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.

Indian Affairs

(1768)

(Due to length divided here into three parts)

In: The Papers of Sir William
Johnson, vol. 12,
pp. 626-669.

pp.		1(Title), 626, 627, 628,
		629, 632, 633, 634,
		635, 664.

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

(page 626)

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 W^ms. 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 & 12lb. 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 22^d. Sayenquaraghta Chief Warrior of the Senecas w^th. Sev^l. more came early in the Morning to request that Sir William would Order the Traders at this place to deal reasonable 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, w^ch. he returned, and after ordering them Pipes, Tobacco, & a dram & paint for their Warriors, they withdrew,- after which sev^l. other setts did y^e. same.

23- This morning early Bunt Chief of the Onondagas, the Speaker Ticawarunte, Ganaquiesa 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 Onoghcaridavia Chief of the Senecas who died lately- Sir W^m. agreed to it as it would be a means of expediting the affairs of the Congress, and settled matters with them accordingly.-

At 10 P M- Gaustrax with ten of his people brought up the rear, waited immediately on Sir William, and made several (page 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 w^ch. their delay had Occasioned, such as the extraordinary consumption of provisions which must be a heavy expence to the Government, 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 S^r. W^m's. returning the Complement, & ordering them Pipes, Tobacco, & Paint &c, they went to their Encampment.-

Octob^r. 24^th. At a Treaty with the Six Nations- Shawanese, & Delawares, Senecas of Ohio & depend. held at Fort-Stanwix on Monday the 24^th day of October-

Present-	The Honoble Sir W^m. Johnson Bar^t. Super-Intend^t. His Excell^cy. W^m. Franklin Esq^r. Gover^r. N: Jersey Thomas Walker Esq^r. Commiss^r. from Col^y. Virginia The Honble Fred^k. Smith Ch. Justice of New Jersey Rich^d. Peters & James Tilghman Esq^rs. Commiss^rs. from the Province of Pennsylvania.-
	George Croghan Dan^l. Claus	}	Esq^rs. Dep^y. Ag^ts. Ind^s. affairs
	Guy Johnson Esq^r. Dep^y. Ag^t. as Secretary with Sundry other Gent. from different Colonies
	John Butler Esq^r., M^r. And^w. Montour & Philip Philips- Interpreters-			}

(page 628)

	Indian Chiefs present

Mohawks- Abraham Kanadagaya Hendrick Aroghiadecka Tobarihoga Onohario with 232 others	Onondagas- The Bunt Teyawarurit Diaquanda Tawashughti Adiushkanoran Depokadori w^th. 326 others	Senecas- Gaustrax Odongot Sayenquaraghta Ausquisahawe Osourdoa Wanugsissa w^th. 470 others

Oneidas Gangahquieson Nicholazera Senughsis Gayugeta Tagawaron Tayehase Wadori	Cayugas Tagaaia Skanarady Attawawna Kaingseraragarat Tohutiniendantea	Tuscaroras Saquareesera Kanigot Tyaghawehe
w^th. 480 others-	with 410 others-	w^th. 350 others

The Pheasent-
w^th. 16 others-

Benevissica-
w^th. 410 others-

Killbuck & Turtleheart
w^th. 27 others-

Nanticokes-
Jemmy Nanticok
with 138 others-

Oughwagoes-
Adam & Peter
w^th. 278 others-

Canoys-
last night
w^th. 96 o^rs.

Tuteloes
38,-

Chughnuts-
Adarundagas
w^th. 65 others

Minisink Ind^ns.-
Tot- 90-

Cognawageys
Tot- 29-

Total of Ind^ns. 3102-¹

* * * * *

(page 629)

Octob^r. 30^th.

This day the number of Indians present stood as follows-

Mohocks & Conajohares Oneidas Tuscaroras of 3 Villages Onondagas Cajugas Senecas Shawanese Delawares Caghnawages	196 480 377 320 410 470 44 39 37	Conoys Chugnuts Onougquagoes Tuteloes Schohares	96 65 175 38 36 87 ____ 497
Nanticokes	138 ____	Oriscas & c^a	2511 ____
	2511 ____	Tot	3008 Ind^ns. _____

* * * * *

Nov^r. 6^th. 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 Mohock
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 sev^l. Nations assembled then at Fort-Stanwix.-

(page 632)

AN INDIAN CONFERENCE

Contemporary Copy²

At a Meeting with the Shawanese, Delawares & Mingoes of Ohio held at

Johnson-Hall November the 12^th, 1768-

Being all assembled Sir W^m. addressed them as follows

Brothers, the Shawanese & Delawares &c^a.-

I bid you all wellcome to my House where the Council fire burns 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 sev^l. 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-

Notwithstanding his Majesty, the King of great Britain is now at Peace with all the European powers, & desirous of continuing 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 (page 633) Quarter, by which means, the road is become bloody, and likely to grow up with Briars, and other prickly Brambles, unless prevented 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 w^ch. 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

(page 634)

Brother-

Three years ago when our Deputies were here in Council w^th. 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 Sunsetting, 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- (there 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 (page 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 sev^l. 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 Fry³ for Waggons to carry them to Lake Otsego, and also an Order to Major Wells⁴ to Supply them with Provisions whilst there and for their Journey, and also for Boats.- Gave them three Pair of Colours. viz^t. one for the Mingoes, one for the Shawanese, & another for the Delawares- gave them also Some Cash to purchase provisions on their road homewards.--

TO THOMAS GAGE

A. L. S.⁵

Johnson Hall Novb^r. 13^th, 1768

DEAR SIR-

My time has been of late so totally engrossed with the Indians, & the affairs of y^e. Treaty that I had scarcely a Moment to myself, and indeed from the many difficulties, delays & obstructions I could not take upon me to write with absolute Certainty concerning the Issue of my proceedings.

(page 664)

Transmiting a general Acc^t.
of the Expences of the Treaty
at Fort Stanwix, for Settling
The general Boudnary with
the Indians-
Answered-

TO GOLDSBROW BANYAR

A. L. S.⁶

Decb^r. 9^th, 1768

DEAR BANYAR-

I wrote You lately, which I hope You got safe, this goes by Major Gorham⁷ meerly to ask You what is done in Co^l. Vaughans⁸ Land Affair, w^h. was Surveyed this last Summer. He wrote me Some time ago, that he had advanced to M^r. French⁹ on his Draft the Sum of 120 Str^g., 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 Ind^s. who attended it are not yet paid. I wish you would by y^e. next Post let me know about that affair, as also ab^t. Everry thing wrote You in my last.-

I am Dear Banyar with great truth, Y^r. Welwisher

& Humble Servant
W JOHNSON

GOLDSBOROW BANYAR Esq^r.-

I did not observe before I finished this, that it was but a half sheet, so hope y^l. excuse it. I have not time to write it over, being much hurried.-
_____________________

¹(22, p. 628) From this point the narrative is identical, except for the following enumeration of Indians and concluding paragraphs, with that printed in Doc. Rel. to Col. Hist. N. Y., 8:113-34.

²(1, Ind. Conf.) In Canadian Archives, Indian Records, Vol. 8.

³(2, Ind. Conf.) Colonel Hendrick Frey.

⁴(3, Ind. Conf.) Major John Wells of Cherry Valley.

⁵(1, Letter to Gage) In William L. Clements Library; draft, varying slightly and in mutilated 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 10^th. Ult^o.

⁶(1, p. 664) In New York Historical Society, Banyar Papers.

⁷(2, p. 664) Major Joseph Gorham.

⁸(3, p. 664) Lieutenant Colonel John Vaughan.

⁹(4, p. 664) John French.

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