Shawnese, &ca; but Delivered up by the Chiefs of the Miamis Indians, who, at the same time, made a Speech to the Commanding Officer, Acquainting him of the Evil Intentions of the Several Nations, who were concerned in Forwarding the said Belt Altho' I cannot think the Indians have it in their Power to Execute any thing Serious against Us, While We Continue to be on our Guard, Yet I Judge it Necessary to Send you the Belt, which You will Receive herewith, as also Copies of what Major Gladwin has Transmitted to me, regarding this Affair, And I Desire you will make such Use thereof as may Appear most proper for Putting a Stop to such Treacherous Behavior for the Future, and for Shewing the Indians the Contemptible Figure they must make in our Eyes, by Violating the most Solemn Promises of Friendship, without the least Provocation on our Side; I Mention the Contemptible Figure, as it certainly is not in their Power to Effect any thing of Consequence against Us; But if they are so Rash as to make an Attempt, the Mischief they Intend, will certainly Recoil upon themselves. I Doubt not but Mr. Croghan will be fully Informed, by the Way of Fort Pitt, of this Intelligence; I However shall Acquint him therewith by this Post; And if you should think it Necessary You may send Either Captain Claus, or Lieut. Johnson, with proper Instructions, to call those Nations, who have been Chiefly Concerned in Sending the Belt, to an Account for such Unwarrantable Proceedings; I cannot Omit Observing, that, in all the Mischief that has lately been Broached among the Indians, the Senecas Seem to have a principal Hand, and it is Matter of Surprize to me, to Find that Other Tribes, who have so often Experienced our Bounty, should be Misguided by them, & so readily Enter into Plots against their Benefactors, and Endeavor to Stirr up the Distant Nations, who are Newly become our Friends, against Us: These Last however (If We can Rely on what the Chiefs of the Miamis have Declared to the Commanding Officer at that Post) Seem to be too Sensible of their own Interest to Enter into Engagements, which, if pursued, would Inevitably End in their own Destruction. Major Gladwin Writes me, that before he received my Orders for Trying the Panis Slaves, who Murdered Mr. Clapham, the Man had made his Escape, and they since hear that he had got to the Illinois: The Woman was however Tryed Immediately, &, being found Guilty, Hanged in the most Publick manner: I am only Sorry the Chief Perpetrator did not meet with the same Punishment, for then the Example would have been Compleat." Had not Jerry Renslaer made a gross mistake about executing the Mandamus, and sent an Express in my absence to York, I shou'd have set out from hence on Tuesday, tho' yet very lame. I forgot to acquaint you in my last, that many things were brought in our Sloop for you, of which I am taking the greatest Care, as Dr. Stringer is not here, and have wrote to Capt. Van Epps for a waggon &c. By Mr. McIlworth, I send two keys of Chests, deliver'd me by Mr. Darlington for your Use, as it wou'd not be prudent to trust them with a wagoner. I am fearful, Sir, 1Original destroyed by fire. we are a-back about my affair, for Jerry seems afraid to act, wch, with other matters intervening, detains me till the return of the Express, and to See your Freight sent off. The moment I had your Letter about not continuing Van Frog, I appointed Jerry, because I never will do anything contrary to y1. Judgment; and therefore wish that you, and Mr. Scott, wou'd terminate the mre1 as I am really tired, and by fretting have hurt my constitution. I hope, good sir, you'll not think me negligent; for, as God shall Judge me, I wou'd by no means merit y'. Displeasure; being, with real gratitude, y'. most respectful Sert. WITHAM MARSH Honble. SIR WM. JOHNSON, Bart. &c. &c. &c. SPEECH OF ASARONDONGES The preceding letter is followed in the Johnson Calendar, p. 167, by a speech of April 21st of Asarondonges, chief of Onondagaes living at Otseningo, representing deplorable condition of his people from want of ammunition, and complaining of neglect by Sir William, and answer of Sir William, giving a small amount of ammunition, and reminding Onondaga from Otseningo of lukewarmness of that settlement when asked in 1760 to join expedition to Canada. FROM HENRY VAN SCHAACK A. L. S.2 SIR Albany 24 April 1763 The Post for Schenectady is just now agoing off. I have therefor now only time to acquaint you, that a Pacquet arrived at New York aMonday after the Papers were Printed: We have certain Acc'. by that Pacquet, that the Definitive Treaty 1 Matter. Original destroyed by fire. was signed at Paris 10 Febry. The English Papers say y1 80 W1 V SCHAACK, FROM CHARLES WILLIAMS A. L. S.2 DEAR SIR New York 24 April 1763. Since I did myself the honour of writing by the last Post the pacquet arrived by which have reced. the enclosed from Collo. Clinton. I find by letter its about some lands of the Governours & as a pacquet will sail about the midle of May if you send an answer by that time I will inclose it to him. By what I understand those lands come to him having left the larger share of his fortune to Miss Clinton & but a small share to him after his Mothers death & that loaded with a Charge to the Collo. of £1500. He writes me no News neither is there much come more than that the peace is General & the definitive treaty being. signed but not proclaimed when this last pacquet came away but Expect in a fortnight to have a confirmation of the whole. I heartily congratulate you on the Peace. Mr. Williams & my Family Joyn in our best respects & am with great regard Dear Sir Your most obedient humble Servant CHAS. WILLIAMS TO SIR WILLIAM JOHNSON. 1"W" in the copy; it should be "H". 2Original destroyed by fire. FROM HUGH WALLACE A. L. S.1 DEAR SIR New York 25 April 1763. I had the honour of yours 19 ulto. All your Country Men are much obliged to you for the Honour you do them, & the good opinion you have of them. I received the £20 from Mr. Darlington as you directed. I cannot help thinking the Manufacture of PotAsh deserves Attention & may be made very usefull to Great Brittain, & beneficial to ye Colonys, but before individuals embark their fortunes in such Schemes, they would do well to be assured, that they could carry on their Scheme to extent, & that what they made was good, & I would take the liberty to recommend to you, that a Cask or two of your Pott Ash be sent to England for Samples; by this means you'll be certain as to the Quality, & know the value of it, & then you can calculate how well its worth prosecuting. Hemp must be a very considerable Staple here in time, & must be made a principal part of the Farmers Business in the back Countrys, where there is not Water Carriage, for Wheat & Flour will I think be so low, as not to be worth long land Carriage. Hemp sold here & at Philada. this two years past as high as 56 s. to £3. per Ct. but it will be lower now as it can be imported from Russia & sold here to a good Proffitt I think at about 45 s/. per C. & often under. I fancy there is no great Judgment in raising it, if there is, its easy to get Persons well acquainted in that Article, as great Quantitys are raised in Pensilva. & the back parts of Maryland, & in the Co. Limerick in Ireland. I believe also much depends on Good Seed, & verry loose rich mould, & keeping the Birds from it. Inclosed I send you the last years Book published by the 1Original destroyed by fire. |