THE Settlements at Wyoming have been visited by so many calamities, and the inhabitants have so frequently been carried into captivity, that most of those papers from which a regular and circumstantial narrative of its early history might have been formed, have been destroyed; and altho there are still living many who were actors in most of the principal scenes, yet there are none who bore a part in all. And the chain of events, where there are not documents to connect them, depends on the recollection of various individuals who frequently differ from each other concerning the same particulars. In the following compilation the author has endeavored to relate such facts only as are supported by indisputable testimony; and if, as is very probable, he is not in every instance correct, he relies with confidence upon the indulgence of a liberal public, who are competent judg es of the difficulty attending the acquisition of truth amidst a mass of error and misrepresentation. Wyoming, July 11, 1818. Note by the Publisher. Since the MS. of the following pages came into the hands of the Publisher, he has been furnished with a Journal kept by Col. JOHN JENKINS during the time of the most serious disasters at Wyoming. The writer was particular in giving dates, &c. By this Journal, that part of the book which relates to the battle of Wyoming, has been carefully revised and corrected. The Publisher has also been furnished with the Journal of a sergeant-major in Sullivan's army which has aided in establishing the correctness of some parts of the narrative Description of Wyoming Valley-Remains of ancient fortifications-Etymology of the nameIndian Tribes-Indian tradition-DelawaresMonceys-Mingoes- Shawanese- Removal of the Shawanese from the Ohio-Their arrival at Wyoming Treaty with the Six Nations-Speech of Connassatego-Arrival of the Delawares at Wyoming-Arrival of Count Zinzendorf-His reception-Plot to assassinate him-Arrival of the Nanticokes-Disagreements between the English and French-The Six Nations take part with the French-Battle between the Delawares and Shawanese-Removal of the Sha-Gnaddenhutten built Tadeuscund elected King of the Delawares-Fort Allen taken -Gnaddenhutten burnt-General Congress at Albany-Removal of the Nanticokes-Massacre at Shamokin-Braddock's defeat-Revolt of the Delawares First Treaty at Easton-Speech of Tadeuscund-Fort Oswego taken by the French -General Treaty at Easton. wanese IT has been remarked by a celebrated histo rian*, that" in the infancy of Society men are "occupied with the business of the present hour, *Gillies. |