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
Conferences Held by
Capt. George Croghan
(Pittsburgh, August, 1759)
Croghan, George in: [B. M., Add. MSS.
21655, f.73-75] and in Stevens, et
all. The Papers of Col. Henry
Bouquet, 21655, 1943,
pp. 70-75.
Minutes of Conferences held at Pittsburg In August 1759.
By George Croghan Esqr. Deputy Agent to the Honourable Sir William Johnson Baronet, His Majestys Agent and Superintendant, for Indian Affairs in the Northern District of North America. With the Chiefs & Warriors of the Delawares, Shawnesse, Wayondotts, Twigtwees, Ottawas, Chepawas, Cuscuskees and Putawatimes.
Minutes of Conferences &ca
At a Meeting held at Pittsburg, on the 7th August 1759.
Present
George Croghan Esqr. Deputy Agent to the Honourable Sir William Johnson Baronet.
Colonel Hugh Mercer Commandant at Pittsburg.
A Number of the Officers of the Garrison
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Capt William Trent |
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Capt Thomas McKee |
} Assistants to George Croghan Esqr. |
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Capt Henry Montour |
Interpreter |
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Indians |
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Delawares |
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Ottawas |
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The Beaver |
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Misseaghage |
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Delaware George |
} Chiefs |
Oulamey |
} Captains |
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and |
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White Eyes |
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22 Warriors |
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Tesekume |
} Captains |
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and |
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Chepawas |
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82 Warriors |
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Ocheaways |
} Captain |
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Shawnesse |
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and |
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9 Warriors |
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Misquepalothe |
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Waconathechea |
} Chiefs |
Cuscuskees |
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Othoaway Weseloutha |
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Mishohequanaqua |
} Captain |
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Woppepalathe |
} Captains |
and |
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and |
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14 Warriors |
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64 Warriors |
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Wayandotts |
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Putawatimes |
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Twoghganouras |
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Opeena |
} Captain |
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Tohondotteradases |
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and |
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Corcerventians |
} Captains |
8 Warriors |
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Conourro |
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and |
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52 Warriors |
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Twightwees |
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Mischehaga |
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Owayname |
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and |
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38 Warriors |
When the Indians were gathered I acquainted them that my reason for calling them was to hear what they had to say to each other, as it appeared to me that some one Nation of them had in the beginning of this War given the Hatchet to the rest to strike us, and notwithstanding all the Treatys and Councils we have had with the Chiefs of the several Nations, the bloody Hatchet was not yet thrown into the bottomless Pit, as we every day hear'd of fresh Murders being commited on the Road.
I then made the following Speech to them with a Belt of Wampum
Brethren
I desire as there is a sufficient Number of all the Western Nations of Indians present, that you let me see the War Hatchet buried, that there may be no more use of it made against any of his Majestys Subjects. As you are sensible that Peace has been made between us, and your Deputys in behalf of your several Nations; You may be assured if any of your People continue these Acts of Hostilities, that we shall look on them as a violation of the Peace, and a breach of the solemn Engagements made to us by your Deputys in behalf of your several Nations.
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Gave a Belt. |
The 8th The Indians acquainted me that they would meet in the Afternoon to bury the War Hatchet as I had desired.
Three o'clock in the Afternoon, the Chefs and Warriors of the Delawares, Shawnesse, Wayondotts, Twigtwees, Ottawas, Chepawas, Cuscuskees and Putawatimes, met in the Council House, and sent for Col. Mercer and myself to come and hear what they were going to say to each other when we came to the Council House, the Beaver desired I would open the Council, which I did by acquainting them that I was glad to see so great a number of my Brethren from so many different Nations met together to brighten and strengthen the Chain of Friendship between them and us, delivering them a String of Wampum.
The Beaver then addressing himself to all the Indians of the Western Nations Spoke as follows.
Uncles the Wayondotts, and you our Cousens of the several other Western Nations.
With this fine Feather which I have dipped in that pure Oil which our Grandfathers formerly used on this Occasion, I wash the inside of your Ears, that you may hear what I am going to say to you, and that you and your Warriors may hear what our Warriors are going to say to you after I have done; As our Grand Children the Shawnesse join us in this Council, I desire you will consider what is said to you this day as spoke by both our Nations.
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Gave a String. |
Uncles and Cousens
This Spring when I was over the Lakes holding a Council with the Chiefs of your several Nations, they desired I would be strong, and accomplish the good work of Peace which I had began at this place last fall on their behalf, and gave me these fourteen Belts of Wampum to assure our Brethren the English, the Six Nations, our several Tribes of Delawares, and other Nations of Indians living in the Six Nation Country, that they were willing to take fast hold of the Chain of Friendship subsisting (page 73) between the English, and all Nations of Indians living to the Sun rising. Uncles & Cousens this Belt which you see me hold in my hand I will join with these Fourteen Belts to assure all Nations to the Sun rising that your Nations have agreed to the Peace confirmed here the 9th of last Month between the Deputys of your Nations (who came with me here for that purpose) & our Brethren the English; here he layed down the Belt which he added to the fourteen Belts which he promised to send of the next day. Then taking up another Belt spoke as follows; I assure you by this Belt, that the Peace was settled here between your Deputys and our Brothers the English in the manner I have informed you, as they have taken to your Country the Belts of Confirmation given to them.
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Gave a Belt |
The Beaver then desired his Uncles and Cousens of the Western Indians to listen to what the Warriors of the Delawares & Shawneese were going to say. The Principal Warrior of the Delawares then got up and made the following Speech.
Uncles and Cousens of all the Nations to the Sun sitting listen to what we the Warriors are going to say to you.
We and Our Grand Children the Shawnesse began the War in this Country, we did not make the Hatchet, it was sent to us by one of our Tribes who live amongst the French called Wappones, and some of our People who lived on Sasquehannah, we were foolish enough without taking time to consider, to make use of that wicked Weapon, and then sent it to your Nations inviting you to come & help and help us, which you did. The Wise Men of all our Nations have made Peace with our Brethren the English, and as the Peace is very agreeable to us, we by this Belt of Wampum take the Hatchet we sent you out of your Hands, and we pull up a large Pine Tree & bury it deep in the ground, treading down the earth firm about all the spreading Roots of the Tree that the Hatchet may never be found more.
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Gave a Belt. |
Uncles and Cousens
We have buried the Hatchet. With this Belt of Wampum we stop us the War Road, and clear out the Road of Peace from your Country here, which you will travel in safety to see your Brethren the English, and trade with them. We lay a great Log across the War Path over which your Warriors must not expect to pass for the future. We wash the Blood that has been spilt of the Earth & gether up the Bones of our Friends that have been killed since the War, & bury them decently.
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Gave a Broad Belt. |
Uncles and Cousens
I desire that you and the Warriors of your Nation may think no more of War, but go a hunting, and travel this Road of Peace and visit your Brethren the English, and exchange your skins, and furs, for Goods to cloth your Women and Children.
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Gave a String. |
The Beaver then spoke as follows
Uncles and Cousens.
The War Hatchet is now buried. With these two Belts I disperse the dark Clouds which has so long hung over our heads, that we may see the Sun clear and as the Blood that has been spilt is washed of the Earth, I hope we shall smell the sweet Scent of the Springing Herbs as formerly, and enjoy the blessings of Peace as our Fathers formerly did.
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He gave one Belt to the Wayondotts, |
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& one to the Twigtwees. |
The Wayondotts, & Twigtwees in behalf of themselves, and the other Western Nations, made the following speech.
Nephews the Delawares, and Cousens the Shawnesse.
It gives us great pleasure to hear you speak, what you have said this day has made our Hearts easy, it is like Physick given to a Man which cures him when he is at the point of death. It is true it was your duty to do this as we had the Hatchet from you; we on behalf of all the Nations assure you and our Brethren the English that we will pay due regard to what you have said, and proclaim it through all the Nations, both on this side the Lake, & the other; and we assure you that none of our Warriors for the future shall go to War against our Brethren, and that we will as soon as possible comply with the Engagements our Deputys entered into with our Brethren the English on confirming the Peace.
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