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.
Conference of Lord Cornbury
With the Indians
(July 9-Aug. 19, 1702)
(Due to length divided here into two parts.)
Livingston, Robert, Schuyler, P., and Wessels, Dirck
in: New York Colonial Documents, IV
(London
Documents: XV), pp. 978-999.
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PROPOSITIONS made by two Canada Maquase Sachims called Taquayanout and Sinjaderise accompanied with Degayedore another Indian of Canada to his Excellency Edward Lord Cornbury Captn Genll and Governour In Chiefe of the Province of N Yorke and the Territories depending thereon in American and Vice admirrall of ye Same &c in Albany the 9th July 1702
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Since providence had so ordered it that we are here at this juncture and yt your Lordship is pleased to admitt us to speak with you, we presume to inform you Onnondio our Govr of Canada has told us that is a warr should break out, between the two crowns of France and England as is dayly expected, that we Indians should sitt neuters, and not be concerned either (page 979) way now we desire to know whether you think our Governour real or not, and whether we may depend upon it, and how that your Lordship intends to do with ye Indians in your Government whether you will keep them in from warring upon us, we would gladly be satisfied on this particular and to be plain with your Lordship it is ye cause of our stay here so long, hopeing your Lordship will be pleased to resolve us before we goe hence to Canada do give two Bever Skins.
His Lordship asked how long the designed to stay, that he may give them an answer, They said they beleived they would not be ready before the Indian Propositions were over
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P SCHUYLER |
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PROPOSITIONS made by five of ye farr Indians called Twightwighs and Tionondadees |
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sent by the Sachims of said Nations who live at Tjughsaghrondie a place where the French have built a Fort last year, to His Excellency Edward Lord Cornbury Captn Genll and Governor in Cheife of New Yorke &c and Vice Admirall of ye Same in Albany ye 10th July 1702 |
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PRESENT- |
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Coll P Schuyler of H M Councill |
Tehonwahonkarachqua, a Twichtwigh son in law of ye Principal Sachim of Deonondade spoke first and said,
Brother Corlaer
I hope your Lordship will not expect that we should say much being but ignorant mean poor people, in ye first place we congratulate your Lordships safe arrival to your Government, and beg leave to bid you heartily welcome doe give a Bever Coat
Rughkiwahaddi, a Diononde Spoke @ said
The greatest part of ye Dionondes and many of ye Twichtwighs are removed and come to live at Tjughsaghrondie, hard by the Fort which ye French built last summer, which said two nations are united, we belong to those Dionondadees who live at Tjughsaghrondie and our Sachims having heard by one of our Indians called Towasquaye now come along with us, that he was kindly treated here about two years agoe, we are therefore sent hither to return thanks and to see if yt good treatment and understanding continues, and withall to enquire concerning the Trade of this place we are directed by the Sachims to see if goods be cheaper here than elsewhere and where we find goods cheapest, thither we will bend our course, we designed to go to Canada with our Bever and Peltry, but we ventured and are come here to try, and see whether ye Goods be cheaper here than there do give 7 Bevers
Brother Corlaer
We have one word more to say, that is that we being strangers, were much at a losse when we came to the carrying place of Oneyde none of us ever having been that way before (Towasquaye when he came here two years agoe coming by the waye of Canada) we do therefore Pray if your Lordship shall be so good, yt ye Path over ye Carrying Place may be mark'd upon ye Trees and ye old Trees taken out of ye Creek which much injures the Passage of Canoes, and will much facilitate their coming hither.
Wee presume to acquaint your Lordship that there are eight of our nations that are now in warr with ye Naudowasses by ye French called Pani a nation of Indians that live to the Westward towards ye Spanyards
My Lord replyed
That he was glad to see them and they were very welcome, that Mr Abraham Schyler and Jean Baptist were appointed by his Lordship to goe along to see they be civilly used by ye Traders in the disposall of their Bevers and Peltry they brought along
The Indians prayed to have leave to speak one word more vizt that his Lordship would dispatch them as soon as possible with an answer Since their Sachims would think long for their coming back
His Lordship said he would either ansr them before they traded or after as they pleased, they should not be detained
The said Farr Indians prayed they may have an answer before they traded, for that the hoped to be despatched before ye Sachims of ye 5 Nations came- whom they would not have to be privy to this Conference
His Lordship directed them to attend to morrow morning and they should have an answer
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P: SCHUIJLER |
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Albany ye 13th day of July 1702 |
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The Sachims of ye 5 nations being come to Albany upon his Excellency ye Lord |
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Cornbury's Message, they all waited upon his
Excellency at his Lodging @ |
Brother Corlaer
Wee the Sachims of the five nations, called Maquase, Oneydes, Onnondages, Cayouges & Sinnekes doe heartily congratulate your Lordship's safe arrivall into this Province and are extreamly glad that the Crown of England has been pleased to send one to be our Governor who is nearly related to that great Woman who reigns now over England and all these parts of America
You are as we are informed of ye Queens own blood which is matter of Rejoycing to us
We are come in obedience to your Lordships message and do assure you that we will be obedient to your Lordships Commands
Wee do further assure you that our joy of seeing yr Excellency here govr of this Province is not outwardly but from our very hearts yea our joy extends quite to ye Heavens
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PR: SCHUYLER |
His Excellency answered the Sachims of ye 5 Nations
I am glad to see soe many of the Sachims here I thank you for your kind congratulation. I have several things to propose to you which I will do in a short time, and appoint the day for(page 981) your attendance, in ye mean time you shall have provisions delivered to you for yr refreshment whatever you shall have occasion for
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His Excellency My Lord Cornbury Captn Genll and Govr in Cheife's answer to |
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ye farr Indians called Twightwighs and Dionondadees Albany ye 14 July 1702 |
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PRESENT-Coll P Schuyler of His Matys Councill Majr Dirck Wessells |
I thank you for your kind congratulation and am extreemly well pleased that I have now an opportunity (which none of my predecessors ever had, to speak with you about the establishment of a Lasting Friendship and Trade which shall always be encouragd on my part, and as a token of my sincere intentions and of your being heartily welcome to these parts I doe give you 5 Gunns 10 Bags Powder 5 Lac'd Hatts 3 Stroudwater Coats Some Tobacco and Pipes
I perceive some of your people have left their native country and come to live at Tjughsaghrondie a place where the French have built a Fort last year without leave of the 5 Nations who claim that Country. I am also informed ye French are very loath you should come and trade here, fearing that you will receive so much satisfaction that you will for ever hereafter decline going to Canada. I observe further that you have mett with some difficulties in your journey hither at ye Carrying place for want of Guides to conduct you hither
As to the first I could wish that since you are removed yt you would come and live nearer us at Iagare or some other convenient place, yt upon occasion we might be able to supply you without any interruption from ye French and I conjure you to acquaint your Sachims that I send them these two Belts of Wampum one to each nation by which I invite them to come and see mee next July when your people come from hunting when the Indian Corn is a blossoming, And I will then order yr Sachims of ye five nations & ye River Indians to meet me here; & gett you and them joyned in a firm League that you may be united in heart & hand against all those who may envy your happinesse by being linked in our Genll Covenant Chain
As to ye second, I shall say little to that matter since your own experience will decide it only one thing I must observe to you, that ye Rumor of Warr breaking out in Europe has raised the Price of Goods extreamly, in so much that a Bever formerly could have purchas'd that which two will scarce doe now never the less I doubt not but you will find that ye Goods are farr cheaper here than at Canada
As to ye third I will not only give directions to have ye Path at ye Carrying Place marked out and ye Creek cleared of old Trees for ye ease and accommodation of all stranger that may be inclined to come & see us, but will upon ye least intimation of your Peoples coming this way send guides from hence to convey them hither
I would have sent a present to your Sachims of some of ye Commodities of this place but fear it would be too bulksome and heavy for you to carry, have therefore sent them by you some Indian Jewells which I hear are most in request with you Vizt. 110 Wampum Pipes 9 Shells 117 Round small Shells 32 Jewells that they wear in their noses and eares, and some toys for their Children viz 3 Doz Tobacco Tongs 16 Fanns 36 looking Glasses, and you may assure them from me that they may freely come without any fear or Jealously, that they shall be civilly treated, and have every thing as cheap as any other Indians in Covenant with us, and as they Indians of ye 5 nations have found ye benefit by a constant inviolable League with us since ye first settlement of this Province with Christians (which ye French cannot pretend to with any of their Indians) So you shall with the unanimous consent of all, be received in the same Covenant, and partake of all ye benefitts thereof
As to what you say about 8 of your nations warring with the Naudowasses, when your Sachims come next year I will be ready to give them my best advise about that subject till when I shall suspend my Judgment.
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P SCHUYLER |
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PROPOSALLS made by his Excellcy Edward Lord Cornbury Captn Gênll and |
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Govr in Cheif of her Majtys
Province of N. Yorke &c and Vice Admirall of |
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PRESENT- |
Coll Pr Schuyler of her Majtys Councill |
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Capt James Weemes Major Wessells |
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The Mayor, Recorder, & Aldermen & sundry gentn come from York & Albany |
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wth many of the Principal Inhabitants |
Brethren
I am much greived that I must begin our conference with the melancholy Story of the death of ye most high & mighty Prince William ye third whom God in his infinite mercy has been pleased to take to himself about 4 months agoe, by whose death ye Succession of ye Crown of England Scotland France & Ireland is fallen to ye most high and mighty Princesse Anne whom God long preserve to reign over us
I am appointed by Her Majes Royall Commission to succeed the late E. of Bellomont deceased in the command of this Government, & doe therefore assure you in ye name of that great princesse Anne Queen of England &c my mistresse that you shall have all ye Protection favour & Countenance imaginable as long as you continue in due obedience @ subjection to the Crown of England as your Ancestors have done before you, and I have sent for you in the beginning of my Governmt to renew the Covenant Chain between us according to ye ancient Custome wherein is included all Her Majesties subjects in this main of America, viz Virginy, Maryland, New England and all ye rest of ye English Provinces and Colonies in this Northern Continent and hope it will be more lasting and bright now on yr parts, than ever it was formerly, and that you will answer that good Character I have heard of you in England
I understand ye French of Canada have lately made a Fort at Tjughsaghrondie, between the lake of Swege and Ottawawa at which ye brethren seem much concerned, I desire to know ye truth of yt matter and what force they have there and how many men they have in Garrison with ye farr Indians
I am desirous to know ye State and condition of your country ye Strength of your People how many have deserted their native Country since ye Peace & gone to Canada, and what are ye Causes of their desertion, and what would be the proper meanes to retreeve them and prevent the rest from the like defection
I am also desirous to know in what State you are with your neighbours called the Twightwighs Dionondadees and the other Nations lying contiguous to them whether ye intended Treaty of Peace with those farr Indians has had its desired effect, and if not where the difficulty lyes
It is also requisite I should have an account of your late Treatys with ye French of Canada whether Publick or Private, and whether any of your Sachims are gone thither lately, and . . .
There has been great divisions and annimosities among you of late not only occasioned by the French of Canada, but by some evill affected men among [you] who to serve their own private ends and gratify their own malice without regard to the honour and interest of her Majesty or the Welfare of this Province have encouraged Faction and parties first among the Christians and then among the Brethren if you will discover who they are, I will take such a course with them that they will be cautious another time and I hope you will also take care that those incendiaries be curb'd and severely punished, and for the future you are only to hearken to those whom I shall appoint to manage the Indian Affairs & none else.
His Excellency my Lord Cornbury's answer to the Canada Maquase Praying Indians in Albany ye 16 Day of July 1702
As to the question you ask whether I think your Governour is Reall in his Proposalls to you of neutrality you will be the best judges of that, if ye Warr breaks out, only I must be plain with you and Reall too, yt if you suffer yr selves to be deluded by ye French or any oyr to make Warr upon any that we are in allyance with, you must expect to loose not only the benefitte of ye peaceable Hunting which you so much value, but we will all joyn to destroy those that shall first take up the hatchett to kill any of ye Brethren that are link'd to our Covenant Chain. . .
The Five Nations of the Maquase, Oneydes, Onnondagues, Cayouges and Sinnekes answer to the Propositions made by his Excellency Edward Lord Cornbury Captn Genll and Governr in Cheife of her Majestys Province of New York and all the Tracts of Land depending thereon in American and Vice Admirall of ye same in Albany this 18 day of July in the first year of Her Majesties Reign Ano Do 1702.
Names of ye Sachims
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1st Maquase |
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2 Oneydes |
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Onucherannorum Speaker |
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Kaniquario |
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Sinnonquirese |
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Odaksichte |
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Toloquatho |
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Canioshkouie |
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Tanograthask |
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Anadakariask |
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Awanay |
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Nikaronda |
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Hendrick |
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Orridigha |
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3 Onnondage |
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4 Cayouges |
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Otsakana |
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Osidadege |
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Sadekanaktie |
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Oswasse |
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Kachradagie |
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Sodsiowanne |
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Tediathahasere |
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Ossawedegichte |
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Sonachtowanne |
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Tasochtachoanne |
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Sighrena |
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Ajeriage |
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Tchachoserodochquat |
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Arigera |
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Ogochsagrena |
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Towadicho |
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Achior |
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Ogindeonha |
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Karantsiondie |
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Tohagasiode |
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5 Sinnekes |
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Wakajenquarchto |
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Towarekennio |
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Tawienneha |
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Tostowathe |
We are very desirous that the peace which we have enjoyed for some years past may continue, and pray that ye Covenant Chain may be kept inviolable by your Lordship which we now renew according to our Custome. . .
You demand the reason why our Indians goe to Canada, that is easily answered, for in ye first place the goods are cheaper there than here, & ye Elk and mouse skins are a better commodity there than here, moreover your weights are too heavy which you weigh the Bares and other skins withall, and we are oftentimes not fairly dealt with by ye Traders, and lastly the River of Cadaracqui is easier to go down, being with ye Stream, then to come hither with the heavy Elk and moese skins. And in answer to what you say, which wd be the best means to Retreive our Indians bak from Canada, lett ye Goods be cheaper and then there is no doubt but they will return very speedily
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You did also desire to know what Incroachments the French have made upon your country in answer whereunto we acquaint you that they have in the first place had Cadaracqui long agoe which lyes on our side, and is built upon our Land, but we never see any care has been taken to remoove them, they have on the oyr end of us built, noe longer agoe than last year another Fort upon our Land without consent, at a Place called Tjughsaghrondie with high Pallisadoes, and have a garrison of a hundred briskmen in it who have most of them brass Gorgetts about their necks, we do now acquaint you with it & leave it wholly to your Lordship to doe therein as you shall think fitt.
Awanay a Sachim of ye Mohags in ye behalf of ye Maquase Praying Indians stood up & said
Brother Corlaer
There has been feuds and animosities among us Christian Indians, and last summer we were recommended to amity and Friendship but it hath not had that good effect upon us as could have been wished for, we have been lately exhorted by your Lordship at Mr Lydius's ye ministers house to unite as Christians and not to live in envy and malice, which are the works of Satan, not becoming Christians, but to live in peace and concord, and then God would blesse us, which last exhortation hath so wrought upon our spirits, that we are now all united and friends, . . .
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Albany 19th July 1702 |
Ten Sachims of ye 5 Nations came and waited upon his Excellency my Lord
Cornbury viz 2 of each nation and pray'd leave to explain some of the
Propositions which they made yesterday.
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