


1  In  New  York  Historical  Society,  Banyar  Papers. 

2  Not  found. 

3  Post. 

4  Guy  Johnson. 

5  Colonel  John  Van  Rensselaer. 


Land  Development,  1769-74  767 

to  the  Credit  &  Security  of  the  Province,  I  am  fully  persuaded 
of  my  good  freind  the  Ll.  Govrs.°  freindship  &  Inclination  to 
Oblidge  me  in  any  reasonable  matter,  &  more  I  shall  never 
desire.  — 

As  to  the  Adequaghteinge7  or  Long  Tract  ye.  Witnesses  are 
Still  at  Hand  who  can  prove  the  equity  of  the  purchase  &  ye, 
payment  of  the  Consideration,  all  which  the  Indians  will  readily 
acknowledge.  The  L*.  Governour  was  also  at  the  Board  when 
the  Council  declared  my  right  to  make  the  purchase,  occasioned 
by  Gov.  Hamiltons  apprehension  that  it  might  interfere  with 
Pensilvania,  a  Circumstance  You  may  possibly  recollect.  Altho 
some  of  the  late  Deeds  include  the  Land  to  the  Creeks  &  Rivers, 
yet  I  have  Bonds  from  the  partys  to  release  to  me,  as  at  that  time 
thinking  it  best  that  they  should  be  so  included.  Indeed  (altho 
Mr.  Croghan,  who  acted  for  most  of  them  promised  to  have  it 
done  for  me)  I  thought  it  unnecessary  to  take  a  Bond  from  Co1. 
Morris,8  for  as  it  was  thro'  my  means  he  obtained  the  Tract,  the 
Terms  of  freindship  Subsisting  between  Us  rendered  it  as  I 
thought  unnecessary.  &  I  hope  it  will  appear  so. 

I  am  much  oblidged  to  You  for  yr.  kind  offers  of  Assistance 
in  expediting  the  Patents,  and  as  I  had  put  the  Draft  &ca.  into 
our  freind  Mr.  Wallace's9  hands  when  he  was  here,  &  agreable  to 
promise,  made  him  some  proposals  concerning  part  of  it,  As  I 
shall  not  require  more  than  the  half  for  my  self,  in  case  You  are 
desireous  to  have  a  Concern  in  it,  you  are  welcome  to  a  part  with 
him  which  I  dare  say  you  can  agree  upon  to  mutual  Satisfaction. 

I  most  cordially  thank  You  for  yr.  Congratulations  on  my 
Obtaining  the  Grant  from  his  Majesty  between  the  two  Canada 
Creeks,  and  purpose  to  follow  yr.  Advice  by  retaining  it  in  my 
Family.  I  should  have  observed  wl.  you  said  about  the  Clause 
in  the  late  Treaty,  but  that  I  afterwards  Judged  that  some  People 


6  Cadwallader  Colden. 

7  Adageghtinge,  or  Charlotte  River  tract,  variously  spelled  even  by  Sir 
William. 

8  Staats  Long  Morris. 

9  Hugh  Wallace. 


768 


Sir  William  Johnson  Papers 


would  have  condemned  it,  as  clogging  the  Treaty  with  an  Affair 
in  which  I  was  Interested,  as  some  have  since  done  in  Two  or 
three  Material  Clauses,  Wherein  I  had  not,  neither  could  I  have 
any  Interest  at  all.  I  most  sincerely  wish  You  &  your  rib10 
the  Compliments  of  the  Season,  and  am 

Dear  Banyar 

Yrs.  most  Affectk 

W  Johnson 
Golds  Borrow  Banyar  Esqr.  — 

PS.  pray  let  me  know  something  of  your  Politicks  there  at 
39  sent.11  &  be  not  so  reserved  — 


INDORSED : 


Dec.  22<>.  1 769 


From  Sr.  Wm.  Johnson 


LIST  FOR  JUSTICES  OF  PEACE 


VCo1.  Guy  Johnson 
VJ°hn  Butler 
V  Peter  Conin 

A  [Henry  Fry]2  — 
Jacob  Klock  — 
Hannicol  Harkemer 

Isack  Paris  — 


A.D.S.1 


[December  22,  1769] 
for  the  Mohawk  District 


} 


for  Conajohare  D°.  — 


for  Stoneraby 


10  Humorous  reference  to  wife. 

11  Present. 

1  In  New  York  Historical  Society,  Banyar  Papers. 

2  Crossed  out,  and  explained  below. 


Land  Development,  1769-74  769 

T1     AV7  „  for  Cherry  Valley  Otsege  &ca. 

John  Welles  — 


Johanjoost  Harkemer 
Rudolph  Shoemaker 
Peter  Ten  Brook  — 


for  ye.  German  Flatts  &ca. 


A  Henry  Fry  has  yr.  Excellencys  Lycence  to  Act  as  an  Attorney, 
&  if  incompatible  wth.  ye.  Commission  of  the  Peace,  I  would  beg 
leave  to  recommend  in  his  Stead  William  Seber  — 

W  Johnson 


TO  THOMAS  GAGE 

Johnson  Hall  Jan'y.  5th.  1770 
Dear  Sir, 

I  have  had  the  favour  of  your  letter  of  the  25th.  Ult°.2  with 
the  Inclosure,  a  Duplicate  of  which  came  to  my  Hands  some  time 
ago  from  Cap1.  Turnbull,3  as  to  its  subject,  it  differs  much  from 
that  delivered  by  the  Cherokees  at  Onondaga,  and  here,  but  as 
part  of  the  Cherokees  went  to  Sioio  with  some  Shawanese  I 
imagine  they  have  been  temporizing  with  them  till  the  Sense  of 
the  Six  Nations  was  obtained,  for,  here  their  desire  is  for  a  Union 
and  War  with  the  Wabash,  &  other  Indians.  — 

I  am  sensible  that  we  are  reduced  to  an  Alternative  that  ought 
to  be  shocking  to  humanity,  yet  still  the  Scituation  of  our  Affairs 
seems  to  require  us  to  acquiesce  with  it  as  the  least  disagreable 
of  the  Two.  but  what  contributes  not  a  little  to  embarrass  me 
at  present  is,  that  should  I  refuse  to  call  them  together,  the  conse- 
quences may  be  verry  bad  indeed,  and  if  I  am  to  meet  them,  the 
Expences  attending  it  will  exceed  any  Sum  I  can  allot  out  of  the 


1  In  William  L.  Clements  Library;  draft,  with  last  paragraph  mutilated, 
printed  in  Johnson  Papers,  7:327-28. 

2  Johnson  Papers.  7:319. 

3  Captain  George  Turnbull,  commandant  at  Detroit. 


770  Sir  William  Johnson  Papers 

Scanty  allowance  for  the  Expences  of  the  Department;  This 
is  a  particular  unforeseen  &  unavoidable  Event  which  the  Gov- 
ernment 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  de- 
frayed by  the  Crown,  or  not,  and  the  Indians  wait  with  im- 
patience for  my  Answer,  which  I  cannot  give  them  'till  I  am 
favoured  with  your  farther  Advice  and  Directions  on  this  Subject, 
&  thus  circumstanced  I  hope  you  will  excuse  this  Additional 
trouble  I  give  You,  which  I  am  compelled  to  do  from  the  nature 
&  importance  of  the  Subject.  — 

I  have  signed  &  transmitted  the  necessary  papers  to  Mr. 
Mortier,4  and  herewith  transmit  Cap1.  Clau's  Acd.  which  from 
my  mistaken  notion  that  I  was  to  draw  the  allowance  for  the 
Department  in  another  Manner,  together  with  his  being  in  Canada 
at  the  time  the  Accts.  were  made  up,  prevented  my  forwarding 
it  before,  and  I  hope  you  will  attribute  it  as  it  realy  was,  to  an 
Error  of  mine.  — 

I  sincerely  wish  You  the  Compliments  of  ye.  Season  being  with 
the  most  perfect  Esteem, 

Dear  Sir 

Your  most  Obedient 

&  verry  Humble  Servant  — 

W,  Johnson 


His  Excellency  GENERAL  GAGE  — 

INDORSED : 

Sir  Wm.  Johnson 
Jan*.  5*    1  770 
Received  Jan*.  13  th. 
Transmitting  Indian  Acc,s. 
in  Canada  — 
Answered  — 


4  Abraham  Mortier,  deputy  paymaster  general. 


Land  Development,   1769-74  771 

TO  GOLDSBROW  BANYAR 

Janry.  19*.  1770 

Dear  Banyar  — 

I  must  again  request  that  You  will  send  me  a  Copy  of  the 
List  of  Justices  intended  for  the  Commission  of  the  Peace  by  Sir 
H  Moore,  Several  of  them  as  I  am  well  informed  are  verry  unfit 
for  that  office,  and  others  of  infamous  Character,  were  recom- 
mended to  him  to  serve  some  Dirty  purposes,  wherefore  think  it 
my  Duty  to  interpose.  —  I  hope  You  will  not  fail  (as  soon  as 
You  can)  sending  it  to  me.  &  that  the  Commission  may  not  Issue 
before  I  am  heard  upon  that  Subject,  which  I  flatter  myself  will 
not  be  thought  unreasonable,  when  it  is  considered  how  much  the 
Tranquility  of  the  Country,  &  the  Happiness  of  the  Inhabitants 
depend  upon  having  such  Magistrates  as  will  Act  uprightly  & 
impartialy  in  their  Office,  which  I  am  sorry  to  Say  many  do  not, 
as  I  am  also,  that  there  are  not  more  Men  of  Abilities  in  these 
parts,  but  ye.  Country  is  Young,  &  cannot  be  yet  expected.  — 

Under  these  Circumstances,  the  greatest  care  Should  I  think 
be  taken  in  chusing  such  as  bear  the  fairest  Characters,  as  Such 
Men  are  the  most  likely  to  Distribute  Justice  impartially. 

I  long  to  hear  from  You  &  Mr.  Wallace2  on  the  Subject  of 
Land  in  answer  to  my  last  letters,  and  beg  that  You  will  beleive 
me  to  be, 

Dear  Banyar, 
Your  most  Sincere  Freind, 
&  Affect1.  Humble  Servant 

W  Johnson 
Golds  Borrow  Banyar  Esqr.  — 

Dont  forget  to  Send  me  the  Bounds  of  Northampton  Patent, 
adjoining  Sacondaga  — 

pray  has  anyone  else  a  Dedimus  Potestatem,  or  power  of 
qualifying  officers  of  the  Militia  in  this  County,  but  what  was 


1  In  New  York  Historical  Society,  Banyar  Papers. 

2  Hugh  Wallace. 


772  Sir  William  Johnson  Papers 

given  to  Co1.  Johnson3  Henry  Fry  &  myself?  — As  I  hear  Some 
Officers  of  Ranslears4  Regiment  were  to  be  Sworn  this  Week  at 
Albany  by  somebody  Else.  — 

INDORSED : 

January  19,  1770 


From  Sir  Wm.  Johnson 
Answered 


FROM  NORMAND  MAC  LEOD 
A.L.S.1 

New  York  the  27*  Jatfy.  / 770 

Sir 

Yesterday  I  had  the  pleasure  of  receiving  your  letter  of  the 
19th.2  Mr.  Blackburn  is  gone  to  New  England,  when  I  shall  see 
him  again  I  shall  with  pleasure  deliver  him  your  Message. 

As  to  the  Cheese  I  hope  you  have  received  it  safe,  as  I  luckily 
sent  it  by  the  person  whom  you  wished  it  should  be  sent  by. 

The  Sons  of  what  ever  you  chuse  to  call  them  are  at  the  present 
pritty  quiet  and  I  suppose  studying  what  mischief  they'll  do  when 
[the]  they  can  get  a  proper  opportunity.  The  principle  people  at 
least  two  of  them  are  known,  one  of  them  is  Called  Isaac  Sears, 
the  others  I  do  not  know,  but  I  am  informed  that  the  Governor 
and  Council  are  come  to  a  resolution  that  on  the  very  first  disturb- 
ance that  happens  in  the  Town  them  two  are  to  be  immediately 
secured  and  prosecuted  to  the  utmost  rigour  of  the  Law,  for  being 
the  principle  abettors  of  the  late  disturbances,  I  approve  much 
of  the  resolve,  but  would  approve  more  of  it  had  they  resolved 
to  punish  them  without  farther  Ceremony.  all  the  People  of 
Sense  in  Town  rail  oppenly  against  them  I'm  Sorry  I  can  not 


3  Guy  Johnson. 

4  Colonel  John  Van  Rensselaer. 

1  In  New  York  State  Library.  Johnson  Calendar,  p.   276,  incorrectly 
dates  this  Jan.  27,   1771. 

2  Not  found,  but  see  letters  of  MacLeod,  Jan.  6  and  Jan.  24,   1  770, 
in  Johnson  Papers,  7:333-34,  and  35  1-52. 


Land  Development,   1769-74  773 

Send  you  the  Scandalous  paper  Signed  Brutus  wrote  by  them 
Block  heads  and  one  Samuel  Broom  Junr.  the  meaning  of  the 
paper  was  to  vilify  the  Army  and  to  prevent  the  inhabitants  from 
employing  any  of  them  in  their  stores  or  other  ways,  immediately 
on  the  publication  of  Brutus,  a  parcel  of  Brutes  went  to  the  flax 
Seed  and  flour  Stores  where  a  number  of  the  Soldiers  were  at 
work  and  turned  them  all  about  their  business  or  more  properly 
drove  them  away  from  their  business,  upon  which  the  Soldiers 
published  the  paper  I  had  the  pleasure  of  sending  you  by  last 
post,3  and  Yesterday  the  inclosed  paper  came  out  which  I  think  is 
one  of  the  best  party  publications  I  have  seen  in  this  place.  —  I 
have  this  moment  got  the  paper  Called  Brutus  which  I  inclose  you, 
it  was  the  original  cause  of  the  battles  fought  in  the  fields  between 
the  Soldiers  and  inhabitants,  they  say  it  was  very  diverting  to  see 
the  battle,  One  Soldier  with  a  dirty  short  cutlash  driving  hundreds 
of  the  brave  Yorker  before  him  who  were  better  armed  than  him, 
but  the  unfortunate  Soldiers  who  knew  nothing  of  the  riot  and 
were  unarmed  paid  for  it,  for  there's  near  twenty  of  them  wounded 
the  wounds  of  the  inhabitants  are  as  much  concealed  as  possible 
but  its  thought  they  at  least  double  the  Soldiers.  Im  sorry  Mr. 
Sears  and  some  others  did  not  lose  a  pair  of  Ears  each  at  least.  — 
I'm  glad  to  hear  that  Mr.  Roberts  is  a  live  and  knocking  the 
Balls  about  but  sorry  to  hear  he  could  not  knock  his  balls  about 
as  he  would  chuse  to  do  at  Michilimackinac,  but  he  is  not  the  first 
that  the  fair  sex  have  disappointed.  I  wish  My  Lord  Mayor 
would  find  some  agreeable  place  to  roll  his  balls  on  as  to  Lord 
Mansfield  he  has  enough  of  it.  Mr.  Daily's  balls,  I'm  afraid 
are  wore  out  in  the  Service  and  ought  to  be  sent  to  Chelsea.  Mr. 
Byrns  I'm  afraid  by  the  Melody  of  his  voice  has  been  cut  out  like 
your  Italians  for  singing  so  that  his  balls  are  left  in  Italy  or  perhaps 
as  he  was  So  long  in  the  East  he  was  fitted  for  taking  care  of  the 
Ladys  in  the  Seraglio.  Mr.  Tyrrel  and  his  Chariot  may  stick  in 
the  Snow  for  any  thing  I  [ca]re  and  his  Master  Cap*.  Gardner  may 
do  the  Same. 


3  January  24,  1  770.  Johnson  Papers,  7:35 1 


774       (  Sir  William  Johnson  Papers 

[I]  am  very  Sorry  to  hear  of  Col.  Guys  illness  of  which  I  hope 
he  is  now  [thojroughly  recover'd.  I'm  afraid  we  shall  not 
have  the  pleasure  [of]  Sir  John's  Company  this  Winter  in  New 
York. 

The  Sons  of  Liberty  in  New  Jersey  have  put  a  stop  to  the 
Courts  of  Justice  in  that  Province,  for  which  Governor  Franklan  is 
resolved  to  do  justice  to  some  of  them.  The  Sons  of  Liberty  in 
this  Town  locked  up  the  assembly  room  while  the  Members  were 
all  in  debate  in  the  House  and  Carryed  the  key  away  with  them 
and  they  were  obliged  to  brake  the  door  to  get  out  this  happened 
on  Friday  last.  The  Council  was  in  an  other  Room  waiting  for 
the  Members  of  assembly  at  last  their  patience  being  worn  out, 
they  went  to  enquire  into  the  reason  of  their  being  so  tedious  and 
found  them  shut  in  and  Assisted  them  in  opening  the  door. 
There's  a  New  liberty  Pole  a  making  which  is  to  be  put  up  on 
friday  it's  to  be  Cased  in  Iron,  the  Corporation  is  divided  whither 
they  will  allow  it  to  be  put  up  or  not,  the  fear  of  offending  the  mob 
will  induce  them  to  allow  it  to  be  put  up. 

Mrs.  MacLeod  returns  you  thanks  for  your  kind  respects  and 
will  attend  her  Dairy  &ca.  early  in  the  Spring.       She  Joins  me  in 
kind  Compliments  to  you  and  Sir  John  and  the  rest  of  the  Family 
not  forgeting  the  Ball  drivers. 
I  am 
Sir 

Your  very  affectionate 

and  Most  Obedient  Humble  Serf. 

Nord.  MacLeod 
The  wine  is  sent  for 
the  Madeira 
Mr.  Croghan  is  here  laid  up  with  the  gout. 

INDORSED:4 

N  York  27*.  JanuT.  1  770 


Cap1.  McLeods  letter 


4  In  Sir  William's  hand. 


Land  Development,  1769-74  775 

TO  THOMAS  GAGE 

A.L.S.1 

Johnson  Hall,  J  amy.  30*.  1770 
Dear  Sir  — 

I  was  favoured  with  your  letter  of  the  14th.  Ins1.2  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  Disign  of  the 
Indians  in  desireing  the  Congress  will  not  admit  of  such  Delay, 
nor  will  it  be  practicable  I  fear  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  application  agreable  to  their  resolutions  at  Onondaga,  and 
there  are  now  Deputies  with  me  who  are  verry  pressing  for  my 
immediate  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  ye.  Congress. 

The  letter  for  the  Huron  (who  I  know  verry  well)  shall  be  for- 
warded the  first  opertunity.  — 

This  is  intended  to  be  presented  to  You  by  Lieu1.  Roberts3  who 
goes  for  New  York,  and  afterwards  I  beleive  to  England,  Where 
(If  I  may  presume  to  request  it)  I  wish  He  could  have  your 
Countenance.  — 

He  has  Acc,s.  to  lay  before  You,  particularly  of  Expences  to, 
&  from  Michilimacinac,  wh.  considering  the  Occasion,  I  realy 
cannot  refuse  my  Strongest  Recommendation  for  their  Payment, 
as  he  has  been  hurried  back  and  forward  for  above  two  Years  past 
on  Affairs  of  a  Public  nature,  at  an  Expence  he  can  ill  Support, 
and  which  I  think  should  not  fall  upon  him  by  any  means.  — 


1  In  William   L.    Clements   Library;   draft,   dated   Jan.    29,    1770,   in 
mutilated  form  was  printed  in  Johnson  Papers,  7:361-62. 

2  Johnson  Papers,  7:343-44. 

3  Lieutenant  Benjamin  Roberts,  formerly  commissary  at  Michilmackinac. 


776  Sir  William  Johnson  Papers 

There  has  been  likewise  an  Action  lately  commenced  against 
him  for  doing  what  was  his  Duty  as  Commissary.  In  which  Suit 
I  am  become  his  Bail,  The  Case  lyes  before  the  Attorney 
General,  and  can  be  explained  to  You  in  such  a  Manner,  as  will  I 
dare  say  entitle  him  to  yr.  Protection,  As  it  could  not  but  fall 
verry  hard  on  any  Man  who  has  been  active  in  his  Office  to  want 
protection  against  those  Persons  who  now  take  advantage  of  his 
Dismission  to  deter  others  from  doing  their  Duty  hereafter,  and 
he  has  been  already  at  the  Expence  &  trouble  of  Several  Attend- 
ances on  Court  in  consequence  of  the  letigious  Action. 

I  am  with  great  Truth  &  Regard 

Dear  Sir 
Your  most  Obedient 
His  Excellency  &  Affec".  Humble  Servant 

General  Gage  —  W,  Johnson 

indorsed: 

Sr.  Wm.  Johnson  Bar1. 
Jan*.  30*.  1 770 
Recd.  [Jan'y.]  Feb'y.  7ih. 
answered  — 


TO  BARENT  VROOMAN 
A.  L.  S.1 

Feb'y.211770  — 
MR.  Vrooman  — 

Last  Night  Three  Indians  from  Scohare  Arrived  here  with 
Wampum  from  their  whole  Castle  as  they  say.  Declaring  that 
they  will  by  no  means  part  with  the  Lands  they  now  live  on  & 
improve ;  &  they  seem  to  be  verry  much  alarmed  at  your  proposing 
a  Meeting  at  yr.  House  in  a  private  manner,  &  forbidding  them  to 
make  it  known  to  Me,  or  the  Mohawks  &ca.  —  now  if  that  be 
true,  as  they  say,  it  realy  looks  odd.  —  When  You  spoke  to  me 
about  it,  I  told  You  that  in  case  they  the  Indians  agreed  volun- 


1  In  Canadian  Archives,  Claus  Papers,  Vol.  I. 


Land  Development,   1769-74  777 

tarily  amongst  themselves  to  part  with  it,  and  that  you  would 
Satisfy  them,  for  the  Same,  I  should  have  no  Objection,  and 
would  in  that  Case  so  far  befriend  You,  as  to  speak  to  the  Cona- 
joharees  for  a  place  of  Settlement  for  them.  —  But  by  those 
Indians,  I  find  they  are  entirely  averse  to  parting  with  it,  in  so 
much  that  their  Expression  on  the  occasion  this  Morning  Was, 
that  they  would  as  Soon  loose  their  Heads  as  give  up  the 
Land.  —  As  this  is  ye.  case  I  dont  think  it  proper  that  they 
should  be  pressed  any  more  to  it,  least  the  consequences  might  be 
prejudicial  to  that  Settlement  in  particular,  or  to  his  Majestys 
Interest  in  general.  — 

If  You  have  any  agreement  in  Writing  (made  at  the  time  of 
Patenting  ye.  Land)  concerning  ye.  Indian  Flats  where  they  live, 
and  will  let  me  see  them,  I  will  do  You  all  the  Justice  in  my 
power.  As  I  am 

Yr.  Welwisher 
&  Humble  Serv1. 

W  Johnson 
Bart.  Vroman 


CONFERENCE  WITH  CAYUGAS 

D.1 

[Johnson  Hall,  Feb.  18  J 770] 

The  Cayugas  from  Owegy  (who  had  been  concerned  in  com- 
mitting hostilities,  for  which  they  Expressed  great  sorrow)  came 
to  Johnson-hall  to  the  Number  of  Six  and  on  the  1 8th.  Feb?,  had 
an  Interview  with  Sir  Wm.  at  which  the  rest  were  present  — 

Present 
Sir  Wm  Johnson  Bart. 

Guy  Johnson  Esqr.  DepJ\  Agent 
J  Butler  Esqr.  Interpreter 
—  addressed  Sir  Wm.  as  follows 


1  In  Canadian  Archives,   Indian  Records,  Vol.  9.   In  Guy  Johnson's 
hand. 


778  Sir  William  Johnson  Papers 

Brother  Warraghiyagey, 

I  hope  you'll  Excuse  our  coming  at  this  time  contrary  to  your 
desire,  as  it  was  done  with  a  good  intention,  to  shew  you  the 
sincerity  of  our  Reformation,  &  to  acquit  ourselves  of  the  crimes 
laid  to  our  charge,  we  therefore  with  this  String,  clear  your  Sight 
that  you  may  once  more  look  upon  us  as  your  Brethren,  &  open  the 
passage  to  your  heart  that  you  may  give  attention  to  what  we  say, 
&  be  able  to  speak  to  us.  &  we  also  wipe  away  the  blood  & 
Cleanse  the  Council  Room  that  we  may  meet  therein  as  form- 
erly. — 

3  Strings  — 
Brother, 

I  am  now  to  acquaint  you  with  the  occasion  of  our  coming 

down,  &  the  cause  of  our  late  bad  behavior,  —  You  may  recollect 

it  was  told  you  at  a  public  meeting  last  Summer  that  all  the 

Indians  so   far  down  the  Susquehanna,   as   Owegy   were  your 

Friends  &  they  were  really  so  at  that  time,  but,  Brother,  we  were 

a    few    people    unfortunately    situated    amongst    many    of   your 

Enemys,  who  were  daily  passing  that  way  with  the  Axe,  agl.  you, 

this  at  length  induced  a  few  of  our  young  people    (instigated 

doubtless  by  the  Devil)  to  joyn  them  &  do  some  mischief  of  which 

they  are  all  now  unfeignedly  sorry  convinced  that  they  have  done 

Wrong,  and  I  am  now  to  inform  you  that  we  are  all  unanimously 

determined  forever  hereafter  to  hold  fast  the  Covenant  Chain,  & 

live  in  peace  &  friendship  with  the  English,  and  this  [f/jeir]  our 

resolutions  [are]  you  may  firmly  rely  on.  — 

A  Belt  7  Rows  — 
Brother, 

Alas!  we  have  been  very  uneasy  since  the  commencement  of 

hostilities,  of  which  we  heartily  repented  in  a  Short  time,  &  on 

serious  reflection  were  convinced  we  were  seduced  by  the  Evil 

Spirit  to  do  Wrong,  [but]  which  determined  us  imediately  to  come 

to  you  [and]  to  desire  forgiveness,  &  offer  our  services,  and  we  now 

assure  you  that  we  do  so  sincerely,  that  we  have  [24]  22  Warriors, 

who  are  all  at  your  Service,  &  Whom  you  may  make  use  of  in  any 

manner  whatsoever  as  some  reparation  for  our  late  behavior.  — 

A  belt  6  Rows  — 


Land  Development,   1769-74  779 

Brother, 

Our  Women  have  spoken  to  our  Warriors  on  this  Bunch  of 
Women,2  Thanking  them  for  the[ir]  good  resolutions  they  have 
entred  into,  &  recommending  it  to  them  to  persevere  therein,  &  to 
observe  the  same  forever;  as  for  their  parts,  they  have  been  always 
your  Friends,  &  will  always  continue,  &  desire  to  assure  you  that 
we  all  to  the  Ammount  of  46  —  Men,  Women  &  Children,  will 
always  remain  your  Friends  — 

A  bunch  of  black  &  White  Wampum 
Brother, 

In  consequence  of  our  repentance  &  resolutions,  we  have  now 
taken  the  Axe  out  of  your  head,  &  acquainted  you  [of]  that  there 
are  22  Warriors  at  your  service;  and  we  declare  it  to  be  our 
determined  design,  to  take  the  Axe  with  wch  some  of  us  have 
struck  you  &  turn  it  against  your  Enemys,  &  those  who  were  the 
principal  authors  of  our  bad  behavior  and  we  assure  these  our 
Warriors  are  ready  to  follow  whatever  you  desire  in  order  to 
procure  a  Salve  for  the  Wound  you  have  received  — 

3  Strings, 
to  which  Sir  William  Gave  them  the  following  Answer 
Warriors  of  Cayuga, 

I  could  wish  it  was  in  my  power  to  call  you  by  the  name  of 
Brothers,  under  which  Denomination  I  have  always  treated  with 
your  Nation.  — 

The  Excuses  you  make  for  your  late  bad  behavior  are  very 
insufficient  &  unsatisfactory;  those  who  are  true  Friends  to  the 
English  can  never  be  led  away  [by]  under  such  frivolous  pretences, 
nor  can  I  accept  of  or  rely  on  the  promises  of  people  who  are  so 
easily  persuaded  to  become  our  Enemys. 

These  Apologys  will  never  do,  nor  ever  satisfy  the  much 
injured  English,  and  therefore  I  must  tell  you  that  I  cannot  admit 
of  your  repentance  unless  you  convince  me  of  its  sincerity  by 
going  imediately  against  our  Enemys  who  you  say  were  the  cause 
of  your  defection,  and  bring  me  at  the  least,  as  many  Scalps  as 


2  Should  read  "wampum." 


780  Sir  William  Johnson  Papers 

they  took  at  that  time,  and  this  I  desire  you  will  imediately  per- 
form as  the  only  means  of  reinstating  you  in  our  Friendship. 

A  belt  — 

To  which  they  Answered,  That  they  would  imediately  comply 

with  his  desire,  and  would  go  against  the  Beaver  whom  with  his 

people  you  would  destroy,  as  they  were  the  Authors  of  all  the 

Mischief  — 


TO  HENRY  VAN  SCHAACK 
A.L.S} 

Johnson  Hall,  Feb'y.  22*.  1770 
Sir  — 

I  have  received  your  last  letter  of  the  16th.2  &  Co1.  Johnson3 
shewed  me  yours  to  him  with  ye.  Coppy  of  the  Petition  which  I 
think  a  verry  good  one.  — 

From  the  appearance  of  things  at  this  time,  I  think  it  best  that 
You  without  delay  transmit  me  a  List  of  ye.  most  fitting  Persons 
for  Military  Commissions,  which  I  would  have  Signed  by  a 
Number  of  the  principal  Inhabitants  of  your  Township,  and  shall 
be  glad  to  receive  it  by  the  middle  of  next  Week  at  farthest,  that 
no  time  be  lost  in  getting  these  Matters  settled  in  the  manner  most 
agreable  to  Justice,  and  the  Desires  of  the  People.  — 

Whatever  delays  the  Co1,  may  make  about  the  return  of  the 
Regiment,  it  is  in  the  L*.  Governors  power  to  render  them  of  little 
use  to  him,  by  putting  matters  on  the  footing  that  has  been 
recommended  as  most  necessary  in  Such  case.  — 

I  shall  recommend  You,  &  Mr.  Vosburgh4  to  be  put  into  the 
Commission  of  the  Peace,  which  I  dare  say  will  be  attended  to, 
and  I  almost  forgot  to  tell  You  that  I  should  be  glad  You'd  send 
me  a  List  of  the  principal  Inhabitants  on  the  West  side  of  the 


1  In  Newberry  Library,  Chicago,  Van  Schaack  Papers. 

2  Johnson  Papers,  7:393-94. 

3  Guy  Johnson. 

4  Peter  Vosburgh. 


Land  Development,  1769-74  781 

Hudsons  River  from  the  Patroons  Bounds,  to  the  South  Line  of 
Albany  County  including  Cocksaky5  &ca.  — 

My  best  Compliments  to  Mrs.  Vanschaack,  &  acquaint  her  that 
I  have  a  quantity  of  Garden  Seeds  on  board  the  Sharps  Sloop, 
with  other  Articles,  which  I  have  not  been  able  to  get  up  as  yet, 
whenever  I  do,  I  shall  remember  my  promise  about  them.  Co1. 
Johnson  desires  to  be  remembered  to  You  thanks  You  for  yr.  last, 
wh.  he  has  not  time  to  answer  now.  &  indeed  I  am  so  hurried 
that  I  have  only  time  to  Assure  you  of  my  best  wishes,  &  that  I  am 

Yrs.  Sincerely 
Henry  Vanschaack  Esqr.  —  W  Johnson 


TO  GOLDSBROW  BANYAR 

Johnson  Hall  Fete.  22*.  1770 
Dear  Banyar  — 

I  have  Just  received  yr.  favour  of  the  1 2,h.  Ins1.2  and  thank  You 
for  the  Copies  of  the  Boundaries,  and  the  List  of  Justices  as  in- 
tended, (some  of  whom  have  been  put  in,  &  others  put  out  thro 
mere  partiality,  the  case  of  Mr.  Man  is  one  Instance  of  ye.  latter 
among  many.)  the  latter  I  could  have  wished  to  have  received 
sooner,  as  I  might  have  transmitted  'ere  now  a  List  of  the  Persons 
I  know  to  be  most  fitting  for  Justices,  which  I  must  now  defer 
Sending  'till  the  next  Post,  when  it  shall  be  forwarded.  — 

As  I  foresee  the  necessity  of  Expediting  the  Land  affairs,  So 
soon  as  the  Deed  comes  up  I  shall  have  the  necessary  Certificates 
wrote  on  it  agreable  to  your  directions,  the  Circumstances  attend- 
ing the  purchase  can  be  all  fully  cleared  up,  and  I  made  use  of 
the  Sworn  Interpreter,  Arent  Stevens  on  the  occasion.  — 

You  will  find  from  the  Dedimus  Issued  to  me  that  it  is  for 
qualifying  all  officers,  now,  or  hereafter  to  be  appointed  in  the 


5  Coxsackie. 

1  In  New  York  Historical  Society,  Banyar  Papers. 

2  Not  found. 


782  Sir  William  Johnson  Papers 

County  of  Albany,  and  as  it  is  the  last  I  apprehend  it  supersedes 
all  former  Dedimus's  a  Circumstance  which  I  should  be  glad  to 
know  more  certainly  for  regulatn.  of  my  Conduct  concerning  it.  — 

I  have  heard  nothing  of  the  large  Tract  North  of  this  place, 
Since  Campbel  the  Surveyor  took  down  ye.  Survey  last  Fall,  and 
should  be  glad  to  know  what  is  next  to  be  done  in  it  as  I  should 
be  desireous  that  the  L*.  Governour  availed  himself  of  Issuing  the 
Letters  Patent  during  his  Administration.  — 

It  has  been  observed  to  me  by  Professors  of  ye.  Law  &  others, 
that  the  Judges  of  the  Common  pleas  have  little  or  no  knowledge 
in  the  Laws,  and  that  they  are  so  Extensively  Connected  thorough- 
out  the  County,  that  on  many  occasions  none  of  them  can  sit  upon 
a  Trial,  the  Consequences  are  Obvious.  to  this,  might  be  added, 
the  consideration  that  they  are  always  Dutch  or  Men  who  think 
themselves  Such,  and  that  they  are  often  partial  on  that  Score, 
which  I  think  it  is  high  time  to  remedy,  by  bringing  in,  or  adding 
to  the  Number  such  English-Men  as  are  best  qualified,  when  oper- 
tunity  offers,  their  present  encreased  State  &  the  good  Circum- 
stances of  some  of  'em  Independant  of  all  other  considerations, 
Justly  entitling  them  to  such  a  preferment,  for  wh.  I  conceive  there 
are  some  to  be  found  better  qualified  than  the  Dutch,  &  more  im- 
partial, wh.  I  should  be  glad  you  would  mention  to  the  Ll.  Govr. 
&  let  me  have  his  thoughts  upon  it  as  soon  as  convenient.  Excuse 
this  trouble  I  give  You,  &  beleive  me  sincerely  yr.  Hearty 
Welwisher 

&  Affect*.  Humble  Serv1. 

W.  Johnson 
Golds  Borrow  Banyar  Esqr. 

I  shall  be  uneasy  until  ^ 
I  hear  you  receive  this  \ 

INDORSED : 

February  22d.  1  770 


From  Sir  Wm.  Johnson 


Land  Development,   1769-74 


783 


JUSTICES  OF  PEACE  FOR  ALBANY 

D} 


Judges  — 


£ 

3 

S-i 

O 


Justices  of  the  Peace  for  the  County 
Ranselear  Nicoll. 
Volkert  P  Dow. 
Jacob  C  Ten  Eyck. 
David  Van  Derheyden. 
Sr.  Jn°.  Johnson  — 
Jacob  H  Ten  Eyck. 
Isaac  Switts 
John  Glen 
John  H  Ten  Eyck 
Cornelius  Ten  Broeck 
John  Cuyler 
Harmanis  Wendel 
Abm.  Ten  Broeck 
Phillip  Skeene 
Henry  Van  Renselear 
Jacobus  Van  Slyck 
Henry  Cuyler 
Jacobus  Mynderse 
Philip  Schuyler 
Rob*.  Livingston  Junr. 
Stephen  Van  Rensselaer 
John  Van  Rensselaer 
Patrick  Smith 
[Sir  John  Johnson]2 
[Isaac  Pan's] 
John  A  Van  Alen 
[Isaac  Cuyler] 


[February  1770] 

of  Albany 

Thos.  Peebles 


1 


Rodolphus  Schoonmaker 
Thos.  Achierson 
Antony  Van  Schaick 

Jacob  Ten  Eyck 
Peter  Conin 
Abm.  Douw 
Cornelius  Van  Schaack 
Isaac  Van  Alstyn 
Johannis  Corts 
Johannis  Provoost 
John  Fisher 
John  Saunders 
John  Barclay 
John  Glen  Jnr. 

Rynier  Myndertse 
Martin  Hallinbeck 
Martin  Van  Bergen 
Isaac  Vrooman 
John  Butler 
John  Duncan 
Jacob  Klock 
John  Welles 

Johannis  Lawyer  Jnr. 


1  In  New  York  Historical  Society,  Banyar  Papers.  Inclosed  by  Golds- 
brow  Banyar  in  letter  to  Sir  William,  probably  of  February  12,  1  770.  Cf. 
list  for  1  762.  Johnson  Papers,  3:750. 

2  Names  italicized  and  in  brackets  are  crossed  out  in  the  manuscript. 


784 


Sir  William  Johnson  Papers 


Rob1.  Van  Rensselaer 
James  Parker 
Peter  Van  Ness 
Charles  De  Freudenburgh 
Gerrit  C  Van  Den  Bergh 
Johannis  Knickerbacker 
Jacob  Ten  Brock 
Antony  Van  Bergen 

Guert  Van  Schoonhoven 

—  2<*. 

Col°.  Guy  Johnson  — 

—  5^. 
George  Croghan 

[Reverse  of  sheet] 

Martin  G  Van  Bergen 
John  Mc.Comb 
Antony  Quackenboss 


S 

3 

O 

3 

a 


INDORSED : 


[Adolphus  Benzel] 
[Philip  5^eene] 
[Patrick  Smith] 

Dedimus  Potestatim 

John  Cuyler 
Abm.  Douw. 
Step.  DeLancey  — 
Jacobus  Mynderse 
Tobias  Ten  Eyck 
Philip  Schuyler 


List  for  Commissions  of 
Peace  &  pleas  for  Albany. 
1  768  Decern1".  23d.  Read  in  Council 
This  List  recommended 


Guysbert  Marselis 

Dirck  W.  Ten  Broeck 
Killian  Van  Renselaer 
Hendrick  Haynes 
Daniel  Campbell 
Hendrick  Fry  Jnr. 
Coenradt  Frank 

John  Van  Norden 

John  Wells 

Hannicol  Herkimer 
Johan  Jost  Harkemar 
Rudolph  Shoemaker 
Peter  Ten  Brook 
William  Seber 
Isaac  Paris 

Child 


Land  Development,   1769-74  785 

[separate  sheet] 

Justices  to  be  included  in  the  Commission  for  the  County  of 
Albany  — 

Dirck  Ten  Broeck,  to  be  one  of  the  Quorum  — 
Arnout  Veilea      ) 
Henry  Oathout  (   Jusices~ 


TO  GOLDSBROW  BANYAR 
A.L.S.1 

March  3*.  1770 

Dear  Banyar  — 

Mr.  Duncan2  going  now  to  N  York  as  he  writes  me,  in  order 
to  take  out  a  Patent  for  a  Tract  of  Land,  wh.  is  bounded  by  the 
rear  Line  of  my  Grant  at  Conajohare,  &  in  which  I  am  to  have 
6,250  Acres  or  a  full  Share,  is  the  reason  of  my  troubling  You  at 
present,  to  request  that  You  will  act  therein  for  me,  &  pay  my 
Share  of  the  Fees  there,  wh.  I  think  will  amount  to  about 
£  1 50  —  for  wh.  I  inclose  a  Draft  on  Mr.  Mortier.  —  the  rest 
of  the  Partners  I  understand  are  not  prepared  to  Advance  their 
Shares,  wh.  is  what  has  delayed  the  getting  out  the  Patent  this 
time  past.  I  am  so  hurried  now,  that  I  can  only  add  that 

I  am  Sincerely  Yr.  Welwisher, 

&  Verry  Humble  Serv*. 

W  Johnson 
Golds  Borrow  Banyar  Esqr.  — 

I  shall  write  you  fully  by  the  next  Post  on  the  Subjects  of  my  last 
letter  — 


INDORSED : 


March  3<  I  770 

From  Sir  Wm.  Johnson  with 
Order  on  Mr.  Mortier  for  £  1 50 


1  In  New  York  Historical  Society,  Banyar  Papers. 

2  John  Duncan. 


786  Sir  William  Johnson  Papers 

FROM  THOMAS  PENN 

Contemporary  Copy1 

Original  by  the  Albany 

Capn.  Richards 
Duplicate  by  Captn.  Thos.  Miller 

London  3rd.  Mar.  1770 
Dear  Sir  — 

Your  Letter  of  the  15th.  of  Sepr.2  is  come  to  my  hands,  & 
as  you  therein  desire  I  have  delivered  to  Captn.  Miller3  the  Grant 
of  your  Land  under  the  Great  Seal,  directed  to  the  Care  of  John 
Watts  Esqr.  to  whom  I  send  the  Bill  of  Lading,  &  wish  it  safe  to 
your  hands.  — 

I  beg  the  favour  of  you  to  send  me  a  Line  when  you  receive 
it,  the  expence  attending  the  Grant  amounts  as  I  wrote  you  the 
13th.  of  Sepr.4  which  is  £545.  .4.  .4  which  you  will  send  me  a 
Bill  for. 

I  return  you  my  Thanks  for  paying  the  last  of  the  Money  to 
the  Seneca's  &  other  Indian's  for  the  late  purchase.  I  am  very 
well  pleased  that  they  took  notice  of,  &  were  much  displeased  at 
the  Intrusion  of  the  New  Englander's,  who  we  are  endeavouring 
to  procure  a  Removal  off  by  Petition  to  the  King  &  Council,  the 
success  of  which  I  shall  acquaint  you  with  soon. 

I  am  sorry  there  is  any  sort  of  Cause  given  to  make  the  Indian's 
uneasy  but  fear  that  the  Great  Care  on  this  side  the  Water  to 
avoid  expence,  v/ill  be  the  cause  of  much  mischief  among  them, 
in  this  I  am  satisfied  that  you  will  use  your  utmost  endeavours  to 
prevent  it,  &  shall  be  glad  to  receive  a  more  pleasing  Account  of 
these  Affairs  from  You  &  remain  with  esteem  and  Regard. 

Dear  Sir 

Your  most  Obliged  and  most 
Obedient  Humble  Serv1. 
Sir  William  Johnson  T.P.  — 


1  In  Historical  Society  of  Pennsylvania,  Penn  Letter  Books. 

2  Johnson  Papers,  7:176-78. 

3  Captain  Thomas  Miller  in  August   1  770  commanded  the  Britannia. 
Johnson  Calendar  p.  465. 

4  Ante  p.  752. 


Land  Development,   1769-74  787 

LIST  OF  NAMES 

AD.1 

Names  to  be  inserted  in  the  Patent  for  my  Half  of  the  Lands 
along  the  Adegeghteinge  &ca.  also  for  the  thousand  Acres  at 
Adigo.  — 


My  own  Name  — 
James  Davis  — 
Andrew  Hanlon 
Edward  Donnellan 
Moses  Ibbit  — 
William  Phillips  — 
John  Freil  — 
James  Carrol  — 
William  Lottridge  — 

1 0     Robert  Lottridge  — 
Thomas  Adems  — 
Patrick  Fitz  Patrick  — 
Lucas  Veder  — 
Michael  Gallinger  — 
Matthias  Link  — 
James  Bennet  — 
John  Mc.Intire  — 
John  Brackan  — 
Thomas  Scott  — 

20     Gilbert  Tice  — 

Daniel  Campbel  — 
Robert  Mc.Intire  — 
Thomas  Morgan  — 
John  Murray  — 
Peter  Finny  — 
Peter  Mc.Grigor  — 


March  8ih.  1770  — 


1  In    New    York    Historical   Society,    Banyar   Papers.    Inclosed   in   Sir 
William  to  Goldsbrow  Banyar,  March  10,  1  770. 


786  Sir  William  Johnson  Papers 

INDORSED: 

List  of  Names  to  be 
inserted  in  Sir  Wm.  Johnsons 
Patent 

TO  GOLDSBROW  BANYAR 

Johnson  Hall  March  10th.  1770 
Dear  Banyar  — 

I  lost  no  time  after  Mr.  Croghans  arrival  which  was  only  last 
Sunday  in  getting  the  Indian  Deed  properly  evidenced  which  I 
now  transmit  You  together  with  a  proper  List  of  Names2  to  be 
inserted  for  my  part  as  near  as  its  quantity  is  known,  and  an  Order 
on  Mr.  Mortier  for  the  Fees  of  my  part  of  the  Land  as  near  as  I 
can  Judge,  which  I  hope  will  so  facilitate  the  business  that  ye. 
Patent  may  pass  the  Seals  without  delay.  I  would  chuse  to 
have  my  part  in  a  Separate  Patent  to  include  likewise  the  Thous- 
and Acres  at  the  Mouth  of  Adigo  Creek,3  agreable  to  my  former 
letter  to  Mr.  Wallace.  — 

I  also  now  Send  You  the  Survey  made  last  October  by 
Campbel,  which  I  always  understood  he  had  long  since  returned 
to  the  proper  office.  On  Viewing  ye.  Tract  It  appears  that  great 
part  of  it  is  so  bad  that  it  would  not  be  worth  patenting  if  even 
free  of  Quit  rent,  as  Such  part  must  therefore  be  left  out.  I  shall 
as  soon  as  possible  let  you  know  how  much  I  purpose  to  patent  out 
of  the  Whole  of  the  purchase.  — 

Agreable  to  the  L*.  Governors4  desire  I  have  taken  all  possible 
pains  to  find  out  Persons  best  qualified  and  most  agreable  to  the 
People  for  Militia  Officers  for  the  Regiments  proposed  to  be 
formed  below  Albany  Returns  of  which  I  now  transmit,  and  as  I 
am  persuaded  that  better  cannot  be  met  with  for  that  purpose  I 
hope  that  He  will  approve  of  my  recommendation,  and  order  the 


1  In  New  York  Historical  Society,  Banyar  Papers. 

2  Ante  pp.  787-88.   Dated  March  8,  1  770. 

3  Adiga   (Otego)   Creek. 

4  Cadwallader  Colden. 


Land  Development,   1769-74  789 

Commissions  Accordingly  —  Not  Being  certain  by  yr.  letter  of 
the  L*.  Governors  Intentions  respecting  Co1.  Ranslears5  Regiment 
I  have  for  the  present  confined  myself  to  the  Regiment  to  be 
formed  at  Kinderhook,  &  that  on  the  West  side  Hudsons  River, 
but  between  ourselves  I  think  it  ought  to  be  broke,  and  a  Sett  of 
better  Men  appointed  for  Officers,  as  those  of  Co1.  Ranslears 
Appointment  are  for  the  most  part  not  only  unworthy  of  or 
unfitts.  for  Comisns.,  but  also  verry  obnoxious  to  the  People  in 
General,  of  which  I  am  well  assured  from  the  Numberless  Com- 
plaints preferred  against  them,  or  in  case  they  are  not  broke  they 
may  be  new  modelled  by  the  appointing  proper  Persons  within 
the  Limits  to  the  Southward  of  Kinderhook  Regiment,  of  which  I 
shall  write  You  farther  if  required.  — 

I  also  transmit  You  after  a  great  deal  of  trouble  Spent  in  the 
Choice,  a  List  of  the  best  Men  I  can  find  for  Civil  Magistrates, 
and  I  think  I  may  safely  venture  to  Say  that  those  recommended 
by  me  are  Men  better  qualified  &  in  everry  Sense  most  fitting  for 
filling  those  Offices,  being  chosen  for  their  Abilities  uprightness  and 
Impartiality,  which  was  not  altogether  the  case  in  the  former  list, 
neither  can  it  ever  be  Expected  from  a  Set  of  Men  whose  Connec- 
tions are  so  extensive  and  who  are  Governed  by  Such  Selfish 
Motives,  Principles,  of  Which  my  Recommendation  cannot  be 
suspected,  because  it  is  well  known  that  I  am  free  of  all  such 
Connections,  that  it  is  not  in  their  power  to  do  me  any  kindness, 
and  that  for  many  Years  past  I  have  so  little  interfered  in  any 
Matters  of  a  Provincial  nature,  that  I  have  no  favours  to  Sollicit, 
or  obligations  to  requite  wth.  any  of  them.  —  You  will  please  to 
lay  such  of  the  Papers  herewith  transmitted  before  my  Worthy 
old  freind  the  L*.  Governour  as  are  necessary,  together  with  my 
Sentiments  &  Recommendations  thereon,  on  which,  or  any  other 
occurring  Subjects  I  shall  write  him  So  soon  as  I  hear  farther  from 
himself  or  from  You  relative  thereto. 

Notwithstanding  I  gave  all  the  Dispatch  which  my  Duties  of 
another  Nature  &  Health  would  permit  for  Commissioning  & 
Qualifying  the  officers  of  the  Several  Regiments  of  Militia  formed 


5  Colonel  John  Van  Rensselaer. 


790  Sir  William  Johnson  Papers 

by  Sir  Harry  Moore,  yet  there  remained  at  his  Death6  the 
Captains  &  Subalterns  Commissions  for  the  Horse,  &  the  Capts. 
&  Subalterns,  &  Subalterns  Comisns.  for  Co1.  Van  Derheydens 
Regim1.  of  Foot  at  Albany;  As  I  presume  these  Commisns.  can- 
not now  be  Issued,  I  shall  on  receipt  of  Your  Answer  Send  a  List 
of  the  Names  of  those  before  approved  of  that  they  may  be  Com- 
missioned. The  Delay  abl.  ye.  Horse  was  principally  occasioned 
in  that  they  were  to  be  raised  throughout  the  Whole  Northern 
District,  and  it  was  a  matter  of  Difficulty  to  find  proper  Persons, 
There  is  a  Troop  already  at  Albany,  one  at  Schenectady  which 
should  be  incorporated  into  the  Regiment.  there  is  also  a  Troop 
at  Esopus,  concerning  the  Original  Institution  of  which  I  should 
gladly  receive  Information  from  You.  — 

I  was  formerly  advised,  that  in  order  to  my  Acting  occasionally 
(as  I  am  oblidged  sometimes  to  do)  as  a  Justice  of  the  Peace  in 
Consequence  of  being  a  Councellor,  that  I  should  qualify  as  Such, 
pray  inform  me  how,  or  where  that  is  to  be  done.  —  In  the 
Recommendation  of  Magistrates  I  have  confined  myself  cheifly 
to  those  whose  Abilities  and  Characters  I  was  best  acquainted 
with,  So  that  as  I  have  little  or  no  knowledge  of  the  Inhabitants 
of  Cumberland  County,  I  dont  recollect  to  have  mentioned  any 
within  its  Limits.  — 

You  see  I  have  given  You  Subjects  enough  for  writing  me 
upon,  which  I  hope  You  will  do  as  soon  as  possible  because  the 
present  State  of  Affairs  renders  dispatch  in  these  Matters  highly 
necessary.  — 

Please  to  make  my  most  kind  Compliments  to  my  worthy  & 
Esteemed  freind  the  Ll.  Governour,  &  acquaint  him  that  my 
having  so  many  things  to  write  you  upon,  which  of  course  must 
come  before  him  was  my  reason  for  not  giving  him  the  additional 
trouble  of  a  letter  at  this  time.  — 

I  am  Dear  Banyar  with  great  Truth 

Your  Sincere  Welwisher, 

&  Humble  Servant 
Golds  Borrow  Banyar,  Esqr.  W,  Johnson 


6  Governor  Sir  Henry  Moore  died  September  11,1  769. 


Land  Development,   1769-74  791 

PS.  I  shall  be  glad  You  will  take  notice  to  the  Ll.  Governor 
that  at  the  time  of  some  of  the  late  appointm,s.  Mr.  John  Glen  was 
appointed  L*.  Co1,  of  Sir  Johns  Regiment,  Depy.  Qr.  Master 
Genr1.  with  the  Rank  of  Co1,  and  that  I  then  understood  some 
more  persons  Countenanced  by  a  particular  Party  intended  to 
apply  for  Brevets  or  Rank  Superior  to  what  they  held  in  their 
Regiments,  which  in  my  opinion  should  never  be  obtained  in  the 
Militia  unless  for  Extraordinary  Services  performed  therein,  for  if 
Precedents  of  that  Sort  are  established  applications  will  be  end- 
less for  Rank,  Everry  Man  desireous  of  a  little  Title  will  be 
setting  up  pretensions  which  will  only  tend  to  create  Jealousy  & 
Disputes  amongst  the  People. 

I  must  farther  observe  that  Mr.  Man  was  displaced  verry  un- 
justly because  for  a  time  in  Confinement  to  give  way  to  Mr. 
Schylers  Advancement  to  a  Regiment.  &ca.  — 

IamY".     WJ  — 


INDORSED: 


March  10.  1770 

From  Sir  Wm.  Johnson, 
with  his  Order  on  Mr. 
Mortierfor  £300 

Answered  fully  by  Letter  reed 
the  1  7  -  March  -  that  D. 
Gov.  has  directed  Military 
Commissions  for  the  2  Regimts. 
that  he  should  recommend  six 
Persons  for  the  third  —  and  that 
the  L  G  —  will  lay  his  Civil  List 
before  the  Council  —  that  the 
Comm*.  left  undelivered  of  Sr. 
H  M  —  may  be  delivered  if 
not  sent  up  Blank.  &  he  thinks 
proper  to  deliver  them  — 


792 


Sir  William  Johnson  Papers 


LIST  OF  JUDGES  AND  MAGISTRATES 

A.D.S.1 

A  List  of  Judges,  &  Magistrates  Recommended  to  his  Honour 
The  L{.  Governour,  for  the  City  &  County  of  Alb?. 

March  10*   1770 


Ranselaer  Nicoll. 

S. 

Anthony  Vanschaick. 

s. 

Volckert  P.  Douw. 

s. 

Anthony  Van  Bergen. 

S. 

Jacob  C.  Tenyck 

s. 

Gillian  Van  Ranslear  — 

s. 

David  Vanderheyden 

Peter  Vosburgh  — 

s 

Daniel  Campbel. 

s. 

Isack  Vanalstine  — 

s 

<g    John  Duncan. 

s 

Johannis  Korts  — 

s 

4f   [hack  Man]2  — 

[Jeremiah  Hogeboom] 

^3 

'""">  John  Van  Ranselar 

s 

Johannis  Prevost  — 

s 

Sir  John  Johnson 

s 

Guisbert  Marselis. 

s 

Guy  Johnson  — 

s 

Dirk  W.  Ten  Broeck 

s 

[David  Van  Der  Heyden] 

John  Barclay  — 

s 

Isack  Swits  — 

Martin  Halnbeck 

s 

Jacob  H.  Tenyck  — 

s 

George  W.  Dederick 

s 

John  H.  Ten  Eyck 

s 

John  Mc.Comb  — 

s 

Cornelius  Ten  Broeck 

s 

Alexander  Mc.Naghten 

s 

John  Cuyler  — 

s 

Adolphus  Benzel  — 

s 

George  Croghan 

s 

William  Gilliland 

s 

Hennery  Cuyler  — 

s 

Thomas  Morrison 

s 

Harmanus  Wendal  — 

s 

Edward  Jesch  — 

s 

Abraham  Ten  Broeck 

s 

Robert  Jesch  — 

s 

Daniel  Claus 

s 

Archibald  Campbell 
[John  Duncan] 

s 

David  Edgar 

s 

Isack  Vroman 

s 

Philip  Skene  — 

s 

John  Sanders  — 

s 

Jacobus  Mynerdse  — 

s 

[John  Clen]  2  if  deal 

1  In  New  York  Historical  Society,  Banyar  Papers.  Enclosed  in  letter  of 
March  10,   1770. 

2  Names  italicized  and  in  brackets  are  crossed  out  in  the  manuscript. 


Land  Development,  1769-74 


793 


Philip  Schyler  — 

S 

Ryneer  Mynerdse  — 

S 

Jacobus  Vanslyke 

S 

John  B.  Van  Eps  — 

S 

a    William  Duer  — 

S 

John  Butler  — 

s. 

2    Hennery  Vanschaack 

s 

Peter  Conine  — 

s 

J2f  Johannis  Lawyer  — 

s 

John  Welles  — 

s 

Sybrant  G.  Vanschaick 

s 

Henry  Haynes  — 

s 

Charles  De  Freidenbergh  S 

Cornelius  Vroman 

s 

[Archibald  Campbel  — 

] 

Hannicol  Harkemer 

s 

Hergheimer3 

Peter  Ten  Broeck 

s 

Hanjost  Harkemer 

s 

William  Seber  — 

s 

Rudolphus  Shoemaker 

s 

John  Glen  [Junr.] 

s 

Adam  Leucks  — 

s 

James  Parker 

Arent  A.  Brat.  — 

s 

Abraham  Douw  — 

s 

Derick  Swart 

s 

Thomas   Peebles  — 

s 

Jeremiah  Hogeboon3 

Jacob  Tenyck  — 

s 

[George  Palmer] 

s 

Patrick  Smith  — 

s. 

John  Van  Allen  — 

s 

John  Munro  — 

s. 

Jacob  Ten  Broeck  — 

s 

John  Vischer  — 

s 

W.  Johnson 

[*» 

emiah  Hogeboomf 

Ab 

raham  Cuyler3 

Ph 

ilip  Embury3 

INDORSED : 


List  of  Magistrates 

1  770  March  28  —  Read  in  Council  & 

Commissions  ordered  accordingly  — 


3  Names  added  or  inserted  in  the  hand  of  Goldsbrow  Banyar. 


794  Sir  William  Johnson  Papers 

TO  GOLDSBROW  BANYAR 

Johnson  Hall,  March  17th.  1770 
Dear  Banyar  — 

Yours  of  the  9th.  Cur'.2  is  come  to  Hand,  I  wrote  you  so 
fully  the  10th.,3  that  until  I  hear  from  You,  I  have  only  to  Inform 
You  that  in  the  Year  1  766,  when  Govr.  Moore  was  here,  there 
was  a  purchase  made  by  a  Number  of  People  of  a  Tract  of  Land 
on  the  South  Side  of  the  Mohawk  River,  Beginning  at  the  upper 
End  of  Govr.  Cosbys  Mannor,  in  wh.  Tract  the  late  Daniel 
Denniston4  had  a  full  Share,  &  paid  the  Expence  of  purchase, 
Survey  &ca.  He  left  his  Widdow  Sole  Executrix  of  his  last 
Will  which  She  proved,  and  as  I  am  one  of  his  Principal 
Creditors,  She  is  desireous  to  renounce  in  my  favour,5  And  as  that 
Land  is  the  Cheif  thing  left  by  him  for  the  payment  of  his  Debts. 
I  would  willingly  Secure  it,  for  [the  settleing  many  of  his  Debts  as 
I  am]6  that  purpose.  —  Wherefore  am  ready  to  pay  the  Fees  of 
Patenting  it,  when  I  know  what  it  is,  as  I  am  also  for  Mr.  Robert 
Adem's  Share  in  Said  Tract.  — 

Mr.  Croghan  on  his  return  from  York  offered  to  Sell  me  a 
Tract  of  40  thousand  Acres  of  Land,  lying  between  Cherry 
Valley  &  Susquahanna,  pattented  ye.  16th.,  and  released  the  18th. 
Janry.  to  him  by  Alexander  McKee  &  38  others,  I  would  beg  the 
favour  of  You  to  let  me  know  whether  the  Patent  Fees  thereof 
are  paid  and  whether  by  a  Mortgage  on  Said  Tract  or  otherwise. 
—  Your  Speedy  Compliance  will  much  oblidge. 

Dear  Banyar 

Your  real  Welwisher 

&  faithfull  Humble  Servant 

W.  Johnson 


1  In  New  York  Historical  Society,  Banyar  Papers. 

2  Not  found. 
3^n/epp.  788-91. 

4  Daniel  Denniston  died  April  9,  1  769.  Minutes  of  St.  Patrick's  Lodge. 

5  For  Sir  William's  serving  as  executor,  see  Johnson  Papers,  8:72-73. 

6  Words. italicized  and  in  brackets  are  crossed  out  in  the  manuscript. 


Land  Development,  1769-74  795 


INDORSED: 

1  7  March  1  770 


Sir  William  Johnson  — 


TO  GOLDSBROW  BANYAR 

Johnson  Hall  March  23d.  1770 
Dear  Banyar  — 

Since  I  wrote  my  last  letters  to  You,  I  am  Informed  that 
Daniel  Denniston  (whose  share  with  Adem's  I  told  You  I  would 
pay)  disposed  of  part  of  his  Right  in  the  purchase  called  Bayards, 
So  that  I  thought  it  necessary  to  advise  You  that  I  cant  answer  for 
more  than  comes  to  Dennistons  Share,  what  that  is,  I  suppose  You 
can  be  informed  there.  — 

I  have  also  heard,  that  Mr.  Mann2  whom  I  recommended  has 
been  guilty  of  Some  Irregularities  particularly  in  some  Land 
Transaction,  that  might  possibly  have  been  made  use  of  as  a 
reason  for  taking  his  Regm1.  from  Him.  I  dont  know  whether 
my  Informant  tho  an  honest  Man  has  had  an  opertunity  of  being 
thoroughly  informed  in  this  matter,  or  whether  it  might  not  have 
been  givin  him  by  a  party  that  contributed  to  Manns  Removal  thro 
other  Motives.  —  My  Acquaintance  with  Mr.  Mann  is  verry 
Slender  and  less  than  with  any  others  of  my  recommendation, 
Indeed  He  realy  appeared  to  me  possessed  of  more  Abilities  than 
are  easily  to  be  met  with  in  any  part  of  his  Neighbourhood, 
perhaps  his  Character  is  better  known  at  New  York  than  in 
these  parts,  but  be  it  as  it  will  I  thought  it  highly  necessary  to  men- 
tion this  Circumstance  to  You,  as  it  would  give  me  concern  to  hear 
that  any  Person  who  had  my  recommendation  Should  be  after- 
wards deemed  unworthy  of  his  Station.       for  I  had  no  Interest 


1  In  New  York  Historical  Society,  Banyar  Papers. 

2  Isaac  Man. 


796  Sir  William  Johnson  Papers 

inseperable  from  that  of  the  Country  in  general  which  I  thought 
him  capable  of  Serving,  and  tho  there  may  be  a  verry  few  of  the 
rest  in  so  large  a  List,  with  whom  my  acquaintance  is  verry  Small, 
yet  that  is  not  the  case  with  the  much  greater  part  of  them,  and 
therefore  I  may  venture  to  say  that  upon  the  Whole,  for  the 
reasons  given  in  my  last,  they  are  chosen  wlh.  much  more  im- 
partiality than  they  could  have  been  by  any  other  Person  in  these 
parts.  —  pray  let  me  know  whether  the  Surrogate  is  continued 
up  this  Way,  if  so,  I  think  it  would  be  better  in  the  hands  of  a 
Member  of  the  Church  of  England,  on  Several  Accts.  which  I 
could  enumerate,  and  if  it  is  equally  the  same  to  You  I  beleive 
I  can  point  out  a  Person  verry  fitting  for  it.  —  I  shall  be  glad  you 
will  likewise  inform  me  whether  a  new  Master  in  Chancery  is  to 
be  appointed  in  the  Room  of  Phil.  Schyler  who  You  say  resigned, 
or  how  many  there  are,  or  are  to  be,  I  presume  he  has  resigned  to 
shew  his  Indifference  for  any  Appointments  or  Offices  conferred 
on  Him.  — 

I  am  Dear  Banyar  as  ever 

Yours  most  Sincerely  &  Affec1^. 

W  Johnson 
Golds  Borrow  Banyar  Esqr. 

indorsed: 

March  23<*.  1 770 


From  Sr.  Wm.  Johnson  — 


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804  Sir  William  Johnson  Papers 

ACCOUNT  OF  GEORGE  CROGHAN  AGAINST  THE  CROWN 

D.S.1 

[March  25,  1 770] 

The  Crown         To  George  Croghan Dr. 

To  the  pay  of  the  Smiths  &  Interpertors  at  Fort  Pitt  & 
Detroit  from  the  24th.   of  Septemr.    1769  to  the  25th. 
March  1 770. 
To  John  Frazer  Smith  at  Fort  Pitt .  .      £  64 .  .    5 .  .   8 

John  Mener  Interpretor  D° 40 .  .    3  .  .    7 

Captain  Henry  Montour  D° 40 .  .   3  .  .    7 

The  Gun  Smiths  at  Detroit 73  .  .  1 2 .  .  — 

The  Interpreters  for  ye.  Hurons  at 

D° 73.  .12.; — 

The    Interpreters    for    the    other 

Nations     73  .  .  1 2  .  . — 


£365..  8. .10 
Geo:  Croghan 


1  In  William  L.  Clements  Library:  inclosed  in  Johnson  to  Gage,  April 
6,  1 770. 


Land  Development,  1769-74 


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Land  Development,   1769-74  807 

TO  HENRY  VAN  SCHAACK 
A.Df.S.1 

Johnson  Hall  March  26th.  1770 
Sir  — 

I  have  only  time  to  Acquaint  You  that  by  Yesterdays  pacquet, 
I  have  recd.  An  Answer  to  my  letter  concerning  ye.  Claverack 
Regm1.  wh.  the  Ll.  Govr.  intends  to  new  model,  and  for  that 
[purpose]  End  has  desired  of  me  a  List  of  proper  Persons  for 
[to  be  appointed  in  that  Regiment]  offrs.  to  compleat  it.  —  As  I 
am  but  little  acquainted  in  them  parts  and  verry  desireous  of 
Commissioning  those  [best  qualified  and]  most  entitled,  &  best 
qualified,  I  must  request  of  You  &  the  rest  of  the  Gentlemen  in 
that  Quarter  w,h.  Captain  Hogeboom2  &ca.  to  return  me  by  the 
Express  an  Impartial  List  of  Such  Men  as  may  not  only  be 
agreable  to  the  Good  People  of  that  place  in  General,  &  worthy 
also  my  recommendation  and  fitt  for  Service  in  case  there  Should 
ever  be  a  call  for  them.  —  You  will  observe  that  there  are  but  2 
feild  officers  wanted,  Viz1,  a  Ll.  Co".  &  Major,  Ten  Capts.  &  the 
Number  of  Subalterns  as  usual.  — 

The  Comissns.  for  Kinderhook  Regiment  will  be  Sent  to  You 
verry  soon,  [ip/jen]  on  receipt  of  wh.  I  would  have  them  given 
to  the  respective  officers  without  Delay,  [who  should]  &  let  them 
be  imediately  qualified.  —  After  wh.  the  Co1,  is  to  make  a  Return 
of  his  Regiment  to  ye.  Adjutant  Genr1.  Co1.  Guy  Johnson  —  A 
Number  of  Comisrs.  of  the  High  Ways  &ca.  are  now  waiting  for 
me,  so  that  I  can  at  present  add  nothing  farther  than  to  desire  You 
will  be  expeditious  in  Sending  back  the  Bearer  wth.  ye.  List  And 
that  you  will  present  my  kind  Compliments  to  all  freinds  in  that 
Quarter,  and  beleive  me  Yrs.  Sincerely 

W.J. 

H.  V.  S  —  KE  Esqr. 

I  send  inclosed  a  small  paper  for  Vanschaacks  own  perusal  — 
Vizf.  as  it  would  be  deemed  111  natured,  &  harsh  treatment  to 


1  In  New  York  State  Library. 

2  Captain  Johannes  Hogeboom. 


808  Sir  William  Johnson  Papers 

Superced  Co1.  Ranslear,3  the  Comisn.  will  be  offered  to  him,  I 
cant  think  he  will  accept  it  on  these  Terms,  wherefore  would  have 
you  send  me  the  names  of  three  Feild  ofncrs,  that  there  may  be  no 
Delay,  should  it  happen  so.  — * 

INDORSED:4 

March  26^.  1 770 


Letter  to  H?.  Vanschaack 
Esqr.     Express. 


FROM  JAMES  RIVINGTON 

March  26  1770 
Sir  William 

The  Pacquet  is  not  arrived  but  we  have  the  Address  of  the  two 
houses  for  the  Speech  from  the  Throne  and  other  intelligence 
which  shews  the  Stability  of  the  Ministry,  however,  the  Vehement 
resistence  of  the  Popular  peers  Chatham  &  Camden,  who  com- 
mand the  Hearts  and  purses  of  the  Nation,  intimate  strongly  A 
Dissolution  of  parliament  which  the  Administration  would  gladly 
avert. 

I  Never  was  informed  that  you  was  regularly  supplied  with 
the  Newspapers  from  hence  which  induces  me  to  send  the 
Enclosed. 

The  Commissioners  have  either  deserted,  or  hidden  them 
Selves  in,  the  Town  of  Boston.  The  only  good  accounts  from 
thence  is  that  the  Citizens  have  not  yet  allowed  the  Inflamed  mob 
from  the  Country  to  hang  Cap*.  Preston  &  the  Soldiers,  in  Con- 
finement, without  a  Jury. 

When  the  pacquet  arrives  you  shall  be  informed  of  the  par- 
ticulars she  will  produce 


3  Colonel  John  Van  Rensselaer. 

4  In  Sir  William's  hand. 

1  In  New  York  State  Library. 


Land  Development,  1769-74  809 

My  Humble  Respects  wait  on  Sr  John  &  the  Colonels.2 

I  am, 

Sir  William, 

Yr  most  faithfull  Serv1. 

Ja  Rivington 
Notwithstanding  the  Temper  of  the  two  houses  upon  American 
affairs,  they  will  repeal  the  Obnoxious  Acts  on  the  Score  of  their 
Inexpediency 

INDORSED  :3 

March  26*   1 770 


Mr.  Rivingtons  Letter 


2  Sir  John  Johnson,  Guy  Johnson  and  Daniel  Claus. 

3  In  Sir  William's  hand. 


TO  GOLDSBROW  BANYAR 

A.L.S} 

Johnson  Hall  March  30th.  1 770 
Dear  Banyar  — 

Your  favour  of  the  1 7th.  of  this  Month2  deserves  my  best 
thanks  for  the  punctuality  with  which  You  have  ansrd.  the  Several 
Subjects  of  my  Letters,  and  the  attention  You  have  given  to  my 
own  Affairs,  for  all  which  I  am  much  oblidged  to  You,  —  As  I 
have  wrote  you  verry  lately  again,  I  have  only  in  this  letter  to  take 
notice  of  such  Paragraphs  in  my  former  ones  as  required  some 
farther  Explanation  or  Addition,  and  first  as  to  the  Dedimus. 
It  was  Issued  in  consequence  of  a  new  General  appointment  of 
officers  throughout  the  County,  and  therefore  from  what  you 
observe  upon  it,  may  be  understood  to  supersede  those  before  it.  — 

The  objection  to  Mr.  Mann3  founded  on  his  Slender  property 
May  be  a  good  one,  I  dont  know  his  present  Circumstances,  but 


1  In  New  York  Historical  Society,  Banyar  Papers. 

2  Not  found. 

3  Isaac  Man. 


810  Sir  William  Johnson  Papers 

Mentioned  him  from  my  opinion  of  his  Capacity,  and  in  case  it 
should  be  thought  best  to  set  him  aside,  I  know  of  nobody  at 
present  so  fitting  for  the  office  as  Mr.  Henry  Cuyler  living  at 
Green  Bush  near  Albany.  Mr.  Barker  is  a  Gentleman  I  have 
heard  verry  favourably  of,  and  should  have  recommended  him 
myself  had  he  then  occurred  to  me.  —  The  Survey  I  mentioned 
was  enclosed  in  Mr.  Coldens  Letter,  but  the  6250  Acres  are 
contained  in  a  Tract  lying  at  the  Rear  of  my  Royal  Grant,  in  a 
purchase  made  by  Duncan4  Vroman5  &  others,  &  which  Mr. 
Duncan  is  now  to  get  patented.  —  I  am  sensible  of  the  light  in 
which  it  would  appear  to  remove  Co1.  Ranslear,6  but  I  conceived 
he  would  not  accept  of  it.  If  the  Persons  are  removed  that  are 
Supposed  to  be  the  principal  objects  for  which  the  Regiment  was 
formed.  However  He  should  still  be  continued  if  he  chuses  it,  If 
not,  I  have  taken  the  liberty  to  recommend  another.  Inclosed  is 
a  List  of  Persons  recommended  to  me  as  most  entitled  to,  &  best 
qualified  for  officering  the  Claverack  Regim1.,  but  I  dont  see  how 
their  Comisns.  can  be  filled  before  it  is  known  whether  Mr. 
Ranslear  will  accept  or  not.  In  case  he  refuses  as  I  dare  say  he 
will,  the  Alteration  as  at  the  foot  of  ye.  List  will  then  be  neces- 
sary. — 

I  did  not  hear  before  of  the  erecting  a  County  called  Gloucester 
I  wish  I  had  its  exact  Bounds.  —  By  incorporating  ye.  Troops  of 
Horse  of  Albany,  Schenectady  &  that  of  Kingston,  I  mean 
that  as  a  Regiment  of  Horse  is  now  forming  throughout  my  Dis- 
trict there  would  be  an  impropriety  in  keeping  up  these  Troops  as 
Independant,  but  that  as  the  Regiment  is  to  consist  of  Eight 
Troops,  they  should  be  taken  in  as  Three  of  them,  and  then  there 
will  be  only  occasion  to  raise  Five  Troops  more  between  the 
Highlands  &  the  Frontiers,  and  with  regard  to  the  Grenadiers  to 
each  Regiment  of  Foot,  &  the  mention  I  made  of  Third  Lieuten- 
ants, it  is  in  conformity  to  the  rules  of  the  Army,  there  being  no 


4  John  Duncan. 

5  Isaac  Vrooman. 

6  Colonel  John  Van  Rensselaer. 


Land  Development,   1769-74  811 

Ensign  to  the  Grenadier  Company,  but  the  Commissions  in  that 
Company  Should  run  —  Cap1.  —  1 st.  L'.  —  2d.  Ll.  —  3d.  I_A  of 
Grenadrs.  If  the  Commissions  are  already  made  out,  there  is  no 
help  for  it,  but  it  may  be  rectified  in  those  to  be  Issued.  — 

I  shall  be  verry  glad  that  You  Communicate  What  I  have 
written  to  my  verry  worthy  &  much  esteemed  old  Freind  the  Ll. 
Governour,7  to  whom  I  beg  to  be  most  kindly  remembered,  whom 
I  have  omitted  writing  to  for  a  few  Posts,  meerly  to  avoid  giving 
him  superfluous  trouble  at  a  time  he  may  be  engaged  in  matters  of 
more  importance.  I  hope  he  will  approve  of  the  propriety  of 
what  I  have  suggested  on  the  different  Subjects  of  my  Letters, 
and  am  much  indebted  to  his  freindship  for  the  reception  they  have 
hitherto  met  with.  — 

I  thank  You  for  the  Cantata  wh.  has  afforded  me  &  Mine  much 
Diversion.  I  think  it  an  excellent  performance  in  that  way,  and 
I  beleive  the  Superiority  of  the  Poetry  and  Satire  to  any  thing 
attempted  on  the  other  side,  will  puzzle  their  brains  not  a  little.  — 
There  is  no  doubt  but  that  a  certain  Party  will  use  everry  Engine 
in  their  power  to  work  themselves  into  the  good  opinion  of  the 
New  Govr.  but  I  am  so  much  of  yr.  Sentiments  that  if  he  is  wise 
&  well  advised,  I  think  he  will  have  nothing  to  do  with  them.  — 
The  Major  of  Van  Derheydens  Regiment  (for  whom  a  Commis- 
sion was  lately  Sent  to  me)  his  name  is  John  Winne,  &  —  The 
Major  of  Horse  (who  was  lately  superceded  by  Ll.  Prevost8) 
his  name  is  Jacob  Scermerhorn,  —  Should  any  One  recommend 
the  following  Persons  for  Justices  of  the  Peace,  namely  Peter 
Van  Ess,  Isack  Goes  of  Kinderhook  &  Klaverack,  One  Palmer 
at  Half  Moon  or  Stillwater,  or  one  Knickabecker  of  Scaticoke, 
I  hope  they  will  not  be  allowed  of,  being  common  Dram  Sellers, 
and  besides  Men  of  verry  Indifferent  Characters  as  I  am  well 
assured.  —  As  is  likewise  one  Thomas  Akerson  of  Scohare.  — 
Whatever  You  fall  short  of  money  in  paying  my  Fees  I  shall  make 
up  on  letting  me  know  the  am'.  —  as  also  that  for  Mr.  Adem's 


7  Cadwallader  Colden. 

8  Lieutenant  Augustine  Prevost. 


812  Sir  William  Johnson  Papers 

Share  in  the  Oneida  purchase.  —  As  soon  as  the  Patent  for  the 
long  Tract  is  passed  Send  it  up,  together  with  a  proper  Instrument 
or  Release  on  parchment  for  those  whose  names  are  put  in,  in 
Trust,  to  Sign.  —  also  the  Survey  of  it,  wh.  Mr.  Wallace 
promised  to  Send  me  some  time  ago.  That  Tract  will  Sell  or 
Settle  sooner  than  any  I  know.  Many  People  have  been  speaking 
to  me  already  for  part  of  it.  —  Be  so  good  as  to  desire  Mr.  Gaine 
the  Printer  to  Send  me  <p  next  Post  the  Late  Acts  of  Assembly. 
Excuse  all  this  trouble,  &  beleive  that  I  am  most  Sincerely 

Dear  Banyar 
Your  real  Welwisher, 
&  Affec".  Humble  Servant 

W,  Johnson 
Golds  Borrow  Banyar  Esqr. 

PS.  I  inclosed  yr.  letter  to  Croghan,  to  Mr.  Fry,  &  desired  him 
to  forward  it. 

INDORSED: 

March  30*.  1  770 


From  Sir  William  Johnson 


TO  THOMAS  GAGE 

Johnson  Hall  April  6*.  1770 
Dear  Sir  — 

I  have  had  the  favour  of  yours2  with  the  letters  from  Mr. 
Stuart3  &ca.,  as  to  the  pipe  therein  mentioned,  I  have  had  a  verry 
particular  Description  of  it  from  Several,  and  find  it  does  not 
answer  that  given  by  him,    The  principal  of  ye.  Cherokees  on  this 


1  In  William  L.  Clements  Library;  draft  in  mutilated  form  was  printed 
in  Johnson  Papers,  7:525-26. 

2  March  1 8,  1  770,  Johnson  Papers,  7:490-91 . 

3  John  Stuart,  southern  superintendent  of  Indian  affairs. 


Land  Development,   1769-74  813 

Embassy  is  a  Man  of  some  Consequence,  well  known  to  be  such 
by  the  Six  Nations,  &  furnished  with  Belts  from  all  the  Tribes  & 
Towns  of  that  Nation,  but  from  the  known  Caution  of  Indians  in 
these  Matters,  and  their  apprehension  that  probably  they  would 
have  been  dissuaded  from  their  purpose,  I  am  not  at  all  surprised 
at  their  concealing  part  of  their  Errand  from  Mr.  Stuart,  which 
certainly  is  principally  with  a  design  to  form  an  Alliance  for 
carrying  on  a  War  against  some  of  the  Western  Indians  &ca.,4 
and  this  is  admitted  in  a  great  measure  in  Mr.  Camerons5  letter  but 
that  it  is  not  against  the  Chactaws,  now  I  am  induced  to  think  that 
the  Chactaws  are  not  the  People  the  Cherokees  have  for  their 
Object,  but  that  that  comes  from  the  Six  Nations  inclination  to 
carry  on  a  War  against  them,  rather  than  against  the  Western 
Indians,  but  be  this  Circumstance  as  it  will,  a  Union  to  carry  on 
War  in  Conjunction  is  the  principal  Object  of  their  Embassy.  — 
I  should  by  all  means  Inform  You  that  I  have  received  secret 
Intelligence  which  I  think  I  can  rely  on,  that  the  Kickappous, 
Piankashaws  &  Wawiaghtanoes  with  some  others  do  intend  in  the 
beginning  of  Summer  or  sooner  to  Attempt  the  Reduction  of  the 
Ilinois,  this  I  have  had  w*.  many  Circumstances  from  some  Indians 
of  Credit  from  a  Confidence  which  they  repose  in  me  &  which  has 
induced  them  often  to  Communicate  things  the  Discovery  of  which 
has  been  serviceable  to  the  publick,  &  therefore  I  have  no  reason 
to  doubt  their  putting  it  in  execution,  unless  something  material 
should  divert  them  from  it.  —  I  now  transmit  You  my  Ace*,  to 
the  25th.  Ult°.,  and  hope  to  be  favoured  with  your  Warrant  for 
the  Amount  of  It.  —  I  am  with  great  Truth  and  Esteem, 

Dear  Sir, 
Your  most  Obedient 

&  verry  Humble  Servant 

W,  Johnson 

His  Excellency  GENERAL  GAGE  — 


4  See  Johnson  to  Hillsborough,  Feb.    10,    1770,  Doc.  Rel.  Col.  Hist. 

N.  Y.,  8:203-04. 

5  Alexander  Cameron,  commissary  of  Indian  affairs. 


814  Sir  William  Johnson  Papers 

P  S.  Mr.  Croghan  has  sent  me  an  Ace*,  of  the  Smiths  &  In- 
terpreters pay  to  the  25th.  Ult0.6  to  be  transmitted  to  You  for  pay- 
ment, as  You  were  pleased  to  say,  that  You  would  take  upon  You 
that  Expence  until  provision  was  otherwise  made  for  them.  — 
Goods  for  Indian  Presents  being  (by  the  non  Importation 
agreement  entered  into  by  the  Trading  People)  become  verry 
scarce  &  dear,  in  so  much  that  I  am  greatly  put  to  Get  any,  I  will 
therefore  be  glad  to  have  a  Credit  for  £  2000  Ster?.  wherewith  to 
purchase  in  England  such  Articles  as  will  be  most  wanted  & 
necessary  for  carrying  on  the  Service  of  my  Department,  and  that, 
as  soon  as  convenient,  so  as  that  the  Articles  may  be  here  by  the 
latter  end  of  this  next  Summer.  — 


INDORSED : 


Sir  Wm.  Johnson 
April  6*.  1 770 
Received  April  1 5  th. 
Inclosing  Account,  &ca. 
Answered.  — 


TO  GOLDSBROW  BANYAR 

A.L.S.1 

Johnson  Hall  April  6th.  1 770 
Dear  Banyar  — 

By  this  Post  I  have  wrote  a  few  lines  to  the  Ll.  Governour, 
and  have  also  wrote  the  Surveyor  Genr1.  inclosing  him  the  bounds 
of  what  I  mean  to  patent  out  of  the  Tract  North  of  this,  a  Survey 
of  which  I  lately  sent  him.  The  Quantity  I  shall  patent  is 
85,000  Acres,  out  of  which  I  would  Give  5000  Acres  to  be 
patented  by  Cap1.  Claus2  and  Ll.  Roberts,3  as  their  proportion  of 


6  Printed  under  date  of  March  25,  1  770,  ante  p.  804. 

1  In  New  York  Historical  Society,  Banyar  Papers. 

2  Daniel  Claus. 

3  Benjamin  Roberts. 


Land  Development,  1769-74  815 

Half  pay  Lands.  —  The  Quantity  of  the  rest,  of  which  I  am  now 
fully  informed  (having  sent  Persons  to  view  it)  is  so  verry 
mountainous  &  barren  that  it  is  worth  nothing.  The  Snow  was  5 
feet  deep  on  these  Mountains  the  30th.  of  March  when  they 
left  them. 

As  there  is  now  nothing  wanting  towards  the  Issuing  the 
Patent,  I  must  recommend  the  expediting  it  to  yr.  freindly  care, 
and  as  I  take  it  up  entirely  to  oblidge  others,  who  cannot  pay 
me  imediately,  I  shall  on  being  informed  of  the  Expence  give 
the  necessary  Security  for  the  Fees,  wh.  it  is  not  convenient  for  me 
to  advance  imediately  for  those  concerned.  — 

I  beg  to  hear  from  you  as  soon  as  possible  on  this  Subject, 
and  also  concerning  the  other  affairs  now  before  the  Governour. 
and  that  you  will  beleive  Sincerely  &  Affectl>\ 

Your  Welwisher  &  Humble  Servant 

W.  Johnson 
Golds  Borrow  Banyar  Esqr. 

INDORSED : 

April  6.  1 770 


From  Sir  William  Johnson  — 


FROM  THOMAS  POWNALL 

A.L.S.1 

Albemarle  Street  London  April  15,  -70 
Dear  Sir  William 

So  great  is  ye.  pleasure  I  find  in  having  renewed  my  correspond- 
ence with  you,  that  I  should  be  glad  to  find  or  to  make  any 
occasion  of  writing  to  you  &  shd.  even  grow  troublesome  with  my 
letters  did  I  not  remember  well  how  much  your  time  is  engrossed 


1  In  Harvard  University  Library,  Sparks  Collection.  Several  paragraphs 
of  this  letter  were  printed  in  Sparks'  Writings  of  Ceorge  Washington 
(1847),  2:483-5. 


816  Sir  William  Johnson  Papers 

with  ye.  necessary  attention  of  your  great  trust  &  with  ye.  many 
affairs  in  which  you  are  engaged.  I  should  not  therefore  trouble 
you  with  this  did  I  not  think  the  subject  of  it  a  matter  of  ye.  first 
&  greatest  consequence  &  a  Subject  to  which  you  alone  could  give 
ye.  proper  answer  &  Advice  — 

A  Society  of  us,  in  which  some  of  the  first  people  in  England 
are  engaged,  in  which  You  &  Col  Croghan  are  made  original 
partakers,  have  made  &  concluded  a  bargain  with  ye.  Treasury 
for  a  large  tract  of  Land  lyeing  &  Fronting  on  ye.  Ohio,  (part  of 
the  Lands  lately  ceded  by  ye.  Indians  to  Gl.  Britain)  large  enough 
for  a  Government.  Having  it  suggested  to  us  by  Ld.  Hillsb'rough 
that  it  wd.  be  right  that  we  should  have  a  Charter  of  Government 
—  in  consequence  of  this  bargain  so  concluded  we  are  next  to 
apply  to  ye.  Council  Board  that  ye.  Grant  may  issue.  We  expect 
to  meet  with  opposition  &  some  objections  arising  from  ye.  impres- 
sions made  by  such  opposition  but  have  no  doubt  of  carrying  [our] 
this  point  as  we  have  settled  ye.  main-point.  As  soon  as  ye.  Grant 
has  issued,  We  are  to  apply  to  ye.  Lords  of  Trade  on  the  Sub- 
ject of  the  Charter.  it  will  naturally  occurr  to  You  that  on 
this  matter  I  shall  be  a  little  referred  to,  &  the  plan  I  propose 
is,  to  take  the  Charter  of  the  Province  Massachusetts  bay  for  ye. 
Model  of  our  Gov1,  making  some  few  necessary  alterations 
therein  which  practice  &  experience  have  shewn  to  be  necessary, 
but  such  only  as  every  Constituent  of  ye.  proposed  province  would 
wish  —  such  as  every  Man  who  desires  to  become  a  settler  in  it 
would  (be  he  of  what  denomination  or  description  of  Religionist 
he  may)  expect. 

From  our  peculiar  situation  as  a  frontier  province  &  as  im- 
mediatly  connected  with  the  Indian  Country  —  Some  peculiar 
additional  departments  will  be  wanting  in  our  form  of  Government 
&  that  is  an  Indian  department,  formd  for  negotiation  in  matters 
of  police,  for  a  just  &  regular  intercourse  in  Trade  —  &  so  con- 
nected with  the  military  branch  as  to  become  a  principle  part  in  ye. 
time  of  Warr  — 

On  ye.  Subject  of  this  Department  &  its  Several  necessary 
offices  &  Officers,  as  a  Department  interwoven  into  the  constitu- 


Land  Development,   1769-74  817 

tion  of  the  Government  of  this  Province,  I  most  earnestly  beg  you 
to  give  me  your  Plan  &  explanatory  Sentiments  Such  as  will  estab- 
lish a  proper  federate  connexion  &  intercommunion  between  our 
Government  &  ye.  Indians  founded  on  one  hand  in  justice  &  true 
Polecy  towards  these  Indians  &  on  ye.  other  creative  of  ye.  only 
Security  which  such  a  Province  so  situated  can,  or  ought  to,  con- 
fide in. 

Lett  me  add  to  this  request  that  I  may  hear  from  You,  as 
soon  as  possible,2  by  ye.  very  first  Packett  if  possible,  as  your 
Plan  will  become  one  part  of  the  Charter  —  . 

The  last  accounts  of  your  health  were  not  pleasing  but  I  hope 
you  are  better  now,  if  not,  take  my  advice  &  come  to  England. 

I  am  Yr.  sincere  Friend 
&  Affece.  Humbl 
Ser 
Sir  Wm.  Johnson  Bar1.  —  T  Pownall 


2  See  Johnson's  reply  to  this   letter,  July   5,    1770,   Johnson  Papers, 
7:786-87. 


TO  GOLDSBROW  BANYAR 
/\  .i-v.>J). 

April  27*.  1770  — 
Dear  Banyar  — 

Since  my  last  to  You  of  the  6th.  Cur1.2  (to  which  I  have  had 
no  answer)  I  received  a  letter  from  Mr.  Alexdr.  Colden  Assuring 
me  that  he  would  in  two  or  three  Days  return  ye.  Survey  of  my 
80  thousand  Acres  into  yr.  office,  exclusive  of  the  5000  Acres 
for  Co1.  Claus  &  \J.  Roberts,  which  was  also  described  In  the 
Boundary  I  sent  him.  As  there  is  nothing  now  to  prevent  yr. 
proceeding  in  the  Patent,  but  the  want  of  the  names,  I  send  them 
herewith.     You  may  insert  my  name  first  in  the  patent,  or  not 


1  In  New  York  Historical  Society,  Banyar  Papers. 

2  Ante  pp.  812-14. 


818  Sir  William  Johnson  Papers 

at  all,  as  You  shall  Judge  proper,  in  the  latter  case,  I  send  you  a 
Name  to  be  inserted  in  lieu  of  mine,  and  must  request  the  favour 
of  You  to  expedite  the  Patent  all  in  yr.  power,  by  wh.  You  will 
much  oblidge, 

Your  Sincere  Freind, 

&  verry  Humble  Servant 
GOLDSBORROW  BaNYAR  Esqr.  W,  JOHNSON 

PS.  I  hope  You  have  been  able  to  get  the  Patent  for  my  26 
thousand  Acres  along  the  Creek  passed  ere  now,  &  that  you  will 
Send  it  me  with  ye.  Survey  thereof  wh.  Mr.  Wallace  promised.  — 

INDORSED: 

April  27.  1 770 


From  Sir  Wm.  Johnson 


LIST  OF  NAMES 
A.D.S.1 

April  27*.  1770  — 

Names  of  those  who  are  to  be  inserted  in  the  Patent  for  the 
Northern  Tract  of  80  Thousand  Acres,  in  the  rear  of  Kings- 
borough,  alias  Stuarts  purchase  — 

Michael  Gallinger  10     John  Mc.Intire 

Thomas  Harris  —  Robert  Mc.Intire 

Jacob  Harris  —  James  Cotter  — 

Edward  Connor —  Joseph  Mordant 

Owin  Connor  —  Thomas  Morgan 

James  Bennet  —  Timothy  Egan 

William  Lottridge  William  Fraser 

Robert  Lottridge  John  Fraser  — 

Joseph  Irwin  Donald  Fraser 


1  In    New   York    Historical   Society,    Banyar    Papers.    Inclosed   in   Sir 
William  to  Banyar  of  same  date. 


Land  Development,   1769-74 


819 


George  Kass  — 
20     Han  Ury  Creitz  — 
Joseph  Fitchet 
Daniel  Campbel 
Hugh  Courtney 
John  Brackan 
Andrew  Hanlon 
James  Darby  — 
Patt :  Fitzpatrick  — 
Thomas  Flood  — 
Moses  Ibbit  — 
30     James  Horner  — 
Edward  Donnellan 
Thomas  Adems  — 
Cornelius  Bowin 
Adrian  Vansickler 
Edward  Forster  — 
Peter  Servis  Junr. 
Benijah  Biddle 
John  Murray  — 
Benjamin  Phillips 
40     William  Phillips  — 
Martin  Waldorf  — 
Jelles  Fonda  — 
Dow  Fonda  — 
Michael  Byrne 
Gilbert  Tice  — 
Edward  Wall  — 
James  Davis  — 
Robert  Picking  — 
Lucas  Veder  — 


50     Joseph  Bloomer 
Michael  Russel 
Johannis  Albraut 
Jacob  Seber  — 
Johannis  Alt  — 
Nicholas  Shafer 
Andreas  Snyder 
Johannis  Wert 
Peter  Fiax 
Adam  Fiax 

60     Hendrick  Haan 
Peter  Frderick 
Stephen  Hipp  — 
Conradt  Crietzenberger 
Lawrence  Eman 
Phillip  Hk.  Klyne 
Conradt  Smith  — 
John  Smith  — 
Peter  Servis  — 
Philip  Servis  — 

70     John  Servis  — 
Isack  Lawson 
Peter  Mc.Grigor 
Peter  Finny  — 
David  Jecocks  — 
Lodowick  Potman 
Thomas  Scot  — 
Achilles  Preston  — 
John  Freil  — 
James  Carrol 

80     Matthias  Link  — 


W.  Johnson 


820  Sir  William  Johnson  Papers 

FROM  DANIEL  CAMPBELL 
A.L.S.1 
Schenectady  the  Ist.  May  -  1770 

Dear  Sir 

Your  favour  of  the  30th.2  have  this  day  had  the  Pleasure  of 
Receiving  by  Mr.  Adems  —  who  has  laid  by  Every  Article 
which  he  thought  needfull.  Some  things  I  had  not  but  Shall 
Endeavour  to  purchase  them  if  to  be  had,  the  Battoes  &  Kegs  are 
now  in  the  hands  of  the  workmen  &  by  the  time  that  they  will  be 
finished  it  will  be  Saturday  —  therfore  Every  thing  will  be  Ready 
by  Monday  Morning  I  have  Also  an  Oil  Cloath  painting  to  Cover 
the  Goods 

I  Observe  your  directions  about  Your  own  Small  Battoe  &  shall 
Send  you  up  Such  Articles  as  you  Mention  —  I  Can  Send  you 
fine  Gray  Coloured  Bath  Rugg  no  Blue  being  to  be  had  — 

I  Send  you  by  Mr.  Adems  1  Yi  yd.  fine  Cambreck  at  1 6/  pr. 

yard  — 

I  Return  you  my  most  Sincere  thanks  for  your  kind  Con- 
gratulations on  my  being  Advanced,  &  must  further  beg  leave 
that  you  will  Allow  me  to  Acknowledge  with  gratitude  that  it  is 
you  that  promoted  me  in  this  Employment  — 

I  am  Dear  Sir  with  great 
Respect  Your  most  Obedient 
humble  Servant  — 
Daniel  Campbell 
Sir  William  Johnson  Baronet 

indorsed  :3 

Schenectady  1  st.  May  1 770 
Major  Dan1.  Campbels  letter 
concerns,  a  Cargoe  of  Goods  — 
932.. 10..— 


1  In  New  York  State  Library. 

2  Not  found. 

3  In  Sir  William's  hand.  Figures  no  doubt  concern  the  account  for  the 
cargo. 


Land  Development,  1769-74  821 


375..—..— 
525..—..— 

£1832. .10.. — 
225..—..— 

11. .12..— 

1607.. 10..— 

236..  12..— 

TO  GOLDSBROW  BANYAR 

Copy1 

[Johnson  Hall,  May  4,  1770] 

.  .  .  As  to  the  Bond  you  have  from  Mr.  Croghan  to  convey  to 
you  the  2000  Acres  you  mention,  you  may  be  assured  I  will  do  all 
I  can  in  it  for  you,  but  I  am  as  yet  unacquainted  what  he  means 
to  do,  or  whether  He  has  Mortgaged  .  .  .  the  100,000  Acres 
Tract,  as  he  is  Confined  to  his  House  by  Indisposition,  &  lives 
above  40  miles  from  hence,  .   .   . 

P.S.  Col.  Bradstreet  is  pressing  to  have  Evidences  to  his  Indian 
Deed  Sworn  before  me  .  .  .  which  he  Says  you  advised  him  to, 
I  would  willingly  decline  any  Concern  in  the  Matter.   .   . 


1  Extract  printed  in  The  Collector,  Vol.  LXIII,  No.  2  (February, 
1950),  and  offered  for  sale  by  Walter  R.  Benjamin  Autographs.  Present 
owner  unknown. 


FROM  THOMAS  GAGE 

Contemporary  Copy1 

New  York  May  20*.  1770 
Dear  Sir, 

I  have  recieved  your's  of  the    10th.  May,2  and  am  sorry  to 
hear  of  the  Discontents  of  the  Caghawaga  Indians,  and  those  of  Sf. 


1  In  William  L.  Clements  Library. 

2  Guy  Carleton,  lieutenant  governor  of  the  province  of  Quebec. 


822  Sir  William  Johnson  Papers 

Regis,  which  I  apprehend  a  Letter  from  you  to  Governor  Carle- 
ton,3  explaining  Matters,  might  set  right.  With  regard  to  the 
Shawanese  and  other  Western  Tribes,  they  have  other  Grievances 
at  Heart,  besides  Horse  stealing  or  other  Trifles  of  the  kind. 
The  Shawnese  have  had  Deputy's  among  the  Cherokees,  com- 
plaining that  their  Lands  had  been  Sold  to  the  English,  but 
luckily,  One  Village  only  of  that  Nation,  paid  any  Attention  to 
them.  War  Party's  are  out  from  the  Cherokees  against  the 
Western  Indians  already,  particularly  against  the  Nations  of  the 
Ouabache,  so  you  may  be  sure  they  will  readily  join  the  Six 
Nations,  against  the  Western  Confederacy.  But  they  are  not 
inclined  to  Act  against  the  Chactaw's,  and  deny  that  the  Deputy's 
now  with  you,  are  empowered  to  enter  into  any  New  Engagements 
whatever  with  the  Northern  Indians. 

If  the  People  who  Stile  themselves  Sons  of  Liberty,  have  any 
of  your  Indian  Goods  in  their  Possession,  I  imagine  you  may  easily 
procure  them  upon  Application  to  Mr.  Colden.  I  expect  a  Small 
Quantity  soon,  which  were  chiefly  intended  for  Fort  Chartres, 
Niagara,  Detroit  &ca,  tho'  I  am  not  certain,  whether  the  Person 
who  was  told  to  bring  them,  will  venture  to  do  it,  at  present.  If 
they  are  brought,  they  may  be  purchased  for  you,  should  you  be  in 
such  great  want  of  Indian  Presents.  As  I  mentioned,  the 
Quantity  is  small,  but  you  will  let  me  know  whether  you  would 
chuse  to  have  it. 

I  can't  give  you  a  Bill  on  England,  but  your  Correspondent 
here  may  manage  it  so,  as  to  procure  one  from  the  Contractors, 
on  the  Paying  the  Warrant.  And  I  believe  they  would  be  glad 
to  discharge  the  Warrant  in  that  Shape,  from  the  present  Scarsity 
of  Cash.  — 

I  am  with  great  Regard.  — 

Dear  Sir, 

Sir  William  Johnson  Bart.  &ca- 


3  See  Johnson  Papers,  7:654-55. 


Land  Development,  1769-74  823 

INDORSED : 

Copy./ 

To 
Sir  William  Johnson  Bart. 

Johnson  Hall 
New  York  May  20*.  1  770.  — 


ACCOUNT  OF  ANDREW  WEMPLE 
D.S.1 

[May  24,  1770] 
His  Excellency  General  Gage 

To  Andrew  Wemple  Dr. 
For    my    Services    as    Interpreter    and 
Black    Smith    at    Fort    Ontario    from 
the    24*.     of    November     1769    until  f      £70..  —  ..— 
the  24*.  May  1  770  being  6  Months  —J 

Andrew  Wemple  — 


1  In  William  L.  Clements  Library;  inclosed  in  Johnson  to  Gage,  Nov. 
8,   1770. 


ORDER 

A.D.S.1 

Johnson  Hall  May  28lh.  1770 

Whoever  Supplys  the  Bearer  with  Twenty  Skipples  of  Wheat, 
I  will  pay  for  it  — 

W  Johnson 


1  In  possession  of  Vein  Steele,  Gloversville,  N.  Y. 


824  Sir  William  Johnson  Papers 

TO  GOLDSBROW  BANYAR 

Johnson  Hall  June  12th.  1770 
Dear  Banyar  — 

This  letter  which  is  to  be  an  answer  to  Yours  of  the  4th.  Ins1.2 
brings  us  right  in  our  Correspondence  According  to  your  Ace*, 
but  however  I  wrote  You  since  the  one  You  mention.  — 

I  have  verry  Sufficient  reason  to  be  Concerned  that  Prestons 
purchase  proves  so  bad,  having  paid  so  largely  for  it  on  a  Supposi- 
tion that  it  was  otherwise  The  Country  Due  North  of  this 
being  verry  little  known  even  beyond  a  few  Miles.  —  By  Mr. 
Adems  now  at  York  You  can  return  me  the  Bonds,  &  I  hope 
expedite  the  Grant  for  the  1 4  thousand  Acres  I  shall  take  up.  — 

What  You  mention  concerning  Co1.  Bradstreet  must  arise  from 
some  verry  great  Mistake,  on  which  I  shall  write  him  &  fully 
explain  the  Matter  as  the  case  is  widely  different  from  what  you 
represent  to  me.  For  in  Case  his  Grant  interfered  with  my  Indian 
purchase,  he  was  to  release  imediately  to  me  whatever  it  included, 
&  Mr.  Croghan  Who  managed  the  Affair  with  the  Indians  for  him 
engaged  to  me  that  it  should  be  strictly  performed,  So  that  what 
You  have  heard  need  not  to  delay  any  thing,  and  I  am  glad  to  find 
that  you  intend  to  go  on  with  it,  hopeing  that  You  will  push  it 
forward  with  all  possible  dispatch  to  prevent  any  future  trouble 
or  obstruction.  — 

I  recollect  that  in  one  of  your  letters  you  made  Mention  of  a 
Dedimus  being  Issued  for  Qualifying  ye.  Civil  Officers  &  Magis- 
trates, I  am  at  a  loss  to  know  to  whom  it  is  directed,  whether  my 
Name  is  mentioned  in  it,  or  in  whose  hands  it  is,  and  my  reason 
for  this  enquiry  is,  that  Some  of  the  Justices  are  desireous  to 
be  Qualified  who  cannot  well  go  now  to  Albany,  I  remember  you 
mentiond.  My  Son  &  Sons  in  Law  as  Persons  named  in  the 
Dedimus,  so  that  when  they  are  qualified,  they  can  Qualify  others. 
In  case  any  of  the  Albany  Justices  should  decline  being  qualified, 


1  In  New  York  Historical  Society,  Banyar  Papers. 

2  Not  found. 


Land  Development,  1769-74  825 

The  three  following  Persons  would  be  verry  ready  to  Serve  and 
as  well  qualified  as  any  of  the  rest,  Namely,  Samuel  Pruyn,  Dirk 
B.  Van  Schonhoven,  &  Abraham  J  Lansingh.  — 

I  am  now  so  plauged  with  partys  of  Indians  who  are  Come 
about  the  intended  Congress  &ca.  &  are  everry  moment  Interrupt- 
ing me,  that  I  can  at  present  only  add  that  I  am  as  ever  with 
great  regard, 

Dear  Banyar, 

Your  most  Sincere  Freind, 
&  Affec".  Humble  Servant 

W  Johnson 
Golds  Borrow  Banyar  Esqr. 

You  will  excuse  my  writing  on  this  half  Sheet,  as  I  did  not 
know  it,  'till  I  finished  a  Side 

INDORSED : 

June  12.  1770 


From  Sr.  Wm.  Johnson  — 


FROM  JOSEPH  CHEW 

New  London  June  20ih.  1770 
Dear  Sir 

Nothing  Can  Equal  the  disapointment  it  is  to  me  in  not  having 
the  happiness  of  seeing  you  before  this  day  unless  it  is  that  I  am 
not  able  to  be  with  you  by  the  24th.  Inst.  Some  affairs  have 
detained  me  at  our  Court  which  I  shall  finish  this  week  and  purpose 
to  set  out  in  a  few  days  for  my  freind  Mr  Robinsons  and  so  to 
your  house. 

Mr.  Fanning2  and  several  Gentlemen  from  Long  Island  when  I 
Saw  them  proposed  to  be  at  your  House  before  this  time,  to  see  if 


1  Photostat  in  New  York  State  Library ;  original  owned  by  Mr.  Philip 
G.  Chew. 

2  Edward  Fanning. 


826  Sir  William  Johnson  Papers 

they  Could  make  a  purchaise  from  you  by  the  Accounts  I  was 
able  to  give  them,  they  seem'd  to  like  the  land  on  the  Susquhannah 
and  I  daresay  will  give  that  tract  the  preference.  — 

a  Gentleman  from  Philadelphia  has  wrote  to  me  to  know 
whether  you  would  sell  two  or  three  thousand  acres  of  Land  at 
the  mouth  of  Adiga  Creek3  on  the  East  side  Commonly  Called 
Indian  old  Field  his  Letter  and  Proposials  I  Shall  bring  with  me 

Col°.  Babcock4  tells  me  he  has  wrote  to  you  and  I  immagine 
Col°.  Fitch5  with  [will]  be  with  you  Soon  I  have  Constantly  sent 
you  the  papers  in  which  you  have  most  of  the  Briton6  matters,  the}' 
have  Carryed  things  so  far  that  they  are  in  a  fair  way  of  getting 
into  a  pretty  dispute  amongst  themselves  —  one  Doct.  Young7 
formerly  of  Albany  is  now  the  great  Hero  for  Liberty.  Since 
Otis  has  quited  the  Stage  it  is  said  he  was  oblidged  to  leave 
Albany  on  Some  matter  not  so  Cleaver  —  a  Proper  Chap  for  the 
post  of  Honnour  he  now  sustains. 

Mrs.  Chew  and  the  Little  Folks  are  very  well  she  desires  her 
best  Complimints  to  you  and  I  hope  you  will  please  to  Accept  of 
Every  good  wish  in  my  Power  for  your  health  and  Happiness  and 
be  Assured  that  I  am  with  great  Respect  and  truth 

Dear  Sir 

Your  most  obedf.  & 
most  Hble  Servf. 

Jos  Chew 
The  Honble.  Sir  William  Johnson  Bar*. 

I  suppose  the  House  at  Sockendago  is  almost  Finished  I  Long  to 
see  if  I  Could  not  get  as  good  (if  not  as  many)  trout  as  Mr. 
Harris  gets 


3  In  Otsego  County,  New  York. 

4  Col.  Henry  Babcock. 

5  Col.  Thomas  Fitch. 

6  The  North  Briton,  paper  of  John  Wilkes,  radical  critic  of  the  crown. 

7  Dr.  Thomas  Young. 


Land  Development,   1769-74  827 

ADDRESSED : 

Charged  of  me  NY  5..  8  — 

To 
The  Honble.  Sir  William  Johnson  Bar1. 
Johnson  Hall 


INDORSED 


.8 

N  London  June  20th.  1  770 


Mr.  Chews  Letter 


TO  GOLDSBROW  BANYAR 

Johnson  Hall  June  23d.  1770 
Dear  Banyar  — 

Just  now  on  my  return  Home  after  an  Absence  of  3  or  four 
Days  I  had  the  favour  of  Yours  of  the  1  1th.  Ins1.,2  which,  as  the 
Post  is  Just  going  off  I  cannot  so  fully  answer  by  this  oper- 
tunity.  — 

I  am  verry  glad  that  the  Patents  are  so  near  being  Issued,  & 
that  Campbel  has  given  You  a  good  Accf.  of  yr.  Concern,  You 
may  be  assured  that  some  part  of  the  upland  is  verry  good,  and 
that  ye.  worst  of  it  is  valuable  because  as  I  before  mentioned  that 
those  who  have  Land  On  both  Sides  of  that  River,  on  the  back 
of  Yours  must  purchase  at  any  rate.  Bradstreet3  says  that  without 
it,  His  Land  is  worth  nothing. 

I  hope  soon  to  receive  my  2  Patents  &ca.  &  shall  by  next  Post 
Send  you  the  Deed  executed  for  Oriskany. 

Co1.  Claus,  Mc.Leod4  &  Roberts5  will  be  much  oblidged  to 
You  for  the  Trouble  you  intend  to  take  in  their  Locations  wh. 


8  In  Sir  William's  hand. 

1  In  New  York  Historical  Society,  Banyar  Papers. 

2  Not  found. 

3  Colonel  John  Bradstreet. 

4  Normand  MacLeod. 

5  Benjamin  Roberts. 


828  Sir  William  Johnson  Papers 

are  to  be  as  I  before  discribed  them,  with  this  difference  only,  that, 
they  are  to  Join  to  ye.  Northampton  Patent  [to]  the  Eastward.  — 
I  am  extremely  oblidged  to  the  Lieu*.  Governor  for  the  In- 
clination he  Expresses  to  give  me  a  Commission  as  Major  General, 
and  I  herewith  inclose  a  Copy  of  the  Comission  as  Brigadr.  Genr1., 
which  I  received  from  Sir  H.  Moore,  I  suppose  the  Form  will  be 
much  the  Same.  — 

As  I  fear  the  Bearer  will  hardly  reach  the  Office  before  the 
Post  goes  off  for  New  York,  I  can  only  add  at  present,  that  I 
am  always  with  great  Truth,  &  Regard.      Dr.  Banyar 

Your  Affec".  —  Humble 
Servant  — 

W.  Johnson 
Golds  Borrow  Banyar  Esqr.  — 

My  Complimls.  to  Mr.  Alexdr.  Colden,  &  tell  him  to  Send  me  the 
Map  of  the  long  Tract,  wh.  I  much  want.  — 

INDORSED : 

June  23<  1  770 


From  Sir  Wm.  Johnson 


TO  GOLDSBROW  BANYAR 

June  28*  1770  — 
Dear  Banyar  — 

For  the  Satisfaction  of  the  Patentees  of  Sacondaga  Patent, 
which  begins  at  the  North  West  Corner  of  Wilson  &  Abeel,  &  for 
other  reasons,  I  want  to  have  your  opinion  concerning  the  last 
mentioned  Patent,  the  Bounds  of  which  according  to  the  careless 
practice  of  the  times  are  verry  negligently  &  loosely  expressed. 
That  is  from  the  Bounds  of  Carl  Hansen  or  Adam  Vroman  up 


1  In  New  York  Historical  Society,  Banyar  Papers. 


Land  Development,  1769-74  829 

the  Mohawk  River  to  opposite  the  Mouth  of  Scohare  Creek,  &  a 
Mile  northerly  into  the  Woods,  but  it  has  been  always  understood 
here  &  the  Conveyances  to  my  Self  &  other  purchasers  under  it, 
Express  the  Line  opposite  Scohare  Creek  to  run  into  the  Woods 
North  1  1  Degrees  West  One  English  Mile,  the  lower  Bounds 
North  48  D.  East,  &  the  Rear  line  parralel  to  the  River  at  the 
Distance  of  a  Mile.  According  to  this  Construction  it  has  been 
Surveyed,  and  Maps  made  of  it,  by  Several,  &  by  Mr.  Alexander 
Colden  for  myself  many  Years  ago.  However  as  it  is  the  founda- 
tion of  Several  other  Patents  being  62  Years  Old,  and  as  Some 
dispute  might  possibly  arise  about  it  hereafter  I  should  be  glad  to 
know  whether  any  thing  may  remain  in  Your  Office,  or  come  to 
your  knowledge  in  Support  of  the  particular  lines  Claimed  & 
understood  to  be  the  meaning  of  the  Patent,  or,  Should  it  be 
necessary,  how  these  Bounds  can  be  farther  Secured,  to  prevent 
any  dispute  in  future.  — 

The  Patent  of  Sacondaga  in  which  you  know  I  purchased  is 
to  begin  at  the  N  W  Corner  of  Wilson  &  Abeel,  &  runs  thence  N 
1  1  Deg.  &  30  Minutes  West  along  the  Patent  of  Hen :  Hansen 
&ca.  now  by  late  Surveys  we  find  that  there  is  a  Vacancy  of  5  or 
6  Chains  between  Hansens  &  Abeels.  Can  Sacondaga  then  run 
from  Abeels  Corner  by  some  direct  Course  to,  &  then  along 
Hansens  Line?  These  are  points  which  I  know  You  must  be 
conversant  with,  &  therefore  You  will  excuse  this  trouble.  — 

I  should  also  be  glad  to  know  whether  there  are  any  more 
Lots  unsold  of  Mr.  Clark's  in  Sacondaga,  than  those  I  bought,  if 
they  are  sold,  to  whom?  &  what  is  become  of  the  Half  Lots 
which  he  had  Jointly  with  Henry  Holland;  John  Hansen  Says 
he  is  possessed  of  N  2,  &  5  more  Lots  wh.  were  Mr.  Clark's  to 
the  Am*,  of  2000  Acres,  and  wanted  to  sell  them  to  me.  — 

I  hope  You  have  been  able  to  Send  my  2  Patents  by  Mr. 
Adems,  &  the  Survey  of  the  long  Tract.  I  have  already  Settled 
Several  Familys  on  my  part  of  the  long  Tract,  cut  open  a  Road  to 
Scohare,  &  one  of  the  Settlers  is  going  to  erect  a  Grist  Mill 
thereon,  which  will  be  a  great  inducement  to  the  Settling  them 
parts.  —  I  will  answer  for  it,  that  Yr.  &  Mr.  Wallaces  part  will 


830  Sir   William  Johnson  Papers 

soon  Settle  Several  have  applied  to  me  already  for  Lands  in  yr. 
Patent,  they  not  knowing  but  it  was  all  mine,  and  all  seem  more 
desireous  of  Settling  along  the  Susquahana  Banks,  than  any  other 
part  of  the  Country. 


I  am  truely,  Dear  Banyar 


Golds  Borrow  Banyar  Esqr. 


Your  Affecu.  Freind 
&  Humble  Servant 

W  Johnson 


Be  so  good  as  to  write  me  by  next  Post  — 

INDORSED : 

June  28.   1  770 


From  Sir  William  Johnson 


AN  INDIAN  CONFERENCE 
D.1 
Johnson  hall  4th.  July  1770.  — 

At  a  Meeting  of  A  party  of  Missisageys  from  La  Bay  Quinte 
&  Kanneyon  &  the  River  Pemidashkoudayan  on  the  West  Side 
of  Lake  Ontario. 

Also  a  Party  of  Abinaquis  from  Sf.  Regis 

Pres1. 
The  Honble.  Sr.  Wm.  Johnson  Bart  ) 

Superintendant  for  Indn.  Aft™.    { 
Daniel  Claus  Esqr.  Depy.  for  Canada     Mr.  Hertel,2  Interp1". 
Captn.  Byrne3  Mr.  Thatcher  Esqr.4  of  New  England 

Mr.  Daily.  —  Co1.  Man5  — 


1  In  Canadian  Archives,   Indian  Records,  Vol.   9.   In  hand  of  Daniel 
Claus. 

2  John  Jacob  Hertel. 

3  Captain  Michael  Byrne. 

4  Partridge  Thatcher. 

5  Colonel  Isaac  Man. 


Land  Development,   1769-74  831 

Father 

We  your  children  are  come  this  day  to  salute  you,  we  acknowl- 
edge you  our  kind  father  and  are  your  Obedient  children  and 
come  to  lay  our  hearts  open  to  you,  &  beg  you  will  hear  us. 

Gave  4  Strings  of  Wampum 

Father 

It  is  a  long  time  we  have  not  seen  you.  You  recommended  to 
us  At  Niagara  where  we  saw  you  last,  to  behave  as  good  and 
obedient  children  ought  to  do,  we  have  ever  since  folR  your 
Advice  wch.  we  found  to  be  for  our  Good,  and  are  now  come  to 
hear  what  you  may  have  farther  to  propose  to  us.  You  then 
recommended  to  us  Peace  &  Tranquility,  &  follow  our  hunting  we 
have  complied  with  you[r]  Desire.  We  took  a  firm  hold  of  your 
hand  wch.  you  like  a  father  streched  out  to  us,  and  we  assure  you 
we  will  not  let  it  go  as  long  as  we  live.  We  address  ourselves  in 
behalf  of  our  Nation,  thro'  you,  to  the  Great  King  of  England 
[one  hand  we  stretch  out  to  the  Giver  of  Life  the  other  to  x,ou  as 
our  temporal  Father]'  whom  you  represent  among  Us  the  Indians 
and  beg  you  will  assure  him  from  us  &  our  Nation  that  we  are 
determined  to  behave  as  faithfull  and  obedient  children  ought  to 
do,  and  shall  allways  keep  the  Good  Advice  fresh  in  our  Memories 
wch.  you  in  his  Name  gave  us,  And  call  the  Giver  of  Life  to  our 
Assistance,  to  keep  us  stedfast  in  executing  these  our  Intentions.  — 

Gave  a  white  Belt  of  Beads  represent- 
ing two  figures  the  One  Sr.  Wm.  John- 
son the  other  their  Nation  taking  a 
firm  hold  of  one  anothers  hands  With 
the  Assistance  of  Providce.  wch.  is 
represented  in  the  Cross.  — 
Father 

We  beg  you  will  [you  will]  hear  our  two  [Nations]  Towns 
Pemidashkondoyan  &  Shanneayon;     We  cannot  enough  express 

our  joy  in  seeing  you  the     ,  .  r[  of  all  Indians  and  to  come  and 
light  our  pipe  at  the  Great  Council  fire  wch.  you  keep  allways 


6  Words  italicized  and  in  brackets  are  crossed  out  in  manuscript. 


832  Sir  William  Johnson  Papers 

burn?,  at  your  house,  where  all  IncK  Nations  assemble  &  smoke 

the  pipe  of  peace  And  address  you  as  their  father,  [and]  laying  our 

Petition  &  Grievances  before  you.    [We  have]  Father  it  would  be 

too  tedious  to  enumerate  [to  you]  our  distressfull  Situation  at  home 

in  our  families,  and  only  beg  leave  to  address  ourselves  to  you  as 

our  kind  &  benevolent  parent. 

A  black  Belt  of  Wampm. 

Father 

You  may  easily  observe  that  we  are  poor  without  telling  it,  since 
we  are  not  even  able  to  speak  to  you  with  Belts  of  good  Wampum. 
Notwithstanding  This  our  poverty  we  rely  on  your  Goodness 
that  you  will  receive  what  we  spoke  upon  these  Belts  to  be  as 
sincere  &  well  meant  as  if  spoke  wth.  real  Wampum  And  there- 
fore beg  you  will  give  the  same  attention  to  our  Words  &  con- 
sider our  poverty  and  families,  who  are  naked. 

A  white  Belt  of  Beads. 
Father 

We  still  keep  fresh  in  our  Memories  what  you  recommended  to 
us  at  Niagara  by  the  Belts  of  Wampum  you  then  spoke  to  us 
upon,  and  we  assure  you  on  our  part  that  we  will  allways  strictly 
adhere  to  it,  not  doubting  you  on  your  part  will  do  the  same. 

A  white  Belt  of  Beads  wth.  black  figures 
Father 

We  that  live  in  the  woods  must  support  ourselves  by  the  Gun, 
and  as  we  cant  make  use  of  it  without  Amunition,  wch.  we  at 
present  are  scarce  in,  We  beg  you  will  consider  our  Want  in  that 
Article  y'.  we  may  maintain  ourselves  &  families  in  Necessaries  of 
Life,  we  beg  likewise  to  have  our  Arms  put  in  order  &  some 
Spears  made. 

A  String  of  Wampm. 
he  then  showed  the  Belt  Sr.  Wm.  spoke  to  them  upon  at  Niagara 
&  one  from  his  Depy.  Col.  Claus,  — 

Sir  William  replyed  upon  the  above  Speech,  that  he  gave 
attention  to  what  they  said  and  after  duely  considering  thereupon 
would  give  them  his  Answer,  at  the  same  time  desired  them  to 
deliver  in  their  Arms  &  Tools  they  had  to  repair.  wch.  he  would 
order  the  Armourr.  &  Smith  to  mend. 


Land  Development,  1769-74  833 

7Sir  Wm.  Ans'd.  them  — 
Children 

I  am  glad  to  see  You  here  &  Bid  you  Welcome  to  the  Council 
Fire  of  all  the  Nations  in  our  Alliance,  where  I  am  always  ready 
to  hear  what  [ever]  my  Children  have  to  Say  and  to  redress 
[any  of]  their  Greiviances  as  far  as  in  my  power 

4  Strings  Wampum      Then, 
Children  — 

I  am  Glad  to  find  that  You  keep  fresh  in  yr.  Minds  the  Advice 
I  gave  Your  Nation  when  at  Niagra.  It  is  also  a  great  pleasure 
to  me  to  See  that  it  has  been  strictly  observed  by  You,  As  it  was 
calculated  for  yr.  Good  &  Interest.  I  do  now  Desire  that  You 
will  Still  continue  to  Act  up  to  it,  and  never  depart  from  it.  So 
long  as  You  do  so  You  may  depend  upon  the  Great  King  my 
Masters  Protection  &  my  Freindship.  — 

A  Belt  of         8 
Children  — 

I  am  much  concerned  to  hear  that  yr.  2  Towns  are  any  ways 
distressed  at  a  time  when  all  is  peaceable  &  nothing  to  do,  but  to 
mind  yr.  Hunting,  planting  &ca.,  wh.  I  must  again  recommend  to 
You  all  to  pursue  diligently,  &  think  of  nothing  else,  As  that  will 
be  the  most  effectual  way  of  releiving  yr.  Distresses,  &  keeping 
You  from  Want.  — 

A  Belt 
Children  — 

You  say,  that  I  may  See  yr.  poverty  by  the  meaness  of  yr. 
Belts,  and  beg  that  I  may  pay  ye.  same  regard  to  yr.  words,  as  if 
you  had  spoke  with  Belts  of  Wampum  &ca.  I  must  say  Children, 
that  it  is  uncommon  for  yr.  Nation  to  Speak  with  such,  and  that  it 
denotes  either  poverty  or  Disrespect,  but  As  I  can  hardly  think  it 
[to  be]  proceeds  from  the  latter,  I  shall  take  it  for  granted  that 
what  You  now  say  comes  from  yr.  Heart,  and  shall  consider 
[\;r.  Demands  then]  it  in  that  light. 

A  Belt 

7  From  this  point  the  record  is  in  Sir  William's  hand. 

8  Blank  in  manuscript. 


834  Sir  William  Johnson  Papers 

Children,  — 

The  repeated  Assurances  You  now  give  me  of  yr.  resolution 
to  abide  by  the  Engagements  entered  into  with  me  at  Niagra,  gives 
me  much  pleasure,  and  You  may  rest  assured  that  so  long  as  Your 
Nation  continues  so  disposed  His  Majesty,  &  his  Subjects  will  not 
only  look  upon  You  in  a  favourable  light  but  the  latter  will  treat 
you  freindly  &  Esteem  you  as  Bretheren,  keep  this  Belt  as  it  will 
remind  You  of  our  Mutual  promises.  — 

A  Belt 
Children  — 

[As  I  know]  You  Say  that  You  who  live  in  ye.  Woods  cant 
Support  yr.  Familys  without  Arms  &  Amunition.  I  [a/50]  know 
that  in  time  of  peace  You  may,  if  industrious,  procure  [f/iem] 
everry  necessary  Article[s]  by  Hunting.  However  as  You  com- 
plain of  the  present  Scarcity  of  Amunition,  &  the  badness  of  yr. 
Arms  I  will  order  Some  [y4mn.]  for  you,  yr.  Arms  to  be  repaired, 
&  give  yr.  Familys  a  little  Cloathing  to  cover  them.  All  wh.  I 
hope  you  will  retain  a  gratefull  Sense  of,  &  by  yr.  Conduct  shew 
yr.  selves  worthy  His  Majestys  favours. 

a  large  String  of  Wampum 
Children  — 

as  You  have  heard  the  result  of  our  late  Treaty  held  at  ye. 
Flats,  I  must  desire  that  you  will  on  yr.  Arrival  in  yr.  own  Country 
make  it  known  to  all  yr.  Allies,  &  tell  them  that  I  expect  they  will 
all  act  agreable  thereto.       as  it  will  be  for  their  Good.  — 

9The  Missisageys  Reply  on  Sr.  Wms.  Speech 
Father 

We  most  heartily  thank  you  for  the  good  words  you  spoke  to  us 
&  you  may  depend  upon  it  we  will  never  forget  &  deeply  impress 
in  our  hearts  what  you  told  us,  and  shall  continue  to  adhere  to  the 
Engagements  mutually  entred  into  since  we  first  saw  one  another 
we  shall  allways  use  our  utmost  Endeavours  to  maintain  that 
Peace  &  Harmony  you  so  strongly  recommended  to  us,  And  if  we 


9  From  this  point  in  hand  of  Daniel  Claus. 


Land  Development,   1769-74  835 

should  receive  any  bad  Acco,s.  of  ill  minded  Nations  of  Indians 
we  will  immediately  give  you  Intelligence  of  it  &  use  our  En- 
deavours to  prevent  any  thing  that  may  interrupt  that  peace  & 
friendship  so  firmly  established  between  us.  — 

Chiefs  of  the  Village  Pemidashkoudoyan 
Onawakishick 
Toghkwenikoh 
Papinaash 

Chief  of  the  Village  Shanneyon 

Megwadaashe  of  the  Christinaux  Natn. 


TO  GOLDSBROW  BANYAR 

August  the  2d.  1770  — 
Dear  Banyar  — 

Notwithstanding  the  Congress  with  the  Inds.  is  over,  I  have 
still  Such  a  Number  of  them  ab'.  me,  who  return  this  way,  and  a 
Number  of  Mississagaes  &  Others  since  arrived,  that  I  have  only 
a  Moments  time  to  Acknowledge  the  Receipt  of  yr.  last,  inclosing 
me  a  Comisn.  as  Major  Genr1.  &  2  others  for  feild  officers,  for 
wh.  I  beg  you  will  return  my  Worthy  freind  ye.  Govr.  my  most 
Hearty  thanks.  &  tell  him  that  as  Soon  as  I  have  finished  with 
those  Inds.  about  me,  I  will  Send  him  an  Accf.  of  my  Transactions 
with  them,  which  are  more  favourable  than  I  at  first  expected.  — 
Cap1.  Claus  was  of  the  Royal  American  Regmf.  Cap*.  Lf.  Mac- 
Leod of  the  80th.,  &  Lf.  Roberts  of  the  46th.  McLeod  Says  he  is 
entitled  to  3000  Acres,  they  are  verry  desireous  of  having  the 
Affair  finished  as  Soon  as  may  be.  — 

There  is  a  Tract  of  Land  lying  between  Scohare  &  the 
Mohawk  Village  purchased  by  a  Number  of  Gentlemen  which 


1  In  New  York  Historical  Society,  Banyar  Papers. 


836  Sir  William  Johnson  Papers 

they  requested  me  lately  to  write  to  you  about,  I  do  therefore  beg 
the  favour  of  You  to  expedite  it  all  in  yr.  Power,  &  Send  me  the 
Patent  with  an  Ace1,  of  the  Fees  which  I  shall  imediately  order  to 
be  paid,  they  haves,  given  me  their  Obligation  for  the  Same. 
Mr.  Adems  &  Tice  Spoke  to  You  about  it  lately  when  at  York. 
Mr.  Cockburn2  made  the  Survey  last  Year,  it  is  I  think  abl.  1 6,  or 
1  7000  Acres. 

I  hope  You  have  been  able  'ere  now  to  finish  the  Patent  for 
14000  Acres  Joining  to  the  Rear  of  Kingsborough.  If  You  have 
pray  Send  it  up,  &  the  Ace1,  of  the  Fees  wh.  shall  also  be  im- 
ediately paid  by  an  order  on  Mr.  Mortier.  You  will  also  please 
to  Send  me  the  Bonds  wh.  are  in  yr.  Hands.  —  &  beleive  me  Dear 
Banyar,  Yrs.  Sincerely 

&  Affect1?.  — 
Golds  Borrow  Banyar  Esqr.  —  W  Johnson 

indorsed  : 

Aug*.  2<*.  1 770 


From  Sir  Wm.  Johnson 


2  Will  Cockburn. 


JOURNAL  OF  INDIAN  AFFAIRS 
AD.1 

August  1 0th.  1770 

Takawaron  an  Oneida  Cheif  in  a  private  Conferrence  wth.  Sir 
Wm.  Told  him  that  notwithstanding  all  the  pains  taken  by  this 
Village  of  Kanonwaroghare,  (at  [flip]2  His  desire)  to  Unite  those 
of  that  Nation  living  at  Oneida  on  the  Hill  with  theirs,  that 
Ganaghquaissa  opposed  it,  and  declared  that  he  would  have 
nothing  more  to  do  with  Sir  Wm.  or  ye.  English  but  look  entirely 


1  In  Canadian  Archives,  Indian  Records,  Vol.  9. 

2  Words  italicized  and  in  brackets  are  crossed  out  in  manuscript. 


Land  Development,   1769-74  837 

to  the  Six  Nats.  &ca.,  &  so  prevented  ye.  rest  (who  were  disposed 
to  Settle  at  Kanonwaroghare)  from  Joining  them.  wherefore 
He,  [was]  with  ye.  rest  of  his  Castle  were  determined  to  have 
nothing  farther  to  do  with  him,  but  would  follow  Sir  Wms.  Advice 
in  everry  thing  and  begged  that  he  would  on  everry  occasion  afford 
it  to  them,  &  that  He  might  depend  on  their  strictly  observing 
it. — 

He  then  Requested  Sir  Wm.  would  appoint  Sachems  for  their 
Village,  of  the  best  &  Wisest  Men  amongst  them,  wh.  would 
enable  them  to  transact  business  with  more  Spirit  &  Judgment, 
adding  that  if  Sir  Wm.  was  at  a  loss  who  to  appoint,  he  would  let 
him  know  who  were  the  best  &  properest  Men  [for]  then  named 
Skonondosse. 

Lastly  He  told  Sir  Wm.  that  the  Minister  slackened  greatly 
in  his  care  of  the  Indians  under  his  Charge,  that  he  never  dare  Say 
any  thing  to  him  on  that  head,  not  knowing  but  it  might  be 
disagreable  to  Sir  Wm.,  therefore  desired  to  know  his  Sentiments 
thereon. 

thus  ended  — 


AN  INDIAN  CONFERENCE 

A.  D.1 

[July  28- August  11,1 '770] 

Saturday  28th.  July  1770 
Brothers  of  the  7  Nations  of  Canada  attend  to  what  I  have  to 
Say.  — 

At  the  General  Congress2  held  a  few  days  ago  by  me  at  ye. 
German  Flats,  The  Number  of  Inds.  so  far  Exceeded  my  Expec- 
tations, that  I  found  yr.  Share  of  the  present  would  be  verry  in- 


1  In  Canadian  Archives,  Indian  Records,  Vol.  9.  The  first  part  of  the 
record  is  in  Sir  William's  hand. 

2  From  July  16  to  23,  1  770,  Johnson  held  a  Congress  at  the  German 
Flats  with  the  Six  Nations,  Canadian  Indians  and  Cherokees.  Doc.  Rel. 
Col.  Hist.  N.  Y.  8:227-44. 


838  Sir  William  Johnson  Papers 

considerable,  where[upon]  fore  I  invited  You  all,  &  yr.  Brothers 
the  Mississageys  to  my  House,  in  order  to  give  you  also  a  Proof 
of  his  Majestys  regard.  I  am  now  glad  to  See  you  all  Safe 
arrived,  &  bid  You  heartily  welcome.  — 

3  Strings  — 
Bretheren  of  Canada  Confederacy,  Mississageys  &ca. 

I  am  now  to  return  You  my  hearty  thanks  for  the  part  you  acted 
at  the  Congress,  in  assisting  me  to  bring  Matters  to  so  happy  a 
Conclusion,  as  also  for  yr.  readiness  in  offering  to  Send  proper 
Messingers  to  these  foolish  Nats.  to  ye.  Westward,  which  I  am  in 
hopes  if  properly  conducted  will  bring  them  to  their  Senses.  The 
better  to  effect  this  End  I  now  deliver  you  a  Belt  &  Pipe  wh.  I  de- 
sire yr.  Messingers  will  deliver  to  them  in  my  name,  This,  when 
Joined  with  Yours  &  that  of  the  Six  Nation  Confederacy  will  I  am 
in  hopes  bring  them  to  reason.  I  have  now  only  to  recommend  to 
Your  Deputys  who  are  to  go  to  them  Nations,  a  faithfull  dis- 
charge of  the  Trust  reposed  in  them,  wish  them  Success,  &  a  Safe 
return. 

A  Belt  for  ye.  Western  Nations 

Another  Belt  to  recommend  Unanimity  to  the  7  Nats.  in 
Canada  &  a  proper  behavr.  towards  their  Bretheren  as  ye.  Surest 
means  of  their  continuing  a  Happy  People 

Belt. 
Bretheren  of  the  Mississagey  Nation  — 

As  You  attended  at  the  General  Congress  &  heard  what  passed 
there,  I  desire  You  will  make  it  known  to  all  Yr.  People,  and 
[as  well  as]  also  to  those  Nations  in  Alliance  with  You,  and  I 
expect  You  will  make  use  of  yr.  Influence  to  bring  [atou/]  those 
foolish  People  to  their  Senses  before  it  be  too  late.  — 

A  Belt  — 

Their  Speaker  Sagtaghroana  Stood  up,  and  in  behalf  of  the 
7  Nats.  of  Canada  Expressed  their  great  Joy  at  the  good  opinion  I 
entertained  of  their  fidelity  &ca.  And  Assured  Sir  Wm.  that  they 
would  forever  observe  his  directions,  having  buried  in  their  Hearts 
the  good  Advice  he  gave  them  in  ye.  Year  1  760  when  he  recd. 
them  into  the  Cov*.  Chain,  that  they  were  determined  to  live  in  the 


Land  Development,   1769-74  839 

Strictest  freindship  wlh.  their  Bretheren  the  English,  &  Should  any 
Difference  Arise  between  them,  they  will  imediately  endeavour  to 
Settle  it  Amicably,  —  they  farther  promised  to  Send  the  most 
faithfull  &  Sinsible  of  their  People  as  Deputys  to  the  Westward, 
who  Should  deliver  my  Message  faithfully  to  them  Foolish 
Nations,  as  well  as  their  own,  and  concluded  wth.  hoping  that  the 
Great  Spirit  would  prosper  the  Undertaking. 

They  took  the  Belts  with  them  — 

Then  Sir  Wm.  Told  them  that  as  he  had  finished  the  Business 
of  the  Meeting  to  their  Mutual  Satisfaction,  He  would  in  the 
Afternoon  Deliver  them  the  Present  wh.  he  Intended  for  them,  & 
desired  to  know  of  them  how  they  proposed  Dividing  it.  — 

They  returned  his  Majesty  many  thanks  for  his  Goodness  to 
them,  and  told  Sir  Wm.  they  would  chuse  to  have  it  all  together 
for  the  7  Nations,  and  promised  to  make  an  equal  Distribution 
of  it. 

After  the  Meeting  was  ended  with  all  ye.  other  Nations  Sir 
Wm.  took  the  Ottawa  Cheif  Ohayowess  of  Arbre  Croche3  who 
came  to  See  him  from  ye.  Ilinois  into  his  Room,  and  after  getting 
a  good  deal  of  Information  from  him  relative  to  Western  Nats.  & 
the  conduct  of  the  Spaniards  at  New  Orleans  (where  he  Staid  3 
Weeks)  Sir  Wm.  Gave  him  in  charge  Several  Belts  to  be 
delivered  by  him  to  his  Nation  at  Michilimacinac,  with  the  result 
of  the  late  Congress  desireing  they  would  imediately  communicate 
it  to  the  Sever1.  Nats.  around  them,  and  requireing  them  to 
[lend  a  hand]  offer  their  Aid  to  ye.  good  Work  now  in  hand.  — 
All  wh.  he  promised  faithfully  to  do  — 

4Then  the  Abinaquis  of  Sl.  Regis  spoke  as  follows 
Father 

We  your  new  born  children  having  heard  that  we  had  a  kind 
father  representing  the  great  King  of  England,  living  at  a  great 
Distance   from  Us  we  determined  to  see  him,   and  now  being 


3  Near  Michilimackinac. 

4  From  this  point  in  hand  of  Daniel  Claus. 


840  Sir  William  Johnson  Papers 

arrived  at  your  dwelling  place  [of  habitation]  we  agreable  to  our 
Custom  open  your  Ears  &  wash  your  Eyes  that  you  may  hear 
distinctly  &  see  clear. 

Gave  4  Strings 
Father 

By  this  String  of  Wampum  we  open  our  hearts  to  you,  &  hope 
you  will  open  yours  to  Us. 

4  Strings. 
Father 

By  this  Belt  of  Wampum  [we]  express  our  Joy  &  Satisfaction  to 
meet  you  our  kind  father  and  are  most  sensibly  happy  of  coming  to 
your  Council  Fire  &  to  shake  hands  with  you;  We  your  chil- 
dren were  of  late  but  small  &  hardly  to  be  seen,  but  [lufien]  hear- 
ing we  had  a  father  we  at  once  became  tall  and  conspicuous. 

a  White  Belt  of  Wampum 
Father 

You  know  (speaking  to  Col°.  Claus),  that  we  have  now  lived 
above  1 1  years  at  Sf.  Regis,  Our  Brethn.  the  Iroquois  received 
us  then  well,  but  after  we  had  cleared  our  fields,  we  heard  bad 
News  from  our  Brethern  wch.  was  that  we  could  not  remain  there, 
we  did  not  mind  it  till  now,  &  We  did  not  intend  to  trouble  you 
ab*.  it,  we  therefore  spoke  to  the  Goverr.  of  Canada  to  settle  these 
Affrs.  he  settled  them  to  our  Satisfaction  &  we  are  going  to  show 
you  his  Speech  to  us.  — 

a  String  of  6  Rows 
Children 

You  have  a  right  to  [the  Woods]  the  Crown  Lands  as  well  as 
any  other  Nation  of  Indns.,  this  is  the  Speech  he  gave  us  recom- 
mending in  ye.  mean  time  Peace  &  Tranquility  to  us ;  Every  thing 
was  quiet  till  now;  [/4n<i]  last  Winter  we  employed  workmen  to 
[ma]  build  houses  for  us,  our  Brethn.  opposed  themselves  to  these 
workmen  taking  their  Tools  away  and  telling  them  that  unless 
they  obtained  Sr.  Wm.  Johnson's  permission  to  work  or  build 
houses  for  the  Abinaqs.  they  should  not  do  a  Stroke,  that  when 
they  returned  with  Sr.  Willms.  decision  in  sd.  AfK  they  would 


Land  Development,  1769-74  841 

acquiesce  &  abide  thereby.     And  this  Father  [is]  the  principal 
Errant  that  brought  us  here. 

producing  Gen1.  Carletons  String  of  Wampm. 
Father 

We  beg  you  will  pity  &  hear  us ;  Behold  here  these  old  people 
before  you  (pointing  at  2  old  Men  of  their  Tribe)  whether  they 
will  be  capable  of  establishing  themselves  anew,  And  We  beg  you 
give  our  Bretheren  the  Iroquois  to  understand  not  to  molest  us, 
but  let  us  live  in  peace  at  that  Place  for  the  future,  and  build 
the  Necessary  Dwelling  places  for  our  Shelter.  We  have  taken 
Refuge  to  that  place  on  Acco'.  of  Drunkenness  wch.  so  much 
prevails  in  the  other  Indn.  Town  in  Canada,  we  dont  complain  to 
you  of  our  Distress  [to  you],  you  will  know  how  to  act  towards 
children  you  never  saw  before.  [The  much  more]  Considering 
Father  that  you  have  more  Understands,  in  your  little  finger  than 
we  in  our  whole  Body,  we  beg  you  will  give  us  leave  to  break  of 
now  being  but  indifferent  Speakers  And  have  not  sufficiently  con- 
sidered upon  some  points  wch.  we  are  going  to  reconsider  &  give 
the  result  thereof  after  dinner.  — 

A  black  &  white  Belt 
Father; 

It  is  several  years  ago  since  we  intended  to  pay  you  a  visit  but 
for  want  of  an  Interpreter  were  oblidged  to  postpone  it,  this 
year  we  have  prevailed  upon  Mr.  Hertell5  to  conduct  us  hither 
we  dont  dont  doubt  [that]  but  our  Father  will  pay  some  Regard  to 
the  Journey  he  undertook  for  us.  Father  you  was  pleased  to  allow 
Interprs.  to  any  Nation  of  Indians  that  stand  in  Need  of  them, 
And  we  beg  you  will  grant  us  Mr.  Hertell  to  be  ours  as  he  under- 
stands our  Language  as  well  as  that  of  the  Iroquois  &  other 
Nations,  we  all  hope  You  will  grant  us  that  favour  to  your  new 
children  who  will  never  be  troublesome  to  you,  and  you  will  never 
see  us  coming  without  a  Call.  — 

Lastly  father  as  we  have  no  chiefs  appointed  Us  by  our  Father 
we  have  appointed  two  ourselves  whom  we  expect  you  will  give 


5  John  Jacob  Hertel. 


842  Sir  William  Johnson  Papers 

some   Marks   of   Distinction   as   is   customary   on   the   like   Oc- 
casions. — 

This  is  all  father  we  have  to  say  at  present  being  unwilling  to 
tire  your  patience. 

Whereupon  the  Speaker  shook  hands  with  Sr.  Wm. 

Gave  5  strings  of  Wampm. 

Sir  William  then  told  the  Abinaquis  that  [as  what  they  said 
required  some  Consideration  as  it  was  containing  several  material 
points,  and  when]  he  would  give  them  his  Answer  as  soon  as  he 
[was,  was  ready]  had  considered  of  it.  — 

"Monday  August  6th.  1  770 

The  Abanakees  Being  Met  in  the  Council  Room 

Sir  William  addressed  them  in  answer  as  follows  — 
Children  — 

I  am  Glad  to  See  You  here,  &  that  you  Continue  to  Observe 
yr.  Antient  Customs  of  opening  my  Ears,  and  Washing  my  Eyes, 
as  I  now  do  Yours,  that  You  may  attend  to  what  I  say.  — 

4  Strings  — 
Children  — 

I  open  Your  hearts  that  You  may  speak  the  Sentiments  of  them, 
&  nothing  else;  as  You  shall  Always  find,  I  shall  do  towards 
You.— 

4  Strings  — 
Children  — 

I  thank  You  for  the  Satisfaction  You  express  at  Seeing  me, 
and  do  Assure  You  that  I  am  equally  pleased  at  Seeing  You  at 
my  House,  &  shaking  You  by  the  Hand,  but  I  ought  to  remind 
You  that  it  is  not  lately,  that  You  have  discovered  a  Father  in  me, 
You  have  a  long  time  known  me,  &  the  Office  I  bear,  and  You 
may  rest  Assured,  that,  as  long  as  You  behave  like  Dutifull 
Children,  and  I  continue  in  that  office  I  shall  endeavour  to  pro- 
mote Your  Interest  wherever  I  can  with  propriety.  — 

A  Belt 


6  From  this  point  in  Sir  William's  hand. 


Land  Development,  1769-74  843 

Children  — 

As  to  the  Speech  You  Address  to  Co1.  Claus  I  shall  answer  it 
from  his  own  report  &  representation  to  me.  Co1.  Claus  has  not 
been  1  1  Years  in  Canada,  So  that  he  cannot  positively  speak 
concerning  yr.  Situation  at  that  time,  but  as  far  back  as  1 0  Years 
ago  he  remembers  You  to  have  been  rambling  between  Osswe- 
gatchy  and  Sl.  Regis,  and  that  the  Cheifs  of  the  last  Village 
afforded  You  a  Temporary  Residence,  but  no  more,  and  that 
Your  desire  to  remain  there  was  verry  disagreable  to  the  Indians, 
occasioned  much  Trouble,  &  was  likely  to  be  attended  with  ill 
Consequences,  and  that  it  was  beleived  You  were  excited  to  this 
by  Some  Interested  Individuals.  — 
Children  — 

The  Coghnawagaes  &  Indians  of  Sl.  Regis  have  more  than 
once,  and  particularly  at  the  last  Treaty  Complained  to  me  of  the 
Advantage  You  were  about  to  take  of  their  Temporary  Indulg- 
ence, and  requested  that  a  Stop  Should  be  put  to  your  proceedings, 
(here  shewed  them  ye.  Speech  made  lately  by  the  Coghnawageys 
&ca.)  which  I  wish  to  comply  with,  because  I  know  You  have  no 
pretensions  there,  And  I  should  be  greatly  concerned  to  See  you 
Quarrel  amongst  Yourselves.  The  Indians  of  S'.  Regis  are 
descended  from  the  Original  Proprietors,  of  course  have  a  Right 
there,  You  who  were  born  in  another  part  of  the  Country  can 
claim  no  Title  to  Land  but  where  You  were  born,  wherefore  You 
should  not  intrude,  or  press  Yourselves  on  them  People  against 
their  Inclination,  as  in  that  case  You  could  never  live  together 
amicably.  — 

A  Belt  — 
Children  — 

It  is  not  the  Coghnawagaes  &  Sl.  Regis  Indians  Alone  that  are 
dissatisfied  with  your  Conduct,  the  Six  Nations  are  extremely 
displeased  with  it,  as  they  often  declared  to  me  So  that  your 
persisting  must  breed  ill  blood  between  You  which  I  should  not 
like  to  See,  I  am  therefore  fully  persuaded  that  if  this  Matter 
had  been  truely  represented  to  Govr.  Carleton,  You  would  have 


844  Sir  William  Johnson  Papers 

recd.  another  Answer,  especially  as  S*.  Regis  is  out  of  the  Limits 
of  his  Goverment. 

A  Belt 
Children  — 

I  Consider  the  Hardship  it  must  be  for  Old  People  to  move 
about,  &  wish  to  See  You  Settled  where  you  will  be  more  agreably 
received,  &  free  from  faction  or  Party  Disputes.  There  are  many 
places  free  from  Drunkenness  besides  Sf.  Regis,  and  the  best  way 
to  avoid  that  Vice  is  to  resolve  firmly  as  becomes  Men  that  You 
will  not  be  seduced  by  Liquor,  However  I  shall  be  glad  to 
Assist  in  procureing  You  a  Residence  amongst  the  6  Nat8,  or 
others,  As  I  cannot  think  yr.  Stay  at  Sl.  Regis  Elligeble 

A  Belt 
Children  — 

Altho  You  had  no  Concern  in  the  Affairs  of  the  late  Treaty, 
&  consequently  cannot  be  supposed  to  come  on  that  Ace1.,  yet  I 
am  realy  glad  to  See  You,  &  I  shall  always  be  ready  to  Attend 
to  anything  You  have  to  Say,  as  well  as  to  Serve  You  as  far  as  in 
my  power,  I  am  heartily  Sorry  that  in  the  case  of  Interpreters  I 
cannot  do  as  much  as  I  could  wish,  There  are  many  Tribes  much 
more  numerous  than  You,  that  have  none,  and  as  it  is  not  in  my 
power  to  incurr  any  farther  Expence  on  that  head,  I  beleive  upon 
Serious  reflection  You  will  not  expect  it. 

4  Strings  — 
Children  — 

Having,  after  due  deliberation,  answered  Your  Speech,  I  have 
nothing  farther  at  present  to  add,  [but]  than  to  recommend  to  yr. 
Serious  Consideration  what  I  have  Said  to  You,  and  that  you 
[rvill]  do  act  agreable  thereto  [which]  will  I  am  certain  [will]  be 
the  best  thing  You  can  do.  — 
August  1 0th.  — 

Then  their  Speaker  arose  &  after  returning  Sir  William  thanks 
for  his  Advice  &ca.,  told  him  they  would  consider  of  it,  and  make 
him  a  Reply  in  the  Afternoon.  — 

At  12  the  Cheifs  of  the  Mississageys  &  Abanakis  came  & 
condoled  with  Sir  Wm.  on  the  loss  of  his  Grand  Child,  a  Daughter 


Land  Development,  1769-74  845 

of  Co1.  Johnsons'  who  was  buried  Yesterday.  —  and  at  4  P  M 
The  Abanakees  being  Assembled  in  the  Council  Room 

Their  Speaker  Jean  Babtest  pourneut  —  addressed  Sir  William 
Father 

We  have  thoroughly  considered  w'.  You  said  to  us  in  the  Fore- 
noon, and  agree  to  what  You  advised,  and  beg  as  we  cannot 
imediately  quit  the  present  place  of  our  residence  to  remain  2 
years  there.  In  2  years  time  we  can  find  out  another  place,  as  we 
have  land  of  our  own  but  it  is  now  Cut  into  peices  by  the  English, 
except  a  Small  peice.  —  We  shall  go  as  Soon  as  we  have  time  to 
See  whether  the  English  have  left  us  any,  if  they  have  we  will 
move  there  &  you  shall  never  more  hear  of  any  dispute  or  trouble 
abf.  Us.  In  the  Spring  You  will  hear  from  Us  how  matters  go,  & 
that  by  Mr.  Hartel,  and  we  request  that  when  Settled  there  we 
may  be  allowed  a  Preist.  all  wh.  we  look  upon  to  be  in  yr. 
power  — 
Father  — 

When  we  Settle  at  this  new  Settlement  proposed  We  earnestly 
request  that  no  other  White  man  than  Our  friend  Mr.  Hartel  may 
be  allowed  to  Settle  amongst  or  trade  with  us,  as  others  bring  Rum 
among  us,  wch.  is  our  ruin  and  we  beg  that  the  Indians  of 
Aughquissasnes  may  not  molest  us  in  building  a  House  there  the 
timber  of  wch.  lyes  ready  on  the  Spot  and  after  the  Expiration  of 
two  Years,  If  we  cannot  Dispose  of  Said  House,  we  will  lock 
it  up.  and  we  request  that  Mr.  Hertel  may  remain  unmolested  as 
long  as  we  Stay  there,  &  trade  with  us.  We  Agree  to  the  pro- 
posed Removal  at  yr.  Desire,  but  should  pay  no  regard  to  that 
of  the  Aughqussassnees. 

A  Belt  — 
August  11th.  1770 
Children  — 

I  am  glad  that  You  have  thoroughly  weighed  what  I  said  to 
You,  and  that  You  agree  to  remove  to  yr.  own  Lands,  which  is 


7  Guy  Johnson. 

8  The  Indian  name  of  the  village  of  St.  Regis. 


846  Sir   William  Johnson  Papers 

much  better,  than  to  remain  where  You  are,  in  opposition  to  the 
Proprietors  thereof,  as  You  could  never  live  freindly  together, 
therefore  I  think  ye.  Sooner  you  move  ye.  better.  If  the  English 
have  cut,  and  taken  yr.  Land  or  former  place  of  Residence  as  You 
say  they  have,  It  must  be  with  the  Kings  permission,  for  He  has 
given  Land  to  His  Warriors  as  a  token  of  his  approbation  of  their 
Services  during  the  War  in  America,  and  that  cheifly  out  of  the 
Conquered  Land,  of  which  I  beleive  yours  is  a  part,  —  As  to 
allowing  You  a  Preist,  I  doubt  not,  [n>'.]  but,  that  when  you  are 
Settled  in  a  Body  And  make  proper  Application,  [for  one]  You 
will  be  allowed  One.    As  well  as  the  other  Tribes  in  Canada.  — 

A  Belt  — 
Children  — 

[With  regard  to]  Yr.  Request  concerning  yr.  Freind  Mr.  Hertel 
[it]  at  that  [meeting]  shews  yr.  great  kindness  for  Him,  at  the  same 
time  that  it  [s/ielPs]  evinces  a  great  partiality  to  ye.  rest  [on  ye.  part] 
of  yr.  Bretheren.  [for  His  Majesty  Yr.]  The  Great  King  of 
England  yr.  Father  in  his  proclamation  of  1 763  (now  in  my 
Hands)  did  not  think  proper  to  make  any  distinction  between  his 
English  &  Canadian  Subjects,  but  allowed  thereby  that  all 
[his  subjects]  should  have  an  equal  liberty  to  trade,  which  is  as 
much  indulgence  as  any  reasonable  People  could  expect.  This 
being  the  Case,  You  cannot  hinder  any  of  the  Kings  Subjects  who 
have  the  Governours  Lycence  to  trade  wth.  those  Indians  who  are 
thereunto  inclined,  but  it  is  at  yr.  Option  to  Trade  with  whom  you 
please.  and  when  once  Settled  in  yr.  own  Town,  You  can 
allow  whom  you  [p/ease]  chuse  to  live  amongst  You  or  refuse  them 
as  You  like.  As  to  the  House  [you  say]  You  want  to  build  at 
Aughquissasne,  I  can  only  say  that  as  I  am  unacquainted  with  yr. 
Motives  for  building  such  a  House  as  I  understand  that  is  intended 
to  be,  and  as  Co1.  Claus  my  Deputy  is  now  going  to  Canada  to 
Settle  all  Matters  with  the  Inds.  there,  I  shall  direct  him  to  enquire 
into  the  true  state  of  that  Affair,  &  to  Settle  all  Matters  between 
You  in  the  best  manner  possible 

3  Strings  — 


Land  Development,   1769-74  847 

Then  Sir  Wm.  made  him  a  Handsome  Present,  Gave  him  a 
Testimonial9  of  his  faithfull  Services,  &  provided  Everrything  for 
his  long  Journey.  for  all  which  he  appeared  verry  thankfull  & 
parted  in  the  most  freindly  Manner.  — 


FROM  HENRY  VAN  SCHAACK 

A.L.S} 

Kinderhook  16  August  1770. 
Sir 

It  is  a  long  time  Since  I  had  the  Honor  of  Writing  you  last 
this  Silence  has  in  a  great  measure  been  owing  to  the  uncertainty 
I  have  in  as  to  the  Place  of  your  being  at.  I  hope  Sir  You  are 
before  now  returned  home  and  that  you  accomplished  a  happy 
conclusion  of  the  important  affairs  that  have  called  you  abroad. 
The  occasion  of  my  writing  you  now  is  the  Receipt  of  a  Letter 
which  was  this  moment  handed  to  me  from  my  Brother  —  I  shall 
transcribe  a  Paragraph  out  of  it  which  I  hope  will  excuse  for  me 
with  you  for  troubling  you  with  it  —  briefly  it  is  as  follows  — 
"New  York  18  August  I  have  a  Secret  to  hint  to  you  — 

Warm  application  is  making  to  the  Lf.  Governor  &  the  Council 
for  the  Office  of  Sheriff  in  Your  County.  No  less  a  Man  than 
2  Mr you  can  guess  who  I  mean.  Had  this  Gentle- 
man instead  of  acting  the  Part  he  did  in  the  House  sided  with 
those  whom  he  now  sollicits  favors  from,  he  would  have  Suc- 
ceeded —  At  present  he  will  not.  In  vain  does  he  urge  that 
he  has  always  voted  according  to  his  conscience,  this  is  but  a 
poor  Plea  when  he  Sollicits  People  whose  Conduct  the  very 
Argument  Seems  to  impeach.  He  is  rightly  Served  —  he  has 
forsaken  his  true  friends  and  embarked  with  those  on  whom  he 
can  have   no  reliance,   &  who   place   no  confidence   in   him   as 


9  "NB  this  was  ye.  first  y*.  was  given" — Footnote  in  the  manuscript. 

1  In  Historical  Society  of  Pennsylvania. 

2  Illegible. 


848  Sir  William  Johnson  Papers 

appears  from  this  instance  of  his  undermining  their  Friend  — 
But  as  he  once  Said  —  De  Patrone  De  Patrone  must  be 
pleased.  I  am  not  without  hopes  of  Seeing  you  invested  with 
that  Office,  You  have  powerful  Friends  here  in  your  Favour  and 
nothing  I  believe  will  or  can  prevent  your  Success,  but  an  ap- 
plication from  Sir  William  Johnson  in  favor  of  another."  I  have 
frequently  had  it  in  my  mind  to  write  you  upon  this  Subject  but 
have  as  often  been  deterred  from  it  fearing  that  You  might  have 
wrote  in  behalf  of  an  other.  Should  I  be  lucky  enough  in 
being  mistaken  in  my  apprehensions  I  hope  my  application  now 
may  be  So  Successful  as  that  I  shall  be  favoured  with  a  Line 
from  you.  —  Be  assured  Sir  that  my  Conduct  would  be  Such  as 
that  I  should  render  myself  by  no  means  unworthy  of  your 
Recommendation  —  If  my  application  to  you  Sir  Should  prove 
Successful  I  entreat  the  favour  of  you  to  let  me  hear  from  you  by 
Express  as  there  is  no  time  to  be  lost  for  me.  —  At  any  rate 
whether  I  succeed  or  not  I  hope  there  may  be  a  change  in  that 
office  it  has  been  too  long  where  it  now  is  —  It  commands  a 
considerable  influence  on  certain  occasions.  — 

The  Packet  arrived  last  Saturday  and  brings  no  other  Account 
about  the  Govr.3  than  that  he  would  Sett  off  some  Weeks  after 
that  Time  according  to  Some  Letters  —  according  to  others  it 
Seems  a  little  doubtfull  whether  he  will  come  at  all  —  however  I 
believe  from  what  my  Brother  writes  he  will  be  over  in  a  month 
or  Six  Weeks  Time.  The  Princess  Dowager  of  Wales  iss  gone  to 
Germany  tis  Said  to  Spend  her  Days  —  Some  letters  mention  this 
as  So  extraordinary  an  Event  as  to  promise  a  Change  in  the 
Ministry  —  Our  Agent  Robert  Charles4  has  cut  his  throat  — 
The  County  of  Middlesex  refuses  to  pay  their  Taxes.  — 

I  hear  a  letter  has  lately  appeared  in  New  York  Signed  by 
Volkert  P  Douw  Esqr.  &  others  to  the  Committee  of  Merchants 
in  [this  town]  New  York  more  bitter  more  Severe  and  more 


3  John  Murray  Dunmore,  newly  appointed  Governor.  He  arrived  in  New 
York,  October  19,  1770. 

4  Robert  Charles  was  Colonial  agent  in  London,  formerly  secretary  of 
Sir  Peter  Warren,  who  had  been  appointed  by  the  New  York  Assembly. 


Land  Development,  1769-74  849 

acrimonious  than  any  thing  yet  published  charging  the  New 
yorkers  with  abandoning  the  Interest  of  the  Colony  pursuing 
measures  distructive  of  the  Liberties  of  the  People  &c.  &c.  This 
Letter  is  realy  remarkable  if  it  is  true  that  Mr.  Low  has  two  or 
three  Letters  Signed  by  Some  of  the  very  Signers  of  the  one  now 
in  Question  in  which  it  is  Said  they  declare  they  will  have  nothing 
to  do  with  the  Non  Importation  agreement  and  moreover  it  is 
Said  there  is  proof  that  the  Albanians  have  constantly  been 
carrying  on  a  Trade  with  G.  Brittain  through  the  Channel  of 
Quebec.  They  will  probably  be  roasted  if  this  be  true  for  I 
hear  they  insist  upon  having  their  letters  published  that  the  World 
may  judge  of  their  Patriotic  Sentiments.  If  all  this  Should  be 
true  The  Publication  of  this  must  draw  on  a  full  Exhibition  of  the 
Whole.  —  My  Father  begs  his  most  humble  Respects  to  you. 

I  am 
Sir 

Your  most  Obliged 
&  most  Obedient 
Humble  Servant 

indorsed:5  HVSchaack 

Kinderhook  16th.  Augst.  1770 


Major  H  Vanschaacks 

Letter  — 
Ansrd.  24th.  August 


TO  THOMAS  GAGE 

A.L.S.1 

Johnson  Hall  August  22J.  1770 
Dear  Sir  — 

My  Situation  as  mentioned  in  my  last  Surrounded  by  some 
Hundreds  of  Indians  who  followed  me  to  this  place  on  the  private 


5  In  Sir  William's  hand. 

1  In  William  L.  Clements  Library;  draft  partly  mutilated  was  printed 
in  Johnson  Papers,  7:852-55. 


850  Sir  William  Johnson  Papers 

Affairs  of  Each  Nation,  &  a  Severe  Indisposition  in  my  Family 
rendered  it  impossible  for  me  to  transmit  the  Proceedings2  here- 
with inclosed  until  this  time.  —  They  contain  the  whole  of  the 
Transactions  at  the  publick  Conferences,  tho'  as  I  have  formerly 
observed  to  You,  that  is  a  verry  small  part  of  the  Debates 
Arguments  &  Discourses  at  the  private  Conferences  where  the 
principal  Subjects  are  first  agitated  &  Determined  upon.  —  My 
concern  at  being  reduced  to  the  disagreable  Alternative  of  either 
approving  in  his  Majestys  name  of  ye.  War  proposed,  or  risquing 
the  Public  Safety  by  a  Disapprobation  of  it,  was  much  farther 
encreased  on  my  Arrival  at  the  German  Flats  upon  finding  that 
they  had  resolved  in  consequence  of  their  Alliance  with  us,  and 
of  the  Assistance  they  had  formerly  afforded  to  make  a  publick 
requisition  of  Men,  Arms,  and  Amunition  for  the  Support  of  the 
War,  not  from  any  real  want  of  our  Aid,  but  meerly  to  put  our 
Freindship  to  the  Test,  That  in  case  our  Answer  should  be  un- 
favourable or  evasive  their  Suspicions  might  be  confirmed  &  their 
Resentment  wear  the  appearance  of  Justice.  —  The  Disaffected 
and  Designing  amongst  them  had  represented  this  in  so  reasonable 
a  light  to  the  rest,  that  they  had  verry  nigh  effected  their  purpose, 
and  would  most  certainly  have  Succeeded  but  for  the  pains  I  took, 
&  the  extraordinary  good  behaviour  of  Some  of  the  Cheifs,  thro' 
whose  endeavours  Joined  to  my  own,  I  have  at  last  prevailed  that 
after  a  farther  Consideration  of  the  Matter,  they  will  send 
Messages  to  the  Nations  to  the  Southward  and  wait  the  Result. 
—  This  was  the  best  thing  I  could  think  of  or  effect,  under  ye. 
Circumstances  that  I  found  myself  in,  and  I  hope  You  will 
approve  of  it.  —  I  then  agreable  to  his  Majestys  Orders  pro- 
ceeded to  the  Ratification  of  the  Fort  Stanwix  Treaty.  After 
Which  they  Stated  their  Grieviances  on  the  Score  of  Trade,  the 
Behaviour  of  the  Frontier  Inhabitants  &  many  other  Matters  of 
an  Inferior  nature,  some  of  which  are  contained  in  the  Sheets  here- 
with inclosed,  &  others,  being  Spoken  of  at  private  Meetings 
were   too   Voluminous    to   be   inserted.  —  With   respect   to   the 


2  The  Conference  at  German  Flats,  July  16-23,  1770;  printed  in  Doc. 
Rel.  Col.  Hist.  N.  Y.,  8:227-44. 


Land  Development,   1769-74  851 

Treatment  they  complain  of  on  the  Frontiers  I  need  say  nothing 
in  Addition  to  what  I  have  formerly  mentioned,  for  the  conduct 
of  our  Settlers  to  them  is  much  the  Same,  &  Since  my  return 
Home,  I  have  an  Account  from  Mr.  Croghan  at  Fort  Pitt,  that 
Two  Indians  were  lately  murdered  in  that  Neighbourhood,  —  I 
observed  in  Public  to  the  Whole,  but  particularly  in  private  to 
the  Cheifs,  that  this  was  often  occasioned  by  their  bad  behaviour, 
but  altho  that  is  Sometimes  the  Case,  I  am  verry  certain  that  it  is 
often  meerly  'thro  the  Licentiousness  of  the  Frontier  Settlers, 
whose  hatred  &  111  timed  Resentment  are  not  easily  to  be  removed, 
and  I  wish  they  may  not  smart  for  it.  —  The  Affairs  of  Trade  I 
can  say  as  little  about,  for  there  is  no  prospect  of  the  Colonies 
Adopting  any  one  certain  well  digested  Plan,  or  indeed  any  that 
will  be  attended  with  the  necessary  Expence,  which  the  Indians 
consider  as  a  Willfull  Neglect,  arising  from  our  Contempt  & 
aversion  for  them,  but  the  great  Scarcity  of  Goods  for  some  time 
past,  &  the  disapointment  of  such  Numbers  as  have  of  late  brought 
down  peltry,  &ca.  was  a  verry  disagreable  Circumstance,  more 
especially  as  they  were  told  by  Shopkeepers  &  Traders  that  it  was 
the  fault  of  the  Crown,  than  which  nothing  could  have  a  more 
dangerous  Tendency.  This  which  I  was  desireous  to  remove  at 
all  events,  together  with  the  peculiar  Notice  I  found  myself 
oblidged  to  take  of  those  Cheifs  who  had  acted  well,  the  verry 
great  Number  of  the  Indians,  &  the  extravigant  prices  of  most 
Articles  from  ye.  genr1.  failure  of  the  Crops  this  Year,  has  made 
the  Expences  of  the  Treaty  to  Exceed  my  Expectations,  but  when 
all  these  points  are  thoroughly  Considered,  I  beleive  it  cannot  be 
deemed  Extraordinary,  &  I  verry  well  know  that  to  lessen  it,  I 
took  all  possible  pains,  &  Sat  up  for  Several  whole  Nights  in 
Conference  to  expedite  the  Affair  as  their  daily  maintenance 
amounted  to  a  large  Sum.  — 

I  shall  not  at  present  take  up  more  of  your  time  with  a  repeti- 
tion of  any  other  Matters  of  a  Subordinate  nature,  only  to  observe 
that  thro  the  measures  I  pursued,  Supported  by  the  good  Conduct 
&  Influence  of  the  best  disposed  amongst  the  Cheifs,  I  have 
removed  some  verry  unfavourable  Impressions,  diverted  them  from 


852  Sir  William  Johnson  Papers 

a  verry  dangerous  &  disagreable  requisition,  &  disposed  them  to 
Judge  more  favourably  of  the  freindship  &  Disposition  of  Gov- 
erm1.,  but  tho  it  is  practicable  &  highly  necessary  to  continue  them 
in  this  beleif,  yet  I  fear  it  depends  on  too  many  Circumstances 
to  be  duely  attended  to,  All  which  I  have  touched  upon  in  my 
letter  to  Lord  Hillsborough,  which  accompanies  a  Copy  of  the 
Proceedings.  — 

I  have  good  expectations  that  the  Matters  Settled,  and  Resolu- 
tions entered  into  at  this  Treaty  will  prove  a  Severe  Blow  to  the 
ill  disposed  who  are  now  busied  at  the  great  Congress  now  hold- 
ing at  the  Sioto  plains,  in  endeavouring  to  alienate  the  Affections 
of  the  Six  Nations  &ca.  &  to  form  dangerous  Confederacys  con- 
cerning all  which  I  have  taken  measures  to  be  early  apprized  of 
their  Determinations.  — 

As  I  have  been  oblidged  to  advance  a  good  deal  of  Cash  on 
Ace1,  of  the  Expences  lately  incurred,  wh.  his  Majesty  has  been 
pleased  to  allow  me  to  apply  to  You  for,  I  therefore  now  inclose 
You  the  Ace1,  of  Expences  which  attended  the  late  Congress 
apart,  the  payment  of  which,  I  am  necessitated  to  request  Your 
Warrant  for  as  soon  as  convenient.  —  &  that  You  will  beleive 
me  to  be  with  the  most  perfect  Esteem, 

Dear  Sir, 

Your  most  Obedient, 
His  Excellency  &  Affectionate,  Humble  Servant 

General  Gage  —  W,  Johnson 

INDORSED : 

Sr.  Wm.  Johnson 

Aug1.  22<*.  1 770 
Received  Sep1.  2d. 
Inclosing  Proceedings  near 
the  German  Flatts  in  July  1  770 
with  the  Six  Nations,  Indians 
of  Canada  &  Depys.  from  the 
Cherokees.  — 

Expences  of  sd.  Congress  — 
Answered 


Land  Development,  1769-74  853 

TO  HENRY  VAN  SCHAACK 

August  24lh.  1770 
Sir  — 

On  my  return  from  a  Small  excursion  lately  made  for  the 
benifit  of  my  Health,  &  a  little  relaxation  from  business  (with 
which  I  have  been  overburthened  of  late)  I  recd.  your  favour  of 
the  1 6th.2  which  for  a  Severe  Indisposition  in  my  Family,  &  myself 
Tormented  with  a  Violent  Tooth  Ach  I  am  Sorry  I  cannot  so 
fully  answer  as  I  wish  to  do.  However  for  yr.  Government,  I  am 
to  tell  You  that  I  have  not  recommended  any  one  for  the  Sheriff- 
ship, neither  shall  I  to  yr.  prejudice,  so  that  I  hope  Your  freinds  at 
York  will  be  able  to  Succeed.  —  I  thank  You  for  the  Intelli- 
gence contained  in  yr.  letter,  &  being  in  much  pain  as  I  write,  must 
conclude  as  ever 

Sir  Yr.  Hearty  Welwisher 
&  Humble  Serv1. 
Henry  Vanschaack  Esqr.  W,  Johnson 

My  kind  Compliments  to  ye.  Family  in  genr1. 


1  In  Newberry  Library,  Chicago,  Van  Schaack  Papers. 

2  Ante  pp.  847-49. 


TO  GOLDSBROW  BANYAR 

jl  .x_/.v3. 

Johnson  Hall  7K  K  1770  8  PM  — 
Dear  Banyar  — 

Your  favour  of  the  1  7th.  Ult°.2  came  only  by  the  last  Post, 
So  that  this  is  ye.  first  opertunity  I  had  of  Answering  it,  & 
Indeed  I  have  now  only  time  (being  this  Minute  returned  from  a 
Six  Days  Excursion)  to  Send  You  the  Names  to  be  inserted  in  the 


1  In  New  York  Historical  Society,  Banyar  Papers. 

2  Not  found. 


854  Sir  William  Johnson  Papers 

Patent3  for  ye.  Land  wh.  lyes  between  Scohare,  &  the  Mohawk 
Village,  which  I  believe  does  not  exceed  1 6  or  1  7000  Acres.  If 
it  is  more  there  are  names  enough.  Should  it  fall  Short  You  leave 
out  the  names  thus  marked,  +  pray  expedite  it  all  in  yr.  power, 
&  let  me  know  when  it  is  finished.  — 

The  Delay  in  getting  out  a  Patent  for  the  1 4  thousand  Acres 
adjoining  the  Rear  Line  of  Kingsborough  is  a  verry  considerable 
Loss  to  me,  Having  promised  to  let  some  N.  England  People 
have  it,  who  I  fear  have  'ere  now  Changed  their  Mind,  or  Settled 
elsewhere.  If  that  Patent  has  passed  the  Seal,  &  that,  of  the  three 
Half  pay  Officers,  which  Joins  it,  let  me  know  it  by  the  Post.  — 
Can  You  tell  me  whether  any  one  has  been  Petitioning  for  the 
Lands  around  Fort  Stanwix,  or  for  these  lying  to  the  N.  &  S.E.  of 
that  place  &  who? 

Will  You  be  kind  enough  to  tell  Mr.  Colden4  that  I  want  the 
Survey  of  my  26  thousand  Acre  Tract  along  ye.  River  Ada- 
geghteinge,  as  I  cant  proceed  regularly  in  Settling  it,  unless  I 
have  the  Survey.  — 

I  am 

Dear  Banyar 
Your  Sincere  Freind, 
&  Affec".  Humble  Servant 

W.  Johnson 
Golds  Borrow  Banyar  Esqr. 

Excuse  the  great  Hurry  I  write  in  — 

INDORSED : 

Sep'.  1st.  1770 


From  Sir  Wm.  Johnson  — 


s  Post. 

4  Alexander  Colden. 


Land  Development,   1769-74  855 

LIST  OF  NAMES 

A.D.1 

[September  / ,  1770) 


Names  to  be  Inserted  in  the  Patent  — 

Sir  John  Johnson 

Daniel  Claus  Esqr. 

Guy  Johnson  Esqr. 

Thomas  Adems  — 

Cornelius  Bowin  — 

Robert  Picken  — 
-|-John  Freil  — 
-{-[Andrew  H anion]2  — 
-{-[John  Bracfyan] 
^-[Edward  Wall]  — 
-{-[Lawrence  Eman]  — 
-{-[Thomas  Harris]  — 
-{-[Jacob  Harris]  — 
-{[Owen  Connor]  — 
-{-[Edward  Connor)  — 


1  In   New  York  Historical  Society,   Banyar  Papers.  Enclosed  in  letter 
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Land  Development,   1769-74  859 

FROM  THOMAS  GAGE 

Contemporary  Copy1 

NewYorkSep<:17ih.I770. 
Dear  Sir 

About  two  Years  ago  I  received  a  Letter  from  Lord  Hills- 
borough about  a  Petitition  to  the  King  for  opning  mines  in  Lake 
Superior,  and  You  likewise,  I  think  received  a  Letter  from  his 
Lordship  on  the  same  Subject.2 

Till  within  these  few  Days,  I  never  heard  more  of  the  Project 
or  Projectors;  but  Cap1.  Turnbull3  writes  from  Michilimackinac, 
that  the  Miners  have  seated  themselves  on  the  Carrying  Place  of 
S*.  Mary ;  where  they  have  built  a  Stockeded  Fort,  and  are  build- 
ing a  Vessel,  One  Baxter4  An  Agent  of  the  Company,  has  also 
thought  proper  to  write  at  last,  and  tells  me  the  same. 

I  need  not  mention  the  impropriety  of  these  Proceedings  at 
present,  but  I  should  be  glad  you  would  inform  me,  if  you  have 
ever  been  applied  to,  to  conciliate  the  Indians  to  their  Measures  of 
Mining  and  fortfying  &ca.  or  whether  you  have  Knowledge  that 
they  have  been  talked  with  on  the  Subject,  and  their  Consent 
obtained.  You  know  very  well  the  Sort  of  People  they  are,  who 
undertake  the  Scheme  of  Mining  in  Lake  Superior,  And  I  am  not 
without  Fears,  that  they  may  bring  us  into  some  Scrape  with  the 
Indians  by  their  Proceedings  and  Behaviour 

I  am  of  Opinion  these  Agents  have  other  Views  than  Mining, 
they  have  possessed  an  important  Pass;  and  may  not  improbably 
have  in  View  to  engross  the  whole  Trade  of  the  Lake  and  the 
Northern  Country.  And  tho'  they  will  soon  tire  their  Employers 
of  Mining,  they  may  enrich  themselves  by  Trade,  as  their  Goods 
&c  will  be  carry'd  by  Boats  and  Vessels  prepared  to  carry  Oar. 
I  wish  we  dont  soon  hear  Complaints  from  all  the  Traders. 


1  In  William  L.  Clements  Library. 

2  Earl  of  Hillsborough  to  Johnson,  Aug.    1 3,    1  768,  Doc.  Rel.   Col 
Hist.  N.  7.,  8:91-92. 

3  Captain  George  Turnbull,  commandant  at  Detroit. 

4  Alexander  Baxter. 


860  Sir  William  Johnson  Papers 

I  forget  whether  I  mentioned  to  you  the  Circumstance  of  an 
Albany  Trader  defrauding  an  Indian,  by  selling  an  Arm-Band 
of  White  Metal  for  Silver.  This  Fellow  should  be  punished  if 
possible,  and  made  to  Satisfy  the  Indian.  Cap1.  Brown5  has  the 
Arm-Band  at  Niagara 

I  am  with  great  Regard 
Dear  Sir 
SR.  Willm.  Johnson  Bar1.  &ca 

INDORSED : 

Copy  — 

To 
Sir  Will™  Johnson  Bar'. 

at 

Johnson  Hall 
New  York  Sep'.  1  7th.  1  770. 


TO  THOMAS  GAGE 
A.L.S.1 

Johnson  Hall  Sepbr.  24ih.  1770 
Dear  Sir  — 

I  have  Just  been  favoured  with  your  letter  of  the  1  7th.  Ins1.2 
concerning  the  Affair  of  the  Mines  in  Lake  Superior,  on  which 
Subject  I  formerly  wrote  You  one  or  Two  letters  in  consequence 
of  that  which  I  received  from  Lord  Hillesborough  desiring  my 
opinion,3  which  corresponded  much  with  yours,  I  did  indeed 
think  that  provided  they  acted  with  proper  caution  they  might 
procure  the  permission  of  the  Indians  if  they  did  not  attempt  to 


5  Captain  John  Brown,  commandant  at  Niagara. 

1  In   William   L.    Clements   Library;    draft  in  American   Antiquarian 
Society  is  dated  September  25. 

2  Ante  pp.  859-60. 

3  Johnson  to  Hillsborough,  Dec.  23,    1  768,  in  Doc.  Rel.  Col.  Hist. 
N.  Y.,  8:140-42. 


Land  Development,  1769-74  861 

make  Settlements,  but  I  verry  much  doubted  any  Agents  they 
could  get,  feared  it  might  create  a  Jealousy  amongst  our  People 
w*1.  would  soon  communicate  itself  to  the  Indians,  and  as  to  any 
Advantage  to  be  derived  from  Mines  so  remote  and  with  so  many 
portages  between  them  &  the  Sea.  It  solely  depended  on  the 
veracity  of  the  Agents  Reports.  I  heard  no  more  of  it  for  a  long 
time,  'till  on  my  return  from  the  late  Treaty4  I  received  a  letter 
from  the  Committee  in  London5  inclosed  in  one  of  an  old  Date 
from  Baxter6  Letting  me  know  that  I  had  been  recommended  for 
a  Concern  in  it  by  one  of  the  Party  which  was  chearfully  agreed 
to  by  the  Company  &ca.  on  which  I  imediately  wrote  them  thank- 
ing them  for  their  good  Intentions,  which  I  assured  them  had  not 
been  mine  and  therefore  declined  the  acceptance  of  any  Concern 
in  it,  That  I  had  no  leisure  "to  engage  in  any  new  Adventure 
more  especially  as  the  undertaking  besides  its  present  uncertainty 
is  from  the  remoteness  of  the  Situation  exposed  to  much  Imposi- 
tion."' I  added  that  tho  the  Indians  might  not  as  yet  seem  averse 
to  it,  I  should  not  be  surprised  if  they  were  in  a  little  time  thro' 
the  Suggestions  of  Others,  or  their  Jealousy  of  the  Introduction  of 
the  English.  —  I  am  happy  on  this  as  well  as  on  all  occasions 
wherein  I  concurr  with  you  in  Sentiments,  and  think  Observations 
extremely  Just  &  probable.  —  They  have  represented  to  me 
that  great  pains  have  been  taken  to  conciliate  the  Affections 
of  the  Indians  &  that  they  appear  well  pleased  with  the  Under- 
taking, this  is  all  I  know  on  that  head,  but  if  tis  true  ye.  Jealousy 
which  the  Traders  must  naturally  have  of  the  Scheme  together 
with  their  building  a  Stockadoed  Fort,  may  soon  be  productive  of 
Uneasinesses,  this  was  what  I  all  along  observed  and  that  the 
practicability  of  it  must  solely  depend  on  the  freindship  of  ye. 


4  Congress  at  German  Flats,  July  1  770. 

5  From  Samuel  Touchet  et  al,  Feb.  10,  1770,  Johnson  Papers, 
7:383-84. 

6  From  Alexander  Baxter,  July  6,  1  770,  Johnson  Papers,  7:790-92. 

7  See  draft  of  letter  to  Samuel  Touchet,  et  al,  Sept.  5,  1770,  Johnson 
Papers,  7:882-83.  This  draft  was  probably  expanded  to  include  the  fol- 
lowing argument;  the  direct  quotation  does  not  appear  in  the  draft. 


862  Sir  William  Johnson  Papers 

Indians  and  the  guarding  against  any  thing  that  might  afford  them 
ye.  Smallest  Jealousy.  —  Indeed  I  think  with  You  that  'tis  ex- 
tremely probable  the  Agents  have  more  in  view  than  Mining  the 
uncertainty  of  which  I  often  observed  and  in  my  late  letter  to  the 
Committee  I  remarked  "that  it  is  not  the  Interest  of  those  employed 
to  conduct  such  an  Undertaking  to  discover  any  particulars  that 
might  abate  the  Ardour  of  those  whose  Cash  is  to  Support  it.  — 

I  think  you  once  mentioned  to  me  the  Circumstance  Concerning 
the  Conduct  of  the  Albany  Traders  which  I  beleive  escaped  my 
memory,  It  is  a  verry  difficult  matter  to  procure  any  Satisfaction 
from  those  People,  from  the  nature  of  their  Connections,  However 
I  shall  do  what  I  can  in  it  as  soon  as  possible  as  well  for  the 
Satisfaction  of  the  Indian,  as  the  punishment  of  the  Offender.  — 

In  my  last  the  other  day,  I  amongst  other  things  Acquainted 
You  of  my  proposed  Tour  to  the  Indian  Country  and  requested 
that  you  would  transmit  your  Commands  to  L4.  Guy  Johnson  in 
my  Absence,  I  have  therefore  now  only  to  add  that  I  am  Just 
Setting  out  on  my  Journey,  and  that  I  am 

Always  with  perfect  Regard,       Dear  Sir, 
Your  most  Obedient 
&  verry  Humble  Servant, 

W  Johnson 
His  Excellency 
LT.  General  Gage  — 


indorsed : 


Sir  Wm.  Johnson 
Sep4.  24* ,  1 770. 

Received  Octr.  6th.  — 
Answered  — 


8  See  letter  of  Sept.  1  7,  1  770,  ante  pp.  859-60. 


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872  Sir  William  Johnson  Papers 

FROM  THOMAS  GAGE 

Contemporary  Copy1 

New  York  October  8A.  1770. 
Dear  Sir 

I  am  to  thank  you  for  your  Letters  of  21st.2  &  24th.3  Ultmo. 
tho'  not  much  to  trouble  you  with.  Mr.  Glazier's4  Ace1,  as  also 
that  of  Andrew  Wimple  inclosed  in  your  first  Letter,  shall  be 
settled.  I  am  sorry  you  have  no  better  Opinion  about  the  Pro- 
ceedings of  the  Mining  Company  in  Lake  Superior,  what  you 
write  on  that  Head,  confirms  Suspicions  which  I  should  have  been 
pleased  to  find  ill  grounded.  Those  People  should  not  have  been 
permitted  to  begin  the  smallest  undertaking,  till  a  Certificate  had 
been  obtained  from  you  that  all  their  Intentions  and  undertakings 
had  been  made  known  to,  and  thoroughly  understood  by  the 
Indians  and  their  general  Consent  obtained  for  their  Proceedings 
on  the  Project.  And  indeed  other  Points  should  also  have  been 
settled,  to  the  Satisfaction  of  all  the  Traders.  I  have  mentioned 
the  affair  to  Lord  Hillsborough,  so  that  if  any  Disaster  happens, 
he  will  not  be  so  much  surprized  at  it. 

You  will  hear  from  Mr.  Croghan,  for  I  have  this  Moment 
Letters  from  Fort  Pitt;  by  which  I  find  all  the  Western  Tribes 
over  the  Lakes,  or  about  Lake  Michigan,  and  those  of  the 
Oubache  have  agreed  to  make  Peace  with  the  Cherokees  and 
Southern  Indians.  A  great  Chief  of  the  Creeks  at  Pensacola,  ex- 
pressed great  Obligations  to  us,  for  the  Services  rendered  them,  in 
the  Peace  lately  made  between  his  Nation  and  the  Chactaws;  but 
appeared  very  reserved  when  questioned  about  the  Embassy  in  his 
Nation  from  the  Shawnese,  he  said  however,  their  Talk  was  bad, 
and  another  Embassy  was  expected  from  them  about  the  time  of 
the  green  Corn  Dance,  and  assured  us  he  should  not  keep  their 


i 


In  William  L.  Clements  Library. 

2  Johnson  Papers,  7:910-11. 

3  Ante  pp.  860-62. 

4  Captain  Beamsly  Glasier. 


Land  Development,   1769-74  873 

Business  a  Secret  from  us.  The  Shawnese  have  been  very  Active 
for  some  time  and  are  certainly  hatching  some  great  Peice  of 
Mischief. 

I  am  with  great  Regard 
Dear  Sir 

SR.  Willm.  Johnson  Bar*.  &ca  — 

INDORSED : 

Copy/ 

To 
Sir  Will™.  Johnson  Bar1, 
at 

Johnson  Hall 
New  York  8th.  Ocf .  1 770. 


GUY  JOHNSON  TO  THOMAS  GAGE 
A.L.S.1 

Gu^ParkOctr./8iKI770. 
Sir, 

In  Sir  William's  Absence  I  had  the  Honor  to  receive  your  Ex- 
cellency's Letter  of  the  8th.  Ins1.2  to  him,  which  I  am  to  Answer 
agreable  to  the  Letter  he  wrote  you  previous  to  his  departure.  —  3 
He  is  I  beleive  at  present  about  Setting  out  on  his  return  from 
the  Seneca  Country,  the  Season  being  so  far  advanced.  — 

Mr.  Croghan  was  to  wait  Sometime  at  Fort  Pitt  in  order  to 
Meet  some  Chiefs  from  Scioto  that  were  desirous  to  see  him.  Sir 
William  will  I  dare  say  more  fully  Answer  your  Excellencys 
Letter,  and  be  enabled  to  transmit  some  Intelligence  on  the  sub- 
ject of  the  late  procedings  amongst  the  Indians.  — 


1  In  William  L.  Clements  Library. 

2  Ante  pp.  872-73. 

3  September  24,  I  770.  Ante  pp.  860-62. 


874  Sir  William  Johnson  Papers 

I  shall  Endeavor  to  execute  any  thing  that  your  Excellency 
may  think  necessary  during  his  absence,  and  communicate  any 
Material  Intelligence  that  may  come  to  my  hands.  — 

I  have  the  Honor  to  be,  with  great  respect 
Sir,  Your  Excellencys 

most  Obedient  & 
most  humble  Servant 

G.  Johnson 
His  Excellcy. 
Lieut.  General  Gage 

indorsed : 

Mr.  Guy  Johnson  Depy. 
Indn.  Agent 

Oct'.  18*1770 

Received  Octr.  27th. 


TO  GOLDSBROW  BANYAR 
A.L.S.1 

Johnson  Hall  Novb'.  5*  1770 
Dear  Banyar  — 

On  my  Return  from  the  Six  Nation  Country  a  few  days  ago, 
Your  favour  of  the  1 st.  Ult0.2  with  the  Patent  for  the  1 400  Acres 
was  delivered  to  me  by  Co1.  Johnson3  with  whom  Mr.  Wallace4 
left  them,  I  am  glad  to  find  by  Sd.  letter  that  the  3  Patents  for  the 
Half  Pay  Lands  are  Issued,  as  are  the  2  Gentlemen  here  namely 
Claus  &  Mc.Leod  whom  I  made  I  acquainted  with  it.  please  to 
send  Lf.  Roberts  Patent  to  Me  &  I  will  pay  the  Fees  of  it  for  him 
as  he  is  in  England,  The  other  Two  will  pay  their  own.  —  As 


1  In  New  York  Historical  Society,  Banyar  Papers. 

2  Not  found. 

3  Guy  Johnson. 

4  Hugh  Wallace. 


Land  Development,   1769-74  875 

You  dont  mention  any  thing  of  the  Tract  between  Scohare  &  the 
Mohawks,  which  the  Inds.  gave  to  a  Number  of  Officers  who 
served  in  my  Department,  &  wh.  I  wrote  You  some  time  ago  that 
I  would  pay  the  Fees  of,  they  are  uneasy  least  a  Disapointment 
should  happen,  pray  let  me  know  in  yr.  next  how  that  affair  is. 
When  all  is  finished  Send  me  a  particular  Ace1,  of  the  Fees  of 
Each  Patent,  and  I  will  settle  it  without  delay.  —  You  have  I 
beleive  forgot  to  return  my  Bonds.  If  Mr.  Adems  is  Still  at  York, 
it  will  be  a  good  opertunity  to  Send  them  by  him.  — 

The  Deed  I  got  Signed  by  all  the  Cheifs  of  Oneida  for  the 
Orisfyane  Tract,  with  the  Receipt  for  £425  which  I  paid  them 
for  a  quit  claim  lyes  in  my  Hands,  &  I  shall  be  glad  to  be  advised 
what  to  do  w*.  'em,  &  that  the  Said  Sum  be  paid,  as  I  shall  want 
it  for  the  payment  of  Fees  there  at  Yrs.,  &  other  offices,  How  is 
it  with  regard  to  the  Sums  due  to  me  by  those  concerned  in  the 
Oneida  Tract,  wh.  You  were  so  kind  as  to  Say  You  would  collect 
for  me  ?  — 

I  am  daily  Settling  People  on  my  long  Tract  alias  Ada- 
geghteinge,  but  am  at  a  great  loss  for  the  want  of  the  Draft  or 
Survey  of  it,  which  I  wrote  for  Several  times,  will  You  be  so  good 
as  to  get  it  from  Mr.  Colden  &  Send  it  me?  Also  the  Release 
from  You  &  Mr.  Wallace  for  the  Thousand  Acres  at  &  about 
Adigo.  —  Some  Years  ago  the  Indians  gave  me  4  Miles  in 
length,  &  two  in  Breadth  along  the  Adageghteinge  Creek,  running 
from  the  old  place  of  Beginning  near  the  2  Roads,  up  the  Sd. 
Creek  towards  the  Source  thereof,  in  lieu  of  the  Lands  below 
Tianaderra  which  I  gave  up  to  them,  &  which  I  mentioned  form- 
erly to  You  &  Mr.  Wallace,  &  expected  it  would  have  been  in- 
cluded in  the  Patent,  &  Mr.  Wallace  assured  me  that  it  was, 
but  upon  examining  it,  I  find  it  is  not  so,  be  pleased  to  let  me 
know  how  that  happened  and  what  can  be  done  in  it,  as  I  would 
not  if  possible  loose  that  part,  it  being  good  land,  and  besides  that, 
I  have  Sold  one  thousand  Acres  of  it  to  an  able  German,  who  was 
the  first  Settler  there.  — 

I  thank  you  for  the  news  you  wrote  me,  &  rejoice  to  hear  that 
everry  thing  there  has  been  carried  so  Successfully  by  our  freinds. 


876  Sir  William  Johnson  Papers 

and  I  heartily  wish  they  may  always  Succeed  against  a  Party 
whose  principles  are  bad,  &  dangerous  to  Government. 
We  are  anxious  to  hear  how  his  Lordship  will  Act. 
I  am  with  Sincere  Regard, 

Dear  Banyar 
Your  Real  Welwisher 
&  Humble  Servant 

W,  Johnson 

Golds  Borrow  Banyar  Esqr. 

indorsed  : 

November  5,  1770 


From  Sir  William  Johnson 

FROM  DANIEL  CAMPBELL 
A.L.S.1 
Schenectady  the  16th.  November  1770 

Dear  Sir 

I  must  Ask  your  Pardon  for  not  Answering  Your  letter  Sooner 
—  but  —  Could  not  well  do  it  as  Mr.  Abrham  Fonda  was  not 
at  Home,  from  whom  I  bought  most  part  of  the  Wheat  —  I  have 
Settled  it  in  Such  a  way  that  you  are  not  to  have  any  more  of  it. 
without  any  loss  to  you  —  I  am  verry  Sorry  for  the  aniss  Crop, 
had  I  been  buying  for  my  own  use  I  shou'd  have  been  deceived  in 
the  Same  maner  — 

The  Quantity  which  You  had  I  am  informed  is  Two  hundred 
Schiples  which  was  at  four  Shillings  pr.  Schiple,  which  I  shall 
Charge  you  with  —  No  London  Vessels  in  yet  but  two,  but  a 
Great  many  hourly  Expected.  no  news  here  —  I  am  Dear  Sir 
with  the  Greatest  Respect 

Your  most  Obedient  Humble  Servant 

Daniel  Campbell 
Sir  William  Johnson 


1  In  New  York  State  Library. 


Land  Development,   1769-74  877 


INDORSED  :" 

Novbr.  16th.  1770 


Major  D1.  Campbels  letter 


2  In  Sir  William's  hand. 


FROM  JAMES  RIVINGTON 

Copy1 

Appendix  to  a  Letter  from  James  Rivington  to  Sir  William 
Johnson,  dated  November  19,  1770. 

The  following  is  an  extract  from  the  Letter  I  received  per 
paquet  from  England : 

Rogers  talks  very  high  of  his  usages  and  demands  large  terms, 
—  to  be  created  an  English  Baronet,  and  have  £600  a  year, 
with  a  Majority  in  the  Army,  or  he  would  not  be  Silent.  They 
have  given  him  all  his  pay  as  Governor  of  Michilimackinac,  to  this 
time,  but  they  have  paid  the  accounts  of  the  Expedition,  and  Boats 
he  sent  from  the  above  mentioned  Post,  to  make  discoveries  in  the 
back  countries,  to  one  Carver.2  Mr.  Fitzherbert,  who  is  his  friend, 
says  he  will  give  him  something,  for  with  his  cursed  impudence  he 
hums3  all  the  great  people,  and  I  firmly  believe  he  will  succeed 
beyond  what  every  one  in  America,  who  knows  him,  could  expect. 


1  Printed  in  Journals  of  Major  Robert  Rogers,  p.  257.  The  letter  with- 
out the  appendix  is  in  the  Johnson  Papers,  7:1015. 

2  Jonathan  Carver,  whose  travels  were  published.   —  Hough's  note. 

3  A  "hum"  (obsolete)  is  an  imposition  or  hoax.  —  Hough's  note. 


878 


Sir  William  Johnson  Papers 


FROM  RICHARD  SHUCKBURGH 
A.L.S.1 

[SchonectadyNov.28]1770 

ble  to  your  Request  to  Mr.  Campbell 
|le  Member  and  put  him  in  mind 
is  consistant  wth.  your  wish  the  Party 
oppos'd  the  fair  pretensions  of  his  Constituents 
was  ever  so  great  a  speaker  he  coud  seldom 
wasn't  alone  so  that  in  gratitude  he  should  join 
inclinations  were  to  serve  him  &  the  People  he 
that  up  to  you  he  coud  not  in  the  least  think 
ed  any  favour  but  was  prompted  to  throw 
of  yr.  interest  where  it  woud  prevail  mor 
the  Majority  of  ye.  Inhabitants  many  of  whom 
requested  it  of  you,  now  in  consequence  of  th[ 
somewhat  that  the  Oppo[ 
New  York  next  opening  of  ye.  [ 

Mr.  Baptist  V.  Eps  &  Ryer  Wemple  [ 
the  Affair  the  first  of  their  Gov[ 
You  this  and  both  will  infor[ 
ing  the  Promises  than  I  [ 

Mr.  Isaac  Vroman  &  [ 
attending  ye.  Assembly  [ 
Mr.  Campbell  he  seem'd  [ 
Jit  to  ye.  M[ 
ADDRESSED : 

To  [  ]ble 

Sr.  Will[  ]son  Baronet 

at  Johnson  Hall 
Albany. 


1  Date  from  Johnson  Calendar,  p.  472,  where  it  is  described  as  "on 
politics,  mentioning  Mr.  Campbell,  (Jacobus  Mynderse),  Baptist  V.  Eps, 
Ryer  Wemp  [sic],  Isaac  Vroman  and  Stopphele  Yates." 


Land  Development,  1769-74  879 

FROM  JACOBUS  MYNDERSE 

Schenectady  29th.  Nov'.  1770  — 

As  Mr.  Reyer  Schermerhorn  &  his  Adherents  have  some  time 
agoe  preferred  a  Petition  to  the  General  Assembly  of  New  York 
praying  an  Act  for  the  Partition  of  this  Township  with  a  Copy  of 
which  we  were  served,  and  in  order  to  prevent  the  hardships  that 
would  accrue  to  this  place  if  such  partition  should  take  place,  the 
Trustees  preferred  another  Petition  the  last  Sessions  praying  the 
House  that  Schermerhoms  Petition  might  be  dismissed,  in  Conse- 
quence of  which  the  House  have  ordered  that  the  Trustees  &c. 
should  appear  either  by  themselves  or  Attorney  the  ensueing  Ses- 
sions to  make  good  the  Alligations  set  forth  in  their  petition 
agl.  Schermerhorn  &  his  Adherents  in  pursuance  whereof  the 
Trustees  have  |  Jomited  proper  persons  to  transact  their 

Business  for  them  [  |  therefore  sensible  that  your 

Interest  would  add  great  |  |  their  measures,  they  beg 

that  you'd  (Considering  the  hardships  they  lie  under)  support 
their  undertaking  by  your  influence  among  your  friends  in  New 
York  in  such  a  manner  as  you  think  proper. 

And  as  I  shall  set  off  for  New  York  soon  if  possible  I  should 
be  very  glad  of  executing  any  Commands  you  may  please  to 
favour  me  with.       I  [  ]  Sir 

Your  H[  ] 

[  ] 

To  SR.  Willm.  Johnson  Bar1. 

INDORSED:1 

Schenectady  29th.  9K  1  770 


Jacobus  Mynerdses  Leter 


1  In  Sir  William's  hand. 


880  Sir  William  Johnson  Papers 

TO  GOLDSBROW  BANYAR 

Johnson  Hall  Deck.  20th.  1770 
Dear  Banyar  — 

I  have  now  only  to  acknowledge  ye.  Receipt  of  the  Patent  & 
Bonds  by  Mr.  Adems,  [&  to  acknowledge]  also  My  mistake  re- 
garding the  Bounds  of  Adageghteinge  Patent,  which  in  my  last 
to  You2  I  desired  to  know  ye.  reason  why  the  4  Miles  at  the  upper 
End,  or  above  Harpers  Corner  was  not  included,  this  Blunder  was 
owing  to  my  looking  no  farther  at  that  time,  than  at  ye.  place  of 
Beginning,  which  is  at  Harpers  Northerly  Corner,  &  from 
thence  Concluded  that  it  went  no  higher;  but  on  reexamining  the 
Bounds  I  find  that  all  is  right.    So  beg  your  pardon.  — 

Expecting  your  Answer  to  the  other  parts  of  My  last  letter, 
I  have  now  only  to  wish  You  the  Complimts.  of  the  approaching 
Season,  and  to  assure  You  that  I  am  most  cordialy, 

Your  Affectionate  Freind 
&  Humble  Servant 

W  Johnson 
Golds  Borrow  Banyar,  Esqr. 

pray  be  pleased  to  Send  me  the  Bounds  of  a  Small  Patent  form- 
erly taken  up  by  Tiddy  Mc.Gin3  Mr.  Livingston  &ca.  above  y<\ 
German  Flats  on  ye.  North  Side  of  ye.  Mohawk  River  &  partly 
in  my  Royal  Grant. 

ADDRESSED: 

To  29 

DE 

Golds  Borrow  Banyar  Esqr. 

New  York 


1  In  New  York  Historical  Society,  Banyar  Papers. 

2  November  5,  1  770.  Ante  pp.  874-76. 

3  Teady  Magin. 


INDORSED: 


Land  Development,   1769-74  88! 


December  20:  1770 


From  Sir  Wm.  Johnson  — 


Lords  Journal  23d.  M'.  1620 
3d.  11&12Dec'.  1621 
Com.  Journal  19  Nov.   1675 
Show  parliament  C  81 
Ryley's  placita  parliamentaria 


TO  THOMAS  GAGE 

Johnson  Hall  Janry.  4th.  1771  — 
Dear  Sir  — 

I  hope  You  will  excuse  my  not  having  Sooner  answered  your 
last  favour,  as  I  was  prevented  from  doing  any  business  for  Several 
Days  with  a  Severe  Cold  &  Violent  pain  in  my  Thigh.  —  My 
Information  of  the  Parties  gone  to  the  Southward  is  as  appears 
from  your  letter  Corroborated  by  Accounts  Received  from  Fort 
Pitt.  I  wish  that  no  111  consequences  may  Attend  the  Peace 
entered  into  between  the  Six  Nations  &  the  Cherokees,  You  may 
recollect  that  I  was  not  much  for  it,  &  I  hinted  my  reasons  to  his 
Majestys  Ministers,  because  the  Northern  Indians  cant  be  Idle, 
and  the  War  found  business  for  the  most  turbulent  &  Peevish 
amongst  the  Northern  Indians,  but  kept  the  Cherokees  Sufficiently 
employed  in  Warding  of  the  Danger,  Whereas  a  peace  if 
Sincere  would  be  naturally  attended  with  an  Union  of  Measures 
amongst  Indians,  and  under  these  Circumstances  Humanity 
Should  Yeild  to  good  Policy,  as  the  preservation  of  our  own 
People  should  be  the  first  Object  of  Consideration.  —  I  hope  Still 
that  the  Sentiments  with  which  the  Indians  returned  from  the  last 


1  In  William  L.  Clements  Library. 


882  Sir  William  Johnson  Papers 

Treaty  will  dwell  on  their  minds  for  some  time  and  prevent  any 
Union  with  the  Southern  Indians  that  may  be  prejudicial  to  Us. 
—  I  have  wrote  a  few  lines  to  Cap*.  Brown,2  who  certainly  acted 
verry  properly  when  the  Unlucky  Accident  happened  at  Niagra, 
He  also  transmitted  me  a  Copy  of  his  proceedings,  but  I  have 
heard  from  that  Quarter  since,  that,  after  the  Conference  when 
the  Murderers  were  delivered  up,  Just  before  the  Indians  de- 
camped the  Soldier  dyed,  which  was  a  verry  unlucky  Circum- 
stance because  they  were  in  case  of  his  Death  to  deliver  the 
Murderer  up,  and  as  it  is  well  known  what  a  difficult  matter  that 
is  to  effect,  as  well  as  the  Steps  they  have  frequently  taken  when 
urged  on  such  occasions,  It  is  not  easy  to  say  what  should  now 
be  done,  because  we  cannot  at  all  times  prudently  undertake 
what  we  ought,  and  if  it  is  undertaken  we  certainly  should  go  thro 
with  it  at  all  events.  — 

I  am  sensible  that  liquor  may  be  secreted,  or  brought  Amongst 
the  Indians,  so  as  to  elude  the  Vigilance  of  the  most  active  Com- 
manding Officers,  but  still,  if  the  Government,  or  rather  ye. 
American  Colonies  could  be  induced  to  take  proper  measures  for 
restricting  it  to  particular  places  or  limitting  the  Quantity  of  it, 
It  would  in  a  great  Measure  effect  the  desired  End,  especially  if 
proper  Officers  are  enabled  to  do  their  Duty  upon  the  occasion 
without  the  hazard  of  a  Civil  Action  when  they  come  down  the 
Country.  —  This  was  the  Case  of  Lieu1.  Roberts,3  who  from  all 
that  has  been  laid  before  me,  appears  to  have  acted  as  he  ought 
to  do,  and  indeed  [as]  the  Commds.  officer  ordered  but  neverthe- 
less an  Action  still  depends  at  York  which  has  put  him  to  some 
trouble  and  Expence,  'tho  I  am  realy  of  opinion  the  Crown  should 
defray  it,  &  support  him,  And  I  promised  him  I  should  apply  to 
You  about  it.  Mr.  Kemp4  the  Attx.  General,  &  Wetherhead5 
have  the  Management  of  it.  —  If  the  Indians  would  Stave  the 


2  To  Captain  John  Brown,  commandant  at  Niagara,  Dec.  29,    1  770, 
Johnson  Papers,   7 : 1  052. 

3  Lieut.  Benjamin  Roberts,  commissary  at  Michilimackinac. 

4  John  Tabor  Kempe. 

5  John  Wetherhead. 


Land  Development,   1769-74  883 

liquor  without  proceeding  farther  it  might  not  be  amiss,  but  besides 
that  it  is  difficult  to  stop  there,  they  observe  that  the  Temptation 
is  too  great  for  them,  and  altho  at  a  public  Congress,  the  Cheifs 
Sensible  of  its  fatal  Effects  make  heavy  Complaints  against  it,  I 
believe  few  of  them  have  Virtue  enough  to  resist  what  they  con- 
demn, when  it  is  brought  to  their  Villages,  or  to  places  where  their 
Situation  enhances  its  Value.  — 

I  am  with  great  Truth  and  Regard 
Dear  Sir, 

Your  most  Obedient 
His  Excellency  Humble  Servant 

LT.  General  Gage  W  Johnson 


indorsed: 


Sr.  Wm.  Johnson 
Jannr.4*.  1771. 

Received  JanT.  12th. 
Answered  — 


TO  AUGUSTINE  PREVOST 

A.L.S.1 

Johnson  Hall  J  amy.  16th.  1771 
Dear  Sir  — 

Your  favour  of  the  13th.2  I  received  Yesterday  by  your  Man, 
It  gives  me  no  small  concern  to  learn  thereby  the  disagreable 
Situation  You  are  left  in,  for  I  am  no  Stranger  to  the  boorish  nay 
brutish  Disposition  of  the  Country  People  on  such  like  Occasions, 
having  seen  (since  my  residence  in  this  Country)  several  Speci- 
mens of  It.  —  As  nothing  can  afford  me  more  real  pleasure  than 
Serving  my  freind  in  time  of  Need  as  far  as  in  my  power,  You 
may  therefore  command  my  Purse  for  what  ever  little  Sums  Your 
present  Wants  may  require,  and  as  You  say  the  Bearer  may  be 


1  In  Albany  Institute  of  History  and  Art,  Albany,  N.  Y. 

2  Not  found. 


884  Sir  William  Johnson  Papers 

trusted,  I  send  by  him  1 5  Half  Joes  at  64s  <P  which  is  £  48  — 
More  You  may  have  at  any  time.3  —  I  shall  also  pay  Tice4  what 
you  had  of  him  this  Day.  —  I  imediately  Sent  the  Bill  to  Mr. 
Wallace5  who  writes  me  he  will  pay  it  [ 

I  am  extremely  glad  to  he[ar 
little  Ones  are  well,  please  to  p[ 
to  her  &ca.  &  believe  me  Dear  [ 

Y".  Real  W[  ] 

&  Humble  [  ] 

Major  Prevost7 

Yr.  freind  Claus  has  been  wrapped  up  in  flannels  some  time,  with 
ye.  fashionable  disorder  the  Gout,  but  is  now  better.  — 
PS  —  I  herewith  Send  you  a  Letter  for  Mr.  Croghan  wh. 
came  lately  to  me  inclosed  in  a  Packet  from  London,  I  take  it  to 
be  from  Mr.  Wharton,8  and  perhaps  something  Consequential,  I 
wish  he  had  it,  but  I  dont  know  how  &  where  to  Send  it  to  him, 
having  heard  nothing  from  him  Since  the  time  I  mentioned  to 
You.  —  All  hereabouts  are  well  &  lively.  The  Town  is  a  mere 
thorough  Fair,  Everry  Day  full  of  Sleds  bringing  Ashes  to  the 
Mayor,  [&]  others  buying  Goods  from  him  &  Numbers  on  Busi- 
ness to  me,  which  realy  makes  the  place  more  lively  than  Albany 
or  Schenectady,  who  are  Suffering  for  the  want  of  Snow.  — 
Phyn9  has  got  a  Son,  Doctor  Shuckburgh10  lost  his  Grandson 


3  For  reference  to  this  loan,  see  letter  of  Prevost,  Nov.  10,  1771. 
Johnson  Calendar,  p.  495. 

4  Gilbert  Tice. 

5  Hugh  Wallace.  See  letter  of  Feb.  18,  1771.  Johnson  Calendar,  p. 
478. 

6  One  corner  of  the  manuscript  is  torn  off  with  the  signature.  Brackets 
indicate  missing  portion. 

7  Augustine  Prevost  was  the  son  of  the  British  general  of  that  name.  He 
married  the  daughter  of  George  Croghan,  and  with  Croghan  took  up 
property  in  the  vicinity  of  Otsego  Lake. 

8  Samuel  Wharton,  then  residing  in  London. 

9  James  Phyn  of  Schenectady. 

10  Dr.  Richard  Shuckburgh,  living  in  Schenectady. 


Land  Development,  1769-74  885 

verry  Suddenly,  we  have  got  2  Missionaries11  over  for  Sche- 
nectady &  the  Mohawks,  who  have  great  Audiences  when  they 
preach.  —  As  for  forreign  news  refer  You  to  the  papers,  wh.  I 
presume  You  get.  — 

Y». 

WJ  — 

TO  GOLDSBROW  BANYAR 

A.L.S.1 

Johnson  Hall 1 '8*  J  amy.  1771 
My  Dear  Banyar 

What  have  I  done  to  deserve  this  Slight?  It  is  now  above 
2  Months  Since  I  wrote  You,2  but  have  not  had  the  pleasure  of  a 
line.  I  cant  realy  charge  myself  with  having  done  any  thing 
that  could,  or  ought  to  Dissolve,  or  even  Slacken  that  Freindship 
so  long  Subsisting  between  Us.  I  shall  be  uneasy  until  I  know 
the  Cause  of  it,  which  I  beg  may  be  as  Soon  as  convenient.  — 
I  wrote  on  the  5th.  of  Novbr.3  on  Several  Subjects,  &  expected 
long  ere  now  yr.  Answer,  which  would  have  been  to  me  of  some 
Service.  —  I  am  notwithstanding  Your  Real  Welwisher 

&  Humble  Servant 

W,  Johnson 
Golds  Borrow  Banyar  Esqr. 

addressed  : 

To 

Golds  Borrow  Banyar  Esqr. 
New  York 
INDORSED : 

18  January  1  771 


Sir  William  Johnson 


11  Reverend  John  Stuart,  who  was  stationed  at  Fort  Hunter,   and  the 
Reverend  Mr.  Hall  at  Canajoharie.  See  Doc.  Hist.  N.  Y.,  4:428,  438. 

1  In  New  York  Historical  Society,  Banyar  Papers. 

2  This  overlooks  the  letter  of  December  20,  1  770.  Ante  pp.  880-81 . 

3  Ante  pp.  874-76. 


886  Sir  William  Johnson  Papers 

FROM  THOMAS  GAGE 

Contemporary  Copy1 

NewYork21stJanry.l771. 
Dear  Sir 

I  take  the  Liberty  to  inclose  you  a  Packett  of  Letters  directed 
to  Niagara,  which  I  am  to  beg  the  favor  of  you  to  forward  by 
Express  as  soon  as  it  can  be  done,  the  Letters  contain  some  Orders 
of  Consequence,  which  require  Expedition. 

The  Paper  inclosed  is  an  Extract  of  a  Letter  from  Niagara 
from  Cap1.  Brown.2  I  had  heard  of  the  Indian  therein  mentioned, 
but  he  brought  nothing  of  moment  that  I  know  of.  His  returning 
with  such  a  number  of  Belts  and  passing  so  many  Nations,  Speaks 
his  Business  to  have  been  of  an  Extraordinary  Nature:  If  you 
are  Acquainted  with  is  Errand,  I  conclude  all  is  right. 

We  are  still  uncertain  as  to  Peace  or  War ;  if  the  latter  shall  be 
determined,  a  Frigate  will  be  dispatched  with  the  News. 

I  am  with  great  Regard 
Dear  Sir 
SR.  WM.  Johnson  &ca  — 

INDORSED : 

Copy./.      To 

Sir  William  Johnson 

At 

Johnson  hall 
New  York  January  2 1 sf.  1771 


1  In  William  L.  Clements  Library. 

2  Captain  John  Brown,  commandant  at  Niagara. 


Land  Development,  1769-74  887 

FROM  GABRIEL  MATURIN 

A.L.1 

Monday  21st.  J  any.  1771  — 

Captain  Maturin's  Compts.  wait  upon  Sir  William  Johnson. 
General  Gage's  Letter  expresses  but  one  "Packet  of  Letters  for 
Niagara"  to  be  forwarded,  but  the  Letters  have  accumulated  so, 
that  Captain  Maturin  has  been  obliged  to  make  up  separate  the 
Dispatches  for  Niagara  &  Detroit,  both  of  which  Sir  Wm. 
Johnson  will  recieve  under  separate  Covers  by  this  Post. 

ADDRESSED : 

Sir  Wm.  Johnson  Bf. 

INDORSED:2 

Monday  2 H  Jam*.  1771  — 
Cap*.  Maturins  Letter  — 


1  In  Historical  Society  of  Pennsylvania,  Gratz  Collection. 

2  In  Sir  William's  hand. 


AN  INDIAN  CONFERENCE 

A.D.1 

[Johnson  Hall,  Jan.  19-23,  1771] 

At  a  Meeting  of  all  the  Cononwaraghare  Cheifs  Warriors 
&ca.  at  Johnson  Hall  Jam*.  19th.  1  771  — 

Takawaron  Speaker  — 

Made  a  long  Speech  concern^,  the  Part  they  Acted  in  ye.  late 
Indn.  War,  when  they  reminded  Sir  Wm.  of  the  Promises  made  to 
him  at  that  time,  Vizf.  of  ever  Acting  agreable  to  his  Commands, 
being  now  babtized  &  received  Members  of  our  Church,  and  that 
if  any  Nation  was  to  hurt  him  they  would  resent  it  &ca.     To  all 


1  In  Canadian  Archives,  Indian  Records,  Vol.  9. 


888  Sir  William  Johnson  Papers 

which,  they  said,  he  only  thanked  them,  [&]  approved  of  their 
Resolutions,  and  recommended  it  to  them  to  keep  strictly  to  them, 
which  they  Say,  they  have  religiously  done  &  now  request  to  know 
his  Sentiments  with  regard  to  their  Nation  As  they  cannot  be 
Easy  or  happy  until  that  is  known.  — 

A  large  Bunch  of  White  Wampum 
2d.  They  complained  much  of  Gov.  Penns2  drawing  [in]  some  of 
their  People  into  his  Quarrel  with  the  Connecticuts,  as  he  did 
last  Year,  when  he  took  the  New  England  Peoples  Fort,  &  which 
had  verry  near  occasioned  a  Number  of  their  People  to  enter  into 
the  Quarrel,  which  might  become  general,  they  therefore  desire 
that  for  the  future  The  Contending  Partys  will  make  no  applica- 
tion to,  or  engage  any  Indians  in  their  Quarrel,  least  they  have 
reason  to  repent  it,  and  this  they  requested  might  be  made  known 
to  Both.  — 

3  d.  The  Oughquagoes  complained  to  them,  that  the  line  which 
they  understand  the  Gov.  of  Pensilvania  is  to  run  from  Owegy 
[Easterly]  is  to  be  a  Due  East  line  wh.  would  come  close  to  their 
Towns,  whereas  they  never  looked  upon  it  in  that  light,  but  that 
it  was  to  be  an  Easterly  line,  and  they  hope  that  Mr.  Penn  will 
act  die  Honest  Man  therein,  otherwise  he  will  give  great  umbrage 
to  the  whole  Confederacy  — 

4th.  They  desired  to  know  what  bounds  the  King  wanted  from 
them  in  order  to  Close  the  Boundary  Line  from  Canada  Creek.  — 

Janry.  23d.  1771  Sir  Wm.  being  oblidged  to  go  from  Home 
for  a  Couple  of  Days,  prevented  his  Answering  them  Sooner, 
Being  all  Assembled  in  the  Council  Room  Sir  Wm.  Told  them 
he  was  glad  to  See  them,  &  to  find  that  they  were  so  mindfull  of 
the  Engagements  they  entered  into  with  him  in  the  Year  1  763, 
That  He  was  well  pleased  wlh.  their  conduct  ever  Since,  and 
Assured  them  that  as  long  as  they  continued  to  behave  as  they 
have  hitherto  done  they  will  find  In  him  a  firm  Freind,  and  that 
they  might  depend  upon  it,  that  after  his  Death  whoever  the  King 


2  John  Penn,  lieutenant  governor  of  Pennsylvania. 


Land  Development,  1769-74  889 

shall  think  proper  to  Succeed  him,  will  from  ye.  Character 
He  will  see  of  them  in  my  Books  use  them  tenderly  &  as  firm 
freinds,  provided  they  always  continue  the  Same  good  Disposi- 
tion. —  wh.  by  a  Belt  he  recommended  to  them.  — 

A  Belt 

Sir  Wm.  told  them  that  as  to  the  Dispute  between  Mr.  Penn  & 
the  Connecticut  People,  they  should  not  trouble  themselves  about 
it,  that  it  was  now  before  the  King  &  Council  who  would  de- 
termine it,  that  as  to  their  People  being  concerned  therein,  He  had 
never  heard  any  thing  of  it  but  from  them,  that  He  would  write 
Mr.  Penn  on  yl.  Subject,  &  Desired  they  would  speak  to  &  pre- 
vent their  People  from  Joining  either  Party.  Having  nothing  to 
Say  or  do  in  the  Affair,  Since  the  Sale  thereof. 

A  Belt  — 

As  to  the  Line  from  Owegy,  that,  was  Settled  by  the  whole 
Confederacy  at  Fort  Stanwix,  &  would  be  run  agreable  thereto 
and  would  not  come  near  to  Oughquagoe  but  to  a  Creek  which 
was  mentioned  at  the  time. 

Sir  Wm.  told  them  in  answer  to  their  last  Speech  or  rather  Ques- 
tion that  the  King  desired  nothing  but  what  was  reasonable  & 
agreable  to  them,  that  they  must  know  unless  there  is  a  Northerly 
Line  Run  to  close  the  whole  there  must  Still  be  a  Door  open  for 
Encroachments  which  He  is  desireous  of  preventing  by  the 
Method  proposed.  &  which  Sir  Wm.  Strongly  recommendd.  the 
Consideration  of,  as  [it  would  be]  the  only  means  of  Securing  to 
them  the  remainder  of  their  Lands,  &  thereby  prevent  any  Dis- 
putes between  them  &  their  Bretheren  the  White  People  here- 
after. 


890  Sir  William  Johnson  Papers 

TO  THOMAS  GAGE 

Johnson  Hall,  Janry.  31st.  1 771  — 

Dear  Sir  — 

I  have  received  your  favours  of  the  14th.2  &  21st.  Ins1.,3  the 
former  accompanied  with  a  Copy  of  the  proceedings  with  some 
Indians  at  Fort  Pitt,  by  which  I  am  Surprised  to  find  that  Thomas 
King  with  his  party  had  not  got  farther  on  their  way  to  the  South- 
ward. —  I  dont  wonder  at  his  Expressing  his  Wants  and  De- 
mands there,  for  I  understand  he  has  revelled  at  all  the  Castles  on 
the  way,  and  Sold  his  &  partys  Cloaths  &ca.  which  they  had  of  me. 
However  I  expect  his  Journey  will  be  of  a  good  deal  of  Service, 
for  the  purport  of  his  Belts  will  shew  the  Indians  to  ye.  Southward 
that  the  Northern  Nations  appear  to  pay  great  regard  to  our 
Advice  &  Interest.  — 

If  I  can  possibly  fall  upon  any  practicable  Step  for  procuring 
the  delivery  up  of  the  Seneca  who  killed  the  Soldier,4  I  shall  not 
neglect  it,  convinced  of  the  propriety  of  your  Observations  on  that 
Subject  which  perfectly  Correspond  with  my  own,  and  I  shall 
verry  readily  agree  to  propose  any  heads  for  a  Law  restricting  or 
regulating  the  Sale  of  Rum  if  there  is  any  prospect  of  its  being 
adopted  by  the  American  Legislatures.  —  With  your  favour  of 
the  21st.  Ins1.  I  receivd  Two  Pacquets  one  of  which  was  men- 
tioned in  your  letter,  and  the  other  with  a  Note  from  Cap*. 
Maturin,5  and  I  shall  Send  them  away  with  a  Safe  Hand  this 
Day.  —  The  Indian  Called  OfyeyeTDass  mentioned  in  Cap1. 
Browns  letter0  is  a  person  of  Consequence  whom  I  formerly  men- 
tioned to  You.     He  came  to  me  before  the  late  Treaty  at  the 


1  In  William  L.  Clements  Library;  draft  in  mutilated  form  was  printed 
in  Johnson  Papers,  7:1  1  17-18. 

2  Johnson  Papers,  7:1076-77. 

3  Ante  p.  886. 

4  See  letter  to  John  Brown,  Dec.  29,  1  770,  Johnson  Papers,  7:1052. 

5  Captain  Gabriel  Maturin. 

6  Oct.  1  7,  1  770,  Johnson  Papers,  7:942-43. 


Land  Development,  1769-74  891 

German  Flats  (with  letters  of  Recommendation  from  Govrs. 
Penn  &  Colden)  which  he  attended  &  returned  back  to  my 
House,  from  whence  he  set  out  for  the  Westward  by  the  way  of 
Canada,  I  did  not  know  of  his  having  any  Dispatches  'till  the 
Morning  of  his  Departure,  but  I  have  heard  from  Philadelphia 
that  they  were  Pacquets  from  Genr1.  Seabright  to  Ll.  Co1.  Wil- 
kins7  &ca.,  The  Consideration  He  is  of  amongst  his  own  People 
Joined  to  his  un[c]ommonly  great  Character  induced  me  to  em- 
brace So  favourable  an  opertunity  of  charging  him  with  many 
Messages,  &  some  particulars  of  the  late  Treaty  to  his  People 
&ca.  to  whom  I  sent  the  Belts  wh.  Cap1.  Brown  Mentions.  —  I 
hope  agreable  to  what  You  mention  that  we  Shall  have  early 
advices  in  case  of  a  War,  which  seems  to  me  an  Event  that  will 
probably  take  place  soon.  —  I  have  had  some  large  bodies  of 
Indians  with  me  for  some  Days  past,  who  have  been  verry  par- 
ticular in  their  enquirys  on  that  Head,  it  having  lately  come  to 
their  Ears  with  many  ridiculous  Circimstances  that  induced  them 
to  think  it  was  already  Commenced,  but  concealed  from  their 
Knowledge,  I  gave  them  such  answers  as  I  Judged  most  prudent 
until  we  shall  have  better  Information.  — 

Lieu1.  Augustine  Prevost  Will  be  the  Bearer  of  this,  as  he 
goes  for  New  York  in  order  to  Settle  matters  for  entering  into  the 
Army,  His  prospects  &  Intentions  will  with  most  propriety  be  laid 
before  You  by  himself,  but,  as  He  is  a  Young  Gentleman  of  Ex- 
treme good  Character  and  Conduct,  I  think  him  deserving  of  any 
Recommendation  I  can  give  him,  and  heartily  wish  he  may  meet 
with  your  kind  favour  for  reinstating  him  in  the  Lieutenancy,  & 
obtaining  the  Adjutancy  in  the  Battallion  Commanded  by  his 
Father.  — 

I  have  nothing  farther  to  add,  than  to  assure  You  that  I  am 
with  the  greatest  Esteem  &  Respect,  Dear  Sir 

Your  Most  Obedient 
His  Excellency  &  Verry  Humble  Servant 

General  Gage  —  W,  Johnson 


Colonel  John  Wilkins. 


892  Sir  William  Johnson  Papers 

INDORSED: 

Sr.  Wm.  Johnson 
Jan*.  31st.  1771 
Received  Feb*.  9th.  — 
Answered  — 


TO  LORD  ADAM  GORDON 

Df} 

Johnson  hallFeby.  18*.  1771  — 
My  Dear  Lord  Adam. 

With  much  pleasure  [but]2  and  Some  degree  of  Concern  I 
now  Sit  down  to  enquire  into  the  health  of  my  Worthy  Friend  and 
the  Dutchess  of  Athol,  my  Satisfaction  upon  this  occasion  could 
not  admit  of  the  least  allayment,  but  thro'  the  Consideration  of 
your  long  Silence  which  however  I  am  not  at  all  inclined  to 
attribute  to  the  least  Abatement  of  the  esteem  with  which  you 
honored  me  but  to  different  Avocations  to  which  I  have  been  often 
indebted  as  an  Apology  for  my  own  Omissions  of  that  Sort.  — 

The  last  Letter  I  had  from  you  was  dated  in  August  1 768.3 
which  I  Answered  fully  in  Mine  of  the  4th.  April  following4 
wherein  I  touched  upon  every  occurring  Subject,  as  I  did  in 
another  Letter,  last  March,5  Since  which  I  [have]  waited  with  the 
Expectation  of  hearing,  but  would  no  longer  continue  Silent,  as  it 
is  possible  that  some  of  our  Letters  may  have  Miscarried.  — 

The  Affairs  of  this  Country  you  have  probably  heard  from 
those  whose  Situations  [at  the  Capitals]  enable  them  to  give 
earlier  Intelligence,  and  indeed  Since  the  Resolution  for  Im- 
porting was  carried  at  N.  York  there  has  been  very  little  material, 

1  In  New  York  State  Library,  Taylor-Cooper  Collection,  property  of 
William  Leland  Thompson.  In  Guy  Johnson's  hand. 

2  Words  italicized  and  in  brackets  were  crossed  out  in  the  manuscript. 

3  August  25,  1  768.  Johnson  Papers,  6:336-39. 

4  April  4,  1769.  Ante  pp.  711-14. 

5  Not  found. 


Land  Development,  1769-74  893 

—  Our  new  Arrived  Govr.  Lord  Dunmore  is  we  hear  to  be  soon 
relieved  by  Govr.  Try  on  of  N.  Carolina,  &  is  appointed  to  the 
Command  of  Virginia,  he  has  been  very  well  liked  by  the  people 
Since  his  Arrival,  but  Virginia  is  a  kind  of  promotion  to  him,  — 
[The  Subject  which]  What  engages  all  our  attention  at  present  is 
the  prospect  of  a  War,  which  is  more  Wished  for  in  this  Country 
than  any  where  else  [/ioa>ever]  whatever  it  may  affect  the  [Interior 
parts  &]  out  Posts  &  Settlements,  for  I  have  the  Strongest  reasons 
to  think  that  our  Enemys  will  excite  many  of  the  Indians  to  distress 
these  parts  to  Engage  part  of  our  [Attention  to]  force  in  its  de- 
fence, —  Last  July  I  held  a  Gen1.  Congress  with  the  Chiefs  of 
the  Northern  Inds.  to  the  Number  of  2500  —  at  the  German 
flatts,  In  consequence  of  which  Deputys  are  Sent  with  proper 
Authority  to  give  a  timely  Check  to  certain  dangerous  Schemes 
in  Agitation  to  the  South  and  Westward,  and  I  have  great 
Expectations  from  the  resolutions  of  that  Congress  &  the  Choice 
&  proceedings  of  the  Deputies,  but  whatever  may  be  the  Issue,  of 
this  or  of  a  War,  I  shall  be  able  to  preserve  the  fidelity  of  some 
Nations,  and  engage  them  to  Serve  as  a  Check  to  the  rest,  neither 
is  it  probable  that  under  proper  Management  the  Interior  Country 
to  the  Northward  can  Suffer  much.  —  [whatever  the  rest  ma})  do 
experience]. 

With  respect  to  Objects  of  more  domestic  Concern,  I  can 
give  a  Very  pleasing  ace1,  your  Lordship  would  I  am  confident  be 
not  a  little  Surprised  were  you  now  in  these  parts  to  See  the  Vast 
Improvements  and  Additional  Settlements  within  [the  Space  of] 
Little  more  than  four  Years.  —  The  little  Town  which  I  began  to 
erect  shortly  after  your  Departure  [begins]  allready  [to]  makes 
a  tolerable  appearance,  and  I  [already]  find  it  necessary  to  rebuild 
the  Church  On  a  much  larger  Plan  to  accomodate  the  increased 
Number  of  the  Neighbouring  Inhabitants,  —  I  have  built  a 
little  Summer  Lodge  In  the  Extensive  Meadow  of  Sacondaga,  a 
branch  of  Hudsons  River  14  Miles  from  hence,  [and  made  a  good] 
The  road  [f/iere]  to  wch.  3  yrs.  ago  was  thro'  an  entire  Wilderness 
but  is  now  one  Continued  Chain  of  Settlements.  —  To  promote 
these  Objects  requires  much  more  [pams]  Attention  than  I  am 


894  Sir  William  Johnson  Papers 

Able  to  give  them,  neither  can  it  be  done  without  some  Expence, 
[tho  at  less  than  heretofore],  and  the  returns  are  neither  large  nor 
Sudden,  but  they  [are  Certain  &]  must  Gradually  encrease,  in 
which  View  they  afford  an  Agreable  Prospect  for  [futurity] 
posterity  and  a  pleasing  Satisfaction  at  present,  and  I  know  you'll 
indulge  me  in  these  reflections  as  you  are  capable  of  tasting  the 
pleasures  [&]  of  retirement,  and  that  you  could  before  Survey  with 
pleasure  the  Dawnings  of  Improvement  and  Infant  Cultivation  of 
Arts  in  this  Country  of  Forests.  —  The  progress  of  Industry  (to 
which  I  flatter  myself  I  have  in  some  degree  Contributed,)  has 
Extended  far  beyond  these  Settlements,  —  Two  New  Churches 
are  built  at  Conajoharee  Two  more  at  the  German  flatts,  [and] 
some  Settlements  are  began  far  beyond  it  and  near  to  Fort 
Stanwix,  and  more  are  to  be  made  the  ensuing  Spring,  if  not 
prevented  by  a  War,  —  As  to  the  lands  [near  the  flats]  above 
Cosby s  Mannor  which  I  purchased  for  you  and  your  friends  I 
wrote  you  fully  about  them  in  my  Two  last  letters,  but  not  having 
had  the  happiness  of  hearing  from  you  Since,  and  at  the  Same  time 
Judging  you  would  incline  to  have  that  Concern  I  have  obtained 
after  sev1.  delays  a  Patent  for  them  the  Patent  fees  of  which  at 
25.  cfj5  1000  Acres  With  the  Expence  of  Survey  and  Indian 
Purchase  &ca.  comes  to  about  £37:10'  N  York  Money  for 
every  1 000  Acres,  and  is  much  Cheaper  than  Land  purchased  at 
that  time,  or  than  can  ever  be  had  again  for  the  Indians  in  propor- 
tion as  their  [Lands  Lessen]  possessions  decrease  in  Quantity  raise 
the  price  of  the  rest,  and  discover  much  more  of  Interest  and 
Cunning  in  these  [par/s]  Matters  than  they  did  a  few  years  Since ; 
—  If  therefore  you  should  think  [with  me  that]  it  is  an  Object 
worthy  [some]  your  attention,  I  shall  imediately  take  measures 
for  transferring  it  to  you,  [or  to  whom  you  shall  direct  &  send  you 
an  Exact  Acct  of  the  Amt  of  what  it  has  cost  me],  the  whole 
ami  of  the  Expences  for  10,000  Acres  is  £375  Y.  Curry,  or 
about  21 8  £  Sterling  besides  A  Quitrent  as  above  mentioned 
My  family  are  all  at  present  Well,  Sir  John  desires  to  be 
most  Affectionately  remembered  to  you,  he  has  not  been  honored 
with  a  Letter  from  you  Since  his  last  which  was  wrote  above  a 


Land  Development,  1769-74  895 

Year  ago  Neither  has  he  Written  during  that  time  as  he  has  been 
making  a  little  Collection  (which  was  not  compleated)  of  such 
things  as  he  thought  might  be  pleasing  to  you.  —  Tho'  he  is  more 
remiss  in  his  Correspondence  than  I  could  wish  I  must  do  Justice 
to  his  Exalted  Ideas  of  Gr[a/i/]ude  for  your  Indulgence  friendship 
&  Patronage,  nor  can  it  ever  admit  of  the  least  diminution  in  his 
breast ;  —  [Col.]  Claus  and  Guy  with  their  familys  wish  you  every 
form  of  happiness.  As  to  myself  I  can  only  add  [that]  one  to 
their  Joynt  Wishes  that  It  [might  be  able]  may  be  in  my  power 
to  realize  the  Idea  I  Often  entertain  of  seeing  you  again  here  on 
some  occasion  that  [might  be]  is  Interesting  or  agreable  to  your- 
self, but  the  Uncertainty  of  which  renders  me  the  more  Anxious  to 
cherish  your  Correspondence,  and  furnishes  me  with  a  Pretext  for 
Sollicitting  to  partake  occasionally  of  any  Intelligence  that  regards 
your  domestic  felicity,  which  tho  Consistent  with  Strict  friendship, 
I  will  [  ]  own  to  be  a  Selfish  desire,  as  it  will  allways  con- 

tribute to  my  happiness  to  be  informed  of  yours.  — 

Quit  rent  £  1 2 .  .  1 0  Strlg.  ^  Annum 
Date  of  Patent  28th.  Feb.  1  769  — 

The  Rl.  honble 
Lord  Adam  Gordon 

indorsed: 

Feby.  18th.  1771 

To  Lord  Adam  Gordon 


896  Sir  William  Johnson  Papers 

TO  HENRY  CRUGER  AND  HENRY  HOLLAND 

Johnson  Hall  March  8ih.  1 771 
Gentlemen 

I  have  received  the  Deed  for  the  Lot  N.  10.  for  which  I  am 
much  oblidged  to  You,  and  I  herewith  inclose  You  my  Deed  in 
return  for  Lot  N.  9.  which  You  would  have  received  sooner  but 
that  I  waited  for  an  opertunity  to  have  it  acknowledged  which 
did  not  offer  till  Mr.  Campbells  Arrival  here  Yesterday.  —  I  am 
hopefull  that  You  will  find  the  Deed  to  your  Satisfaction,  and  re- 
main with  great  truth  and  regard,  Gentlemen 

Your  much  oblidged, 

&  verry  Humble  Servant 

W.  Johnson 
Henry  Cruger  &  Holland  Esqrs.  — 


1  In  Newberry  Library,  Chicago,  Van  Schaack  Papers. 


Land  Development,   1769-74 


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904  Sir  William  Johnson  Papers 

TO  JELLES  FONDA 

Johnson  Hall  April  the  K  1771 

Sir  — 

I  forwarded  Your  letters  Safely  by  the  Post,  and  wrote  Mr. 
Wallace2  fully  concerning  the  Affair,  &  shall  on  hearing  from 
him,  let  You  know  what  is,  or  can  be  done  therein. 

please  to  let  this  troublesome  worthless  Fellow  have  a  Cag 
of  Ten  quarts,  or  3  Gallons  of  Rum  on  my  Ace1.  And  when  You 
have  time  I  shall  be  glad  to  have  your  Ace1,  that  I  may  Settle  it. 

I  am  going  this  Day  to  Sacondaga,  where  I  purpose  remaining 
some  Days.  — 


I  am  Sir, 


Major  Fonda  — 

indorsed: 

1  April  1771  — 
Sir  William  Johnson's 
Order 


Your  real  Welwisher 
&  Humble  Servant 

W.  Johnson 


1  In  New  York  State  Library. 

2  Hugh  Wallace.  See  his  letters  of  March  23,  and  April  8,  1771,  con- 
cerning Fonda's  application  for  land.  Johnson  Papers,  8:38,  66-67. 


TO  GOLDSBROW  BANYAR 

Johnson  Hall  May  9ih.  1771 
Dear  Banyar  — 

After  a  long  Silence  I  have  at  length  recd.  Your  letter  of  the 
22d.  Ult°.2  There  were  Several  Heads  in  My  last  letter  which 
I  wanted  to  have  your  Answer  to,  You  may  be  well  assured  that 


1  In  New  York  Historical  Society,  Banyar  Papers. 

2  Not  found. 


Land  Development,   1769-74  905 

whenever  You  have  leisure  to  Write,  I  shall  have  pleasure  in 
reading  it.  — 

It  would  have  been  verry  pleasing  to  ye.  Inhabit,  of  this  part 
of  the  Country,  had  a  Division  taken  place  agreable  to  ye.  bounds 
they  petitioned  for,  as  amongst  other  things  it  is  a  great  hardship 
on  those  many,  who  live  so  distant  from  Albany  to  attend  the 
Court  there.  —  I  was  always  of  Opinion  that  the  Ll.  Govrs. 
Affair  would  prove  favourable  to  him,  and  think  with  You  that  it 
will  rest  with  the  Ministry.  —  By  this  Post  I  have  wrote  to  Lord 
Dunmore3  relative  to  Mr.  Ranslaer4  which  has  been  likewise 
communicated  to  me  from  Kinderhook  with  this  Addition  that  he 
has  got  a  Commiss".  which  contains  the  old  Partial  Boundary  that 
occasioned  so  much  Trouble,  Tho  I  can  hardly  give  Credit  to  it 
because  according  to  the  Idea  I  conceive  of  his  Lordship,  I  do  not 
at  all  think  it  probable  that  he  should  reinstate  him  without  an 
Enquiry  on  both  Sides  into  ye.  causes  of  his  being  displaced,  and 
Acquainting  me  as  General  of  the  District.  I  have  given  his 
Lordship  a  Short  Ace1,  of  the  whole  Affair,  of  the  peculiar  cir- 
cumstances attending  the  Antedating  the  Comsns.  &ca.  &  par- 
ticularly that  the  Boundary  appeared  to  be  calculated  to  establish 
or  favour  a  Claim  yet  undecided,  wh.  I  consider  as  a  prostitution 
of  a  Comis11.  to  a  verry  bad  purpose,  Sir  H.  Moore,  who  I  believe 
was  imposed  on  in  it,  promised  a  little  before  he  dyed  to  alter 
all  this.  The  L*.  Govr.  did  so  on  the  application  of  the  People 
that  were  alarmed  &  affected  by  it,  but  he  not  only  rejected  the 
offer,  of  the  only  Regim1.  he  has  any  pretensions  to  with  Scorn, 
but  made  use  of  verry  unbecoming  Language  (as  You  know)  to 
the  Ll.  Govr.  The  Giving  him  a  Regm1.  of  Twenty  Companies 
was  a  Capital  Error  in  Contradiction  to  Sir  H.  Moores  own  plan 
for  reducing  the  Regiments  to  Such  Boundarys  &  Limits,  as  would 
enable  them  to  be  better  disciplined,  with  less  inconvenience  to 
the  People.     By  the  Expression  of  Co1.  Ranslaer's  Corns",  about 


3  John  Murray,  Earl  of  Dunmore,  was  governor  of  New  York  from 
October  19,  1770  to  July  9,  1771. 

4  Colonel  John  Van  Rensselaer. 


906  Sir  William  Johnson  Papers 

5  Companys  of  Kinderhook  would  be  in  no  Regiment  at  all,  but 
the  only  proper  division  that  can  be  made,  is,  as  it  has  been  last 
done  by  a  Line  to  run  from  the  1st.  Falls  in  Kinderhook  Creek 
due  East  to  the  Colony  Line,  and  then  there  will  be  on  each  Side 
a  Good  Regiment  with  an  unexceptionable  Boundary,  that  can 
never  be  made  use  of  to  the  purpose  of  establishing  any  claim  on 
either  side.  —  I  wish  you  would  take  an  Opertunity  again  of 
mentioning  this  to  his  Lordship,  who  certainly  has  been  imposed 
on  by  Misrepresentation  from  one  Side  of  the  Question,  for  my 
part,  I  can  have  no  objection  to  Co1.  Ranslaers  getting  the 
Southern  Regm*.  according  to  the  Bounds  I  have  Just  now  men- 
tioned, except  his  Insolent  behaviour,  when  offered  to  him  last 
Year.  Any  other  will  be  an  unmilitary  Division  that  will  make 
the  2  Regmts.  bear  no  proportion  together,  and  besides  have  a 
fatal  Tendency  creative  of  great  Disputes,  &  general  discontent. 
— ■  Mr.  Ranslaers  Setting  aside  Men  of  Merit  Character  &  long 
Service  as  Officers  to  favour  others  who  had  no  such  pretensions, 
as  it  is  notorious,  is  likewise  worthy  Attention.  — 

I  have  not  received  the  Map  You  Say  Messrs.  Low  &ca.  have 
Sent  me,  nor  heard  any  thing  from  them,  but  You  may  Assure 
them  of  my  readiness  to  Serve  them  as  far  as  I  can,  but  I  Should 
first  See  the  Map,  to  know  the  Situation  of  the  Tracts  Intended  to 
be  purchased,  and  I  thank  You  for  the  offer  of  a  part  to  me  or  my 
Friends.  —  As  to  Indian  purchases,  they  are  certainly  much 
higher  than  formerly,  which  is  owing  to  the  Inds.  having  greater 
notions  of  property,  &  less  of  it  than  formerly,  besides  they  are 
better  Judges  of  the  Value  of  Lands  than  heretofore,  and  also  to 
Peoples  bidding  over  one  anothers  Heads.  Purchases  in  the 
Indians  usual  Routs  or  Hunting  Grounds  are  the  dearest  of  any, 
I  shall  endeavour  to  keep  them  as  low  as  I  can,  and  I  think  when 
everry  point  is  Settled  with  the  Indians,  the  Survey  might  reason- 
ably be  made  previous  to  the  Ratification  of  the  purchase.  —  By 
next  Post  I  shall  Send  You  a  Draft  on  Father  Abraham5  for  the 
Ballance  which  will  remain  after  deducting  the  £425,  which  You 


5  Abraham  Mortier,  paymaster. 


Land  Development,   1769-74  907 

as  being  on  the  Spot  will  be  able  to  get  from  the  Patentees  verry 
easily,  or  Mr.  Wallace  can  do  it,  to  whom  I  shall  Send  the  Indian 
Deed  Signed  by  all  the  Principal  Men  of  that  Nation.  —  I  wish 
the  Several  little  Sums  due  to  me  for  the  purchase  of  the  Oneida 
Tract  now  near  four  Years  ago,  could  be  got  without  my  writing 
to  the  Gentlemen,  as  some  of  the  Sums  are  so  Small,  at  the  Same 
time  I  cant  help  thinking  it  hard  I  should  lay  out  of  it  so  long,  as 
I  advanced  it  purely  to  oblidge  them,  and  had  a  good  deal  of 
Trouble  in  making  the  purchase  Survey  &ca.  —  As  Lord  Ilchester 
does  not  patent  that  Land  nor  pay  me  the  £226  I  advanced  on 
that  Ace*.,  I  will  be  oblidged  to  You  for  putting  me  in  a  way  to 
come  at  the  Land,  &  let  me  know  how  much  it  is.  And  if  You 
&  Mr.  Wallace  chuse  to  be  concerned  in  it,  You  shall  be  verry 
welcome.  —  I  find  that  since  the  Date  of  your  letter  the  Commis- 
sions are  arrived  for  both  Governours  So  that  I  apprehend  I  shall 
not  have  the  pleasure  of  Seeing  his  Lordship  here,  which  is  some 
Disapointment  to  me  from  the  Amiable  Character  you  give  of  him, 
and  which  I  dare  say  he  Merits.  — 

I  am  with  the  most  Cordial  Esteem 
Dear  Banyar, 


Yours  most  Sincerely 

W  Johnson 


Golds  Borrow  Banyar  Esqr. 

indorsed: 

9  May  1771 


From  Sir  Wm.  Johnson  — 


TO  GOLDSBROW  BANYAR 
A.L.S.1 

May  17*.  1771  — 
Dear  Banyar  — 

As  I  am  but  Just  returned  from  a  Jaunt  I  took  with  a  good 
deal  of  Company  a  few  days  ago,  I  have  only  time  to  let  you 


1  In  New  York  Historical  Society,  Banyar  Papers. 


908  Sir  William  Johnson  Papers 

know  that  I  fulfill  my  promise,  by  Sending  You  a  Draft  on  Mr. 
Mortier  for  the  Ballance  of  yr.  Ace1,  after  deducting  the 
£  425  —  wh.  I  paid  to  the  Oneidaes  for  the  Patentees  of 
Oriskanee.  &  In  order  to  Save  You  trouble,  I  have  Sent  the  Deed 
to  our  Mutual  friend  Mr.  Wallace,  who  will  deliver  it  to  the 
Patentees  on  their  paying  him  that  Sum,  and  he  has  my  directions 
(as  soon  as  he  receives  it)  to  pay  it  to  You  for  which,  &  the  Draft, 
You  will  please  to  Credit  my  Ace'.  — 
I  am  most  Cordially,  Dear  Banyar 

Your  Sincere  Welwisher 
&  verry  Humble  Servant 

W  Johnson 
Goldsborow  Banyar  Esqr.  — 

INDORSED : 

May  17,  1771 


From  Sir  Wm.  Johnson  with 
an  Order  for  £404.. 2.. 0 


FROM  WILLIAM  McADAM 
^i.JL/.O. 

N.York.  17*K  June  71  — 

DR.  Sir 

This  covers  Major  Gorhams  order2  on  you  in  my  favour  for 
£  200.  which  I  ask  pardon  for  not  Sending  up  before.  I  likewise 
Inclose  an  order  from  him  for  the  half  year  Ensueing,3  which  I. 
hope  will  be  approved  off  by  you  —  I  beleive  the  misfortune  he 
met  with  put  him  to  an  unforeseen  Expense  which  is  the  Cause 


1  In  New  York  State  Library,  Tayler-Cooper  Collection,  property  of 
William  Leland  Thompson. 

2  Major  Joseph  Gorham  was  deputy  superintendent  of  Indian  Affairs  in 
Nova  Scotia.  See  McAdam  to  Johnson,  March  25,  1  771 ,  Johnson  Papers, 
8:39. 

3  Johnson  Papers,  8:121. 


Land  Development,  1769-74  909 

of  his  Drawing  before  the  proper  Time,  —  You  will  oblige  me 
much  by  Acquainting  me  if  this  is  Agreeable  to  you,  that  I  may 
Acquaint  the  Major  of  this  farther  Act  of  Freindship  from  you  to 
him  —  Lord  Dunmore  proposes  soon  to  be  in  your  Country,  of 
which  I  Doubt  not  you  will  be  apprized.  I  am  with  much  re- 
spect — 

Your  most  Obed'.  and  very  humble  Servf. 

W  Mc.Adam 

INDORSED:4 

June  17th.  1771  — 


Mr.  Mc.Adem's  letter 
wtn.  Major  Gorhams  Drafts 


FROM  GOLDSBROW  BANYAR 

Contemporary  Copy1 

New  York  17*.  June  1771 
Sir 

On  the  14th.  Instant  his  Excellency  the  Governor  informed 
the  Council  that  an  Indian  who  calls  himself  Jan,  had  applyed  to 
him  for  Protection.  Mr.  Harme  Gansevoort  of  Albany  with 
whom  he  had  formerly  lived  about  nine  Years,  having  ordered 
Mr.  George  Wray  of  this  City  to  ship  him  off  and  sell  him  as  a 
Slave  in  the  West  Indies  —  Mr.  Wray  with  the  Indian  were  both 
in  Council :  a  Bill  of  Sale  was  read  dated  the  9th.  July  1  750  con- 
veying this  Jan,  then  about  nine  Years  of  Age  by  the  Name  of 
Newesock  to  Jacobus  Van  Eps,  Abraham  Fonda  and  Abraham 
P  Vanantwerp :  Another  Indian  who  claim'd  him  as  his  Property 
gave  the  Bill  of  Sale;  and  a  Certificate  of  the  present  Mayor  of 
Albany  was  produced  as  Proof  of  the  Indian  Custom  of  selling 
such  of  their  Captives   as   are  distinguished  by   the   Name   of 


4  In  Sir  William's  hand. 

1  In  New  York  Historical  Society,  Banyar  Papers.  In  the  Banyar  letter 
book. 


910  Sir  William  Johnson  Papers 

Pawnees2  —  Jan  strenuously  insisted  he  was  of  the  shawenese 
Nation,  and  no  Pawnee,  that  he  was  a  Freeman  and  no  Slave: 
and  implored  the  protection  of  Government.  The  Board  thought 
fit  so  far  to  interpose  as  to  recommend  it  to  Mr.  Wray  to  detain 
him  until  proper  Inquiry  can  be  made:  And  in  Consequence  of 
their  Directions,  I  am  to  desire  you  will  be  pleased  to  transmit  by 
the  first  convenient  Opportunity  the  fullest  Information  you  are 
able  to  obtain  in  respect  to  the  Nation  he  properly  belongs  to,  and 
the  Light  in  which  he  is  look'd  on  by  them,  whether  as  a  Freeman 
or  Slave,  that  the  Board  upon  Knowledge  of  these  Circumstances, 
may  Judge  of  the  propriety  of  bringing  the  Point  of  his  Freedom 
to  a  legal  Decision.  I  am  with  great  Respect 
Sir 

your  most  Obedient  humble  Servant 
The  Honoble.  SlR  WlLLIAM  JOHNSON  — 


2  Or  pani,  a  term  regularly  used  for  an  Indian  slave. 


FROM  DANIEL  CAMPBELL 
Contemporary  Cop})1 

Schenectady  the  22  June  1 77 1  — 

Dear  Sir 

Your  favour  by  the  Post  of  the  20th.2  is  duly  Come  to  hand 
Agreeable  to  which  I  here  Inclose  you  the  State  of  Messrs.  Wade 
&  Krysures  Ace',  with  me,  Ballance  due  me  £1050 — 13 — 8 
the  have  also  wrote  me  that  they  have  a  Considerable  large 
quantity  of  Beaver  and  other  Skins  which  is  luckey  for  them 
Beaver  will  now  Sell  for  1 0/6  and  upwards  ^  lb.  the  mentioned 
in  their  Letter  to  me  that  the  had  upwards  of  1 600  lb.  in  Beaver 
it  will  Immediately  bring  Cash  but  Leather  is  dull  the  Otter 
Skins  will  be  worth  at  least  20s/  ^  Skin,  however  I  hope  it 
wont  be  this  time  as  it  was  last  Fall  —  Mr.  Wade  met  me  at 


1  In  Schenectady  County  Historical  Society,  Daniel  Campbell  letterbook. 

2  Not  found. 


Land  Development,  1769-74  911 

Niagara  and  Told  me  he  had  1 8  good  packs  and  got  from  me  to 
the  Amount  of  £339:10:6  and  when  the  packs  there  were  no 
more  than  7  Small  Packs  of  which  there  is  a  Small  Parcel  of 
Ruffage  Skins  Remains  Unsold  of  very  little  Value.  The  Boats 
which  I  sent  them  this  Spring  Certaingly  were  longer  Detained 
here  than  what  the  ought  to  have  been  the  Reason  was  that  I 
was  Really  at  a  loss  to  know  how  to  Act.  I  was  Something 
Jealous  of  giving  Mr.  Wade  Two  much  Credit  nor  did  I  aprove 
much  of  the  Things  which  he  Sent  for  as  there  were  a  very  great 
part  of  it  Things  for  their  own  use  which  I  thought  Superfluous 
however  I  sent  them  the  things  Rather  than  disapoint  them  —  the 
also  wrote  to  Major  Fonda  for  Two  Battoe  loads  but  he  did  not 
Send  them  his  Reasons  he  knows  best  himself  — 

I  am  &c 

D.C. 
To 
Sir  William  Johnson  Baronet 


JOURNAL  OF  INDIAN  AFFAIRS 

A.  D.1 

[July  8-1 3 ,  /  771] 

Johnson  Hall  July  8th.  2  Runners  Arrived  from  the  Senecas 
acquainting  Sir  William  that  the  Sachims  &  Cheif  Warriors  of  ye. 
6  Nats.  were  as  far  as  Fort  Stanwix  on  their  way  to  Conajohare  & 
requested  that  there  might  be  provisions  for  them  ready  on  their 
Arrival.  The  9th.  [/]  Sr.  Wm.  sent  Co1.  Butler  to  receive  them  & 
to  bring  them  to  his  House.  the  10th.  the  Senecas  Arrived  at 
Conajohare,  &  waited  for  ye.  Other  Nations.  The  1  1 th.  Co!. 
Butler  Set  of  with  them  [all]  and  arrived  at  ye.  Hall,  the  12,h.  ; 
When  the  Speaker  of  Onondaga  with  a  Number  of  'em  waited 
on  Sir  Wm.  and  paid  him  ye.  Usual  Compliments,  after  which 
they  were  ordered  provs.  Pipes,  Tobacco,  &  a  Dram  &  went  to 


1  In  Canadian  Archives,  Indian  Records,  Vol.  9. 


912  Sir   William  Johnson  Papers 

their  Encampment.  —  at  5  P  M  —  Many  more  arrived  who 
were  also  Victualed  for  a  Couple  of  Days  &  then  encamped. 

The  13th.  Sayenquaraghte  Cheif  of  the  Senecas  came  into  the 
Council  Room  at  8  A  M,  and  after  ye.  usual  Compliments  on  both 
Sides  were  over,  He  Informed  Sir  Wm.  that  the  Chenussios  could 
not  attend  on  Ace1,  of  [the]  Serrehoas  Sons  Illness,  &ca.,  —  To 
Wh.  Sir  Wm.  replied,  that,  He  was  Sorry  to  find  that  those  Inds. 
of  Chenussio,  were  always  more  backward  In  Attends.  Congresses 
than  any  of  the  [n>/io/e]  Confederacy,  wh.  he  could  not  think  well 
of.  —  then  ordered  them  provs.  &ca.  &  Sent  them  to  their  En- 
campment. — 

Then  the  Several  Nations  brought  in  their  broken  Arms  & 
Implements  of  Everry  kind,  &  requested  that  Sir  William  would 
order  them  to  be  repaired,  &  some  to  be  made,  wh.  was  accord- 
ingly ordered.  —  At  3  P  Meridiem  All  the  Nations  present 
Assembled,  when  Sir  Wm.  after  Welcoming  them,  went  thro 
the  Ceremony  of  Condolence  &ca.  as  usual  on  all  such  like  occa- 
sions, they,  after  some  time  Spent  in  preparing  Belts  &ca.  returned 
ye.  Compliment,  &  performed  the  Ceremony  on  their  Parts,  in  a 
verry  friendly  manner.  After  which,  Sir  William  told  them,  He 
expected  their  Attendance  in  ye.  Morning,  when  he  would  be 
ready  to  Speak  to  them.  Ordered  them  Pipes  Tobacco  &  Two 
Tubs  of  punch  also  provisions  for  2  Days,  &  then  dismissed  them 
for  that  Day. 


FROM  THOMAS  HUTCHINSON 
A.L.S.1 

Boston  30.  July  1771 

Sir. 

The  occasion  of  my  troubling  you  at  this  time  will  appear  from 
the  papers  which  I  shall  cover  and  which  are  copied  from  the 
Journal  of  the  Commissioners  from  the  Corporation  in  England, 
for  Propagating  the  Gospel  in  New  England  and  parts  adjacent. 


1  In  Massachusetts  Historical  Society. 


THOMAS  HUTCHINSON 

Portrait  by  John  Singleton  Copley.  Courtesy  of  the 

Massachusetts  Historical   Society. 


Land  Development,  1769-74  913 

I  have  never  seen  Mr.  Kirkland,  the  Missionary,  but  am  informed 
that  he  thought  himself  unfortunate  in  the  unfavorable  opinion 
which  you  had  of  his  Mission,  and  his  representation  to  the  Com- 
missioners caused  them  to  desire  me  to  write  to  you  upon  the 
Subject. 

The  Commissioners  have  always  employed  in  their  Service  such 
Missionaries  as  are  called  Dissenters,  but  they  profess  the  Doc- 
trines which  are  the  professed  Doctrines  of  the  Church  of 
England,  and  care  has  been  taken  to  send  Missionaries  to  vacant 
places  only,  &  to  avoid  every  measure  which  may  clash  or  inter- 
fere with  any  Episcopal  Missions. 

The  Corporation  received  it's  Charter  from  King  Charles  the 
second  soon  after  the  Restoration  although  the  foundation  of  the 
Society  had  been  laid  in  the  time  of  the  Parliament.  The  cele- 
brated Mr.  Robert  Boyle  was  the  first  Governor,  under  the  Royal 
Charter,  and  the  Corporation,  then  &  ever  since,  hath  consisted 
of  Gentlemen  of  Character,  and  their  Commissioners  in  New 
England  have  been  selected  from  the  principal  persons  of  rank 
there,  of  the  civil  and  ecclesiastical  order.  There  is  vested  in 
the  Corporation  an  Estate,  the  Income  whereof  they  and  their 
Commissioners  under  them  endeavour  to  apply  according  to  the 
true  intent  of  their  Charter.  They  wish  for  the  countenance  and 
encouragement  of  every  person  of  influence  and  for  yours  in  par- 
ticular; and  are  desirous  that  such  civil  as  well  as  religious  prin- 
ciples may  be  instilled  into  the  Indians  as  shall  tend  to  promote 
peace  and  good  order,  and  that  His  Majesty's  intention  in  ap- 
pointing you  to  the  Superintendency  of  Indian  Affairs  may  be 
promoted  and  in  no  degree  obstructed,  and  if  you  think  any 
cautions  or  instructions  for  that  purpose  are  necessary  to  be  given 
to  Mr.  Kirkland  or  any  other  Missionary  who  may  be  employed 
I  shall  be  obliged  to  you  if  you  will  Suggest  them  to  me. 

I  am  with  great  regard  and  esteem 
Sir 

Your  most  humble 

&  most  obedient  Servant 
Sir  William  Johnson  Bar'.  Tho  Hutchinson 


914  Sir  William  Johnson  Papers 


o 


INDORSED  :" 


Boston  30*.  July  1771  — 


Govr.  Hutchinsons  letter 
wll\  Sundry  Inclosures 


SPEECH  OF  THE  SHAWNEES 
Contemporary  Copy1 

[Scioto  Plains  July  1 77 1] 

Speech  of  the  Shawanese  &c.  Transmitted  by  Mr.  Alexander 
Mc.Kee  to  Sir  William  Johnson  Bar1,  with  Mr.  Mc.Kee's  Re- 
marks, and  Observations.  — 

Brethren.  — 

At  our  parting,  it  was  mutually  agreed  between  us  that,  no  idle 
Stories  should  be  listned  to  on  either  Side.  Many,  we  understand 
have  been  reported  to  you,  and  we  hope  you  have  not  believed 
them.  We  do  assure  you  we  have  done  everything  in  our  Power 
since  we  came  Home,  to  promote  Good,  agreeable  to  your 
Advice,  and  we  hope  you  have  done  the  same.  —  We  sent  you  a 
Message  a  few  days  ago  Requesting  the  Traders  to  be  sent  back, 
who  we  understand  are  frightned  away  by  evil  Reports.  —  We 
promise  to  take  Care  of  them ;  let  what  will  happen,  they  need  not 
be  Affraid.  — 
Brethren.  — 

We  beg  your  most  serious  Attention  to  what  we  Say  to  you 
on  this  Belt.  —  During  our  Stay  last  winter  at  Fort  Pit,  we  had 
several  Meetings  with  you,  and  the  Commanding  Officer;  when 
we  flattered  ourselves,  every  thing  which  tended  to  preserve 
Peace,  and  Tranquility,  was  settled,  which  we  hoped  would  be 


2  In  Sir  William's  hand. 

1  In  William  L.  Clements  Library;  inclosed  in  Johnson  to  Gage  Sep- 
tember 19,  1771.  An  account  of  the  circumstances  of  the  meeting  and  of 
the  delivery  of  this  speech  are  included  in  the  letter.  Johnson  Papers, 
8:258-62. 


Land  Development,  1769-74  915 

punctually  Observed  on  both  Sides.  —  Our  chief  Complaint  was, 
that  your  Traders  brought  too  great  Quantities  of  Rum  amongst 
us,  which  has  been  the  Cause  of  the  Death  of  many  of  our  dearest 
Friends,   and  Relations,  as  well  as  the  Reason  of  our  foolish 
Young  Men  Abusing  your  Traders;   though,  they,  themselves 
are  to  blame  for  all  the  Mischief  it  produces,  it  gives  us  great 
Uneasiness,  and  we  expected  you  would  have  done  something  to 
put  a  Stop  to  it  before  this.  —  As  to  our  parts,  the  Measure  we 
intended  to  take,  was  to  Stave  all  that  was  brought  amongst  us ; 
but  we  fear  this  would  not  answer  the  end  we  expected,  for  we 
find  in  the   Execution,   Mischief  must  undoubtedly   happen,  & 
probably    draw    on    what    we    are    endeavoring    to    Avoid.  — 
Brethren,  you  have  Laws  and  Government  amongst  you.  —  it 
is  You  that  make  the  Liquor,  and  to  you  we  must  look  to  Stop  it ; 
We  find  it  is  out  of  our  Power  to  do  it.  —  But  You  are  wise,  & 
have  that  constantly  before  you,  to  Assist  you  in  being  so ;  there- 
fore beg  you  will  Consider  it  a  Matter  of  too  much  Consequence 
to   be    longer   neglected.  —  If   you   can    do    nothing,    we   must 
Address  ourselves  to  Sir  William  Johnson,  and  the  rest  of  our 
great  men,  in  whose  power  it  certainly  must  be  to  remove  this 
Grievance.  —  It  has  been  a  Subject  we  have  spoke  to  you  long 
upon,  without  your  Seeming  to  listen  to  us.     We  desire  to  hear 
from  you  as  soon  as  possible,  as  the  Time  draws  near  for  the 
Traders  to  be  Coming  out;  and  if  no  Method  can  be  fallen  upon 
to  prevent  their  bringing  Rum  into  the  Country,  the  Consequence 
must  be  dreadful ;  All  the  Western  Nations  fear  it  is  as  well  as  us, 
and  we  ail  know  well  that  it  is  in  your  great  Men's  Power  to  Stop 
it,  and  make  us  happy,  if  they  thought  it  worth  their  Trouble.  — 
We  desire  this  Belt,  and  Speech  may  be  sent  to  Sir  William 
Johnson,  and  the  great  War  Captain  by  a  Messenger  on  Purpose, 
that  it  may  not  be  denied  hereafter,  when  Mischief  happens,  that 
we,  as  Chiefs  have  done  our  duties  in  giving  you  proper,  and 
timely  Notice.  — 

Extract  of  Mr.  Mc.Kee's  Letter  Containing  his  Thoughts,  and 
Observations  made  during  his  Journey.  &c. 


916  Sir  William  Johnson  Papers 

During  my  Stay  there,  I  made  it  my  Business  to  talk  to  the 
Principal  Chiefs,  and  Warriors,  as  well  as  Men  of  any  Note 
amongst  the  different  Tribes,  on  the  Subject  of  the  Plot  dis- 
covered, that  they  had  formed  against  the  English.  —  This  I  did 
in  the  most  Serious  Manner,  when  I  shewed  them  the  folly  of 
endeavoring  to  pick  a  Quarrel  with  the  English,  who  were  their 
only  friends,  and  who  had  always  Supplied  them  with  every 
necessary  they  wanted  by  an  Open,  and  free  Trade  through  their 
Country,  and  had  always  Pittied  their  Necessities  likewise,  and 
made  them  handsome  Presents,  whenever  they  met  togther  in 
Council  to  Renew  their  Friendship.  —  All  this  they  acknowl- 
edged, and  indeed  made  no  Scruple  of  Acknowledging  the 
Design  that  had  been  formed  against  the  Kings  Subjects.  —  The 
Shawanese  layed  the  whole  blame  upon  the  Six  Nations,  and  the 
other  Nations  upon  them  for  Carrying  the  Six  Nation  Belts 
through  the  Country  to  all  Nations.  — 

I  told  them  they  must  be  Convinced  by  Thomas  Kings2 
Speeches,  which  had  been  Sent  to  them  before  their  Plot  was 
discovered,  that  the  Six  Nations  had  not  Intended  any  such  thing, 
to  which,  they,  One,  and  all,  (as  I  spoke  to  them  Seperately) 
declared  that  they  had  the  Belts  from  the  Senecas,  who  had 
always  been  the  Mouth  of  the  Six  Nations,  and  from  whom  they 
have  always  received  the  Speeches  of  that  Confederacy ;  and  that 
this  was  not  the  first  time  they  had  been  deceived  by  them.  — 
that  now  they  would  send  off  two  Chiefs  to  Chenussio  to  know  the 
truth,  whether  the  former  Speeches  sent  them  from  thence,  was 
the  Sence  of  all  the  Six  Nations  or  those  sent  by  Thomas  King, 
that  when  they  knew  the  Reality  of  this  matter,  they  would  then 
know  how  to  Conduct  themselves.  —  By  all  I  could  learn,  the 
Shawanese  [were]  have  been  the  Acting  Persons,  and  I  believe, 
it  will  admit  of  no  doubt  that  they  were  employed  by  the  Senecas. 
—  As  to  the  other  Western  Tribes,  it  does  not  appear  to  me  that 


2  An  Oneida  Chief  who  was  sent  as  a  deputy  to  these  Indians  by 
Croghan.  After  the  conference  he  with  others  was  escorted  by  the  Catawba 
Indians  to  Charleston,  S.  C,  where  he  died  Sept.  5,  1  771.  See  account  of 
his  activity  in  Johnson  to  Hillsborough,  April  4,  1  772,  Doc.  Hist.  N.  Y., 
2:989-93,  and  Doc.  Rel.  Col.  Hist.  N.  Y.,  8:290-93. 


Land  Development,   1769-74  917 

they  seem  any  way  affraid  of  the  Six  Nations,  but  on  the  contrary 
rather  appear  desirous,  and  bent  upon  Michief,  and  I  further 
believe  it  would  have  happened  before  now,  had  not  this  Plot 
been  discovered,  and  Thomas  King  made  such  Speeches  as  he 
did,  for  which  he  undoubtedly  is  entitled  to  Merit.  —  The  Dis- 
covery, and  his  Councils,  have  put  a  Stop  to  their  Designs  for  the 
present,  and  thrown  them  into  great  Confusion ;  —  the  Shawanese 
in  particular  who  always  have  had  a  great  deal  to  say  with  the 
Western  Nations,  now  plainly  See  that  they  can  no  longer  carry  a 
Ballance  in  Council  between  the  Western  &  Northern  Indians. 
The  Western  Nations  having  united  together  after  they  had  heard 
Thomas  King's  Speeches  to  defend  themselves  against  the  Six 
Nations,  or  any  other  People.  —  The  Wabash  Indians  Speak 
Very  bold,  charge  the  English  with  Neglecting  them,  and  their 
Councils,  tho'  they  never  Struck  them  during  the  late  War,  — 
and  boast,  the  French,  their  old  fathers  were  Building  Forts  round 
all  their  Villages  to  Secure  them  from  any  Enemy  whatsoever, 
and  told  the  Shawanese  (who  informed  me)  that  when  they  left 
home  there  were  Parties  of  their  People  Setting  off  to  War 
against  the  English  at  Fort  Chartre.  —  The  T eighties  seem  to 
be  the  best  disposed  People  towards  the  English,  of  all  the 
Wabash  Indians,  —  and  the  Delawares  seem  to  have  had  but 
little  Share  in  all  the  Plots,  and  Designs  formed  against  the 
English.  —  but  had  the  Plan  succeeded,  no  doubt,  but  those 
Nations  would  have  acted  against  us.  — 

The  large  Quantities  of  Spirituous  Liquors  Carried  into  the 
Indian  Countrys  by  the  English  Traders  is  most  certainly  a 
General  Complaint  with  all  Nations,  as  you  will  See  by  their 
Speech  on  a  large  white  Belt,  which  they  have  given  me  in 
Charge  to  request  you  wou'd  send  it  to  Sir  William  Johnson  by 
a  Special  Messenger.  — 

INDORSED : 

Speech  of  the  Shawanese  &c. 
[To  Mr.  Alexander  Mc.Kee] 
Transmitted  by  Mr.  Alexander 
Mc.Kee  to  Sir  William  Johnson 


918  Sir  William  Johnson  Papers 

TO  THOMAS  HUTCHINSON 

Johnson  Hall  2UK  August  1771 

Sir, 

I   was  not  until  Yesterday  honored  with  your  letter  of  the 
30th.  Ult°.2  covering  the  Inclosures  which  I  have  likewise  perused, 
and  I  beg  You  will  believe  me  to  be  as  sincere  as  I  am  dis- 
interested,  when   I   assure   Your   Excellency   that   any   occasion 
which  promotes  a  Correspondence  with  a  Gentleman  I  so  much 
esteem,  from  a  Short  personal  Acquaintance,  will  afford  me  great 
pleasure.  —  The  particular  Inclination  which   I  have  on  many 
occasions  manifested,  &  the  Countenance  I  have  always  afforded 
to  those  who  have  engaged  in  the  Conversion  of  the  Indians, 
If  it  is  not  well  known  in  New  England,  can  be  verry  abundantly 
proved  whensoever  I  See  the  least  occasion  for  it,   I  am  only 
concerned  at  present  that  the  contrary  has  been  intimated  to  a 
respectable  Body  of  Gentlemen  whose  Characters  I  esteem,  by  a 
Missionary  who  has  owed  his  Toleration  amongst  the  Indians  to 
my  Countenance,  the  Ingratitude  of  his  conduct  deserves  my  keen- 
est Resentment.       but  the  respect  I  have  for  the  Genta.  concerned 
rather  inclines  me  to  desire  to  be  favoured  with  the  particulars 
without  which  I  cannot  give  a  Satisfactory  Answer,  and  I  make 
no  doubt  that  these  Gentlemen  will  from  principles  of  mutual 
Justice  furnish  me  with  a  Copy  of  the  Journal  of  Mr.  Kirtland3  at 
least  of  so  much  of  it  as  in  any  wise  regards  me,  or  can  Justify 
the  proceedings  of  which  You  have  been  pleased  to  furnish  me 
with  an  Extract,  and  whenever  I  am  honored  with  this,  I  shall 
most  willingly  Afford  them  all  the  Satisfaction  I  can  in  these 
particulars,  and  also  take  the  liberty  to  Suggest  any  thing  that  may 
farther  occurr  as  necessary  agreable  to  your  desire. 


1  In  Massachusetts  Historical  Society.  Draft  of  this  letter  in  fragmentary- 
condition  was  printed  in  Johnson  Papers,  8:229-31 . 

2  Ante  pp.  912-14. 

3  The  Rev.  Samuel  Kirkland. 


Land  Development,   1769-74  919 

In  the  mean  time  I  should  observe,  that,  differences  in  a  few 
Religious  Sentiments  has  never  obstructed  the  Operation  of  my 
friendship  in  favour  of  so  usefull  an  Institution,  which,  I  should 
rather  incline  to  promote  whilst  the  Object  of  its  Agents,  and 
their  Conduct  is  Consistent  with  the  Original  design,  and  the 
professed  Sentiments  of  the  Society,  and  calculated  to  preserve 
Peace  and  due  Obedience  to  the  Constitution  which  we  ought  to 
Support.  &  It  is  with  some  concern  I  am  necessitated  to  hint, 
that,  those  Missionaries  who  were  sent  from  New  England  have 
owed  me  verry  peculiar  Obligations,  and  that  the  Man  mentioned 
in  the  Extract  is  more  indebted  to  my  friendship  than  any  other 
Person,  to  this,  he  has  owed  his  security,  &  on  it,  He  at  present  in 
a  great  measure  depends.  —  Excepting  in  one  Instance  of  a  Man4 
(Whom  Mr.  Wheelock  first  recommended  to  me  as  a  Man  of 
great  Piety  &  Worth  and  afterwards  represented  as  a  Lunatic 
Enthusiast)  Who  In  defiance  of  his  Majestys  Express  Order,  & 
against  the  Desires  of  almost  all  the  Colonies  Assumed  a  liberty 
at  the  great  Treaty  of  1  768  for  which  he  deserved  punishment, 
I  know  not  a  single  Case  where  those  Missionaries  have  not  always 
partaken  of  my  friendship,  Countenance,  &  Protection,  and  some 
of  my  Bounty  far  beyond  what  they  had  any  pretensions  to  ex- 
pect. I  have  only  at  present  to  repeat  my  request  to  be  honored 
wlh.  a  Copy  of  the  paper  before  mentioned,  which  will  enable  me 
to  be  more  explicit,  and  Afford  another  occasion  for  Assuring  You 
of  the  Esteem  In  which  I  have  always  held  the  Character  of 
Governour  Hutchinson,  and  that  I  am  with  perfect  regard, 

Sir,  Your  Excellencys  most  Obedient 
&  Verry  Humble  Servant 

W.  Johnson 
His  Excellency 
Governor  Hutchinson 


4  Jacob  Ws.   Johnson.   See  his  petitions  etc.   in  Doc.  Hist.  N.    Y.  4 : 
390-95. 


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928  Sir  William  Johnson  Papers 

LIST  OF  DISBURSEMENTS 
D.1 

Flour    874, 

Bread .664, 

Beef ...132, 

Pork     062 

Salt 3  Bushels  1/2 

Issued  to  Indians  at  Fort  Pitt  from  25th.  June  to  24th.  Sepbr 


1  In  William  L.  Clements  Library;  inclosed  in  Johnson  to  Gage,  Sept. 
29,  1  771  ;  entire  document  in  Gage's  hand. 


FROM  THOMAS  HUTCHINSON 

Boston  8.  October  1771 

Sir 

Since  my  last  Letter  of  the  29th.  of  September2  Mr.  Kirkland3 
came  to  town  and  being  now  upon  his  return  I  take  the  opportunity 
by  him  of  transmitting  to  you  a  Vote  of  the  Commissioners  at  a 
Meeting  held  this  day.  The  Journal  to  which  you  refer  in  your 
Letter  is  not  upon  Record  among  the  Proceedings  of  the  Commis- 
sioners &  they  rather  chuse  that  no  further  notice  should  be  taken 
of  it,  otherwise  I  would  have  procured  the  Extract  you  desire. 
I  doubt  not  that  Mr.  Kirkland  gave  you  a  full  account  of  it. 
I  am  with  very  great  esteem 

Sir  Your  most  obedient 

humble  Servant 
Tho  Hutchinson 
Sir  William  Johnson  Bar'. 


1  In  New  York  Public  Library. 

2  Johnson  Papers,  8:282-83. 

3  The  Rev.  Samuel  Kirkland. 


Land  Development,  1769-74  929 

FROM  THOMAS  HUTCHINSON 

Boston  8,  October  1771 
Private 

Dear  Sir 

I  am  sorry  any  trouble  has  been  given  you  in  consequence  of 
Mr.  Kirklands  Mission.2  I  had  no  personal  knowledge  of  him 
until  within  two  days  past.  He  appears  to  me  to  have  a  very 
Catholick  disposition.  He  speaks  in  high  terms  of  the  candour 
and  civility  with  which  you  treated  him  when  you  sent  for  him  to 
inquire  into  the  Representation  he  made  to  the  Commissioners.3 
I  was  present  at  their  meeting  today.  It  was  recommended  to 
him  he  acquaint  you  with  every  Occurrence  among  the  Indians 
at  his  Mission  of  any  Importance  &  he  professed  an  inclination 
and  desire  to  obtain  your  favorable  opinion.  I  believe  that  the 
passages  in  his  Journal  which  occasioned  the  Vote  which  I  first 
transmitted  to  you  were  inserted  from  an  apprehension  that  it  was 
incumbent  on  him  to  acquaint  his  Constituents  with  every  thing 
material  which  concerned  his  Mission  and  that  he  had  no  sinister 
views. 

I  am  sensible  too  contracted  a  spirit  has  generally  prevailed  in 
this  Province  and  that  some  persons  of  influence  are  still  influenced 
by  it,  but  many  of  the  Members  of  the  Board  have  more  liberal 
Sentiments  and  I  wish  and  hope  they  may  spread  and  increase. 

I  am  with  very  great  regard 

and  esteem 
Sir  Your  faithful  and  most 
obedient  servant 
Tho.  Hutchinson 


1  In  Harvard  University  Library,  Sparks  Collection.  Johnson's  name 
does  not  appear  on  the  manuscript,  but  there  seems  no  doubt  of  its  ad- 
dressee, in  view  of  the  content,  and  the  references.  It  was  marked  private 
because  another  letter,  ante  p.  928,  was  sent  via  Kirkland. 

2  See  Hutchinson  to  Johnson,  August  21,  1771,  Johnson  Papers,  8 :229, 
reprinted  ante  pp.  918-19. 

3  See  Johnson  to  Kirtland  [sic],  Aug.  22,  1771,  Doc.  Hist.  N.  Y., 
4:460-61. 


930  Sir  William  Johnson  Papers 

INSTRUCTIONS  FOR  MAISONVILLE 
A.  Df.1 

[FortStanr»ix,Oct.8,I77I] 

Instructions  for  Mr.  Maisonville 

You  will  on  your  Way  to,  &  on  yr.  Arrival  at  the  Wabache 
Assemble  [all]  the  Cheifs  [of  that  &  ye.  Surrounding  Nations]2 
in  my  Name,  [and]  &  When  met,  You  will  make  them  acquainted 
w*.  His  Majestys  Disposition  &  Intention,  wch.  are  to  promote 
peace  &  bring  abl.  a  good  understanding  between  his  Subjects,  & 
all  the  Indian  Nations  on  this  Continent.  that,  he  has  given 
this  to  me  in  charge  to  effect  that  I  have  Succeeded  therein 
[so  far  as  to  have]  with  all  other[s]  Nations  but  [f/iem]  theirs,  & 
the  Potowatamies,  who  seem  ignorant  of  their  own  Interest,  [by] 
running  abl.  like  a  People  Drunk  with  a  Hatchet  in  their  Hands 
whilst  all  other  Nations  are  employed  in  Hunting  &  Trading  to 
the  great  advantage  of  their  People.  — 

You  will  also  let  them  know  my  Surprise  at  their  not  attend- 
ing ye.  Meeting  held  by  the  Deputys  Sent  by  me,  the  Six  Nations, 
&  Canada  Indians  last  Spring3  at  the  great  plains  of  Sioto,  that 
[in  consequence  thereof,]  there  are  Messingers  now  [sending  for] 
going  from  [here  &]  the  Several  Nations  here  (for  the  last  time) 
to  desire  yl.  they  may  repent  before  it  is  too  late  of  wf.  they  have 
so  rashly  done,  and  [thereby  alone]  by  that  means  entitle  them- 
selves to  our  forgiveness,  &  favour,  on  wch,  alone  will  depend 
their  Happiness,  and  that  of  their  Children  yet  unborn.  — 

A  large  Belt 

You  will  Constantly,  or  by  everry  opertunity  make  me  ac- 
quainted with  what  passes  amongst  the  Nations  in  that  Quarter, 
and  let  me  know  their  Numbers  Connections  &  Politicks. 

[Lastly]  You  are  also  to  let  them  know  that  when  they  act  a 
proper  part  I  shall  be  glad  [at  any  time]  to  See  any  of  their  Cheifs, 


1  In  Canadian  Archives,  Indian  Records,  Vol.  9.  A  French  translation, 
in  another  hand,  follows  but  is  not  given  here. 

2  Words  italicized  and  in  brackets  are  crossed  out  in  the  manuscript. 

3  The  Congress  at  Scioto  Plains  in  June  and  July,  1771. 


Land  Development,  1769-74  931 

[n>/ien]  &  I  am  certain  I  shall  then  be  able  to  convince  them  of 
their  past  Errors  &  Send  them  back  enlightened,  &  Happy.  — 

A  Bunch  of  Wampum 


FROM  PHYN  AND  ELLICE 
Contemporary  Copy1 

Schenectady  1 8  Oct'.  1771 

Sir 

Inclosed  is  an  Ace1,  of  7  Firkins  of  Butter  sent  by  a  Sledge  of 
Mr.  Van  Eps's  which  we  houp  will  prove  good 

The  Traders  here  &  at  Albany  sends  an  Express  to  Niagara 
about  the  5th.  of  Next  Month  where  it  will  be  mett  by  another 
from  Detroit,  if  You  have  any  Commands  for  the  Posts  at  that 
time  Major  Funda  will  forward  them  we  Are  with  Much 
respect     Sir 

Yours  &ca. 
The  Honb^  P  &  E 

Sir  Wm.  Johnson 


1  In  Buffalo  Historical  Society,  Phyn  &  Ellice  letter  books. 


MAISONVILLE'S  ACCOUNT  OF  INDIAN  NATIONS 

D.1 

from  Detroit  to  Miami  80  Leagues  the  miamies,  About  1 00  in 
Number  from  Miamies  to  Wiatenons  60  Leagues  the  Wiatonons 
&  kikapous  about  600  Men  that  can  carry  Arms  the  Villages  are 
opposite  Each  Other  — 

from  the  Wiatenons  to  the  River  of  the  Vermillion  twenty 
Leagues  about  Sixty  men  — 

from  Vermillion  to  the  post  of  Vincenne  (Where  is  a  fort 
built  this  Year  on  Ace*,  of  an  Allarm  that  the  Indians  intending 
to  cut  them  off.  60  Leagues.  About  10  men  the  rest  having 
removed  for  fear  of  the  Cheroquees     from  Vincenne  to  the  Illinois 


1  In  Canadian  Archives,  Indian  Records,  Vol.  1  6. 


932  Sir  William  Johnson  Papers 

by  Land.  80.  by  Water  155.  [by  Land]  the  manner  of  Going 
there  by  Water  is  from  Vincenne  to  the  Ohio  80  Leagues  Down 
Which  you  Go  forty  Leagues  tell  you  get  to  the  Opening  of  the 
River  Missisippi  from  thence  Getting  up  to  [fort  Chartres]  Cascassi 
35  leagues  &  from  thence  to  fort  Chartres  6  Leagues  —  higher 
there  is  another  post  called  the  small  Village  —  Distant  from 
fort  Chartres  two  Leagues,  from  the  small  Village  to  Cahao 
Where  is  an  English  Commandant  About  1 4  Leagues  —  there 
is  a  Spanish  fort  built  On  the  Other  side  the  Missisipi  &  facing 
Cahao.    this  fort  is  commanded  by  a  french  Officer  — 

the  Above  mentioned  indians  are  well  united  &  have  no 
Enemies  Except  the  Cheroquees  the  Shees  &  the  flat  heads  —  the 
Illinois  are  often  at  War  with  the  foxes  &  Sacs  — 

INDORSED:2 

Maisonvilles  Ace1. 

of  ye.  Indn.  Nations  &ca. 

8K  1771 


FROM  JAMES  DE  LANCEY 

A.L.S} 

[Nerv  York,  January  19,  1772] 
Dear  Sir  — 

I  was  extreemly  sorry  to  find  on  my  Return  from  Philadelphia 
that  Sir  John  and  Colonel  Johnson  had  left  New  York  as  I 
should  have  been  happy  to  have  seen  them  at  the  Bowry  and  con- 
ferred with  them  on  the  several  Matters  relative  to  the  Affairs  of 
the  County  of  Albany;  the  Petition  You  inclosed  has  been 
delivered  to  the  house  and  the  Division  of  the  County  will  be 
made  according  to  the  Plan  therein  proposed,  at  least  there  does 
not  appear  as  yet  any  Objection  to  it  and  I  think  You  judged 
very  right  in  fixing  it  in  such  a  manner  as  not  to  interfere  with 


2  In  Sir  William's  hand. 

1  In  collection  of  Noel  Bleecker  Fox,  New  York  City. 


Land  Development,  1769-74  933 

the  Limits  of  Ulster  County,  least  the  Members  of  that  County, 
who  would  be  very  ready  to  thwart  any  Measures  proposed  by 
our  Friends,  should  oppose  the  Bill,  the  Members  for  Albany 
from  all  Appearance  approve  of  the  Boundaries  as  sett  forth  in 
the  Petition  and  will  I  beleive  give  all  their  Assistance  to  the  Bill 
and  the  Reasons  for  passing  it  are  so  obvious  that  I  cannot  foresee 
any  difficulty  but  that  of  the  Members,  most  of  our  Friends  want 
to  have  the  Manors  and  Township  thrown  into  the  old  County 
and  to  let  the  other  two  be  chosen  by  the  Freeholders  of  the 
New  one. 

As  I  suppose  it  will  be  equally  indifferent  to  You  whether 
Johnstown  is  mentioned  in  the  Bill  or  the  fixing  the  Court  House 
left  to  the  Magistrates  and  Supervisors  when  chosen,  I  shall 
prefer  the  latter,  as  I  have  always  been  in  the  house  for  leaving 
those  Matters  to  the  County,  and  particularly  objected  to  that 
part  of  the  first  Bill  that  fixed  it  at  or  near  Freys,2  I  would  chuse 
to  act  a  consistent  Part;  the  first  Meeting  of  the  County  for  the 
Election  of  their  Officers  is  to  be  at  the  Tavern  in  Johnstown. 
You  may  rely  on  my  Friendship  in  this  and  every  other  Matter 
wherein  I  can  be  of  Service  and  my  Friends  are  all  strongly 
incjined  to  Assist  me. 

I  hope  for  the  future  to  be  a  more  punctuall  Correspondent 
(the  Business  which  has  formerly  employed  my  Attention  will,  I 
flatter  myself  sufficiently  apologise  for  my  former  Remissness), 
and  to  convince  You  that  I  am 

Dear  Sir 

Your  Most  obedient  and  affectionate 
humble  Serv1. 

James  De  Lancey 
addressed: 

To 

The  Honblc.  Sir  William  Johnson  Bar1. 
At 

Johnstown 


2  Hendrick  Frey. 


934  Sir  William  Johnson  Papers 

INDORSED:3 

N  York  19  Jan*.  1772 


Js.  DeLancey  Esq". 
Letter  ^  Ibbit4  — 


TO  GOLDSBROW  BANYAR 

Johnson  Hall  29*.  Jaw*.  1 772 
Dear  Banyar  — 

I  dont  know  how  our  Ace1,  of  Correspondence  Stands,  but  I 
think  it  necessary  (tho  I  know  this  is  a  busy  time  with  You)  to 
write  You  on  two  or  three  Subjects,  I  cannot  but  express  my 
Concern  for  the  Death  of  Mr.  Mortier2  who  was  a  Gentleman  I 
long  had  an  Esteem  for,  as  I  believe  He  was  a  Candid  Honest 
Man,  His  Death  has  doubtless  proved  of  advantage  to  your 
fortune,  the  encrease  of  which  I  cordially  felicitate  You  upon.  — 

I  lately  Sent  down  a  Second  Petition  for  the  New  County,  with 
one  Alteration  making  the  Mohawk  branch  of  Delaware  a  South- 
ern Boundary  with  a  view  to  remove  any  farther  Objections.  — 
and  Just  now  I  have  a  polite  letter  from  Phill :  Schyler  telling  me 
that  the  Bill  is  committed,  professing  a  Strong  Inclination  to 
Assist  in  it,  and  desireing  to  have  the  Bounds  of  Precincts  or 
Districts,  which  I  thought  it  not  Improper  to  Send  him,  for  I 
believe  he  is  so  far  altered  that  he  will  not  give  any  opposition  to 
that  measure.  I  would  be  glad  to  know  from  You  Imediately 
whether  in  case  the  Bill  passes,  The  Judges,  Justices,  Clerk, 
Sheriff  &ca.  for  the  new  County  should  not  be  imediately  recom- 
mended to  the  Governor,  &  to  have  your  advice  and  Direction 
fully  in  this  Matter.  — 


3  In  Sir  William's  hand. 

4  Moses  Ibbitt. 

1  In  New  York  Historical  Society,  Banyar  Papers. 

2  Abraham  Mortier,  whose  daughter  Elizabeth,  widow  of  John  Appy, 
married  Goldsbrow  Banyar  in  1  767. 


Land  Development,   1769-74  935 

I  have  Just  received  a  letter  from  Mr.  Isaac  Low  disapproving 
of  the  late  proceedings  of  Mr.  Jessop3  at  this  place,  on  ace1,  of 
some  prescriptions  wh.  I  am  not  acquainted  with,  other  than  that 
I  told  him  there  was  one  Tract  promised  by  the  Indians  above  a 
Year  ago  To  Some  Gentlemen  with  whom  I  had  not  the  least 
concern,  I  countenanced  Mr.  Jessops  application,  and  took  great 
pains  to  persuade  the  Indians  to  promise  him  the  Disposal  of  the 
large  Tract  he  Sollicitted,  meerly  through  friendship  for  You 
&  Some  other  Friends  who  he  declared  had  employed  him,  and  I 
gave  up  a  peice  of  my  own  Indian  purchase  without  any  con- 
sideration whatsoever  as  a  part  of  it,  I  want  therefore  to  know 
wherein  Jessop  has  exceeded  his  powers,  or  what  has  induced  Mr. 
Low  &  Associates  to  disavow  of  his  proceedings,  as  possibly  I 
may  have  been  imposed  upon.  — 

As  I  have  lately  hired  out  a  part  of  that  Tract  granted  to 
Achilles  Preston  &ca.  containing  14000,  Acres,  and  find  that  it 
is  too  narrow,  &  limitted  in  one  place  for  the  design  in  view  I 
would  willingly  take  up  a  peice  in  Addition  thereto  wth.in  that 
part  of  my  Indian  purchase  which  I  before  rejected,  The  Land  is 
all  Mountain  6c  bad,  but  is  wanted  meerly  for  wood  &  Range, 

1  did  not  pay  the  Indians  for  more  than  I  patented  &  would  there- 
fore now  apply  for  this  in  such  a  Mode  as  You  Shall  direct,  or 
rather  would  desire  the  favour  of  You  to  apply  in  the  proper 
way,  in  the  Name  of  James  Bennet  &  his  Associates  for  a  Tract 
of  Land,  lying  on  the  North  Side  of  the  Mohawk  River, 
Beginning  at  the  North  West  Corner  of  a  Patent  granted  to 
Achilles  Preston  &  Associates  &  running  thence  North  2  Degrees 
West  80  Chains,  Thence  due  East  Six  Miles,  Thence  North  East 

2  Miles,  Thence  North  80  Degrees  East  3  Miles,  Thence  East- 
erly to  the  North  West  Corner  above  the  Isleands,  of  a  Patent 
granted  to  Henry  Holland  &ca.  called  Northampton  on  [the 
WestY  a  Branch  of  Hudsons  River  called  Sacondaga  River, 
Thence  Southerly  along  its  Several  Courses,  to  a  Patent  granted 


3  Ebenezer  Jessup. 

4  Words  italicized  and  in  brackets  are  crossed  out  in  manuscript. 


936  Sir  William  Johnson  Papers 

to  Leonart  Gansevort  &ca.,  on  the  South  East  Corner  of  a  Patent 
Granted  to  L'.  Benjamin  Roberts,  Thence  North  32  D.  West 
along  his  Line,  to  the  North  East  Corner  thereof,  Thence  South 
60.  D  30  East  along  his  Rear  line,  and  along  ye.  Rear  Lines  of 
Capts.  MacLeod  &  Claus  to  the  North  West  Corner  of  the 
latter,  Thence  Southerly  along  the  West  Side  of  the  last  men- 
tioned Patent,  to  the  North  East  Corner  of  the  Tract  of  Achilles 
Preston  aforementioned,  and  along  the  Said  Tract  South  64°. 
West  1  77.  C  &  North  80°.  West  810  O.  to  the  place  of  Begin- 
ning. Containing  abl.  Twenty  Thousand  Acres  more  or  less. 
If  You  can  put  his  application  in  a  proper  Channel,  You  will  much 
oblidge  me  as  it  will  enable  me  to  fulfill  my  engagements  to  those 
who  have  taken  up  lands  adjacent,  at  any  rate  I  must  request  to 
hear  from  You  as  Soon  as  possible  on  the  Subjects  of  this  letter, 
Some  of  which  You  know  will  not  admit  of  delay.  ■ —  I  have  now 
only  to  Assure  You  that  I  am  most  Sincerely 

Dear  Banyar, 

Your  Affectionate 
&    Humble    Servant 

W  Johnson 
Golds  Borrow  Banyar  Esqr. 

PS.  I  shall  be  glad  to  have  the  State  of  my  accf.  from  Mr. 
Newton,  or  from  the  Person  who  now  Acts.  In  the  Room  of 
the  late  Mr.  Mortier  — 

INDORSED : 

29  Jany  1 772 


From  Sir  Wm.  Johnson 


Land  Development,  1769-74  937 

TO  RICHARD  PENN 
A.L.S} 

Johnson  Hall  J  amy.  29*.  1772. 
Sir  — 

I  am  Just  favoured  with  Your  letter  of  the  9th.  Ins1.2  and  take 
this  first  opertunity  which  has  offered,  thro'  the  want  of  a  Per- 
sonal Acquaintance  to  Congratulate  You  on  Your  Taking 
upon  You  the  Government  of  Pensilvania  which  I  do  with  great 
sincerity  for  the  Esteem  I  have  for  all  the  Branches  of  Your 
Family.3  — 

I  have  perused  the  Papers  You  transmitted,  the  Design  of 
which  I  can  easily  comprehend,  and  that  You  may  understand 
the  same,  I  shall  explain  the  Affair  in  such  a  Manner  as  will 
sufficiently  account  for  the  Application  of  the  Indians.  — 

The  Shawanese,  Delawares  Munsies  &ca.  have  been,  and  are 
to  be  considered  as  Dependants  on  the  Five  Nations,  and  having 
nothing  to  do  with  the  Western  Indians  farther  than  in  an 
intercourse  common  with  all  Indians  in  time  of  Peace.  But  as 
they  resided  at  a  Distance  from  the  Cheif  Residences  of  the  Five 
Nations,  I  thought  it  necessary  to  appoint  a  Deputy  for  the  Dis- 
trict of  the  Ohio  &ca.  in  which  they  were  comprehended.  Dur- 
ing the  War  and  afterwards  for  a  time  they  partook  liberally  of 
his  Majestys  Bounty,  and  another  Officer  was  appointed  as  a 
Cornish,  to  Inspect  the  Trade  at  Fort  Pitt  &  prevent  Abuses, 
but  the  Expences  of  Presents  &  additional  Establishments  were 
thought  too  great  by  the  Crown,  and  therefore  by  his  Majestys 
Orders  the  ComissT.  &ca.  were  discontinued,  The  Affairs  that 
meerly  regarded  Trade  recommended  to  the  care  of  the  Colonies, 
and  the  Allowance  for  my  Department  limitted  to  a  Certain  Sum, 
which,  after  deducting  the  Sallaries  of  Necessary  officers  & 
other  Incidental  Expences  would  by  no  means  admit  of  any  of 


1  In  New  Jersey  Historical  Society,  Newark,  N.  J.  A  copy  is  printed  in 
Pennsylvania  Colonial  Records,  10:21-22. 

2  Not  found. 

3  Richard  Penn  (1735-181  1)  was  son  of  the  proprietor  of  the  same 
name,  and  grandson  of  William  Penn.  He  was  lieutenant  governor  of  Penn- 
sylvania, 1  771-1  773,  but  was  superseded  by  his  brother,  John. 


938  Sir  William  Johnson  Papers 

those  Largesses  which  they  had  formerly  experienced  from  the 
Various  wants  of  so  many  Nations  as  are  within  the  Northern 
Department.  The  Deputy  Agent  was  still  retained  at  Fort  Pitt 
to  receive  their  Speeches,  &  to  Treat  with  them  from  time  to  time 
as  he  Should  be  directed,  and  occasionally  furnished  them  with 
necessary  presents,  and  this  office  has  not  been  discontinued,  but 
a  proper  officer  is  now  at  the  Ohio,  to  hear  them  whenever  they 
have  any  business;  So,  that  this  application  to  You  is  only  from 
a  few  People,  who  want  more  favours  than  they  deserve,  or  than 
Government  inclines  to  bestow,  not  only  without  the  knowledge, 
but  contrary  to  ye.  Inclination  of  the  Five  Nations,  whose  Names 
(as  they  are  a  busy  People)  they  but  too  often  make  use  of, 
because  that  they  are  connected  with  Some  Emigrants  from  the 
Senecas,  &  some  others  of  ye.  Five  Nations  who  have  removed 
from  under  the  Influence  of  their  Cheifs  to  the  Ohio  —  It  is 
certainly  to  be  wished  that  all  the  Colonies  concerned  may  Unite 
in  Regulating  the  Trade,  and  appointing  proper  Persons  to  In- 
spect it.  This,  has  been  long  promised  &  is  expected  by  all  the 
Indians.  But  all  other  Matters  are  by  his  Majestys  express 
Order  Solely  confined  to  one  Channel,  namely  that  of  my  De- 
partment, for  the  Conducting  of  which,  the  Same  officers  are 
kept  up  as  formerly,  and  in  the  same  places,  except  those  regard- 
ing Trade  which  I  have  already  mentioned  have  been  Struck  off 
by  his  Majestys  Command.  —  You  will  from  hence  easily  per- 
ceive the  Motives  which  occasioned  the  Application  of  these 
Two  Tribes  to  You,  the  Answer  to  which  is  obvious,  as  they 
cannot  complain  of  the  Want  of  any  officers  but  those  for  the 
Regulation  of   Indn.   Trade,   which  no  longer  depends   on   the 

Crown.  —  t  •  i  i   i- 

1  am  with  much  listeem, 

Sir,  Your  most  obedient 

&  Verry  Humble  Servant 

The  HonbK  LT  Governor  Penn  W  Johnson 

INDORSED : 

29*.  January,  1  772. 
Letter  from  Sir  William 
Johnson  to  the  Governor. 


Land  Development,   1769-74  939 

FROM  PHILIP  SCHUYLER 
A.L.S.1 

New  York,  February  8l.  1772 

Sir 

I  do  myself  the  honor  to  acknowledge  the  receipt  of  Your 
favor2  by  Captain  Pemberton  Inclosing  the  bounds  for  the  dis- 
tricts in  the  Intended  County.  I  shall  draw  the  bill  that  no  time 
may  be  lost  in  getting  it  passed  as  soon  as  the  partition  bill  is  gone 
up,  which  has  been  delayed  by  some  matters  Intervening  which 
claimed  the  Immediate  attention  of  the  house.  I  however  have 
reason  to  hope  that  It  will  be  sent  up  by  thursday  next.  I  have 
Inclosed  you  the  bounds  as  they  now  Stand  in  the  bill  they  are 
not  quite  such  as  you  Sent  them  but  I  hope  nevertheless  there  will 
be  no  Material  difference.  The  given  Courses  were  taken  by  the 
house  from  Mr.  Medcalfs  map.  —  the  petition  which  you  mention 
has  not  yet  appeared  in  the  house.  The  bill  has  a  Clause  Im- 
powering  the  Justices  &  Supervizors  to  ascertain  In  what  part  of 
the  County  the  Court  house  &  Goal  shall  be  Erected  But  the 
Governor  claims  It  as  the  Crowns  Prerogative  to  direct  were  his 
Courts  shall  be  held.  I  shall  do  myself  the  honor  to  take  the 
Earliest  opportunity's  to  wait  on  the  Governor  and  take  the 
liberty  to  recommend  Johnstown  as  the  most  Convenient  on  many 
Accounts  and  as  what  will  be  Agreable  both  to  You  and  the 
Inhabitants  In  General 

I  am 

Sir  Your  most  Obedient 
&  very  Humble  Servant 

Ph  :  Schuyler 
The  Honorable 
Sir  William  Johnson  Baronet 


1  In  collection  of  Mrs.  Henry  M.  Sage,  Menands,  N.  Y. 

2  January  29,  1  772,  in  Johnson  Papers,  8:383-85. 


940  Sir  William  Johnson  Papers 

FROM  JOHN  VAN  SICE 

■lit.  .    JL/.    wJ. 

Gennesiyo  15th.  feb:  1772 

Then  the  Sechims  of  the  Gennesiyo  held,  a  Gennerel  meting 
about  the  horsses  &  Guns  that  was  taking  away  from  the  In- 
habetins  to  the  Suddert  and  Desird  me  to  writh  it  Down,  that 
thay  was  willing  to  give  the  horses  &  Guns  up  to  the  owners: 
the  told  me  that  thay  had  alredy  7  horses  &  4  Gunns  and  the  rest 
was  yet  in  the  woods  on  ther  hunt,  But  as  Soon  as  thay  Com  home 
thay  would  get  the  rest,  But  as  thay  Say  that  thare  was  Some  of 
the  horses  Deied  —  thay  kould  not  Be  answerble  for  them 

thay  have  Stopt  me  one  &  half  a  day  that  I  Should  writh  it 
Douwn  to  Lay  this  Before  Sir  William  Johnson  &  to  tel  his  houner 
that  thay  kould  not  help  it  Such  Like  was  Don  thay  Say  it 
was  Don  By  a  parcell  of  thaer  fyters  &  thay  was  Verry  Sorrow 
for  the  Same 

the  names  of  3  Sechims 

Sayowa  &  Daquadesse 
To  the  honereble  &  OsWEDO 

SR.  William  Johnson  :  Bar*. 

Don  By  me 

John  Van  Sice 


1  In  Canadian  Archives,  Indian  Records,  Vol.  9. 

TO  PETER  W.  YATES 

■/~L  .jL.O. 

Johnson  Hall,  17*  Fefry.  1772 
Sir  — 

Your  letter  of  the    15th.2  with  ye.   Inclosure  was  last  night 
delivered  to  me  by  Mr.  Tice,3  and  agreable  to  my  promise  by 

1  In  Williams  College  Library,  Williamstown,  Mass. 

2  Johnson  Papers,  8:403-04. 

3  Gilbert  Tice.  See  his  letter,  ibid,  8:401-02. 


Land  Development,   1769-74  941 

letter,  I  now  Send  You  my  obligation4  for  the  Sum  which  You 
say  is  the  Amount  of  Mr.  Lambs  Demand. 

As  Mr.  Lamb5  has  so  fortunately  Secured  the  payment  of  that 
Sum,  (nay  I  believe  beyond  his  Expectation,)  I  have  made  the 
Bond  without  Interest,  and  I  expect  he  will  be  verry  well  satisfied 
with  having  that  Sum  punctually  paid  to  him ;  — 

Mr.  Tice  is  verry  acknowledging  of  the  kindness  shewn  to 
him  by  You  whilst  in  Duresse,  and  I  am  to  thank  You  for  ye. 
dispatch  used  on  the  occasion, 

I  am  Sir, 

Yr.  Verry  Humble  Servant 

W.  Johnson 

NB  This  is  a  Maiden  obligation,  as  no  Man  living  has  another 
against  me,  &  this  to  serve  another. 

INDORSED : 

Sir  Wm.  Johnson, 

Johnson  Hall,  1  7  Feb.  1  772. 


FROM  KEYENQUGTO 

L.1 

Sennefyes  Country  1772  febr.  22lh. 

Kayenquento  Deesird  me  to  Writh  Douwn  that  Sr.  William 
Desird  to  him  to  take  kaer  about  the  Neues  that  was  amoungst 
them  he  Says  his  honeur  need  not  to  be  Afeard  or  thay  will  take 
good  kaer  of  his  honners  Neus  that  is  amounsg  them:  he  Says 
that  it  is  his  hard  that  is  But  alone  to  take  Care  of  the  Neus  about 
the  horses       he  has  Got  3  horsess  and  ther  is  But  1  hors  moor  at 


4  Sir  William's  Bond,  ibid.,  8:404. 

5  John  Lamb. 

1  In  Canadian  Archives,   Indian   Records,   Vol.   9.    In  handwriting  of 
John  Van  Sice. 


942  Sir  William  Johnson  Papers 

Kanandasego  and  he  Will  get  it  As  Soon  as  possebell  this  is  the 
Neus  all  that  he  has  got 

I  am  Sr.  yours  numb1.  Serv1. 

KEYENQUGTO 

To  the  honnerebel  the  Sennekes 

SR.  WM.  JOHSON  Bar1.  Sechem 


TO  THOMAS  GAGE 
A.L.S} 
Johnson  Hall  March  20th.  1772  — 

Dear  Sir  — 

I  have  Just  received  your  favour  of  the  9th.  Ins*.2  and  am  verry 
glad  to  hear  that  his  Majesty  has  ordered  that  the  French  at  Post 
Vincent  be  removed.     They  are  at  present  a  Troublesome  Sett, 
and  would  soon  become  a  formidable  Body  of  Lawless   Dis- 
affected People,   I  believe  notwithstanding  that  whatever  they 
may  say,  they  will  not  pay  due  regard  to  the  order,  having  a  fine 
Country,  &  Comfortable  Settlements,  and  being  in  such  friendship 
with  the  Indians,  and  at  such  a  distance  from  Us,  they  will  think 
themselves  secure.  —  I  am  entirely  of  your  opinion  that  on  this 
occasion    the    Indians    should    be    made    acquainted    w,h.    some 
specious  Reasons  for  their  Removal,  but  as  these  Indians  have 
behaved  so  111  towards  Us,  and  have  lately  received  such  severe 
Messages,   It  will  in  my  oppinion  Suffice  to  let  them  know  in 
general,   that  the  King  having  heard  of  the  extraordinary  be- 
haviour of  many  Indians  in  that  Quarter,  and  likewise  that  a  large 
Settlement  of  White  People  was  formed  in  that  Country  without 
Laws  or  Government,  (of  which  kind  of  Settlements  the  Indians 
are  so  apt  to  Complain)  He  Apprehended  that  the  Same  could 
not  Subsist  without  Manifest  Inconvenience  to  the  Indians,  &  a 
total  neglect  of  that  Order  in  use  amongst  Civilized  Nations,  that 
therefore   those   People  should  be  ordered  to  come  within  the 
English  Pale,  leaving  the  Indians  in  possession  of  the  Country, 

1  In  William  L.  Clements  Library. 

2  Johnson  Papers,  8:41  7-19. 


Land  Development,  1769-74  943 

and  thereby  freeing  them  from  many  Imputations  under  which 
they  have  lain  from  such  a  mixt  Settlement  as  well  as  enabling 
them  to  enlarge  their  Trade  &  Hunting,  &  to  Traffic  on  more 
advantagious  Terms  with  all  Traders  than  they  could  possibly 
do  at  present  with  those  who  had  Monopolized  ye.  Commerce 
&  put  their  own  prices  on  everry  thing.  —  That  therefore  this 
Act  of  his  Majesties  was  an  Act  of  Grace  &  favour  in  which  their 
Advantage  was  as  much  consulted  as  that  of  Government.  — 

I  am  humbly  of  opinion  that  something  to  this  Effect  will  be 
Sufficient,  for  as  to  saying  any  thing  that  will  realy  Satisfy  the 
Indians  thereon  it  is  impossible,  as  they  are  so  Jealous  of  Us  that 
our  most  plausible  Acts  will  be  misconceived,  And  the  French 
will  no  doubt  tell  them  that  it  is  done  with  a  View  to  leave  the 
Indians  more  defenceless  &  Ignorant  of  our  Intentions  until  we 
cutt  them  off. 

I  am  perfectly  of  Your  opinion  that  Ouabache  or  Shawanese 
Town  on  the  Sioto  is  the  most  convenient  place  for  the  Resident 
I  have  appointed  and  I  have  already  taken  everry  measure  neces- 
sary thereon,  as  well  as  to  obtain  regular  Information  of  all  ma- 
terial occurrences ;  but  I  am  inclined  to  wait  a  little  and  See  how 
Matters  go  on,  and  in  what  Manner  he  behaves  before  I  put 
presents  into  his  hands;  I  also  think  that  it  would  be  best  [that] 
He  had  the  Commission  of  the  Peace  in  the  manner  You  Speak 
of,  for  altho  in  a  Country  where  little  regard  is  paid  to  Laws,  it 
may  nevertheless  have  Influence  over  Some  Traders  &ca. 

I  have  the  Honor  to  be  with  the  most 
Sincere  Esteem,       Dear  Sir, 

Your  most  Obedient 

&  Verry  Humble  Servant 
His  Excellency  W,  JOHNSON 

LT.  General  Gage  — 


INDORSED : 


Sr.  Wm.  Johnson 
March  20*.  1 772. 
Received  April  1st. 
Answered  — 


944 


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950  Sir   William  Johnson  Papers 

TO  ARTHUR  LEE 
D]} 
Johnson  hall  [Nov.  6"\  1771  —f  March  28*  1772. 

Sir, 

I  did  not  receive  your  Very  Polite  Letter  of  June3  last  until 
my  return  from  Onondaga  in  the  Month  of  Novr.  the  hurry  of 
business  wch  [imediately  suceeded]*  followed  as  it  prevented  me 
then  from  Answering  you,  I  absolutely  forgot  till  lately  that  I  was 
indebted  to  you,  which  I  now  sit  down  to  acknowledge. 

[On  my  return  last  Week  from  a  Conference  I  held  with  the 
Indians  at  Onondaga  I  was  favored  with  your  very  polite  Letter  of 
June  last,  from  which]  I  [was]  am  much  pleased  to  find  that  my 
last5  proved  to  your  Satisfaction,  as  I  would  willingly  [Jesire] 
hope  that  this  may  do  touching  your  last  enquirys,  [in]  which 
[Indeed  I  can  be  more  certain  than  it  Was  possible  for  me  to  — 
/  should  —  be  on  the  Subject  of  the  Latter-former],  are  Easier 
ansd.  than,  the  former,  amid  so  much  uncertainty  &  Corruption 
of  Symbols  &ca.  — 

You  may  recollect  that  in  my  last5  I  [began  by  making]  made 
a  distinction  between  the  [practices]  ways  of  diff1.  Indian  Nations 
[which  differed  according  to  their  distance  from  our  Settlements] 
tho'  of  the  same  Confederacy  arrising  from  their  Situation,  those 
nearest  to  us  having  [lost]  in  a  great  measure  lost  their  ancient 
[f'Kcrps,  or  blended]  Customs  or  confounded  them  with  ours  [own] 
—  I  also  confined  myself  chiefly  to  the  Confederacy  known  by 
the  name  of  the  Six  Nations  with  whom  I  was  best  acquainted. 
The  same  rule  [/]  shall  be  observed  in  my  present  Answers.    As 


1  In  Harvard  University  Library.  In  Guy  Johnson's  hand. 

2  Date  italicized  and  in  brackets  is  crossed  out  in  the  manuscript. 

3  Not  found. 

4  Words  italicized  and  in  brackets  are  crossed  out  in  the  manuscript. 

5  Johnson  to  Arthur  Lee,  Feb.  28,  1  771  printed  in  Doc.  Hist.  N.  Y., 
4:430-37,  and  in  W.  L.  Stone,  Life  and  Times  of  Sir  William  Johnson, 
Bart.,  2:479-86.  The  draft  in  the  Johnson  Manuscripts  was  supplemented 
in  the  Doc.  Hist.  N.  Y.  by  additional  paragraphs  from  the  version  printed 
in  the  Transactions  of  the  Royal  Society  of  London.  The  present  letter  was 
incorporated  with  the  earlier  letter  by  Dr.  Lee  to  form  the  published  version. 


Land  Development,   1769-74  951 

to  your  first  Questions  concerning  their  Chief  Magistrates,  or 
Sachems  &  how  they  acquire  their  Authority  &ca.  I  [ansiyer]  am 
to  acq1,  you  that,  There  is  in  every  Nation  a  Sachem  or  Chief 
who  [Seems]  appears  to  [preside  over  not  only  over  the  body  of  the 
people  but  over  the  Sachems  that  Preside  over  Tribes]  have  some 
Authority  over  the  rest  [of  wch  seems]  &  it  is  greatest  amst  [those 
far  removed  from  us,  tho  Generally  it  depends  on  his  superior 
Abilities,  his  own  Influence  &  the  Strength  of  his  Connections] 
the  most  distant  Nats.  but  in  [most  of  those]  [many  of  the  Nations 
particularly]  most  of  those  bordering  on  our  Settlements  his 
Authority  is  Scarcely  discernable,  &  [hardly  very]  little  felt 
[by  the  Rest]  he  Seldom  assuming  [arrogating  to  —  himself] 
any  [Authority  in  their  presence]  power  before  his  people,  & 
indeed  this  [Species  of]  humility,  is  Judged  [such  good]  the  best 
policy  [that  it  is  Affected  by  most  of  the  Indian  Chiefs]  for 
[having  no]  wanting  Coercive  Authority  [They  do  not  think  it  safe 
to  hazard]  their  Commands  [which  might]  wd.  produce  Envy,  & 
perhaps  end  in  Assassination,  [as  some  have  Experienced]  which 
sometimes  is  the  Case.  [These  Chiefs  as  well  as]  the  Sachems  of 
each  Tribe,  are  [mostly  elected]  usually  Chosen  in  public  [Meet- 
ing] Assembly  of  the  Chiefs  &  Warriors,  [so  often  as]  whensoever 
a  Vacancy  happens  by  death,  or  otherwise. 

[77ns  Election  is  no  more  than  a  Concurrent  Choice  of  some 
Person  of]  A  Plurality  of  Voices  does  not  seem  to  be  Suffic*.  as 
they  are  generally  chosen  for  their  Sense  &  Bravery  from  amongst 
the  Oldest  Warriors  [of  the]  &  approved  of  by  [the  whole]  all  the 
Tribe  [when  the  Vacancy  happens,  and  he  is  thereupon]  on  wch 
they  are  Saluted  as  Sachems.  There  are  however  sev1.  Excep- 
tions, Some  families  having  a  kind  of  Inheritance  in  this  Office, 
[who]  are  [often  Nominated]  called  to  this  Station  in  their  Infancy. 
—  The  Chief  Sachem,  (  [or  as]  by  some  [Aave]  called  [him]  the 
King)  is  either  so  by  Inheritance  or  acquires  it  by  a  kind  of  tacit 
consent  [wch  is]  the  Consequence  of  his  Superior  Influence  & 
Abilities,  [and]  [this  Influence]  the  duration  of  wch  depends  much 
on  his  own  Wisdom,  the  Number  &  Consequence  of  his  Rela- 
tions, and  the  Strength  of  his  particular  Tribe  [&  therefore  this 
Office  tho'  it  may  nominally]  but  even  in  those  cases  where  it 


952  Sir  IVilliam  Johnson  Papers 

descends  to  posterity  [yet  if]  shod.  the  Successor  appear  unequal  to 
the  Task  some  other  Sachem  is  Sure  to  possess  himself  of  the 
power  [tho'  without  any  formal  appointm1.]  &  duties  of  the  Office 
I  shod.  observe  that  Military  Services  are  the  Capital  recommenda- 
tion to  this  [Oj^ce]  Rank.  And  it  appears  pretty  Clearly  that 
[Originally]  heretofore  the  Chief  of  [the  Whole]  a  Nation  had 
[much  of]  the  Authority  of  a  [King  (which  is  Still  the  Case  amst 
the  most  remote  Nations  on  this  Continent)]  Sovereign  in  no  small 
degree  (as  some  now  have  ams'.  the  most  remote  Inds.)  but  as 
[according  to]  since  the  [Indian  Acco1.  they  originally  fought  in 
Close  bodies  so,  after  the]  Introduction  of  Fire  Arms  [amst  them 
finally  the  mode  they  adopted  every  Man  shifted  for  himself  & 
became]  They  no  longer  fight  in  close  bodies  but  every  Man 
is  his  own  General  [from  which  I  am  of  opinion  the  Authority  of 
the  Chiefs  began  to  decline].  —  I  am  inclined  to  think  this  cir- 
cumstance has  contributed  to  lessen  the  power  of  a  Chief.  This 
Chief  of  a  Whole  Nation  has  the  Custody  of  the  Belts  of 
Wampum  &ca  [from  all  Nations,]  which  are  as  [their]  Records 
[&  he]  of  publk.  Transactions.  &  he  prompts  the  Speaker  [from 
time  to  time]  at  all  Treaties  &  proposes  [all  Matters  of  a  Public 
Nature,  their  accedence  to  which  nevertheless  at  present  depends 
solely  on  the  Reasonableness  of  his  proposals,  the  opinion  they 
conceive  of  his  Judgment,  &  of  the  Strength  of  his  Connections,] 
Affairs  of  Consequence,  he  Sits  with  the  rest  of  the  Sachems  who 
form  the  Grand  Council  [of  the  Whole],  the  Sachems  of  each 
Tribe  often  deliberate  apart  on  the  Affairs  of  their  Tribe,  [but  at 
a  Grand  Council  all  are  Admitted].  [Their]  All  Deliberations  are 
Conducted  with  Extraordinary  regularity  &  Decorum.  They 
never  Interrupt  [the  person]  him  that  Speaks,  &  very  rarely  use 
any  harsh  Language  whatever  their  thoughts  are.  —  The  Chiefs 
[may]  assume  [much  more]  most  Authority  in  the  Field  [than  at 
home]  but  this  must  be  done  even  there  with  great  Caution  as  a 
Head  Warrr.  thinks  himself  of  most  consequence  in  that  place 
I  think  I  observed  in  my  former  Letters  that  they  have  no  Laws 
[but  this  must  be  understood  in  a  Limitted  Sense  for]  they  have 
[certain  Oral]  nevertheless  Customs  [that  generally]  &  usages  that 


Land  Development,   1769-74  953 

amt  [to  such]  thereto,  but  this  [is  a  Wide  field  wch  If  I  more  than 
touched  on]  Subject,  Tho'  it  wd.  show  them  in  a  very  favorable 
Light  [and  far]  Exceeds  the  bounds-Limits-of  a  Letter;  [&  the 
Leisure  which  many  frequent  Interruptions  afford  —  As]  they  be- 
lieve in  &  are  much  afraid  of  Witchcraft,  [they  fear  it  greatly  &]. 
The  Suspected  one  is  therefore  often  punishd.  [wth.  the  Suspected] 
with  death.  Sev1.  Nations  are  equally  severe  on  those  guilty  of 
Theft,  a  Crime  indeed  uncomn.  amsl.  them  but  in  cases  of  [but] 
Murder  [is  generally  left  to]  the  Relations  [of  the  party,  that  they 
may]  are  left  to  take  such  Revenge  as  is  most  agreeable  to  them 
in  wch  they  resemble  our  own  North".  Ancestors,  —  [Tho'  in 
general  they]  They  Generally  are  unwilling  to  Inflict  Capital 
punishment  [because  it  diminishes  their  Numbers  &  all  their 
Policy,  their  Adoption  of  prisrs.  &c  tends]  as  it  defeats  their 
grand  political  Object  wch  is  to  increase  their  [People]  Numbers 
By  all  possible  means.  —  On  their  Hunts  as  upon  all  other 
occasions  they  are  strict  observers  [of  property]  Meum  &  Tuum 
&  that  from  principle  holding  Theft  in  contempt,  of  which  [is 
therefore  very]  they  are  rarely  [Committed]  Guilty,  tho'  tempted 
by  Articles  of  much  Value.  Neither  do  the  Strong  attempt  to 
Seize  the  Prey  of  the  Weak  [At  least  instances  of  that  kind  are 
very  uncommon],  and  I  must  do  them  the  Justice  to  say  that 
[except  when]  unless  heated  [by]  with  Liquor  or  inflamed  by 
Revenge  their  Ideas  of  Good  &  Evil  &  their  practices  in  conse- 
quence thereof  wod.  if  fully  known,  do  them  [Greaf]  much  honor. 
—  Tis  true  [that  they]  that  havs.  been  [so]  often  deceived  by  us 
[concerning]  in  the  Sale  of  Lands,  &  in  Trade  &c  [that]  many  of 
them  [have  learned  to  deceive,  but  this  is  an]  begin  to  act  the  same 
part  but  this  Acquirement  [which  rather]  Reflects  most  on  [our- 
selves] those  who  set  the  Example. 

[With  regard  to  Language,]  I  in  my  [/ormer]  last  Letter  [/  think] 
took  Notice  that  [that]  the  Language  of  the  6  Nats.  [is  peculiar] 
seems  to  themselves,  [&]  on  which  I  made  some  reflections  [on  that 
Circumstance  I  am  thought  to  understand  it  perfectly  well  &  I 
wish]  my  present  Leisure  would  allow  Me  to  give  [sufficient]  as 
many  Specimens  of  it,  [wch]  as  wd.  shew  You  that  it  is  (tho'  not 


954  Sir  William  Johnson  Papers 

very  Wordy)    Extremely  Emphatical,  &  [that]  their  Stile  [is] 
adorned  with  Noble  Images,  Strong  Metaphors,  &  in  Allegory 
equal  to  [an])]  many  of  the  Eastern  People.       The  Article  is 
contained  in  the  [W^orJ]  Noun,  by  a  Variation  of  the  Termination. 
The  Adjective  is  [also]  [in]  like  manner  included  [therein  in  such 
a  Manner  as  to  give  Dignity  to  the  Expression].     For  Instance 
[Ungwediio]  a  Man  is  called  Echin,  A  Great  Man  Echinaowana 
[compounded]  of  Echin,  a  Man  &  Gowana,  Great,  [Unheghte  is 
a  Woman,]  Eso  is  expressive  of  a  Great  [deal]  quantity,  Esogee 
is  the  Superlative,  —  [Ughnega,  is  Water]  Cahyunghaw  a  Creek, 
Cahyungha  a  River,  Caghyunghaowana  a  Great  River,  Cahyun- 
gheeo  a  fine  River,  [Caraghgwa  the  Sun,  Caraghquinnuagani,  the 
East,  or  Sun  Rising,]  Haga  the  Inhabitants  of  [some]  any  place, 
Tierhans,  the  Morning,  [&]  so  If  they  Speak  of  Eastern  people 
they  say  Tierhans-Ziaga,  or  people  of  the  Morning,;  The  Words 
Corota  &  Golota  wch  you  mention[eJ  in  your  Letter]  are  not  of 
the  Six  Natn.  but  [of  the]  a  Southern  Language.  [They  have 
various  distinctions  in  their]  I  shd.  farther  observe  that  they  have 
various  modes  of  speech  &  Phrases  [&  Words  that  are]  peculiar 
to  each  Age  &  Sex,  [as  well  as  some  Amst.  others  worth  Notice] 
wch  they  strictly  observe  for  Instance  [Cadaghcariaz  is  hunger  If] 
a  Man  [is  in  want  of  Animal  food  he]  when  hungry  says  Cada- 
ghcariax  [but  if  he  wants  Indn.  Corn  or  spoon  Meat  he  says]  wch 
is  both  expressive  of  his  Want  &  the  Animal  food  he  requires  to 
supply  it,  whilst  a   Child  says  under  the  same  Circumstances 
Cautsore  [&  in  lh\e  Manner,  as  the  most  proper  food  for  the 
Young  a  Child  allways,  uses  the  latter  Word,  to  Express  his 
wants.]  1.  e.  I  reqre.  Spn.  Meat0  as  most  fitting  a  Child.  —  [Con- 
cerning] As  to  your  Remark  on  their  Apparent  Repugnance  [in 
their  Nature]  to  Civilization  [A  Th]  I  must  [beg  to]  Observe  that 
[a  thorough  knowledge  of  the  Inds.  wod.  incline  one  to  think  That 
it  is  partly]  this  is  not  owing,  to  [their  not  being  taken  sujjic1.  care 
of,  &  partly  to  their  System  of  politics]  Nature  or  [their]  [Than  to] 
want  of  Capacity,  —  As  they  [possess]  have  a  Strong  Genius  for 


'I  require  spoon  meat." 


Land  Development,   1769-74  955 

Arts  &  an  uncommon  [degree  of]  patience  [&  have  Certainly  a 
Strong  Genius  for  Arts,  but]  I  believe  they  [generally  return]  are 
put  to  Schools  too  [  ]  &  sent  home  too  Soon  to  their  [own] 

people,  [amongst  whom  it  is  a]  whose  Political  Maxim,  Spartan- 
like is  to  discountenance  all  Arts  but  [that  of]  War,  holding  all 
other  knowledge  [in  Contempt,  least  it  might  tend]  as  unworthy 
the  dignity  of  man  &  as  tending  to  enervate  [them  or]  &  divert 
them  from  those  [practises]  pursuits  on  which  they  [apprehend] 
conceive  their  Liberty  &  Happiness  depends.  These  Sentiments 
[they  are  carefull  to  inculcate]  constantly  instilled  into  the  Minds 
of  [their]  Youth  [by  often  bringing  before  them  the  State  of  those 
poor-beings-Indians  whom  they  call  Women  &  who  by  being  sur- 
rounded by  our  Settlements  are  no  longer  Expert  at  hunting,  or 
capable  of  War,  It  is  therefore  no  Wonder  that  such  hereditary 
prejudices,  strengthened  by  such  powerfull  Arguments,  &  Illus- 
trated by  the  Strongest  Examples,  shod.  defeat  the  purposes  of] 
&  Illustrated  by  Examples  drawn  from  the  Contemptible  State  of 
the  domesticated  Tribes  Leave  lasting  impressions  &  can  hardly 
be  defeated  by  an  ordinary  School  Education.  — 

I  am  so  much  inclined  to  [give  you  all  the  Satisfaction,  which 
your  Merit  &  Curiosity  deserves  that  I  have  extended  this  Letter 
so  far  as  my  present  time  will  possibly  admit  Whether  I  have 
sufficiently  gratified]  gratify  your  laudable  Curiosity  that  I  have 
drawn  this  Letter  out  to  a  great  Length  whether  it  will  Answer 
yr.  Expectations  I  cannot  Say,  but  of  this  you  may  be  assured 
[of]  that  I  shall  airways  [be  glad]  so  far  as  my  [Infirmities  & 
hurry  of]  health  &  business  will  permit,  be  ready  to  demonstrate 
my  Inclination  to  Satisfy  your  Ingenious  Enquirys  &  to  shew  you 

how  much  I  am 

&c 

DR.  Arthur  Lee. 

INDORSED : 

March  28th  1 772  — 


To  Dr.  Arthur  Lee 
Towerhill 
London. 


956  Sir  William  Johnson  Papers 

PETITION  TO  THE  COUNCIL 

D.1 

[April  7, 1772] 

To  his  Excellency  William  Tryon  Esqr.  Captain  General  & 
Commander  in  Chief  of  the  Province  of  New  York  &  Territories 
depending  thereon  in  America  Vice  Admiral  &  Chancellor  of  the 
Same  In  Council 

The  Petition  of  William  Johnson  James  Campbell  [and] 
William  Patterson  John  Selfridge  &  Abraham  Lake. 

Humbly  Sheweth 

That  your  Petitioners  have  discovered  a  Tract  of  Vacant  Land 
bounded  as  follows  Beginning  at  the  West  Corner  of  a  certain 
Tract  of  Land  granted  to  Aaron  Van  Corlear  &  others  of  5000 
Acers  &  then  West  to  a  Tract  of  3 1 ,500  Acres  granted  to  Isaac 
Lawyer  &  others  then  North  to  Batten  Kill  then  along  that  Creek 
until  a  straight  Line  drawn  from  the  Place  of  Beginning  along 
said  Tract  of  VanCorlear  &  others  strikes  said  Creek  then  along 
said  straight  Line  to  the  Place  of  Beginning  containing  three 
thousand  Acres  more  or  less  — 

That  Your  Petitioners  being  desirous  of  cultivating  &  improv- 
ing the  Same  they 

Humbly  pray  Your  Excellency  Will  grant  them  his  Majesty's 
Letters  Patent  under  the  usual  Restrictions  &  Reservations 
And  yr.  Petitioners  shall  ever  pray  &c 

WM.  Johnson 
Jas.  Campbell 
WM.  Patterson 
John  Selfridge 
Abm.  Lake 


INDORSED: 


Petition  of  William  Johnson 
and  others  for  a  Tract  of 
Land  bounded  on  VanCorlears 


1  In  New  York  State  Library,  Colonial  Land  Papers. 


Land  Development,  1769-74  957 

Tract  on  the  East  Side  of 
Hudson's  River  — 
Recd.  7  Ap1.  1 772 
W.T. 

1  772  April  8.  Read  in  Council  and 
referred  to  a  Committee 
1  772  Jun  12.  the  petitioners  to 

lay  before  the  Board 

a  Map  to  the  Lands  — 

prayed  for. 


TO  GOLDSBROW  BANYAR 

A.L.S} 

Johnson  Hall  May  6ih.  1772 
Dear  Banyar  — 

It  is  a  long  time  since  I  have  heard  from  You  or  indeed  from 
any  friend  at  New  York,  tho'  I  was  particularly  Anxious  on 
Accf.  of  the  County  Act,  and  your  letter  of  ye.  1 0th.  Ult°.2  only 
came  to  my  hands  three  days  ago.  Some  of  my  letters  must  have 
miscarried  as  I  wrote  You  one  letter  requesting  the  State  of  the 
Accfs.  between  the  late  Mr.  Mortier,  You  &  myself,  since  the 
letter  You  acknowledge  to  have  received.  — 

As  to  Mr.  Jessops  Affair,  on  which  I  have  likewise  heard 
from  himself,  it  is  hard  to  say  how  it  may  terminate,  now  that  it 
is  to  be  left  to  the  report  of  Others  in  favor  of  a  Stipulated 
quantity  of  Good  land,  which  depends  on  various  prejudices  and 
can  hardly  be  ascertained  in  so  large  a  Tract  of  Rough  Land  as 
I  take  great  part  of  that  to  be.  —  I  have  not  ye.  least  Concern 
either  in  that,  or  in  the  Tract  of  Glen  &  Yates,  but  I  know  ye. 
Indians  gave  strong  Assurances  in  favour  of  the  latter,  as  they 
had  before  fallen  greatly  short  in  a  purchase,  owing  to  Patents 


1  In  New  York  Historical  Society,  Banyar  Papers. 

2  Not  found. 


958  Sir  William  Johnson  Papers 

wh.  nobody  but  the  Patentees  had  before  heard  of,  but  I  suppose 
these  points  may  be  Settled  between  the  different  Parties.  —  The 
Sketch  laid  down  here,  and  the  Agreement  made  by  me  wth.  ye. 
Indians  for  Mr.  Jessop  was  to  begin  at  the  North  West  Corner  of 
Northampton  &  not  at  the  line  of  Sacondaga  Patent,  but  I  find 
by  the  present  State  of  the  Matter  that  from  the  Lines  being  run 
from  the  Corner  of  Sacondaga  Patent,  the  Share  of  John  Bergen 
is  thrown  to  the  Westward  of  the  Line  agreed  on,  and  indeed  the 
Indians  would  by  no  means  agree  to  its  running  to  the  West  of 
the  River  at  all  but  for  my  persuasion.  —  It  will  be  easy  to 
obtain  a  Seperate  Deed  when  the  whole  points  are  Settled.  —  I 
do  Assure  You  it  was  not  my  Intention  that  the  Adigo  Tract 
should  contain  the  Surplus  You  Mention,  whenever  it  is  con- 
venient Shall  be  glad  to  receive  the  Deed.  I  hope  our  friend  Mr. 
Wallace  is  by  this  time  returned  to  New  York,  I  have  not  heard 
from  him  this  long  time,  and  fear  his  Absence  has  in  some 
measure  contributed  to  retard  some  of  the  Objects  I  had  in  view. 
—  It  was  mentioned  to  me  by  Several  friends  that  I  should 
recommend  officers  for  the  new  County,  and  indeed  all  Circum- 
stances considered,  I  thought  it  would  come  with  propriety  from 
me,  but  not  having  the  honor  of  a  personal  Acquaintance  wth.  the 
Governor,  neither  imagining  that  any  of  them  would  have  been 
imediately  filled.  However  I  now  Send  him  a  List,  in  which  I 
have  impartially  considered  the  Qualifications  and  other  necessary 
Circumstances  of  the  Persons  recommended,  and  I  hope  that 
Yourself  and  all  friends  there  will  give  it  Assistance,  as  I  dare 
say  Mr.  Wallace  will,  if  returned,  I  must  request  the  Same  with 
regard  to  Johnstown  for  holding  the  Courts,  in  case  that  point  be 
settled  before  the  Governor  comes  up.  Between  ourselves  I  can 
assure  You  that  it  has  surprised  and  concerned  all  the  principal 
People  here,  that  the  Two  best  offices  Should  be  given  to 
Gentlemen  who  have  neither  property  nor  Interest  in  the  County, 
and  whilst  Persons  who  had  both  were  to  be  met  with,  who  were 
as  well  qualified  as  Many  of  the  officers  in  Neighbouring  Counties, 
However  it  is  needless  now  to  say  anything  about  it.  —  I  now 
inclose  You  a  List  of  Names  for  Twenty  thousand  Acres,  which 


Land  Development,  1769-74  959 

I  want  to  Patent,  &  I  beg  that  You  will  push  it  through  as  quick 
as  possible,  because  I  have  already  agreed  with  Persons  who  are 
to  buy  part  of  it  at  a  Low  Rate,  Viz1.  £  1 2  ^  O.  Acres,  and 
that  You  will  Soon  let  me  hear  from  You.  — 

I  remain  Dear  Banyar 

Yours  most  Affectionately 

W  Johnson 
Golds  Borrow  Banyar  Esqr. 

PS.  Be  so  good  as  to  tell  Mr.  Gaine,3  that  I  will  take  2  Setts 
of  the  Laws  of  New  York  wh.  he  is  ordered  to  print.  — 

for  certain  reasons  wh.  I  shall  hereafter  mention  I  defer  Sending 
You  the  20  Names  as  above  promised  at  present,  but  shall  prob- 
ably in  a  Short  time.  — 

INDORSED : 

May  6  1  772 


From  Sir  Wm.  Johnson 


LIST  OF  NAMES 

A.D} 

Names  of  those  who  want  to  patent  Two  Small  Tracts  of 
Vacant  Land  on  the  North  Side  of  the  Mohawk  River  in  the 
County  of  Tryon  &  near  to  Sacondaga  —  Viz*. 

Sir  Wm.  Johnson  If  the  2  Tracts  can  be  put 

James  Bennett  into  one  Patent,  ye.  names  in 

Samuel  Sutton  the  1st.  Column  will  be  right. 

Nathaniel  Hyllyard  If  there  must  be  2  Patents,  the 

Moses  Ibbit —  following  Names  must  be  In- 

Joseph  Irwin  serted   in  ye.    Patent   for  the 


3  Hugh  Gaine,  printer. 

1  In  New  York  Historical  Society,  Banyar  Papers.  Mentioned  in  letter 
of  January  29,  1  772.  Inclosed  with  letter  of  May  6,  1  772. 


960 


Sir  William  Johnson  Papers 


Edward  Donnellan 
James  Darby  — 
James  Cotter  — 
Wm.  Fraser  Junr. 
John  Friel  — 

1  2  —  John  Looney  — 
Thomas  Scott  — 
John  Brackan  — 
William  Lucky  — 
James  Seymor  — 

17  —  Thomas  Adems  — 


Small       Tract       of      4,500 
Acres  — 

Thomas  Scott 

John  Brackan 

William  Lucky  — 

James  Seymor  — 

Thomas  Adems  — 


FROM  JOHN  MONIER 
A.L.S} 

Post  Office  Albany  14ih.  May  1772. 
Sir 

I  this  day  Received  your  letter  of  the  12th.,2  in  Conformity  to 
which,  I  immediately  delivered  your  three  Letters  Viz1. 
One  for  Mr.  Baker  of  London3 
One  for  Govr.  Tryon2 
And  One  for  G  Banyer.4 
To  Captain  Samuel  Pruyne  a  Worthy  Man,  who  I  am  con- 
vinced will  deliver  them  with  his  own  hand,  at  least  the  two  for 
New  York,  the  other  to  be  put  into  the  Post  Office  there. 

We  dont  look  upon  it  consistent  with  the  Rules  and  Interest 
of  the  Office  to  deliver  Letters  out  of  it,  otherways  than  by  Post, 
when  once  they  are  in;  yet  when  we  are  convinced  that  the  busi- 
ness of  the  Publick  ought  not  to  Suffer  by  our  Irregularity.  —  I 


1  In  New  York  State   Library,  Tayler-Cooper  Collection,  property  of 
William  Leland  Thompson. 

2  Not  found. 

3  See  Johnson  Papers,  8:477. 

4  Probably  that  of  May  6,  ante  pp.  957-59. 


Land  Development,  1769-74  961 

think  in  the  present  case  we  dont  Err,  altho  we  break  thro'  the 
Rules,  and  Remain  with  the  greatest  Respect. 

Sir 

Your  very  hu  Servant 

Jn°.  Monier 
Sir  William  Johnson  Baronet 

P.S.  Cap1.  Pruyne  Sails  this  day 

ADDRESSED : 

To 
Sir  William  Johnson  Baronet 
Johnson  Hall 
INDORSED:5 

Mr.  Moniers  Letter 
May  14*.  1772  — 

TO  AUGUSTINE  PREVOST 

Johnson  Hall  Ma^  22*.  1772 
Dear  Sir  — 

Your  verry  friendly  letter  of  ye.  3d.  Ins*.2  I  received  this 
Moment  at  Tices,3  as  the  Post  was  Setting  of  for  Albany  with 
my  letters,  so  that  I  have  only  time  to  thank  You  most  kindly  for 
the  Care  You  have  taken  of  Peter,4  and  to  request  that  You  will 
dispose  of  him,  for  a  Year  as  You  Judge  will  be  most  for  his 
Advantage,  I  am  sensible  that  taking  him  from  thence  now,  would 
be  wrong,  &  answering  no  End.  You  Judged  vastly  right  that 
keeping  him  in  Town  for  some  time  to  Accustom  him  to  See  a 
little  of  the  Manners  &  Customs  of  ye.  People,  &  thereby  wear  off 


5  In  Sir  William's  hand. 

1  In  Boston  Public  Library. 

2  Not  found. 

3  Gilbert  Tice's  tavern. 

4  Peter  Johnson,  son  of  Sir  William  and  Molly  Brant. 


962  Sir  William  Johnson  Papers 

that  rusticity  always  acquired  in  the  Country,  would  give  him,  un 
petit  Air  Degage,  —  but,  should  You  think,  that  his  going  to  that 
School  at  Long  Point  would  be  more  advantagious,  I  must  beg 
You  to  Settle  him  there  before  You  come  away  if  possible,  &  hope 
You  will  be  able  on  yr.  Arrival  here  to  let  me  know  how  I  am  to 
manage  for  the  future  with  regard  to  his  Expences  &ca.  as  he  will 
not  be  able  to  Inform  Me  &  of  consequence  I  should  be  in  the 
Dark  w,h.  regard  thereto. 

My  Nephew  Doctor  Dease,5  who  desires  his  kind  respects  to 
You,  as  does  Mr.  Daily0  &ca.  has  wrote  a  few  lines  to  an 
Acquaintance  of  his  there  Doctor  Huntley,7  to  take  some  Care 
of  the  Boy.  Should  You  See  the  Doctor,  I  would  be  much 
oblidged  to  You  if  You  will  tell  Peter  to  pay  due  regard  to  what 
he  advises,  as  I  am  told  he  is  a  verry  good  &  Sensible  Man.  —  I 
have  not  had  a  line  from  Col.  Croghan  since  yr.  departure,  nor  a 
word  from  London  about  the  Affair  wh.  Mr.  Wharton8  went  there 
to  Sollicit,  If  I  hear  any  thing  of  it,  or  receive  any  letters  from  the 
Co1.  I  shall  not  omit  transmitting  whatever  is  material  to  You 
wfh.out  delay.  —  Excuse  the  Hurry  I  write  in,  &  believe  me,  Dear 
Sir,  Your  most  Sincere  Friend 

&  verry  Humble  Servant 

W.  Johnson 
Major  Augustine  Prevost  — 

All  yr.  Family  are  well  — 

PS  Tell  Peter  I  shall  write  to  him  Soon,  &  that  all  here  are 
well,  &  glad  to  hear  that  he  is  so.  &  that  I  wish  for  nothing  more 
than  his  Improving  himself.  — 


5  John  Dease,  son  of  Sir  William's  sister. 

6  Patrick  Daly,  who  lived  at  Johnson  Hall. 

7  See  letters  of  Dr.  R.  Huntley  regarding  Peter's  expenses  in  Montreal, 
Jan.  2  and  Mar.  6,  1  773,  post  pp.  1010-11,  and  1013-14. 

s  Samuel  Wharton  went  to  London  to  press  the  proposal  of  a  group  for 
the  development  of  the  territory  along  the  Ohio. 


Land  Development,   1769-74  963 

SPEECH  OF  MISSISAGAS 

Contemporary  Copy1 

[Johnson  Hall,  May  26,1772] 

The  heads,  of  the  Messawga's  Speech  at  Johnson  hall  May 
the  —  1  772.2 

I  Shant  detain  you  long  on  the  Subject  of  our  present  Visit. 
Which  is  the  Murder  of  Eight  of  our  Countrymen  three  of  Whom 
were  killed  at  the  Kettle  Creek,  &  five  more  Nearer  to  Niagara, 
Among  whom  was  my  Daughters  son.  As  your  Wonted  Good- 
ness to  us  deserves  our  Greatest  Confidence,  we  rely  entirely  on 
your  friendship  to  do  us  Justice  in  this  Affair,  Assureing  you  we 
Shall  be  Entirely  Satisfied  with  your  determination  therein, 
Which  we  hope  you'l  Communicate  by  Letter  to  the  Commanding 
Officer  at  Niagara. 

We  Also  Assure  you  that  Notwithstanding  the  many  traders 
now  Among  us,  All  our  Warriors  remain  in  the  most  peaceable 
Disposition  &  Wait  our  return  before  they  Determine  how  to  Act. 
We  don't  Desire  the  Death  of  the  man  Who  has  murdered  our 
friends  much  less  that  of  Any  Englishman  but  rest  Entirely  on 
your  Interposition  in  this  Affair,  Nevertheless  our  hearts  are 
Quite  Sore  for  the  Loss  of  so  many  Brave  Warriors,  we  have 
However  Smothered  our  pain,  &  Injured  no  one  Dureing  our 
Journey  we  Also  purpose  to  continue  in  the  Same  Sentiment  till 
our  return  tho  I  have  lost  my  Daughters  Son. 

[Wh]  We  Shall  Bring  your  Letter  to  the  officer  at  Niagara  & 
our  first  \W\  Man  or  Greatest  will  [Kef urn]  Messekias  will  bring 
Down  his  letters  to  you.  Immediately  After  our  Return  we  Shall 
come  Down  here,  Which  is  all  We  have  to  Say  Except  intreating 
you  to  relieve  our  Wants  in  regard  of  provisions  And  Cloaths  &ca. 


1  In  Canadian  Archives,  Indian  Records,  Vol.  15. 

2  See  Johnson  to  Gage,  May  27,   1  772,  Johnson  Papers,  8:495-97,  in 
which  he  refers  to  this  speech  of  the  Missisagas  the  previous  day. 


964  Sir  William  Johnson  Papers 

FROM  THOMAS  GAGE 
Contemporary  Copy1 

New  York  June  3*.  1772. 

Dear  Sir 

I  am  this  moment  favoured  with  your's  of  27th.  Ultmo.2  as  also 
a  Letter  from  Major  Etherington3  from  Niagara  inclosing 
Ramsays  Declaration.4  I  am  of  your  Opinion  that  Ramsay  has 
not  told  Truth,  and  that  he  must  have  taken  Advantage  of  the 
Indians  when  they  were  drunk,  and  Murthered  the  Woman  and 
Child  thro'  Wantoness  and  Cruelty.  This  Fellow  should  be 
brought  to  Punishment  if  possible,  and  as  a  Canada  Jury  would 
be  probably  less  prejudiced  in  an  Affair  of  this  kind,  than  a  Jury 
of  this  Province,  it  may  be  best  to  have  him  tryed  there.  I 
inclose  a  Letter  for  the  Officer  Commanding  at  Niagara  open  for 
your  Perusal  which  you  will  please  to  seal  and  forward,  and  give 
him  yourself  such  Directions  about  the  Management  of  the 
Indians  in  this  Critical  Business  as  you  shall  Judge  most  proper. 
The  Letter  to  Niagara  should  be  sent  soon,  as  I  hope  it  may  get 
there  before  Major  Etherington,  who  is  best  acquainted  with  the 
whole  Transaction,  is  relieved.  I  write  in  a  hurry  to  be  in  time 
for  the  Post,  and  am  with  great  Regard 

Dear  Sir 
Sir  Wm.  Johnson  Bar1.  &ca. 

INDORSED : 

Copy/ 

To 
Sir  Wm.  Johnson  Bar'. 

Johnson  hall 
New  York  3«*.  June  1  772 


1  In  William  L.  Clements  Library. 

2  Johnson  Papers,  8:495-97. 

3  Major  George  Etherington. 

4  See  Declaration  of  David  Ramsay,  Johnson  Papers,  8:482-86. 


Land  Development,   1769-74  965 

FROM  THE  EARL  OF  DUNMORE 

L.  S.1 

Williamsburg  June  8lh.  1772. 
Dear  Sir 

I  cannot  omit  taking  this  opportunity  of  returning  you  once  more 
my  most  Sincere  thanks  for  the  many  civilities  and  kindnesses  you 
Showed  me  last  year;  and  particularly  for  your  choice  of  the 
Indians  you  was  so  good  as  to  Send  along  with  me. 

The  bearer  John  Alston  a  Catawba  Indian,  is  desirous  of  per- 
forming a  promise  which  he  made  the  Mowhawks  last  year  of 
paying  them  a  Visit,  and  Seems  a  Sober,  quiet  fellow,  and  begs 
that  I  will  recommend  him  to  you.  He  proposes  returning  this  way 
in  the  fall,  when  I  shall  be  happy  to  hear  that  you ;  Sir  John  and 
the  rest  of  your  family  are  well,  to  all  of  whom  I  beg  to  be 
remembered,  and  I  ever  am 

Dear  Sir 

Your  humble  Servant 

DUNMORE 

Sir  William  Johnson 


1  In  New  York  Public  Library. 


TO  DANIEL  CLAUS 

A.  L.  S.1 

June  11*  1772  — 
Dear  Claus  — 

Patrick  delivered  me  yours  Just  now  &  agreable  thereto  Send 
You  the  Belt  of  Wampum,  &  4  Bills  on  Mr.  Wallace  of  £50 
Each,  together  with  the  Cash  You  wrote  for. 

If  You  write  tell  Col.  Johnson2  when  he  comes  in  here  to  make 
out  an  Extract  of  the  Kings  Instructions  to  me,  I  will  Send  it  to 


1  In  Canadian  Archives,  Claus  Papers,  Vol.  I. 

2  Colonel  Guy  Johnson. 


966  Sir  William  Johnson  Papers 

You.  —  As  to  your  speaking  to  ye.  Priest  at  Long  Point,  I  believe 
there  will  be  no  necessity,  as  I  think  Peters3  remaining  for  some 
time  where  he  is,  will  be  more  advantagious  to  him  than  ye.  School 
learning  he  could  get  there,  any  admonition  given  to  him  will  be 
agreable  to  me.  — 

As  Soon  as  You  have  settled  all  Matters  relative  to  the  Depart- 
ment with  the  Indians,  &  that  with  as  much  frugality  as  you 
can,  You  will  return,  &  report  yr.  proceedings  to  me. 

I  wish  You  safe  to  Canada,  &  a  pleasant  time  until  You  return, 
being  Yours  Dear  Claus 

most  Affectionately 

W  Johnson 
Col  Claus  — 


3  Peter  Johnson,  born  in  September,  1  759,  and  killed  in  action  on  Long 
Island,  Aug.  27,  1  776,  eldest  child  of  Sir  William  Johnson  and  Molly 
Brant. 


TO  GEORGE  CROGHAN 

Johnson  Hall  June  11*  1772 
Dear  Sir  — 

I  could  not  let  slip  so  favourable  an  opertunity  as  this  by 
Major  Prevost,2  of  writing  You,  and  expressing  my  concern  at 
not  hearing  from  You  in  so  long  a  time,  nor  from  Mr.  McGee,3 
whom  I  appointed  to  transact  business  with  ye.  Indians  in  that 
Quarter,  and  expected  long  since  to  have  heard  from  him  on  that 
Head,  as  well  as  to  have  received  his  Ace1,  of  Expences,  for  the 
last  half  Year,  but  I  have  not  had  a  line  from  him  Since,  which 
leaves  me  a  good  deal  in  the  dark  with  regard  to  what  is  passing 
now  in  that  Quarter,  wherefore  must  request,  You  will  (if  he  is 
in  them  parts)   tell  him  to  write  me  fully  by  Mr.  Prevost,  and 

1  In  Boston  Public  Library. 

2  Augustine  Prevost  who  married  Croghan's  daughter. 

3  Alexander  McKee. 


Land  Development,   1769-74  967 

that  I  think  his  presence  now  at  Sioto  would  be  necessary.  As 
Mr.  Prevost  is  in  a  Hurry,  His  Boat  with  his  Family  having 
passed  yesterday  I  cannot  be  so  communicative  as  I  otherwise 
might  be,  neither  indeed  is  it  so  necessary,  as  the  Major  can  give 
You  a  pritty  full  Ace*,  of  all  Material  Occurrences. 

I  have  desired  the  Senecas  to  deliver  ye.  Horses  &  Rifles  which 
they  Stole  last  year  (&  have  now  Collected  in  order  to  return 
them)  to  You,  as  it  is  much  nearer  than  to  bring  them  to  me,  as 
they  intended.  I  understand  two  of  the  Horses  were  taken  from 
You.  —  A  Deputation  of  the  Messissagaes  came  a  few  Days 
ago  to  inform  me  that  8,  of  their  People  were  murdered  by  one 
Ramsay  a  Trader  on  Lake  Erie.  I  took  all  the  necessary  Steps  to 
pacify  them,  &  prevent  their  taking  revenge  if  possible,  they 
parted  loaded  with  Presents  &ca.,  The  fellow  is  to  be  sent  in 
Irons  to  Canada  there  to  have  his  Tryal,  He  says  they  were  going 
to  plunder  &  Kill  him,  so  that  what  he  did,  was  in  his  own 
defence.  He  is  a  fellow  of  a  bad  Character,  and  was  banished 
from  the  Posts  before,  for  his  Villainy.  However  I  don't  think 
he  will  Suffer,  had  he  killed  a  Hundred.  — 

I  hope  by  this  time  You  will  have  recd.  favourable  Acc,s.  from 
Mr.  Wharton,4  and  that  everry  thing  relative  to  ye.  land  he  is 
about  may  be  finally  settled  to  Satisfaction.  I  am  sure  it  is  high 
time  it  should,  &  that  he  was  returned. 

referring  You  to  My  friend  the  Bearer  for  particulars,  I  remain 
most  cordialy,  Dear  Sir 

Your  real  Wellwisher, 

&  verry  Humble  Servant 

W  Johnson 
CoL.  George  Croghan 

PS.  You  have  doubtless  heard  the  destination  of  ye.  Royal 
Americans,  wh.  I  am  sorry  for,  as  it  deprives  us  of  one  of  the 
best  of  Men,0  and  a  Neighbour,  in  whom  all  his  Acquaintance 


4  Samuel  Wharton,  in  London. 

5  Probably  Lieut.  Augustine  Prevost  of  the  60th  regiment,  known  as  the 
Royal  American. 


968  Sir  William  Johnson  Papers 

had  the  greatest  Satisfaction.  I  heartily  wish  something  might  fall 
out  to  alter  the  intended  Disposition,  &  leave  him  at  Otsege.  — 
If  Mr.  McKee,  or  You  could  procure  me  a  Rifle  that  is 
proved  &  shoots  verry  exact,  (otherwise  it  would  be  needless  to 
Send  it,  as  there  are  Several  here  but  none  that  will  Shoot  so  nice 
or  exact  as  I  hear  they  do  that  way.)  You  would  much  oblidge 
me,  by  Sending  it  ^  any  good  opertunity.  the  [Ami  of  it]  shall 
be  paid  to  Mr.  Mc.Kee  when  known  by  Yrs. 

WJ  — 
Note       I  dont  care  how  plain  it  is,  if  it  shoots  true  or  exact.  — 


A  CERTIFICATE 

D.S.1 

au  Detroit  le  28e.  juin  1772. 

Nous  Soussignes  Certifions  que  les  taxes  sur  les  terres  tant  de 
La  Ville  que  de  La  Campagne,  que  les  Charriages  des  bois  de 
Garnison  sans  payement,  que  1'emprisonnement  de  Ceux  qui  ont 
refuse  de  Labourer  pour  les  Sauvages  gratis,  et  que  l'enlevement 
d'un  debiteur  par  violence,  dont  nous  nous  plaignons  dans  notre 
requete  a  son  Excellence  le  General  Gage,  ne  sont  point  les  faits 
dont  nous  avons  accuse  le  Captne.  Stevenson2  puis  qu'ils  etoient 
anterieurs  a  son  arrive. 

B  Chapoton 

BONDI 

D.  Baly  Pour  Pierre  Reaume 

Translation 

at  Detroit  June  28,  1772. 

We  the  undersigned  certify  that  the  land  taxes  of  both  town 
and  country,  carting  wood  for  the  garrison  without  pay,  the  im- 
prisonment of  those  who  refused  to  work  for  the  Indians  without 

1  In  William  L.  Clements  Library;  inclosed  in  Johnson  to  Gage,  Aug. 
13,  1772. 


Land  Development,   1769-74  969 

pay,  and  the  carrying  off  of  a  debtor  by  force,  of  which  we  com- 
plained in  a  petition  to  his  Excellency  General  Gage  are  not  the 
facts  of  which  we  accused  Captain  Stevenson2  since  they  antedate 
his  arrival. 

B.  Chapoton 

BONDI 

D.  Baly  for  Pierre  Reaume 


2  Captain  James  Stevenson. 


JOURNAL  OF  INDIAN  AFFAIRS 

A,  D.1 

July  6*.  1772  — 

1 st.  To  let  them  know  that  it  gave  me  pleasure  to  See  them  & 
Smoak  a  pipe  with  them  out  of  one  belonging  to  their  council, 
&  that  I  shall  keep  it  &  smoak  out  of  it  with  all  Nations  who  may 
come  [here]  to  this  Council  Fire  &  let  them  know  we  are  freinds 

A  Belt  — 
2d.  To  thank  him  for  clearing  ye.  Road  between  them  &  Us,  to 
recommend  it  to  them  to  take  good  care  of  it  as  on  that  depends 
all  Communication  between  their  Nation  &  Ours,  then  Shew  him 
a  Chain  Belt  which  we  are  determined  to  hold  fast  as  long  as  they 
behave  well  which  on  giving  the  Belt  [to  them]2  I  strongly  recom- 
mended it  to  them  to  keep  as  fast  hold  of  it  also,  Assuring  them 
that  whilst  they  took  care  of  &  kept  it  bright,  they  would  always 
find  us  their  friends  — 

A  Belt  — 
3d.  To  let  them  know  ye.  Concern  it  gave  all  ye.  English  to  hear 
of  the  Murder  lately  committed  by  one  of  [Our]  Yr.  People, 
owing  in  a  great  measure  to  their  [Peoples]  Encouraging  him  to 
go  &  trade  amgsl.  them,  which  is  what  I  never  approved  of,  for 
many  reasons,  that  I  settled  that  Affair  with  the  Deputys  who 


1  In  Canadian  Archives,  Indian  Records,  Vol.  9. 

2  Crossed  out  in  the  manuscript. 


970  Sir  William  Johnson  Papers 

came  here  Some  time  ago,  as  far  as  in  my  power,  that  I  expect 
they  will  not  Seek  any  revenge  after  wl.  they  promised,  &  that  I 
desire  they  will  Send  this  Belt  to  all  their  Villages  &  acquaint 
them  with  what  has  been  done  in  the  Affair,  and  that  they  will  not 
look  upon  what  one  Man  does  as  a  Sufficient  reason  to  break  with 
a  People  who  disaprove  of  that  Action  as  much  as  they  do,  &  on 
whom  they  depend  for  everry  necessary  of  life,  concluded  with 
desiring  them  to  keep  in  mind  what  engagements  their  Cheifs  have 
from  time  to  time  entered  into  with  me. 

A  Belt  — 

After  I  had  finished  3  rose  up  &  returned 

many  thanks  for  the  friendly  Advice  I  had  given  them,  promised 
to  do  everry  thing  I  required  faithfully,  &  Said  he  was  certain 
My  Words  would  afford  ye.  greatest  Satisfaction,  &  the  Steps  I 
had  before  taken  when  ye.  other  Deputys  were  here,  would  be  a 
healing  Balsam  to  ye.  wounds  they  recd.  — 

He  then  with  3  Strings  of  Wampum  requested  I  would  provide 
properly  for  their  return,  such  as  Cloathing  them  their  Wives  & 
Children,  [finding]  Supplying  them  wth.  provision  for  their  long 
Journey,  paying  for  riding  their  Boats  &ca.  over  the  Carrying 
places,  and  above  all  to  let  them  have  plenty  of  Rum  for  their 
Journey,  and  some  to  drink  w,h.  their  Cheifs  on  their  return.  — 

All  which  I  promised  Should  be  done  &  that  everry  thing 
Should  be  ready  next  Morning,  also  a  pr.  of  Colours.  —  for  wh. 
they  returned  many  thanks. 

Paupinnash  the  Cheif  of  ye.  Messissagaes  wh. 

Tes,  capuech,  ye.  1 st.  Cheif  who  came  here. 


3  Blank  in  the  manuscript. 


Land  Development,   1769-74  971 

FROM  DANIEL  CLAUS 

A.  Df.1 

Montreal  8ih.  July  1772 
Dear  &  Honored  Sir 

The  bearer  [  —  my  last]2  Wm.  Johnson  having  been  unlucky 
enough  as  to  burn  his  Leg  last  Winter  in  such  a  Manner  &  very 
near  to  loose  it  and  oblidged  to  be  brought  to  this  Place  by  Sr. 
John  who  he  says  has  saved  his  &  several  Traders  lives  in  the 
Neighbourhood  where  they  wintered,  and  is  just  now  able  to  walk 
a  little  &  on  his  way  to  where  he  lives.  I  embrace  the  Opportunity 
of  writing  by  him  and  to  acquaint  you  that  I  was  in  my  way  hither 
to  go  to  Quebec  but  the  night  before  my  leaving  this  was  seized 
with  a  slight  fit  in  my  left  Foot,  wch.  stopd  me  &  for  wch.  I  am 
sorry  there  being  [a]  great  Doings  here  between  some  Traders  of 
this  Place  (Mr.  Chin  being  at  the  head)  and  the  Indians  of  the 
Lake  or  Caneghsadagey.  The  latter  after  several  Years  Applica- 
tion to  prevent  Traders  from  coming  among  sd.  Indians  (them)  to 
their  hunting  Grounds3  wch.  they  have  always  occupied  &  claimed 
from  the  Long  Sault  or  fall  in  Outawa  or  grand  River,  to  Lake 
Nipisin  where  no  Traders  ever  resorted  to  in  the  time  of  the  french 
and  seeing  their  Ruin  drawing  near  and  no  Prospect  of  Redress 
the  3  Nats.  agreed  in  Council  to  send  3  Canoes  manned  to  the 
Number  of  25  Men  and  bring  down  2  or  3  of  those  Traders  with 
their  Merchandise  and  wch.  was  executed  &  the  Frontiers  safely 
&  quickly  conducted  to  the  End  of  the  [  ] 

Montreal.  The  Reasons  the  Indians  give  of  their  disliking 
Traders  on  their  hunting  Grounds  are,  Their  bringing  Liquor  with 
them  by  which  they  prevent  them  to  follow  their  hunting  and  their 
[poung]  people  knowing  [lp/iere]  Liquor  [is  to  be  had]  being  so 
near  to  be  had  whenever  they  have  a  Beaver  Skin  &ca.  they 
go   and  drink  it  &  thereby  their   families   are   left  destitute  of 


1  In  Canadian  Archives,  Claus  Papers,  Vol.  I. 

2  Words  italicized  and  in  brackets  are  crossed  out  in  manuscript. 

3  On  the  margin  at  this  point  is  written:  "for  me  as  well  as  for  the  Govr. 
of  the  Prove,  himself." 


972  Sir  William  Johnson  Papers 

Necessaries  throuout  the  whole  Year,  the  Love  of  Liquor  also 
tempts  them  to  rob  their  Neighbours  hunting  Ground  &  [getting] 
has  occasioned  several  Murders  among  themselves  [hunt]ing  game 
out  of  season  to  the  prejudice  [of  trade]  of  their  hunt  &  a  Family 
being  last  fall  detained  by  Drunkenness  could  not  reach  their 
hunting  place  [were  overtaken]  on  acco1  of  [by]  a  deep  Snow  had 
nothing  to  live  upon  &  Necessity  oblidged  them  to  devour  [some] 
their  Children  &ca.  so  that  thro  the  pernicious  practice  of  these 
Traders  they  are  exposed  to  the  greatest  Miseries  &  Calamities, 
their  Village  in  Confusion  many  of  their  People  [not  having  a] 
being  ashamed  to  [come]  home  these  several  Years  past  being 
naked  &  nothing  to  bring  to  Market.  These  and  many  more  are 
their  Reasons  of  Complaint  all  which  I  have  laid  before  Govr. 
Carleton,4  &  last  Year  Ll.  Govr.  Cramahe5  seemingly  to  no 
purpose  so  that  the  Indns.  at  last  were  compelled  to  the  above 
Expedient  in  their  own  Defence ;  but  the  Traders  abuse  them  and 
defy  them  to  hinder  them  &  that  they  would  go  there  armed  & 
repell  love  by  force,  wch.  are  silly  Expressions  and  have  been  told 
the  Indns.  who  are  very  warm  about  &  dare  them  in  their  Turn, 
so  that  if  Governing  dont  interfere  [f/iose]  such  perhaps  may  [get] 
draw  an  Indn.  war  upon  them  wch.  these  Rumsellers  dont  care  for 
so  their  Interest  is  served  [su#ers]  [and]  was  it  even  all  the  Trade  in 
the  upper  Countries  knocked  up  and  the  Crown  put  to  a  great 
expense  wch.  soon  would  be  the  Case  if  any  [thing  should  happen] 
Insult  should  be  offered  the  Arundan  &  Skaghgaere  Nations 
at  Caneghsady.  who  are  connected  with  all  the  upper  Nations.6 
I  plainly  foresee  that  the  Trade  must  soon  be  confined  to  the  Posts 
after  all  the  Lies  of  the  Canada  Traders  to  the  contrary  tho  they 
brag  away  that  they  will  cut  out  all  the  other  Colonies  in  Indn. 
Trade  &  if  the  Ottawa  River  should  be  stopd  up  it  would  be  all 
over  with  them;     they  carry  immense  Quantities  of  Ammunition 


4  Governor  Guy  Carleton. 

5  Hector  Theophilus  Cramahe,  appointed  in  1  771  lieutenant  governor  of 
the  Province  of  Quebec. 

6  "I  have  cautioned  them  and  they  have  promised  me  not  to  be  the 
Aggressors."  Footnote  at  bottom  of  the  letter. 


Land  Development,  1769-74  973 

never  heard  of  before  among  the  Indns.  wch.  seems  impossible  the 
Latter  all  consume  but  must  hord  it  up,  and  Billy  Johnston  may 
give  you  some  particulars  about,  there  should  I  think  [be]  some 
Notice  taken  of  it  as  there  seems  to  be  some  thing  brewing  among 
the  Indns.  [about  Detroit]  some  french  Traders  coming  from  the 
upper  Countries  being  asked  by  some  Indians  in  their  way  if  the 
Indns.  abl.  Detroit  had  not  given  a  Blow  as  yet.  They  robbed  a 
Canadian  Trader  near  Cataraequi  of  his  Cargo  consisting  of  Rum 
&  provisions  &  sent  him  home  again.  A  English  Trader  I  hear 
was  shot  at  Sandusky 

D.  Claus 


FROM  TIMOTHY  WOODBRIDGE 

Stockbridge!5lh.  July  1772 
Honrble.  SR 

I  am  desired  to  write  to  you  by  one  Mr.  Shepard  and  others 
who  are  concerned  in  procuring  a  patent  of  a  Tract  of  Land  lying 
in  the  Colony  of  New- York  lying  about  Sixteen  miles  east  of  what 
is  Called  the  New  City,  containing,  I  am  informed  by  the  plat  of 
the  Survey  about  4000  acres:  This  Tract  of  Land  This  Mr. 
Shepard  and  other  partners  have  been  along  Time  in  persuit  of 
obtaining  a  title  from  the  Governor  and  council  of  New  York. 
Those  people  who  are  endeavouring  to  obtain  a  patent  of  the  Said 
Tract,  say  it  lies  unpatented  and  is  certainly  crown  Land  and 
Their  only  obsticle  is  about  the  Indian  title.  Your  Honor  may 
remember,  some,  Six  or  eight  years  ago  I  waited  on  you  at 
Johnsons  Hall  in  order  to  ascertain  the  different  claims  of  the 
Mohock  and  M'hhekun  Tribes,  and  afterward  you  procured  a 
Settlement  and  division  between  the  Two  Nations  under  your 
Own  Seal  and  the  Seals  of  the  said  Tribes  which  compact  or 
agreement  came  to  my  hands  but  I  am  not  able  to  find  it,  whether 


1  In  New  York  State  Library,  Tayler-Cooper  Collection,  property  of 
William  Leland  Thompson. 


974  Sir  William  Johnson  Papers 

those  Indians  that  went  To  England  took  it  with  them,  or 
possessed  themselves  of  it  for  some  other  purpose  I  cannot  say. 
But  I  well  remember  in  that  Instrument  the  Mohoks  ceeded  to 
the  Mhhekunnuck  Tribe  all  the  Land  lying  on  the  east  side  of 
Hudsons  River  as  high  up  Said  river  as  fort  Edward.  But  as  the 
Mohocks  had  made  Some  conveyences  above  that,  such  convey- 
ences  must  remain  good.  Thus  far  I  Judge  I  am  right  as  to  the 
facts  relative  To  the  Settlement  among  the  Indians:  Since  Said 
Settlement  There  has  been  many  applications  To  the  Indian 
claimers  of  Lands  lying  east  of  Hudsons  river  by  those  people  who 
have  made  Settlements  Thereon  and  the  Indians  have  met  several 
Times  to  Settle  the  right  of  the  Indian  claimants  of  those  Lands 
lying  on  the  East  side  of  Hudsons  River  and  below  Fort  Edward, 
and  in  those  Adjustments  it  has  been  allowed  That  the  decendants 
of  Old  Paumaumpausoo  and  The  decendants  Humpaumit  are 
large  Sharers  of  those  Lands  Cap1.  Solomon  Uhhaunnukwaunnuk- 
mut  is  the  head  of  Humpaumits  family  and  Timothy  Yokun  is 
the  first  male  heir  and  Grandson  To  Paumaumpausoo.  There 
are  many  others  whose  lenial  decent  are  from  Those  Indians. 
The  English  have  bargained  for  Some  of  those  Lands  of  the 
Indian  owners  but  have  [not]  paid  only  a  Small  matter  of  the 
consideration  by  reason  of  their  not  having  obtained  a  patent  But 
have  engaged  to  make  full  satisfaction  as  soon  as  they  shall 
Succeed  in  getting  the  Land  purchased  of  the  Indians  confirmed 
to  them. 

I  have  only  to  begg  the  favour  that  you  would  be  pleas'd  so 
to  direct  the  Indian  affairs  that  they  may  be  enabled  to  come  at 
their  Just  rights,  and  to  ask  your  Honors  excuse  for  the  blunders 
in  the  letter  having  but  Just  arrived  home  from  the  general 
Assembly  where  I  have  attended  near  Two  months  where  almost 
every  thing  has  been  obliterated  from  my  mind  only  to  remember 
that  I  am  Your  Honors  most  obliged 

And  Obedient 
Humble 
Servant. 
TlM°.  WOODBRIDGE 

To  Sr.  William  Johnson  Bar1.  — 


Land  Development,  1769-74  975 

ADDRESSED : 

To  the  Honrble  Sr.  William  Johnson 
Bar1. 

Johnson  Hall 
INDORSED:2 

Stockbridge  July  15th.  1772 


Timothy  Stockbridge  Esqr. 
Letter 

Ansrd.  — 


AN  INDIAN  CONFERENCE 

A.  D} 

Thursday  July  16*  1772 

Two   Messissagey   Inds.   Arrived  here  Yesterday,   &  Spoke  as 
follows, 

Father 

I  am  now  Come  to  See  You,  and  am  happy  to  find  my  Father 
alive,  I  have  now  in  my  hands  the  Flag  &  Belt  of  Wampum 
which  You  gave  to  me  when  last  here,  &  do  Assure  You  Father 
I  made  ye.  use  of  them  wh.  You  then  desired.  Hearing  that 
Some  of  our  People  who  were  here  lately  had  behaved  disorderly 
in  their  return,  is  ye.  reason  of  my  taking  no  more  of  my  People 
with  me,  least  where  there  are  many  Some  of  them  might  act 
foolishly.  —  [Mp  Ears  were]  Father  I  have  agreable  to  yr.  advice 
kept  my  Ears  Shut  agst.  all  bad  news,  and  so  have  all  our  People, 
and  now  I  have  opened  them  on  entering  yr.  House,  that  I  may 
hear  what  You  have  now  to  Say  to  Us  &  our  Nation.  — 

A  Belt  — 
Father 

I  am  desired  by  our  Cheifs  to  tell  You  that  they  are  all  well 
disposed,  &  keep  in  Mind  what  You  from  time  to  time  have 


2  In  Sir  William's  hand.  His  error  on  the  name. 
1  In  Canadian  Archives,  Indian  Records,  Vol.  9. 


976  Sir  William  Johnson  Papers 

recommended  to  them,  and  they  all  expect  to  hear  from  You  by 
Us,  &  that  on  our  return  You  will  Send  Some  of  yr.  Milk  to 
them,  that  they  may  drink  it,  &  think  of  You  when  all  mett  in 
Council  to  hear  Yr.  words.  &  You  may  be  assured  we  Shall 
deliver  both  Safe  to  them  on  our  return.  — 

4  Strings  — 
Father 

I  hope  You  Dont  think  that  we  have  Anything  bad  in  our 
hearts  on  Ace1,  of  our  faces  being  Coloured  black,  we  assure  You 
we  have  not,  &  that  they  are  as  white  as  Snow,  it  is  for  want  of 
paint  that  we  have  painted  black  — 

They  then  produced  Some  Guns  Axes  Spears  &ca.  wh.  they 
want  to  have  mended,  for  wh.  I  gave  them  an  Order  to  the 
Severall  Smiths,  &  told  them  I  would  Speak  to  them  next  Day.  — 

I  bid  them  Welcome  &  Returned  the  Compliment,  Then  told 
them  I  was  glad  to  See  that  they  took  so  good  Care  of  the  Flag 
&  Belt  wh.  I  had  given  them  3  Years  ago,  then  recommended  it  to 
them,  always  to  keep  in  mind  the  good  words  wh.  were  spoken 
When  Sd.  Belt  &  Flag  was  given. 

Children 

It  affords  me  much  pleasure  to  hear  that  Yr.  People  Continue 
well  disposed,  &  that  they  pay  no  regard  to  the  evil  reports  so 
often  carried  amongst  them  by  bad  designing  Men,  I  now  again 
advise  You  to  follow  the  wholesome  Advice  which  I  formerly 
gave  You,  So  Sure  &  so  long  as  You  do  so,  You  will  find  it  [for] 
your  Interest,  —  for  the  English  will  always  shew  favor  to  such 
as  behave  well  towards  them.  —  And  as  your  Trade  entirely 
depends  upon  a  good  understanding  between  You,  You  should 
study  by  all  means  to  Cultivate  it.  —  When  You  are  ready  to 
return,  I  shall  order  You  a  Present  of  some  Cloathing  Amuni- 
tion  &ca.,  also  Some  Rum  for  Yr.  Journey,  &  for  your  Cheifs  to 
drink  at  their  Meeting,  when  assembled  to  hear  what  news  You 
brought,  Then  delivered  them  a  Number  of  fish  Spears,  Axes 
&ca.  —  for  all  which,  they  returned  many  thanks,  and  made  many 
promises  of  remaining  firm  friends  to  the  English.  —  &  of  keeping 
their  Ears  Shut  until  they  came  here  again.  — 


Land  Development,   1769-74  977 

FROM  HUGH  GAINE 

New  York  July  28  J  772 

Sir 

Before  this  reaches  you,  I  make  no  Doubt  you've  received  my 
last,  informing  you  that  the  Bill  you  transmitted  me  on  Messrs. 
Hugh  and  Alexander  Wallace  was  duly  honoured,  and  passed  to 
your  Credit;  since  which  I  have  been  favoured  with  yours  of  the 
13th  Instant,  requesting  a  Quantity  of  Keyser.2  I  now  send  you 
a  Box  of  1000:  I  sell  them  at  40/.  per  Hundred,  but  will  not 
charge  you  no  more  than  20/.  per  C. 

You  may  depend  they  are  genuine,  and  as  fresh  as  any  in 
America,  as  I  assure  you  they  are  not  9  months  from  Paris.  I 
make  not  the  least  Doubt  they  will  answer  the  good  Purposes  for 
which  they  are  designed ;  and  to  be  favoured  with  an  Account  of 
their  operations,  (not  to  publish  in  the  Paper)  would  give  me 
much  Pleasure. 

I  have  sent  you  a  set  of  Blackstone's  Commentaries  at  £3 :4:0 
the  Dublin  Edition,  the  Philadelphia  Edition  not  being  yet 
finished ;  neether  will  it  be  compleated  these  6  Months.  Waiting 
your  farther  Commands,  I  am  Sir 

Your  Much  Obliged 

Humble  Servant 

Hugh  Gaine 

addressed : 

2M 
To 

Hon.  Sir  William  Johnson,  Bart. 
At 

Johnson  Hall 


1  In  New  York  State  Library,  Tayler-Cooper  Collection,  property  of 
William  Leland  Thompson. 

2  Letter  not  found.  For  Keyser's  pills  see  Johnson  Papers,  8:1  125;  cf. 
also  P.  L.  Ford,  ed.,  The  Journals  of  Hugh  Came  (New  York,  1902), 
1 :236-237. 


978  Sir  William  Johnson  Papers 


INDORSED:3 


July  28,  1 772 
Mr.  Gaines  letter 


FROM  HENRY  WHITE 
A.L.S} 

New  York  5  Aug*.  1 772 
Dear  Sir 

I  have  the  pleasure  of  Incloseing  Mr.  Fondas  Licence  to  Pur- 
chase from  the  Indians,  which  I  have  Just  now  got  from  Mr. 
Banyar,  I  shall  be  ready  to  pay  my  Part  when  I  know  its  amount 
I  have  herewith  sent  a  Letter  that  came  under  Cover  to  me  for, 
Sir  John,  to  whom  be  pleased  to  make  my  Respectfull  Comple- 
ments, I  hope  by  this  Time  you  are  got  over  the  Hurry  I  Left  you 
in  with  the  Indians,  be  pleased  to  accept  of  my  greatfuli  acknowl- 
edgments for  the  Civilities  I  recieved  at  Johnson  Hall,  and  am 
with  great  Esteem 

Dear  Sir 

Your  Most  obed  Serv1. 

Henry  White 


Sir  William  Johnson  Bar'. 

N  York  5*.  Aug-*.  1 772 


INDORSED:2 


Henry  White  Esqrs.  Letter 
wlh.  a  Lycence  for  Fonda  &ca. 
&  ansr.  to  it  — 


3  In  Sir  William's  hand. 

1  In  New  York  State  Library,  Tayler-Cooper  Collection,  property  of 
William  Leland  Thompson. 

2  In  Sir  William's  hand.  The  answer,  copied  on  same  sheet,  is  Sir  Wil- 
liam's letter  of  August  1  8,  1  772,  post  pp.  979-80. 


Land  Development,   1769-74  979 

TO  JAMES  STEVENSON 

Contemporary  Copy1 

Johnson  hall  Augt  /4th.  1772 
Sir, 

According  to  my  promise  I  now  inclose  you  a  Letter  for  Gen- 
eral Gage2  in  which  I  have  fully  stated  your  desires,  and  strongly 
recommended  them.  I  have  at  present  only  time  to  add  my  wishes 
that  it  may  prove  of  that  use  to  you  for  which  it  is  Sincerely  in- 
tended by  Sir  — 

Your  Hearty  Wellwisher 
&  most  Humble  Servt. 
Capt.  Jas.  Stevenson 

indorsed  : 

Aug  14  1772 

To  Capt.  Jas.  Stevenson 
with  a  Letter  to  Gen1.  Gage. 


1  In   New  York  State  Library,  Tayler-Cooper  Collection,  property  of 
William  Leland  Thompson.  In  Guy  Johnson's  hand. 

2  Johnson  Papers,  8:572-73. 


TO  HENRY  WHITE 
A.Df.1 

August  I &K  1772  —  . 
Dear  Sir  — 

Your  favor  of  the  5th.  Ins1.2  with  the  Inclosure  came  safe  to 
hand,  by  which  I  am  extremely  glad  to  find  You  got  Safe  to 
New  York,  [Sa/e]3  &  Soon  I  Delivered  to  Sir  John  [pr.  letter  of] 


1  In  New  York  State  Library,  Tayler-Cooper  Collection,  property  of 
William  Leland  Thompson.  This  draft  is  on  the  reverse  of  the  sheet  of 
White's  letter  of  August  5. 

2  Ante  p.  978. 

3  Words  italicized  and  in  brackets  are  crossed  out  in  the  manuscript. 


980  Sir  William  Johnson  Papers 

Mr.  Blackburns  letter  &  your  Compliments,  In  return,  he  requests 
I  would  present  his  to  You,  —  Mr.  Creassy4  passed  [this  ix>ay\ 
here  Yesterday  on  his  way  to  Fort  Stanwix,  in  order  to  Survey  a 
Tract  of  Land  for  the  Family  of  the  Cox's  as  he  told  me,  He  is 
greatly  disapointed,  he  says,  by  the  purchase  that  was  made  near 
that  place  by  Fonda,  &  intends  I  believe  to  explore  that  part  of 
the  Country  around  it  with  a  view  to  take  up  a  large  Tract,  Should 
such  be  found  Good  there.  — 

The  GoV.  &  Mr.  De  Lancey  have  Sent  me  their  proportion  of 
the  purchase  money,  Yours  will  amount  by  their  Calculation  to 
£65  Curc>\,  wh.  I  Shall  advance  if  wanted  before  Yours  can 
come  up.  — 

I  have  nothing  further  to  add  at  present  but  to  Assure  You  of 
my  readiness  to  Serve  You  in  these  parts,  and  that  I  am  with  real 
Esteem,  Dear  Sir 

Your  most  Sincere  friend  &ca. 

WJ  — 

FROM  SAMUEL  EDGE 

New  York  August  IS..  1772 
May  it  please  your  Lordship 

At  your  request  according,  of  the  10th.  Instant,  had  the 
pleasure  of  Speaking  with  your  Honour,  in  your  Studdy.  I 
thought  fit  to  your  request  immediately  at  my  Arrival,  as  I  did 
Punctually  promise  your  Honour,  about  my  Charactor,  I  have 
with  their  permission  desired  at  the  bottom  of  this  Letter  them 
that  I  have  Work'd  with  from  the  4th.  November  1771.  and 
others  to  subscribe  their  Names;  At  same  time  doubt  not  but 
have  done  to  their  Credit  and  full  Satisfaction,  and  hope  to  obtain 
that  Charactor  from  you  most  Worthy  Sr.  and  all  Gentlemen,  and 
Planters  that  I  may  or  shall  undertake  for  in  my  Buisness.  I  do 
profess  myself  (though  not  in  boasting,)  a  Compleat  Workman 


4  James  Creassy. 

1  In  New  York  State  Library,  Tayler-Cooper  Collection,  property  of 
William  Leland  Thompson. 


Land  Development,  1769-74  981 

and  finisher  of  a  Sword,  Baynot,  or  Steel  ramrods  in  all  its 
various  Shapes  or  forms  as  your  Honour  Shall  think  fit  to  lay 
before  me  &c.  I  would  with  premission  beg  leave  that  I  might 
have  the  chooseing  out  of  the  Iron  and  Steel  in  such  manner  as  I 
think  it  will  best  Answer  the  end.  Likewise  two  Stones  each  of  a 
different  quality.  If  the  Militia  Arms  must  be  compleated  by  the 
faul,  I  will  obey  the  Orders,  with  the  strictest  Justice  imaginable 
and  immedately  come  up  by  the  first  letter,  or  boat  or  According 
to  the  Contents  thereof  as  your  Honour  shall  appoint  or  think 
proper  — 

Remaining  honoured  Sr.  your  most  Obedient  and  most  humble 
Servant 

To  Command 
Samuel  Edge 
P.  S. 

To  Samuel  Edge 

at  Lukas  and  Shephards,  jobing  Smith 

and  Cutler  faceing  London  Coffe  house 

INDORSED:2 

this  is  to  Sertifey  that  Samuel  Edge 
as  Worked.  with  us  and  is  a  faithfull 
and  an  Onest  Mann 

Sebtn.  Lucas 
&  WM.  Shepherd 

the  above  person  has  worked  for  me  and 
I  have  found  his  worke  well  finished  as 
far  as  I  am  a  Judge 

John  Antill 

ADDRESSED :  Abny  2  M 

To 

The  Honourable  and  Right  Worshipful 
Sr.  William  Johnson  Esqr. 
at 
Tryon  County  — 


2  The  two  indorsements  are  in  different  hands. 


982  Sir  William  Johnson  Papers 


INDORSED:3 


Sam1.  Edges  Letter 
Cutler  — 


3  In  Sir  William's  hand. 


TO  GOLDSBROW  BANYAR 

August  1 9*  1772  — 
Dear  Banyar  — 

Since  I  wrote  You  last,  I  had  the  land  Explored,  and  Surveyed 
agreable  to  the  inclosed  Bounds  &  Courses,2  amts.  in  ye.  Whole  to 
ab*.  15000  Acres  great  part  of  which,  is  scarce  worth  anything, 
nor  would  I  take  it  up,  but  to  enlarge  that  Small  Patent  of 
Achilles  Preston,  whereon  I  have  a  Number  of  New  England 
Familys  Settled  who  complain  of  being  too  much  confined ;  As  this 
Land  is  part  of  ye.  large  Tract  which  I  purchased  in  1768.  & 
Surveyed  by  Virtue  of  a  Warrant  from  the  Surveyor  Genr1.  I 
expect  there  will  be  no  delay  now  in  getting  a  Patent  for  the 
quantity  [now]  discribed,  and  shall  trust  to  You  for  expediting  it. 
— ■  The  Govr.3  I  suppose  has  arrived  at  York  'ere  now,  We  were 
verry  happy  in  his  Company  whilst  here,  as  he  is  a  Gentleman  of 
a  great  deal  of  Candour  &  affability.  I  presented  a  Petition  to 
him  on  behalf  of  myself  &  Subscribers  &ca.  for  a  Charter  for  the 
Election  of  2  Representatives,  and  for  2  Annual  Fairs  &  a 
Weekly  Market  on  Saturdays  at  Johnstown,  I  also  applied  for  a 
Charter  for  Sl.  Johns  Church  there,  the  Form  of  which  He 
promised  to  Send  first  up  to  me.  I  would  in  that  for  the  Charter 
have  my  Self  as  Founder  &  my  Son  &  2  Sons  in  Law,  also  my 
Heirs  at  Law  as  Governors,  The  Governor  of  the  Province  for 
the  time  being,  with  such  other  respectable  Persons  as  may  here- 
after be  most  likely  to  guard  its  rights  &  Religion  &ca.    On  these 


1  In  New  York  Historical  Society,  Banyar  Papers. 

2  Bounds  and  Courses,  post. 

3  Governor  William  Tryon. 


Land  Development,  1769-74  983 

Subjects  I  shall  request  your  kind  advice  &  Assistance.        and 

conclude  as  ever      Dear  Banyar, 

Your  most  Sincere  Friend 
&  Humble  Servant 

W,  Johnson 

Golds  Borrow  Banyar  Esqr.  — 

PS.      If  the  Deed  for  Adigo  be  finished,  You  will  send  it  up 
when  Convenient.  — 

INDORSED : 

Aug'.   19.   1772 


From  Sir  Wm.  Johnson 


BOUNDS  AND  COURSES 
A.D.1 

[August  19, 1772] 

Bounds  of  a  Tract  of  Land  about  1  1 ,000  Acres  to  be  patented, 
North  of  the  Mohawk  River.  — 

Beginning  at  the  N  W  Corner  of  a  Patent  granted  to  Achilles 
Preston  &  others,  and  running  from  thence  N.  2°  W.  1  14  chains, 
Thence  N  88°.  E  15  O.  N  2  W  50  O.  to  a  Lake;  Thence  N  88 
E  156  O.,  S  88  E  25  O.,  N  88  E  35  O.  then  N.  45°.  E  1 72 
O.,  East  260  O.,  S.  45.  W  164  C».  Thence  South  200  O., 
Thence  S  63°.  E.  until  it  reaches  within  4  O.  of  the  North  Line 
of  the  Patent  granted  to  Achilles  Preston  &ca.  Thence  South 
80°.  E  200  O.,  Thence  N  30.  E  226  Chains  Thence  in  a  Right 
line  to  the  N  W  Corner  of  a  Tract  of  Land  granted  to  Cap'. 
Dan1.  Claus  in  ye.  Year  1770  —  Thence  S  2  E  166  O.  along 
the  Westerly  Bounds  of  Sd.  Tract  to  the  N.  E.  Corner  of  the 
Aforesaid  Tract  to  Achilles  Preston  Thence  S  64  W  1  77  O. 
and  thence  N  80  W  8 1 0  O.  along  the  Northerly  Bounds  of  Sd. 


1  In  New  York  Historical  Society,  Banyar  Papers.  Inclosed  with  letter 
of  August  1 9,  1  772,  and  hence  so  dated. 


984  Sir  William  Johnson  Papers 

Tract  to  the  place  of  Beginning.     Containing  1 1 ,2 1 0  Acres  with 
the  Usual  Allowance  for  High  ways.  — 

Bounds  of  another  Small  Tract  of  Vacant  Land  lying  between 
Leiut.  Robert's  Location,  and  a  Patent  commonly  called  North- 
ampton lying  on  the  West  branch  of  Hudsons  River  —  Which 
Tract  Begins  at  the  N.  West  Corner  of  the  Aforesaid  Patent 
commonly  called  Northampton,  and  running  thence  the  Several 
Courses  of  the  Said  Tracts  to  the  Northerly  Bounds  of  a  Tract 
of  Land  granted  to  Lenardt  Gansevort  &  others  called  Sacondaga, 
thence  along  ye.  Bounds  of  Said  Tract  as  the  Needle  pointed  in 
y.  Year  1  741 ,  N.  62.  1 5  West  to  the  S  E  Corner  of  a  Tract  of 
Land  granted  to  Ll.  Roberts  in  ye.  Year  1  771 ,  Thence  N  32  W 
260  O.  along  the  Easterly  Bounds  of  Said  Tract  to  its  N  E 
Corner,  Thence  N  1 0  E  to  the  Westerly  Bounds  of  Jessups  pur- 
chase, Thence  South  30  E  along  Said  bounds  to  ye.  place  of 
Beginning.    Cont§.  about  4500  Acres  More  or  less  — 

2 A  true  Copy  of  the  Field  Book  of  the  within  Mentioned 
Tracts,  Surveyed  <j$  Me  (in  July  1  772) 

Ro:  Pickens 


FROM  RICHARD  MORRIS 

New  York  AugK  22*.  1772. 

Sir  — 

I  had  the  Honour  this  Morning  of  paying  my  respects  to  his 
Excellency  Governor  Tryon,  and  received  the  Commission  of 
Oyer  and  Terminer  for  the  County  of  Tryon  —  His  Excellency 
expressed  his  desire  of  the  Court's  meeting  the  eighth  day  of 
September  but  the  Appointment  of  the  Circuits  for  the  Counties 
of  Westchester,  Suffolk,  Queens  and  Kings,  which  were  appointed 


2  In  another  hand. 

1  In   New  York  State  Library,  Tayler-Cooper  Collection,  property  of 
William  Leland  Thompson. 


Land  Development,   1769-74  985 

at  the  last  Term  rendered  it  impossible  to  Attend  the  Service  in 
Tryon  earlier  than  Tuesday  the  Twenty  Second  day  of  Sep- 
tember the  Precept  is  made  out  returnable  upon  that  day  and  Sent 
to  Mr.  Justice  Livingston  to  be  Signed  and  forwarded  to  You; 
Upon  the  receipt  of  it  you  will  Sign  it  with  Such  of  the  Gentle- 
men as  are  named  in  it  that  are  near  you  (three  being  sufficient) 
and  order  it  to  be  delivered  to  the  Sheriff  to  be  executed.  It  was 
his  Excellency's  particular  directions  that  I  should  acquaint  You 
of  the  Change  of  the  day  and  the  reason  of  it  with  my  Best 
Respects  to  Coll  Johnson  &c  &c. 

I  Remain  Sir 

Your  Most  Obedient 
and  Most 

Humble  Serv*. 

RiD.  Morris 
Sir  William  Johnson  Baronet. 

ADDRESSED : 

To 

Sir  William  Johnson  Baronet 
At  His  Seat  in  the  County 
of 

Tryon 


INDORSED:2 


August  22«*.  1 772 

Letter  from  Ricd.  Morris 
Esqr.  — 


2  In  Sir  William's  hand. 


986  Sir  William  Johnson  Papers 

FROM  GOLDSBROW  BANYAR 
A.Df.1 

28*.  Aug.  1772 

But  either  there  has  been  some  very  material  Circumstance 
happened  of  which  I  am  ignorant,  or  I  fear  you  have  inadvertently 
omitted  that  Attention  to  my  Interest  which  I  have  always  experi- 
enced. In  a  Letter  of  which  I  am  almost  certain  you  have 
acknowledged  the  Receit,  I  informed  you  I  had  at  your  request 
advanced  Mr.  Adems's  2  Shares  in  the  Patent  to  Wm.  Bayard 
and  others  £  1 12.  .  14.  .  1  V/i,  that  I  had  proposed.  This  I 
wish  to  have  paid  for  the  Indian  Purchase  to  be  made  in  the  Name 
of  John  Bergen,  but  that  as  I  wanted  Money  I  begd  you  would 
send  me  an  Order  for  it,  and  I  would  replace  [the]  Money  before 
it  would  be  wanted  to  pay  for  the  Indian  Purchase  of  Bergens 
Tract.  As  in  your  Letter  acknowledging  the  Recit  of  mine,  you 
do  not  take  the  least  Notice  of  what  I  wrote  on  this  Subject,  I 
took  it  for  granted  either  that  it  was  inconvenient  to  send  an 
Order;  or  that  it  had  excaped  your  Memory,  or  that  you  meant 
to  save  the  Money  to  pay  for  Bergen's  Indian  Purchase:  I 
recollect  my  having  besides  the  above,  acquainted  you  that  I  was 
interested  in  that  Tract,  and  prayd  your  Friendship  therein:  if 
these  Letters  had  all  miscarried,  Mr.  Jessup  did  certainly  inform 
you  that  I  was  concerned  in  it,  and  indeed  I  understood  it  was 
from  your  good  Offices  that  he  had  been  enabled  to  make  the 
Agreement  with  the  Indians  for  the  purchase  of  that  Tract. 
Mr.  Jessop  writes  me  word  that  he  told  the  Governor  —  "he 
expected  I  would  order  £  1 00  to  pay  for  John  Bergen's  purchase, 
but  Sr.  Wm.  did  not  remember  my  having  done  it.  The  Gor. 
has  paid  it  and  taken  the  Deed  for  you;"  and  suspecting  what 
was  in  Agitation  I  imagine,  adds  that  he  advised  me  to  pay  the 
Gor.  immediately  —  The  meaning  of  which  advice  I  did  not 
understand  until  I  saw  the  Governor,  who  jokingly  (I  thought) 
told  me  that  he  had  called  out  to  know  if  there  was  any  one  to  pay 


1  In  New  York  Historical  Society,  Banyar  Papers.  The  last  part  and 
indorsement  in  Banyar's  hand. 


Land  Development,  1769-74  987 

for  Bergens    Deed,  and  on  no  one  appearing  to  do  it  or  to  under- 
take for  it,  he  had  paid  the  Money  and  intended  to  keep  the 
Land  himself  —  he  has  intimated  since  I  may  have  five  or  six 
thousand  Acres  of  it.     I  replyed  it  would  be  dishonorable  in  me 
to  take  any,  without  the  others  who  were  interested  partaking  of  it. 
It  was  originally  in  halves  between  the  late  Mr.  Remsen  and 
myself,  each  to  divide  his  Moiety  among  his  own  Friends  as  he 
should  think  proper.     On  a  Difference  with  Persons  interested 
with  Mr.  Palmer,  it  was  agreed  that  those  Gentlemen  should  have 
one  third  of  Bergens  Tract  Palmer  has  infused  Jealousies  into  the 
Gentlemen  here  of  some  unfair  Proceedings  of  Mr.  Jessup's,  as  to 
the  Tract,  and  this  is  likely  to  become  a  Subject  of  Altercation 
before  the  Council;  those  Gentlemen  saying  they  were  led  into 
this  Agreement  by  the  Misrepresentations  of  Mr.  Jessup;  who  has 
he  had  no  Interest  in  Bergens  Tract,  is  I  am  pretty  certain,  in  no 
respect  either  culpable  or  blameable.     But  what  astonishes  me  is 
that  the  Gor.  should  be  under  the  Necessaty  of  giving  his  Note  or 
paying  this  Money  because  no  one  would  do  me  that  Friendly 
Office  —  If  you  had  not  recollected  my  Intention  that  the  Money 
I  had  at  your  request  advanced  for  Mr.  Adams  should  be  applied 
for  this  purpose,  I  think  some  very  particular  Reason  must  have 
prevailed  on  you  to  decline  paying  the  Money  for  me,  by  advanc- 
ing so  much  or  passing  your  Note  for  it,  which  is  all  that  could 
have  been  necessary,   for  the  Governor  has  given  a  Note   for 
£  1 300  for  Mr.  Jessup's  purchase  he  informs  me  As  I  never 
called  upon  any  of  the  Gentlemen  concerned,  for  Money  to  pay 
for  this  purchase,  they  will  think  they  ought  to  impute  any  Loss 
they  may  sustain  to  my  Neglect.     Tho'  the  Land  is  valuable  (or 
else  probably  the  Money  would  have  remain'd  still  to  be  paid  or 
the  Deed  unexecuted)  it  is  not  that  Circumstance  so  much  which 
effects  me  as  that  others  must  necessarily  be  involved  in  the  Affair 
and  [what  they]  will  deem  it  a  real  Loss  —  By  Mr.  Jessup's 
Letter  I  should  have  believed  that  his  Excellency  had  paid  the 
Money  for  me  and  that  as  he  had  made  the  offer  you  had  declined 


2  From  this  point  in  Banyar's  hand. 


988  Sir  William  Johnson  Papers 

interfering.  I  have  not  mentioned  this  Circumstance  to  the  Govr. 
of  his  having  paid  this  Money  for  me  being  precluded  by  his 
Excy's  saying  that  as  there  was  nobody  to  pay  the  Money  he  had 
paid  it  intending  at  the  Time  —  as  I  understand  to  take  the  Land 
to  himself.  I  am  certain  your  Answer  will  clear  up  the  Matter 
but  tho'  it  may  do  it  satisfactorily  with  respect  to  myself  it  will 
not  leave  me  without  Censure  from  my  Associates. 

INDORSED : 

28  August  1 772 


To 

Sir  Wm.  Johnson  — 
Extract  — 


PETITION  TO  COUNCIL 

D} 

New  York  1sl.  September  1772. 

To  his  Excellency  William  Tryon  Esquire  Captain  General 
and  Governor  in  Chief  in  and  over  the  Province  of  New  York  and 
the  Territories  depending  thereon  in  America,  Chancellor  and 
Vice  Admiral  of  the  same. 

In  Council  — 

The  Petition  of  Sir  William  Johnson  Bar1.  James  Bennett, 
Samuel  Sutton,  Nathaniel  Hyllyard,  Moses  Ibbit,  Joseph  Irwin, 
Edward  Donnellan,  James  Darby,  James  Cotter,  William  Fraser 
Junior,  John  Friel  and  John  Looney. 

Humbly  Sheweth. 

That  there  is  a  certain  Tract  of  Land,  vacant  and  vested  in 
the  Crown,  situate  on  the  North  side  of  the  Mohawk's  River  in 


1  In  New  York  State  Library,  Colonial  Land  Papers. 


Land  Development,  1769-74  989 

the  County  of  Tryon,  being  a  part  of  a  large  Tract  purchased  in 
the  Year  1 768  of  the  Native  Indian  Proprietors  thereof  by 
Achilles  Preston  and  his  Associates  agreable  to  the  Directions 
of  his  Majesty's  Royal  Proclamation  of  the  7th.  day  of  October 

1763. 

That  your  Petitioners  have  caused  a  Survey  to  be  made  of  the 
said  vacant  Tract  of  Land,  which  is  bounded  as  follows  Viz1: 
Beginning  at  the  Northwest  corner  of  a  Patent  granted  to  the 
said  Achilles  Preston  and  others,  and  running  from  thence  North 
two  Degrees  West  1  1 4  chains ;  thence  North  88  degrees  East  1 5 
chains;  North  two  degrees  West  50  chains  to  a  Lake,  thence 
North  88  degrees  East  156  chains;  South  88  degrees  East  25 
chains ;  North  88  degrees  East  35  Chains ;  then  North  45  degrees 
East  1  72  chains  East  260  chains ;  South  45  degrees  West  1 64 
chains;  thence  South  200  chains;  thence  South  63  degrees  East 
until  it  reaches  within  four  chains  of  the  North  Line  of  the  Patent 
granted  to  the  said  Achilles  Preston  and  others ;  thence  South  80 
Degrees  East  200  chains;  thence  North  30  degrees  East  226 
chains  thence  in  a  right  Line  to  the  Northwest  corner  of  a  tract 
of  Land  granted  to  Captain  Daniel  Claus  in  the  Year  1770; 
then  South  in  a  degree  East  166  chains  along  the  Westerly 
bounds  of  said  tract  to  the  Northeast  corner  of  the  aforesaid  Tract 
granted  to  Achilles  Preston;  thence  South  64  degrees  West  177 
chains ;  and  thence  North  80  degrees  West  8 1 0  chains  along  the 
Northerly  bounds  of  said  Tract  to  the  place  of  Beginning;  Con- 
taining 1 1 ,2 1 0  Acres  of  Land  and  the  usual  Allowance  for 
Highways. 

That  your  Petitioners  are  desirous  to  obtain  his  Majesty's 
Letters  patent  for  the  said  Tract  of  vacant  Land  in  order  to 
cultivate  and  improve  the  same. 

Your  Petitioners  therefore  humbly  Pray  that  your  Excellency 
will  be  favorably  Pleased  by  his  Majesty's  Letters  Patent  to  grant 
unto  your  Petitioners  and  their  Heirs  in  equal  Proportions  the 
Tract  of  vacant  Land  aforesaid:  under  the  Quitrent,  Provisoes, 
Limitations  and  Restrictions  prescribed  by  his  Majesty's  Instruc- 
tions.   And  your  Petitioners  shall  Ever  pray. 


990  Sir  William  Johnson  Papers 


INDORSED 


New  York  1  September  1  772 


Petition  of  Sir  William  Johnson 
Bar1,  and  twelve  other  Persons 
for  a  tract  of  vacant  Land  on  the 
North  side  of  the  Mohawk's  River 
in  the  County  of  Tryon.  — 
Recd.  2d.  Sep'. 

W.T.2 

1  772  September  8th.  Read  in  Council 
and  Referred  to  a  Committee 

1  772  Novr.  6.  To  be  reported  to  be 
granted  not  interfering 
with  any  prior  location 
Novemr.  1  1 th.  Reported  and 
granted  accordingly. 


2  Initials  of  William  Tryon. 


TO  GOLDSBROW  BANYAR 

A.L.S} 

Johnson  Hall  7*  11*  I 772 
Dear  Banyar — 

Your  letter  of  the  28th.  Ult°.2  came  to  me  In  a  letter  from  the 
Young  Gentleman  your  Nephew  whom  I  have  not  as  yet  had  the 
pleasure  of  Seeing,  tho  I  should  be  glad  of  an  opertunity  to  Shew 
him  my  Esteem  for  your  Connections.  — 

I  thank  you  for  what  You  say  concerning  the  Sollicitting  the 
Patents,  if  it  cannot  be  done  in  one,  it  must  be  taken  in  Two, 
we  can  have  no  particular  choice  as  to  the  Mode  of  obtaining 
Representatives  &ca.,     If  it  can  be  done  by  the  Kings  Writ,  so 


1  In  New  York  Historical  Society,  Banyar  Papers. 

2  Ante  pp.  986-88. 


Land  Development,  1769-74  991 

much  the  better;  I  dont  see  that  our  Application  will  be  a 
Sufficient  authority  for  the  other  Counties  you  mention,  where  the 
Circumstances  differ  so  widely  as  they  do  in  some  of  them,  which 
have  not  near  half  the  Inhabitants  contained  in  one  of  our 
Districts.  — 

I  was  much  Surprised  by  your  letter  to  find  the  mistake  was 
made  in  the  Affair  of  Bergen,  You  may  be  verry  well  assured 
that  You  could  Command  my  friendship  on  a  much  more  trying 
Occasion;  I  advanced  money  for  Shares  at  yl.  time  to  Serve 
Gentlemen  of  whom  I  had  little  or  no  knowledge  &  passed  my 
Note  for  £  1 32 1 ,  neither  would  the  Indians  have  Sold  a  foot 
there  but  at  my  particular  request. 

The  case  was  realy  this,  that  being  for  so  many  days  Sur- 
rounded by  Sevr1.  Gentlemen,  many  persons  about  Lands,  &  a 
Number  of  Indians,  I  realy  did  not  recollect  that  You  had  said 
anything  on  that  Subject,  as  I  now  find  You  did,  to  the  best  of 
my  recollection  however  I  offered  ye.  Cash  of  my  own  Accord, 
but  his  Excellency  the  Governor  was  pleased  to  offer  to  advance 
it  as  a  thing  quite  convenient  for  him  to  do,  and  as  I  never 
adverted  to  what  You  had  wrote,  I  apprehended  that  it  was  a 
meer  matter  of  Indifference.  If  You  could  conceive  what  I  am 
oblidged  to  go  thro  on  these  occasions,  You  would  easily  Account 
for  this  neglect,  without  entertaining  the  Smallest  doubt  of  my 
friendly  Inclinations.  —  Altho  I  cannot  think  You  would  believe 
otherwise,  yet  I  should  be  greatly  concerned  on  the  occasion,  did  I 
apprehend  it  could  have  any  Consequences  to  the  prejudice  of 
You,  or  your  engagements  which  I  am  hopefull  cannot  be  effected 
thereby. 

I  have  only  2  Lots  in  Waggoners  Patent  which  were  Sold  in 
the  Year  1755  by  (I  think)  Adoniah  Schyler  &  a  Bayard  I 
believe,  to  Two  poor  Germans,  of  whom  I  bought  them,  &  Since 
sold  one  of  them,  I  suppose  I  shall  share  the  Same  fate  with  the 
rest.  —  Mr.  Blagge3  our  Clerk  (a  verry  worthy  Man)  will 
deliver  You  this,  He  purposes  Staying  some  time  at  York,  Should 


3  John  Blagge,  clerk  of  Tryon  County. 


992  Sir  William  Johnson  Papers 

You  have  any  thing  to  write  me  at  his  return  would  be  a  good 
opertunity.  —  I  am  as  ever,  Dear  Banyar, 

Your  Sincere  Friend, 
&  Humble  Servant 

GOLDSBORROW  BaNYAR  Esq'.  W'  J0HNS0N 

Excuse  Haste,  Mr.  Blagge, 
is    impatiently    waiting  — 

INDORSED: 

September  11.  1 772 


From  Sir  Wm.  Johnson 


FROM  JOHN  MONIER 

Albany  /2th.  Sep1.  1772. 
Sir 

Corns.  Van  Santford  has  bro*.  up  the  following  Articles  and 
delivered  them  to  my  Care  per  Mr.  Wallaces  Letters  &  his  Bill 
Lading2 

2  Hogheads  Rum 
4  Kegs  White  Lead 
1    Cask  Whiting 

1  Cask  Nails 

2  Iron  Gudgions 
1    Cask  Oil 

And  1 0  Boxes  Glass  —  all  which  are  Safe  in  My 
Cellar,  and  I  have  paid  Cartage  of  them. 

I  am  Sir 

Your  most  hu  Servant 

Sir  William  Johnson  Baronet  Jn°  Monier 


1  In  New  York  State  Library,  Tayler-Cooper  Collection,  property  of 
William  Leland  Thompson. 

2  See  Johnson  Papers,  8:591. 


Land  Development,  1769-74  993 


ADDRESSED : 

To  Sir  William  Johnson  Bar1. 
Johnson  Hall 

INDORSED:3 

Mr.  Moniers  Letter 
wth.  an  Ace1,  of  Sunds. 

7K  12th.  1772 


FROM  PHYN  &  ELLICE 

A.L.S.1 

Schenectady  12  SeptenY.  1772 
Sir 

We  have  recd.  your  f avr.  1 1 lh.  Ins1.2  &  herewith  are  the  sunck 
you  was  pleased  to  order,  we  could  not  get  any  Girls  blue  stock- 
ings in  Town  but  have  picked  out  6  pair  of  the  smallest  Worn8, 
which  hope  will  answer.  We  being  at  present  out  of  Payson  Tea 
was  obliged  to  purchase  it  from  Mr.  Campbell  wh.  is  the  reason 
of  its  being  higher  than  formerly.  — 
We  have  the  honor  to  be  — 

Sir 

Your  Mo  Ob1.  Hum1.  Serv*. 

Phyn  &  Ellice 

6  pair  Worn5,  worsted  stockings .  .  .  4/9 1  .  .    8 .  .    6 

4  pr.  boys.  .  .  .Ditto 3/    12.  . — 

2tb  Payson  Tea 28/    2..  16..— 


£4.  .16 


The  Honble.  Sir  W  Johnson  Bar1. 


3  In  Sir  William's  hand. 

1  In  New  York  State  Library,  Tayler-Cooper  Collection,  property  of 
William  Leland  Thompson. 

2  Not  found. 


994  Sir  William  Johnson  Papers 

ADDRESSED: 

To 

The  Honorable 

Sir  William  Johnson  Bar*. 

Johnson  Hall 


INDORSED:3 


[  1 

7K  8*.  1 772  — 


3  In  Sir  William's  hand. 


FROM  THOMAS  GAGE 

Contemporary  Copy1 

New  York  October  7lh.  1772. 
Dear  Sir 

I  thank  you  for  your  Letter  of  Septr.  2d.2  and  wish  the  Six 
Nation  Deputy's  had  succeeded  better  in  their  Embassy.  I  was 
absent  some  days  after  your  Letter  arrived,  and  soon  after  I 
received  it,  Kayashuta3  came  here  from  Fort  Pitt,  he  said  his 
reason  for  taking  this  Road  was  to  tell  the  Governors  and  myself 
the  true  situation  of  Affairs,  what  he  told  the  Governors  I  dont 
know,  but  all  he  said  to  me  was,  that  every  thing  was  quiet  and 
peaceable,  he  brought  a  Letter  from  Major  Hamilton  who 
writes  that  you  had  sometime  been  very  desirous  to  see  him,  and  I 
suppose  him  by  this  time  with  you. 

The  last  Packet  brings  News  of  much  Altercation,  in  which 
Indians  and  Indian  Lands  are  subjects  that  have  been  pretty 
largely  treated.  It  is  asserted  as  a  general  Principle  that  the  Six 
Nations  having  conquered  such  and  such  Nations,  their  Terri- 
torys  belong  to  them,  and  the  Six  Nations  being  the  Kings  Sub- 
jects which  by  treaty  they  have  acknowledged  themselves  to  be, 


1  In  William  L.  Clements  Library. 

2  Johnson  Papers,  8:586-88. 

3  Chief  of  the  Mingoes,  or  Ohio  Senecas. 


Land  Development,   1769-74  995 

those  Lands  belong  to  the  King.  I  believe  it  is  for  our  Interest  to 
lay  down  such  principles  especially  when  we  were  squabbling 
with  the  French  about  Territory,  and  they  played  us  of  in  the 
same  stile  of  their  Indian  Subjects,  and  the  right  of  those  Indians. 
I  never  heard  that  Indians  made  War  for  the  sake  of  Territory 
like  Europeans,  but  that  Revenge,  and  an  eager  pursuit  of  Martial 
reputation  were  the  Motives  which  prompted  one  Nation  to  make 
War  upon  another.  If  we  are  to  search  for  truth  and  examine 
her  to  the  Bottom,  I  dont  imagine  we  shall  find  that  any  conquered 
Nation  ever  formaly  ceded  their  Country  to  their  Conquerors,  or 
that  the  latter  ever  required  it,  I  never  could  learn  more,  than  that 
Nations  have  yielded,  and  acknowledged  themselves  subjected  to 
others,  and  some  ever  have  wore  Badges  of  Subjection.  As  for 
the  Six  Nations  having  acknowledged  themselves  Subjects  of  the 
English,  that  I  conclude  must  be  a  very  gross  Mistake  and  am 
well  satisfied  were  they  told  so,  they  would  not  be  well  pleased. 
I  know  I  would  not  venture  to  treat  them  as  Subjects,  unless  there 
was  a  Resolution  to  make  War  upon  them,  which  is  not  very 
likely  to  happen,  but  I  believe  they  would  on  such  an  attempt, 
very  soon  resolve  to  cut  our  Throats. 

I  am  with  great  Regard 
Dear  Sir 
SR.  WM.  Johnson  Bar1.  &ca. 

INDORSED : 

Copy  — 

To 
Sir  William  Johnson  Bar1. 

Johnson  Hall 
New  York  October  7,h.  1  772 


996  Sir  William  Johnson  Papers 

TO  GOLDSBROW  BANYAR 

Johnson  Hall  Octb>:  12th.  1772  — 
Dear  Banyar  — 

I  am  verry  Sorry  to  find  by  your  letter  of  the  5th.  Ins1.2  that 
the  Land  Affair  is  as  You  State  it,  And  I  again  repeat  my  As- 
surances, that  it  could  not  have  been  conceived  or  Suspected  by 
me.  — 

At  Your  desire  I  now  send  You  by  Mr.  Adems  the  original 
power  of  Attorney  from  Mrs.  Cosby  to  me,  When  You  have 
done  with  it,  I  think  it  should  be  returned  to  me.  — 

The  process  Issued  to  the  wrong  Sherriff  &  many  other  Cir- 
cumstances which  doubtless  will  occurr  to  You  May  I  hope  be  of 
great  use  to  all  concerned.  I  have  been  Informed  that  the  Tenants 
under  Hasenclever3  are  warned  off,  and  if  I  hear  anything  farther 
material  Shall  give  You  notice  thereof.  — 

I  shall  be  glad  to  hear  what  progress  You  have  made  in  the 
obtaining  the  Patents  mentioned  in  my  former  letters,  and  am  ever 
with  great  regard 

Dear  Banyar, 

Your  Sincere  Friend  &  Humble 
Serv'.  — 

W  Johnson 
Goldsborrow  Banyar  Esqr. 

The  Family  Send  their  kind  Compliments  — 

INDORSED : 

October  12,  1772 


From  Sir  Wm.  Johnson 


1  In  New  York  Historical  Society,  Banyar  Papers. 

2  Not  found. 

3  Peter  Hasenclever. 


Land  Development,   1769-74  997 

TO  HENRY  GLEN 

Johnson  Hall  Octb'.  16*  1772  — 

Sir  — 

The  Multiplicity  of  business  I  am  engaged  in,  prevented  my 
Answering  Yr.  letter2  sooner,  &  Indeed  I  did  not  come  across 
your  letter  until  this  afternoon  when  the  Post  was  gone,  which  I 
hope  will  be  no  Inconvenience,  as  I  shall  send  this  by  the  first 
opertunity.  —  I  am  sorry  to  find  any  Men  who  pretend  to  ye. 
Character  of  honest  Men  act  such  a  part,  for  surely  they  must 
know  that  the  Nett  was  good  for  Nothing  at  the  time  they  sold  it, 
and  now  to  insist  on  such  a  price,  is  not  a  bit  better  than  picking  a 
Mans  Pocket,  If  they  have  the  least  Spark  of  Shame  or  honesty 
they  will  take  what  you  think  proper  to  give  them,  If  not,  rather, 
than  you  Should  have  any  farther  trouble  on  my  Ace1.  I  will  send 
you  the  money  to  pay  them,  then  I  would  willingly  pay  the 
Common  Hangman  20  Shillings  to  burn  the  Nett  before  their 
Door,  that  their  Neighbours  might  See  what  unconscionable 
Rascals  they  are.  I  am  Sorry  to  have  given  You  so  much  plauge 
about  it,  as  I  am 

Sir  Yr.  Welwisher  &  Humble  Servant 

W,  Johnson 
Henry  Glen  Esqr. 

ADDRESSED: 

To 

Henry  Glen  Esqr. 
Schenectady 


INDORSED : 


Sir  Wm.  Johnsons 

Letter  To  Henry  Glen 
Dated.  16.  October  1772 
Johnson  Hall 


1  In  New  York  State  Library. 

2  October  10,  1772.  Johnson  Papers,  8:612-13.  The  indorsement  on 
Glen's  letter  in  Sir  William's  hand,  "Ansrd.  ye.  1  6«H.  Inst."  was  incorrectly 
given  "ye.  10th." 


998 


Sir  William  Johnson  Papers 


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Land  Development,  1769-74  1005 

FROM  THOMAS  GAGE 

Contemporary  Copy1 

Nerv  York  November  30lK  1772.  — 
Dear  Sir, 

Major  Basset2  acquaints  me  of  the  Murther  of  a  Trader  and 
Two  Boatmen  in  the  Bay  of  Saguinam,  with  some  Transactions 
he  had  had  with  some  Indians  on  the  Subject  of  said  Murthers; 
all  which  he  had  reported  to  You.  I  am  to  beg  of  You  to  send 
the  Major  proper  Directions  for  his  Conduct  in  this  Affair,  but  as 
for  his  Disposal  of  the  Murtherers  which  were  to  be  delivered  up 
to  him  by  the  Indians  he  conferred  with,  I  believe  he  will  not  be 
put  to  much  Difficulty  on  that  Account. 

Ramsay3  was  brought  to  Tryal  at  Montreal,  but  no  Evidence 
appearing  against  him  he  was  redemanded  back  to  Prison  till  the 
next  Sessions.  I  believe  the  want  of  Evidence  has  proceeded  from 
Major  Etherington's4  Management,  in  suffering  a  Man  who  was 
present  when  Ramsay  committed  the  Murthers,  to  go  way 
unnoticed.  — 

I  am  with  great  Regard. 

Dear  Sir 

Sir  William  Johnson  Bart.  &ca 

INDORSED : 

Copy/      30th.  November  1  772. 
To  Sir  William  Johnson 
at 

Johnson  hall  — 


1  In  William  L.  Clements  Library. 

2  Major  Henry  Basset. 

3  David  Ramsay,  trader. 

4  Major  George  Etherington. 


1006  Sir  William  Johnson  Papers 

TO  GOLDSBROW  BANYAR 
A.L.S} 

Johnson  Hall  Decbr.  4th.  1772  — 
Dear  Banyar  — 

Your  favor  of  the  last  Month  by  Mr.  Blagge  I  received  a  few 
Days  ago,  by  which  I  am  glad  to  find  My  2  Petitions  are 
granted,  &  that  there  may  be  no  Delay  in  getting  out  the  Patents. 
I  Shall,  as  soon  as  You  let  me  know  the  Expence,  Send  You  a 
Draft  on  Mr.  Barrow2  for  the  Amount  thereof.  — 

I  was  informed  last  night,  that,  the  Petition  for  Representa- 
tives was  agreed  to,  —  I  received  Lf.  Roberts'  Patent  long  since 
&  paid  the  Fees  thereof.  —  as  to  Mc.Leods,  I  know  nothing  of.  — 
about  an  Hour  ago  Yr.  letter  of  ye.  1 9th.  Ult0.3  was  delivered  to 
me  by  Co1.  Johnson,  who  had  it  from  Major  Fonda.  Yr.  order  on 
Me  favor  of  Mr.  Jessop  for  £  1 044  Shall  be  duly  honored  when 
presented,  what  I  paid  Fonda  for  yr.  5000  Acres  in  ye.  Purchase 
near  to  Fort  Stanwix  is  £  32 .  .  1 0.  which  You  will  please  to 
Credit  my  Ace*,  with,  as,  Mr.  Creasy5  could  not  make  that  pur- 
chase from  the  Indians,  and  was  Absent  at  the  time  of  Sale,  altho 
he  well  knew  that  the  Affair  was  to  be  transacted  when  the  Govr. 
was  here  &  Should  attend.  I  cant  see  what  pretensions  he  can 
have,  or  why  his  opposition  should  carry  any  weight.  The  Land 
in  that  purchase,  is  much  better  than  that  of  Bergens  notwith- 
standing Mr.  Jessops  Extravigant  character  of  it,  which  I  am 
certain  led  the  Governor  to  take  the  Step  You  mention.  It  was 
for  Mr.  Jessops  Interest  to  run  out  in  praise  of  the  Land,  and  I 
wish  he  may  not  have  said  more  in  favor  of  it,  than  it  deserves. 
I  am  so  hurried  as  ye.  Post  is  waiting  that  I  have  only  time  to 
Assure  You  of  my  best  Wishes,  and  that  I  am  as  ever,  Dear 
Banyar, 

Yr.  Sincere  friend 

&  verry  Humble  Servant 
W.  Johnson 

1  In  New  York  Historical  Society,  Banyar  Papers. 

2  Thomas  Barrow,  deputy  paymaster. 

3  Not  found. 

4  Johnson  Papers,  8:642. 

5  James  Creassy. 


DANIEL  CAMPBELL 

Portrait  by  Thomas  Mcllworth  in  the  Henry  Francis  du  Pont 

Winterthur  Museum. 


Land  Development,  1769-74  1007 


ADDRESSED : 

To  2-16 

Golds  Borrow  Banyar  Esqr. 
New  York 


INDORSED: 


December  4.  1 772 


Sir  Wm.  Johnson 


FROM  DANIEL  CAMPBELL 

Contemporary  Copy1 

Schenectady  4  Decr.  1772 
Sir  Willm.  Johnson 

I  now  take  the  Liberty  of  Transmitting  to  you  the  State  of 
the  Action  for  which  I  was  arrested  in  Montreal  in  August  1  770 
by  Edward  Chinn  &  Howard  on  Acco1.  of  a  Certificate  which 
they  sent  to  Henry  Vanschak  &  my  Self  for  the  ami  of  a  Black- 
smiths pay  am's.  to  the  Original  Sum  of  £  1  1 9 .  .  1 4 .  .  —  York 
Currency  this  Certificate  with  Several  others  to  a  Considerable 
amount  was  sent  us  to  pay  of  a  note  we  had  a  gainst  them  the  other 
Vochers  we  sent  to  N  York  and  ware  all  paid  by  General  Amerst 
the  Blacksmiths  Certificate  Mr.  Vanshak  left  in  your  hands  as  you 
then  at  those  times  paid  the  Smith  Accots.  I  got  henry  Vanshaks 
affidavid  before  the  Mayor  of  Albany  which  I  sent  to  Montreal 
that  it  might  be  brought  in  as  an  evidence  to  Shew  that  we  never 
was  paid  that  Sum  by  you  notwithstanding  the  Cort  gave  it  a 
gainst,  with  Interest  five  years  and  Six  Months  with  £33 .  .6.  .8 
Cost.  the  whole  sum  amounting  to  £  1 98 .  .  1 3  .  .  —  New 
York  Currency  which  Sum  I  was  oblig'd  to  give  a  Bill  on  Mr. 
Blackburn  two  Years  a  goe  which  was  Sold  at  Montreal  at  a 
great  Loss  by  reason  of  the  low  Exchange  &  has  been  ever  Since 
out  of  the  Money.  I  once  mentioned  this  affair  to  you  before  at 
the  same  time  I  requested  the  favour  of  your  assistance  in  Seeing 


1  In  Schenectady  County  Historical  Society,  Daniel  Campbell  letterbook. 


1008  Sir  William  Johnson  Papers 

me  repaid  a  gain,  that  I  had  no  other  method  left  but  relying  on 
your  kindness  to  serve  me  you  was  pleas'd  to  say  that  you  wou'd 
serve  me  as  I  was  a  Sufferrer  Innocently  I  shall  for  ever  acknowl- 
edge your  Goodness  if  you  will  permit  me  to  bring  in  this  acco*. 
as  belonging  to  your  department  if  it  requires  any  affidavit  from 
me  I  can  freely  make  oath  that  I  have  paid  every  farthing  of  the 
money  and  never  receivd.  any  Consideration,  Col  Clause  knows 
this  affair  well  as  it  was  he  that  brought  us  the  payment  for  our 
note  from  Chenn  &  Howard.  I  hope  I  shall  soon  have  the 
pleasure  of  waiting  on  you  at  John  Hall  as  I  purpose  taking  the 
first  Sleading  —  Mrs.  Campbell  begs  her  most  respectfull  Com- 
pliments to  you  and  Mr.  Deace  and  beg  you  will  accept  of  mine 
&  am  Dr.  Sir  &c 

D.C.— 


FROM  DANIEL  BURTON 

A.L.S.1 

Abingdon  street,  Westminster.  Decr.  26-1772 
Sir, 

I  return  You  many  thanks  for  the  honor  of  your  very  obliging 
letter  of  the  16th.  of  October  last,2  in  which  You  mention  your 
having  had  a  bad  state  of  health :  This  I  am  most  truly  sorry  for, 
both  on  your  own  account,  &  That  of  the  publick.  — 

The  Society  some  time  since  received  a  good  character  of  Mr. 
Mosley,3  gave  him  £20  for  officiating  8  months  at  Pomfret, 
Mr.  Malbone's  parish,  &  on  his  applying  for  the  mission  of  Litch- 
field appointed  him  their  Miss1"?,  there  in  October  last :  How  He 
came  to  leave  that  place  so  precipitately  without  the  leave  of  the 
Society  or  giving  them  any  notice  of  it,  I  know  not:  To  be 
Settled  in  your  parish  &  neighbourhood  was  undoubtedly  a  very 


1  In  Historical  Society  of  Pennsylvania,  Gratz  Collection. 

2  See  Johnson  to  Dr.  Burton,  Oct.  2,  1772,  in  Doc.  Hist.  N.  Y., 
4:481-82,  which  seems  to  be  the  letter  referred  to,  although  there  is  a  dis- 
crepancy in  the  date. 

3  Rev.  Richard  Mosley.  See  note  in  Doc.  Hist.  N.  Y.,  4,  481. 


Land  Development,   1769-74  1009 

engaging  circumstance,  &  We  hope  He  will  be  agreable  to  You 
in  all  respects:  The  Society  will  make  him  an  allowance  of 
£40  per  ann-,  according  to  their  promise  made  some  time  since 
to  You.  Mr.  Mosley's  Salary  is  to  commence  from  the  time  of 
his  entring  on  the  duty  of  your  parish.  — 

The  Society  are  perfectly  sensible,  that  their  Salaries  are  small, 
by  no  means  sufficient  to  maintain  a  Minister  without  considerable 
contributions  from  the  places  where  They  are  settled:  They  see 
also  very  plainly  the  weight  of  your  argument  for  a  more  liberal 
allowance  to  those  places,  where  the  people  are  new  Settlers,  & 
able  to  spare  but  little.  But  our  Circumstances  by  no  means  allow 
us  to  enlarge  them:  In  reality,  They  are  greater  at  present  than 
We  can  afford:  We  have  no  regular  revenues  to  answer  our 
expences:  Our  Designs  are  carried  on  entirely  by  voluntary 
Subscriptions  &  Contributions,  And  the  Numerous  Demands  from 
all  part  of  North  America  for  more  &  more  Missries.  &  better 
Allowances  distress  us  much:  It  is  hoped,  that  some  time  or 
another,  Government  will  take  this  matter  into  Consideration. 

I  shall  very  soon  resign  my  Office  of  Secfy.  &  Dr.  Hind,4  a 
most  worthy  man,  will  be  appointed  to  succeed  me ;  Who  will  be 
very  happy  in  the  honor  of  your  Correspondence,  when  You  have 
occasion  &  leisure  to  write  about  Society  matters. 

I  am  with  the  most  perfect  respect,  Sir 

Your  most  Obedient  humble  Servant 

D  Burton 
Dr.  Hind  lives  in  Dean  street,  Soho. 

INDORSED  :5 

London,  Decbr.  26th.  1  772 


Dr.  Burtons  letter 


4  The  Reverend  Dr.  Richard  Hind. 

5  In  Sir  William's  hand. 


1010  Sir  William  Johnson  Papers 

FROM  R HUNTLEY 

A.L.S.1 

Montreal  2K  J  any.  1 772[73]2  — 
Sir 

The  Last  Letter  I  had  from  Doctr.  Dease  He  told  Me,  You 
had  done  Me  the  Honor  to  approve  of  my  Conduct  relating 
Mr.  Fouchet's  Demand  of  a  hundred  Piastres  for  Mr.  Johnson;3 
at  that  time  Mr.  Grant  wou'd  give  no  conditional  Rec*. ;  and  as  I 
did  not  know  how  long  Mr.  Johnson  might  stay,  I  did  not  think 
Myself  authorised  to  advance  the  Money  before  I  had  heard  from 
the  Doctr. ;  but  on  my  reading  his  Letter  to  Mr.  Grant  He  has 
thought  proper  to  alter  his  Opinion,  and  give  the  inclosed  Ace*, 
by  which  it  is  impossible  You  can  run  any  Risque  shou'd  You  be 
inclin'd  to  order  the  young  Gentleman  Home  immediately;  I 
also  consider'd  that  this  Favor  done  Monsr.  Fouchet  might  excite 
Him  to  take  the  greatest  Pains  for  his  Improvement  —  these  were 
my  Reasons  for  paying  the  Money,  which  I  hope  will  quadrate 
with  your  Sentiments  on  this  Occasion,  from  my  indispensible 
Avocations  it  is  impossible  for  Me  to  absent  Myself  from  Town 
frequently,  on  which  Ace1.  I  have  desire'd  a  Gentleman  to  attend 
to  Mr.  Johnson's  Proficiency,  Who  informs  Me,  He  now  speaks 
the  Language  with  the  greatest  Ease  &  Elegance  — 

I  have  the  Honor  to  be 
with  the  greatest  Deferance 

Yr.  most  obedf.  Serv. 

R.  Huntley 

I  shall  take  the  Liberty  of  giving  You  an  Ace*,  of  the  Money  I 
have  paid  for  Mr.  Johnson  since  the  Departure  of  Col°.  Claus  — 

To  M'.  Grant 25..    0..    0 

To  Mr.  Johnson  for  his  Pocket 15  .  .    0 

To  the  Shoemaker 1  .  .    2 .  .    6 


1  In  Historical  Society  of  Pennsylvania,  Gratz  Collection. 

2  As  shown  by  the  indorsement,  the  date  should  be  1  773. 

3  Peter  Johnson. 


Land  Development,  1769-74  1011 

To  Mr.  Melmin 1  .  .  10.  .  10 

Halifax  Currx.  28..   8..    4 

Please  to  present  my  Compls.  to  Doctr.  Dease  and  Col°.  Claus 

Montreal  Janrx.  2d.  1  773 


INDORSED:4 


Doctor  Huntleys  letter 
wth.  an  Acclt.  — 
£28.. 8.. 4  —  Hallifax 


FROM  PHILIP  SKENE 

A.L.S.1 

Albany,  Friday  the  23d.  of  Jany.  1773 
Sir 

I  proposed  to  myself  the  pleasure  of  paying  my  respects  at 
Johnstown  Hall,  but  find  from  Mr.  [GJrant  of  the  Navy  that  the 
Ship  Sampson  will  sail  [in]  Eight  or  ten  days  for  London  where  I 
propose  to  be  |  |  soon  as  posible  that  I  may  return  to  my 

business  [in]  May  or  June :  should  you  have  any  Commands  that 
[I]  can  Execute  by  comitting  your  desire  to  my  address  [at]  David 
Roberts's  Esqr.  Agent,  in  Craven  Street  London  [  ]  at  New 

York  for  the  first  Week  in  Feb?,  shall  be  [HJappy  in  receiving 
Commission.    I  have  the  Honour  to  be 

Sir 

Your  most  obedient 
humble  Servant 

Philip  Skene 


4  In  Sir  William's  hand. 

1  In  Harvard  University  Library,  Sparks  Collection.  Portions  which  are 
illegible  are  indicated  by  brackets. 


1012  Sir  William  Johnson  Papers 

FROM  ELEAZAR  WHEELOCK 

Copy1 

Dartmouth  College,  in 
New  Hampshire,  Feb.  27,  1773. 

Hond.  Sir, 

The  Bearers,  Basteen  and  Lewis,  Indians  of  the  Tribe  at 
Lorett,  have  been  several  months  at  My  School,  and  have  from 
the  first  appeared  to  have  an  uncommon  thirst  for  Learning,  have 
been  diligent  at  their  Studies  and  have  made  good  Proficiency  for 
the  Time  therein.  They  appear  to  be  rational,  Manly  Spirited, 
courteous,  graceful  and  Obliging,  far  beyond  what  I  have  found 
common  to  Indians;  and  I  have  observed  no  undue  appetite  in 
them  to  Strong  Drink  —  They  have  often  expressed  a  Desire  to 
See  Your  Honor,  Since  they  have  lived  with  Me,  and  Now  at 
their  Desire  I  have  consented  to  their  Making  You  this  Visit. 

I  esteem  them  the  Most  promising  Young  Indians  I  have  ever 
Yet  Seen,  and  the  most  likely  to  answer  the  great  and  good  Ends 
of  an  Education,  and  I  hope  their  going  among  their  Bretheren  in 
your  parts  will  have  No  bad  influence  to  prejudice  or  distemper 
their  Minds. 

I  have  advised  them  to  return  as  Soon  as  they  can  after  they 
have  Suitably  expressed  their  Duty  &  Respect  to  You,  as  I 
Should  be  Sorry  they  Should  lose  more  Time  from  their  Studies, 
than  shall  be  needful,  and  also  as  they  will  likely  have  Occasion 
to  take  Several  Other  Journeys  Soon  after  their  Return. 

I  Wish  Your  Honor  to  enjoy  the  Divine  Presence,  Direction 

and  Blessing  in  the  important  Business  Providence  has  assigned 

you  in  Life  and  beg  leave  to  assure  You  that  I  am  with  much 

Esteem  &  Respect,  v        tt        , 

Y  our  Honor  s 

Most  Obedient  and 

very  Humble  Servant 

Sir  William  Johnson  Barone1.  Eleazar  Wheelock 


1  Printed  in  Orderly  Book  of  Sir  John  Johnson  (Albany,  1882),  p. 
1  62n.  Printed  in  mutilated  form  in  Johnson  Papers,  8:726-27,  where  the 
last  word  of  the  second  paragraph  was  incorrectly  given  as  "Kind."  Hence 
the  copy  which  was  made  before  the  Capitol  fire  is  given  here,  with  minor 
corrections  of  capitalization  and  arrangement  from  the  damaged  manuscript. 


Land  Development,   1769-74  1013 

FROM  R HUNTLEY 

A.L.S.1 

Montreal  6lh.  Mar:  1773  — 
Sir 

I  shou'd  have  answer'd  yours  long  ago  had  not  I  waited  for 
Mr.  Foucher's  Accf.  to  transmit  You;  I  have  discharged  it  as 
You  will  observe  by  the  Recf.  amounting  in  all  to  53  Livres  and 
eight  Sols  more  than  the  100  Piastres  You  have  already  ad- 
vanced,2 this  Ace1,  includes  the  whole  Expence  attending  Mr. 
Johnson  since  Col°.  Claus  left  this  Place,  excepting  a  Suit  of 
Cloaths,  1  Piastre  I  gave  Him  to  go  to  the  Assembly  and  2  Pair 
of  dancing  Shoes  — 

When  I  paid  Mr.  Foucher  I  cou'd  not  help  remarking  a  very 
extraordinary  Charge  viz  for  teaching  Mastr.  Johnson  french  9 
Livres  pr.  Month,  as  He  said  Col°.  Claus  and  Mr.  Sf.  Luc  were 
both  made  acquainted  with  the  Footing  He  went  on,  I  cou'd 
only  tell  Him  I  look'd  on  it  as  an  Imposition,  and  as  You  had 
honor'd  Me  with  the  Care  of  Mr.  Johnson,  I  was  resolved  for  the 
future  not  to  pay  it;  which  has  caused  Him  to  abate  two  Dollars 
a  Month  —  altho  Mr.  Johnsons  Expences  have  ran  so  high,  I 
have  in  every  Respect  endeavour'd  to  follow  the  most  frugal 
Means  to  save  Money,  indeed  it  is  highly  unfortunate  for  the 
young  Gentleman  the  Accident  that  attended  Mr.  Martell,  I 
mean  as  to  his  Education  in  general;  for  as  to  the  french  He 
speaks  it  very  well  — 

Mr.  Foucher  is  now  in  Town  which  gives  Me  an  Opportunity 
of  seeing  Mr.  Johnson  every  Day  —  I  have  in  Consequence  of 
your  Letter  to  Him,  order'd  Him  a  dancing  and  fencing  Master, 
in  the  latter  Accomplishment  his  Master  informs  Me  He  has  made 
a  considerable  Progress  — 

I  am  desired  by  Mr.  Johnson  to  present  You  with  his  Duty  & 

Compts.  to  his  Cosin  Dr.  Dease  to  whome  I  shall  do  Myself  the 

pleasure  to  write  Pr.  next  Post  —         T  L        .L    u  , 

^  1  have  the  Honor  to  be 

Yr.  most  obed*.  hble. 

Serv. 

R  Huntley 

1  In  Historical  Society  of  Pennsylvania,  Gratz  Collection. 

2  See  Dr.  Huntley's  letter  of  Jan.  2,  1773,  ante  pp.  101 0-11. 


1014  Sir  William  Johnson  Papers 


INDORSED:3 


Doctor  Huntleys  Letter 
March  6th.  1 773  wth. 
An  AccJ.  — 


3  In  Sir  William's  hand. 


FROM  JELLES  FONDA 

/~l  .     1—*.     vj. 

Cachnewago  21th.  March  1773  — 
Honred  Sir  — 

I  arived  home  Last  Night  from  Caneiore  ware  I  have  Been 
three  Days:  and  with  a  great  Dele  to  Do  have  got  Mr.  Adams2 
apinted  to  act  as  Tresurere  ontill  there  is  an  Election  of  the  hole 
of  the  Suplevisers:  we  ware  only  Fry,  Perry  and  my  Self  met 
now:  Major  Ten  brock  and  Tomson  I  Beleve  are  Some  wat 
ashamed  of  wot  is  Past 

we  have  ordered  the  Deferent  Colectors  to  Delevr.  the  money 
to  Mr.  Adams :  I  Refere  our  Proseding  to  Mr.  Lefety3  who  was 
with  ous  and  was  of  Great  Service  to  me  in  that  afeare  so  I 
Remain  your 

Most  humbele  Serv'. 

Jelles  Fonda 
addressed : 

To 

the  Honerabele 

Sir  wiliam  Johnson  B*. 

Johnson  hall 

INDORSED:4 

March  2  R  1773  — 

Major  Fondas  letter 

concerns,  a  Treasurer  — 


1  In  New  York  Public  Library. 

2  Robert  Adems. 

3  Bryan  Lefferty. 

4  In  Sir  William's  hand. 


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Land  Development,   1769-74  1023 

FROM  HARRY  MUNRO 

A.L.S.1 

Albany,  May  2IJ 773.— 

HonEsle.  Sir> 

The  Bearer  hereof  will  inform  You,  that  there  are  Seventeen 
Families  of  Scotch  people  just  now  arrived  here.  They  are  look- 
ing out  for  Land,  and  have  applied  to  me,  as  their  Countryman, 
for  advice.  Much  pains  have  been  taken  to  keep  them  near 
Albany ;  But  I  have  at  last  persuaded  them  to  pay  you  a  visit ;  — 
You  have  Land  enough,  &  these  poor  people  may  in  time  prove 
useful  &  good  Tenants,  Especially  under  So  generous  a  Landlord 
as  Sir  William  Johnson.  They  have  assured  me,  that  they  are 
under  no  particular  Engagements,  and  I  flatter  myself,  they  will 
find  Your  Proposals  Agreeable. 

My  only  Motive  in  this,  is  pure  friendship  to  Your  Family,  & 
a  grateful  Sense  of  the  many  Civilities  received  from  you. 

I  am  not  personally  acquainted  with  these  people,  but  have 
Seen  their  Credentials  &  Testimonials,  Containing  a  fair,  un- 
blemished Character.  By  Letters  from  Scotland  it  appears,  that 
the  lower  Class  of  people  are  generally  discontented,  &  the  Spirit 
of  Emigration  prevails  greatly;  and  if  these  will  like  your  pro- 
posals, I  have  reason  to  think,  Some  hundreds  of  families  will 
Soon  follow.  —  The  Seventeen  families  make  in  all  Seventy 
Souls,  including  the  women  and  Children.  — 

It  is  with  great  pleasure  I  hear  of  Your  Recovery,  after  your 
late  Illness.  —  My  constant  &  hearty  Prayers  attend  you ;  For 
your  Preservation  &  happiness.  —  "Sero  in  Colum  redeas;  diuque 
intersis  populo  Americano."  You  well  remember  the  Compli- 
ment; It  is  borrowed  from  Horace,  with  a  little  Variation. 


In  Boston  Public  Library. 


1024  Sir  William  Johnson  Papers 

Pardon  my  freedom*  in  giving  you  Some  broken  Scraps  of 
Latin.    I  have  the  honor  to  be  with  great  Esteem 

Honourable  Sir, 
Your  most  obliged 
Most  obedient,  and 
Most  humble  Servant 

Harry  Munro.2 
To  Sir  William  Johnson 

indorsed:3 

May  21, 1773 

From  the  Revd.  Mr.  Munro 

<P  the  Scotch  Settlers  — 


2  The  Reverend  Harry  Munro  was  then  rector  of  St.  Peter's  Church, 
Albany. 

3  In  hand  of  Guy  Johnson. 


FROM  PETER  UPSDELL 

Spring  Garden  24  May  1773 
Honoured  Sir 

I  am  employed  by  The  Honourable  Thomas  Penn  Esqr.  to 
inform  You  that  Your  Letter  dated  the  1 2th.  October  1  7722  came 
safe  to  hand,  Covering  a  Bill  of  £  50  sterK  which  Cap1.  Roberts 
Received  of  Mr.  Penn,  in  Your  Name.  — 

Mr.  Penn  bids  me  aquaint  You  that  He  is  very  sorry  to  write, 
in  any  hand  but  his  own,  But  He  lately  having  been  again 
extreamly  111  renders  him  quite  incapable  of  doing  himself  that 
pleasure,  He  otherwise  fully  intended.  — 

The  Bill  was  accepted  by  Mr.  Neale,  payable  at  Mess". 
Drummonds,  And  when  it  became  due,  which  was  the  6th.  of 
April  last,  Payment  was  refused,  owing  to  Your  having  omitted 


1  In  Pennsylvania  State  Archives. 

2  Johnson  Papers,  8:614-15. 


Land  Development,   1769-74  1025 

to  Endorse  it.  —  Mr.  Penn  having  given  Mess".  Drummonds 
Security  for  the  £50,  till  you  send  him  a  Second  or  Third, 
Endorsed,  has  Received  the  Money,  on  Condition  that  You 
Endorse  a  Second  or  Third  &  remitt  it  to  him  by  the  first  Ship. 
I  have  enquired  of  Mr.  Wilmot  about  the  Letters  Pattent  who 
says  they  were  Recorded,  as  they  went  thro'  every  office  here  they 
ought  to  go  thro'.  — 

Mr.   Penn  is  much  recovered,  tho'  still  but  very  Low  &  In- 
different. —  for  whom  I  have  the  Honor  to  be 

Hon.  Sir 

Your  Most  obed*.  &  very 
Hble  Serv*. 

Peter  Upsdell 
SR.  WM.  Johnson 


PLEA  OF  GILBERT  TICE 

D.1 

Try  on  County  Court  of  Com :  pleas 

The  Honorable  Sir  — 

William  Johnson  Baronet      >  Plea, 

Gilbert  Tice  — 

I  And  the  said  Gilbert  Tice  by 
Walter  Butler  his  Att>\  comes  and  defends  the  force  and 
Injury  when  &c.  and  say's  that  he  Cannot  deny  the  Action  of 
the  said  Sir  William  Johnson  Baronet  nor  but  that  he  oweth 
to  the  said  Sir  William  Johnson  Baronet  the  said  sum  of 
seven  hundred  and  Twenty  four  pounds  in  Manner  and  form 
as  the  said  Sir  William  Johnson  Bar*,  thereof  against  him 
hath  Complained  &c 

W:  Butler  Atty.  fordef1. 

Tryon  County  ss.  Gilbert  Tice  puts  in  his  place  Walter  Butler 
his  Atty.  at  the  suit  of  Sir  William  Johnson  Baronet  in  the 
plea  aforesaid. 


1  In  New  York  State  Library,  Abbott  Collection. 


1026  Sir  William  Johnson  Papers 

INDORSED : 

Try  on  County  Com :  pleas 
Gilbert  Tice  — 

ads. 
Sir  William  Johnson 
Baronet 

Butler  Attx.  — 
fil'djune  10*.  1773 


"  plea 


FROM  DANIEL  CLAUS 
A.Df.S.1 

La  Chine  3d.  July  1773. 
Dear  &  Hond.  Sir 

I  heartily  wish  this  may  find  you  in  a  better  State  of  health  than 
[t?ou]2  were  in  at  the  time  I  left  you,  [and]  besides  the  sad  Acci- 
dent of  Mr.  Johnsons  house  &  his  Loss3  happns.  at  the  same  time 
could  not  but  increase  your  Indisposition,  but  I  hope  this  will  be 
delivered  to  you  at  the  place  where  you  intend  taking  the  Benefit 
of  the  Sea  Air  &  Water  and  that  you  may  daily  feel  its  Effects 
[to]  prove  so  salutary  to  you  as  finally  to  remove  all  your  Com- 
plaints. 

I  arrived  at  this  place  last  Monday  after  crossing  Lake  Cham- 
plain  in  an  old  Sloops  Boat  the  Sloop  not  being  yet  arrived; 
&  pretty  high  winds  in  crossing.  On  my  Arrival  the  Caghnawa- 
geys  [asked]  after  your  &  the  families  health  acquainted  me  [with] 
in  an  sorrowfull  Strain  of  having  lost  all  their  Corn  &ca.,  by  the 
frost  on  the  [fcegin^.]  Eleventh  of  last  Month  dreading  the  Conse- 
quences, I  told  them  that  the  Mohawks  &  every  Body  in  that 


1  In  Canadian  Archives,  Claus  Papers,  Vol.  1.  This  letter  in  mutilated 
form  was  printed  in  Johnson  Papers,  8:839-42. 

2  Words  italicized  and  in  brackets  are  crossed  out  in  the  manuscript. 

3  Guy  Johnson's  home,  Guy  Park  was  struck  by  lightning  and  burned  in 
June,  1  773,  with  the  loss  of  his  collection  of  books,  manuscripts  and  maps. 
See  Johnson  Papers,  8:823. 


Land  Development,   1769-74  1027 

[part  of]  y.  Country  suffered  more  or  less  by  the  same  frost,  there 
was  Ice  here  [as  thick  as  to  bear  a  large  Dog]  near  an  Inch  thick. 

The  Abinaquis  of  Misisqui4  sent  me  a  Deputation  since  my 
Arrival  abl.  Mr.  Matcafes  taking  Possession  of  their  Lands5  at 
Misisqui  [and]  wch.  was  contrary  to  our  promise  in  1  760  of  letting 
them  keep  their  Lands  unmolested  I  told  them  as  Mr.  Matcaff  was 
not  here  I  could  not  say  [nojanything  ab'.  this  Matter  but  all  I 
could  tell  them  now  was  that  the  Govrs.  of  N  York  &  Canada  had 
settled  it  with  the  Caghnaws.  when  in  Lake  Champlain  in  1  766 
abl.  setting  the  45  Dege.  that  the  [King]  Indns.  should  have  free 
hunting  &  fishing  in  Lake  Champla11.  but  that  the  Ground  belongd. 
to  the  King  &  his  Subjects  to  wch.  the  Caghnaw5.  in  behalf  of  the 
rest  agreed.  I  believe  they  are  set  on  by  some  People  in  this 
provce.  Who  [dont  like]  claim  that  Land  by  purchase  from  the 
french.  And  I  hear  there  is  Mischief  to  pay  at  Aughquisasne 
between  the  Iroquois  &  Abi[naqui]  chiefly  occasioned  by  Mr. 
Hertells6  Instigation  wch.,  I  shall  acqu[aint]  Govr.  Cramahe  wth. 
The  6  Natn.  Deps.  54  in  N.  are  at  the  Cedars  and  h[ave]  sent  for 
Provs.  to  the  Caghnaws.  who  have  none  and  applied  to  me  and  I 
put  them  off  likewise  When  they  sent  them  a  Message  to  proceed 
with[out]  however  I  told  the  Messengers  if  they  could  not  proceed 
to  get  a  Hog  among  the  Inhabits.  on  my  Accof.  I  have  deferred 
my  Meeting  the  Caghnaws.  till  they  arrive  when  they  may  partake 
of  the  Meal  the  Caghnawageys  are  to  get  wch.  will  save  the  latter 
something.  I  have  likewise  two  Missisagey  partys  on  my 
Neck.  — 

S4.  Luke  Le  Corne  is  gone  this  Spring  to  Michilimc.  under 
pretence  of  collecting  his  Debts  his  Son  in  Law  de  la  Nodiere 
tells  me  there  is  much  Mischief  committed  in  the  upper  Countries. 
I  cant  hear  of  any  but  that  the  Spaniards  seized  one  Du  Charm7 
&  his  Effects  consisting  of  90  packs  for  trading  wth.  the  Missouri 


4  Missisque  Bay. 

5  See   Calendar  of  Land  Papers,   p.    531,   for  survey   for  Simon   and 
George  Metcalfe. 

6  John  Jacob  Hertel. 

7  Jean  Marie  Du  Charme. 


1028  Sir  JVilliam  Johnson  Papers 

Indns.  who  killed  some  Spaniards  and  were  denied  Trade  by  the 
Spanish  Gov.  on  yl.  acco1.  and  ready  to  deliver  the  Delinquents 
were  it  not  for  the  Supplies  they  recd.  from  Ducharm,  This  is 
the  same  fellow  whose  Effects  I  seized  in  1  765,  by  ordr.  of  Gen1. 
Burton8  for  Supplying  the  Enemy  Indns.  beseiging  Detroit  w*. 
Amunition  &ca.  and  whom  Gen1.  Murray9  as  civil  Goverr. 
Skreend,  &  released  the  Seizure,  wch.  was  at  least  1 000  [ 
out  of  my  Way,  but  it  seems  the  Spanish  Govr.  acts  upon  different 
principles  wth.  Mr.  Ducharm  for  when  he  attempted  his  Escape 
he  was  shot  thro  the  Thigh  &  its  not  known  whether  he  is  dead 
or  alive.  — 

You  will  have  heard  of  Wm.  Hares  Death  by  Sickness  that 
Company  missed  their  Aim  in  getting  to  Matchidas  in  Lake  Huron 
last  fall  W[  |  They  were  invited  to  at  Toronto,  and  would 

made  a  fine  hand  of  it  but  [and]  could  get  no  farther  than  Temis- 
camink  a  place  full  of  Canada  Traders  &  acquainted  wtl\  the 
Indns.  [but]  Mr.  Ira  Grant  (Bror.  to  the  rich  Wm.  Grant)  [and] 
who  supplies  those  Traders,  went  there  this  Spring  to  bring  down 
his  Furrs  informs  me  that  he  saw  &  spoke  with  Kreuser  who  was 
by  himself  &  made  it  out  surprizingly  well  as  a  Stranger  at  that 
post  owing  as  he  thinks  of  his  talking  the  Language  so  well  & 
had  a  particular  way  to  deal  wth.  the  Indns.  and  the  others  he 
believes  made  not  a  pack,  &  thinks  they  wont  come  down  this 
Summer  but  Kreuser  told  him  he  intended  coming  as  soon  he  had 
finishd  trading  wth.  a  party  he  expected  in  shortly,  and  pay  off 
what  he  could.  Ferral10  told  me  last  Summer  that  Kreuser  made 
abl.  30  packs  to  his  8. 

Dr.  Huntly  with  his  Respects  desires  me  to  inform  you  that 
Peter11  cant  make  any  farther  Improvements  n[ow]  [where  he] 
and  that  his  Staying  Any  longer  might  rather  prove  disadvan- 


8  Major  General  Ralph  Burton,  formerly  governor  of  Canada. 

9  General  James  Murray. 

10  Ferrall  Wade,  partner  of  C.  Kreuser. 

11  Peter  Johnson,  oldest  child  of  Sir  William  Johnson  and  Molly  Brant. 
See  letters  of  Dr.  R.  Huntley  regarding  Peter,  Jan.  2  and  March  6,  1  773, 
ante  pp.  1010-11;  1013-14. 


Land  Development,   1769-74  1029 

tageous  &  expensive  he  lives  now  in  Montreal  and  has  [keen] 
dined  with  me  here  yesterday  he  longs  much  to  go  down  & 
desires  his  dutyfull  Respects  to  you.  I  have  not  time  to  write  any 
body  and  beg  youll  remember  me  most  Affect1?,  to  them  all,  and 
believe  me  with  unfeigned  Duty  &  Respect 

D'.  Sir  Your  &c. 

DC: 


GUY  JOHNSON  TO  FREDERIC  HALDIMAND 

Copy1 

Guy  Park  Sept'.  9*.  1773. 

Sir, 

I  have  Just  received  an  Acco[un]t,  that,  a  small  hunting  party 
of  Senecas  have  attacked  and  killed  four  french  Men  who  were 
in  a  Birch  Canoe  coming  through  Lake  Ontario  from  Niagara; 
the  Indians  robbed  the  Canoe  of  Thirty  Packs,  which  they  buried 
and  afterwards  returned  to  their  Village;  I  am  likewise  informed 
that  the  Seneca  Chief  Serrihoana  ordered  the  Packs  to  be  taken 
up  and  secured  that  they  might  be  restored  to  the  Owners,  and  that 
the  Indians  in  general  are  very  much  concerned  at  the  murder. 
I  communicated  this  Affair  according  to  custom  to  the  Mo- 
hocks, who  readily  agree  that  the  Murderers  should  be  imediately 
delivered  up,  but  I  think  it  best  to  wait  untill  I  have  a  more 
particular  &  certain  Account  of  the  whole  Transaction 

I  have  the  honor  to  be, 

Sir,  Your  Excellency's 

Most  Obedient  and 

most  humble  Servant 


G.  Johnson 


His  Excellency 

Major  Genl.  Haldimand  — 


1  In  Canadian  Archives,  Haldimand  Papers,  B  10,  p.  115.  See  refer- 
ence to  this  letter  in  Haldimand  to  Sir  William  Johnson,  Sept.  15,  1773, 
Johnson  Papers,  8:885-86. 


1030  Sir  William  Johnson  Papers 

INDORSED: 

Sir  W.  Johnson 
of  Sepr.  the  9,h. 
rec.  d°.  15. 


FROM  WARREN  JOHNSON 
A.L.S.1 

Dublin  5*.  Oct.  1773  — 
My  Dear  Brother 

it  is  so  long  a  time  since  I  heard  from  you,  tho'  I  frequently 
wrote,  that  I  had  resolved  never  again  to  trouble  you  with 
another  letter  —  but  lately  reading  in  the  publick  papers  of 
your  bad  state  of  health,  my  heart  woud  not  allow  me  to  be  Silent, 
for  indeed  you  can't  imagine  how  sincerely  I  Suffered  upon  the 
Occasion  —  I  hope  in  God  before  now,  that  you  are  quite  re- 
covered, the  Papers  also  Mention  Sir  John's  Marriage  with 
Miss  Watts ;  I  Congratulate  you,  and  him  upon  it  and  wish  them 
all  happiness  —  the  Rectitude  of  my  own  heart,  in  regard  of 
every  Brotherly  Affection  to  you,  makes  me  take  very  unkindly 
your  silence  for  above  three  years,  tho'  I  repeatedly  wrote  to 
you,  I  can  with  truth  say,  that  I  know  of  no  reason  why  it  is  so, 
except,  that  I  have  been  misrepresented  to  you,  which  I  fear  must 
be  the  Case  it  woud  indeed  have  been  kind  in  you  to  have 
informed  me  and  given  me  an  Opportunity  of  vindicating  myself 
from  any  unjust  Suspicions  —  not  hearing  from  any  of  my  friends 
in  America,  even  Doctor  Dease  never  wrote  me  a  Single  line 
since  he  left  Ireland  contrary  to  his  promise  to  me  —  ,  is  what  a 
few  Years  ago,  I  shoud  not  have  beleived,  particularly  from  you, 
from  whom  I  so  often  experienced  so  much  love  and  goodness.  — 

this  time  twelve  Months  I  was  most  dangerously  attacked,  with 
a  Biliious  Collick,  &  Gravel,  and  on  account  of  my  health  was 
Obliged  to  reside  for  last  Winter  in  Dublin  under  the  care  of  the 


1  In  Historical  Society  of  Pennsylvania,  Gratz  Collection. 


Land  Development,  1769-74  1031 

Physicians.  I  have  had  several  severe  attacks  since,  and  have 
been  ordered  by  a  Consultation  of  the  Two  most  Eminent  Phys: 
here,  Doctors  Barry,  &  Quin,  to  Spa  —  in  the  mean  time  I  am 
ordered  the  Vals,  &  Seltzer  Waters  which  have  done  me  vast 
Service,  and  I  thank  God  am  now  much  better,  and  as  the  Season 
of  the  Year  is  so  far  advanced  for  travelling  with  a  Young 
Family  (having  lately  had  an  increase  in  it  of  a  fine  Boy  called 
after  his  Grand  Uncle  Sir  Peter  Warren)  and  Settling  my  little 
Affairs  as  we  intend  not  Shortly  returing)  shall  defer  our  journey 
God  willing  untill  about  next  May  —  on  Account  of  going 
abroad  I  have  disposed  of  my  Interest  in  damastown,  by  which  I 
was  no  gainer.  —  we  have  no  news  at  present  but  every  body 
expects  this  Session  of  Parliment  will  be  very  Warm,  and  an  Act 
Applyed  for  to  prevent  so  many  of  the  Irish  from  going  to 
America  —  my  Brother  John  &  his  Family  are  well,  as  are  my 
Sister  Deases  &  all  friends  I  Suppose  the  Doctor  has  heard  of 
his  Brother  Williams  Marriage  with  a  Miss  Dowdall,  by  whom 
'tis  said  he  has  got  above  4000  £  —  I  trust  in  God  that  this  will 
find  you  recovered,  and  I  do  Assure  you,  if  my  health  was  not  so 
precarious,  I  woud  most  Willingly  go  and  see  you  —  Your 
sister  joyns  me  in  best  love,  and  good  wishes  to  you,  Sir  John, 
and  all  our  friends,  I  beseech  you  to  write  to  me  soon,  and  I  hope 
to  have  the  pleasing  Account  of  your  better  health,  direct  for  me 
at  Mr.  Mc.  Guftys  Ship  Street  Dublin  —  Farewell  my  Dear 
Brother  and  beleive  me  that  I  ever  will  be  Sincerely  6c  truly 

Yours  most  Affectionately 

Warren  Johnson 
To  the  Honble  SlR  WM.  JOHNSON  Bart.  — 

P.S.  The  papers  mention  your  disorder  to  be  a  Billious  Collick 
&  Gravel  —  just  my  Complaint  —  the  first  Attack,  I  had  for 
Twenty  two  hours  in  the  pit  of  my  Stomach  without  changing, 
or  Evacuation,  it  was  so  Violent,  that  the  Physician  apprehended 
Convulsions  —  Castor  Oyl  (under  God)  a  Spoonfull  or  more 
first  releived  me 


1032  Sir  William  Johnson  Papers 


•> 


INDORSED:' 

Dublin  5*  8b'.  1 773 


Letter  from  my  Br.  Warren 


2  In  Sir  William's  hand. 


JOURNAL  OF  ALEXANDER  McKEE 
Contemporary  Copy1 
Pittsburg  the       Day  of  October  7th.  1773 

Extract  taken  from  my  Journal2 

Received  the  following  Speech  in  Writing  by  the  Hands  of 
One  Butler3  a  Trader.  — 
Copy  — 

A  Speech  of  the  Shawanese  25th.  Septr.  1  773.  Delivered  by 
the  Cornstalk  in  Presence  of  sundry  other  of  the  headmen  &  some 
Traders ;  Desired  to  be  given  to  Mr.  Croghan. 

Brothers  The  English 

As  by  several  of  the  Actions  of  the  Mingoes  that  live  near  us, 
we  see  they  are  determined  to  do  Michief  to  you,  for  which 
reason  a  few  days  agoe  We  desired  some  of  you  the  Traders  to  go 
home,  Not  that  we  meant  you  any  Offence  by  it,  but  for  Fear  of 
Damage  being  done  to  you  in  our  Towns;  And  as  wee  ourselves 
have  a  fellow  feeling  of  and  Distress  that  might  happen  you,  We 
gave  you  this  by  way  of  Advice  and  to  convince  your  Friends  & 
Relations  of  our  good  Intentions ;  We  don't  mean  that  you  go  off 
to  stay  away  altogether;  but  as  we  are  now  going  out  a  hunting, 
These  Mingoes  may  in  our  Absence  do  what  they  please  &  we  be 
blamed  wrong ;  We  have  hearken'd  and  do  steadily  adhere  to  the 
Speeches  that  has  given  us  by  your  Headmen  &  have  advised 


1  In  Canadian  Archives,  Indian  Records,  Vol.  1  6. 

2  Inclosed  in  McKee  to  Johnson,  Oct.   16,  1  773,  post  pp.  1038-39. 

3  Richard  Butler. 


Land  Development,  1769-74  1033 

these  Mingoes  to  do  the  same,  but  they  have  stopp'd  their  Ears 
&  will  not  hearken  to  us,  so  that  we  are  tired  talking  to  them  to  no 
purpose,  Therefore  as  Keyashuta  is  a  Friend  of  Mr.  Croghan's  & 
a  Headman  of  these  People  the  Mingoes,  We  desire  That  Mr. 
Croghan  will  disire  him  to  lay  this  matter  before  the  Heads  of 
their  Nation;  and  that  some  of  them  may  come  down  and  advise 
these  people  to  desist  from  these  Practices,  as  it  is  intirely  out  of 
our  Power,  and  their  Proceedings  may  be  productive  of  Conse- 
quences that  may  involve  both  them  &  us  in  Broils  both  destructive 
of  our  Peace  &  a  Friendship  that  We  are  fond  to  continue  with 
the  English:  And  as  there  was  Speeches  delivered  by  Mr. 
Croghan  to  the  Father  of  these  Shawanese  on  the  River  when 
the  Traders  was  sent  amongst  us  advising  us  to  take  Care  of  them 
&  treat  them  in  a  friendly  manner  which  We  think  they  will  say 
has  been  done  hitherto,  and  although  Our  old  Father  is  dead  Yet 
wee  the  Children  do  still  firmly  adhere  to  his  Advice  —  And  as 
Things  at  present  has  a  bad  Appearance  &  We  don't  know  who 
may  be  the  Agressors  or  real  Occasion  of  the  Disturbance  in  Case 
it  may  be  worse  than  yet  appears,  We  to  convince  the  English 
take  this  method  to  clear  ourselves  &  instead  of  killing  the  Traders 
in  their  Houses  do  advise  them  to  go  home  in  Peace  &  remain 
there  till  things  appear  in  a  more  peaceable  manner  &  then  we 
hope  our  Old  Friends  will  come  back  without  Fear  being  thus 
convinc'd  of  our  Regard  for  them.  This  is  all  We  shall  now  say, 
as  there  will  be  the  Hardman,  the  White  Fish  &  some  others 
there  in  a  short  time  who  will  have  more  to  say  and  will  confirm 
this  to  be  our  real  Meaning. 

To  George  Croghan 

Who  will  communicate  it  to 
Our  Brothers  the  English. 
You  told  us  this  Summer  not  to  hearken  to  the  Traders  or  give 
them  any  Speeches,  As  what  they  wou'd  say  was  of  no  acco".  but 
we  are  now  obliged  to  apply  to  them  to  convey  our  Sentiments  to 
you  &  our  Friends  the  English ;  Therefore  We  desire  you  will  not 
think  this  to  be  their  Advice,  it  is  really  ours  and  wee  desire  you 
to  hearken  to  it  as  such  &  in  Testimony  send  you  these  Strings. 


1034  Sir  William  Johnson  Papers 

AN  INDIAN  CONFERENCE 
Contemporary  Copy1 

Pittsburg  October  9th.  1773  — 

At  a  Meeting  held  with  a  Number  of  Chiefs,  Six  Nations, 
Hurons,  Ottawas  and  Delawares  — 
Present 

A  Number  of  the  principal  Inhabitants  of  Pittsburg  and 
Traders  — 

Keyashuta  after  presenting  a  Speech  sent  here  by  the  Chiefs  of 
the  Shawanese  spoke  as  follows.  — 
Brethren 

You  have  now  heard  this  Speech  wch.  the  Chiefs  of  the 
Shawanese  have  sent  by  your  Traders  to  be  delivered  to  me,  and 
I  have  considered  it,  and  assure  you  that  it  has  given  both  me  and 
the  several  Chiefs  present  some  Concern,  and  with  Respect  to  the 
Troubles  it  intimates  so  near  at  hand,  We  know  nothing  of  them, 
although  the  Chiefs  of  the  Hurons  who  are  present  are  but  lately 
returned  from  the  Wabash  where  they  have  been  negotiating  some 
good  Speeches  sent  by  Sir  William  Johnson,  and  they  have  the 
Satisfaction  to  say  their  Belts  were  well  received  by  all  the 
Western  Indians  as  far  as  the  Ilinois,  upon  that  head,  Who  have 
all  faithfully  promised  to  them  to  hold  fast  by  the  Chain  of  Friend- 
ship; So  That  this  Mischief  talk'd  of  by  the  Shawanese  must  be 
hatched  amongst  themselves  at  Scioto.  — 
Brethren 

You  may  remember  that  Two  Years  agoe  when  I  accompanied 
the  Six  Nation  Deputies  to  Scioto,  We  did  every  thing  in  our 
Powers  at  that  time  to  remove  the  scattering  Mingoes  from  the 
Two  Creeks  and  to  settle  them  nearer  home  (That  is  the  Six 
Nation  Country)  where  they  might  be  more  contiguous  to  be 
advised  and  taken  Care  of  by  The  Six  Nation  Chiefs;  But  our 
Brethren  the  Shawanese  interfered  and  carried  them  from  us  to 
Scioto  with  promising  at  the  same  time  to  take  Care  of  them  and 


1  In  Canadian  Archives,  Indian  Records,  Vol.    1 6 ;  inclosed  in  Alex- 
ander McKee  to  Johnson,  Oct.  1  6,  (  1  773)  ;  included  in  McKee's  Journal. 


Land  Development,   1769-74  1035 

keep  them  out  of  Mischief,  which  they  said  their  Scituation  at  the 
Two  Creeks  made  them  always  liable  to  be  involv'd  in;  From 
these  Cercumstances  The  Speech  of  the  Shawanese  Chiefs  appears 
to  us  the  more  extraordinary;  However  We  shall  speak  to  them 
as  soon  as  their  Chiefs  arrive  here  fully  upon  this  matter  before 
you.  — 

A  Huron  Chief  then  spoke 

Brethren 

We  must  also  tell  you  That  the  Indians  will  not  be  altogether 
to  blame  for  the  Troubles  shou'd  any  unfortunatly  happen;  You 
have  likewise  foolish  People  among  you  as  well  as  us,  who  pay 
[no]  Regard  to  the  advice  and  Directions  of  their  wise  People.  — 

Brethren 

You  are  all  sensible  that  the  Complaints  of  all  Nations  this 
way  have  been  frequent  against  Spirituous  Liquors  being  carried 
amongst  them;  This,  Brethren,  is  the  Scource  of  many  Evils,  and 
Cause  of  a  great  deal  of  our  Unhappyness,  by  it  our  Young  Men 
not  only  reduced  to  the  Necessity  of  stealing  to  recover  what  they 
loose  by  Drunkeness,  but  deprived  of  their  Reason  and  render'd 
incapable  of  listening  to  or  taking  the  Advice  of  their  Wise 
People.  — 

Brethren 

If  You  who  are  Traders  had  conformed  to  orders  by  continuing 
to  deal  at  the  several  posts  which  were  fixed  upon  for  this  Purpose 
at  the  End  of  the  last  unhappy  Disturbance  it  wou'd  have  pre- 
vented a  great  deal  of  Trouble  to  us  both.  We  therefore  now 
request  you  to  take  it  into  serious  Consideration  &  do  it,  as  it  will 
be  undoubtedly  for  both  our  Advantage;  When  any  Indian 
Nations  have  Peltries  to  trade  with  there  are  none  who  want 
Horses  to  carry  them  to  Market.  — 

Brethren 

Another  Thing  which  adds  to  the  present  Discontent  and 
Confusion  is  the  Number  of  White  People  who  are  scattered 


1036  Sir  William  Johnson  Papers 

down  the  River,  building  Houses  and  marking  the  Country 
wherever  they  go,  far  beyond  the  Limits  (Sir  William  Johnson 
told  us  last  Fall)  were  ordered  to  be  settled  by  order  of  our 
Father  The  King  of  Great  Britain.  We  have  told  you  now  the 
Cause  of  the  imprudent  Behaviour  of  our  foolish  Young  Men 
and  we  desire  you  to  be  strong  who  is  appointed  to  take  Care  of 
the  Indians  in  removing  every  Obstacle  that  stands  in  the  way  of 
our  future  Peace  and  Tranquility.  And  We  hope  Our  Brethren 
the  Traders  will  also  use  their  utmost  Endeavours  to  assist  you  in 
this  good  Work  which  so  much  tends  to  the  Wellfare  of  us  both. 
This  Brethren  is  all  We  have  to  say  to  you.  — 

A  String.  — 


FROM  HECTOR  THEOs.  CRAMAHE 

A.L.S.1 

Quebec  I3ih.  October  1773  — 
Sir 

The  Chevalier  Lorimier,  owner  of  thirty  Packs  of  Pelleteries, 
lately  plundered  in  Lake  Ontario  by  some  of  the  Seneca  Nation, 
waits  on  You  with  this,  in  the  Hopes  that  You  will  procure  him  a 
Restitution  of  his  Furs,  which  otherwise  will  prove  a  heavy  Loss 
to  him,  and  obtain  for  the  poor  Widows  and  Children  of  the  four 
unfortunate  Canadians,  the  same  Savages  murthered,  the  best 
Redress  and  Compensation  in  your  Power  — 

It  is  needless  for  me,  Sir,  to  urge  the  Necessity  of  insisting  upon 
ample  Satisfaction  for  so  flagrant  an  Injury,  It  is  a  Matter  of  great 
Importance  to  The  Kings  Service  in  this  Province,  to  convince  our 
Fellow  Subjects  of  the  Attention  we  pay  to  their  Interests,  and 
that  their  Lives  and  Fortunes  are  as  dear  to  Us  as  our  own;  the 
bad  Consequences  that  would  attend  the  Trade  of  this  Province, 
and  in  Effect  the  trade  of  Great  Britain,  was  this  inhuman  Act 
passed  over  unnoticed,  are  too  self  evident  to  require  being 
dwelt  upon  — 


1  In  Harvard  University  Library,  Sparks  Collection. 


Land  Development,  1769-74  1037 

I  am  assured  You  will  do  in  this  disagreable  Business  all  that 
the  unhappy  Sufferers  can  expect  or  desire,  and  in  that  full 
Persuasion  remain  with  Great  Esteem  and  Regard 

Sir 

Your  most  Obedient  and 
most  Humble  Servant 

Honorable  SlR  WM.  JOHNSON  Bar1. 

Superintendant  of  Indian  Affairs         \>    H.  T.  CRAMAHE 
in  the  N.  District  of  N.  America- 


EXTRACT  FROM  INDIAN  RECORDS 

Cop])1 

1773  — October  15the  — 

Five  Oneidas  arrived  at  Johnson  Hall  with  an  answer  to  Sir 
William  Johnson's  Message  sent  to  them  by  Saghaugarat  one 
of  their  Chiefs  about  ten  days  ago,  concerning  the  New  England 
Indian's  Intentions  of  removing  to  this  part  of  the  Country  pro- 
voided  the  Six  Nations  would  give  them  a  Tract  of  Land  to  live 
on,  of  about  ten  Miles  Square.  To  which  they  Answered  that  at 
a  full  Council  of  all  their  People,  and  Warriors  &c :  they  agreed 
to  what  Sir  William  had  proposed,  and  begged  that  he  would  tell 
such  of  the  New  England  Indians  as  were  expected  soon  here, 
that  as  their  Young  men  were  now  going  on  the  Hunt,  and  would 
not  return  'till  after  the  New  Year,  they  should  return  from  hence, 
and  acquaint  their  People  that  the  Onoidas  were  ready  to  comply 
with  their  Request,  and  would  be  glad  to  see  them  in  their  Nation 
on  their  Return  from  Hunting,  when  they  would  shew  them  a 
Place  to  settle  on,  which  if  they  did  not  like,  they  would  give  them 
liberty  to  chuse  a  Place  that  might  be  more  agreeable.  They 
then  concluded  telling  Sir  William  that  the  Chiefs,  and  Warriors 


1  Printed  in  The  Letters  of  Eleazar  Wheelock's  Indians,  edited  by  James 
Dow  McCallum,  pp.  157-58. 


1038  Sir   William  Johnson  Papers 

begged  his  Advice  in  the  Affairs,  which  he  promised  to  afford 
them  when  they  met  in  the  Winter. 

Ordered  them  Ammunition,   Provision,  and  a  little  Cash  to 
carry  them  back. 

Delivered  a  Belt  and  three  Strings  of 
Wampum  in  Return. 
A  true  Copy  from  the  Records. 
Exd.  by  me 
G.  JOHNSON,  D.  Agt.  as  Secretary. 

A  true  Copy  from  the  Extract,  which  I  recieved  from  the  Honor- 
able Sir  William  Johnson  Baronet,  at  Johnson  hall.  October 
27th  1773.  Wrote  by  me  Joseph  Johnson,  an  Indian  of  the 
Mohegan  Tribe,  at  Dartmouth  College  this  twenty  third  day  of 
August  AD  1 774.  at  the  desire  of  my  Honored  Patron,  the 
Reverend  Eleazer.  Wheelock,  D.D.  and  President  of  Dartmouth 


Co 


liege 


A  true  Copy,  examined,  &  attested  by  me 
Dartmouth  College  August  25th  1774 

Silvanus  Ripley2 


2  ( 1  749-1  787).  At  this  time  he  was  a  tutor  at  Dartmouth  College,  from 
which  he  was  graduated  in  1771. 


FROM  ALEXANDER  McKEE 

Contemporary  Copy1 

Pittsburg  October  the  16lh.  17742  [1773]  — 
Honord  Sir  — 

The  inclosed  extraordinary  Message  from  the  Shawanese  was 
deliver'd  in  Writing  a  few  Days  agoe  by  one  Butler3  a  Trader 
from  the  Scioto,  by  which  their  Chiefs  were  apprehensive  of  some 


1In  Canadian  Archives,  Indian  Records,  Vol.   16;  included  in  McKee's 
Journal. 

2  It  is  evident  that  the  date  should  read  1  773. 

3  Richard  Butler. 


Land  Development,  1769-74  1039 

Mischief  being  done  by  the  Six  Nation  Indians  settled  amongst 
them,  to  the  Traders;  They  woud  also  seem  desirous  of  excusing 
themselves  from  any  Blame  of  what  is  to  happen;  I  have  con- 
sulted Keyashuta  upon  this  matter  who  is  highly  displeased  at  the 
Conduct  of  the  Shawanese,  as  he  says  it  is  their  Business  to  keep 
such  of  His  people  who  are  settled  amongst  them  from  doing  Evil, 
It  was  owing  to  their  bad  Advice  That  those  six  Nation  Indians 
did  not  listen  to  him  and  the  Six  Nation  Chiefs  when  they  came  to 
remove  them  hence  towards  the  Six  Nation  Country ;  That  from 
their  Behaviour  now  he  sees  the  Shawanese  want  to  act  a  double 
part,  and  is  convinced  of  their  Design  in  persuading  the  Mingoes 
to  settle  at  Scioto;  He  then  desired  to  have  a  Meeting  with  the 
Traders  before  some  of  the  principal  Inhabitants  of  this  place.  — 

I  herewith  inclose  a  Copy  of  what  pass'd  at  this  Meeting  for 
Your  Honor's  perusal  —  With  Respect  to  the  Traders,  This 
Complaint  of  Rum  has  frequently  been  made  but  to  little  purpose, 
for  nothing  but  their  private  Interest  actuates  their  Proceedings, 
when  that  is  out  of  the  Question  it  is  difficult  to  bring  them  into 
any  measure  for  the  public  Utility  unless  by  compulsion,  and 
when  the  Law  does  not  support  this  Method  a  Prosecution  is  the 
Consequence.  —  I  find  that  none  of  the  Indians,  tho'  ever  so  well 
disposed  to  the  English  can  relish  the  Settlements  making  down 
the  Ohio,  and  the  most  reasonable  That  I  have  mett  with  amongst 
them  are  extreamly  irritated  at  the  Number  of  White  People  pass- 
ing down  the  River  almost  every  day;  The  Estimation  of  the 
Country  there  is  so  very  great  with  all  Ranks  of  people  this  way 
that  it  will  be  found  a  difficult  matter  now  to  restrain  the  Settle- 
ment thereof,  and  the  Grants  from  Virginia  will  greatly  expedite 
this  matter.  — 

There  is  at  present  a  great  Number  of  Indians  here  and  more 
expected.  I  shall  not  fail  of  transmitting  to  your  Honor  any- 
thing that  may  occur  during  their  Stay  here  worth  your  Notice, 
and  have  the  Honor  to  be  with  great  Respect. 

Your  Honors  most 

Obed{.   Humble  Servant 

Honble.  Sir  William  Johnson  Baronet  E 


1040  Sir   William  Johnson  Papers 

TO  BARNARD  GRATZ 

A.L.S.1 

Johnson  Hall  Novbr.  4ih.  1 773 
Sir  — 

Yours  of  the  26th.  Ult°.2  is  come  to  Hand  and  agreable  to  your 
desire  thereby  signifyed,  Inclose  You  a  Bill  on  Mr.  Barrow 
Paymaster,  for  the  amount  of  Mr.  Mc.Kee's  Accts.  which  I  wish 
Safe  to  your  Hands,  and  am  Sir 

Yr.  Wellwisher 

&  Humble  Servant 

W.  Johnson 
MR.  Barnard  Gratz 

I  thank  You  for  the  Daucus  or  wild  Carrot  Seed  which  You 
Say  Mr.  Clinch  will  have  the  Care  of.  — 

addressed  : 

To 

Mr.  Barnard  Gratz 
Merc1. 

Philadelphia 


1  In  collection  of  W.  L.  L.  Peltz,  Albany,  New  York. 

2  Johnson  Papers,  8:912. 


Land  Development,   1769-74  1041 

FROM  ALLAN  MACDONELL 

Copy1 
[Albany  November  14th.  1773] 

The  lands  of  Kingsborrow  and  May  fields  may  be  of  very 
great  extent  I  own  And  consequently  may  remove  Settlers  to  a 
great  Distance  from  Market  Saw  or  Griss  Mills  Articles  of  the 
greatest  Importance  to  New  Beginners  and  of  which  Sir  William 
is  so  well  convinced  that  it  requires  no  explanation. 

Customs  and  Carriages  was  a  Nusance  in  the  Mother  Country 
And  the  cause  of  removing  thence  many  of  its  Inhabitants  and  the 
latest  of  them  do  not  incline  to  be  the  first  introducers  of  it  by 
compact  in  the  New  world. 

Sir  William  will  please  remember  that  £6.,  and  not  £6.3 
was  the  Conversation  And  Offer  at  Johnson  Hall.  The  18,000 
Acres  adjoining  to  Schoherry  appears  to  be  the  Cheapest  but  as 
we  know  nothing  of  the  soil  &  Situation  we  will  refer  saying  any- 
thing upon  the  head. 

The  13,000  Acres  adjoining  the  Lord  Adam  Gordon's  we 
shall  be  glad  to  know  at  what  its  Sett  in  fee  simple  or  if  any 
advantages  of  saw  or  Griss  Mills  fish  or  Fowl  attend  it.  — 

The  lands  in  the  neighborhood  of  the  Sisquehanna  in  the  same 
way  as  you  have  taken  no  notice  of  the  fee  simple  sett  of  it. 
What  makes  it  more  necessary  for  us  to  know  of  the  Sisquehanna 
is  that  four  men  Vizt.  Murdoch  MacPherson  Hugh  Fraser  John 
Cameron  &  Alexr.  MacDonell  were  when  at  York  recommended 
to  some  proprietors  in  that  part  in  consequence  of  which  they  went 
there  and  at  the  time  we  did  ourselves  the  honour  of  waiting  on 
you  they  returned  &  reported  to  the  people  the  most  flattering 


1  Printed  in  an  article  by  W.  L.  Scott  in  Canadian  Catholic  Historical 
Association  Report  1934-35,  pp.  30-31.  The  "Observation"  accompanied 
the  letter  of  this  date,  printed  in  mutilated  form  in  Johnson  Papers,  8:915- 
17.  The  letter,  not  reprinted,  began:  "Sir:  The  Letter  you  did  me  the 
honour  to  write  me  I  received  this  afternoon  and  in  Consequence  thereof  my 
friends  &  I  met  this  evening  &  considered  of  the  contents  have  accordingly 
committed  our  observations  to  writing  &  is  here  enclosed ..." 


1042  Sir  William  Johnson  Papers 

encouragement,  And  indeed  such  as  I  do  not  chuse  to  commit  to 
paper.  And  went  immediately  to  York  to  expede  writings  as  the 
most  effectual  method  to  Support  their  Allegations.  — 

The  people  here  are  still  in  a  fluctuating  Situation  but  we 
believe  they  will  adhere  to  us  if  Sir  William  gives  the  encourage- 
ment their  Sobriety  &  Industry  will  Merit.  —  The  principle  of 
which  is  a  years  Maintinance  to  each  family  that  will  Settle  upon 
his  estate:  for  which  they  would  become  bound  to  pay  him.  If 
their  endeavours  are  found  worthy  of  a  Cow  and  Horse  or  the 
Value  its  Hoped  they  will  be  indulged  in  it  upon  giving  security 
for  Principal  &  Interest.  We  have  a  double  motive  for  request- 
ing the  last  the  peoples  Interest  &  Intention  of  frestering  the 
designs  laid  of  Inveigling  them  from  us.  It  would  be  agreeable 
to  us  that  there  be  room  or  Scouth  in  our  Vicinity  in  order  that 
such  of  our  friends  &  Countrymen  as  will  incline  to  follow  our 
fate  may  sit  down  in  our  Neighborhood  we  have  reason  to  hope 
that  severals  of  them  will  appear  on  this  Continent  if  fortune  does 
not  frown  upon  us  or  force  us  to  lay  an  Interdict  on  their  inten- 
tions. — 

Should  Any  of  us  calling  ourselves  Gentlemen  incline  to  remove 
after  a  few  years  expence  And  toil  in  clearing  lands  &c.  it  is 
hoped  Sir  William  will  agree  to  Accept  of  their  Plantation  at  the 
Appresiation  or  estimation  of  honest  Men  Mutualy  chosen. 


FROM  PETER  JOHNSON 

A.L.S.1 

Philadelphia  the  18th.  November  1773  — 
Honored  Father. 

I  am  Safely  arrived  to  Mr.  Wades2  in  Philadelphia  who  Seemes 
to  be  a  Very  good  man  indeed.     I  had  a  very  good  passage  from 

1  In  Historical  Society  of  Pennsylvania,  Gratz  Collection. 

2  Francis   Wade.    See   his   letter   of   Dec.    13,    1773,   Johnson  Papers, 
8:946-48;  and  Peter's  of  same  date,  8:945. 


Land  Development,   1769-74  1043 

Albany  to  New  York.  Left  it  a  friday  afternoon  with  a  very 
Good  Company  &  got  to  New  York  a  monday  Morning  where 
I  Dined  with  Mr.  Wallace.3  &  Left  that  a  Tuesday  Morning  in 
the  Stage  Coatch  &  got  to  This  City  Last  Night.  I  like  the  Place 
Very  well  as  Yet  &  hope  I  Shall  much  More  when  I  be  Settled 
wrightly  to  Business.  Mr.  Chew4  is  going  to  Set  out  to  Day  Back 
again,  that  makes  me  wright  in  Such  a  hurry  as  I  have  but  little 
time.  I  Shall  write  you  a  Longer  Letter  by  the  next  Oppertunity 
as  I  know  but  little  of  the  Place  Yet  —  I  hope  you  will  write  by 
the  next  Post.  &  Should  be  Extremely  happy  to  hear  from  home, 
as  Soon  as  [Soon  as]  Possible.  I  Shall  write  to  Mr.  Dease5  this 
Day  &  to  my  Mother  &  I  Shall  fould  it  in  Yours  —  Pray  give  my 
Duty  &  Respects  to  all  Friends  at  Johnson  Hall.  Please  to 
Let  me  know  [as  to]  where  I  Shall  have  a  good  Fiddle  as  it  is  a 
great  Deal  of  Pleasure  to  Play  at  Leasure  Ours  If  youl  Write 
to  Mr.  Wade  he  will  I  am  Sure  get  a  Very  good  one  in  Town, 
thats  all  I  want  at  present.  I  Shall  Please  God,  do  all  that  lies  in 
my  P-Power  to  Please  You  &  all  persons  here  —  I  Suppose  I 
Shant  Stay  Long  here,  for  the  Sooner  I  can  be  Settled  the  better 
for  me,  &  I  Shall  Like  it  the  Better. 
I  am  with  great  Duty  &  Respects  — 

Honoured  Sir  — 
Yours  most 
Affectionately 

P.  Johnson 

INDORSED:0 

Peters  Letter  from 
Philadelphia  — 
Novo'.  1773  — 


3  Hugh  Wallace,  New  York  merchant. 

4  Capt.  Chew. 

5  Dr.  John  Dease. 

6  In  Sir  William's  hand. 


1044  Sir  William  Johnson  Papers 

CONFERENCE  WITH  KAYAGHSHOTA 
D.S.1 

[Jan.  5-15,  1774] 

At  a  Meeting  with  Kayaghsotea2  chief  of  the  Senecas  on  Ohio, 
who  was  charged  with  sundry  Speeches  to  Sir  William  Johnson 
Bar1,  and  the  Six  Nations  from  the  Western  Nations  lately 
assembled  at  Fort  Pit  in  answer  to  the  Belts,  and  Messages  wch. 
Sir  William  &  the  Six  Nations  sent  to  these  nations  last  Year  — 

Johnson  Hall  5th.  JartK  1774  — 

Present 
The  Honorable  Sir  William  Johnson  Bar1-  Superintend1. 

Col.  Guy  Johnson)    _ 

Col  Dan1.  Claus    \ 

Doctr.  John  Dease3 

M'.  P.  Daly4 

Mr.  Dudly  Davis,  &  sev1.  other  Gentn. 

Kayasghsotea  the  Ohio  Chief  wth.  Sev1.  Inds. 

Simon  Girty  Interpreter.  — 
Kayaghsotea  began  by  Repeating  the  Messages  Sent  by  Sir 
Wm.  Johnson  last  Year  to  the  above  mentioned  Nations,  viz1,  the 
Hurons,  and  Ottawas  at  Detroit,  Twightweis,  Miamies,  and  other 
Western  Nations  living  on  the  Branches  of  Mississippi,  after 
which  he  repeated  the  answers  sent  by  the  Hurons  of  Detroit  to 
Sir  William,  which  is  in  the  Words  following  — 

Brother,  and  Chief  of  all  the  Indn.  Nations  to  the  Northward  — 
We  have  received  the  Messages  you  sent  us  last  Year  with 
great  Satisfaction,  and  accordingly  have  chearfully,  and  cordially 
Joined  therein,  and  forwarded  them  to  the  Twightwees  who  are 
the  head  of  a  Confederacy  of  Nine   Nations  living  upon  the 


1  In  William  L.  Clements  Library. 

2  Kayaghshota,  or  Kayashuta. 

3  Nephew  of  Sir  William,  son  of  his  sister  Anne  Johnson  Dease. 

4  Patrick  Daly,  then  living  with  Sir  William. 


Land  Development,   1769-74  1045 

Wabache,  as  far  as  Fort  Chartres,  and  after  delivering  them  said 
Messages,  and  advising  them  strictly  to  give  Ear  to  your  Admoni- 
tions, which  were  for  the  real  Welfare  of  themselves,  and  their 
Families,  &  to  desist  for  the  future  from  every  ill  Intention,  and 
Hostile  behavior  towards  the  White  People.  We  took  agreeable 
to  our  Custom  the  War  Axe  from  them,  and  buried  it  in  the 
Twightwees  Village  in  eternel  Oblivion,  and  after  that  Ceremony, 
we  opened  the  Road  of  Peace,  and  Friendship  between  our  town, 
and  Fort  Chartres,  and  cleard  it  of  every  thing  that  might  obstruct 
a  free  open,  and  safe  Communication  between  these  two  Places, 
and  every  Indian  Nation  living  thereupon.  — 

Whereupon  the  Twightwees  gave  us  their  Answer,  and  said. 
Brothers  the  Hurons.  — 

"We  have  been  long  ago  looking  out  for  you  who  live  on  the 
other  end  of  Lake  Huron,  and  have  been  our  good  friends,  & 
Advisers  of  old.  —  We  thank  Sir  Wm.  Johnson  our  Chief,  and 
you  most  heartily  for  coming  here,  and  telling  us  his  mind,  and 
your  opinion  thereupon,  we  take  it  to  be  sincere,  and  for  our 
good,  and  assure  you  in  the  Presence  of  all  our  People,  that  we 
will  listen  to  his  Messages,  and  advice  sent  by  you.  —  We  have 
not  had  such  genuine,  and  impartial  Intelligence  from  him  this 
great  while,  for  the  Shawanese  who  came  to  us  with  Messages 
from  him  by  the  direction  of  the  Six  Nations,  deliver  them  in 
their  own  way,  adding  Speeches  of  their  own,  which  rather  make 
us  uneasy  than  otherwise,  for  they  always  desire  us  to  unite  & 
be  on  our  guard  against  the  English,  and  French  who  are  now 
under  one  Government,  and  were  far  from  having  any  good 
Intentions  towards  us  Indians,  which  they  the  Shawanese  were 
convinced  of,  &  therefore  Advised  us,  and  gave  us  the  Axe  to 
hold  always  ready  between  our  Leggs,  they  being  Sure  the 
White  People  intended  to  take  all  our  Country  from  us,  and  that 
very  soon,  and  whenever  that  wou'd  be  the  Case  to  rise,  and 
defend  it  to  the  last  Drop  of  blood.  —  But,  Brothers,  as  you  are 
now  come  with  these  Messages  from  our  Chief,  we  cordially 
receive,  and  consider  them  as  founded  upon  Truth,  and  Sincerity, 
and  therefore  assure  you  we  shall  Reject  &  give  a  deaf  Ear  to  any 


1046  Sir  William  Johnson  Papers 

thing  the  Shawanese  may  tell  us  for  the  future.  —  and  to  convince 
you  of  our  taking  your  Messages  to  heart,  we  the  Twightwees 
who  are  the  principal*  Nation  from  this  to  Fort  Chartre,  have 
determined  in  Council  to  take  all  your  Belts,  and  Messages,  and 
communicate  them  truly,  and  honestly  to  the  whole  Confederacy, 
with  our  Advice,  and  Direction  to  receive  them,  and  make  them 
known  to  their  Young  People,  and  for  the  future  to  drop  all 
Hostilities  against  the  White  People,  and  accordingly  shall  set 
out  upon  that  business  immediately. 

After  having  thus  delivered  the  Purport  of  the  Congress  in 
the  Twightwee  Country  with  the  Hurons,  and  Twightwees  — 

Kayahshota  then  proceeded,  and  said  that  that  while  the 
Congress  of  the  above  Nations  was  held  at  Fort  Pit,  a  white  man 
named  Richard  Butler  arrived  from  Scioto  with  a  message  from 
the  Shawanese  to  Mr.  Croghan,  Mr.  McKee,  and  himself,  by 
which  the  Shawanese  complain  to  him  (Kayashota)  that  the 
Senecas  living  at  Scioto  were  continually  ill  disposed  towards  the 
White  People,  and  greatly  inclined  to  Hostilities,  that  therefore 
they  requested  Kayaghshota  to  withdraw  them  from  thence,  and 
settle  them  near  him  at  Fort  Pit,  so  as  to  have  them  under  his  Eye, 
and  prevent  their  doing  mischief.  Whereupon  the  Hurons 
Senecas,  and  Delawares  made  the  following  Observations  upon 
the  Message  from  the  Shawanese  that  "they  did  not  under- 
stand why  they  sent  it  by  a  White  man,  and  delivered  it  not 
themselves,  as  they  the  Shawanese  were  the  People  that  drew 
the  Senecas  from  Weeling  Creel?  a  Place  Sixty  miles  down  the 
Ohio  from  Fort  Pit,  prevailing  upon  them  to  move  to  Scioto,  by 
telling  them  as  they,  and  the  Whites  cou'd  not  agree  together,  to 
Sit  down  by  them  where  they  might  be  more  easy,  wherefore  it 
now  became  the  Duty  of  the  Shawanese  to  keep  them  quiet  after 
taking  them  under  their  Protection,  and  which  these  three  Nations 
determined  to  tell  the  Shawanese  in  answer  whenever  they  had  an 
Opportunity.  — 

Kayaghshota  then  continued,  and  said  that  at  the  same  time  it 
was  observed  to  Butler  the  Messenger,  that  the  Traders  were 
greatly  the  Occasion  of  these  uneasinesses  between  the  Indians, 


Land  Development,   1769-74  1047 

and  them,  by  following  them  with  Liquors  &c  to  their  very 
Villages,  and  Hunting  Places,  &  that  disputes  were  chiefly  owing 
to  Drunkeness,  which  were  they  [to]  desist  from,  and  trade  at  the 
Places,  and  Markets  appointed  by  Sir  Wm.  Johnson  sev1.  Years 
ago,  all  these  mischiefs  wou'd  be  prevented.  — 

To  this,  the  Traders  then  present  to  the  Number  of  1 2  had  no 
Reply  to  make  in  their  own  Vindication,  which  convinced  the 
Indians  of  the  truth  of  what  they  were  accused  of,  and  were  very 
sensible  that  their  Strolling  about  in  that  manner,  was  productive 
of  many  Quarrells,  &  murders  on  both  sides,  and  endangered  the 
Peace,   and   Tranquility,  between   the  Whites,   and   Indians  — 

Then  Mr.  Croghan  addressing  himself  to  the  different  Nations 
assembled  at  Fort  Pit,  told  them  that,  as  they  had  been  ac- 
quainted there  was  a  new  Colony  to  be  established  on  the  Ohio, 
and  of  Consequence  a  Governor  expected,  who  was  to  come  to 
Fort  Pit  this  Summer  to  take  the  Command  of  both  Whites,  and 
Indians  upon  him,  but  that  as  in  all  appearance  he  wou'd  not 
arrive  this  year,  the  Season  being  too  far  advanced,  Mr.  Croghan, 
and  Mr.  Mc.Kee  then  had  consulted  together  to  say  a  few  words 
to  the  Indians  upon  the  Occasion,  and  then  told  the  Hurons  that 
he  was  very  glad  to  See  them  at  Fort  Pit,  considering  the  great 
distance  they  came,  that  he  was  convinced  they  were  sincere,  and 
well  inclined  towards  the  English,  and  recommended  to  them  to 
use  their  Endeavors  to  keep  all  the  Nations  under  their  Influence 
in  the  same  disposition,  and  said  "as  you  have  opened  a  Road  of 
Peace,  good  understanding,  and  Communication  from  Detroit  to 
the  Illenois,  I  must  desire,  and  insist  upon  it,  that  the  same  Road 
may  be  continued,  and  cleard  of  every  Obstacle  from  Fort  Chartre 
to  where  it  ought  to  go,  which  is  the  Rising  of  the  Sun,  (meaning 
the  Council  place  of  the  Six  Nations  at  Johnson  Hall)."  — 

Then  Mr.  Croghan  in  conjunction  with  the  Seneces  added  that 
he  was  to  acquaint,  and  propose  to  the  Nations  then  present  that 
the  Delaware  Chief  Custalogo  was  superannuated,  and  unfit  to 
preside  over  that  Nation,  that  they  had  with  the  old  Man's 
Consent,  and  Approbation  made  Choice  of  his  Nephew  Capt. 
Pipe,  a  sober  sensible  Indian  to  take  upon  him  the  Charge  of 


1048  Sir  William  Johnson  Papers 

the  Delaware  Nation,  and  that  he  was  henceforth  to  be  looked 
upon  as  their  Chief.  —  In  like  manner  the  Delawares  of  7Ven>- 
commers  town  below  Tuscarawas  had  appointed  Captain  Grey 
£i>es  al  Sir  William,  to  be  their  Chief  in  the  place  of  their  former 
Chief  Newcommer  who  they  thought  unfit  for  the  charge,  &  desire 
that  all  the  neighbouring  Nations  will  take  notice  of  these  Ap- 
pointments accordingly.  —  Upon  which  Mr.  Croghan  gave  a 
Belt  to  these  new  appointed  Chiefs  representing  the  Chain  of 
Friendship  between  there,  and  the  English  with  two  Figures,  the 
End  holding  fast  of  that  Chain,  which  Belt  was  to  be  left  at 
Beaver  Creek  Captain  Pipe's  Residence.  — 

Then  Kayaghshota  addressing  himself  to  Cap*.  Pipe  recom- 
mended to  him  to  maintain  Peace  and  Tranquility  among  his 
People,  adding,  that  as  his  nation  was  fond  of  Straggling,  having 
within  a  few  years  removed  from  Venango  the  Place  they,  the 
Six  Nations  had  assigned  them  first,  to  Beaver  Creek,  and  now 
were  again  inclining  to  disperse  down  the  Ohio  towards  the  Fall, 
and  apprehensive  that  they  wou'd  make  another  Settlement  there, 
he  must  desire  and  advise  them  by  the  Bunch  of  12  Strings  of 
Wampum  he  then  delivered,  that  they  wou'd  keep  themselves 
together  for  the  future  at  Beaver  Creek,  and  Consider  that  as  their 
Council  Place,  and  where  the  Belt  of  Friendship  now  given,  was 
to  remain.  — 

1 2  Strings  of  Wampum 
Then  Mr.  Croghan  in  Conjunction  with  the  Hurons,  Ottawas  & 
Delawares  enjoined  the  Senecas  then  present,  to  collect  their 
People  that  were  dispersed  on  the  Ohio,  and  its  Environs,  and 
make  a  Settlement  [a/ong]  some  where  above  Fort  Pit  in  order  to 
be  in  one  Body,  and  more  respectable,  than  they  were  at 
present  — 

4  Belts  — 
Mr.  Croghan  then  Spoke  to  the  Shawanese  who  were  13  in 
Numb1",  at  the  Congress,  telling  them  that  he  was  sorry  to  say 
that  there  Nation  for  some  time  past  had  not  acted  a  becoming 
part,  and  that  he  had  reason  to  be  convinced  of  their  having  spoke 
hitherto  with  a  double  tongue  nothwithstanding  the  good  Advice 


Land  Development,  1169-14  1049 

he  and  the  Six  Nations  had  given  them  to  be  sincere,  and  behave 
with  uprightness,  he  therefore,  and  the  Senecas  expected  they 
wou'd  lay  aside  all  false,  and  underhand  Dealings,  and  wd.  act 
with  more  Candor  &  Sincerity  for  the  future.  — 

A  large  White  Belt. 

Mr.  Croghan  with  another  Belt  opened  their  Ears  to  receive, 
and  retain  every  thing  that  was  spoke  to  them  for  their  Good,  and 
welfare,  and  to  keep  them  shut  to  every  thing  that  might  tend  to 
disturb  their  Peace  and  Tranquility.  — 

A  Belt  — 

Then  Mr.  Croghan  said  he  had  finished  what  he  had  to  com- 
municate to  the  Congress  —  Upon  which  a  Shawanese  Chief 
arose  with  a  Pipe  of  Peace  in  his  Hand,  and  after  lighting  it, 
handed  it  about  to  all  the  different  Nations  then  assembled,  and 
then  in  order  to  vindicate  himself  from  the  before  mentioned 
accusation,  said  that  he,  (meaning  his  Nation)  had  faithfully 
discharged  his  trust  in  delivering  the  messages  the  Six  Nations 
charged  him  with  to  the  Nations  living  about  Fort  Chartres,  and 
that  in  token  of  the  truth  of  what  he  had  said,  those  Nations 
agreeable  to  their  Custom  had  given  him  the  Pipe  he  had  been 
handing  about,  thanking  thereby  Sir  Wm.  Johnson,  and  the  Six 
Nations  for  the  good  advice  they  gave  them  by  said  Messages, 
and  begged  they  wou'd  stand  their  Friends  &  good  Advisers  for 
the  future,  &  then  desired  that  the  Hurons  might  keep  the  Pipe  — 

Gave  the  Pipe.  — 

Kayaghshota  added  that  the  Shawanese  Chief  at  the  same  time 
delivered  a  Message  from  the  three  Illenois  Indian  Nations  called 
the  Kaskasfyeys  by  which  they  acquaint  the  Six  Nations  that  they 
cou'd  not  comply  with  their  desire  to  come  to  their  Country,  on 
account  of  the  nations  about  them  being  in  continual  war  with 
some  Nation,  or  other  who  they  must  always  be  in  dread  of  being 
struck  by,  and  therefore  cou'd  not  leave  their  Families  exposed  to 
them.  but  if  one  general  Peace  was  brought  about  with  the 
Indians  in  that  Country,  they  wou'd  with  Pleasure  receive  their 
Call,  and  attend.  — 

Gave  nine  Strings.  — 


1050  Sir  William  Johnson  Papers 

Then  the  said  Chief  thanked  the  Six  Nations  for  the  trust 
reposed  in  him  to  deliver  said  Messages  to  the  Nations  he  was 
desired  to  deliver  them  to,  and  Congratulate  them  on  the  Success 
he  had  in  his  Embassy,  wishing  they  might  answer  the  Intention 
of  them  that  send  them.  — 

Gave  a  large  Belt  — 

The  Shawanese  Chief  continued,  and  addressing  himself  to  the 
Six  Nations  said,  —  Brothers,  it  is  near  two  years  ago  since  you 
invited  us,  together  with  the  Hurons,  Ottawas,  Delawares 
Twightwees,  and  their  Dependants  to  a  Congress  to  be  held  at 
Onondaga,  and  left  one  of  the  Messengers  with  us  to  wait  'till 
we  were  all  ready  to  set  out  in  order  to  run  on  before  and  give 
you  notice  of  our  Coming,  but  not  being  able  to  get  ready  as 
soon  as  he  expected,  he  grew  tired  waiting,  and  stole  off  unknown 
to  us.  We  soon  found  out  that  he  was  gone,  and  immediately 
dispatched  two  Runners  to  go  after  him  who  overtook  him  at 
JVa^atarvicI^  about  100  Miles  from  Scioto,  where  they  stopped 
him,  and  insisted  by  our  Direction,  upon  his  Staying  there  'till 
next  Spring  'till  the  Grass  was  about  a  foot  high,  when  he  might 
depend  upon  our  Setting  out  for  the  intended  Congress.  — 
Brothers,  we  are  not  to  blame  for  this  delay,  it  is  the  White 
Peoples  fault.  (Pointing  to  those  present,  who  have  always  the 
Cup  with  Rum  at  our  Mouths,  keeping  us  in  continual  Drunk- 
eness.)  — 

Gave  a  Belt  mark'd  Sir  Wm.  Johnson    Wch. 
Kayaghshota  delivered  — 

Then  the  6  Nations,  or  Senecas  spoke  with  ten  Strings  of 
Wampum  to  the  Ottawas  telling  them  that  they  understood  some 
of  their  young  men  had  gone  to  War  against  the  Fort  Chartre  or 
Kas^asl^ey  Indians,  and  killed,  and  scalped  two  of  them  last 
Spring,  Saying,  "Brothers,  you  have  acted  wrong  in  Striking  the 
Indians  who  are  under  the  Protection  of  the  English,  and  con- 
sequently our  Friends.  —  We  hope,  and  expect  it  was  not  done 
with  the  Consent  of  your  whole  Nation,  and  that  it  may  not 
happen  again"  — 

Gave  1 0  Strings  — 


Land  Development,  1769-74  1051 

Upon  which  an  Ottawa  Chief  rose  up,  and  replied  that  with 
regard  to  what  they  were  just  now  told  about  killing  two  Kas- 
kaskey  Indians,  it  was  true  enough,  but  entirely  the  fault  of 
a  Party  of  their  young  men  who  committed  the  Fact,  —  that 
their  nation  was  quite  Ignorant  of  it  until  they  heard  the  War 
Whoop;  wherefore  they  hoped  the  Six  Nations  wou'd  no  more 
think  of  it,  —  that  they  were  sorry  it  happened,  but  that  these 
things  might  easily  be  prevented  for  the  future,  it  being  not  done 
with  the  Consent  of  their  Nation.  — 

Nine  Strings  — 

Then  the  said  Chief  addressing  himself  to  Mr.  Croghan  & 
Mr.  Mc.Kee  and  the  Senecas,  told  them  that  his  whole  Nation 
was  much  concerned  at  the  before  mentioned  affair,  and  finding 
themselves  incapable  of  making  it  up  with  the  Kaskaskey  Indians 
on  account  of  their  Ignorance  in  such  matters  begg'd  of  Mr. 
Croghan,  and  Mr.  Mc.Kee,  and  the  Senecas  to  intercede  for 
them,  and  accomodate  the  Breach  with  the  Kaskaskeys.  — 

Gave  a  large  Belt  — ■ 

The  business  of  the  Congress  thus  finished  the  Nations  present 
concluded  with  the  following  Speech  addressing  themselves  to 
Mr.  Croghan  &  Mr.  Mc.Kee  Sir  Wm.  Johnson's  late,  and  present 
Deputy.  — 
Brothers  — 

Having  now  gone  through  the  business  of  this  Meeting  wch. 
was  assembled  for  the  Preservation  of  Peace,  and  Tranquility 
with  all  the  Indian  Nations  in  these  Parts  agreeable  to  his 
Majesty  the  King  of  England  his  gracious  Intentions  towards  us, 
we  have  still  to  observe  to  you  that  were  we  ever  so  willing,  and 
inclined  to  Peace,  your  People  counteract  us  by  their  unfriendly, 
and  hostile  behavior  towards  us.  for  we  cannot  cross  on  the  side 
of  the  Ohio  River  which  you  call  yours,  but  our  People  are  ill 
treated,  and  even  knocked  in  the  Head  and  thrown  into  the  River 
by  yours,  whereas  when  your  People  come  on  our  side  they  have 
the  liberty  to  walk  peaceably,  and  quietly  wherever  they  please. 
—  You  Pennsylvanians  will  endeavor  to  exculpate  yourselves, 
and  throw  this  Charge  on  the  Virginians,  but  we  are  convinced 


1052  Sir  William  Johnson  Papers 

you  are  equally  culpable  —  It  is  therefore  you  white  People 
who  oppose  the  good  intentions  of  the  King,  and  his  Servants, 
and  we  must  assure  you  that  if  there  be  not  a  stop  soon  put  to  such 
Insults  on  your  Part,  it  must  bring  on  a  general  Quarrell  which 
will  not  easily  be  made  up  afterwards.  — 

Gave  1 6  Strings  — 

Upon  this  Mr.  Croghan,  and  Mr.  Mc.Kee  replied  without 
Wampum,  that  they  were  very  sensible  of  many  Irregularities, 
and  Insults  of  the  Whites,  and  sorry  for  it,  that  all  they  cou'd  do, 
was  to  forewarn  those  Settlers  from  behaving  so  for  the  future, 
and  to  accquaint  them  wth.  their  Speech.  — 

The  Shawanese  of  WafyataT»ic}(  then  in  the  way  of  discourse 
told  their  Story  as  follows  —  "That  the  Shawanese  Nation  of 
Scioto  came  to  those  of  Wakatawick  last  Spring  desiring  a  meet- 
ing ;  and  when  met,  they  in  a  serious  manner,  and  full  of  Concern 
told  the  latter  that  they  plainly  saw  they  wou'd  soon  be  Hemmed 
in  on  all  Sides  by  the  White  People,  and  then  be  at  their  mercy, 
they  therefore  saw  no  other  way  to  escape  their  Ruin,  than  by 
Removing  from  Scioto,  and  considering  the  Whites  as  their 
Enemies,  &  hoped  they  the  IVaJ^atarvic^s  wou'd  join  in  their 
measures.  —  The  latter  then  replied,  and  checked  the  former  for 
attempting  such  a  thing,  telling  them,  that  but  the  other  day,  they 
received  the  most  friendly  Messages  from  the  English  by  the  way 
of  the  Six  Nation  Country,  that  they  hardly  cou'd  think  but  they 
were  meant  sincerely,  and  that  therefore  they  were  determined 
to  adhere  to  them,  advising  the  others  to  do  the  same;  but  the 
others  told  them  they  cou'd  not  think  of  living  so  near  the  White 
People,  and  wou'd  go  off  as  soon  as  their  Corn  was  ripe,  and 
accordingly  they  also  did,  and  having  packed  up  every  thing  and 
ready  to  set  off,  a  Trader  with  nine  Horse  loads  of  Goods 
arrived  at  their  Village,  of  whom  they  took  every  thing  he  had 
upon  trust,  as  they  pretended,  &  went  off.  —  The  Trader  then 
followed  them  in  expectation  of  being  paid,  but  there  was  no 
account  of  him  since.  —  The  Party  that  left  Scioto  were  about 
1  70  Men  besides  Women,  and  Children,  which  is  more  than  half 
the  Village,  and  it  was  imagined  the  rest  wou'd  follow  soon.  — 


Land  Development,   1769-74  1053 

Saturday  the  8th.  J  any.  1  774  — 

Kayaghshota  with  Kanias,  and  Kanaegi  two  Seneca  Chiefs  re- 
quested a  private  Conference  which  being  agreed  to,  they  entered 
Sir  Wm's.  Study  with  the  Interpreter.  —  then  Kayaghshota  spoke 
to  Sr.  Wm.  as  follows, 

Brother,  and  Chief  — 

I  am  now  come  with  these  two  Chiefs  to  let  you  know  their,  and 
my  uneasiness  occasioned  by  a  false,  and  malicious  Report  lately 
spread,  and  industriously  propagated  by  ill  designing  People  to 
our  Prejudice.  —  At  the  late  meeting  here  with  the  Six  Nations, 
nothwth. standing  which,  at  my  desire  they  came  down  to  ex- 
culpate themselves,  and  as  I  was  the  cause  of  Kanias  s  coming  to 
Fort  Pit,  on  which  they  grounded  their  ill  natured  Surmises,  I 
think  it  my  duty  to  lay  before  you  the  cause  of  his  coming. 
It  was  this:  I  lost  two  of  my  Children  last  Spring;  and  as  it  is 
the  Custom  among  us  on  such  Occasions  to  call  the  Relations  of 
the  deceased,  and  divide  their  Effects  among  them,  I  sent  for 
Kanias  to  come,  and  receive  his,  and  his  Brother  Kanagies  share. 
On  the  former's  coming,  it  was  reported  that  he  left  his  Country 
with  a  view  to  do  all  the  mischief  he  could  among  the  different 
Nations  on  the  Ohio  &c.  I  now  declare  to  you  that  they  are  much 
wronged  having  no  such  Intentions  to  my  certain  knowledge,  and 
was  he  even  so  disposed,  he  had  not  time,  for  he  set  off  for  this 
Place  the  second  day  after  his  Arrival,  besides,  as  he  is  my  near 
Relation,  I  know  his  Sentiments  to  be  upright,  and  his  Attachment 
to  you  to  be  very  Strong.  —  Wherefore  I  hope  you  will  pay  no 
Regard  to  what  you  have  been  told  of  him,  and  his  Brother,  but 
that  you  will  look  upon  them  in  the  same  favorable  light  which 
you  have  ever  done.  — 

4  Strings  of  Wampum 
Brother,  and  Chief  — 

As  it  is  proper  that  all  News  Stirring  among  the  many  Nations 
under  your  Care  shou'd  be  made  known  to  you,  and  as  I  am 
well  acquainted  with  the  disposition  of  the  several  Nations  in 
Alliance  with  us,  as  are  also  the  Chiefs  who  send  you  this  Belt, 


1054  Sir  William  Johnson  Papers 

desiring  I  wou'd  let  you  know,  that  to  their  great  Concern  (after 
having  for  many  years  made  tryal  to  bring  the  Shawanese  to  a 
just,  and  good  way  of  thinking)  they  find  that  their  Endeavors 
are  in  vain,  which  you  may  see  is  confirmed  by  their  Speeches 
made  to  you  last  Summer  by  the  Twightwee  Confederacy,  who 
complain  heavily  of  the  duplicity  of  their  Conduct  on  many 
Occasions,  by  changing  the  good  Speeches  which  have  been  from 
time  [to  time]  sent  by  you,  and  the  Six  Nations,  to  the  Western 
Nations,  Cherokees  &c,  which  has  caused  ill  blood  between  them, 
and  us,  and  made  them  dislike  the  White  People,  for  these,  and 
many  other  Reasons,  we  the  Six  Nations  have  resolved  to  shake 
them  off,  and  look  upon  them  no  longer  as  part  of  our  Con- 
federacy, and  request  to  know  your  Thoughts  thereon.  — 

A  large  Belt  half  White,  and 
half  Black  of  1  1  Rows  — 
Sir  Wm.  told  them  that  as  what  they  had  now  laid  before  him, 
was  of  a  very  serious  nature,  he  wou'd  require  some  time  to  con- 
sider of  it,  and  when  ready  to  answer,  wou'd  send  for  them.  — 

Sunday  Janry  the  9th.  — 

Deyaquaande  an  Cnondaga  Chief  who  was  sent  some  time 
since  by  Sir  Wm.  to  know  the  reason  of  the  Senecas  not  bringing 
down  the  murderers  agreeable  to  their  Promise,  arrived,  and  re- 
ported to  Sir  Wm.  that  he  was  met  in  the  Oneida  Country  by  three 
Runners  from  the  Senecas  who  were  charged  with  Messages  from 
the  Chief,  of  their  Nation  to  Sir  William  regarding  that  affair 
which  he  the  Onondaga  was  sent  upon,  and  then  told  the 
Onondaga  he  might  return,  and  hear  them  deliver  their  Messages. 
he  accordingly  complied,  and  left  them  much  fatigued  at  the 
German  Flats,  owing  to  the  Depth  of  Snow  in  their  Country,  and 
said  that  he  expected  them  here  as  this  day,  or  tomorrow.  — 

Monday  the  1 0th.  — 

Three  Senecas  arrived  with  a  letter  to  Sir  Wm.  from  John,5 
and  Wm.  Johnston5  residing  in  the  Seneca  Country,  acquainting 

5  A  smith. 


Land  Development,  1769-74  1055 

him,  at  the  desire  of  their  Chiefs,  that  they  had  sent  in  search  of 
the  murderers,  and  were  resolved  to  bring  them  down  to  him  as 
soon  as  possible,  and  hoped  he  wou'd  not  be  impatient  at  their 
Delay.  — 

At  a  Meeting  with  Kayaghshota,  several  Seneca,  Onondaga, 
Oneida,  and  other  Chiefs  Thursday  Jan?.  1 3th.  1  774  — 

Sir  Wm.  addressed  Kayaghshota  &c.  as  follows  — 
Brother,  and  Friend  Kayaghshota  — 

I  am  glad  to  see  you,  and  heartily  bid  you  welcome,  also  those 
Chiefs  with  you,  and  as  I  am  informed  that  you  met  with  a  severe 
Loss  by  the  Death  of  two  of  your  Children  since  I  saw  you  last, 
which  I  am  sorry  for,  I  take  this  first  Opportunity  of  Condoling 
with  you  on  the  Occasion.  — 

Here  Performed  the  Ceremony  of  Condolence  with  three 
Strings  of  Wampum,  and  two  black  Strouds  &c  —  After 
which  Kayaghshuta  returned  the  Complimant  by  going 
thro'   the  same  Ceremony   for  the  Losses  sustained  by 


us. 


Gave  three  Strings  of  Wampum  — 

This  necessary  Form  at  Meeting  being  over,  Sir  Wm.  spoke  to 
him  as  follows  —  viz1.  — 
Brother  Kayaghshota.  — 

I  am  in  the  first  place  to  thank  you  for  the  great  trouble  you 

have  been  at  in  delivering  my  several  Messages  to  all  the  Indians 

along  the  Ohio  &c  to  whom  they  were  directed,  and  in  the  next 

place  to  express  my  great  Satisfaction  at  the  faithful,  and  candid 

manner  in  which  you  have  conveyed  to  me  the  Sentiments  of 

all  the  Nations  to  the  Westward  who  I  am  glad  to  find  have  paid 

a  proper  Regard  to  my  wholesome  Admonitions,  and  which  if 

they  continue  to  follow,  will  prove  of  the  utmost  Service  to  them, 

and   Posterity.  —  By   this   Belt   you   will   continue   your   good 

Offices,  which  shall  not  be  forgotten,  nor  unnoticed  by  me  — 

A  Belt.  — 
Brethren  of  the  Hurons.  — 

I   am  greatly  pleased  with  your  Conduct  not  only  in  your 

Carrying  my  Belts,  and  Messages  to  the  TwightTvee  Confederacy, 


1056  Sir  William  Johnson  Papers 

but  also  for  your  taking  that  Hatchet  out  of  their  hands  with 
which  they  run  about  like  men  that  were  drunk,  or  mad  when  all 
the  other  Nations  were  quiet,  and  minded  nothing  but  Hunting, 
Planting,  and  Traffic :  —  the  Arguments  which  you  made  use  of 
on  that  Occasion,  which  were  faithfully  transmitted  to  me  by  way 
of  the  Lakes,  and  also  from  Fort  Pit,  confirm  me  in  the  good 
Opinion  I  conceived  of  you  at  our  first  Meeting  in  1  761  at  Detroit, 
at  which  time  I  lighted  a  large  Council  Fire  there  for  all  the 
Western  Nations  to  assemble  at,  when  they  had  any  business  to 
transact.  —  I  now  by  this  Belt  dress  up  the  said  Fire  with  such 
Wood  as  will  never  burn  out,  but  afford  them  a  Genial  Heat, 
when  around  it  in  Council,  and  I  desire  that  you,  the  Hurons 
whom  I  look  upon  as  the  head  of  the  Western  Confederacy,  and 
in  whose  Country  it  burns  will  also  be  careful  to  keep  it  up,  and 
feed  it  with  such  Wood,  as  may  by  its  bright  Blaze,  lead  those 
who  may  be  astray,  to  partake  of  its  benign  Heat:  — 

A  large  Belt. 
Brothers  of  the  6  Nations,  and  Western  Confederacy.  — 

The  Conduct  of  the  Shawanese  by  your,  and  all  accounts, 
plainly  shew  their  Insincerity,  and  Contempt  of  all  the  solemn 
engagements  they  have  for  several  years  past  entered  into  with 
the  English,  more  particularly  those  entered  into  in  the  years  1  764 
&  1  765,  and  afterwards  confirmed  in  the  year  1  768.  —  Their 
false  behavior  to  the  Six  Nations  on  many  Occasions,  is  so  vile, 
ungrateful,  and  prejudicial  to  the  Interest,  and  Influence  of  the 
latter  with  the  other  Nations  in  alliance  with  them,  as  had  very 
nearly  occasioned  a  breach  between  You,  and  that  by  the  wicked 
misrepresentations  of  the  Shawanese,  when  entrusted  by  me,  and 
the  Six  Nations  to  carry  Messages  to  you,  among  other  things 
telling  you  that  the  English  were  determined  to  disspossess  you  of 
your  Country,  —  Advising  you  to  unite,  and  defend  it  to  the  last 
Drop  of  your  Blood,  for  which  purpose  they  gave  you,  the 
Twightwee  Confederacy  an  Axe,  and  I  suppose  to  other  nations 
also,  desiring  you  to  keep  it  private,  until  that  Union  took  Place, 
and  then  to  make  use  of  it  against  All  those  who  wore  Hats.  — 
Their   Abandoning   their   Settlements   now   about   Scioto,    with 


Land  Development,   1769-74  1057 

threats  against  the  English,  these  I  say  are  surely  as  strong  Proofs 
of  their  evil  Intentions  towards  you,  as  towards  us.  —  Nay  it  may 
be  the  means  of  producing  a  general  Rupture,  which  it  is  for  the 
Interest  of  you  all  to  prevent.  — 

Having  now  laid  before  you  part  of  the  wicked  Designs,  & 
treacherous  Conduct  of  the  Shawanese,  which  is  beyond  all  doubt, 
I  shall  be  glad  to  hear  as  soon  as  possible  your  candid  Opinions 
what  Steps  you  Judge  most  prudent  and  adviseable  to  be  pursued, 
and  that  by  our  mutual  Friend  Kayaghshota,  on  whose  Integrity, 
and  Judgement  we  can  all  depend.  — 

A  large  Belt 
which  is  to  be  Shewn  to  the  Six  Nations,  and  then  to 

the  Hurons,  and  Twightwees.  — 
Brethren  of  the  Twightwee  Confederacy.  — 

I  have  received  your  answers  to  my  Speech  delivered  to  you  by 
our  mutual  Friends  the  Hurons,  to  whom  I  am  obliged  for  taking 
on  them  that  trouble,  my  reason  for  employing  them,  was,  that 
I  knew  them  as  honest  sensible  People,  friends  to  you,  &  who 
wou'd  give  you  good  Advice. 

Brothers,  Sachims,  &  Warriors  of  the  Twightwee  Confederacy.  — 
Your  Conduct  for  some  years  past,  whilst  all  the  nations  here 
abouts  minded  nothing  but  their  Hunting,  and  Trade,  greatly 
Surprized  me,  and  all  your  Brethren  the  English,  and  Indians  in 
this  Quarter,  as  I  mentioned  in  my  former  Speech,  But  as  I  now 
find  by  your  Answr.  that  there  were  bad  Birds  constantly  buzzing 
bad  things  into  your  Ears  which  was  the  cause  of  your  Drunken- 
ness, and  as  you  have  promised  to  behave  as  friends,  and  Brothers 
for  the  future,  and  that  you  will  also  keep  the  Roads  of  Peace, 
Lakes,  and  Rivers  free,  and  open  for  all  to  pass  &  repass,  which 
if  you  inviolably  observe,  all  that  is  past  shall  be  buried  in  oblivion, 
which  the  Evil  Spirit  lead  you  to  do.  —  By  this  Belt  of  Wampum 
I  confirm  my  words,  and  if  some  of  your  Chiefs  will  come  to  my 
Fire  Place,  (which  is  that  of  all  the  Northern  Indians)  next 
Spring,  about  the  time  of  Planting  Corn,  or  soon  after,  I  shall 
convince  you  of  your  Errors,  and  that  the  English  are  your 
Friends,  and  mean  you  no  Harm,  when  I  shall  also  more  fully 


1058  Sir  William  Johnson  Papers 

Strengthen,  and  brighten  the  Old  Covenant  Chain  of  Friendship 
between  your  Nations,  and  all  the  English.  — 

A  large  Belt  to  be  shewn  to  all  the  Nations,  & 
then  lodged  wth.  the  Twightwees  — 
Brothers  of  the  Twightwee  Confederacy.  — 

As  you  have  told  me  that  the  News  which  bad  Birds  have 
brought  you,  was  the  reason  of  your  Heads  turning,  I  desire  you 
by  this  Belt  of  Wampum,  to  Stop  your  Ears  against  all  Such,  to 
pay  no  regard  to  them,  but  keep  your  Eyes  upon  me,  and  your 
Ears  open  to  what  I  may  from  time  to  time  say  to  you,  which  you 
may  be  assured  will  always  be  for  your  Interest,  if  only  regarded, 
but  if  you  listen  to  wicked,  and  designing  People,  your  minds  will 
always  be  disturbed,  and  consequently  your  Happiness  destroyed. 
—  therefore  mind  my  Words,  who  alone  am  appointed  by  the 
great  King  to  take  care  of  you,  and  all  the  Indians  in  this  Northern 
Part  of  America  — 

A  Belt.  — 
Brethren,  &  Friends  of  the  Huron  Nation  Ottawas  &c  — 

Sensible  of  your  good  Disposition  to  maintain  Peace  among 
the  sev1.  Nations  in  yr.  Alliance,  (which  I  must  strongly  recom- 
mend a  Continuance  of)  and  also  of  the  loss  you  are  at  for  some 
Years  past,  by  not  having  any  Person  at  Detroit,  to  whom,  and 
thro'  whom  you  may  convey  your  Sentiments  to  me,  or  I  mine  to 
you,  both  which  are  necessary  for  the  keeping  up  a  good  under- 
standing between  us,  I  am  now  to  tell  you  that  for  the  before 
mentioned  considerations,  I  have  appointed  a  Gentleman  who  is  a 
Wellwisher  of  yours,  and  resides  at  Detroit  to  hear,  and  com- 
municate to  me  whatever  you  may  at  any  time  have  to  say,  and 
the  same  from  me  to  you,  by  which  means  a  strict  and  friendly 
Correspondence  may  be  kept  up  between  us.  —  his  Name  is 
John  Hay,6  he  was  Commissary  there  some  years  ago.  As  this  is 
a  Piece  of  Indulgence  Shewn  to  you,  I  expect  your  Conduct  will 
always  be  such  as  to  deserve  it  — 

A  Belt  for  the  Hurons. 


6  Jehu  Hay,  appointed  commissary  at  Detroit,  Feb.   18,  1774. 


Land  Development,  1769-74  1059 

Brethren  of  the  Ohio.  — 

It  is  with  much  Concern  that  I  find  your  misconduct  and  bad 
behavior  to  the  White  People  in  them  Parts  still  to  occasion  so 
much  disturbance,  and  uneasiness,  and  sometimes,  (as  I  am  told) 
even  Murders  to  be  committed.  I  had  reason  to  expect  that  after 
the  many  Belts,  and  Messages  which  I  sent  you  on  the  Subject  of 
your  bad  Behavior,  as  also  the  repeated  Advice  given  to  you  by 
your  Brethren  of  the  Six  Nations,  you  would  reform,  and  come  to 
your  Senses,  but  as  I  find  all  advice  is  lost,  and  thrown  away  and 
like  to  be  ever  so,  whilst  detached  from  your  Chiefs,  whose 
constant  Admonitions  and  Example  (were  you  near  them)  might 
reform  your  Manners,  and  instill  better  Principles  into  the  rising 
Generation,  wth.out  which  you  never  will  be  the  happy  People  I 
cou'd  wish  you  —  I  am  therefore  to  desire  that  your  leave  that 
Place,  and  Settle  near  your  own  People,  which  will  make  you 
more  respectable,  than  be  mixed,  as  you  are  at  present  with  a  Set 
of  People  (the  Shawanese  &c)  who  have  for  many  Years  acted, 
an  ungrateful,  and  unfriendly  part  towards  you,  and  who  have 
now  expressed  their  Desire  of  leaving  you  —  Surely  no  People  of 
Spirit,  after  such  treatment,  wou'd  continue  their  neighbors,  or 
Friends.  — 

A  Belt. 
Brothers  Kanias  &  Kanaegi  — 

Nothwithstanding  there  were  some  Reports  lately  propagated 
to  your  Disadvantage,  which  I  cou'd  scarce  believe,  well  knowing 
you  both  to  be  men  of  Sense,  and  Consequence  in  your  Country, 
and  as  our  Friend  Kayaghshota  has  made  me  acquainted  with  the 
whole  affair  which  gave  Rise  to  that  Report,  and  finding  it  to  be  a 
malicious  and  groundless  one,  I  do  by  these  Strings  of  Wampum 
assure  you  both,  that  as  long  as  you  act  a  becoming  Part,  I  shall 
esteem  you  as  heretofore,  &  with  these  Presents  I  remove  all 
Uneasiness  from  your  minds,  and  desire  that  you  will  Cooperate 
with  the  rest  of  the  Chiefs  in  every  thing  that  may  tend  to  the 
Welfare  and  Advantage  of  your  Nation.  — 

3  Strings  of  Wampum  and  a 
Present  of  Clothing  &c  — 


1060  Sir  William  Johnson  Papers 

Here  ended,  with  a  long  Admonition  to  the  above  two  Chiefs, 
wcl\  had  great  Effect  upon  them  entirely  gained  their  Hearts,  and 
afforded  great  Pleasure  to  Kayaghshota,  and  all  present.  — 

Then  Kayaghshota  returned  Sir  Wm.  thanks  for  the  Speeches 
he  made  to  the  sev1.  Nations,  to  whom  he  promised  to  deliver  them 
faithfully,  and  assured  Sir  Wm.  that  as  he  reposed  so  much  Con- 
fidence in  him,  he  wou'd  undertake  to  bring  their  Reply  to  him 
as  soon  as  possible,  and  said  he  flattered  himself  that  Sr.  Wms. 
words  wou'd  be  agreeable  to  all  the  Nations  to  whom  they  were 
addressed,  and  produce  Satisfactory  answers  from  both  Con- 
federacies. — 

13th.  January  1774  — 

On  this  day  Joseph  Johnson  with  another  New  England  Indian 
arrived  here,  and  delivered  Sr.  Wm.  a  a  Letter  wrote  by  himself 
from  Johnstown,  setting  forth  the  Course  of  their  Coming  —  vizf., 
—  concerning  the  Lands  which  the  Oneidas  promised  to  the  New 
England  Indians  to  settle  upon.  —  After  hearing  their  business 
Sir  Wm.  assembled  the  Chiefs  of  the  Senecas,  Onondagas,  and 
Oneidas,  and  sent  a  Belt  of  Wampum  by  Kayaghshota,  which  he 
is  to  Shew  it  and  tell  them  Sir  Wms.  Message  thereon,  which  was 
that  they  wou'd  act  a  Judicious,  and  upright  Part  in  the  Settling 
matters  with  the  New  England  Inds.  and  then  Shew  it  to  the  other 
Nations  whom  Sr.  Wm.  desired  to  make  no  Opposition  to  their 
Settlement,  nor  entertain  any  Jealousy  on  that  account,  all  wch. 
Kayaghshota  promised  to  do,  then  sent  the  Inds.  to  Oneida  — 

A  Belt 

Janx.  15*.  1774  — 

At  a  Private  Conference  with  Kayaghshota,  and  Diaquande, 
they  told  Sir  Wm.  that  the  Sanduskey  Indians,  and  Shawanese 
were  closely  united  in  their  Sentiments,  although  the  Hurons  on 
the  North  Side  of  the  Lake  were  not  — 

To  which  Sir  Wm.  answered  that  if  his  Speeches  now  going  by 
him  to  the  Hurons,  and  Twightwee  Confederacy  had  the  expected 
Effect,  the  Indians  of  Sanduskey  must  Join  them.  —  On  Sir 
Wm  s.  asking  him  the  reason  of  so  great  an  Assemblage  of  Indians 


Land  Development,   1769-74  1061 

for  this  Year  past  at,  and  about  Warvyaghtanon,  he  (Kayagh- 
shota)  answered  that  the  Nations  in  that  Quarter  were  apprehen- 
sive of  a  War  being  to  be  carried  on  by  the  Six  Nations  &c 
against  them,  and  that  they  had  with  the  assistance  of  the  French 
who  are  numerous  there,  built  several  Forts  for  their  Defence,  and 
Security  of  their  Women,  and  Children,  but  that  he  was  certain 
the  Steps  which  Sir  Wm.  had  already  [fa^en]  and  was  now  taking, 
wou'd  quiet  their  minds,  and  remove  all  their  Fears  on  that 
head.  — 

A  true  Copy7 


W,  Johnson 


INDORSED : 

Proceedings  at  a  Conference 
wth.  Kayaghshota  Chief  of 
the  Senecas  on  Ohio  &c 
Johnson  Hall  5lh.  Jan?.  1  774 
(Copy)  Recd.  [  ]  ye.  feb*.  4th. 


7  These  three  words  and  signature  are  in  Johnson's  hand. 


1062  Sir  William  Johnson  Papers 

WILL  OF  SIR  WILLIAM  JOHNSON 

D.1 

[January  27,  J774]2 

Be  it  remembered  that  on  the  first  day  of  August  in  the  year 
One  thousand  eight  hundred  and  Eight,  Peter  Smith,  by  Jonas 
Piatt  his  Attorney,  brought  into  Court  the  last  Will  and  Testa- 
ment of  Sir  William  Johnson  late  of  Johnson  Hall  in  the  County 
of  Tryon  and  Colony  of  New  York  Baronet  deceased,  and  prays 
that  the  same  may  be  proved  and  Recorded  according  to  the 
Statute  in  such  case  made  and  provided,  and  due  proof  of  the 
service  of  the  Notice  of  this  application  having  been  given  to  the 
Heirs  of  the  said  Sir  William  Johnson.  Thereupon  William 
Adams3  one  of  the  subscribing  Witnesses  to  the  said  Will  was 
Examined  upon  Oath  in  open  Court  who  did  depose  and  say, 


1  In  Book  of  Record  of  Wills,  Vol.  4.  New  York  State  Court  of  Ap- 
peals, Clerk's  Office,  Albany,  N.  Y.  The  original  will  has  not  been  found 
and  this  appears  to  be  the  earliest  attested  copy.  It  was  quoted  in  W.  L. 
Stone,  Life  and  Times  of  Sir  William  Johnson,  2:490-502,  which  was 
followed  by  all  subsequent  publications.  The  will  is  also  recorded  in  the 
Record  of  Wills,  Vol.  29,  pp.  169-178,  in  the  Surrogate's  Court  of  the 
County  of  New  York,  Hall  of  Records,  but  this  is  a  copy  from  the  Old 
Libers,  pp.  137-144.  Another  manuscript  copy  supposed  to  be  that  used 
by  James  Duane  as  counsel  for  Sir  John  Johnson  in  his  suit  to  break  the 
entail  in  1775,  and  formerly  owned  by  the  Duane  family,  is  now  in  the 
library  of  the  New  York  State  Historical  Association,  Cooperstown,  N.  Y. 
These  three  copies  are  practically  identical  in  wording,  with  only  minor 
copyists'  errors  in  spelling  or  punctuation.  A.  few  of  these  variants  in  the 
Duane  manuscript  are  inserted  here  in  brackets.  The  first  two  paragraphs 
above  concerning  attestation  and  witnesses  appear  only  in  this  copy,  attested 
in  1808. 

2  Date  of  the  making  of  the  will.  The  date  of  probate  in  New  York  was 
July  25,  1774.  Although  the  present  document  is  dated  August  1,  1808, 
it  seems  proper  to  insert  it  in  the  Johnson  Papers  at  this  point. 

3  William  Adems  (Adams)  was  a  physician  who  had  prescribed  for 
Sir  William's  family  and  for  the  Indians,  Johnson  Papers,  8:845-47.  He 
lived  until  1827,  when  at  the  age  of  97  his  visit  to  Litchfield,  Conn,  was 
noted  in  the  press,  and  when  he  was  said  to  have  practiced  in  Schenectady 
70  years.  Munsell,  Historical  Collections,  2:389.  In  December  1773,  he 
became  a  member  of  St.  Patrick's  Lodge,  Johnstown. 


Land  Development,   1769-74  1063 

That  Sir  William  Johnson  the  said  Testator  signed,  sealed, 
published  and  declared  the  Testament  now  shewn  to  him  as  and 
for  his  last  Will  and  Testament  in  presence  of  the  said  Examinant, 
Gilbert  Tice,4  Moses  Ibbitt5  and  Samuel  Sutton6  who  in  presence 
of  the  said  Testator  and  of  each  other,  and  at  the  request  of  said 
Testator  Subscribed  their  names  as  Witnesses  thereto.  That  the 
said  Sir  William  Johnson  at  the  time  of  Executing  the  said  Will 
was  of  full  age,  of  sound  mind,  memory  and  understanding  under 
no  restraint.  That  he  has  been  informed  and  verily  believes  that 
the  said  Gilbert  Tice,  Moses  Ibbitt  and  Samuel  Sutton  the  other 
Subscribing  Witnesses  to  said  Will  have  departed  this  life,  and 
that  said  Testator  is  also  dead. 

Thereupon  Ordered  that  the  said  last  Will  and  Testament  be 
Recorded,  which  said  last  Will  and  Testament  is  in  the  words 
and  figures  following  to  wit : 

In  the  name  of  God  amen,  I  Sir  William  Johnson  of  Johnson 
Hall  in  the  County  of  Try  on,  and  Province  of  New  York,  Bar1. 
being  of  sound  and  disposing  mind,  memory  and  understanding 
do  make  publish  and  declare  this  to  be  my  last  Will  and  Testa- 
ment in  manner  and  form  following, 

First  and  principally  I  resign  my  soul  to  the  great  and  merci- 
full  God  who  made  it,  in  hopes  thro  the  alone  merits  of  my 
Blessed  Lord  and  Saviour  Jesus  Christ  to  have  a  Joyful  resurrec- 
tion to  life  eternal,  and  my  body  I  direct  to  be  decently  interred 
in  the  place  which  I  intend  for  it,  and  I  would  willingly  have  the 
remains  of  my  beloved  wife  Catharine  Johnson  deposited  there, 
if  not  done  before  my  decease,  And  I  direct  and  desire  my  herein 
aftermentioned  Executors  to  provide  mourning  for  my  House 
Keeper  Mary  Brant  and  for  all  her  Children,  also  for  young 


4  Gilbert  Tice  was  a  captain  of  the  rangers,  a  tavern  keeper  in  Johns- 
town, who  as  a  Tory  fled  to  Canada  and  went  to  England  with  Guy  John- 
son and  Joseph  Brant,  later  serving  in  the  Tory  rangers. 

5  Moses  Ibbitt  was  active  in  St.  Patrick's  Lodge,  Johnstown,  and  served 
on  other  occasions  as  a  witness  for  Sir  William. 

6  Samuel  Sutton,  according  to  J.  R.  Simms'  Frontiersmen  of  New  York, 
1:308,  was  the  first  cabinet  maker  in  Johnstown.  He  was  a  member  of  St. 
Patrick's  Lodge. 


1064  Sir  William  Johnson  Papers 

Brant  &  William  both  Half  bred  Mohocks,  likewise  for  my 
Servants  &  Slaves.  It  is  also  my  desire  that  ye.  Sachims  of  both 
Mohock  Villages  be  invited  to  my  Funeral,  and  thereat  receive 
each  a  black  stroud  Blancket,  Crape  and  Gloves  which  they  are 
to  wear,  and  follow  as  Mourners  next  &  after  my  own  family  & 
friends.  I  leave  it  to  the  discretion  of  my  Executors  to  get  such  of 
my  Friends  &  acquaintancejs]  for  Bearers  as  they  shall  Judge  most 
proper,  who  are  to  have  White  Scarfs,  Crapes  and  Gloves.  The 
whole  Expense  not  to  exceed  Three  hundred  Pounds  currency.  — 
And  as  to  the  worldly  &  temporal  Estate  which  God  was  pleased 
to  endow  me  with,  I  devise,  Bequeath  and  dispose  of  in  the  follow- 
ing manner. 

Imprimis,  I  will,  order  and  Direct  that  all  such  Just  Debts 
as  I  may  owe  at  the  time  of  my  Decease,  together  with  my 
Funeral  Expenses  of  every  kind  be  paid  by  my  son  Sir  John 
Johnson,  Kl.  —  Item  I  give  and  bequeath  to  the  following 
persons  the  sums  of  Money  hereafter  mentioned,  which  several 
Sums  are  to  be  paid  to  them  by  my  Executors  out  of  the  Money 
which  I  may  have  in  the  Three  <P  Cent  Consolidated  Annuities, 
of  which  the  Heir  of  the  late  Sir  William  Baker7  has  the  manage- 
ment, and  that  in  Six  months  after  my  decease. 

And  First  To  the  Children  of  my  present  House  Keeper, 
Mary  Brant  the  Sum  of  One  thousand  pounds  sterling,  viz.  to 
Peter  my  natural  son  by  said  Mary  Brant  the  sum  of  Three 
hundred  pounds  SterK  And  to  each  of  the  rest,  being  seven  in 
number,  One  hundred  pounds  each.  The  Interest  thereof  to  be 
duely  received,  &  layed  out  to  the  best  advantage  by  their 
Guardians  or  Trustees,  and  also  the  Income  of  what  other  Lega- 
cies &ca.  as  are  hereafter  to  be  mentioned,  until  they  come  of  Age 
or  marry,  except  what  is  necessary  for  their  maintenance  &  Educa- 
tion.    Item.  To  young  Brant,  alias  Kaghneghtago8  &  William, 


7  Sir  William  Baker,  Sir  William's  agent  in  London,  died  in  1  770.  His 
son  Samuel  was  to  succeed  him.  Johnson  Papers,  7:670,  697. 

8  Not  to  be  confused  with  Joseph  Brant,  alias  Thayendanegea.  He  may 
have  been  a  cousin  of  Joseph  Brant,  later  associated  with  him.  See  note  on 
Keghneghtago,  or  Young  Brant,  in  Brant  Papers,  Vol.  1 3F  of  Draper 
Collection,  Wisconsin  Historical  Society. 


Land  Development,   1769-74  1065 

alias  Tagawirunta,9  two  Mohawk  Lads  the  sum  of  One  hundred 
pounds  York  Curc>\  to  each,  or  the  Survivor  of  them.  —  After 
paying  the  beforementioned  sums  of  Money  I  bequeath  to  my 
Dearly  beloved  son  Sir  John  Johnson  the  remaining  half  of  what 
Money  I  may  then  have  left  in  the  before  mentioned  Fund,  and 
the  other  half  to  be  equally  divided  between  my  Two  Sons  in 
Law,  Daniel  Claus  &  Guy  Johnson  for  the  use  of  their  Heirs.  — 

Item  I  bequeath  to  my  son  Sir  John  Johnson  my  Library 
&  Household  Furniture  at  ye.  Hall,  Except  what  is  in  my  Bed 
room  &  in  the  Childrens  room  or  Nursery,  wh.  is  to  be  divided 
Equally  amongst  them.  I  also  bequeath  to  him  all  my  plate, 
except  a  few  Articles  which  I  gave  to  the  Children  of  my  House 
Keeper  Mary  Brant.  He  is  also  to  have  one  fourth  part  of  all  my 
Slaves  &  the  same  of  my  Stock  of  Cattle  of  every  kind.  To  my 
two  Daughters  Ann  Claus  &  Mary  Johnson  Two  fourths  of  my 
Slaves  and  Stock  of  Cattle.  The  other  fourth  of  my  Slaves  and 
Stock  of  Cattle  of  every  kind  I  give  &  Bequeath  to  the  Children 
of  Mary  Brant  my  House  Keeper,  or  to  the  survivors  of  them, 
to  be  divided  Equally  amongst  them  Except  two  Horses,  two 
Cows,  two  breeding  Sows  &  four  Sheep  which  I  would  have 
given  (before  any  Division  is  made)  to  Young  Brant  &  William 
of  Conajohare  and  that  within  Three  months  after  my  Decease. 
I  Also  give  &  devise  all  my  own  wearing  apparel,  of  every  kind, 
Woollen,  Linen  &c,  to  be  equally  divided  amongst  the  Children 
of  my  said  House  Keeper  Mary  Brant  share  and  share  alike. 

In  the  next  place,  I  dispose  of  my  Real  Estate  (all  of  my  own 
acquiring)  in  the  following  manner,  and  as  I  maturely  weighed 
the  affair,  &  made  the  most  equitable  Division  which  my  Con- 
science directed,  I  expect  that  all  who  share  of  it  will  be  satisfied  & 
I  wish  they  make  a  proper  use  of  it.  —  &  First,  to  my  son  Sir 
John  Johnson  Kf.  I  devise  and  bequeath  all  my  Estate  at  and 
about  Fort  Johnson  with  all  ye.  Buildings,  Improvements  &ca. 
thereunto  belonging,  to  be  by  him  and  his  Heirs  forever  peaceably 


9  William  of  Canajoharie,  Tagawirunta,  was  supposed  to  be  the  son  of 
Sir  William.  He  was  sent  to  school  with  the  Reverend  Thomas  Barton  in 
Lancaster,  Pa. 


1066  Sir  William  Johnson  Papers 

possessed  and  Enjoyed.  Also  a  small  Tract  of  Land  on  the 
South  side  of  the  River  opposite  Fort  Johnson;  Fifty  Thousand 
Acres  of  Kingsland  or  Royal  Grant  all  in  one  Body,  at  the 
Northwesterly  part  of  said  Patent.  Also  all  Kingsborough 
Patent10  (Containing  about  Fifty  Thousand  Acres)  except  the 
few  Lots  wcn.  I  have  otherwise  disposed  of.  Also  my  Share  in 
a  Patent  called  Klock  &  Nellus  [Nellis]  &ca.  on  the  North 
side  of  the  Mohawk  River.  I  also  devise  and  bequeath  to  my 
said  Son  Sir  John  Johnson  all  my  right  and  Title  to  the  Salt  Lake 
at  Onondaga  &  the  lands  around  it  Two  Miles  in  depth,  for  wh. 
I  have  a  firm  Deed,  &  it  is  also  Recorded  in  the  Minutes  of  Coun- 
cil at  New  York.  I  likewise  Devise  &  Bequeath  to  my  said  Son 
Lot  N°.  10  in  Sacondaga  Meadow  conts.  five  hundred  Acres, 
also  the  House  and  improvements  with  that  part  of  Lot  N°.  1  1  in 
said  Meadow,  or  Patent  of  Sacondaga  cont§.  Two  hundred  and 
sixty  three  Acres  to  be  by  him  &  the  Heirs  of  his  body  lawfully 
begotten  forever  quietly  &  peaceably  possessed  &  enjoyed. 
Lastly  I  do  most  earnestly  recommend  it  to  my  Son  to  shew  lenity 
to  such  of  the  Tenants  as  are  poor  and  an  upright  conduct  in  all 
his  dealing  with  mankind,  which,  will  (upon  reflection)  afford 
more  satisfaction  &  heart  feeling  pleasure  to  a  noble  &  generous 
mind,  than  the  greatest  opulency. 

In  the  next  place  I  Devise  &  Bequeath  to  my  Son  in  Law  Coll. 
Daniel  Claus  &  to  his  Heirs  the  Tract  of  Land  whereon  he  now 
lives,11  viz1,  from  Dove  Hill  to  the  Creek  which  lyes  about  Four 
hundred  yards  to  the  Northward  of  the  now  Dwelling  House  of 
Co11.  Guy  Johnson  together  with  all  the  Isleands  &ca  thereto 
belonging;  Also  the  House  &  Lot  in  Albany  wh.  I  purchased 
of  Henry  Holland,  together  with  the  Water  Lot  adjoining  thereto 


10  For  the  location  of  Kingsland  and  Kingsborough,  and  other  Patents 
herein  mentioned,  see  Sauthier's  Map  of  1779,  Doc.  Hist.  N.  Y.  1:774. 
No  attempt  is  made  here  to  identify  or  describe  all  the  real  estate  mentioned ; 
much  of  it  was  vague  and  some  plots  were  only  designated  for  future  survey. 

11  Called  by  him  "Williamsburgh,"  but  in  reality  Sir  William's  former 
home,  dating  from  1  739,  which  was  remodeled  for  Daniel  Claus  in  1  765- 
66.  See  Claus  Papers,  Canadian  Archives. 


Land  Development,   1769-74  1067 

which  I  purchased  of  the  Corporation  of  Albany,  together  with 
all  the  buildings  &  other  improvements  thereon,12  I  farther  Devise 
&  bequeath  unto  the  said  Daniel  Claus  &  the  Heirs  of  his  body, 
All  my  right  in  the  Patent  adjoining  ye.  German  Flatts  on  the 
south  side  of  the  Mohawk  River  containing  about  Sixteen  hundred 
Acres.  Also  Three  Lots  in  the  patent  of  Kingsborough  Viz1. 
N°.  Thirteen,  Fourteen  &  Fifty  seven  in  the  Western  Allotment. 
Three  Lots  in  Sacondaga  patent  Viz.  N°.  Twenty  Nine,  Sixty 
Six,  &  Seventy  seven  containing  each  two  hundred  &  Fifty 
Acres.  A  third  part  of  a  Lot  in  Schenectady  which  I  exchanged 
with  Daniel  Campbell  Esqr.  Also  Ten  Thousand  Acres  of 
Land  in  the  Royal  Grant  next  to  that  of  Sir  John  Johnson,  which 
is  never  to  be  Sold  or  Alienated.  And  Lastly  I  Devise  &  Be- 
queath unto  the  said  Daniel  Claus  &  the  Heirs  of  his  body  Nine 
hundred  Acres  or  the  half  of  that  Land  which  was  Gilbert  Tices 
in  the  Nine  Partners  Patent  between  Scohare  &  the  Mohawks, 
The  whole  of  the  several  Tracts,  Lots  &  Houses  &ca  before 
mentioned  to  be  by  him  &  the  Heirs  of  his  body  lawfully 
begotten  forever  quietly  &  peaceably  possessed  &  Enjoyed. 

Item:  I  Divise  &  Bequeath  unto  my  son  in  Law.  Co11.  Guy 
Johnson  &  the  Heirs  of  his  body  lawfully  begotten.  The  Farm 
&  Tract  of  Land  whereon  he  now  lives  together  with  all  the 
Isleands,  Buildings  &  other  improvements  thereon.13  Also  the 
House  &  Lot  of  Land  in  Schenectady  purchased  by  me  of  Paul 
Comes,  &  now  in  the  possession  of  the  said  Guy  Johnson.  All 
my  right  in  Northampton  patent  which  I  purchased  of  Arent 
Stevens,  Two  Lots  in  Sacondaga  patent  containing  One  thousand 
Acres,  Viz*.  Lots  N°.  One,  &  Two  near  to  the  River  &  on  both 
sides  of  Sacondaga  Creek  —  Three  Lots  of  Land  in  Kings- 
borough  N°.  Eighty  seven,  Eighty  Eight  &  Eighty  nine  con- 
taining each  one  hundred  acres  of  Land,  &  are  in  ye.  Eastern 


12  See  Munsell,  Collections,  1:1  14;  4:195.  This  was  at  the  corner  of 
State  Street  and  Broadway. 

13  Guy  Park  in  the  present  city  of  Amsterdam.  The  mansion  is  now  a 
historic  site  owned  by  the  State  of  New  York.  The  farm  tract  at  that  time 
extended  to  that  of  Claus  to  the  westward  about  one  mile. 


1068  Sir  William  Johnson  Papers 

Allotment.  Ten  thousand  Acres  of  Land  in  the  Royal  Grant 
now  called  Kingsland,  adjoining  to  the  Ten  thousand  Acres 
given  to  Co11.  Daniel  Claus,  which  is  never  to  be  Sold  or  Alienated 
on  any  Ace1.  &  Lastly  Nine  hundred  Acres  or  the  half  of  that 
land  which  was  Gilbert  Tices  in  ye.  Nine  Partners  Patent  between 
Scohare  &  the  Mohawk  Village.  All  the  above  mentioned 
Farms,  Tracts  of  Land,  Lots  &  Houses  with  their  appurtenances, 
to  be  by  him  &  the  Heirs  of  his  body  lawfully  begotten,  forever 
peaceably  &  quietly  possessed  &  enjoyed. 

I  Devise  &  Bequeath  unto  Peter  Johnson  my  natural  Son  by 
Mary  Brant,  my  present  Housekeeper,  the  Farm  <k  Lot  of 
Land  which  I  purchased  from  the  Snells  in  the  Stoneraby  Patent 
with  all  the  Buildings,  Mill  and  other  Improvements  thereon. 
Also  Two  hundred  Acres  of  Land  adjoining  thereto,  being  part 
of  Kingsborough  patent  to  be  laid  out  in  a  compact  body  between 
the  Garoge  &  Caniadutta14  Creeks.  Also  four  thousand  Acres 
in  the  Royal  Grant,  now  called  Kingsland  next  to  the  Mohawk 
River,  and  another  Stripe  or  piece  of  Land  in  the  Royal  Grant 
from  the  Little  Falls  or  carrying  place  to  Lot  N°.  one,  almost 
opposite  the  house  of  Hannicol  Herkimer,  &  includes  two  Lots 
N°.  Three  &  N°.  Two  along  the  river  side,  and  wh.  are  now 
occupied  by  Ury  House  &c. 

I  Divise  &  Bequeath  unto  Elizabeth  Sister  of  the  aforesaid 
Peter  &  Daughter  of  Mary  Brant,  All  that  Farm  &  Lot  of  Land 
in  Harrison's  Patent  on  the  north  side  of  the  Mohawk  River 
N°.  Nineteen,  Containing  near  Seven  hundred  Acres,  bought  by 
me  several  years  ago  of  Mr.  Brown  of  Salem,  with  all  the  build- 
ings &  appurtenances  thereunto  belonging. 

Also  Two  thousand  Acres  of  Land  in  the  Royal  Grant,10  now 
called  Kingsland  &  that  to  be  layed  out  Joining  to  that  of  her 


14  Cayadutta  Creek  flows  into  the  Mohawk  at  Fonda. 

15  See  "A  Map  of  Part  of  the  Land  in  the  Royal  Grant  devised  by  Sir 
William  Johnson  to  some  of  his  natural  Indian  Children,"  Doc.  Hist. 
N.  V.,  2:1004.  This  does  not  include  all  of  the  lands  so  devised;  nor  does 
any  map  make  entirely  clear  these  descriptions  with  their  chains  of  title. 


Land  Development,   1769-74  1069 

brother  Peter,  both  which  she  &  the  Heirs  of  her  body  lawfully 
begotten  are  to  Enjoy  peaceably  &  quietly  forever. 

To  Magdalene  Sister  of  the  two  former  &  Daughter  of  Mary 
Brant  I  divise  &  bequeath  that  Farm  near  to  Antony's  Nose  N°. 
Eight,  Containing  about  nine  hundred  Acres  of  Land,  &  on  which 
Mr.  Brat  [Bratt]  now  lives,  with  all  the  buildings,  Improvements 
and  other  appurtenances  thereunto  belonging.  Also  Two  thous- 
and Acres  of  Land  in  the  Royal  Grant  now  called  KingsLnd, 
adjoining  to  that  Tract  of  her  Sister  Elizabeth. 

To  Margaret,  Sister  of  the  above  named  Magdajene  & 
Daughter  of  Mary  Brant  I  Devise  &  Bequeath  two  Lots  pi  Land, 
part  of  Stoneraby  Patent,  The  one  viz.  N°.  Twenty  five 
which  I  bought  of  William  Markell  contains  one  hundred  acres, 
the  other  number  Twelve  contains  One  hundred  &  thirty  one 
Acres  &  a  half  or  thereabouts,  which  I  purchased,  from  Peter 
Weaver.  Also  two  thousand  Acres  of  Land  in  the  Roval  Grant 
now  called  Kingsland,  to  be  laid  cut  for  her  next  to  tha!  of  her 
Sister  Magdalene. 

To  George  my  natural  Son  by  Mary  Brant  &  brother  to 
the  four  before  mentioned  Children  I  Devise  &  Bequeath  Two 
Lots  of  Land  part  of  Sacondaga  patent  known  by  N°.  Forty 
three  &  Forty  four  &  called  New  Philadelphia  containing  Two 
hundred  &  fifty  Acres  each;  Also  a  small  Patent  or  Tract  of 
Land  called  John  Bracfyans,  lying  on  the  North  side  of  ye. 
Mohawk  River,  almost  opposite  to  the  Canajohare  Castle  & 
contains  Two  hundred  &  Eighty  Acres  or  thereabouts,  &  Lastly 
Three  thousand  Acres  in  the  Royal  Grant  now  called  Kingsland, 
next  to  the  Two  thousand  Acres  given  to  his  Sister  Margaret. 
The  said  Farms  &  Tracts  of  Land  with  all  the  Buildings  &  other 
appurtenances  belonging  to  them,  are  to  be  by  him  &  the  Heirs  of 
his  body  lawfully  begotten  forever  quietly  &  peaceably  possessed 
&  Enjoyed. 

To  Mary,  daughter  of  Mary  Brant  &  Sister  of  the  before 
mentioned  Five  Children  I  divise  &  Bequeath  Two  thousand 
Acres  of  Land  in  the  Royal  Grant  now  called  Kingsland,  ad- 
joining   to    them   of   her   brother   George.      Also   two    Lots    in 


v 


1070  Sir  William  Johnson  Papers 

Stoneraby  Patent  N°.  Thirty  Six  &  Thirty  Eight  containing 
about  One  Hundred  &  fifty  Acres,  which  I  bought  of  Peter 
Davis  &  Hannis  Kitts. 

To  Susanna,  Daughter  of  Mary  Brant  &  Sister  of  the  fore- 
going Six  Children,  I  Devise  &  bequeath  Three  thousand  Acres 
of  the  Royal  Grant  now  called  Kingsland  to  be  laid  out  adjoin- 
ing to  them  of  her  Sister  Mary. 

To  Anne,  Sister  of  the  foregoing  seven  Children  by  Mary 
Brant  I  Devise  &  Bequeath  Three  Thousand  Acres  of  the  Royal 
Grant  now  called  Kingsland,  to  be  laid  out  next  to  that  of  her 
Sister  Susannah,  And  to  be  by  her  &  the  Heirs  of  her  body  law- 
fully begotten,  forever  quietly  &  peaceably  possessed  &  enjoyed. 
To  Young  Brant,  alias  Kaghnechtago  [Kaghnaghtago]  of 
Canojohare  I  give  &  bequeath  One  thousand  Acres  of  Land  in 
the  Royal  Grant  now  called  Kingsland  to  be  layed  out  next  to  & 
adjoining  the  before  mentioned  Land  of  Anne  Daughter  of  Mary 
Brant.  Also  to  William  alias  Tagawirunte  of  Canajohare. 
One  thousand  Acres  of  Land  in  said  Royal  Grant,  alias  Kings- 
land,  adjoining  that  of  Brants,  to  be  by  them  &  the  Heirs  of 
their  bodys  lawfully  begotten  forever  quietly  &  peaceably 
possessed  &  enjoyed. 

It  is  also  my  Will  &  desire,  that  in  case  any  of  the  before 
mentioned  Eight  Children  of  mine  by  Mary  Brant,  should  dye 
without  Issue  their  Share  or  Shares  as  well  of  my  personal  as 
Real  Estate,  be  equally  divided  amongst  the  Survivors  of  them 
by  their  Guardians. 

To  my  prudent  &  faithfull  Housekeeper  Mary  Brant,  mother 
of  the  before  mentioned  Eight  Children,  I  will  and  bequeath  the 
Lot  N°.  one  being  part  of  the  Royal  Grant  now  called  Kingsland, 
and  is  opposite  to  the  Land  whereon  Hannicol  Herkimer  now 
lives,  which  she  is  to  enjoy  peaceably  during  her  natural  life, 
after  which  it  is  to  be  possessed  by  her  Son  Peter  &  his  Heirs 
forever.  I  also  give  &  bequeath  to  my  said  Housekeeper  One 
Negroe  Wench  named  Jenny  the  Sister  of  Juba,  also  the  sum  of 
Two  hundred  pounds  current  money  of  N.  York  to  be  paid  to  her 
by  my  Executors  within  three  months  after  my  decease. 


Land  Development,  1769-74  1071 

I  also  Divise  &  bequeath  to  Mary  McGrah,  Daughter  of 
Christopher  McGrah  of  the  Mohawk  Country,  Two  hundred 
Acres  of  Land  in  the  Patent  of  Adageghteinge,  now  called 
Charlotte  River,  to  be  by  her  and  her  Heirs  forever  peaceably 
possessed  &  Enjoyed. 

I  give  &  bequeath  to  my  brothers  John16  &  Warren  Johnson,17 
to  my  Sisters  Dease,18  Sterling,19  Plunket20  &  Fitzsimons,21 
The  following  Tracts  of  Land  which  I  would  have  sold  by  my 
Executors  to  the  best  advantage,  &  ye.  Monies  arising  therefrom 
to  be  equally  divided  between  them  &  their  Heirs  to  wit,  what- 
ever part  of  the  Patent  called  Byrnes,  at  Schohare  may  remain 
unsold  at  my  decease,  also  my  fourth  part  of  another  Patent  at 
Scohare  called  Lawyer  &  Zimmers  [Zimoners]  Patent,  Also  that 
of  Adageghteinge  or  Charlotte  River,  and  Lastly  the  Five 
thousand  Acres,  which  I  have  in  Glen  &  Vromans  Patent,  Also 
Thirteen  thousand  Acres  wh.  I  yet  have  in  the  patent  called 
Peter  Servis22  near  Gen1.  Gages,  or  whatever  part  of  the  afore- 
said Tracts  may  be  unsold  at  the  time  of  my  decease.  This 
(from  the  many  losses  wh.  I  have  sustained,  and  the  several  sums 
expended  by  me  during  the  war  which  were  never  paid)  is  all 
I  can  possibly  do  for  them  without  injuring  others,  which  my 
honor  &  conscience  will  not  admit  off. 

As  his  present  Majesty  George  the  Third  was  graciously 
pleased,  as  a  mark  of  his  favor  &  regard,  to  give  me  a  Patent 


16  John  Johnson,  second  son  of  Christopher  Johnson  and  Anne  Warren 
Johnson,  who  lived  in  Dublin. 

17  Peter  Warren  Johnson,  third  son  of  Christopher  Johnson,  who  lived 
in  Dublin  and  died  about  1  785. 

18  Anne  Johnson  married  Richard  Dease,  County  Cavan,  Ireland. 

19  Bridget  Johnson  married  first  John  McMahon;  after  the  death  of  her 
husband  married  Abraham  Sterling. 

20  Frances  Johnson  was  married  to  Patrick  Plunkett. 

21  Ellis   Johnson  married  William   Fitzsimons,   a  merchant  of  Athbcy. 

22  Peter  Servis  (or  Service)  was  referred  to  in  a  deposition  of  Barnabas 
Kelly,  June  26,  1778,  as  "Sir  John  Johnson's  Uncle;"  thus  he  mr-y  have 
been  a  relative  by  marriage  of  Sir  William's  first  wife.  He  was  killed  as  a 
Tory  in  1  778.  Clinton  Papers,  3:505,  61  6;  4: 1  04. 


1072  Sir  William  Johnson  Papers 

under  the  Great  Seal  for  the  Tract  of  Land  now  called  Kings- 
land,  &  that  without  quit  rent,  except  a  trifling  acknowledgment 
to  be  paid  yearly,  It  is  my  will  and  desire,  that  no  part  of  it  be 
ever  sold  by  those  to  whom  I  have  divised  it,  as  that  would  be 
acting  contrary  to  my  intentions  &  determined  Resolution. 

I  divise  &  Bequeath  to  my  much  esteemed  Nephew  Doctor 
John  Dease23  the  sum  of  Five  hundred  pounds  Cur*.  Money  of 
New  York  to  be  paid  to  him  within  six  months  after  my  decease 
by  my  Executors  out  of  such  monies  as  I  may  have  in  this  Country 
at  that  time,  or  by  my  son  Sir  John,  for  which  he  my  said  son 
Sir  John  Johnson  shall  have  and  forever  enjoy  that  Lot  of  land  in 
Sacondaga  Patent  whereon  Martin  Laffler  [Lafler],  &  two  more 
Tenants  now  live,  vizf.  N°.  Eighty  four  containing  Two  hundred 
&  fifty  acres.  I  also  divise  &  Bequeath  unto  my  said  Nephew 
John  Dease,  Esq1".  Two  thousand  Acres  of  Land  lying  near  to 
South  Bay  or  Lake  Champlain,  which  Tract  was  purchased  by 
me  of  Lf.  Augustine  Prevost,  and  which  was  formerly  the  Loca- 
tion of  Ensign  or  L*.  Gorrel,  with  all  the  advantages  thereunto 
belonging.  Or  should  he  my  said  Nephew  prefer,  or  rather 
chuse  to  have  the  value  of  it  in  money,  in  that  case  it  is  my  will 
&  desire  that  my  Executors  dispose  of  said  Land  to  the  best  ad- 
vantage, and  pay  the  amount  of  it  to  my  said  Nephew. 

To  my  faithful  friend  Robert  Adems  Esqr.24  of  Johnstown, 
The  dwelling  House,  other  Buildings  &  the  Lot  of  one  Acre 
whereon  he  now  lives.  The  Potash  Laboratory  &  one  Acre  of 
Land  with  it,  also  the  Farm  which  he  holds  by  Deed  from  me. 
All  free  from  rent  during  his  natural  life  —  Except  the  quit 
Rent. 

To  Mr.  William  Byrne25  of  Kingsborough  I  give  the  Lot  of 


23  Dr.  John  Dease  (c.  1745-1801),  son  of  Anne  Johnson  Dease,  was 
Sir  William's  physician  in  his  later  years. 

24  Robert  Adems  served  Sir  William  as  a  clerk  or  bookkeeper  from 
1  747.  Said  to  be  a  brother  of  Dr.  William  Adems.  He  was  "busy  about 
his  Potash,"  as  early  as  February  1  769.  Johnson  Papers,  6:639. 

25  A  nephew  of  Sir  William's  close  associate  Michael  Byrne,  who  died 
June  3,  1772.  William  Byrne  was  the  chief  mourner  at  Michael  Byrne's 
funeral.  Minutes  of  St.  Patrick's  Lodge,  Johnstown,  N.  Y. 


Land  Development,   1769-74  1073 

land  where  he  now  lives  &  improves,  also  that  part  of  the  Stock 
of  Cattle  which  was  mine  free  of  Rent  or  demand  as  long  as  he 
lives.    The  Quit  rent  excepted. 

I  also  Will  &  Bequeath  to  Mr.  Patrick  Daly26  now  living  with 
me,  (for  whom  I  have  a  particular  regard)  the  sum  of  One 
hundred  pounds  Cur1,  money  of  New  York  to  be  paid  unto  him 
within  three  Months  after  my  decease  by  my  Executors. 

It  is  also  my  Will  &  desire  that  all  the  White  Servants  I  may 
have  at  the  time  of  my  death  be  made  free,  and  receive  from  my 
Son  Ten  pounds  each. 

I  also  Divise  and  bequeath  unto  my  much  esteemed  Friend  and 
old  acquaintance  Joseph  Chew  Esqr.27  now  of  Kingsborough  in 
the  County  of  Tryon,  during  his  natural  life,  Fifty  Acres  of  Land 
which  I  purchased  of  Matthias  Link  with  all  the  Buildings  & 
other  Improvements  thereunto  belonging.  And  after  his  decease 
to  his  son  William  my  God  Child,  &  to  his  heirs  forever.  In  case 
of  the  death  of  my  said  God-son  William  without  Issue,  then  to  be 
possessed  &  enjoyed  by  Joseph  Chew  Junr.  Elder  Brother  of  my 
said  God-son  William  &  his  Heirs  forever.  I  also  divise  &  Be- 
queath unto  the  said  Joseph  Chew  Esqr.  Two  hundred  Acres  of 
Land  in  the  patent  called  Prestons,  now  Mayfield,  to  be  layed  out 
in  one  peice  next  to  the  Lots  already  layed  out  by  John  Collins 
Esqr.  for  the  Township;  The  same  Two  hundred  Acres  with  all 
the  appurtenances  thereto  belonging,  to  be  by  him,  the  said  Joseph 
Chew  &  his  Heirs  forever  peaceably  &  quietly  possessed  & 
enjoyed. 

It  is  also  my  Will  and  desire  that  in  case  my  son  Sir  John 
Johnson  should  (which  God  avert)  dye  without  Issue,  the  follow- 
ing disposition  be  made  of  the  personal  and  Real  Estate  which  is 
by  the  foregoing  part  of  this  Will  bequeathed  to  him.  to  wit, 
All  the  lands  of  Kingsborough  containing  about  Fifty  thousand 
Acres   (The  few  lots  excepted  which  I  have  otherwise  disposed 


26  Legendary  accounts  in  Jeptha  R.  Simms'  Trappers  of  New  York 
(Third  Edition,  1871),  p.  21,  refer  to  "Dr.  Daly"  as  Sir  William's 
physician,  probably  confusing  Patrick  Daly  with  Dr.  John  Dease. 

27  An  old  friend  and  correspondent  of  Sir  William  at  New  London, 
Conn.  In  June  1  772,  he  removed  with  his  family  to  Johnstown. 


1074  Sir  William  Johnson  Papers 

of)  to  be  by  my  Grandson  William  Claus  &  the  Heirs  of  his 
body  lawfully  begotten  forever  quietly  and  peaceably  possessed 
&  enjoyed.  Also  Twenty  thousand  Acres  of  the  Royal  Grant 
now  called  Kingsland,  which  is  never  to  be  sold  or  alienated  from 
my  Family. 

It  is  likewise  my  Will  &  Desire  that  in  the  above  case  viz1, 
of  my  sons  death  without  issue,  that  the  Lands,  Houses  &ca  at 
Fort  Johnson,  and  a  small  Tract  on  the  opposite  side  of  the 
Mohawk  river  called  Babbingtons  together  with  Twenty  thousand 
Acres  of  the  Royal  Grant  now  called  Kingsland,  be  possessed 
&  Enjoyed  by  the  first  Male  Heir  which  my  Daughter  Mary 
Johnson  may  have  by  Guy  Johnson,  and  by  his  Heirs  lav/fully 
begotten  forever,  &  in  case  of  her  having  no  male  Heir  to  possess 
it,  then  it  is  my  Will  that  the  before  mentioned  Lands  be  equally 
divided  between  her  Daughters  &  their  Heirs,  in  consideration  of 
which  my  two  Sons  in  Law  Daniel  Claus  &  Guy  Johnson  shall 
(within  a  year)  pay  unto  my  Executors  &  Trustees  for  the  use 
of  my  Children  by  Mary  Brant  my  Housekeeper  the  sum  of  Eight 
hundred  pounds  Curf.  money  of  New  York.  That  is  to  say, 
Co11.  Daniel  Claus  shall  pay  the  sum  of  Five  hundred  pounds,  & 
Coll.  Guy  Johnson  the  sum  of  Three  hundred  pounds,  which  sums 
are  to  be  (as  well  as  the  rest  divised  &  bequeathed  to  them)  put 
out  to  Interest  for  their  support  &  emolument  until  they  come  of 
Age  or  Marry,  when  an  equal  Division  thereof  is  to  be  made 
between  them  by  their  Guardians  or  Trustees.  All  the  remainder 
of  my  Sons  Estate  (Except  what  remains  of  his  Share  in  the 
Royal  Grant,  alias  Kingsland,)  Shall  be  sold  by  my  Executors 
to  the  best  advantage,  and  the  Moneys  arising  from  the  Sale 
thereof,  to  be  equally  divided  between  my  brothers  and  Sisters 
as  before  named.  The  remainder  of  his  Share  in  Kingsland  to 
be  equally  divided  between  his  Two  Sisters  Children,  who  are 
never  to  dispose  of  it. 

Lastly  I  do  hereby  make,  Constitute  &  Appoint  my  beloved 
Son  Sir  John  Johnson  K*.  my  two  Sons  in  Law  Daniel  Claus  and 
Guy  Johnson  Esqrs.  my  two  Brothers  John  &  Warren  Johnson 
Esqrs.  Daniel  Campbell  of  Schenectady,  John  Butler,  Jeles 
[Jellis]    Fonda,    Captn.    James    Stevenson    of   Albany,    Robert 


Land  Development,   1769-74  1075 

Adems,  Samuel  Stringer  of  Albany,  Doctor  John  Dease,  Henry 
Fry,  &  Joseph  Chew  Esq",  or  any  Six  of  them  Executors  of  this 
my  last  Will  and  Testament,  and  it  is  also  my  Will  &  Desire  that 
John  Butler,  Jelles  Fonda,  John  Dease,  James  Stevenson,  Henry 
Frey  [Fry]  &  Joseph  Chew  Esq,s.  be  and  act  as  Guardians  or 
Trustees  of  my  before  mentioned  Eight  Children  by  Mary  Brant 
my  present  Housekeeper  in  full  confidence  that  (from  the  close 
connection  of  the  former,  and  the  long  uninterrupted  friendship 
subsisting  between  me  &  the  latter,)  they  will  strictly  and  as 
Brothers28  inviolably  observe  and  Execute  this  my  last  charge  to 
them.  The  Strong  dependence  on,  &  expectation  of  which 
unburthens  my  mind,  allays  my  cares,  &  makes  a  change  the 
less  alarming.  And  as  I  would  willingly  in  some  measure  (altho 
trifling)  Testify  my  regard  &  friendship  for  the  above  mentioned 
Gentlemen.  I  must  request  their  acceptance  of  Three  hundred 
pounds  currency  to  purchase  Rings  as  a  Memento  for  their  once 
sincere  Friend,  which  sum  is  to  be  imediately  paid  to  them  by  my 
Son  Sir  John  Johnson;  And  I  do  hereby  revoke,  Disannul  and 
make  void  all  former  Wills  bequests  and  Legacies  by  me  hereto- 
fore at  any  time  made,  Bequeathed  or  given,  and  I  do  make  & 
Declare  this  only  to  be  my  last  Will  &  Testament.  In  Witness 
whereof,  I  have  (with  a  perfect  mind  &  memory)  hereunto  sett 
my  hand  &  Seal  this  27th.  day  of  January  1  774,  One  thousand 
seven  hundred  &  Seventy  four  and  my  name  at  the  bottom  of  each 
page  being  Thirteen  [written]. 

Signed,  Sealed,  Published  &  Declared 
by  the  Testator,  as,  and  for  his  last 
Will  &  Testament  in  the  presence  of  us, 
who  by  the  desire,  &  in  the  presence 
of  the  Said  Testator  &  of  each  other, 
have  hereunto  subscribed  our  names.  — 
William  Adems  Moses  Ibbitt 

Gilbert  Tice  Samuel  Sutton 


W.  Johnson  L.S. 


28  All  were  members  of  St.  Patrick's  Masonic  Lodge  at  Johnstown, 
except  Dr.  Samuel  Stringer  and  James  Stevenson  of  the  Albany  Lodge,  and 
Dr.  John  Dease,  Sir  William's  nephew. 


1076  Sir   William  Johnson  Papers 

Tryon  County  ss.  Be  it  remembred  that  on  the  twenty  fifth 
day  of  July  One  thousand  seven  hundred  &  seventy  four  person- 
ally came  &  appeared  before  me  Bryan  Lefferty  Surrogate  of  the 
said  County,  Sir  John  Johnson  Baronet,  Guy  Johnson,  Daniel 
Claus,  John  Dease,  John  Butler,  Robert  Adems  &  Joseph  Chew 
Executors  of  the  within  written  Will  of  Sir  William  Johnson 
Baronet  and  were  duly  Sworn  to  the  true  Execution  &  perform- 
ance of  the  said  Will  by  severally  taking  the  Oath  of  an  Executor 
as  by  Law  appointed  before  me 

Bryan  Lefferty,  Surrogate. 

Tryon  County  ss:  Be  it  also  remembred  that  on  the  Twenty 
fifth  day  of  July  One  thousand  seven  hundred  &  Seventy  Four 
William  Adems,  Gilbert  Tice,  Moses  Ibbitt  &  Samuel  Sutton  all 
of  Johnstown  and  County  afd.  and  being  duly  Sworn  on  their 
Oaths  declared.  That  they  and  each  of  them  did  see  Sir  William 
Johnson  Baronet  Sign  &  Seal  the  within  written  Instrument  pur- 
porting to  be  the  Will  of  the  said  Sir  William  Johnson  bearing 
date  the  Twenty  seventh  day  of  January  one  thousand  seven 
hundred  &  Seventy  four  and  heard  him  Publish  and  Declare  the 
same  as  &  for  his  last  Will  &  Testament,  That  at  the  time  thereof 
he  the  said  Sir  William  Johnson  was  of  sound  disposing  mind  & 
Memory  to  the  best  of  the  Knowledge  and  belief  of  them  the 
Deponents.  And  that  their  Names  Subscribed  to  the  said  Will 
are  of  their  respective  proper  hands  writing  which  they  subscribed 
as  Witnesses  to  the  said  Will  in  the  Testators  presence. 

Bryan  Lefferty  Surrogate 

Examined  &  compared  with  the 

Original  by  me 

Fr.  Woodfood  Clk. 


Land  Development,   1769-74  1077 

FROM  RICHARD  HIND 

A.L.S.1 

S*.  Anns  Westminster.  Feb.  20,  1774 
Sir, 

I  am  favour'd  with  your  Letter  of  the  3d.  of  December,2  which 
I  took  the  first  Opportunity  to  lay  before  the  Society  at  their 
Anniversary  Meeting  on  the  18th.  of  this  month;  and  as  I  am 
unwilling  to  lose  any  [time  in]3  opportunity  of  answering  it,  I 
gladly  embrace  [the  opportunity]  one,  just  now  offer'd  me,  of  a 
Ship  that  sails  for  New  York  [on  —  day]  tomorrow  Morning; 
begging  leave,  Sir,  once  for  all,  most  respectfully  to  assure  you 
that  I  shall  esteem  myself  honour'd  by  yr.  Correspondence,  and 
not  less  oblig'd,  than  I  shall  be  benefited  by  the  Information,  you 
shall  at  any  time  be  pleas'd  to  give  me  concerning  the  State  of 
Religion,  and  of  our  Missionaries,  that  are  happily  within  the 
Sphere  of  your  Influence. 

The  Society  direct  Me,  Sir,  to  assure  you  of  their  very  grateful 
Sense,  of  your  uniform  Attention  to  the  Interests  of  Religion;  of 
the  many  and  great  Instances  of  your  liberality  in  building  and 
adorning  Places  of  Worship;  in  encouraging  Education;  and 
civilizing  a  rude  and  ignorant  people.  They  at  the  Same  Time 
lament  their  own  Inability  of  being  more  extensively  useful,  and 
more  liberal  to  Such  of  their  Missionaries  as  receive  little  or  no 
Assistance  from  their  poor  Congregations.  This  last  Circum- 
stance dos'  indeed  become  every  day  more  Serious  and  distressful, 
and  calls  powerfully  upon  all,  that  wish  to  see  true  Religion 
Flourish  in  America,  faithfully  and  conscientiously  to  inform  the 
Society  of  the  true  State  of  the  Several  parishes,  and  the  real 
Ability  of  the  people,  yf.  the  able  and  opulent  may  not  intercept 
the  Bounty,  to  which  the  indigent  and  necessitous  have  the  only 
Right. 


1  In  Historical  Society  of  Pennsylvania,  Gratz  Collection. 

2  Draft  dated  Nov.  25,  1  773.  Johnson  Papers,  8:926-28. 

3  Words  italicized  and  in  brackets  are  crossed  out  in  the  manuscript. 


1078  Sir  William  Johnson  Papers 

'Tis  matter  of  real  Concern  to  the  Society,  that  any  Cause 
whatever  shou'd  have  obstructed  Mr.  MosleyV  usefulness  to  his 
people ;  they  will  be  glad  to  hear  his  Health  is  re-establish'd,  and 
that  in  consequence  thereof,  he  hath  more  Fully  answer'd  all  the 
good  Ends  and  Purposes  you  have  a  right  to  expect  from  him. 
I  heartily  wish  his  own  Marriage  may  be  a  more  fortunate  one 
to  him,  than  that,  wch.  he  was  concern'd  in  at  Lichfield,4  in  regard 
to  which,  I  am  sorry  to  say,  that  He  hath  no  prospect  of  Assist- 
ance from  the  Society. 

Mr.  Andrews'*5  sudden  desertion  of  his  Flock,  without  any 
previous  Notice  given  of  his  Intentions,  is  not  represented  by  Them 
to  his  Advantage,  nor  well  taken  by  the  Society.  The  Church- 
wardens of  Schenectady,  in  their  Letter  to  the  Society,  Set  Forth, 
that  Mr.  Doty  is  peculiarly  calculated  for  the  parish  and  School, 
and  willing  to  undertake  them  both;  and  that  he  hath  been 
presented  to  you  for  your  Concurrence.  Their  Letter  is  dated, 
Decr.  1 0  —  this  last  Circumstance  may  therefore  be  true,  tho* 
you  had  never  Seen  him  at  the  time  of  writing  yours,  wcil.  was  on 
Decr.  3d.  —  In  confidence  of  it's  being  so,  the  Society  have 
appointed  him  to  that  Mission  with  the  former  Salary  of  £40  p 
Anns.  to  commence  from  last  MichV  and  to  be  lessen'd  one  half, 
Five  years  hence,  i.e.  ten  years  from  the  first  Establishment  of  the 
Mission,  agreeably  to  the  Standing  Order  of  the  Society.  And 
they  have  withdrawn  Mr.  Andrews's  Salary  from  the  time  of  his 


!  The  Reverend  Richard  Mosely,  having  been  ordained  in  England, 
came  to  Litchfield,  Conn.,  from  whence  he  moved  to  Johnstown  with 
about  30  families  from  New  England.  He  suffered  from  epilepsy,  and  as 
a  result  gave  up  his  church  in  1  774. 

4  In  Litchfield  Rev.  Mosely  had  performed  a  marriage  under  his  autho- 
rity from  the  Bishop  of  London  which  was  not  recognized  in  Connecticut, 
for  which  he  was  fined.  It  was  because  of  this  that  he  decided  to  come  to 
New  York.  See  O'Callaghan,  Doc.  Hist.  N.  Y.  4,  481 ,  n. 

5  The  Reverend  William  Andrews  established  a  school  in  Schenectady 
in  1771.  Complaining  of  his  support,  he  gave  up  his  parish  when  the  arrival 
of  the  Reverend  John  Doughty  (or  Doty)  provided  a  substitute.  See  Doc. 
Hist.N.  Y.,  4:470ff. 

6  Michaelmas,  Sept.  29. 


Land  Development,   1769-74  1079 

withdrawing    himself,    which    the    Church    wardens    alledge    to 
have  been,  about  the  1 0th.  of  last  August. 

The  good  account  of  Mr.  Stuart  and  Mr.  Monro  is  very  agree- 
able to  the  Society ;  but  the  long  Want  of  a  Missionary  at  Cona- 
johare  is,  in  all  it's  Circumstances,  very  unfortunate;  Your 
Alleviating  that  Want,  as  Far  as  it  can  be  done,  by  allowing  the 
poor  people  a  Schoolmaster  is  an  instance  of  your  usual  goodness, 
For  which  God  will  reward  you. 

I  must  not  forget  to  mention,  that  Some  Primers,  Psalters  &c. 
tho'  they  cannot  be  sent  at  this  time,  Shall  be  Forwarded  by  the 
iirst  Opportunity,  and  Shall  be  Follow'd  by  a  larger  Number,  as 
soon  as  you  have  inform'd  me,  what  Sort  of  Books  are  most 
wanted  for  the  Several  Schools,  and  in  what  proportion. 

With  the  highest  Veneration  and  Respect  for  your  worthy 
Character,  and  best  Wishes  For  your  Health  and  Happiness,  I 
have  the  Honour  to  be, 

Sir, 
I  must  intreat  you  Yr.  most  Obedient 

Good  Sir,  to  excuse  and  most  Humble  Ser1. 

very  great  Hast.  R  HlND 

INDORSED:7 

London  20th.  Febrx.  1  774  — 
Doctor  Hinds  letter.  — 


JOURNAL  OF  ALEXANDER  McKEE 

Contemporary  Copy1 

[Pittsburg,  Feb.  26-March  1,  1774] 
February  26th.  1  774  — 

A  Small  Party  of  Twightwees  came  to  this  place,2  having  been 
at  War  against  the  Cherokees  were  defeated  by  them  and  several 
of  their  party  killed.  — 


7  In  Sir  William's  hand. 

1  In  Canadian  Archives,  Indian  Records,  Vol.  1  6. 

2  Fort  Pitt. 


1080  Sir  William  Johnson  Papers 

A  Chief  of  the  Shawanese  address'd  the  Twightwees  with  the 
following  Speech.  — 

Younger  Brethren 

We  condole  with  you  for  the  Loss  you  have  sustain'd  at  War, 
particularly  as  you  say  some  of  your  Chiefs  are  amongst  the  Slain ; 
Tho'  at  the  same  time  we  cannot  help  observing  to  you,  That  we 
are  surprised  to  hear,  That  they  who  were  Chiefs  shou'd  go  upon 
such  Business  —  When  we  consider  that  Peace  is  recommended 
from  all  Quarters,  it  appears  that  this  Late  Misfortune  has  been 
brought  upon  you  by  not  listening  to  the  wise  Advice  which  has 
been  given  to  all  Nations  —  We  desire  you  to  communicate  this 
as  our  Sentiments  when  you  return  home,  and  that  we  hope  your 
wise  people  will  for  the  Future  pay  more  Regard  to  the  good 
Councils  they  hear.  — 

A  String  — 
February  the  27th.  1  774  — 

An  Account  was  brought  by  some  Traders,  that  a  Party  of 
Shawanese  had  return'd  home  from  the  Frontiers  of  Virginia 
and  brought  in  a  Number  of  Horses;  and  that  it  was  reported 
they  had  killed  Six  White  Men  &  Two  Negroes.  — 

March  the  1st.  1774 

To  the  Chiefs  of  the  Shawanese  — 
Brethren 

You  have  no  Doubt  heard  the  bad  news  brought  here  from 
Your  Towns,  of  several  White  people's  being  kill'd  with  a 
Number  of  Horses  taken  by  your  foolish  Young  Men,  and  that 
other  Parties  of  them  were  going  out  upon  the  same  Errand,  by 
this  Behaviour  it  either  appears  that  they  pay  no  regard  to  the 
Advice  you  give  them,  or  that  those  Chiefs  you  left  at  home  do 
not  take  that  Care  incumbent  upon  them  to  preserve  Peace  — 

Brethren, 

I  have  now  to  recommend  to  you  in  the  most  earnest  manner 
your  Speedy  return  home  in  order  to  use  your  utmost  Strength  and 
Influence  to  put  a  Stop  to  such  flagrant  Outrages,  which  otherwise 


Land  Development,  1769-74  1081 

will  most  assuredly  draw  upon  you  the  Resentment  of  the  numer- 
ous White  people  settled  now  upon  this  River  whom  you  have 
seen  passing  during  your  Stay  this  winter  and  Spring  and  who 
once  prejudiced  against  you  will  not  be  easily  restrain'd  from 
taking  ample  Revenge;  So  that  you  see  it  is  not  only  your  own 
Interest  to  govern  your  rash  Young  Men  better,  but  your  Duty 
from  the  Professions  of  Friendship  you  have  made  since  you  came 
to  this  place  — 

A  String  — 


FROM  ALEXANDER  McKEE 

Contemporary  Copy1 

Pittsburg  the  3d.  March  1774  — 
Sir 

Since  the  Meeting  held  with  the  Indians  here  last  Fall,  most 
of  the  Chiefs  and  principal  Warriors  of  the  several  Tribes  have 
continued  about  this  place  and  in  February  a  Deputation  of  the 
Six  Nations  called  them  to  a  Meeting,  when  they  delivered  some 
Messages,  and  demanded  the  Hatchet  Belt  from  the  Chiefs  of 
the  Shawanese,  which  is  said  to  be  amongst  them ;  They  strongly 
deny  knowing  anything  of  it  and  delivered  for  answer  That  as 
soon  as  a  large  Congress  was  finish'd  this  Spring,  which  is  to  be 
held  at  Scioto  between  the  Southern  &  Western  Indians,  That 
they  wou'd  then  accompany  the  Chiefs  from  all  the  Nations  who 
are  to  assemble  there  to  the  Six  Nation  Country  when  they  wou'd 
speak  to  the  Six  Nation  Council  fully  upon  this  Head,  as  well  as 
upon  everything  they  had  heard  from  them  these  several  years 
past.  —  In  a  Conversation  with  the  Shawana  Chief  in  whose 
Possession  the  above  Belt  is  supposed  to  be,  He  acknowledged  to 
have  received  a  War  Belt,  which  originally  (he  says)  came  from 
the  Weyandots  to  the  Delawares  and  was  delivered  by  a  Chief 
of  that  Nation  to  him,  But  that  the  Purport  of  it  was  no  more 


1In  Canadian  Archives,  Indian  Records,  Vol.  16.  Included  in  McKee's 
Journal. 


1082  Sir  William  Johnson  Papers 

than  to  head  a  single  Party  to  War  against  any  Nation  they 
might  be  at  Enmity  with,  and  that  this  Belt  he  had  given  into  the 
Hands  of  a  Principal  Warrior  of  his  Tribe,  who  had  informed  an 
Onondaga  Chief  upon  his  Return  from  the  Congress  at  Scioto, 
That  he  had  such  a  Belt  and  refused  to  deliver  it  to  him  when 
required  —  This  Chief  further  informed  me  That  he  knows  of  a 
large  Belt  being  keeped  very  secretly  amongst  the  Six  Nations  for 
many  Years  past,  The  Signification  of  which  is  to  call  upon  all 
the  Indian  Nations  who  are  in  Friendship  with  them,  when  occa- 
sion shall  require  their  uniting  strongly  together  to  prevent  the 
English  from  encroaching  too  far  upon  them  or  usurping  their 
Country;  but  he  says  This  Belt  has  not  as  yet  reach'd  their 
Nation,  as  it  is  preserv'd  by  the  Six  Nations  as  the  last  Resource 
against  the  English  —  I  understand  that  a  large  Body  of  Chero- 
kees  are  expected  early  this  Spring  to  Muskingam  upon  an  Invita- 
tion from  the  Delawares,  who  have  also  sent  for  the  Lake  Indians 
to  meet  them  there  —  The  Chiefs  here  are  about  preparing  to  go 
home  in  order  to  attend  those  Meetings  they  expect.  — 

Some  Traders  who  are  returned  from  the  Indian  Country  have 
brought  an  acco".  of  several  Families  being  cut  off  this  Winter 
by  Parties  of  the  Shawanese  near  the  Big  Kanhaway  and  further 
down  the  Ohio,  with  some  Negroes  and  a  Number  of  Horses 
taken  &  brought  into  their  Towns  —  I  have  spoke  to  the  Chiefs 
here  upon  it  and  advised  their  speedy  return  home  in  order  to  put 
a  Stop  to  such  Outrages,  &  to  use  their  utmost  Strength  and  In- 
fluence to  govern  their  rash  Young  People;  That  as  the  Settle- 
ments in  this  Country  were  now  become  formidable  they  must  not 
expect  That  the  White  People  wou'd  long  lett  their  Conduct  in 
this  Manner  pass  with  Impunity,  which  probably  wou'd  draw 
upon  them  utter  Destruction  and  embroil  many  innocent 
People  — 

The  Expeditious  Settlement  of  this  Country  gives  all  the 
Indian  Nations  this  way  Uneasiness  and  is  the  Subject  of  their 
constant  Complaints,  as  well  as  the  real  Cause  of  their  disturbing 
such  as  settle  low  down  the  River,  which  Practice  has  a  very 
dangerous  Tendency  and  may  in  the  End  draw  on  a  Quarrell  — 


Land  Development,   1169-74  1083 

An  Appointment  this  Winter  here  of  a  Militia  Officer  by  Lord 
Dunmore  the  Governor  of  Virginia  and  the  assembling  of  a 
Militia  has  occasion'd  great  Noise,  as  the  civil  Authority  extended 
here  by  Pennsylvania  have  interfered,  arrested  the  Officer,  and 
endeavour'd  to  disperse  the  People ;  This  Step  affords  us  the  great- 
est Reason  to  believe  The  Colony  of  Virginia  are  about  to  contend 
with  Pennsylvania  for  the  Jurisdiction  of  this  part  of  the  Country ; 
The  Protection  of  the  former  appears  to  be  most  wish'd  for  by  the 
Inhabitants,  who  at  present  lament  their  uncertain  Scituation  — 

I  have  the  Honor  to  be  with  greatest  Respect 

Your  Honor's  most 

Obedient  humble  servant 

A  McKee 
The  Honble.  Sir  William  Johnson  Baronet  — 


JOURNAL  OF  ALEXANDER  McKEE 

Contemporary  Copy1 

[March  8-/3,  1774] 
March  8*.  1  774  — 

At  a  Meeting  with  several  Six  Nations,  Shawanese  and  Dela- 
ware Chiefs  and  a  Number  of  the  Inhabitants  of  Pittsburg  — 
Shawanese  spoke  as  follows  — 

Brethren  — 

We  have  considered  what  you  said  to  us  a  few  Days  agoe,  and 
are  sorry  to  hear  such  bad  News  from  our  Town.  Tho'  We 
hope  most  of  it  may  not  be  true ;  We  desire  you  not  to  listen  too 
attentivly  to  it  untill  we  inquire  further,  and  we  shall  not  fail  to 
communicate  to  you  the  Truth  of  what  ever  comes  to  our 
Knowlege.  —  In  the  mean  time  We  cover  over  by  this  String 
of  Wampum  the  Breach  of  Friendship  that  has  been  commited 
by  our  foolish  young  Men;  We  also  wipe  the  Tears  from  your 


1  In  Canadian  Archives,  Indian  Records,  Vol.  1 6. 


1084  Sir  William  Johnson  Papers 

Eyes  and  remove  any  evil  Impression  from  your  Hearts  it  may 
have  occasioned,  That  you  may  see  and  hear  us  with  pleasure.  — 

A  String  — 

Brethren  — 

By  this  Belt  of  Wampum  we  brighten  that  anceint  Friendship 
which  subsisted  between  our  Fore-Fathers  and  we  sweep  the 
Council  House  that  it  may  appear  white  &  unspotted,  That  The 
Sky  may  appear  clear,  and  the  Sun  go  down  in  peace  —  We  like- 
wise clear  the  path  to  this  Council  House,  and  remove  every 
Obstacle  out  of  it  that  may  hinder  us  from  travelling  it  with 
Satisfaction,  and  That  when  we  meet,  We  may  look  upon  one 
another  with  the  same  Friendship  That  our  old  Wise  people 
did  — 

A  Belt. 

Brethren 

2We  came  here  last  Fall  upon  a  Friendly  Vizit  to  you,  and  as 
we  are  now  about  returning  home,  We  request  you  may  inform 
Sir  William  Johnson  with  what  we  have  said,  and  that  we  shall 
do  every  thing  in  our  power  to  preserve  the  peace  and  Tranquility 
of  this  Country  —  Brethren,  We  must  also  observe  to  you  That 
to  facilitate  this  good  Work  your  wise  Men  shou'd  be  acquainted 
with  the  very  great  Numbers  of  your  people  going  down  this 
River  beyond  the  bounds  fixed  for  them  and  over  spreading  the 
Hunting  Country  of  our  Young  Men.  No  Doubt  but  it  is  in  the 
power  of  the  Great  Men  to  stop  it.  This  is  the  only  direct  means 
of  bringing  about  good  Order  on  your  Side  as  well  as  ours,  for 
from  this  Cause  proceeds  at  present  all  our  Disturbances;  And 
altho'  it  is  highly  contrary  to  our  Inclinations  and  Intentions  as 
Chiefs  That  our  Young  Men  shou'd  be  concern'd  in  any  Mis- 
chief, Yet  it  is  likewise  out  of  our  power  to  prevent  those  evil 
Resolutions  they  form  when  absent  from  us,  for  when  they  are 
dissapointed  in  their  hunting  and  find  the  Woods  cover'd  with 
white  people  &  their  Horses  where  they  used  to  find  their  Game, 


2  This  and  the  next  paragraph  are  included  in  an  extract  from  McKee's 
Journal  printed  in  Doc.  Rel.  Col.  Hist.  N.  Y.,  8:462. 


Land  Development,  / 769-74  1085 

they  are  foolish  enough  to  make  Reprisals  without  waiting  to 
apply  to  the  Great  Men  that  shou'd  redress  their  Complaints 
and  regulate  the  Conduct  of  their  white  Brethren  towards 
them.  — 

Brethren.  — 

We  have  had  many  disagreeble  Dreams  this  winter  about  this 
matter  and  what  we  have  seen  and  been  Witness  to  since  we  came 
here  serves  also  to  confirm  our  Fears,  as  well  as  the  constant 
assembling  of  our  Brethren  with  red  Flaggs  convinces  us  that  War 
is  still  uppermost  in  their  minds,  otherwise  such  Preparations 
wou'd  be  laid  aside  —  We  are  likewise  informed  That  the  White 
people  propose  building  a  large  Fort  low  down  the  River  this 
Summer.  Lett  our  Wise  Men  be  strong,  it  is  still  in  their  power 
to  govern  headstrong  and  foolish  people  and  restore  that  regular 
Friendship  that  ought  to  subsist  between  us  — 

I  Return'd  them  the  following  Answer  — 

Brethren.  — 

We  thank  you  for  the  deep  Concern  you  have  expressed  of  the 
rash  proceedings  of  your  foolish  Young  Men,  as  well  as  for  the 
Trouble  you  have  taken  in  sweeping  the  Council  House,  and 
opening  the  path  to  it;  This  was  done  upon  our  parts  last  Fall 
at  the  Meeting  held  with  the  several  Nations  assembled  here  at 
that  time ;  and  I  have  now  again  to  put  you  in  mind  of  it,  as  well 
as  what  otherwise  pass'd,  that  you  may  communicate  it  to  all  your 
People  upon  your  Return  home,  and  I  have  no  Doubt  but  you 
will  also  use  your  utmost  Abilities  in  restraining  evil  dispos'd 
people  &  promoting  every  thing  good,  for  you  certainly  judge 
right,  when  you  submit  those  things  which  disturb  you  to  the 
Uprightness  &  Wisdom  of  our  Great-men  whom  I  make  no  doubt 
you  will  find  always  ready  to  redress  your  Complaints  with  the 
utmost  Candour  as  well  as  to  keep  a  watchfull  Eye  to  afford  you 
every  Justice  you  expect;  In  the  mean  time  I  shall  send  Sir 
William  Johnson  a  Copy  of  what  you  have  said,  and  as  soon  as 
I  am  favour'd  with  his  Answer  will  not  fail  to  communicate  it 
to  you.  — 


1086  Sir  William  Johnson  Papers 

Brethren.  — 

I  wou'd  recommend  to  you  not  to  listen  to  idle  Stories,  or 
be  too  apt  to  believe  in  every  Chimera  that  presents  itself  to  you, 
Those  you  will  find  in  the  End  to  be  no  more  than  so  many  evil 
Spirits  endeavouring  to  delude  you,  But  the  most  substantial  way 
to  your  Happyness  is  to  only  observe  those  good  Speeches  you 
receive  from  our  Wise  men,  and  to  preserve  a  fast  hold  of  that 
Chain  of  Friendship  which  subsists  between  you.  — 
Brethren.  — 

With  respect  to  the  White  people  here  who  have  appear'd  to 
you  to  be  in  some  Agitation  this  Winter,  I  have  before,  and  can 
now  assure  you,  That  the  Cause  of  their  Meeting  does  not  in  the 
least  concern  you,  But  Business  intirely  relative  to  themselves 
—  and  as  to  building  a  Fort  down  this  River,  I  have  received  no 
Intimation  thereof;  However  it  hardly  seems  probable  That  your 
Father  the  King  of  Great  Britain,  after  destroying  the  Forts 
throughout  this  Country  at  a  considerable  Expence  to  convince 
you  of  his  kind  Intentions  towards  you,  shou'd  order  new  ones  to 
be  built  untill  there  appears  a  an  absolute  Necessity  therefor  to 
curb  rash  and  foolish  people  who  may  attempt  to  disturb  our 
peace  and  Tranquility.  — 

A  Belt 
March  13*.  1774  — 

Part  of  the  Shawanese  Chiefs  sett  off  by  Water  to  return 
home.  — 

STATEMENT  OF  JOSEPH  CHEW 
D.S.1 

Johnstown  May  3.  1774 

The  Following  Persons,  Viz1.  Murdock  McPhearson  Alexr. 
Cammeron,  Peter  Ferguson,  &  Finlay  Grant,  having  made  Appli- 
cation to  The  Honble.  Sir  William  Johnson  Bar',  in  order  to 
Obtain  Lands  from  him  for  them  Selves  and  Several  others  of 
their  Countrymen,  were  this  day  Acquainted  by  Him  that  he  was 


1  In  Historical  Society  of  Pennsylvania,  Gratz  Collection. 


Land  Development,  1769-74  1087 

informed  Some  of  their  party  had  Enter'd  into  an  Agreement  with 
The  Revd.  Mr.  Monro  of  Albany  to  settle  upon  his  lands  and  had 
Received  money  from  him,  that  if  this  was  the  Case  it  was  unjust 
in  them  not  to  perform  their  agreem*.  and  that  he  did  not  Choose  to 
interfer  or  have  to  do  with  people  who  were  under  ingagements  to 
Others. 

this  was  in  Presence  of  John  Butler,  John  Dan  &  Bryant 
Lefferty  Esqr.  Doctr.  Wm.  Adems,  Cap*.  John  Mc. Donald,  Mr. 
Donald  Mc.Gregrier,  and  the  subscriber  when  Murdock  Mc.- 
Pheurson,  Alexr.  Cammeron  &  Peter  Ferguson,  Absolutely  de- 
clared that  they  never  had  the  smalles  Conection  with  Mr. 
Monroe,  or  had  they  Ever  made  an  Agreement  with  him,  or 
Recd.  any  money  from  him. 

Finlay  Grant  saith  that  he  and  several  Others  were  in  treaty 
with  Mr.  Monro,  and  made  some  kind  of  agreem*.  to  settle  on 
his  Lands,  which  he  affirms  was  Broke  and  forfeited  in  Every 
Particular  by  Mr.  Monro,  and  that  he  never  Received  one  Farth- 
ing of  money  from  him,  and  Each  of  the  above  named  four 
Persons  offered  and  declared  they  were  Ready  and  willing  to 
make  oath  to  the  truth  of  the  above 

Jos  Chew 

JOURNAL  OF  ALEXANDER  McKEE 

Contemporary  Copy1 

[April/6-May5J774] 
April  16th.— 

Private  Intelligence2  received  from  a  Shawanese  Indian  by 
Mr.  McKee,  Sir  Wm.  Johnsons  Resid1.  on  Ohio 

Brother  — 

Although  you  have  frequent  Meetings  with  our  great  Men  and 
they  pretend  a  Freindship  for  you  and  that  they  wou'd  not  keep 


1  In  Canadian  Archives,  Indian  Records,  Vol.  1  6. 

2  The  first  part  of  this  intelligence  is  printed  in  Doc.  Rel.  to  Col.  Hist. 
N.  Y.,  8:467. 


1088  Sir  William  Johnson  Papers 

anything  a  Secret  from  you,  I  have  reason  to  believe  that  they  do 
not  divulge  all  they  know  to  you,  Therefore  I  am  come  to  inform 
you  of  what  I  have  heard;  I  have  not  lived  long  amongst  them, 
altho'  I  am  a  Shawanese,  but  am  only  upon  a  Vizit  from  the 
Creek  Country  which  is  my  home,  and  to  where  I  intend  to 
return  in  a  short  time;  Brother,  You  have  heard  that  a  great 
Meeting  has  been  some  Years  past,  and  is  now  expected  to  take 
place  at  Scioto,  Indians  from  Nations  westward  and  southward 
expected  to  it.  This  Meeting  whenever  it  happens  is  the  fixed 
time  of  striking  the  English,  for  when  the  Chiefs  are  once  as- 
sembled, The  Warriors  can  readily  bring  all  Nations  into  the 
Measure,  and  although  the  Chiefs  of  [all]  sev1.  Nations  have  been 
busied  in  conducting  good  Speeches  about,  [it  has  only  served]3 
the  Warriors  are  of  difR  sentiments  in  gen1.  &  use  it  as  a  Cover 
[ing]  to  this  General  Design  and  the  Hopes  depending  upon  it 
have  prevented  many  Broils  with  The  White  People,  Tho'  now 
Mischief  seems  almost  unavoidable  from  the  Disposition  of  our 
People  in  General,  owing  to  the  [Settlements  making  upon  the 
Ohio]  Encroachments  upon  our  Lands,  the  ill  treatment  recd. 
from  the  frontier  people,  and  the  Interuption  the  Indians  meet 
with  in  their  Hunting.  —  The  [Six  Nations]  Chenussios,  tho'  they 
may  deny  it,  have  their  share  in  this  plan,  for  it  is  no  new  one, 
but  has  been  upon  foot  many  Years,  and  indeed  I  may  say  such 
a  one  has  been  in  Being  since  our  first  Acquaintance  almost  with 
the  English,  &  particularly  since  the  French  left  their  belts  to 
the  Northwd.  for  We  discovered  an  early  Design  in  them  of 
takeing  away  our  Country  and  it  will  be  a  difficult  Task  to  collect 
all  the  bad  Belts  that  have  been  handed  from  the[m]  [Six  Nations] 
Canada  &  Chenussio  to  us  upon  this  Subject  — 

At  present  almost  all  Indians  this  way  wish  to  strike  those 
people  gone  down  the  River,  and  we  are  only  waiting  to  hear 
again  from  the  [Six  Nations,  for  by  some  private  messages  received 
from  them  in  the  Beginning  of  the  Winter  they  (we  rvere)  de- 
sired us  to  \eep  our  selves  in  Readyness,  for  that  the  next  Nervs 


3  Words  italicized  and  in  brackets  are  crossed  out  in  the  manuscript. 


Land  Development,  1769-74  1089 

Tve  might  expect  from  them  tvould  be,  That  the})  had  struck  ^ne 
English,  The  Reason  they  gave  us  for  being  so  precipitate  rvas 
that]  Northwd.,  the  Senecas  being  disatisfied  with  the  Terms 
offered  them  by  the  [White  people  for]  English  on  ace1,  of  a 
Breach  of  Friendship  [committed  by]  their  Young  Men  had  been 
guilty  [of  was  too]  which  Terms  were  so  hard  [and]  that  they 
cou'd  not  comply  with  them,4  therefore  That  they  wou'd  make 
War  first,  as  this  wou'd  certainly  be  the  Consequence  of  their 
Refusal  to  the  White  People's  Demands;  That  in  the  mean 
time  they  were  amusing  them  with  Speeches  from  the  Lips  only 
untill  the  Spring  approached:  This  had  induced  some  of  our 
Chiefs  to  stay  behind  the  rest  to  collect  all  the  Six  Nation  Indians, 
Muncies  and  others  settled  hereabouts  together,  in  order  to  carry 
them  off,  and  settle  them  at  our  Towns  amongst  us ;  and  they  have 
already  agreed  to  go  with  us,  and  pay  no  Regard  to  any  Mes- 
sages that  may  come  to  remove  them  towards  the  Six  Nation 
Country;  You  will  be  convinced  in  a  Short  time,  That  what  I 
tell  you  is  Truth,  and  I  do  not  tell  it  to  you  thro'  any  View  of 
Interest,  but  that  you  may  know  what  is  to  happen;  Perhaps  I 
may  never  see  you  again,  if  I  shou'd  return  to  my  own  Country 
as  I  intend;  but  shou'd  I  be  detained  here  longer  than  I  propose; 
I  will  make  it  my  Business  to  come  again  and  inform  you  with 
what  I  can  hear,  Tho'  at  the  same  time  I  am  convinced  that  if  it 
shou'd  come  to  the  Knowlege  of  my  people,  that  I  gave  you  this 
Information,  it  wou'd  endanger  my  Life  —  I  must  likewise  in- 
form you  That  I  am  well  acquainted  with  the  Policy  of  all  the 
Southern  Indians  and  I  can  assure  you  That  their  Designs  are 
exactly  the  same  against  the  English  &  that  whenever  they  come 
to  a  Meeting  in  this  Country,  as  soon  as  their  own  Differences 
are  made  up,  That  they  will  not  hesitate  to  strike  the  English,  for 
they  make  nearly  the  same  Complaint  against  them,  that  is 
usurping  their  Country  and  driving  them  from  their  old  Hunting 
Grounds  has  exposed  many  of  their  people  to  loose  their  Lives  by 
their  Enemy  Indians.  — 


4  End  of  extract  printed  in  Ibid. 


1090  Sir  William  Johnson  Papers 

Brother.  — 

Lett  the  Chiefs  of  all  Nations  make  whatever  Professions  of 
Friendship  they  will  to  the  English,  it  is  from  their  Lips  only, 
and  not  from  their  Hearts;  for  they  do  not  mean  to  promote  any 
other  Interest  than  what  I  have  now  told  you,  For  the  Great 
God  who  made  us  all  gave  them  this  Country,  so  that  it  is  natural 
for  them  to  endeavour  to  take  Care  of  it.  — 

April  1 7*.  1 774.  — 

The  Remainder  of  the  Shawanese  Chiefs  left  this  to  return 
home.  The  same  day  an  acco".  was  brought  in,  That  a  Trader's 
Cannoe  was  fired  upon  the  Day  before  near  Little  Beaver  Creek 
about  fourty  miles  from  hence  down  the  River  on  their  way  to 
Scioto,  one  of  their  Men  killed  and  another  wounded  who  had 
made  his  Escape  &  brought  in  this  Intelligence,  with  adding  That 
he  knew  the  Indians  who  had  fired  upon  him  to  [be  three] 
Cherokee  Men  and  a  Woman  whom  he  had  seen  before  he  left 
Pittsburg.  —  The  same  Evening  a  Party  of  Militia  was  dis- 
patched after  the  Murderers  —  and  Keyashuta  being  just  re- 
turned from  Sir  William  Johnson's  sent  a  Message  to  a  small 
Village  of  Six  Nation  Indians  living  below  Logs  Town  to  ac- 
company the  Militia  in  pursuit  of  those  Cherokees.  — 

April  21st.— 

The  Party  of  Militia  return'd  without  Success  having  only 
found  the  Cannoe  with  some  Liquors  remaining  in  her  below 
the  Two  Creeks  — 

April  24th.  — 

Was  informed  that  the  Six  Nations  living  below  Logs-Town 
had  left  their  Village  and  accompanied  the  Chiefs  of  the  Shaw- 
anese down  to  Muskingam.  — 

April  25th.  — 

Delivered  the  following  Speech  directed  to  the  Shawanese  and 
Mingoes  inhabiting  Muskingam  &  Scioto  — 

Brethren 

As  there  is  the  greatest  reason  to  imagine  That  three  Cherokee 
Men  and  a  Woman  who  committed  the  late  Murder  and  Robbery 


Land  Development,  1769-74  1091 

upon  one  of  our  Trader's  Cannoes,  are  gone  towards  your  Town 
with  the  Plunder,  and  as  we  cannot  suppose  that  you  wou'd  be 
either  privy  to  or  countenance  such  a  flagrant  Breach  of  Friend- 
ship; We  therefore  desire  you  to  be  strong  shou'd  they  come  to 
your  Towns  and  send  them  back  to  be  delivered  up  to  Justice; 
This  proof  of  your  Sincerity  is  as  little  as  we  can  expect  from  you ; 
As  those  Cherokees  came  to  see  you,  and  it  was  by  this  means  they 
came  to  this  place,  It  behoves  you  in  a  most  particular  manner  to 
have  those  Murderers  taken;  not  only  from  your  Promises  of 
doing  everything  to  preserve  the  Chain  of  Friendship  and  a  regard 
to  Justice;  But  if  you  consider  well,  this  Outrage  is  committed 
against  yourselves,  for  those  Traders  were  going  to  your  Towns 
to  furnish  you  with  Necessaries;  Besides  this,  You  must  be 
looked  upon  in  some  degree  accountable  for  the  Behaviour  of 
those  Cherokees,  as  it  was  you  brought  them  this  way,  and  they 
have  resided  some  time  amongst  you,  Therefore  they  ought  to 
have  been  better  advised ;  for  some  of  your  own  people  who  were 
innocent  might  have  suffered  for  this  Crime;  These,  Brethren,  are 
Arguments  sufficient  to  induce  you  to  think  That  it  is  your  Duty  to 
apprehend  the  Perpetrators  thereof,  Even  if  it  had  not  been  re- 
quired of  you.  — 

A  Large  Bunch  of  white  Wampum 

Keyashuta   arrived   &   repeated   to   me   the    Heads   of   several 

Speeches  he  was  charged  with  from  Sir  William  Johnson  for 

restoring  good  ordr.   to  the  Southwd.   &  brings,   the  refractory 

Tribes  to  reason,  [which  were  as  follows.]  — 

Brother  Keyashuta 

I  return  you  my  Thanks  for  the  Fidelity  you  have  shewn  in 

delivering  the  several  Speeches  you  were  charged  with  from  the 

Ohio,  as  I  find  them  exactly  correspond  with  my  Letters  by  way 

of  Detroit.  —  I  now  take  you  by  the  Hand  and  desire  you  to 

be  strong  in  continuing  to  do  good  as  you  have  done,  as  I  shall 

now  have  more  Speeches  of  Consequence  to  intrust  you  with.  — 

A  Belt  of  Black  Wampum  — 
Brethren  The  Hurons.  — 

As  soon  as  your  former  Fathers  the  French  were  re-moved  from 

Detroit  There  was  a  great  Council  Fire  kindled  at  that  place, 


1092  Sir  William  Johnson  Papers 

which  was  at  that  time  put  under  your  Care.  But  I  am  sorry  to 
tell  you,  That  I  can  observe  at  this  Distance  that  you  have  almost 
lett  it  extinguish.  I  therefore  now  desire  you  to  be  strong  and 
renew  it,  and  to  be  so  industrious  about  it,  that  the  Smoke  of  it 
may  be  seen  by  your  Nieghbouring  Nations  who  shou'd  always 
come  to  it  to  brighten  their  Friendship,  as  this  is  the  way  to  pre- 
serve it  from  decaying  between  all  Nations.  — 

A  Belt. 
Brethren  the  Hurons  — 

I  now  return  you  my  Thanks  for  the  Care  you  have  taken  to 
deliver  my  Messages  to  the  Wabash  Confederacy  last  Year,  as 
well  as  in  forwarding  their  answer  back,  and  I  now  take  you  by 
the  Hand  by  this  Belt  of  Wampum,  and  lead  you  to  the  Council 
Fire  at  my  House,  and  I  must  desire  you  to  bring  the  Twightwee 
Confederacy  with  you,  That  I  may  see  them  and  speak  with  them 
myself,  as  I  have  things  of  great  Consequence  to  say  to  you  & 
them  both.  I  will  expect  to  see  you  here  by  the  Time  the  Corn 
is  between  three  &  four  feet  high.  —  Be  strong  and  expeditious 
in  coming,  and  not  think  the  time  I  have  limited  too  short  — 
Consider  that  it  is  our  Well  fare  we  are  going  to  talk  about.  — 

A  Belt. 
Brethren  The  Hurons.  — 

With  respect  to  the  person  you  want  appointed  to  speak  to 
you  at  Detroit,  I  have  to  inform  you  That  there  is  one  there 
already  and  I  wou'd  desire  you  to  be  strong  &  listen  to  him,  as 
well  as  to  apply  to  him  to  transact  any  public  Business  you  have 
to  do,  and  I  have  directed  him  to  be  attentive  to  what  you  say  to 
him,  and  constantly  to  send  to  me  in  Writing  what  you  have  to 
inform  me,  as  this  is  a  more  expeditious  way  than  sending 
Runners  — 

A  Belt 
Brethren  the  Hurons  — 

I  now  tell  you  to  be  strong  and  speak  to  the  Wabash  Con- 
federacy. Give  them  your  best  Advice  and  lett  me  hear  always 
from  you  what  they  say  —  This  is  the  right  way  to  preserve 
peace  and  good  Order  —  Brethren,  I  have  been  informed  that 


Land  Development,  1769-74  1093 

some  bad  Birds  whistle  Evil  Things  into  one  of  your  Ears,  I  now 
shut  up  the  Ear  next  to  those  ill  disposed  Birds,  That  what  they 
sing  may  have  no  more  Effect  upon  you,  and  I  open  wide  your 
Other  Ear  That  you  may  listen  to  me  when  I  desire  you  to  pro- 
mote what  is  good  between  us  and  all  the  Western  Nations  in  our 
Friendship.  — 

A  Belt 

Brethren  The  Six  Nations.  — 

You  have  been  labouring  for  some  Years  past  to  collect  your 
scatter'd  people  upon  the  Ohio  together,  but  to  no  purpose;  I 
see  the  Cause  why  you  have  not  succeeded,  &  you  yourselves 
cannot  be  ignorant  of  it.  It  is  owing  to  the  bad  advice  of  those 
people  they  are  settled  amongst,  who  it  seems  have  keep'd  them 
with  no  other  View  than  to  lay  whatever  Mischief  happens  upon 
them  —  The  Shawanese  Message  is  a  sufficient  proof  of  the 
Truth  of  this,  who  have  complain'd  against  them  and  desired 
That  they  might  be  taken  away,  Notwithstanding  it  was  them 
who  took  them  from  you;  but  the  Design  is  plain.  Therefore, 
Brethren,  Be  strong  &  bring  them  nearer  to  you.  I  do  not  point 
out  to  you  any  particular  place  to  settle  them,  but  I  desire  you 
to  bring  them  away  from  those  bad  people  they  are  now  amongst, 
for  Nothing  but  Broils  &  Disturbances  will  be  the  Consequence 
of  their  Residence  there  — 

A  Belt 
Brethren  The  Six  Nations 

I  Desire  you  to  pay  the  greatest  Attention  to  what  I  am  now 
going  to  say  to  you,  as  I  will  now  tell  you  a  little  of  my  mind, 
and  in  return,  when  you  have  considered  well  what  I  say  to  you,  I 
shall  expect  your  Sentiments  freely  and  fully  upon  it.  —  Brethren, 
We  have  been  speaking  for  many  Years  past  to  the  Shawanese, 
and  you  see  they  take  but  little  Notice,  and  shew  no  Inclination  at 
all  to  do  what  is  good  —  You  have  been  yourselves  frequently 
Witnesses  of  their  extraordinary  Behaviour  when  We  have  been 
endeavouring  to  promote  the  Peace  and  Tranquility  of  all 
Nations;  Therefore  consider  what  is  to  be  done  with  them,  and 
tell  the  Hurons,  That  I  desire  them  also  to  think  seriously  of  this 


1094  Sir  William  Johnson  Papers 

matter,  and  that  I  expect  that  they  will  bring  me  the  Oppinion  of 
the  Wabash  Confederacy  upon  it,  as  well  as  all  other  nations  in- 
habiting the  Lakes,  and  by  the  time  that  the  Corn  is  in  blossom, 
I  will  expect  to  see  all  those  Nations  at  the  Council  Fire  here  and 
then  have  their  full  Determination  with  Respect  to  the  Conduct 
of  the  Shawanese.  — 

A  Belt 
April  25*  1 774  — 

Keyashuta  address'd  Captain  Connolly5  Commandant  of  the 
Militia  at  Pittsburg  with  the  following  Speech.  — 

Brother 

As  I  understand  you  have  an  Appointment  to  command  in  this 
Country,  I  therefore  take  this  Oppertunity  of  informing  you  That 
at  this  Time  it  will  be  very  detrimental  to  the  Public  Interest  to 
suffer  Spirituous  Liquors  to  be  sold  or  carried  into  the  Indian 
Towns,  for  I  am  sorry  to  observe  that  there  appears  at  present  a 
great  deal  of  Confusion  and  Discontent  amongst  many  of  the 
Indian  Tribes,  and  the  Addition  of  Rum  will  serve  greatly  to  in- 
crease their  dissorderly  Conduct.  — 

I  spoke  to  the  Traders  last  Fall  upon  this  Subject  and  desired 
they  wou'd  then  desist  for  their  own  Sakes  as  well  as  our's  from 
taking  such  Quantities  of  Rum  with  them  a  Trading,  but  I 
received  no  Answer  from  them,  and  it  seems  since  they  pay  no 
Regard  to  what  I  recommend  to  them,  but  have  continued  this 
pernicious  Practice  —  This  is  the  Reason,  I  wou'd  therefore 
Request  You  to  use  your  Influence  in  preventing  them  untill 
Things  appear  more  settled  — 

A  String  of  Wampum  — 
April  26*.  1 774.  — 

Some  Cayuga  Families  came  here  from  Susquehannah  to  settle, 
and  informed  me  they  wou'd  plant  this  Year  at  the  Mouth  of 
Big  Beaver  Creek,  and  requested  a  little  Amunition  to  hunt  for 
their  People  — 


5  Captain  John  Connolly.  This  brief  speech  is  extracted  and  printed  in 
Doc.  Rel.  Col.  Hist.  ofN.  Y.,  8:462. 


Land  Development,  1769-74  1095 

April  27*  — 

I  received  Information  That  Eighteen  Cannoes  of  the  Six 
Nation  Indians  and  others  who  lived  near  Logs  Town  and  big 
Beaver  Creek,  had  pass'd  little  Beaver  Creek  the  23d.  Ins1,  on 
their  way  to  Muskingam.  — 

May  1st.6  The  follows.  Alarming  Intelligence  arrived  at  Fort  Pitt. 

One  Stephens,  who  had  proceeded  in  the  Trader's  Cannoe 
who  was  attack'd  the  16th.  by  the  Cherokees,  in  order  to  have 
carried  her  to  the  Scioto,  return'd  to  this  place  with  the  following 
accolt.  —  That  on  the  26th.  Instant  upon  his  way  down  the  River, 
and  near  Whealing,  He  observed  a  Cannoe  coming  up  the  River, 
which  suspecting  to  be  Indians,  made  to  the  opposite  Side  to 
avoid  them,  but  upon  his  Approach  near  the  Shore  was  fired 
upon,  and  a  Shawanese  Indian  in  the  Cannoe  with  him  was  killed ; 
Upon  a  second  Fire  from  the  Shore  a  Delaware  Indian  who  was 
also  in  the  Cannoe  was  likewise  killed  —  The  said  Stephens  says 
further,  That  he  cou'd  not  perceive  who  it  was  fired  upon  him,  as 
they  lay  concealed  in  the  Weeds,  and  he  having  thrown  himself 
into  the  River  observed  the  Cannoe  That  was  coming  up  to  be 
white  people,  upon  which  he  made  towards  them  and  found  it  to 
be  one  Michael  Crissop7  with  a  party  of  Men  who  denied 
knowing  anything  of  what  had  happined  to  them ;  Although  upon 
Circumstances  He  the  said  Stephens  is  well  Convinced  That  the 
above  Murder  was  done  by  some  of  said  Crissop's  Associates  — 
Stephens  likewise  informed  me  that  whilst  he  was  in  Company 
with  said  Crissop,  He  heard  him  make  use  of  Threatening 
Language  against  the  Indians,  saying,  That  he  wou'd  put  every 
Indian  he  mett  with  on  the  River  to  Death,  and  that  if  he  cou'd 
raise  Men  sufficient  to  cross  the  River,  he  wou'd  attack  a  small 
Village  of  Indians  living  on  yellow  Creek.  — 

The  same  Evening  one  Major  Mc. Daniel  of  Virginia,  who  had 
been  down  the  River  as  low  as  little  Kannaway,  returned  to  this 


6  Extracts  of  these  entries  through  May  3,  are  printed  in  Doc.  Rel.  Col. 
HisUN.  Y.,  8:462-65. 

7  Captain  Michael  Cresap. 


1096  Sir  William  Johnson  Papers 

place  with  an  Acco".  That  a  Skirmish  had  happin'd  between  a 
party  of  the  Virginnians  and  the  Indians  near  the  big  Kannaway, 
That  a  Number  was  killed  on  both  Sides  which  had  occasioned 
the  Surveyors  and  Land  Hunters  from  that  Colony  to  return. 
And  that  on  his  way  hither  the  27th.  Instant  He  was  at  Michael 
Crissop's  House  at  or  near  Whealing,  when  an  accotl.  was  brought 
to  said  Crissop  by  One  Mc.Mahon,  That  five  Indian  Cannoes 
had  stopp'd  at  his  House,  on  their  way  down  the  River,  contain- 
ing fourteen  Indians,  who  asked  him  the  said  Mc.Mahon  for 
some  Provisions  which  he  refused  to  give  them,  and  told  them 
That  Two  of  their  Brethren  had  been  killed  by  the  White  People 
the  Day  before;  The  Indians  reply'd,  That  if  it  was  so  They 
knew  nothing  of  it,  and  then  proceeded  down  the  River.  Upon 
this  Information  The  sd.  Crissop  collected  fifteen  Men,  pursued 
them,  &  overtook  them  near  Grave  Creek  where  they  had  stopped 
and  drawn  up  their  Cannoes  in  the  Mouth  of  a  Creek  That  was 
hardly  perceivable  on  accolt.  of  the  Bushes  where  they  had 
prepared  themselves  to  receive  the  white  people,  suspecting  that 
they  wou'd  be  followed  after  what  Mc.Mahon  had  told  them,  and 
That  upon  the  said  Crissop's  observing  the  Indians,  He  fired  upon 
them,  upon  which  a  Skirmish  ensued  between  them.  But  the 
Indians  retured  after  loosing  one  Man,  and  One  Man  was  killd 

also  on  the  White  peoples  side Crissop  and  his  party  found 

Sixteen  Keggs  of  Rum,  Two  Saddles  &  some  Bridles  in  the  De- 
serted Indian  Cannoes  — 

Upon  receiving  the  above  Intelligence,  I  dispatched  Messages 
to  the  Chiefs  of  the  Indians  who  are  nearest  at  hand  to  attend  here 
as  soon  as  possible,  and  made  Application  to  the  Officer  Com- 
manding the  Militia  to  dispatch  Expresses  to  the  said  Crissop,  to 
know  from  what  provocation  he  acted  towards  the  Indians  in  this 
manner,  and  to  desist  from  any  further  Hostilities  till  matters 
cou'd  be  inquired  into  and  settled  if  possible.  — 

May  2<  1 774  — 

Parties  of  Militia  were  imployed  in  bringing  in  the  Inhabitants 
to  this  place,  in  order  to  sett  about  fortifying,  but  instead  of  going 


Land  Development,  1769-74  1097 

upon   this   Service,   most   of   them   [proceeded]   fled   down   the 
Country  to  avoid  the  resentm*.  of  the  Indns. 

May  3d.  — 

Information  received  from  Cap1.  Crawford8  and  one  Mr. 
Nevill9  from  Virginia,  That  on  their  way  to  this  place;  they 
mett  a  Number  of  the  Inhabitants  settled  below  this  moving  off, 
among  whom  was  a  Party  who  presented  several  Indian  Scalps, 
and  related  their  having  taken  them  in  the  following  manner  — 
That  a  Number  of  Indians  having  incamped  at  the  Mouth  of 
Yellow  Creek,  They,  with  one  Grithouse  had  collected  themselves 
at  the  House  of  One  Baker  opposite  to  the  said  Indian  Camp,  and 
decoyed  Two  Indian  Men  and  Two  Women  over  to  their  side 
of  the  River  to  drink  with  them,  who  upon  finding  them  intoxi- 
cated, fell  upon  them  and  knock'd  them  in  the  Head  &  scalp'd 
them;  That  soon  after  Two  other  Indians  came  over  to  see  what 
had  detaind  their  Friends,  and  were  served  in  the  same  manner, 
after  this  The  Indians  appear'd  uneasy  and  six  of  their  Men  were 
coming  across  the  River  to  see  after  their  people,  who  approach- 
ing near  the  Shoar  observed  them  the  said  White  People,  where 
they  were  laying  in  ambush  for  them,  and  attempting  to  return  to 
their  Camp,  were  fired  upon,  and  two  of  them  killed,  who  dropp'd 
into  the  River,  and  two  others  they  observed  fall  dead  into  the 
Cannoe,  and  the  Fifth,  upon  their  Landing,  they  cou'd  discern 
to  be  very  badly  wounded,  so  that  he  cou'd  scarce  gett  up  the 
Bank  —  And  That  They  heard  the  Women  and  Children  at 
the  Camp  raise  a  very  melancholy  Cry.  Amongst  those  who  were 
killed  was  an  Indian  Woman  the  Wife  of  one  of  our  Traders, 
who  had  a  young  Child  upon  her  back,  which  she  had  bore  to 
him,  and  after  some  Altercation  between  those  Murderers  whether 
they  shou'd  put  the  Child  to  Death,  They  agreed  to  take  [it] 
along  with  them  —  The  said  Mr.  Nevill  asked  the  person  (in 
whose  Custody  the  Child  was)  if  he  was  not  near  enough  to  have 
taken  it's  Mother  Prisoner  without  putting  her  to  Death  in  that 


8  Colonel  William  Crawford. 

9  General  John  Neville. 


1098  Sir  William  Johnson  Papers 

inhuman  manner?  He  answered,  That  he  was  about  Six  feet 
Distance,  and  that  he  had  just  shott  her  in  the  Forehead,  and  cut 
the  Strap  by  which  the  Child's  Cradle  hung  at  her  back,  and 
that  he  intended  to  have  dash'd  it's  brains  out,  but  that  he  was 
struck  with  some  Remorse  on  seeing  the  Child  fall  with  it's 
Mother  —  That  one  of  his  Companions  recommended  their  take- 
ing  it  along  with  them,  That  they  might  have  an  oppertunity  of 
sending  it  to  it's  Father  to  take  Care  of  —  And  that  after  They 
had  perpetrated  This  barbarous  Murder,  They  made  off  with 
their  Families  —  Also  They  further  said,  That  by  this  Time  the 
whole  Country  was  deserted,  as  Michael  Crissop  who  committed 
the  first  Mischief  was  likewise  then  on  his  way  to  Redstone.  — 

[May]  3<  1  774  — 

I  called  a  Meeting  with  Keyashuta,  the  White  Mingo,  &  some 
other  Six  Nation  Chiefs  at  Col1.  Croghan's  House,  where  was 
present  the  Commanding  Officer  of  the  Militia  &  several  other 
Gentlemen,  When  I  informed  them  of  the  Melancholly  Murders 
of  their  people  as  before  mentioned,  which  they  had  not  before 
heard,  and  assured  them  at  the  same  time  of  it's  being  done  by  a 
few  rash  inconsiderate  White  People  and  not  by  the  Intention  or 
Knowlege  of  any  of  our  Wise  People  —  That  I  made  no  Doubt 
but  the  Governor  of  Virginia,  when  he  Was  made  acquainted 
with  the  unhappy  Loss  they  had  sustain'd  by  his  people,  Every 
measure  wou'd  be  fallen  upon  by  him  to  make  them  ample  Satis- 
faction as  it  was  not  done  by  the  Intention  of  Government. 
That  in  the  mean  time  I  enjoyn'd  them  to  afford  all  the  Assist- 
ance in  their  Power  in  accomodating  the  unfortunate  Breach  of 
Friendship,  That  had  happen'd  between  our  People  and  them,  as 
a  General  Difference  wu'd  not  be  attended  with  anything  but  the 

utmost  Distress  on  both  sides  — 

A  Large  String  of  Wampum 

They  Returned  for  Answer 

That  they  had  considered  what  we  had  said  to  them,  and  as  the 

Chiefs  of  the  Delawares  were  expected  in  tonight  or  Tomorrow, 

They  wou'd  consult  with  them  and  know  what  Reply  to  make 

—  That  We  might  be  assured,  They  wou'd  do  every  thing  in 


Land  Development,  1769-74  1099 

their  power  to  keep  Things  quiet,  which  they  made  no  doubt  might 
be  done  from  the  General  Disposition  of  their  own  people,  pro- 
vided we  wou'd  be  strong  on  our  parts  in  preventing  our  rash 
people  from  commencing  any  further  Outrages  against  the 
Indians.  — 

May  4*.  1  774  — 

Received  the  following  Letter  from  Col°.  Croghan  — 

May  4*.  1774 
Gentlemen 

Keyashuta  stay'd  with  me  an  hour  Yesterday  Evening,  and 
told  me,  That  the  Determination  of  the  Six  Nations  was  to  take 
no  part  with  the  Shawanese,  and  he  was  sure  the  Delawares  were 
so  likewise;  That  they  wou'd  joyn  us  in  sending  one  Message 
to  the  Shawanese,  That  if  they  wou'd  not  listen  to  Reason  they 
ought  to  be  chastized ;  He  says,  for  their  parts  &  the  Delawares, 
They  have  been  for  some  time  past  determin'd  never  to  quarrell 
with  their  Brethren  the  English,  and  that  he  is  sure  they  will  live 
&  die  with  us  —  He  thinks  the  Governor  of  Virginia  shou'd  build 
a  Fort  at  the  Mouth  of  the  Kannaway  to  keep  them  in  Awe  and 
prevent  them  makeing  Inroads  amongst  the  Inhabitants,  And  that 
The  People  shou'd  put  in  their  Crops,  and  be  guarded  by  some  of 
the  Militia  'till  we  see  what  part  the  Shawanese  will  act;  He  is 
sure  no  other  Nations  will  joyn  them,  as  he  is  certain  all  other 
Nations  are  displeased  with  the  Shawanese  Conduct  these  Twelve 
Months  past.  He  says  likewise,  That  if  the  Shawanese  come  up 
this  way  to  do  any  Mischief,  That  they  and  the  Delawares,  he  is 
sure  will  resent  it;  This  he  desires  may  be  made  known  to  all  his 
Brethren  the  English  upon  the  River  to  Redstone  &  Every  where, 
and  desires  That  none  of  the  people  may  fly  or  be  afraid,  as  the 
Shawanese  by  themselves  can't  do  much  Mischief  —  I  am 
Gentlemen 

Your  humble  Servant 

Geo:  Croghan 
To  Cap1.  John  Connolly  & 
Alexr.  McKee  Esqr. 


1 1 00  Sir   William  Johnson  Papers 

May  4th.  1  774  Continued 

This  afternoon  Simon  Girty  who  was  sent  for  the  Dela wares 
Chiefs,  return'd  with  Cap1.  White  Eyes,  Cap1.  Pipe,  Sam. 
Compass  &  some  others,  who  went  up  to  Col°.  Croghan's  where 
the  Six  Nation  Chiefs  had  appointed  to  meet  them.  — 

May  5th.10  — 

This  Day  had  a  Meeting  before  a  number  of  the  principal 
Inhabitants  of  Pittsburg,  with  several  Chiefs  of  the  Six  Nations 
and  Delawares,  when  I  condoled  with  them  for  the  Losses  they 
have  sustained  by  the  Barbarity  of  some  rash  People  from 
Virginia,  covering  the  Bones  of  their  deceas'd  Friends  with  some 
Goods  suitable  to  the  Occasion  and  agreeable  to  their  Custom  — 

I  Delivered  them  some  Messages  also  agreeable  to  the  present 
Circumstances,  to  be  conveyed  to  their  People  at  their  several 
Towns  with  the  utmost  Dispatch,  Desiring  some  of  them  who  had 
influence  to  exert  themselves  upon  this  Business,  as  the  present 
Emergincie  required  the  Answer  of  those  of  their  other  Friends 
who  had  likewise  suffered  by  the  late  unhappy  Outrages,  I  hope 
they  woud  not  delay  making  us  acquainted  as  soon  as  possible 
with  the[ir]  Sentiments  upon  this  unfortunate  Affair,  and  in  order 
to  convince  those  People  to  whom  they  were  to  be  delivered,  of 
our  Sincerity,  And  That  We  did  not  countenance  these  Mis- 
demeanors Two  of  our  People  woud  accompany  them  in  the 
Execution  of  this  good  Service  — 

INDORSED:11 

[Extracts  from  Mr.  Mc.Kee's 
Journal  from  the  7th.  of  October 
1 773  to  the  5*.  of  May  1 774  — 
recd.   <P   Express  — 
1st.  Journal 


10  Entry  of  this  date  printed  in  Doc.  Rel.  Col.  Hist.  N.  Y.,  8:465.  It 
is  followed  by  the  answer  of  the  Shawnees  to  Capt.  Connolly,  May  2 1 , 
and  report  of  May  26,  when  Capt.  Arthur  St.  Clair  spoke  to  the  Six 
Nations. 

11  In  Sir  William's  hand. 


Land  Development,  1769-74  1101 

TO  JELLES  FONDA 

A.D.S.1 

May  13*.  1774 
Sir 

please  to  let  the  Bearer  Ganughsadega  an  Onondaga  Indian, 
have  the  Birch  Canoe  of  mine  which  an  Indian  left  there  last 
Fall,  He  is  to  bring  it  back  again 


To  Jeles  Fonda  Esqr. 


I  am      Yrs. 
W,  Johnson 


1  In  Guy  Park,  Amsterdam,  N.  Y. 


TO  THOMAS  GAGE 

A.L.S.1 

Johnson  Hall  June  9*  1774 
Dear  Sir  — 

I  have  lately  had  the  pleasure  of  hearing  of  your  safe  arrival 
at  Boston,  and  of  your  Appointment  to  the  Government  of  that 
province,  believe  me  my  Dear  Sir,  that  it  affords  me  infinite  Satis- 
faction to  find  that  You  are  once  more  on  this  Continent,  on  which 
occasion  I  sincerely  congratulate  You,  and  altho  it  may  be  con- 
jectured that  You  have  entered  upon  a  verry  troublesome  Office 
at  this  time,  yet  I  have  no  doubt  that  'thro  your  Abilities  Discretion 
and  Firmness,  You  will  prove  the  Instrument  of  restoring  Peace 
and  good  order,  where  it  is  so  much  wanted  — 

In  April  last  I  did  my  self  the  honor  of  writing  You  a  long 
letter  to  London,2  which  cheifly  regarded  a  measure  relative  to 
the  Indian  Department,  which  I  have  strongly  recommended  to 
the  attention  of  the  Secretary  of  State,  on  which  I  likewise 
Sollicitted  your  Concurrence,  but  as  it  did  not  probably  come  to 


1  In  William  L.  Clements  Library. 

2  April  20,  1  774,  Johnson  Papers,  8:11 28-30. 


1 1 02  Sir   William  Johnson  Papers 

your  hands,  and  as  I  am  sensible  that  You  must  be  sufficiently 
engaged  in  other  matters  at  present,  I  shall  deferr  sending  You  a 
Copy  'till  another  opertunity,  for  the  Same  reason  I  shall  not  now 
give  You  the  trouble  of  reading  the  particulars  on  which  I  have 
corresponded  with  Genr1.  Haldimand  touching  the  Senecas  who 
are  now  in  Confinement  for  a  Murder  committed  last  Summer  on 
Some  french  Men  on  Lake  Ontario,3  but  shall  mention  at  present 
what  I  have  to  say  in  addition  to  him,4  as  he  is  fully  acquainted 
with  the  Affair,  tho  not  with  the  particulars  that  have  occurred 
amongst  the  Indians  since  the  late  lawless  &  cruel  conduct  of  some 
Virginians,  However  I  shall  on  hearing  from  You  continue  my 
Correspondence  occasionally  with  that  cordial  Satisfaction  which 
it  always  afforded  me,  as  I  am  with  true  Esteem 

Dear  Sir, 

Your  most  Obedient, 
&  faithfull,  Humble 
Servant 

W,  Johnson 
His  Excellency 
The  Honble. 
LT.  General  Gage  — 


INDORSED 


Indian  Dep 
.  Wm.  Johnson 
June  9th.  1  774. 

Recd.  June  24th. 

Answd.  — 


3  Johnson  to  Haldimand,  May  5,   1774,  Johnson  Papers,  8:1  149-50. 

4  June  9,  1  774,  Johnson  Papers,  8:11 64-65. 


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Land  Development,  1769-74  1107 

TO  DANIEL  CLAUS 

Sunday  Evening  26  June  1 774. 
Dear  Claus  — 

I  take  this  opertunity  by  my  Boy  Ury  (who  I  am  sending  to 
Albany  for  Wampum  &  a  Brass  or  Gilt  Gorget)  of  acquaint- 
ing You  that  the  Indians  are  not  as  yet  arrived,  Opatvidoa  a 
Chenussio  Cheif  with  half  a  Dozen  of  his  Warriors  arrived 
yesterday,  &  Says  he  parted  with  those  who  come  by  Water  6 
days  ago  at  Cayuga  Lake,  and  that  those  who  are  coming  by 
land  he  expects  this  Night.  —  So  that  I  reckon  they  will  all  be 
here  a  Tuesday,  or  Wednesday  at  the  farthest.  You  will  please 
to  acquaint  Yr.  Brother  Guy2  of  this,  &  tell  him  [I]  shall  be  glad 
to  See  him  here  a  Wednsday.  —  I  have  a  friendly  letter  from 
Genr1.  Gage,  who  desires  to  be  kindly  remembered  to  You  all.  — 

If  You  have  any  Belts  of  Wampum  I  shall  want  them  much, 
especially  black  ones,  as  I  have  none  but  what  came  from  the 
Indians,  &  would  be  known  by  them  wh.  would  not  look  so 
well.  — 

Remember  affects,  to  Nancy3 

&ca.  &  believe  yrs.  as  ever 

W,  Johnson 
Daniel  Claus  — 


1  In  Canadian  Archives,  Claus  Papers,  Vol.  1  4. 

2  Guy  Johnson  and  Daniel  Claus  married  sisters  who  were  daughters  of 
Sir  William  Johnson. 

3  Ann  (Nancy)   Claus,  daughter  of  Sir  William  Johnson,  and  wife  of 
Daniel  Claus. 


1 1 08  Sir  William  Johnson  Papers 

FROM  THOMAS  GAGE 

Contemporary  Copy1 

Salem  June  26*.  1774  — 
Dear  Sir, 

I  have  received  yours  of  the  9th.  Ins1.,2  and  by  the  same  Oppor- 
tunity a  Letter  from  Gen1.  Haldimand  inclosing  your  Correspond- 
ence with  him  on  the  Subject  of  some  Senecas  now  in  Confine- 
ment. From  your  Representation  of  those  Matters,  I  think  it  best, 
considering  our  present  Situation  in  Indian  Affairs,  to  release  them 
out  of  Prison ;  and  I  wish  General  Haldimand  had  communicated 
his  Sentiments  to  you  immediately  on  this  Head,  without  losing  so 
much  Time  by  referring  the  Affair  to  me;  for  he  judges  it  right 
also  to  acquiesce  in  your  Demand. 

As  I  left  London  the  12th.  of  April,  the  Letter  you  mention 
to  have  wrote  in  that  Month,  will  probably  be  returned  from 
England  by  the  June  Packet. 

You  judge  very  right  of  my  Situation,  which  requires  all  the 
Virtues  you  mention,  and  I  fear  more  Abilities  than  I  possess, 
but  I  will  try  to  do  my  best,  and  at  least  will  keep  free  of  Riots 
&  Mobs. 

I  am  with  great  Truth  &  Regard 
Dear  Sir, 
SR.  William  Johnson  B*.  —  &ca  &ca 

indorsed : 

Copy     ./. 
To 
Sir  William  Johnson  Bl. 
his  Majs.  sole  Agent,  and 
Superlntendant  of  the  Affairs 
of  the  Northern  Indians. 
Johnson  Hall. 
Salem  June  26*.  1 774. 


1  In  William  L.  Clements  Library. 

2  Ante  pp.  1101-02. 


Land  Development,   1769-74  1109 

FROM  THE  TUSCARORAS 

Copy1 

Cherry  Valley  27th  [21]  June,  1774? 
Brother  : 

We  beg  leave  to  address  you,  though,  by  our  conduct,  we 
have  made  ourselves  unworthy  of  your  notice,  living  in  the  neglect 
of  religion,  and  in  those  practices  that  are  entirely  contrary  thereto. 
But  God  in  his  mercy  has  opened  our  eyes  to  see,  in  some  measure, 
the  necessity  as  well  as  the  pleasures  of  a  religious  life ;  but  we  are 
destitute  of  those  things  which  are  necessary  in  order  to  make 
progress  in  religion.  Therefore  we  lay  our  case  before  you, 
begging  that  you  would  consider  us.  Our  brethren,  the  Oneidas, 
just  by  us  have  the  word  of  God  printed.  We  think  it  would  be 
serviceable  to  us  and  greatly  assist  us  in  acquiring  that  knowledge 
which  is  so  necessary  for  all.  If  you  can  help  us  in  this  case,  we 
shall  look  upon  it  [as]  a  great  favor.  Some  also  have  a  desire  to 
learn  to  write,  but  have  not  paper  or  ink.  Perhaps  our  brother 
out  of  pity  to  us  will  help  us  with  paper,  ink,  holders  and  powder, 
[sand?]  We  only  acquaint  him  with  our  circumstances  and  leave 
it  before  him ;  whatever  he  shall  do,  we  will  acquiesce  in. 

Please  to  accept  our  compliments  and  wishes  for  your  health 
and  prosperity : 

From  your  Brethren  Tuscaroras. 
Seth 

in  the  name  of  the  rest. 


1  Printed  in  William  L.  Stone,  The  Life  and  Times  of  Sir  William  John- 
son, Bart.,  2:343.  Printed  in  mutilated  form  in  Johnson  Papers,  8:1  173- 
74. 

2  Dated  June  21,  1774,  in  original,  and  in  Johnson  Calendar,  p.  534. 


1110  Sir  William  Johnson  Papers 

TO  THE  TUSCARORAS 

Copy1 

[Undated]2 
Brethren  of  Onoghquaqy  : 

I  have  received  your  letter,  and  am  well  pleased  to  hear  your 
pious  resolutions,  and  the  sense  you  have  of  the  importance  of  a 
religious  life.  Indeed,  I  have  long  regarded  you  as  a  people 
who  knew  the  value  of  Christianity.  The  chiefs  at  Onoghquaqy, 
having  formerly  been  instructed  by  some  worthy  divines  of  the 
church  of  England,  afterwards  to  my  knowledge,  took  great  pains 
with  their  people,  teaching  them  to  pray  and  to  praise  their 
Creator  —  to  promote  which  I  have  given  them  many  books, 
sufficient  (I  apprehend)  for  your  purpose  at  present;  and  I  wish 
you  may  continue  to  pay  due  regard  to  them.  But  I  am  very 
sorry  to  find  that  for  some  time  past,  there  is  not  that  cordial 
affection  between  you  and  the  rest  of  your  village  that  ought  to 
subsist  between  brothers  and  fellow  Christians,  but  that  you  ap- 
pear to  be  separating  yourselves  from  the  Oneida  chiefs  who  are 
the  proper  heads  of  your  settlement,  and  whom  I  know  to  be  good 
men. 

Let  me  advise  you  to  consider  this  in  its  true  light ;  to  remember 
that  the  Oneidas,  the  proprietors  of  that  country,  gave  you  a 
settlement  then  out  of  kindness;  that  you  lived  happily  with 
them  whilst  you  regarded  their  civil  and  religious  instructions; 
and  that  you  ought  still  to  continue  to  do  so,  in  which  case  you 
may  be  assured  of  my  countenance. 

I  have  sent  you  a  little  paper  by  this  opportunity,  which  I  hope 
you  will  make  a  good  use  of;  and  above  all  things  that  you  will 
accord  with  your  older  brethren  in  the  practise  of  piety  and 
charity  one  to  another;  and  I  trust  that  you  will  profit  by  this 
wholsome  advice  from  your  friend  and  well  wisher. 
W.J. 

1  Printed  in  William  L.  Stone,  The  Life  and  Times  of  Sir  William  John- 
son, Bart.,  2:343-44.  Printed  in  mutilated  form  in  Johnson  Papers, 
8:1174-75. 

2  Written  on  the  back  of  the  foregoing  letter,  and  hence  listed  at  this  date 
in  the  Johnson  Calendar. 


Land  Development,   1769-74  1111 

TO  JOHN  DONELL 

/o/mson  //a//  /une  2<S»\  /774  — 

Sir  — 

Your  favor  of  the  12th.  Cur1.2  from  Cobus  Kill  came  to  hand 
a  few  days  ago,  and  afforded  me  pleasure  thereby  to  find,  You, 
Yr.  Family,  &  those  who  went  wlh.  You  were  all  well,  and  con- 
tented with  their  Scituation,  &  going  on  well.  I  wish  it  was  so 
with  the  others  who  went  to  Canada,  and  are  as  yet  unsettled  as 
I  understand,  wh.  must  be  a  great  loss  &  disapointment  even  to 
those  amongst  them  who  have  wherewithall  to  support  them,  but 
how  ruinous  must  it  be  to  the  poor,  who  have  nothing  to  purchase 
them  ye.  Common  necessaries  of  life?  —  Major  Fonda3  is  Just 
returned  from  Canada,  &  says  (as  I  am  told)  that  Some  of  them 
were  at  S'.  Johns,  squabbling  wth.  Co11.  Christie,4  &  He  with 
them,  How  it  will  end,  or  where  they  will  Sitt  down,  is  not  yet 
certain,  but  sure  I  am,  that  they  are  misspending  their  time  &  Sub- 
stance. —  The  Highland  Families  who  Settled  here  last  year, 
are  doing  verry  well,  &  so  will  I  hope  those  who  Settled  lately, 
they  are  about  40  Familys  in  all,  a  verry  heavy  burthen  on  me  I 
assure  You,  &  full  as  much  as  I  can  bear,  but  should  they  prove 
industrious,  &  get  forward,  it  would  heighten  my  happiness,  there 
being  nothing  upon  Earth  delights  me  more  than  to  see  the  rude 
woods  made  cultivable,  and  afford  Sustenance  to  the  poor  & 
distressed.  —  There  was  a  fine  prospect  of  a  plentifull  Harvest 
notwithstanding  the  late  Spring,  until  within  these  few  Days,  the 
Destructive  Worms  are  got  among  the  Grain  &  Grass  in  such 
plenty,  as  threatens  (without  ye.  Speedy  interposition  of  Provi- 
dence) a  Scarcity,  if  not  a  Famine,  they  are  ye.  same  kind  that 
ye.  Country  was  plauged  with  a  few  Years  ago.  —  All  here  are 
well,  and  desire  to  be  kindly  remembered  to  You,  particularly 


1  In  collection  of  H.  Gail  Davis,  South  Bend,  Indiana. 

2  Not  found. 

3  Jelles  Fonda. 

4  Colonel  Gabriel  Christie  of  the  60th  Regiment. 


1112  Sir  William  Johnson  Papers 

Mr.  Dease5  Daly,6  Chew,7  Adems8  &ca.  and  I  hope  You  will 
beleive  me  with  true  regard,  &  hearty  Wishes  for  Yr.  &  Familys 
Wellfare,  Sir, 

Real  Friend,  &  Humble  Servant 

W  Johnson 
Cpt.  John  Donell  — 

P.S.  I  shall  be  glad  to  know  what  Lot  or  Lots  the  3  Families 
who  went  with  You  have  taken  up,  least  I  might  by  mistake  sell 
them  to  others,  there  is  ye.  greatest  run  for  Land  that  ever  was 
known,  one  James  Strah-n  from  ye.  County  Down  bought  from 
me  this  Morning  Lot  N°.  5,  on  ye.  North  Side  of  ye.  River.  I 
shall  write  Cap'.  Mann9  to  advance  to  those  who  went  with  You, 
a  little  money  if  realy  wanted,  but  it  is  verry  difficult  &  uncertain 
to  get  letters  from  hence  in  any  reasonable  time.  — 


TO  DANIEL  CLAUS 

L.5.1 

3  July  J  774 

This  is  to  let  you  and  your  brother  Guy2  know  that  the  Indians 
are  most  assembled  and  expect  they  will  all  be  here  this  day 
or  to-morrow,  so  that  I  hope  to  open  the  Congress  to-morrow 
which  I  would  [not]  have  made  public,  as  it  would  draw  numbers 
here  which  would  only  add  to  the  trouble. 

Sir  John3  and  Mr.  Karney  probably  will  choose  to  take  a  ride 
here  with  you. 


5  Dr.  John  Dease,  Sir  William's  nephew  and  physician. 

6  Patrick  Daly,  who  lived  with  Sir  William. 

7  Joseph  Chew,  who  moved  his  family  to  Johnstown  in  1  772. 

8  Robert  Adems. 

9  George  Mann  of  Schoharie. 

1  In  Canadian  Archives,  Claus  Papers,  Vol.  1 . 

2  Guy  Johnson. 

3  Sir  John  Johnson. 


Land  Development,  1769-74  1113 

Time  will  not  allow  me  to  add  more  than  to  assure  you  that 

I  am 

W.  Johnson. 
Remember  me  affectionately  to  Nancy,4  etc.     Don't  forget  the 
belts. 


TO  THOMAS  GAGE 
A.L.S.1 

Johnson  Hall  July  4<K  1 774 
Dear  Sir 

The  9th.  of  this  Ins1.2  I  had  the  pleasure  of  writing  You  a  few 
lines  on  your  Arrival,  but  without  entering  upon  business,  as  I 
concluded  You  were  then  too  much  occupied.  — 

I  have  since  heard  from  Genr1.  Haldimand  that  he  has  delivered 
up  the  Command  &ca.  and  have  now  the  particular  pleasure  to 
acknowledge  Your  verry  kind  favor  of  the  12th.  Ult°.3  for  which 
I  most  cordially  thank  You,  for  I  take  it  as  a  proof  of  that 
friendly  remembrance  &  regard,  which  it  shall  ever  be  my  Study 
to  improve. 

I  am  verry  sensible  of  the  trouble  in  which  your  present  Station 
and  the  times  must  involve  You,  this  prevented  me  from  Saying 
much  in  my  last  letter,  but  I  hope  your  Judicious  &  spirited  Con- 
duct will  answer  his  Majestys  expectations.  —  I  am  afraid  the 
Parliament  did  not  reflect  when  the  Port  Bill  was  passed,  that 
everry  thing  of  late  Years  is  carried  here  by  Associations,  &  that 
if  they  have  time  they  will  form  a  Union  which  will  Alarm  the 
Brittish  Merchants  &  Manufacturers,  &  by  setting  them  on  the 
back  of  Government,  render  everry  Law  that  has  the  aspect  of 
restraint  Abortive.  —  People  in  England  are  much  imposed  on 
by  Misrepresentations,  whilst  those  here,  by  the  Speeches  of  Men 
out  of  Office,  &  letters  to  Friends  on  this  Continent  are  taught  to 


4  Nancy,  daughter  of  Sir  William,  and  wife  of  Daniel  Claus. 

1  In  William  L.  Clements  Library. 

2  Intended  for  "Ulto";  June  9,  1  774,  ante  pp.  1  101-02. 

3  Not  found. 


1114  Sir   William  Johnson  Papers 

keep  up  their  Spirits,  for  that  they  will  by  talking  big  carry  all 
their  points. 

I  heard  of  Cap*.  Campbells4  appointment  some  time  ago,  and  it 
is  generally  believed  by  all  who  know  persons  and  characters  in 
Canada,  that  the  whole  would  fall  under  the  partial  management 
of  Mr.  Sl.  Luc,5  of  whom  I  cant  help  entertaining  strong  Sus- 
picions which  have  indeed  been  lately  corroborated.  —  Some 
Gentleman,  or  Gentlemen  have  a  high  opinion  of  the  merit  of 
certain  Canadians  and  I  fear  the  Government  have  more  than  once 
been  deceived  in  that  particular. 

I  am  much  oblidged  to  You  for  the  generous  part  You  acted 
on  the  occasion,  and  I  dare  say  that  everry  disinterested  Man  who 
knows  Indian  Affairs  must  applaud  it.  —  I  mentioned  in  my  last 
that  two  Senecas  were  in  Confinement  for  the  Murder  of  some 
French  Men  in  August  last;  General  Haldimand  was  of  my 
opinion  (for  a  variety  of  reasons  too  tedious  now  to  enter  upon) 
that  on  their  making  restitution  for  the  Robbery  they  might  be 
discharged,  indeed  if  tryed  there  was  no  proof,  &  then  no  restitu- 
tion could  be  expected,  I  find  it  is  likewise  approved  of  at  Home 
by  letters  from  the  Secretary  of  State.  I  found  it  extremely  diffi- 
cult to  bring  the  Senecas  to  deliver  up  their  People,  but  I  thought 
it  a  wholesome  precedent,  I  had  since  that  three  Meetings,  and 
once  more  dispatched  Kayashota  the  noted  Ohio  Cheif  on  an 
Embassy  in  which  he  was  Joyned  by  some  principal  Sachims,  to 
bring  the  troublesome  Tribes  about  the  Ohio,  the  Ouabache  &ca. 
to  make  amends  for  their  past  irregularities,  He  had  acquitted 
Himself  verry  faithfully,  &  much  to  my  Satisfaction  on  ye.  former 
occasion  and  I  had  good  reason  to  hope  for  better  Success  from 
that  on  which  He  was  lately  dispatched,  When  Just  on  his 
Arrival,  at  Fort  Pitt  where  he  had  convened  some  of  the  neigh- 
bouring Tribes,  &  was  busied  in  bringing  them  in  to  Joyn  his 
undertaking,  the  disagreable  news  was  brought  there  that  Cressop6 


4  Captain    John    Campbell,    appointed    manager    of    Indian    affairs    in 
Canada. 

5  Luc  de  Chapt  de  La  Corne  St.  Luc. 

6  Captain  Michael  Cresap,  son  of  Thomas  Cresap. 


Land  Development,   1769-74  1115 

with  others  had  causelessly  surprised,  &  Murdered  near  30 
Indians  partly  Shawanese,  but  principally  of  the  Six  Nations,  This 
Obstruction  to  his  Embassy  appeared  to  give  him  much  concern, 
but  He  still  persisted  in  using  all  his  endeavours  to  Satisfy  them 
Indians  and  confine  their  Attention  to  the  Object  of  his  Journey, 
&  has  Since  proceeded  on  the  way  to  the  places  directed  with  a 
Body  of  50  Warriors,  least  the  Shawanese  who  Seem  most  ex- 
asperated should  molest  him  on  his  Journey.  I  will  not  at  present 
enter  into  a  more  particular  detail  but  only  observe,  that  notwith- 
standing all  that  has  been  done  by  my  Resident  there,  with  the 
Officer  Commanding  the  Militia  &  others,  &  notwithstanding  the 
moderation  shewn  on  the  Occasion  both  by  the  Six  Nations,  and 
Delawares,  the  Shawanese  publickly  threatned  to  have  ample 
Satisfaction  and  the  Cheif  on  being  told  at  the  conclusion  of  a 
Speech,  that  they  must  not  take  amiss  the  Act  of  a  few  desperate 
young  Men,  answered,  "I  likewise  hope  that  You  will  not  be 
displeased  at  what  our  Young  Men  are  now  doing,  or  shall  do 
against  your  People."  This  lawless  Banditti  according  to 
Custom  fled,  after  doing  the  mischeif,  the  Frontier  People  to  the 
amount  of  many  Hundred  Families  have  abandoned  their  Settle- 
ments, Some  of  the  Traders  have  been  driven  out  of  the  Country, 
some  were  Saved  by  Kayashota  &  the  well  affected  but  a  con- 
siderable Number  were  detained  by  the  Shawanese,  and  it  is 
believed  are  put  to  Death.  mean  time  nothing  but  disorders  are 
committing  on  the  Frontiers,  and  everry  thing  tends  to  a  War 
with  the  Indians  in  that  Quarter.  —  The  Irregularities  committed 
on  the  Frontiers  since  You  went  for  England  were  indeed  so 
many  &  encreased  so  fast  that  they  alone  would  be  sufficient  to 
bring  on  a  War  without  the  recent  provocation  the  Indians  re- 
ceived from  Cressop,  for  Numbers  of  these  Ruffians  are  not 
contented  with  Settlements,  or  too  lazy  to  cultivate  Lands,  but 
live  by  the  Chace  &  thereby  interfere  more  with  the  Indians,  & 
considerable  Bodies  of  the  former  have  not  long  since  gone  down 
the  Ohio,  below  the  limits  either  of  the  purchase,  or  those 
prescribed  by  his  Majesty,  and  relying  on  the  impotence  of  the 
Several  Governmts.  are  regardless  of  any  restraint,  and  are  daily 


1116  Sir  William  Johnson  Papers 

guilty  of  Robberies  &  Murders,  and  however  fair  some  of  the 
Nations  have  spoken  on  the  Subject  of  Cressops  behaviour,  I  am 
persuaded  it  is  much  more  generally  resented  than  was  thought. 
—  The  Six  Nations  imediately  dispatched  Messengers  to  me 
Setting  forth  that  as  they  were  preparing  Skins  to  make  restitution, 
the  disagreable  news  reached  them,  which  occasioned  the  Warriors 
to  request  that  we  would  consider  their  losses,  &  deliver  up  the 
two  Prisoners,  One  of  whom  is  past  recovery,  and  'tis  by  them 
Suspected  that  we  had  him  poisoned  in  Jail,  they  likewise  gave  me 
notice  that  the  Chief  Warriors  &  Sachims  of  the  whole  Six 
Nations  would  be  here  with  all  dispatch  on  business  of  the  greatest 
importance  in  consequence  of  which  above  two  Hundred  are  now 
here,  &  and  the  rest  on  their  way  down,  so  soon  as  they  are  all 
assembled  I  shall  use  my  endeavors  to  shew  them  that  the  Artifices 
of  the  Shawanese  for  some  time  past  has  in  a  great  measure 
occasioned  these  Disorders,  and  do  all  in  my  power  to  divert 
the  Storm,  It  is  a  verry  critical  period,  but  I  find  many  of  them 
inclined  to  Suspect  the  Shawanese,  and  I  must  avail  myself  of 
Everry  thing  at  such  a  Juncture,  which  requires  the  utmost  ex- 
ertion of  my  Influence  &ca.,  at  the  same  time  I  have  the  mortifica- 
tion to  find  that  my  Schemes  &  endeavours  for  preserving  or  re- 
storing tranquility  are  frequently  defeated  by  the  gross  Irregu- 
larities of  our  worst  Enemies  the  Frontier  Banditti.  — 

I  did  not  intend  at  first  to  take  up  your  time  at  this  season 
with  so  long  a  letter,  but  I  found  it  necessarry  to  give  You  a 
Sketch  of  the  late  &  present  State  of  Indian  Affairs,  and  these 
are  only  heads,  So  much  trouble  &  attention  has  greatly  effected 
my  Health  which  was  much  improved  last  Summer,  but  I  must 
make  a  Sacrifice  to  the  Urgency  of  the  times.  I  beg  to  have  Your 
directions  &  Sentiments  respecting  the  matters  herein  contained, 
and  I  am  with  the  Utmost  regard, 

Dear  Sir, 

Your    most    sincere    Friend 
&  oblidged  Humble  Servant 
His  Excellency  W,  Johnson 

LT.  General  Gage 


Land  Development,  1769-74  1117 

Sir  John  &  his  Lady  offer  their  best  respects,  as  does  Guy,  & 
Claus,  who  are  much  oblidged  by  Your  kind  remembrance  of 
them.  — 

INDORSED : 

H  Ind  Dep 
2 
Sr.  Wm.  Johnson 
July  4*    1 774 
Recd.  July  — 


FROM  JOSEPH  JOHNSON 
Contemporary  Copy1 

Mohegan  July  8*.  A  D  1 774. 
To  the  Honorable  Sir  William  Johnson  Bar1.  &c 

With  many  abasing  thoughts  of  myself,  and  with  much  Love, 
and  great  Regard  to  your  ever  Worthy  Person  I  humbly,  and 
Chearfully  embrace  this  Oppertunity  to  Write  few  lines  to  your 
Honor,  tho  I  have  nothing  Strange  to  acquaint  your  Honor,  yet 
I  write,  only  as  it  were  to  make  manifest  my  love,  and  gratitude 
for  favours  Past  from  your  Honor.  —  not  only  towords  me  as 
an  Individual,  but  towards  all  my  Poor  Ignorant  Brethren  in  New 
England,  Who  flatter  themselves  that  they  are,  or  shall  be 
interested  in  your  Honors  favour.  I  esteem  it  as  a  great  favour 
in  very  deed  that  in  these  days  of  Distress,  We  have  a  friend 
given  to  us  Who  is  wise  powerfull,  and  who  hath  a  great  In- 
fluence both  On  this  Side,  and  the  other  Side  of  the  great  Lake. 
I  rejoice  that  we  may  look  unto  your  Honor  for  advice  with  con- 
fidence at  all  times,  and  in  perticular  in  the  day  of  Trial  which 
to  appearance  is  approaching,  and  perhaps  is  very  nigh,  When 
the  poor  Remnant  of  Several  Tribes  Bordering  on  the  Sea  Shore 


1In  Dartmouth  College  Library. 


1118  Sir   William  Johnson  Papers 

shall  be  Tried.  I  feel  sorrow  in  this  once  Savage  heart  of 
mine,  when  I  [See  by  faith  or  otherwise]  Behold  in  my  mind, 
not  only  a  civilized,  but  a  Christianized  People  Bleeding.  — 
it  would  grieve  me  much  to  See  the  Christian  People  bleeding, 
before  the  Savage  Natives  of  North  America,  or  before  the  vain 
conceited  french.  —  but  Methinks  it  grieves  me  much  more,  When 
I  see  [by  faith]  a  Brother,  taking  up  arms  against  a  Brother.  — 
and  a  Brother  bleeding  to  death  before  a  Brother.  —  is  this  the 
fruits  of  Christianity  —  what  will  the  heathen  Nations  Say. 
O  Britain !  O  North  America !  can  the  heathens  Say,  Behold  and 
See  how  those  Christians  love  one  another.  —  Honored  Sir, 
Methinks  it  is  highly  Necessary  that  a  word  of  Caution  be  given 
to  New  England  Indians  and  that  Speedily,  and  Who  is  a 
Proper  Person  but  your  Honor  to  give  us  a  Seasonable  Caution. 
—  True  Worthy  Sir,  I  could  go,  and  give  [//iem]  my  Brethren 
my  humble  opinion,  and  advise  them  [my  Brethren]  to  have  no 
concern  in  the  bloody  Scene  which,  it  is  to  be  feared  will  shortly 
Commence  in  these  Parts.  —  But  very  likely  the  Indians  would 
pay  but  very  little  regard  to  my  words,  I  stand  ready  to  go,  I 
love  my  Brethren,  and  ever  desire  to  Seek  their  Welfare.  — 
Worthy  Sir,  if  I  had  but  few  lines  from  your  Honor,  to  the 
Several  Tribes  in  New  England,  if  your  Honor  thinks  proper, 
to  advise  the  Indians  to  keep  Still,  or  to  be  Nutrils  —  I  would 
go  directly  to  all  the  Tribes  nigh,  and  I  firmly  believe,  that 
such  few  lines,  from  your  Honor  at  this  Critical  Time  is  highly 
Necessary  and  perhaps  might  be  the  Saving  of  many  lives  and 
would  be  noticed  and  kindly  accepted  as  a  token  of  real  Love, 
and  friendly  advise  by  many  [poor  concerned  Indians]  Indians 
who  are  concerned,  of  Poor  Indians  Who  are  verily,  too  easily 
captivated.  —  O  Worthy  Sir,  consider  of  us,  advise  us,  and 
grant  us  your  favour  Still  —  if  your  Honor  thinks  expedient  to 
Send  few  lines  to  the  Indians  in  these  Parts,  Be  so  good  as  to 
direct  it  to  the  care  of  Mr.  John  Baker  Brimmer  Merchant  in 
Chasca.  —  and  then  I  shall  recieve  it  Soon.  —  I  am  at  Present 
in  no  Employ,  the  reasons  are  well  known  to  the  Revd.   Mr. 


Land  Development,   1769-74  1119 

Occom,2  which  doubtless  he  will  freely  make  known  to  your 
Honor.  —  I  feel  much  defeated,  but  I  hope  for  better  times 
hereafter.  —  I  know  not  which  way  to  turn,  [but  I  worthy  Sir] 
But  I  must  trust  to  a  kind  and  wise  Providence.  —  as  for  our 
Intentions  of  removing  from  these  Parts  we  are  as  Engaged  as 
Ever  and  perhaps  more  so.  —  all  our  Officers  Will  the  Revd. 
Mr.  S.  Occom  make  known  to  your  Honor.  —  be  so  kind  as  to 
let  me  know  how  the  Indians  under  your  kind  and  Wise  Inspec- 
tion are  at  present  Disposed,  throughout  the  Six  Nations.  —  But 
I  must  conclude,  wishing  Still  that  the  blessing  of  Gods  true 
Children  both  temporal,  and  Spiritual,  may  ever  Rest  upon  your 
Honor,  and  yours  whilst  in  this  World  of  Changes,  and  here- 
after may  your  Honor  Shine  forth  as  the  Sun,  in  the  Kingdom  of 
the  living  God,  and  there  may  your  Honor  be  reaping  the 
Rewards  of  the  Faithful,  Which  is  Eternal  Life,  through  the 
Endless  ages  of  a  Blessed  Eternity.  —  I  am  Worthy  Sir,  your 
Honors,  Humble  Servant.  JOSEPH  JOHNSON3  an  Indian  of 
the  Mohegan  Tribe.  — 

To  the  Honorable  SlR  WlLLIAM 
JOHNSON  Baronet,  at  Johnson  Hall.  — 

PS.  I  Send  to  your  Honor  two  Small  Pieces,  which  I  composed, 
and  got  Printed,  which  may  perhaps  give  little  Satisfaction  to 
the  Curiosity  of  Some  of  the  Gentlemen  that  Resort  to  your 
Honors  house.  — 

I  am 
ut  Ante.  — 
Most  Worthy  Sir  it  is  not  an  excellent  Pen  tho  made  in  the  City 
of  London,     again,     thankfulness.     Benevolence  it  will  almost  do 

Joseph  Johnson 
indorsed : 

J.  J's  letter  to 
Sir  Johnson 


2  Samson  Occom,  a  Mohegan  Indian  preacher. 

3  Joseph  Johnson,  the  most  verbose  of  Wheelock's  Indian  pupils. 


H20 


Sir  William  Johnson  Papers 


A  MEMORANDUM 

[March25-July/IJ774]  j 

State  of  The  Account  with  Government  from  the  25th.  March 
to  1 1 th.  July  1  774.  included  in  the  Abstract  from  March  to 
Septr.  1 774  and  Received  by  Col°.  Johnson. 


Pay  due  to  Sir  Wm.  Johnson  from  25th. 
March  to  11th.  July  1774  Inclusive, 
(the  Time  of  his  Death)  109  day 
@  £1714  5.  8%  ^  Ann  is 
E4.13.1iy6  ^  day 

Disbursemts.  Paid  by  Sir  Wm.  John-1 
son     as     mark't     by     Col°.     Johnson 
£1154.13.11    

For  Rudolph  Shoemaker's  Acco'  pd. 
by  him  49.4.10' 


£511.19.3 


For  Pay  of  a  Clerk  £50  Poste  &  Sta- 
tionary £  1 4. 1 5/  Store  house  Rents 
£25  is  £99.15/  as  ^  Abstract  the 
Propertion  of  wch.  to  1  1 th.  July 

For  Work  done  by  Sr.  Wm.  Johnsons 
own  Black  Smith  from  25th.  March  to 
11th.   July 


r  59.1.0 


26.0.0 


£1288.19.9 


Amount  of  Pay  &  Disbursemts.  York  Curcr. .  .    £  1 800 . 1 9 . 0 

Sir  John  Johnsons  Part £    600 .6.4 

Col°.  Daniel  Claus's  Part 600.6.4 


1  In  Canadian  Archives,  Claus  Papers,  Vol.  1 4. 


Land  Development,  1769-74  1121 

Col°.  Guy  Johnsons  Part 600.6.4 

York  Cur* £1800.19.0 

I    Mich1.  Klynes  Account         York  O. ...         £27.2.9 

John  Van  Eps  Esqr.  Ditto 60 . 5  . 0 

Rob*.  Adems  Esq'.  D° 46.3  .6]/2 

There  being  Some  doubt  how  the  above  three  Accounts  were 
paid  if  it  Appears  the  Whole  or  any  Part  was  paid  before  Sir 
Williams  Death  Such  Payment  is  to  be  devided  as  above,  and  in 
Case  of  Payment  being  made  by  Sir  John  or  Col°.  Clause  they 
are  to  Receive  the  Same  from  Col°.  Johnson,  As  well  as  Cap*. 
M'Kees  Acco*.  paid  by  Sr.  Wm.  Johns11.  wch.  Col  John8,  charges. 

INDORSED: 

State  of  the  Government 
Acco1.  at  the  Time  of  Sir 
Willm.  Johnsons  Death 


GUY  JOHNSON  TO  THOMAS  GAGE 
A.L.S.1 

Johnson  Hall  July  12*.  1774.  — 
Sir, 

With  the  deepest  and  most  sensible  concern  It  is  my  duty  to 
acquaint  your  Excellency  with  the  Sudden  departure  of  my  much 
honored  &  Worthy  Father  in  Law,  Sir  Wm.  Johnson  who  died  at 
8  O'Clock  last  Night;  he  had  been  for  some  days  afflicted  with 
his  former  Complaints,  which  gave  him  the  more  Concern  as  it 
was  at  a  time  when  his  health  and  Vigour  was  much  required  to 
Support  him  thro'  the  fatigues  of  a  Critical  Congress2  in  which 


1  In  William  L.  Clements  Library. 

2  June  19-July  16,  1  774.  Doc.  Rel.  Col.  Hist.  N.  Y.,  8:474-84.  This 
report  of  the  Congress  also  contains  an  account  of  Sir  William's  funeral  and 
the  ceremony  of  condolence  with  the  Indians. 


1  122  Sir   William  Johnson  Papers 

he  over  exerted  himself :  —  Two  days  Since  he  seemed  somewhat 
easier,  but  Yesterday  evening  he  Was  taken  Suddenly  ill  with  a 
fainting  and  sense  of  suffocation  which  notwithstanding  all  the 
Assistance  afforded  by  his  Nephew  Dr.  Dease,  &  others  carried 
him  off  in  two  hours.  —  The  Indians  (who  are  here  to  a  con- 
siderable Number)  assembled  in  much  Confusion,  and  were  de- 
sirous of  Sending  a  belt  instantaneously  off  thro'  all  the  Nations, 
but  I  Judged  it  more  prudent  to  wait  till  this  day  when  a  more 
digested  Message  could  be  sent,  and  in  the  Meantime  Col0. 
Claus  &  I,  assured  them  that  the  public  Affairs  should  be  con- 
ducted as  usual.  — 

Sir  William  in  his  last  Letter3  acquainted  your  Excellc?.  with 
the  alarming  state  of  Indian  Affairs  which  brought  the  Six  Nations 
to  this  place,  &  they  had  gone  thro'  good  part  of  their  business 
before  the  fatal  Accident,  the  purport  of  which  was  to  enquire 
into  the  accounts  he  had  received  from  the  Southward,  &  Com- 
pare them  with  their  own,  to  Assure  him  of  their  inclination  to 
preserve  peace  &  to  Cooperate  with  us  in  the  hope  that  wre  would 
imediately  put  a  stop  to  the  irregularities  &  Murders  committed 
by  our  People,  &  remedy  the  abuses  of  wfhich  they  so  often  Com- 
plained, after  which  they  enlarged  on  the  reasons  that  prevented 
Many  of  their  People  at  a  distance  from  following  the  advice 
given  them  &  recommended  a  proper  Message  to  be  sent  to  the 
southwA  Sir  William  then  laid  before  them  the  Artifices  of  the 
Shawanese  and  others  to  engage  them  in  broils,  and  the  Necessity 
there  appeared  for  Withdrawing  the  6  Nations  from  amongst 
them,  and  was  proceeding  to  Conclude  the  Treaty  in  the  Manner 
I  shall  Soon  inform  you  of  when  he  wras  Snatched  away  —  Sir, 
I  am  fully  persuaded  that  a  person  of  your  aimiable  Character 
will  Sympathize  with  the  Friends  of  a  Worthy  Man  who  ever 
Esteemed  you,  and  that  you  will  attribute  the  defects  of  this 
Letter  &  the  want  of  more  particulars,  to  my  recent  distress,  & 
the  hurry  thereby  produced,  but  I  shall  in  a  few  days  transmit  a 
Gen1.  Account  of  the  Congress  with  some  material  particulars.  — 


3  July  4,  1774.  Ante  pp.  1113-17. 


Land  Development,   1769-74  1123 

I  must  now  take  the  liberty  of  acquainting  your  Excellency  that 
the  Letter  which  Sir  Wm  wrote  to  London  in  April4  was  inclosed 
to  Mr.  Blackburn5  who  was  to  deliver  it,  and  I  presume  he  will 
shortly  return  it,  however  I  have  Judged  it  best  to  furnish  your 
Excellency  with  a  faithfull  Copy  which  I  now  inclose,  from 
which  you  will  perceive  the  Opinion  with  which  Sir  Wm.  was 
pleased  to  honor  my  little  abilities  which  likewise  induced  him  to 
recomend  me  to  his  Majesty  as  his  successor.  —  It  would  ill  be- 
come me  to  enlarge  on  the  Length  of  my  Services  under  Sir  Wm 
Johnson,  as  his  own  imediate  Deputy,  or  on  the  Opportunities  I 
have  had,  &  the  attention  I  have  paid  thereto,  as  the  testimony  of 
Sir  Wm,  Johnson  has  been  so  kindly  given  in  my  favor,  I  am 
also  conscious  of  my  own  Inferiority  to  Succeed  a  Gentleman 
of  his  consummate  knowledge  in  Indian  Affairs,  which  alone 
would  deterr  me,  but  from  the  Ardent  desires  of  the  Indians  now 
repeated,  &  his  favorable  opinion  which  encourages  me  to  hope 
that  I  may  prove  in  some  degree  usefull;  If  these  considerations 
shod.  incline  your  Excellency  to  honor  me  with  your  Approba- 
tion by  nominating  me  to  the  Agency  of  these  Affairs,  in  such 
Manner  as  you  shall  please  to  direct,  I  might  then  hope  for 
Success  at  home,  and  as  I  am  resolved  to  follow  as  Close  as  pos- 
sible the  System  adopted  by  Sr.  Wm.,  &  your  Commands  &  to 
bestow  my  sole  attention  thereon,  I  hope  for  Success  —  I  might 
Observe  with  great  Truth  that  at  this  Critical  period  in  particular, 
Affairs  are  likely  to  take  a  much  more  favorable  turn,  when  the 
Indians  find  that  they  are  still  attended  to,  &  that  the  System  has 
suffered  no  Change  but  such  as  was  unavoidable,  but  I  rather 
submit  this  and  every  other  Consideration  to  your  Excellency, 
and  I  trust  that  if  I  am  deemed  worthy  this  Mark  of  your  Ex- 
cellencys  friendship  for  Sir  William,  my  endeavors  shall  not 
be  wanting  to  improve  your  good  Opinion  by  the  Warmest 
Gratitude  &  the  faithfull  discharge  of  my  duty.  — 


4  April  20,   1  774.  Johnson  Papers,  8:1  128-30.  It  was  in  this  that  Sir 
William  recommended  Guy  as  his  successor. 

5  John  Blackburn,  Sir  William's  London  agent. 


1 1 24  Sir  William  Johnson  Papers 

Sir  Wm  Johnson  had  just  received  a  Letter  from  Gov1-  Penn* 
containing  an  Ace1,  of  the  distress  of  the  frontiers  &  requesting 
his  Interposition  with  the  6  Nations  as  Mediators,  On  which  I 
mean  to  act  in  the  Manner  that  seems  most  promising  without 
Letting  the  6  Nations  perceive  their  consequence  in  such  quarrells, 
on  all  these  points  Col.  Claus  will  Assist  me  whilst  here,  and  as  the 
service  requires  it  I  shall  continue  to  Act  to  the  best  of  my  skill 
until  I  shall  be  honored  with  your  Excellencys  Commands  re- 
specting my  Conduct.  — 

I  have  the  honor  to  be  with  great  truth 
Sir,     Your  Excellencys 
Most  Obliged  & 
most  faithfull  humIe.  Servant 

G  Johnson 
His  Excelb. 
LT.  Genl.  Gage 

Sir  John  who  is  in  deep  Affliction,  begs  to  be  respectfully  remenA 
to  your  Excelb.  &  we  Join  in  Congratulating  you  on  the  Safe 
Arrival  of  Mrs.  Gage. 

INDORSED: 

Guy  Johnson  Esqr. 

Johnson  Hall  July  12*.  1774 
Transmitting 
A  Copy  of  a  Letter  from 
(the  late)  Sir  Wm.  Johnson  Bl. 
to  Gen1.  Gage,  dated  20th.  April 
1774. 

Recd.  at  Boston  July  1 6th. 
Ansd.  from  D°.  —  1 7th.  D°. 


6  June  28,  1  774.  Johnson  Papers,  8:1  182-83.  For  Guy  Johnson's  reply 
to  this  letter  of  John  Penn,  July  22,  1  774,  see  ibid.  8: 11 86. 


r\ 


BINDING  SECT. 
Iff  i  4  1975 


PLEASE  DO  NOT  REMOVE 
CARDS  OR  SLIPS  FROM  THIS  POCKET 

UNIVERSITY  OF  TORONTO  LIBRARY 


J 


E       Johnson,  (Sir)  William,  bart. 

195        Papers 

J66 

1921 

v.12 


ii 


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