THE OHIO VALLEY-GREAT LAKES ETHNOHISTORY
ARCHIVES: THE MIAMI COLLECTION
It is noted that the following work from the Miami Archives should be read and
considered within the historical context in which it was composed and printed.
The opinions expressed and the language used do not reflect the opinions or
standards of the Glenn A. Black Laboratory of Archaeology, but are, rather,
indicative of thought in that historical moment during which the document was
published.
Minutes of the Provincial Council
of Pennsylvania
(May 7, 1751)
In: Minutes of the Provincial
Council of
Pennsylvania, Colonial Records,
Vol. V., pp. 517-524.
(page 517) and Interests of any real or personal Estates or Sums of Money charitably given to the use of the said Hospital, together with a List of such Donations].
7. Between the word [the] and the word [Assembly] in the 4th line of 7th Page insert the words [Governor and].
8. Leave out the word [New] in the 9th line of 7th Page.
9. Leave out the word [the] in the 14th line of the 7th Page, and in its Place insert these Words [Act of General].
The Governor ordered the Secretary to read the following Letter which he received last Post from Governor Clinton:
Sir:
Your Favour of 29th January I communicated (with many of the other Governor's letters in answer to mine of 18th December last) to his Majesty's Council, who advised me to put off the meeting at Albany to the 25th of June next. For several of those Governors that seem inclinable cannot determine till their Assemblies meet, which they write me will not be till next Month; and as there is a Probability that some of them may have Proposals to make in the Interim, in Consequence of the Resolves of their Assemblies, If your Honour should have any I should be glad to be informed as soon as possible. I am with very great Regard,
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Sir, Your Honour's most obedient humble Servant, |
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G. CLINTON. |
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FORT GEORGE, April 13th, 1751.
Then was read a letter which the Governor received from Mr. Weiser in answer to one he had ordered the Secretary to write to him to press him at the Instance of himself and the Assembly to go to Ohio with the Present, which follows in these words:
May it please the Governor-
By a Letter of the 18th of this Instant from the Secretary, I understand that the Governor with the Speaker and other Members of the House of Representatives of this Province were unanimous that I should go to Ohio to distribute the Presents on the 15th of May at Logg's Town, and that it was thought I could do this and have time enough to go to Albany afterwards. With submission I would say that it is now impossible that the Goods can be at Logg's Town by the 15th of May. Time will show that what I here say is true; and besides this the Indians cannot be sent for untill the goods are upon the Spot, because this is a hungry time with the Indians, and the few that live in Logg's Town cannot provide for the rest that come from other towns. Should the Goods be stopped by the way by rainy weather or rising of the Creeks or by any other Accident, it would create Discontent and Ill will by many of the Deputies to wait with an empty Belly for the Goods of which they might after all share but little. I have experienced something of (page 518) this in the Year 1748 When the Goods could not come to Logg's Town according to the time appointed. So that upon the whole I am well assured if I was to go I could not be back again before the middle or the latter end of June next, and then the Treaty at Albany would be over; and before I could reach Albany the Indians of the Six Nations would be gone home. It is my humble Opinion that my Presence at the ensuing Treaty at Albany will be of more Consequence than the Journey to Ohio. George Croghan and Andrew Montour are every way qualified to do that Business since there is no particular Treaty to be held at Ohio; they must act according to your Honour's Instruction. If Mr. Croghan's Integrity is questioned some of the Traders at Ohio might be required to be present and see the Goods delivered Article for Article. I am satisfied there are some men on Ohio that will not spare or favour him, as for my Part I believe he will do all in his Power to Act According to your Honour's Commands and leave no room of Suspicion, as it is well known that the Indians on Ohio take their measures from the Six Nations, who are to be fixed for the English at Albany. I may, perhaps, in Conjunction with Coll. Johnson, to whom I have wrote on the subject, be of service to the Governor of New York, so that upon what is said I hope your Honour will be pleased to excuse me for this time from going to Ohio. I am willing to go to Albany if your Honour or the Assembly persist in their former Orders.
By Mr. Parsons I had sent a Letter to Mr. Peters, the Secretary, [but the Contents were to your Honour] about my Intention of taking my Son Sammy with me to the Mohocks Country, and to leave him there to learn the Mohock Language, under the Care of one Daniel Claus, a young Gentleman lately come from Germany, &c.; and as I cannot expect an answer from the Secretary I hope he has by this time sent the Letter to your Honour. I must, therefore, beg the favour of your Honour's Sentiments about the Premises mentioned in that Letter. I am,
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Sir, Your most obedient |
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CONRAD WEISER. |
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HEIDLEBERG, April the 22d, 1751.
On receit of this Letter the Governor desired Mr. Croghan and Mr. Montour to take upon them the Distribution of the Present, and the following Instructions were drawn up for the Regulation of their Conduct on that Occasion:
By the Honourable JAMES HAMILTON, Esquire, Lieutenant Governor and Commander-in-Chief of the Province of Pennsylvania, and Counties of New Castle, Kent, and Sussex, upon Delaware:
To GEORGE CROGHAN, Esquire, and Mr. ANDREW MONTOUR:
Whereas, A Quantity of Goods to the Value of Seven Hundred (page 519) Pounds has been provided by the Government for the several Nations of Indians at Ohio, the same is forthwith to be carried and distributed amongst them by you. I trust you will be sensible of the Importance of the concern committed to your Care, and manage with so much Prudence and Skill as that the Present shall have its full Force and Effect.
As soon as you arrive at Ohio let some of the Chiefs of the Six Nations know of your coming; let them be those that You are fully convinced are strictly attached to the English Interest, and let them know that you have a Message and a Present from the Governor of Pennsylvania to the Indians on Ohio, chiefly to strengthen the Alliance of the Six Nations with the other Indians, and that they must assist the Governor of Pennsylvania as if it were in Council together, and form a Speech to be made to three particular Nations, Viz., the Shawonese, Delawares, and Owendaets, and put them in mind of what was transacted three Years ago with the Owendaets by the Six United Nations of Indians at Ohio and the Deputies from the Government of Pennsylvania, Conrad Weiser, Esquire, and yourselves, which you will perceive by Mr. Weiser's Journal, a Copy of which I herein inclose You. At that time the Owendaets promised to pay a visit to their unknown Brethren in Philadelphia and make themselves known to them, but as they have not fulfilled their Promise You have now brought that Present, or Part of it, which the Government of Pennsylvania intended to make them on their Visit; and as the Six United Nations and the People of Pennsylvania are one People, of one Mind and one Body, It is expected the Six Nation Brethren on Ohio should assist You and deliver the Present in the best manner possible.
As to the Delawares, You must inform the said Chiefs what passed between them and Conrad Weiser at that time where you both were present; that the Delawares acquainted Conrad Weiser of their lamentable Condition for the Loss of their Chief, who was a Man well beloved by their Brethren the English, and that they the Delawares then promised to visit their Brethren in Philadelphia to Consult with them about a new Chief, but that those men who made such Promise, viz., Shawanapon and Others, are since dead, which makes their Case still the more deplorable, and that their Brethren in Philadelphia have sent them a Present to condole with them and wipe off the Tears from their Eyes, and advise them to recommend such Persons to us as well as to the Six Nations, with whom Publick Business shall be transacted, and that their Brethren in Philadelphia will look upon them so recommended as Chief or Chiefs of the Delawares, and use him or them accordingly on all Occasions; and if they cannot agree about the Affair, that their Brethren of Pennsylvania, with whom the Delawares are one People, being come out of the same spot of Ground will advise or direct as Occasion may require, Application of their Brethren the Delawares being first made.
As to the Shawonese you must acquaint the Six Nations' Chiefs that upon their Recommendation the People of Pennsylvania are entirely reconciled with the Shawonese, and nothing now seems wanting but a more free conversation and correspondence between the Shawonese and Six United Nations, and therefore the Six United Nations are desir'd to join with this Government in removing all obstacles yet remaining, which can be but trifles, and that the Present to be given them is to serve for that purpose, and that from henceforth we jointly with the Six United Nations expect a more free and open correspondence with the Shawonese.
Then say, Brethren this that has been said to you now is the chief part of our Instructions, and your Brethren the Governor of Pennsylvania and the old men the Counsellors desire you will join with them and assist in the whole, as it is chiefly intended to strengthen your arms, who are the head of all the Indians in North America. To enforce this on your minds the Governor sends you this Belt of Wampum.
Mr. Andrew Montour must make himself Master of what is abovesaid so that he may be capable to be Speaker; but if the Six Nation Chiefs should appoint one of them to be Speaker care must be taken that he keep to that which was agreed upon before in Council, for it is known that some assuming fellows amongst them will take upon them to speak in Publick and go so far astray that they put every thing in Confusion.
It is supposed after the Delivery of the Belt they will hold a Council, and when by their answer you perceive that they are well pleased, you are only to reserve so much of the Provincial Present as will cloathe them that assist you, so that they may have each of them a Strowd, a Shirt, a pair of Stockings, some Powder and Lead, as you will see cause, but if they should seem dissatisfied because nothing was said to them of a Present (tho' 'tis hoped they will be well pleased) that then you tell them that there was some things in reserve for them, and then you must give them a share of the Present. When you are in Council with them you must acquaint them in proper Form, or let Mr. Andrew Montour speak to them in my name as follows:
Brethren, the Six Nations:
We received a Message from you by Mr. Montour imparting to us one from the Twightwees to you, wherein they set forth that they are young and unexperienced and that you are their elder Brothers, and therefore pray your advice how to behave in their new Alliance, promising to follow it, and further desiring you to acquaint the English that they will ever remain faithful to them. We thank you for your communication of this their Message, we rely on you to give them good advice and on them to follow it, and we repeat to you and them our assurances to behave towards you with the greatest Friendship and affection.
Brethren of the Six Nations:
You likewise did impart to us a Message given you for us by the Owendaets, who by you complain they are not admitted into the General Peace; how comes this to pass, are they not free and independent Indians and as such have a Right to live where they please, and as we do not infringe upon the Liberties of the Indians, so neither ought the French to do it, and if they do it ought to be the voice of one and all the Indians to resent and to put a stop to such unjust Proceedings.
Brethren, the Six Nations:
We received another Message from you by Conajarca, requesting to be informed when the Proprietaries buy any Lands of the Six Nations, that you might receive some of the Consideration Money. Brethren, we sent your Belt to the Six Nation Council at Onondago, being under an Engagement to treat with none but them about Lands, and they have your Belt now under consideration.
Brethren, the Twightwees:
As you are an antient and renowned Nation, we were pleased when you sent your Deputies now three Years ago to sollicit our alliance, nor did we hesitate to grant your Request as it came so warmly recommended to us by our Brethren the Six Nations, Delawares, and Shawonese; at your further Request we ordered our Traders to go among you with their Goods, and to sell You them at a reasonable rate and of good sorts. We understand that in obedience to our Commands the Traders have visited you and given you intire Satisfaction. By one of them, Mr. Hugh Crawford, we received a Message from you, pressing us to send a greater Number of Traders, and to this we returned you our answer by Mr. Montour and Mr. Croghan, who, we are informed, delivered it to you in one of your Towns about two months ago. Mr. Croghan likewise informs Us at the same time two other Tribes of your Nation earnestly requesting to become our Allies, he and Mr. Montour did receive a Writing from You certifying such Your Request, and containing Your Promises of Fidelity and Friendship, which we have seen and approve.
Brethren, the Six Nations, Delawares, Shawonese, Owendaets, and Twightwees, Hear what we have to say to You all in general:
I am informed by Mr. Croghan that the French and some Indians in their Alliance obstruct our Traders, carry away their Persons and Goods, and are guilty of many more outrageous Practices, whereby the Road between us and You is now very unsafe to travel in, nor can we ask any of the Traders to go any more amongst You Whilst their Lives and Effects are in such imminent Danger. How comes this to pass? Does not this proceed from the Pride and Covetousness of Onontio, whom the Indians frequently call their Father, because they do not see his ill designs? The strong Houses you gave him Leave to erect on Your Lands serves (as your Breth- (page 522) ren the English always told you) to impoverish you and to keep your wives and children always naked by keeping the English Traders at a Distance, well knowing the English sell their Goods cheaper than they can afford; and I can assure You Onontio will never rest whilst an English Trader comes to Ohio; an, indeed, if you do not open your Eyes he will obtain his End. The strong Houses You gave him leave to build on Your Land makes him so insolent and untractable.
Given under my Hand and the Lesser seal of the said Province at Philadelphia, the Twenty-Fifth Day of April, in the Year of our Lord one Thousand Seven Hundred and Fifty-one.
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JAMES HAMILTON. |
A private Instruction was added to the above in a Letter to George Croghan, expressingly forbidding him to make any publick mention of building a Fort, but only desiring him to sound the Indians on this Point when by themselves in private Conversation.
The Governor further informed the Council that George Croghan had been in Town and given him the following Intelligence, which he obliged him to put down in writing, namely, that the French Indians had made Prisoners of three of the Traders' Men and taken their Goods, and by the Description given of them by the Indians they must have been his Men; that it was reported that a Body of French and French Indians had determined for the Twightwee Country to destroy the English Traders there as soon as the Season would permit; adding of himself that if some measures were not speedily taken to encourage the Indians to join and repel the French the English Interest wou'd soon come to nothing in those Parts; and if they shou'd lose themselves with those Indians the Six Nations would not long continue their Regards for the English.
Mr. Croghan further related that in February last he and Andrew Montour had been with the Twightwees on the Big Miamis Creek, a Branch of the River Ohio; and that at the time they were there Two Nations, called the Waughwaoughtanneys and Pyankeskees, two Tribes of the Twightwee Nation, came into Council and desired they might be admitted into the Alliance of the English; That thereupon Mr. Montour and he (though they had no Authority from the Governor), rather than discourage these People at so critical a time did hearken to them, and drew up an Instrument which was executed on both sides; that he the Governor had reproved Mr. Croghan for acting in publick matters without his orders, but had however taken the Instrument from him, and being read, it was ordered to be entered, it might be known hereafter what had been done:
Whereas, At an Indian Treaty held at the Twightwee's Town on the Big Miamis Creek, being a Branch of the River Ohio, on Thursday the twenty-second Instant before George Croghan and (page 523) Andrew Montour, Twenty men of the Waughwaoughtanneys and Pyankeskees, Two of their Indian Chiefs, viz., Takentoa Molsinoughko, and Nynickoneghee, Appeared in Behalf of themselves and their nations, and prayed that as their Indian Brothers the Twightwees had been lately admitted into the Friendship and Alliance of the King of Great Britain and his Subjects, and as they are Tribes of the said Twightwees, earnestly desired to be admitted into the said Chain of Friendship and Alliance of the King of Great Britain and his Subjects, professing on their Parts to become true and faithful Friends and Allies to the English, and so forever to continue. Mishikinoughwee and Nemesqua and all of them, Nations in Friendship and Alliance with the English, becoming an earnest Intercesser with the said Chiefs on their Behalfs the Prayers of the said Chiefs of the Waughwaoughtanneys and Pyankeskees was granted, a firm Treaty and Alliance of Friendship was then stipulated and agreed on between the said George Croghan and Andrew Montour in Behalf of the Governor of Pennsylvania and the said Chiefs or Deputies of Waughwaoughtanneys and Pyankeskees Nations, as by the Records of that Council held will more fully appear. Now these Presents Witness, and it is hereby declared, that the said Nations of Indians called the Waughwaoughtanneys and Pyankeskees are accepted by the said George Croghan and Andrew Montour as good Friends and Allies of the English Nation; and they the said Nations and the Subjects of the King of Great Britain shall forever after be as one head and one heart, and live in true Friendship as one People. In consideration whereof the said Takentoa, Molsinoughko, and Nynickenowen, Chiefs of the said Waughaoughtanneys and Pyankeskees Nations, Do hereby, in behalf of the Nations, covenant, promise, and declare, that the several People of the said Waughwaoughtanneys and Pyankeskees Nations, or any of them, shall not at any time hurt or injure or defraud, or suffer to be hurt, injured, or defrauded, any of the Subjects of the King of Great Britain, either in their Persons or Estates, but shall at all times readily do Justice and perform to them all the Acts and office of Friendship and Good Will. Item; That the said Waughwaoughtanneys and Pyankeskees Nations by the Alliance aforesaid becoming entitled to the Privilege and Protection of the English Laws, they shall at all times behave themselves regularly, and soberly according to the Laws of the Government of Pennsylvania whilst they live or be amongst or near the Christian Inhabitants thereof. Item; That none of the said Nations shall at any time be aiding, assisting, or abetting to or with any other Nation, whether of Indians or others, that shall not at such time be in Amity with the Crown of England and the said Government of Pennsylvania. Item; That if at any time any of the said Waughwaoughtanneys and Pyankeskees Nations by means of evil-minded Persons and Sowers of Sedition should hear of any unkind or disadvantageous Reports of the English, as if they had evil Designs against any of the Said Indians, in such case such Indians shall send Notice thereof to the (page 524) Governor of the aforesaid Province for the time being, and shall not give Credit to the said Reports till by that means they shall be fully satisfied of the Truth thereof; and it is agreed that the English shall in such cases do the same by them. In Testimony whereof, as well the said George Croghan and Andrew Montour as the Chiefs of the Waughwaoughtanneys and Pyankeskees Nations have smoaked the Calumet Pipe, made Mutual Presents to each other, and hereunto set their Hands and Seals, the twenty-second Day of February, in the Year of our Lord one Thousand Seven Hundred and Fifty, and in the Twenty-Fourth Year of the Reign of George the Second, King of Great Britain, France, and Ireland, Defender of the Faith, &ca.
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GEO. CROGHAN [L. S.] |
Signed, Sealed, and Delivered in the Presence of Us,
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CHRISTN. GIST, |
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ROBT. KELLENER, |
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THOMAS T. K. KINTON, |
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JOHN POTTS, |
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TAKEN X TOA, [L. S.] |
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MOLSIN X OUGHO, [L. S.] |
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NYNICKEN X OUGHEE, [L. S.] |
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ANDREW X MONTOUR, |
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John J. Peter, a Delaware man, present; Lawaghannicke, a Shawonese man, present.
These several Matters begin taken into Consideration, it was thought proper that they should be laid before the Assembly, which was accordingly done with the following Message:
A Message from the Governor to the Assembly.
Gentlemen:
I was very well pleased with your Resolution, signified to me at the Close of the last Session, to adjourn to the Beginning of this Month in order that you might be the better enabled to consider from such Intelligence as might then be given You what measures it might be proper for you to take with regard to Indian Affairs.
I have since received a Letter from Governor Clinton, acquainting me that by Advice of his Council he has postponed his meeting
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