tainly killed our inhabitants on Penn's creek; and there are a hatchet and two English scalps sent by them up the North Branch, to desire them to strike with them, if they are men. The Indians are all assembling themselves at Shamokin to counsel; a large body of them was there four days ago. I cannot learn their intentions; but it seems Andrew Montour and Mona-ca-too-tha are to bring down the news from them. There is not a sufficient number of them to oppose the enemy; and perhaps they will join the enemy against us. There is no dependence on Indians; and we are in imminent danger. I got certain information from Andrew Montour and others, that there is a body of French with fifteen hundred Indians, coming upon us, Picks, Ottaways, Onandox, Delawares, Shawanese, and a number of the Six Nations; and are now not many days march from this Province and Virginia, which are appointed to be attacked; at the same time some of the Shamokin Indians seem friendly, and others appear like enemies. Montour knew many days ago of the enemy being on their march against us, before he informed; for which I said as much to him as I thought prudent, considering the place I was in. On the 25th inst., on my return with about forty men, we were attacked by twenty or thirty Indians-received their fire, and about fifteen of our men and myself took to the trees, attacked the villians and killed four upon the spot, and lost but three more retreating about half a mile through the woods, and crossing the Susquehanna, one of whom was shot off an horse riding behind myself, through the river. My horse was wounded, and failing in the river, I was obliged to quit him, and swim part of the way. Four or five of our men were drowned crossing the river. I hope our journey, though with fatigue, and loss of our substance, and some of our lives, will be of service to our country, by discovering our enemy, who will be our ruin if not timely prevented. I just now received information that there was a French officer, supposed Captain, with a party of Shawaness, Delawares, &c., within six miles of Shamokin, ten days ago; and no doubt intends taking possession of it, which will be a dreadful consequence to us, if suffered. Therefore I thought proper to dispatch this message to inform your honor. The Indians herc, I hope your Honor, will be pleased to cause them to be removed to some place, as I do [not] like their company; and as the men of those here were not against us, yet did them ro harm, or else I would have them all cut off. Beit (Indian so called) promised at Shamokin, to send out spies to view the enemy, and upon hearing of our skirmishes, Old Belt was in a rage, gathered up thirty Indians immediately and went in pursuit of the enemy, as I am this day informed. I expect Montour and Mona-ca-too-tha down here this week, with the determination of their Shamokin Council. The inhabitants are abandoning their plantations, and we are in a dreadful situation. I am, &c., JOHN HARRIS. P. S. The night ensuing our attack the Indians burnt all George Gabriel's houses-danced around them." JOHN HARRIS AND HIS FAMILY THREATENED WITH DEATH. "Edward Shippen, Esq.: "PAXTON, Oct. 29, 1755. SIR: We expect the enemy upon us every day, and the inhabitants are abandoning their plantations, being greatly discouraged at the approach of such a number of cruel savages, and no present sign of assistance. I had a certain account of fifteen hundred French and Indians being on their march against us and Virginia, and now close upon our borders; their scouts scalping our families on our frontiers daily. Andrew Montour and others at Shamokin desired me to take care, that there was a party of forty Indians out many days, and intended to burn my house and destroy myself and family. I have this day cut loop-holes in my house, and am determined to hold out to the last extremity if I can get some men to stand by me. But few can be had at present, as every one is in fear of his own family being cut off every hour. Great part of the Susquehanna Indians are no doubt actually in the French interest, and I am informed that a French officer is expected at Shamokin this week with a party of Delawares and Shawanese, no doubt to take possession of our river. We should raise men imediately to build a fort up the river to take possession, and to induce some Indians to join us. We ought also to insist on the Indians to declare for or against us, and as soon as we are prepared for them we should bid up their scalps, and keep our woods full of our people upon the scout, else they will ruin our province; for they are a dreadful enemy. I have sent out two Indian spies to Shamokin; they are Mohawks. Sir; Yours, &c., JOHN HARRIS." The defences which Mr. Harris constructed around his dwelling at this time, are thus noticed by Edward Shippen, in a letter to Governor Morris: "John Harris has built an excellent stockade around his house, which is the only place of security that way for the provisions of the army, he having much good celler room; and as he has but six or seven men to guard it, if the Government would order six more men there to strengthen it, it would in my opinion be of great use to the cause." The late Robert Harris saw the remains of this stockade when he was young. ADDRESS FROM THE SETTLERS. In October, 1755, the enemy was in the neighborhood of Shamokin in considerable force, and in the month following, murdered a number of settlers, upon which the people of Paxton published the following address to the inhabitants of the Province : "JOHN HARRIS', 12 o'clock P. M., Oct. 31st, 1755. "To all his Majesty's subjects in the Province of Pennsylvania, or elsewhere: WHEREAS, Andrew Montour, Belt of Wampum, two Mohawks, and other Indians came down this day from Shamokin, who say the whole body of Indians, or the greatest part of them, in the French interest is actually encamped this side of George Gabriels [thirty miles above Harris' Ferry, on the west side of the river] near Susquehanah, and that we may expect an attack in three days at farthest; and a French fort to be begun at Shamokin in ten days hence. Tho' this be the Indian report, we, the subscribers, do give it as our advice to repair immediately to the frontiers with all our forces to intercept their passage into our country, and to be prepared in the best manner possible for the worst event. Witness our hands: James Galbraith, Jno. Allison, Barney Hughes, Robert P. S. They positively affirm that the above named Indians discovered a party of the enemy at Thos. McKee's upper place on the 30th of October last. Mona-ca-too-tha, the Belt, and other Indians here insist upon Mr. Weiser coming immediately to John Harris', and his men, and to council with the Indians. Before me, JAS. GALBRAITH." Mr. Hamilton informed the Provincial Council that "in November, 1755, he was at John Harris', and found the people collected there in the utmost confusion, and in continual fear of being fallen upon by the French and Indians." Houses that had been occupied, barns filled with the fruits of a rich and plentiful harvest, newly sowed fields, and standing corn, were all abandoned by the hardy and industrious frontier settlers. "In December, 1755, John Harris, Jr., of Paxton township, in consequence of instructions from George Croghan, continued a guard of thirty-two men upon the frontiers of said township for the space of eighteen days."-Votes of Assembly. COUNCIL WITH THE INDIANS AT HARRIS' FERRY. On the 8th of January, 1756, a council with the Indians was held at the house of John Harris, Jr., in Paxton, composed of flon. Robert Hunter Morris, Governor, James Hamilton, Richard Peters, Secretary, Joseph Fox, and Conrad Weiser, Interpreter; two Indians of the Six Nations, called "The Belt of Wampum," a Seneca, and the "Broken Thigh," a Mohawk. The Governor addressed the two Indians as follows: “BRETHREN: I am glad to see you and your families in good health. You have ever been esteemed our hearty friends, and you show you are really so by residing among us at a time when so much mischief is done on every side of the Province. I sent Mr. Weiser to acquaint you that I had kindled a council fire here, and had invited the Indians on Susquehannah to meet me the beginning of this moon, and that I expected you would stay here till I should come, and afford me your assistance in council. I thank you for staying here. You see that, agreeable to my message, I come at the time appointed; but I find no other Indians here than you two, and indeed I expect no more, as I believe my messengers were prevented going to Wyomink by |