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
(August 7, 1753)
In: Minutes of the Provincial Council
of Pennsylvania, Colonial
Records, Vol. V,
pp. 635-637.
Thomas Burny was dispatched Express from Ohio to the Governor of Virginia, with a letter from the Half King, which Mr. Shippen copied as Burny rode thro' this Province in his way to Williamsburg, and sent it to the Governor and it was read as follows:
Our Good Brother the Governor of Virginia-
We send you this by our Brother, Mr. Thomas Burny, to acquaint you the we your Brethren, together with the Head Men of the Six Nations, the Twightwees, Shawonese, and Delawares, were coming down to pay you a visit, but were prevented by the Arrival here of four Men, Two Mingoes and Two Delawares, who informed Us that there were Three Hundred French Men and Ten Connewaugeroonas within Two Days' Journey of this Place, and we do not know how soon they may come upon Us; therefore our Request to you is, that you would send out a number of your People, our Brethren, to meet us at the Forks of Mohongialo, and see what is the Reason of their coming, for we do not want the French to come amongst Us at all, but very much want our good Brothers the English to be with us, to whom our Hearts are good and shall every continue to be so.
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From your Loving Brothers * * * * * * * The Half King, |
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MONAKATOOTAH. |
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THOMAS BURNY.
Logstown, June 22d, 1753.
Then the Governor informed the Council that besides these Letters and Intelligences Mr. Peters had sent him an Account from Carlisle, where he was doing some business for the Proprietaries, that he had seen Andrew Montour after his Return from Onondago, who told him that the Six Nations (as well as he, Mr. Montour, cou'd learn from the Indians, tho' there were but few at home whilst he was at Odondago) were against both English and French building Forts and setling Lands at Ohio, and desired they might both quit that Country, and only send a few Traders with Goods sufficient to supply the wants of their Hunters; that they did not like the Virginians and Pennsylvanians making Treaties with these Indians, whom they called Hunters, and young and giddy Men and Children; that they were their Fathers, and if the English wanted any thing from these childish People they must first speak to their Fathers. Mr. Montour said further, that he was going a Second Time to Onondago on Behalf of the Government of Virginia, and desired to know if any thing was to be carried from the Governor of Pennsylvania. Mr. Peters, thinking this a favourable Opportunity, desired him to deliver the following Message to the Council: Brethren of the Six Nations- "The French have invaded your Lands on the Ohio and are building Forts there. The Indians of (page 636) your Nations settled there, with the Delawares and Shawonese, Twightwees and Owendats, are terrified and desire our assistance, which we are willing to afford them but want first to know in what Manner You will desire We shall give them Assistance, and what You wou'd chuse We should do to prevent the Country and Them from falling into the Hands of the French. Brethren, We desire You will speak plainly and fully on this Head, not knowing what to do till we hear from You."
The Governor said Mr. Peters further told him he could not depend on any Accounts from Ohio, as there were none but Indian Traders to apply to for Information, who were too partial, ignorant, and too much concerned for their own Interest, to give true or intelligent Accounts. That he believed the Traders discouraged the Indians from coming to Philadelphia, else they would have come, being often invited.
The Governor added, that he thought the Message sent by Mr. Peters of too much Importance to be committed to Mr. Montour only; and, therefore, not knowing what was best to be done, he had sent for Mr. Weiser, and after conferring with him had sent him Express to Onondago with the following Instructions, Viz.:
To enquire among the Six Nations whether the Report that We had from Ohio, to wit, that the French were building Forts there, was true, and whether They the French had Leave from the Six Nations?
Whether the Six Nations are in Fear of being hurt by the French if they don't comply with their desires?
Whether it be true that the Six Nations in earnest require that the English Traders shall be removed from Ohio?
And upon the whole, how they the Six Nations stand at present as to the chain of Friendship between them and the English?
And to Assure Them that the Government of Pennsylvania will do all that can be in reason expected as to furnish Cloathing, and so forth, if the French should attack them the Six Nations.
Whether, in Case the Proceedings of the French be disagreeable to the Six Nations, They intend to oppose them, and in what Manner? And whether they expect any Assistance from this Government, and of what Sort?
Two Days after Mr. Weiser was gone Mr. Montour came to Town from Onondago, and delivered to the Governor the following Answer to the Message delivered to him at Carlisle by Mr. Peters:
A Message delivered the Thirty-First Day of July, 1753, to the (page 637) Governor of Pennsylvania by Andrew Montour from the Indians at Onondago:
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PRESENT: |
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Cashwahutyonah, of Onondago. |
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Saghwareesa, of the same. |
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Cayangwarego, of the same. |
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Tahtahqueesa, Oneido. |
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Saghwareesa, Tuscorara. |
Brother Onas:
Andrew Montour delivered Us a Message purporting that you would glad to know what kind of Assistance we desired you should give to our Indians at Ohio, in case they should be attacked by the French. Hear our answer, which is the same that we have given to Assaraqoah:
We thank you for the Notice you are pleased to take of these Young Men, and for your kind intentions towards them. They stand in need of your Advice, for they are a great way from Us. We, on behalf of all the Indians, our Men, Women, Children, entreat you will give them good advice. It is an hunting country they live in, and we would have it reserved for this use only, and desire that no Settlements may be made there, tho' you may trade there as much as you please, and so may the French. We love the English and we love the French, and as you are at Peace with one another do not disturb one another; if you fall out make up your Matters among Yourselves. You must ask the French what they intend to do, and endeavour to preserve Peace. We would not have you quarrel, but trade with us peaceably, one as well as another, but make no Settlements. If our Indians shou'd be struck it will be very kind to help them; it is better to help them than Us, for we are near New York and can be supplied easily from thence. Col. Johnson, the Agent of that Government, has assured Us We may always have what we want there; We expect him amongst Us soon, and can ask then for any thing for ourselves, but our young Men at Ohio must have their Supply from You. We, therefore, heartily thank you for your Regards to Us and our Hunters at Ohio, which we testify by
A String of Wampum.
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