MANUSCRIPTS OF SIR WILLIAM JOHNSON.

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This day I sent four strings of wampom to Casteehe Chief of the Genesees to Acquaint him of My being arrived at this place.

July 17th. Arrived Wabacommegot Chief of the Messesagas.

July 18th. Arrived Asheushan head warior of the Senecas belonging to the Caiadion Village, this day Wabacommegat came to Speake to me but was so drunk that no body could understand him.

July 19th. Had a Small congress with Wabacommegat. Present Normd: McClod Esq. Mr. Neil. Mac Lean Com1y. of Provs. Jean Bapt. De Couagne Inter". Wabacommegat spoke first, and after the usual Compliments, told that as soon as he had heard of my arrival he and his Young Men Come to see me. then ask'd me if I had any news, and desir'd I should tell all I had, then give four strings of wampom. I then told them Children I am glad to see you. I am sent here by your Father Sir William Jonson to take care of your Trade and to prevent abuse's therein, I have no sort of news for I suppose you have heard of the drunken Chippewas that kiled an English man and wounded his Wife very much; above Detroit; they are sent down the Country by Consent and approbation of the head Men of the Nation, I am sorry to acquaint You that some of your Nation who came here with Nane bo jou killed a Cow and a Mare belonging to Captain Grant on the Other side of the River. I am persuaded that all present here think it was very wrong and a very bad return for the many good Offices done by the English in general towards those, and in particular by Captain Grant who had that day fed the Men that was guilty of the theft. I hope and desire that Wabacommegat and the rest of the Chiefs and Warriors here present will do all in their power to discover the thif, and bring him in here to me the next time they return, that we may see what satisfaction he or they may give Captain Grant for the loss of his Cattle give seven strings of wampom

Children I am sorry to hear You have permitted People to trade at Toronto. I hope you will prevent it for the future, all of You know the reason of this Belt of wampom being left at this place, I then shewed them a large Belt, left here five or six years ago by Wabacommegat, by which belt he was under promise not to allow any body whatever to Carry on trade at Toronto. Now Children I have no more to say but desire you to remmember and keep Close to all the promises You have made to Your Father The English. You must not listne to any bad news, when You hear any good or bad; come to me with them, You may depend upon it I shall alway's tell You the Truth. give Four strings of wampom

Father, we have heard You with attention; I think it was verry wrong in the People to kill Captain Grants Cattle I shall discover the men that did it and will bring them in here in the fall: We will allow no more Trade to be Carried on at Toronto. as to myself its well known I don't approve of it, as I went with the Interpreter to bring in those that were tradeing at that place: we go away this day, and hopes our Father will give us some provisions, Rum, powder and Shott. and we will bring You Vainson when we return. N. B. this speech was made by Wabacommegot. I told them it was not in my power to give them much; but as it was the first time I had the pleasure of speaking to them, they should have a little of what they wanted. Wabacommegat thank'd me and said that the drunkin Quarrel on the Carrying place was forgot and no more thought of, as it was rum did it.

July 20th. Aseushan one of the head warriors of the Senecas came to me told me he was verry Sick and begged he might be cur'd; as the white People are better doctors then the Indians. and said he would remain here untill he should Recover, I told him he might stay here and we should do what we Could towards removeing his Complaint. he left this post ye 31st July.

Augut. 1st. Received a Message from Castesh by two Young Seneca warriors, acquainting me he would be here in Three days,

Augt. 5th. Castesh arrived with seventy Seneca Men Women and Children: the Chief Came to visit me, and said as I acquainted them of my arrival here, they came to see me. that the Shawanese had killed VOL. II. 64

a number of the uper Nation Indians somewhere near Fort Pitt, that two of their squas meaning the Sinecas had been kill'd lately by the upper Nations near the same place, and also told me there was a great many Men with Arms arrived at the above Fort. I told them I was glad to see them but sorry to here that the Indians were so idle as to destroy there own flesh and blood. as to the People in arms that were going to Fort Pitt, I could not with Certainty give any account of, but I believed they were going to disposses some People that were living on the Indian lands with out haveing any right so to do. Castesh answered that might be so, as them people were still living on the Indian lands. Augt. 6th. Castesh came to me alone, said they had in spring received a good deal of Cloaths and other presents from Sir William Johnson: but that they were now wore out, and hopped I would have pity on them and give them some Cloaths, and other things, for the use of there old People, Women Children and warriors, I answered him I would tell him in Council how far it was in my power to give presents, he then beged of me not to allow the Traders to give any rum to his Young Men, as a great many of them were verry foolish when drunk, I immediately comply'd with his request and told the traders not to give the warriors a drop until they were going away.

PROCEEDINGS of a Congress held at Niagara Saturday ye 8th Augt. 1767 With Castesh and the Chiefs of the Sinecas

The useual Compliments being past, The Commissary of Indian affairs spoke to them, as follows. BRETHREN I am glad to see you, and I hope you will give ear to what I am going to say.

BRETHEREN You allready have heard of my being appointed by Sir William to take care of the Indian Trade at this place to heare your Complaints, to redress your greivances, and transact all business with you under Sir William, It shall be my studdy to serve you, and promote your intrist as long as you behave well

you

BRETHEREN I am asham'd and sorry to hear of the foolishness of some of your young People, who make it too often a practice to steal the Kings Cattle from this place, I hope and desire that what have of the above Cattle at your villages, may be returned as soon as possible, and that there may no such theft happen for the future, as You must know Yourselves that such offenders ought to be punish'd. amongst us thefts of that kind are punished with severe Corporal punishment, and often with death. I therefore hope the Cheifs will advise and pervent their Young Men from Commiting such folley, I also hope the Young Men will listen to their Cheif's advice in that, as well as their advice of allway's doing good, and never think of harm, I strongly recommend peace and friendship to You, with all his Majesty's subjects, as I can with truth assure you there's no violence intended or will be permited, on either your persons or propertys, no fraude in trade shall go unpunished on proper Complaints being made to me: Therefore I hope you will no more give Ear to idle stories of whit's or Indians but rest assured of Sir William's good offeices and attention to your Intrist and the attention and good offices of all the officers in his department whilst you continue to deserve it, which I hope you will always do.

BRETHERN it is my Instructions from Sir William Johnson not to incur any expenceses without orders from him, the reason for them instructions, is on account of the great expences the Crown is at; by the appointment of all the Gentlemen that has the care of you, and of the Interpreters, and smiths, who act gratis for you at the diffrent Posts. Sir William hopes that You will be convinced of the

Extraordinary Expence occasioned by these appointments; and that they are all intended for Your benifets and he farther hopes that when You are convinced of the above it will prevent your making unnecessary demands for presents or provisions. Notwithstanding the strictness of my orders, as it is the first time I have had the pleasure of seeing You, and in hopes You will not expect any such thing for the Future, I here make you a small present, I then laid. the present before them, and told them. BRETHEREN after what You have heard and what You see before you, I hope You are fully convinced of the good intentions of the English towards you, I therefore hope you will allways keep close to their Intrest. Now Bretheren I have no more to say only beg of You to remmember all You this day have heard.

Castesh Chief of the Senecas immediately made answer

We have heard what You have said and think it is very good, I shall lett Sir William know of the good things You have said, and of the good respection we have met with at this place; we are Convinsed of the good intentions of the English towards us, and will stick to their interest. as to the Cattle that have been taken from this place, whatever theres of them at Our Castle's shall be returned, we shall advise our Young People not to do any maner of harm to the English, but there are bad men every where, and among us as well as elsewhere, we have no Stort of punishment for offences, so that we can only advise, and if our Council is not followed we are not to blamed, as to News, when theres any in our villages You shall know of them, and we expect when there is any among You, that You will send us intelligence of them, I promised I should.

The 9th 10th & 11th I had private meetings with Castesh and Segowa the two principal Chiefs of the Senecas, in which they gave the greatest assurence of their invoilateble attachment to the English, I made them small presents; and they went away well satisfied 13th Instant.

Aug. 14th. They got drunk on the plain.

Augt. 15th. Mons": Chabiere arrived here, Castesh and a good number of others came the 16th: and spoke to him, he afterwards spoke to them in public before Nord Mac Leod Com1y: of Indian affairs, and Capt. John Brown of the 2d: Battn: of the Royal Americans, who Commanded the Garrison; he having first told the Commery: and Commanding Officer, that it was by desire of Sir Willm: Johnson Baronet, that he wanted to spake to the Indians. One Mr: John Blaker acted as interpreter for the Com1y, his then being on business at little Niagara. Mr: Chabiere spoke to the Indians told them it was a shame for them to behave as they did, in carrying away and killing the King's Cattle on the Carrying place, and begged of them never to be guilty of the like folly again, told them to adhear to the English intrist and not to believe anything about the French's comeing again to this Country if they Could come it would be to digg a great Hole and put them all into it. desired them to be on their good behavior as all the mischief they would now do would be laid to his Charge, He then told them by the desire of Captain Brown that there was a Comy: appointed by Sir William Johnson to take care of them, and if they had any reason of Complaint in any way whatever against the English, they should address themselves to him as he is the Man that has the Care of You, and he will if posible redress all your grievances. The Indians made Mr. Chabiere the same answer as they made me on the 8th of August.

The Indians remained on the plains till Mr. Chabiere went off.

Augt. 20th. Mr: Chabiere went away from this place he carryd Castesh the head Chief with him in his Boat; the rest of the Indians followed him by land and I believe some of them went as far a Fort Erie with him. some were to have gone to Detroit but they fell sick and stay'd behind him.

Augt. 24th. I was informed of some bad belts having come amongst the Sinecas (from the Delaways) I heard that the two great Cheifs of that Nation was still on the Carrying place, I sent my Interpreter Mr: De Couagne to spake to them and try if he Could get any Certain intelligence about

the above mentioned Belts, he overtook them a few miles from the Road, they told him the Belts had not yet Come to their Villages but that they had passed to the Onoidas and they thought they would return soone to their Village, that there were two Belts but did not imagin they contained any great harm, that one of their Nation had seen them at a place Called Tatieronno at the end of the Cayouga Lake, they also desired that De Cougne should go to their village and if there was any news he should there be told them: and get possession of the Horse amongst them that had been taken from This or the Carrying place. They said that Mons". Chabiere had appointed a place for them on the south side of Lake Erie where they may Carry all their News to; and where they would get all the news that was amongst us as he intended to winter there, I was informed this day that Mr: Chabiere had made the Indians some presents when on the Carrying place. I this day received a Message from Wabacommegat Chief of the Messesagas that he was to come and see me in a few days and bring me News that was not good.

Augt. 25th. Received a message from Shawitohon an Catshigueoton to sineca Chief Warriors, acquainting me that they had stolen two Horses from the Carrying place and said if I would send for him I might have them and two others formerly took away, but they were so sickly they could not send them themselves. as I Expected the Messesagas every day I could not send my Interpretor and had nobody else to send. I this day discovered that notwithstanding the fine promises they had made to the Country, the Senecas had stole five Piggs two horses and killed a Bullock.

Sep? 1st. I was informed that the old Women of the Sinecas had stopt their Young Men from going to War.

Sept 3d Nanebojou a Chippawa Chief came and told me that Wabacommegat would be in soon he told DeCouagne the Intirpretor that there had some bad Belts gone amongst the upper Nations, but they had not come to his band or to the Messesagas. when I spoke to him he told me he could tell me no news untill such time as, Wabacommagat came in. I was this day inform'd by Tacudese speaker to the Sinecas of the Genesee, that Castesh had the bad Belts at the time He was here at Counsil, that one of them is a span and two fingers broad, and near a Fathom in length, He said Castesh was an old rogue for not having told me the truth, I desired He might stay here till Wabacommegat should come in, and then he may carry all the News home to his Village, as I had promised to send them all the News I should hear, I shall keep my word and never tell them any lyes, and I hope they will do the same towards me. I told him I should send De Couagne Out with him to the village to bring back the Stolen Horses and get all the News.

Sepr. 10th. Wabacommegat arrived in the Evening

Sepr. 11th. He came to visit me and told me he could not speake to me as he Expected Three more Canoes that day, but as soon as they should come He wold tell me all the News, if I wold mine. PROCEEDINGS of a Congress held at Niagara 12th Sep 1767

With Wabacommegat and other Messesaga Chiefs; and some Chiefs of the Chippawas.

After the useual Compliments Wabacomegat Chief of the Messesags shew'd the same strings of wampom I had formerly given Him, desiring He should let me know all the News that should be amongst them, and said that in obedience to my request, he had now come in ; to tell me all the News he had, He then told me that the Poutawatamis of St Joseph were still drunk and doing mischief wherever they went to, that the Saguina Indians had killed a Young Huron that the Saguinas had sent a Belt to the Hurons to try to make a reconitiation for that murder. that the Hurons had receiv'd the Belt but would make no answer to it. That the Indians about Detroit had very bad harts, but whether their bad designs

were against the white People or some Indian Nations he could not pretend to tell. That the Shawanese had sent bad Belts amongst the upper Nations, but the Chippawas and Messenger did not agree, When they were just about accepting of the Belt, and going to shake hands some diffrence arose and the Chippawas refus'd the Belts, and the Messenger carry'd them away again, Wasson was the Chippawa Chief that refused the Belts. He then said Sir William Johnson desir'd when any News came to their Ears to bring them into this place as there is a great Man here to hear us and take care of us. He also desir'd we should be Close Connected with the English and hold them fast by the hand; But say's he holding them fast by the hand, is not enough as the hand may slip but our arms be so tyed fast together that if a large tree should fall upon them, the Chain of Frendship should so Cover them that the weight of the tree should do them no hurt.

Now Bretheren its a shame that this should be the only Post where the Indians hav no presents; in the Posts up the Country, they get every thing they want in great abundence. I hope therefore You will not do as You did last time I was at this place, which was to give me only about as much powder as would once loade my firelock. I am ashamed to return home, and tell my Young People I have been well received by my Brothers the English always take care of us and use us well, and at the same time I have not so much as one load of Powder and Shott to give them to show our Brothers have been keind to us. I hope therefore You will now give us, as we are going a hunting, a Cagg of Powder and some lead also, a little rum to enliven us on the Road Sixteen String of wampom

Then addressing himself to Tacudase spaker of the Geneseis who was then Present, told him they had sent a Belt of wampom to their Nation to know their sentiments on affairs in General and in particular concerning the Murder of the Squas but we have received no answer. The Speaker made

him no answer.

I then told them as it was late in the day, I had not time to give them an answer that night but the next day I should speak to them.

Sep. 13th. The Congress met again.

Present

Nord. Mac Leod Esq. Comry. of Indian affairs.

Jean Baptt. De Cougne Interpretor.

Capt. John Brown of the Royal Americans.

Lieut. John Polson of the Royal Americans
Capt. Sower Engineer

Capt. Lee Royal artillery

Capt. Alex". Grant Commanding the Brunswick

The usual seremony being over the Comry of Indian affairs spoak as follows.

BRETHEREN I thank You for the News You told me yesterday, the more so as they seem to come from a good hart, it gives me pleasure to see your hearts good. I hope they will always continue so. as to the Pouta watamis of St. Joseph they have been a long time drunk. But they have lately sent two prisoners to Detroit which they took when going to War against the Southren Nations, they have not long ago been drunk and killed some English men comeing down the Ohio, but when they sent the prisoners to Detroit they asked pardon for the Crimes they had commited, by which I hope they will be wiser for the future, or the Bung will be put in the Barrel, which will prevent their geting any more liquor out of it, and consequently will make them keep sober. I allso heard of some Belts from the Shawanese and Delawars having been sent amongst the upper Nations. I am glad to hear from you that the Chippawas refus'd them. I should be glad to know from You what Nations have received them; and whither they passed through Your Nation or not. if any of Your People have seen them, and to what end they were sent amongst the Nations.

All this I hope (from your useual goodness of hart towards the English You will inform me of, and