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American State Papers,
Indian Affairs,
March 3, 1789 to March 3, 1815.
vol. 1.
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1792.] |
149 |
your letter, which requests to be permitted to freight one of the vessels on
lake Erie, to carry you, and such Indians as may be inclined to accompany you,
to Sandusky, on the west side of the lake. I beg leave to inform you that I am
not authorized to comply with your requests.
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I am, sir, your most obedient humble
servant,
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That thus failing in obtaining a vessel, the object of his mission also failed, and he returned to Philadelphia, after having exerted himself honorably to proceed forward.
His report is lengthy, and minute, according to his instructions.
______________________
NARRATIVE OF COLONEL THOMAS PROCTER.
|
PHILADELPHIA, July 9th, 1791. |
SIR:
In the following narration, I fear to have transgressed, in blending any matters of opinion or of observation but of that which immediately had relation to business committed me to transact. I have, therefore, to request, that you will pass over such parts as are light and immaterial- this being the only copy taken from the original entry: and, when you may think proper to return the same, I will, with pleasure, transcribe the most material parts, and present it as my report, should you think proper to lay the same before his Excellency the President.
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I am, your Excellency's most obedient
servant,
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To the Hon. Secretary of War.
______
To the Hon. Major General H. Knox, Secretary of War.
The following Diary is respectfully submitted for his inspection, being transacted under his commission, granted to Thomas Procter, Esq., of the city of Philadelphia, bearing date March 10th, 1791, accompanied with messages from him to the several Indian nations inhabiting the waters near Lake Erie, the Miamies, and the Wabash. The same being intended to the establishment of peace and friendly intercourse between the said nations and the United States of America.
March 11th.- Received a draft from the Secretary of War, on Joseph Howell, Esq., paymaster, for the sum of 600 dollar. Purchased a horse from Richard Hunt, for the use of Captain Houdin, sent as my companion into that country- price £25 5s. Purchased saddlery from I. Polk, the equipment of two horses, as per bill rendered, £16 11s. Money advanced Captain Houdin, to be accounted for by him, £16 17s. 6d. McFadden's draught of North America, &c. 12s. 6d- pocket compass, best kind, 16s. 8d.- tin box and oil case, 11s. 3d. as also two small books and one quire of paper, 9s. 4 1/2d.
March 12th.- Left the city of Philadelphia, accompanied by Captain M. G. Houdin, under a heavy rain, fully evidencing our intention to stop at no difficulties, until we should gain the settlement of Cornplanter, alias Capt. O'Beel, one of the chiefs of the Seneca nation, residing on the head waters of the Alleghany river.
Our first setting out was big with difficulties, and foreboded some extraordinary event: for, on crossing the Perkiomen, Captain Houdin's horse, after tasting of the water, (which is customary with him) laid down in the same, and were both nearly covered. On the horse's rising immediately afterwards, the Captain's foot being fast in the stirrup, the horse made several lashes at him with his hind feet, before he could disengage himself, but happily received no other injury. Dined this day at Norrington- paid 9s. 9d.- other contingent expenses, 12s. Staid this night with Major Swaine.
March 13th.- Laying on double soles on a pair of boots, 4s. 9d.- shoeing a horse, 4s.- horse feed, wine, and bitters, 4s 6d.- dinners, &c. at Pottsgrove, 9s. 4 1/2d.- Halted for the night at Cimleses' tavern, 13s. 10d..
March 14th.- Breakfasts, &c., at Reading, 9s. 4d.- purchase of a tomahawk, 3s. 9d.- straps of a saddle. Proceeded from thence to Caraher's town, in company with Mr. Potts and Mr. Baird; the latter of which gentlemen informed me, that he was engaged to attend General St. Clair to fort Washington, whither the General was immediately to proceed, in order to prepare for a campaign against the Miami and other Indians, who are daily committing of murders on the defenceless inhabitants on the frontier settlements.- Expenses this night, 15s. 10d.
March 15th.- Set forward this morning on our journey by daylight, breakfasted at Orwick's tavern, 6s. 9d.- Hallers do. refreshment, 5s. 7 1/2d. Halted for the night at Treshers' tavern- expense 13s. 6d. The roads from Philadelphia hither, nearly impassable, occasioned by the heavy rains that had fallen for several days past; and with some danger we forded the little Schuylkill; and, on this day's journey, we crossed the Blue mountain.
March 16th.- Dined at Leidenburgh's tavern, and was informed, that the 1,200 acre tract of land that I purchased of Daniel Rees, in Northumberland, was situated three miles from his house, watered by the Cattawissey, and joining lands of Captain Mason, of Philadelphia. Dinner, and for horses, 11s. 3d. Lay this night at Hughsburgh, at the house of George Knefferbergher. By him I was informed of twenty-five tracts of land I have on Big Fishing creek, which empties into the east branch of the Susquehannah, about two miles above Hughsburgh. Expenses this night 18s. 10 1/2d.
March 17th.- Crossed the east branch of the Susquehannah, fed our horses, &c. at Miller's tavern, and paid, including ferriages over Fishing creek, and shoeing a horse, 17s. 3d. Lay this night at Berwick, a small town, situate on the west side of the Susquehannah. Expenses of the night, 17s. 10d.
March 18th.- Proceeded on our journey up the west side of the Susquehannah, above twelve miles; and, in endeavoring to go through the narrows, the river being exceeding high and rapid, had a narrow escape of drowning myself and horse, as was the case with Captain Houdin. With great difficulty we mounted the summit of a steep precipice, being unable to return by the same defile we had attempted to pass through. From this, I endeavored to go round the mountain, which lay along the river; and, after having travelled one hour and a half, over the most rugged ground, and seeing no end to the ridge of mountains, we shaped our course through the woods, to the place from whence we departed in the morning: and, by the entreaty of our host, the ferryman, on the opposite shore of the Susquehannah, was prevailed upon to venture over the river with his flat, which he did, with the assistance of four other men, and conducted us across, for which I paid him 15s. Dinners, and putting one new shoe on a horse, with other repairs, 13s. 1d. From thence we proceeded on the road for Wilksburgh, by the way of the mountain path, as dangerous for man and horse as was possible to encounter with; and at 9 o'clock in the night we reached the first house in the settlement of Wyoming; but, there being no feed for our horses, I hired a guide to conduct us to a place to lodge in. Paid for a night's fare, 13s. 6d.
March 19th.- Arrived at
Wilksburgh about eleven o'clock; halted here for the night, in order to rest
our horses, which were much fatigued and jaded. I should have mentioned in its
place, that I did not open the instructions I had received from the Secretary
of War, before my arrival at Reading, owing to an intention with me, that no
person- not even any of my family- should know what errand I was sent upon. This
threw me exceedingly out of my road, and by the worst way: for, had I known
that Wilksburgh was my route to Cornplanter's, I should have went through
Bethlehem, which would have been fifty miles nearer than the way I went. Spent
the afternoon at our lodgings with Colonel Butler and Captain Grubb. The former
was an officer in the Connecticut line, and stationed here during the late war,
for the protection of the frontier inhabitants against the British and Indians,
in which situation he proved to be a vigilant and brave officer. The latter
part of the evening I accompanied Colonel Pickering,
20 *
American State Papers,
Indian Affairs,
March 3, 1789 to March 3, 1815.
vol. 1.
150 |
INDIAN AFFAIRS. |
[1792. |
prothonotary of the county, and late adjutant general of the armies of the
United States. Here we equipped ourselves with a tinderbox, flints, steel,
&c., paid 4s. 6d.; and for helving a tomahawk, and
leather sling for the same, 4s. 9d. Expenses at Mr. Fell's,
part of two days, 41s. 8d.; and for powder and horn, 5s. 7
1/2d. Much snow fell while we remained at this place. Weather extremely
cold.
March 20th.- This day we set forward for Captain Waterman Baldwin's, arrived there in the evening, halted for him part of two days, as I had orders to take him with me to the residence of the Cornplanter, at which place he was intended to act as instructor of the Indian youth, as also a director in the mode and management of agriculture, for the use and benefit of the Indians. This gentleman was made prisoner by Cornplanter, during the late war, and was treated by him with remarkable tenderness, until legally exchanged. Paid for two bushels of oats and two bags, 13s. 1 1/2d. washing, 2s. 6d.; expense at Baldwin's, 30s.
March 22d.- Ferriage to Captain Jenkins, passing the first narrows of Susquehannah, 7s. 6d. Paid for gammon, bread, and spirits, 32s. 6d. to John Davis. Encamped this evening in the woods, thirteen miles from Lahawanock, on the waters of the Buttermilk falls. This cataract has a beautiful appearance from the river. It falls upwards of eighty feet; and the place it issues through, on the top of the mountain, is about six feet in width, and its torrent is so strong that it is sufficient to serve many mills at one time.
This place I had the opportunity of examining minutely, when going on the expedition with General Sullivan against the savages, in the year 1779, at which time I had the command of 214 vessels, on the Susquehannah, taking with me the provisions and stores of 6,000 men. We anchored off this cataract in the afternoon of the 1st August, and I landed and passed to the top of the mountain to review so great a curiosity.
March 23d.- The Susquehannah being so extremely high, and all the waters leading thereto, compelled us to quit the river road and go by that lately cut (though not cleared) by John Nicholson's, Esq., comptroller general of the State of Pennsylvania. We reached the settlement called the Hawbottom, which consisted of about fourteen families, the land exceeding rich- inferior to none about the city of Philadelphia; but the lands between this place and our last encampment were chiefly covered with hemlock timber, cold soil, and unfit for culture, and one continued rise for nearly thirteen miles, with little intermission. Took dinner at the house of Ebenezer Stephens, and purchased from him two bushels of oats, which he had for seed; and, having brought it afar off, charged for the same 3s. 9d. per bushel. Paid for three persons eating, and feed for the horses, 12s. 6d.; one horse bell, 4s. 6d.; three cakes sugar, 4s. 6d. Encamped this evening with some sugar boilers, in a hut not finished. The promoter of this manufactory, which appeared to be very extensive, from the number of kettles and apparatus belonging thereto, is the comptroller of the State of Pennsylvania; and the conductor of the works, Mr. John Jones, of Northumberland county. They were unfortunate enough, two days before, to lose most of their provision, by the oversetting of a canoe, in the main branch of the Lahawanock; but, of the provisions we had, we gave to them what we could spare, preserving what we thought would take us to Tioga Point- supposed 86 miles. The taking of this road, which is cut about 20 feet in width, the trees lying across the same, and in every direction, was not a matter of choice, but necessity: for the river roads was impassable. By the taking of this we escaped some deep waters.
24th.- We arrived at the cabin of Richard McNemara, fed our horses with the corn that we brought with us, for he had none but about two quarts for his own use; they however provided us with a dish of rye coffee, made fine with the pole of an axe on a smooth stone, and maple sugar as bright and as well tasted as the best 8d. sugar in Philadelphia; and as they deemed it would be charity to us, they gave of the juice of the maple, which appeared as clear as the limpid stream, and pleasant to the taste, and deemed very wholesome: paid for eating, 3s. 9d. We were obliged to encamp early this afternoon under a very heavy storm of rain, thunder, and lightning, and, what is very remarkable, the snow was in general fifteen inches deep on the ground.
25th.- We still travelled by the way of Nicholson's road, till we reached the one cut by Mr. Ellicott, geographer to the United States, which leads to the great bend on the east branch of the Susquehannah, and to describe the same, it is hardly possible, but, to say the least of them, there is none can equal them for height of mountains, and swampy valleys. Encamped this night ten miles from Tioga Point; heavy rain as usual, our horses were worn down, and ourselves more that commonly fatigued; had naught to eat ourselves or for our horses, we travelled on foot more than half of the way from the town of Reading.
26th.- We arrived at the ferry at Tioga Point, crossed to the flats, paid ferriage 3s. 9d.; repair of horse shoes, 5s. From thence we proceeded on our way to Newtown Point, and lodged at the house of Mr. William Wynkoop. At Tioga Point I was compelled to purchase a pack horse, as the route we had to take from the Painted Post to the Genesee, was not inhabited, which, by computation, was 99 miles. Captain Baldwin also purchased another horse, the better to enable him to carry on the farming business for the Cornplanter, and for which I advanced him 75s., to be accounted for by him in his settlement with the Secretary of War. From hence I also took a guide, named Peter, in his own language Cayantha, there being nothing but a blind path to the Genesee river, so that my retinue, at this time, amounted to three white men, one Indian, and five horses. The horse designed as a pack horse, I received on the order of Colonel Hollinbeck, on Mr. Guy Maxwell, his partner in trade at Tioga, for which I drew in favor of them, on my daughter in Philadelphia, £15 for the horse, and for a saddle and bridle, value £3; took up our quarters this night in company with Mr. Jabez Colloor, a dissenting minister, at the aforesaid Wynkoop's, with whom we spent a most agreeable evening, and, during our conversation together, he enjoined me, in a very becoming manner, should I at any time see the honorable Major General Sullivan, late the commander in chief against the Indians, in the year 1779, to tender to him with the grateful thanks of himself and his parishioners, inhabitants of the district of Tioga, for opening a way into the wilderness, under the guidance of Providence, to the well doing of hundreds of poor families for life.
Sunday, March 27th.- Dined at Mr. Isaac Baldwin's, and halted for the night, and reviewed the ground on which the British and Indians were entrenched, for better than a miles, against the forces under the command of Major General Sullivan. I also say many traces made by our round and grape shot against them, and a large collection of pieces of 5 1/2 inch shells, which I had the pleasure of formerly causing to be exploded amongst them. Expenses at Mr. Baldwin's for present diet, provisions, and forage, 53s. 910d.
28th.- Took breakfast at William Dunn's; for four persons, 6s.; oats and spirits, 4s. 7 1/2d.; also one chain halter for a horse, 20s. From thence we proceeded to the Painted Post, or Cohocton, in the Indian language; dined, and refreshed our horses, it being the last house we should meet with ere we should reach the Genesee river; addition of stores for ourselves and horses, 36s. 11d.; present dining, 14s. 3d.; four new horse shoes, &c. 6s. 9d.; spirits, 1s. 10 1/2d. Here I was joined company by Mr. George Slocum, who followed us from Wyoming, to place himself under our protection and assistance, until we should reach the Cornplanter's settlement, on the head waters of the Alleghany, to the redeeming of his sister from an unpleasing captivity of twelve years, to which end he begged our immediate interposition. On the leaving the Painted Post, we entered the warrior's path, lying on the northeast side of the Tioga river. We had not gone above five miles up the same, before we fixed our encampment, having completed thirty-five miles this day, which was more than we had done any one day within seventeen days since we left the city, it having rained or snowed every day since, and the worst or roads to encounter with: for, as we passed over mountains and valleys, the frosts were just mellowed enough to admit our falling through in some places, knee depth to the horses; rained this night as usual.
29th.- Continued our route by the aforesaid path this day, through level land, covered chiefly with hemlock timber, and interspersed with sugar tree bottoms, and through which we frequently encountered with deep sloughs and morasses. In one of them, which had the appearance of a long pond, variegated with shrubbery, Captain Baldwin, while leading our forage horse, was, by a sudden check, brought backwards from the horse he was riding, and immersed in the water, so as to be entirely covered. The same fate had nearly happened to myself, by my horse's feet fastening between two trees which lay on the bottom, of which he fell. All this night we had rain, and with much difficulty could light a fire; at the same time piercing cold.
30th.- We began our journey before sunrise, the usual time of our moving, and, on the way, we discovered, in many places, fine land; the timber chiefly sugar tree maple and beech, and on this day, we passed three principal
American State Papers,
Indian Affairs,
March 3, 1789 to March 3, 1815.
vol. 1.
|
1792.] |
151 |
mountains, the last of which the Alleghany, that divides the Tioga river from
the Coshequa. The latter river runs through a fine flat, resembling much the
flats below Tioga: here Captain John resides, and one white family only. I did
not see the chief, he being from home a hunting. I should have premised that
the course of the warrior's path gives a traveller a sight of the river Tioga,
upwards of sixty miles, and, by such a way, I would never desire to
travel again. The next principal water we crossed, is called, in the Indian
language, Connesserago, from whence it is called twelve miles to the Genesee
river, where we were conducted by our Indian guide to the house of Captain
Ebenezer Allen, about ten o'clock at night. Having rode hard and constant to
reach it, both our horses and ourselves much fatigued. I purchased from an
Indian squaw one and a half bushels corn, at the rate of one dollar and a half
per bushel, and refused to let me have any more at a less price; adding that
the white people had made them pay more the last year, when a scarcity of corn
was among them; and that at this place there was neither hay nor grass for our
horses to exist upon.
31st.- This morning I found myself in a settlement of Indians, called the Squawkey tribe, but a branch of the Seneca nation; having not interpreter with me, I wrote a letter directed to Captain Allen, or Horatio Jones, and sent it by a runner by the way of Connewago, or at such a place where he could meet with either of them, requesting that whosoever received it should repair to Squawkey hill to meet me; and, should they meet any Indian chiefs or warriors, to invite them to meet me also, having business of importance from General Washington, the President of the United States, to lay before their nation. I at the same time despatched two other runners, one to go to the several sugar camps adjacent, to give them the like information, and the other to repair to the habitations of Captain Big Tree and Little Beard, who resided about seven miles, from hence, and deemed to be principal chiefs. To each I paid one dollar for their services. By the middle of the afternoon, and in the evening, several Indian warriors and chiefs arrived at Mr. Allen's habitation; amongst the latter, Captain Little Beard, Stump Foot, and the Black Chief. Said Stump Foot being the leader of the Squawkey settlement, residing on the high lands above the Genesee river, and from which bluff commands a beautiful landscape of the great flats on the Genessee, being in width about four miles, and the length from Carahaderra about forty-seven miles towards lake Ontario, where the said river empties into it; the soil exceedingly rich, the land as level as a bowling green, beautifully interspersed with groves of trees, some of three acres, and not more than five.
April 1st.- Mr. Horatio Jones, Indian interpreter, arrived this morning, and about eleven o'clock there were thirty odd Indians collected agreeable to my invitation. And shortly afterwards, I convened them into council, and introduced my message by some prefatory sentiments, touching on the candor and justice of the United States, and of the unexampled conduct of his Excellency the President, in the late interview he had with the Cornplanter, and others, who appeared as representatives in behalf of the Six nations, by restoring unto them all their lands, which they feared were held from them by the power of the United States; by which act of his goodness, their situations in life were made comfortable, and as lasting as they should demean themselves as faithful friends to the United States; and by such a becoming deportment, it would entail lasting happiness to their children's children. This simple introduction being ended, I read the message to them from the honorable Secretary of War; having ended the same, they signified their full approbation, in their accustomed manner. For the particulars of their answer, which was delivered by Captain Little Beard, their principal speaker, see a subsequent page.
Captain Little Beard, in the close of his speech, acquainted me that their great warrior, Captain O'Beel, or Cayantawanka, in the Indian language, had arrived at Pittsburg from Philadelphia, and sent out runners from thence to summon the chiefs and warriors of the Six Nations at Buffalo, where he desired that the great council fire might be kindled, and where he should lay before them all the business that had been done by him at Philadelphia, and the public papers and documents which he had received for the Six Nations, from the President of the United States, the Secretary of War, and from the Governor of the State of Pennsylvania. This information induced me to prepare myself for going to Buffalo in the morning, instead of continuing my route to O'Beel's town, and urged it upon them in a very pressing manner that they would accompany me on this deserving errand to Buffalo, as its design was big with advantages to every Indian on the continent. Five of them immediately offered to attend Captain Houdin and myself, and chiefs of the first notoriety in this settlement, and accordingly appointed a sugar camp, eight miles distant, the place of meeting in the morning, where they must go and acquaint their people of this hasty departure.
I now made the necessary inquiry whether it was easy to obtain a good interpreter at Buffalo, or otherwise; and being informed that there were no interpreters there but those under British pay and establishment, I conceived it a duty incumbent on me to engage Mr. Jones, as being a proper person for my business, from the reputation he bore from inquiries I had made, and I accordingly agreed with him in the behalf of the United States, to pay him the customary wages so long as I should find occasion for his services.
Having for the best part of two days caused provisions to be provided for myself and people, and for several Indians who lived at a considerable distance from here, and at a considerable expense to Mr. Allen, and much trouble to his family, I proposed to make him restitution by payment, which he modestly refused, adding, that I was going into a country where I would have occasion for my money. I therefore treated his politeness in that manner which I thought would least offend him, by saying he must receive at my hand in Philadelphia a best beaver hat, and four dollars' worth in any thing Mrs. Allen should chuse to send for, estimating the whole at eleven dollars, for which I hold myself in honor bound to perform. Paid for 2 1/2 bushels corn to Mr. Forrest, 12s. 1d.; amount of Jno. Jones' bill, flour, spirits, and stores laid in for O'Beel's town, 35s. 7d.
April 2d.- Departed from the council fire at Squawkey Hill to proceed by the way of Tanawandy, to Buffalo, presumed distance between 90 and 100 miles; but, agreeable to my promise to the chiefs yesterday, I had to call for them at their sugar encampment. On my way thither, I stopped at the hut of Stumpfoot, with the Black Chief, who accompanied me, just at the instant that a runner had arrived there from Buffalo creek, who brought the information that the council fire at that place had been quenched by the direction of the chiefs who had lighted the same, at the instance of O'Beel's message to them, and the same fire was to be covered for one moon, in the words following, which he received from the great council, directed to the chiefs and warriors in this settlement, viz:
"BROTHERS: We know from our former intimation to you to meet us here, that you are just now rising from your seats, with your backs bent, bearing your loaded hoppas; but on hearing us speak, you must sit down again on your seats, and remain their for one moon, until you shall hear that our great warrior, O'Beel, (alias Cayantawanka, in the Indian) shall arrive at Buffalo and light it again."
Upon this sudden information to me, and their determination to continue as above directed, I concluded to change my route from this place, and go for the Oil Springs, near which the Corn Planter has his residence, and of which intention of mine, I immediately informed them, and added, that should I be so happy as to meet him at home, I would use every possible endeavor to bring forward, to Buffalo, Captain O'Beel and his chiefs, in order to rekindle the council fire, as my intended interview with the chiefs of the Six Nations would have the most happy effect, by being instrumental in preserving the lives of many hundreds of our fellow men, when, staying one moon longer, might prove forever too late. On these remarks we parted, and I proceeded with my people to a village eight miles distant, called Nondas, and halted for the night at the hut of a white woman, who had been with the savages from her infancy, and had borne to one of them nine children, all of whom were living. Two of her daughters I have seen, possessing fair features, bearing the bloom upon their cheeks, and inclining to the side of beauty; and her second son had lately been adopted a sachem, and styled the promoter of peace. Paid for 2 cakes sugar, and Indians bread, 7s. 6d. Snow this day, and excessive cold.
Sunday, April 3.- Arrived this day at an Indian village called Canaseder, situated on a high bluff of land, overlooking the Genesee river. It consisted of about 30 houses, and some of them done in a way that showed some taste in the workmen. The town was vacated by its inhabitants principally, save only one squaw and a young girl, who were left as guards to the interest of others, who were out providing sugar for their general stock. In this place was erected a wooden statue, (or deity) fashioned like a fierce looking sage. This form they worship by dancing before it on certain festive occasions or new moons, looking on it as through a veil or assistant, whereby they pay
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