LIFE of JOSEPH BRANT-THAYENDANEGEA: INCLUDING THE BORDER WARS of the AMERICAN REVOLUTION, and SKETCHES OF THE INDIAN CAMPAIGNS OF GENERALS HARMAR, ST. CLAIR, AND WAYNE. AND OTHER MATTERS CONNECTED WITH THE INDIAN RELATIONS OF THE UNITED STATES AND GREAT BRITAIN, FROM THE PEACE OF 1783 TO THE INDIAN PEACE OF 1795 [2]

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(;,...i-id Jacket Origin of Brant's hostility to Destruction of the Cayuga towns Return of the livan sets out on his return army to Tioga Stranse directions to Colonel Gansevoort respecting the Mohawks of the lower castle Their capture Correspondence Their release Close ot His resignation— Colonel Brodhead's expedition against Sullivan's campaign the Senecas on the Alleghany Huron and Shawanese chief? meet him at Fort Pitt Their speeches Severe Indian battle on the Ohio Closing incidents of the Page 1 year.

Sullivan's campaign

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CHAPTER

II.

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Progress of the war in the South Fall of Charleston Brilliant achievements Rigorous winter of 1780 Destruction of the Oneida Castle and villages— Third marriage of Brant Irruption into Harpersfield Captivity of Captain Harppr, Freegift Patcliin,and others Conduct of Brant Consultation whether to put the prisoners to death Sagacity and firmness of Harper Marched off for Niagara Remarkable adventures by the way Murder of an old man Cure of the fever and ague A thrilling scene Sufferings for food Justice and impartiality of Brant Approach to Niagara The ordeal Humane device of Brant to save his prisoners from the trial Arrival at Niagara Farther irruptions of the Indians Shawangunk Saugertits Captivity of Captain Snyder and his son Arrival at Niagara Examination Guy Johnson, Butler and Brant Prisoners sentto Montreal—The Mohawk Valley Bravery of Solomon Woodruff— Irruption to Little 'Falls— Burning of Ellis's .Vlflls— Incidents on the Ohio— Bold exploit of M'ConAttack of Colonel Bird, With his Indians, upon the Licking Settlement nel Colonel Clarke takes vengeance upon the Shawanese. 53

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CHAPTER

III.

Night invasion of Johnstown, by Sir John Johnson, with an army of Indians and loyalists The Visschers The route of Sir John Arrest of the Sam•mons family Destruction cf their property March along the river Burning

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CONTENTS.

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— Destruction

of buildings, and murders of aged people Return to Jolinson Hall Proceedings there

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— Thomas

Caughnawaga

of

— Sit —

Sammons

escapes

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John moves otf— Sampson Sammons applies for his liberty His speech The Recovery of the Baronet's plate A faithful slave object of the expedition Character of the expedition Sir John returns to Montreal Jacob and Frederick Sammons carried into captivity Impri.^oned at Chamblee Conspiracy to escape Prisoners refuse to join them The brothers escape alone The pursuit Sepa-

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— Journey, adventures and

ration

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sufferings of Jacob

Sammons — Arrives

at

Sche-

— The narrative returns Frederick— Perils of escape — Prosperous commencement of his journey — Dreadful sickness — His recapture — Confined irons Chamblee— Removed an Island — Projects an escape — Plot discovered — Ironed again —Second plan of escape — Perilous leap into the Lawrence Swimming the Rapids — Other surprising adventures, by flood and — Crossing the woods Schenectady — Remarkable fulfilment of a dream — Direct history of the Mohawk country resumed — Destruction of Canajohurie by the Indians Conduct of Brant— Case of doubtful courage. Page 72 nectady

to

his

in

to

at

St.

field

to

•

...

CHAPTER

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IV.

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General progress of the War Design against New- York Glance at the Southern Campaigns Treason of Arnold Execution of Andrfe Indian deputation to Count de Rocbambeau, in Rhode Island Invasion of the Sciioharie-kill and the IVlohawk Vallies, by Sir John Johnson, Brant, and the Corn-planter Surprise of the upper fort The middle fort invested Conduct of Murphy m firing upon a flag Singular prosecution of the siege Murphy's contumacy— The flags fired upon thrice Sir John proceeds to the lower fort After a brief halt, advan-

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destroying every thing in his way Murder of the Heroism of a woman Sir John arrives at Fort Hunter— Ravages the Mohawk Valley Battle of Stone Arabia and death of Colonel Brown His character Remarkable anecdote of General Arnold Sir John proceeds 1o Klock's Field Is pursued by Van Rensselaer, though with unaccountable delay Battle of Klock's Field Flight of the Indians Strange retreat of Van Rensselaer Afliairs of the night Secret flight of the Greens and Rangers The pursuit General Van Rensselaer prematurely reCapture of Captain Vrooman and his company, by Brant, in the linquishes it neighborhood of Oneida Touching incident at Fort Hunter Singular story respecting the Corn-planter Major Carleton's expedition asainst Forts Anne and George Correspondence on the subject of prisoners Affairs at Niagara Setting in of Winter. ces again to the inhabitants The

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CHAPTER Gloomy opening

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of the year Distresses of the army Revolt of the Pennsylvania Negofiations Revolt of the New Jersey troops Arnold's expedition to Virginia Progress of the war at the South Distresses at the North Active movements of Brant in the Mohawk country Meditated attack upon the Oneidas Letter of Colonel Claus Destitution of the country Letter of General Schuyler Destruction of Fort Schuyler by fire and flood Suspicions of design General Clinton's correspondence respecting that catastrophe Hostile indications in the North Indications of extensive treachery Arrest of the disaff('ct''d at Ballston and its vicinity Bearing of Washington in adversity Colonel Willett appointed to the command of the Mohawk District Slender means at his disposal Burning of Currie-town Battle of Durlaoh Defeat of the Indians Death of Captain M'Kean Wilktt's letter to Washinston Irruption into Palatine Willett's rnfluenco upon the broken militia Battle near the German Flatts Death of Solomon Woodworth Story of Ji)hn Christian Shell Invasion of Ulster County by Indians and Tories under Captain Cauldwell Another case of individual bravery Incidents on the Kentucky border. 137 line

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CHAPTER

VI.

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Increase of disaffection in the North Seizures of prominent citizens by bands of loyalists from Canada Captivity of John J. Bleecker Plot against General Gnnscvoort Daring attempt ujion General Schuyler in the city of Albany, by John Waltermfyer Intrepidity of Margaret Schuyler Arrest of loyalists at the Beaver Dams Mvaterious movements of the enemy on Lake Cham[)lain Controversy with the Ncw-IIampshirc Grants Sketch of its origin Outrages of the

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CONTENTS,

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of Independence by the Grants — Interposition — authority disregarded — Progress of the controversy — General Gansevoort — Suspected intercourse of the Vi;rinonte.se with Mohavvii country hy the enemy — Letter of Governor Clinton — Invasion of enemy to Jolmstown— FolMajor R.OSS — Warrens-bush ravaged — March of and — Battle of Johnstown — Ross lowed by Willett with the ed — Pursued by WilKtt, and routed at Jerseyfield — Death of Walter N. Butler and —Genoral progress of the war— Arnold Virginia — Pceturns to the North,Corndestroys Groton and New London — Siege of Yorktown and capture wallis — Affairs of the North — Meditatt'd treachery of Vermont — Message of Governor Clinton — British open a correspondence with the Vermont insurgents Canada — Separate armistice with Vermont— Stipulations Mission of Ira Allen erecting Vermont into a royal colony — Correspondence with the enemy during Leger ascends the Skenesborough — the Summer — Negotiations renewed the Vermontese — Excitelake with a strong force — An awkward occurrence the eyes of the ment at the seat of Government of the Grants — Throwing dust Vermont—Causes the people — News of the surrender of Cornwallis — the north-eastern towns of Canada — Insurrection hasty return of Leger Vermontese — Troubles of General Gansevoort connexion with New-York, — Unable quell insurgents — Cherokee Indians—Close of the year. 172

Vermont insurgents— Declaration

of Congress

Dillicnlt

iTs

situation of

tlie

llie

d( (Vat-

militia

levies

in

of

to

for

St.

at

lor

in

Its efTect in

in

to

St.

in

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tiie

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tlie

CHAPTER

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VII.

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Character of Joseph Bettys His exploits Capture and execution Progress of the war Gradual cessation of hostilities Dwindling down to mercafTairs of outposts and scouting parties Commissioners appointed to negotiate a treaty of peace Destruction of Indian battles on the Kentucky frontier Defeat of Colonel Boon The Moravians on the Muskingum Their removal to the Shnwanese towns Wyandots Return secure their crops Invasion to of their Sandusky by the Treachery of Williamson and his men to the Intov^'ns by Colonel Williamson Invasion Crawford Horrible massacre of the Sandusky country by and dians Williamson Defeat of their army Colonel Crawford captured Sentenced to Win^emund His interview with the sachem His execution die by torture Close of the year Doubts as to a treaty of peace Colonel Willett's attempt to The news of peace SnfTerings of Tryon County Return of surprise Oswego 210 End of the wars of the Mohawk. its population

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—Neglect of her Indian

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Vin.

by Great Britain —Brant's negoterritory— The Senecas the Mo—Declined —The Grand River country the Mohawks by Sir Frederick Haldimand — Indian policy of the United granted States — Views of Washington and General Schuyler— Treaty with the Six NaFort Stanvvix — Corn-planter and Red Jacket take opposite sides — Peace tions parwith the Six Nations—Dissatisfaction of the Indians — Of Thayendanegea —Letter of Brant to Colonel Monroe — Relinquishes design of soing then Eniland — Returns toGran River — Diffirencos of opinion with Sir John JohnEngland the Autumn of 1785 — His arrival — Glimpses of son —Brant designs — His distinguished reception — Enters upon the business of his mission — Letter Lord Sidney Litter of Lord Sidney — Speech of Brant Lord Sidney reply — Gluestion of half-pay — Brant's Letter to Sir Evan Nepean — His associations with the great — Keen sarcasm upon a nobleman — Striking incident the moral wants of his peoa grand masquerade— Brant's attention 237 ple — His return to Canada.

The Treaty

of Peace

tiations with

hawks

General Haldimand

to settle

in the

for a

allies

new

invite

Genesee Valley

to

at

in

his

ticular

to

1

sails for

in

ulterior

his

to

to

in

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at

CHAPTER IX. between Great Britain and the United States after the Treaty ReMission of Baron Steuben to Canada Indications of fresh Indian hostilities Movements of Captain Brant Grand Indian Council at the Huron Village Address to the United States Let Letter of Sir ter of the Secretary at War, General Kno.x, to Captain Brr^nt John Johnson to Brant Letter of Major Matthews to Brant, di^closin" the views Message from of Lord Dorchester respecting th-J retention of tite western posts Preparations the Hurons to the Five Nations, proposing another grand Council of General St. Clair for negotiating with the Indians Brant begins to distrust

Difficulties

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fusal of the former to surrender the western posts

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CONTENTS.

VI

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them

Letter of Brant to Patrick Langan, Sir Jolin Johnson's Secretary all Letter of Brant to Sir John Johnson— Great Council at Miamis Letter of Captain Brant to Patrick Langan St. Clair's negotiations at Fort Ilarmar The pohcy of dividing to conquer Letter of Captain Brant to Major Matthews Jealousies of Brant among the Indians Council against him at Montreal Letter to him from Major Matthews Letter of Brant in reply— Letter to Colonel M'Donm II SusEected plot against the English at Detroit, and Brant and his Mohawks, by the [urons, Chippewas, and Pottawattamies Letter to Brant from Sir John Johnson Brant turns his attention to the cultivation of h-tters Endeavors to obtain a stated Missionary Resumes the preparation of Religious books Letter from President Wiilard John Norton Land dilttculties among the Indians in the state of New- York Letter from Governor Clinton to Bi^nt. 262

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CHAPTER

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X.

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Continued troubles with the Indians English emissaries in Kentucky Mission of Antoine Gamelin— Preparations for war Campaign of General Harmar Successive defeats of Colonel Hardin Conduct of the militia Retreat of FlarIndian deputation to Lord Dorchester Letter of Sir John Johnson inaf Colonel Gordon Letter of Brant to Colonel M'Kee Pacific views of Lord Dorchester Renewed efforts of the United States to bring the Indians to peace Interposition of Corn-planter Mission of Corn-planter and Colonel Proctor British officers wish a mediation Letter of Colonel Gordon Colonel Pickering h(jlds an Indian Council at the Chemung Red Jacket's course Brant interferes Indian •Councils at Buffalo Influence of Colonel Joiin Butler and Brant ^Mission of Colonel Proctor and Corn-planter frustrated Important position of Brant Correspondence between the Secretary of War and Governor Clinton Colonel Pickering's Council with the Indians at Painted Post^Mission of Hendrick, the StockCampaign of General St. Clair—His defeat bridge chief— Renewal of hostilities

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—Thayendanegea among the Indian captains The panic that followed Clamor asainst St. Clair His resignation—Wayne appointed his successor^ Refusal of . Colonel Willett to embark in an Indian war. . . . . 291

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CHAPTER

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XI.

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Preparations for an Indian Consultation at Philadelphia Captain Brant invited to attend His objections Letter of the Rev. Mr. Kirkland to Captain Brant Letter of the Secretary of War to the same Letter of Colonel Gordon to the same Letter of Captain Brant to the Secretary of War The Secretary of War to Captain Brant Att'^mpts from Montreal to prevent Brant fiorn going to Philadelphia His journey Feelings against him in the .Vlohawk Valley His arrival Liberal offers made him at New- York and Philadelphia Letter to the Count de Puisy The ofl^ers rejected Undertakes a Mission of Peace to the Miamis Returns to New- York Pursued by a German from the German Flats bent on taking his life Discovered in NeW-York Brant returns to Niagara Murder of Colonel Harden and Major Trueman Letters of Brant to the Secretary at War Feelings of the Western Nations Correspondence between Brant and McKee— Great Indian Council at the Au Glaize Sickness of Captain Branl Hostilities deferred until Sprinsr, and a treaty with the United States orde.ed Return of the Delesates of the Si.\ Nations Address to President Washinston Sep;ir:ite organization of Upper Canada Arrival of Governor Simcoe Letter to Branl fiom the Duke of Northumberland Preparations for the Great Council of 178.3— Fresh dissatisfaction of the Indians Private Councils Tiiey send their ultimatum in anticipation The American Commissioners depart for the Indian country Their arrival at Niagara Friendly conduct of Governor Simcoe C(,-lebration of the King's Birth-day The Commissioners start for the West Their progress 'nterrupted Conduct of General Wayne Brant suddenly returns from the West with a Deputation Council held at Fort Erie Commissioners return to Niagara Council there— Speech of Captain Brant Reply of Ihc Commissioner* Speech of Cat's-Eyes Rejoinder of Brant' Arrival of the Sevpn Nations Brant proceeds to the Miami Rapids— Followed by the Commissioners Arrival at the Detroit River Their pro;iress interrupted Unexpected turn of affairs- Explanations with Deputies from the Great Council Loncoe declines advising the Indians The negotiations suddenly terminated by the Inxlians Thoir address And sine qua flon. 318

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CONTENTS.

CHAPTER

XII.

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Suspected duplicity of the Bntish authorities Conduct of Simon Girty Disclosures upon the subject by Captain Brant Council at Buffalo, and Indian report of the doings of the Great Congress Speech of (Japtain Brant respecting ihe Miami Mission of General Chapin to Philadi^lphia, with the speech Answer council Red Jacket Indian council Speech of Captain unsatisfactory to the Indians Brant in reply to the answer of the United States Troubles tiiickening between Inflaininatory speech of Lord Dorchester the United States and Great Britain duestion of its authenticity settled Conduct of Governor Siincoe Indignation His letter to Mr. Jay Speech of Captain Brant of President Washington

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— — — — against hoiding a council at Venango — The design frustrated — Affairs farther the distant Indians under the Spanish and the West — Singular message French influence — Their speech — Operations of General Wayne — EncroachIndian lands — Indian council upon the ments of Pennsylv.onia upon

—

in

fro:n

sul)j('ct

tiie

Address to General Washington— Important letter of Brant to Colonel Smith Pennsylvania relinquishes Presque Isle^-Defeat of Major M'Mahon near Fort Recovery Indians repulsed in their attack upon the fort Letter to Brant giving an account of the battle Advance of Wayne to the Au Glaize and Miainisof the Lakes Little Turtle apprised of his movements and strength by a deserter The Chief determines to give battle Wayne makes one more effort for peace Failure Advance of Wayne to the Rapids Position of the Indians Batof the attempt Little Turtle opposed to the hazard of a battle^ tle and defeat of the Indians Opposed by Blue-Jacket and overruled Tart correspondence between Wayne and Major Campbell Destruction of Indian property by fire, and burning of CoDisappointment of the Indians that Major Camplonel M'Kee's establishment bell did not assist them Letter of Governor Simcoe to Brant Aggression at Sodus Bay Simcoe and Brant repair to the West Interfere to prevent a peace Indian council The hostiles negotiate with Wayne Simcoe's .address to the Wyandots Division in their counsels Brant retires displeased Letter of apology from the Chiefs The distant Indians become weary of the war. - Page 357

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CHAPTER

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XIII.

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life— His activity His efforts to accelerate the civilization Successive Councils of his people Difficulties respecting the title to his lands and Speeches Governor Simcoe leaves the province Captain Claus appointed President Russell Brant's Speeches asserting the absoto the Indian Agency lute Independence and Nationality of his people Letter to Sir John Johnson Correspondence with Lord Dorchester The Count de Puisy Letter of Brant to Thomas Morris Sharp correspondence with .Sir John Johnson The St. Regis and Caughnawaga Indians, and the State of New- York involved in the land controversy Brant's difficulties with the Caughnawagas Letter to Thomas Morris Brant's visit to the Caughnawagas Council Satisfactory explanations Fresh difficulties at home Norton's Mission to England— Plots against the character of Brant Alienation of some of his friends Conspiracy to depose him Red Jacket and Farmer's Brother active in the plot Character of Red Jacket Brant deposed by an illegal Council Letter to the Duke of Northumberland legal Council convoked Brant meets his accusers, and defends himself Another Council Speech of Brant Acquitted of all charges against him Council after the return of Norton from England Proceedings of Red Jacket's Council nullified Brant re-instated— Letter to the Duke of Northumberland Letter of the Duke in reply— Last letter of Brant to the Duke. 396

Thayendanegea

in civil

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XIV.

Exertions of Thayendanegea for the moral and social improvement of his people— His religious views Efforts for the religious instruction of his people Letter to Sir John Johnson upon the subject of obtaining a resident clergyman Farther correspondence Interview of Brant with the Bishop Disappointment Letter to the Chief Justice— Appeal of Brant to the Lord Bishop, but without success Application to the American church Letter to Colonel Burr SuccecJs in obtainmg the ordination of Mr. Phelps Estimate of Brant's charart'-r by the clergy Letter of Rev. Dr. Mason— Rev. Elkanah Holmes Letter of Brant to the Rev, Dr. Miller Ardent spirits Efforts of Brant to prevent their introduction Letter Address of Brant in reply Interposition of the women to Sir John Johnson

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CONTENTS.

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Indian games and pastimes National game of Cricket Great game at Grand Judge Woodruff's visit,to Brant's River, between the Senecas and Mohawks Respect for the dead Indian funerals Description of his person residence Their inttnence Funeral spi.-ech of Sen-3ca-George— Death Estiinite of women Captain Glaus in reply l>y Brant condolence Captain Speecii of Mrs. Claus of Attentions to Brunt's visit to Ne*-York, Philadelphia, and Bartford, in 1797 Talleyrand Burr and other disparty of Dinner Colonel Philadelphia him in tinguished guests Letter of introduction from Colonel Burr to his daughter DinHis manners described by Dr. Milner party in his honor by Miss Theodosia Designs upon his life in the Mohawk country The ler and by General Porter Anecdotes Brant and General Striking incident in Albany late John Weils Gansevoort Brant and Colonel Van Courtlandt Reasons of Brant for takdefence of the Indian mode of warHis reasonings in up arms for the King ing

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Page 430

fare.

CHAPTER XV,

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Domestic relations of Brant Account of his family Bad character of his eldest son His death by the hand of his father—Condolence of the Chiefs Grief of the father at the event Anxiety for the education of his sons Proposed memorial to Letter of Brant to Colonel Smith Correspondence with the Duke of Portland Two of his sons Letter from Brant to James Wheelock the Wheeloek family Various letters from and to the Wheelocks "^^orressent to school at Dartmouth pondence upon other subjects Reply to the questions, whether the Indians have Views of Brant on imprisonment for debt beards Letter from Bishop Peters Tumuli Opinion of Brant touching their origin Indian tradition of while set

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tiements cut off in a single night Investigations of Samuel Woodruff— Brant's inquiries in Paris The discoveries of the Northmen Review of the life and 463 character of Brant His death.

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CHAPTER

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Account of the family of Brant subsequent to his death Catharine Brant The John Brant, the youngest son, appointed line of descent among the Mohawks General Van Rensselaer on the Niagara to the Chieftainship— The war of 1812 First attempt Preparations for a descent upon Clueenston Heio;hts frontier second movement Arrival of Lieutenant-colonel for a frustrated— Arrangement His efforts to accompany the expedition Landing of Colonel Scott on the lines Soloman Van Rensselaer and his party Intrepidity oftiie attack Van RensseCaptain Vv'^ool carries the Heights Adlaer and others grievously wounded vance of General Brock His defeat and fall Arrival of Lieutenant-colonel Attack of the Indians—General Sheaffe advances from Scott upon the Fleights Niagara with reinforcements Battle The Americans driven down the Heights Attempts of Scott to capitulate His flag-bearers shot down Determines to bear a flag himself A youns Indian leaps upon him like a tiger His rescue March to Niagara Remarkable Interview with General Sheaffe Capitulation interview between Scott and two Indians at Niagara, the younger of whom was John Brant Base poltroonry of the militia Battle of the Beaver-dams Close of young Brant's nulitary life Remo"es to the Brant House with his sister AcVisit of the British Consul to the Brant count of the family by Lieutenant Hall House Controversy of John Brant with Archdeacon Strachan He visits Eng-

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land respecting the ancient land-title controversy Succeeds with the ministers Disappointed by the Colonial Government Correspondence with Campbell respecting the memory of his father Attention to the moral wants of his people Correspondence respecting the Mohawk schools Presentation of a silver cup Ilis election to the Provincial Parliament Seat contested Death by cholera His character— Farther notices of the family— Description of his sister, and of liis . . 500 successor Death of Catharine Brant Conclusion.

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LIFE OF

JOSEPH BRANT— THAYENDANEGEA,

CHAPTER

&c.

I.

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campaign into the Seneca country Different characteristics among the Indian Nations Mistakes upon the subject Progress of civilizatica among the Six Nations Plan of the campaign The command offered to GetKrai Gates His conduct Chnton's preparations at Canajoharie Transportatici of boats and Arrest and execution of Newberi ; stores across to Otsego Lake Attempts to engage the Oneidas The Indians alarmed by an address from ( en. Ilaldimand The address Intelligence from the enemy Arrival of Onoida deputies at Clinton's head-quarters Tiieir speech Designs of the enemy- -Letter of Gen. Clinton to his brother Remarkable escape of Eierson from an Indian scoutBrave defence of his house by Mr. Shankland Descent of the nisquehanna— Dilatory proceedings of Sullivan Junction of the forces Mover.. eat from Tioga

Sullivan's

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— — — — Battle of the Chemung— Destruction of the crops — Advance Catharine's town — Message the Oneidas — Destruction of Catliaiine's town Evidences of — Destruction of Kendai.i and Kanad.iscaga — March destruction — Honeoye destroyed — MeLjicholy story of upon Kanandaigua — — Kanaghsaws destroyed — Horrible of L euienant Boyd the Oneida of Boyd — In— Contrast between the conduct of Brant and Butler the no more — Sullivan advances toG onesee — Beauty council resolve dians o him — Sulof the country — Conduct of Red Jacket — Origin of Brant's return — Destruction of the Cayuga towns — Return of the livan sets out on Mohawks army Tioga — Strange directions Colonel Gansevoort respeciing of the lower castle — Their capture — Correspondence — Their release— Close Sullivan's campaign — His resignation — Colonel Brodhead's expedition against theSenecas on the Alleghany — Huron and Shawanese chiefs meet him at Fort —Their speeches— Severe Indian battle on the Ohio— Closing imidentsof the to

Newtown

to

to

civilization Its

brotiiers

fate

in

cas-e

to fight

in

hostility

his

to

to

t

,ie

of

Pitt

year.

The

policy of waging a more decisive war against the In and the loyalists associated with them in their barbarous irruptions upon the frontier settlements, has been adverted to more than once already. General Wa.shington had long entertained the opinion that the mere establishment of a chain cf military posts along the Western and North-western frontiers would not answer the purpose and that the only method of affording efficient protection to the inhabitants of those borders, would be By a to carry the war into the heart of the enemy's country. resolution of the 25th of February, Congress had directed the Commander-in-chief to take tlie most effectual mean^ for prodians,

;

VOL.

II.

1

LIFE OF BRANT. tectmg

[1770.

and chastising the Indians for their conand it was now his determination to put execution, by canying the war directly into the

inhabitants,

tlie

tmued depredations the resolve in

;

most populous country of the Six Nations

;

to cut off their set-

upon them every other mischief winch time and circumstances would permit.* Those who have been accustomed to contemplate the whole race of North American aboriginals as essentially alike, viewing them all as the same roving, restless, houseless race of hunters and fishermen, without a local habitation, and with scarce a name, have widely misunderstood the Indian character, and must know but little of its varieties. They have, indeed, many traits and characteristics in common but in other respects the moody Englishman is not more unlike his mercurial neighbor on the other side of the channel, than is the Mohawk unlike the Sioux. It is the remark of a popular writer of the day,t that " those who are familiar with the reserved and haughty bearing " of the forest tribes, cannot fail, when an opportunity of compa" rison is afforded, to be struck with the social air and excitable " disposition which mark their prairie brethren, and so decidedly " distinguish the gens dii large" from. ^'Ics gens des feuilles,^^ and

tlements, destroy their crops,

inflict

;

^^

" as the

"

voyageurs term the different

races.

The

Pa^vnees,

fol-

lowing the buffalo in his migrations, and having always plenty

" of

animal food

" race

to subsist

than those

who

upon, are a

much better

fed

and larger

find a precarious subsistence in the forest

While the woodland tribes, who, though not so plump a more wiry and perhaps muscular make, have again a decided advantage in figure and gait over the '^gens dti

" chase.

" in form, are of

"

" lac," or fishing

"

most of

and trapping

their time in canoes.

tribes of the North-west, that pass

This

difference in character

" physical appearance

between the different Indian

"

who have such

between those

tribes

" ing a livelihood, has never "

modern

" writers "

authors, though

on

forming

* Letter of

Washington of March

General Gatos of March f

did not escape the early

•

by French to

And

" coursefoUoWjthat the savage

to

methods of gain

been sufficiently attended

yet, if habit have any effect in temper and character of a rude people, it must of

this country.

1j)ie

it

different

and

races, or rather

Charles F. IloflVnan,

6,

P.si\.

1770.

who lives in eternal

4, to

sunshine upon

Governor Clinton, and also from the same

INDIAN CHARACTERISTICS.

1779.]

3

*' flowery plains, and hunts on horseback with a troop of tribesmen « around him, must be a diilerent being from the solitary deer-

" stallver, wlio

arm

"single

wanders through the dim forest, depending upon his and chiidren." But

for a subsistence for his wife

among the Six Nations They had many towns and They were organized of permanence.

the higher state of social organization greatly increased the difference. villages giving evidence

whose social and political institutions, simple were still as distinct and well-defined as those of the American confederacy. They had now acquired some of the arts, and were enjoying many of the comforts, of civilized life. Not content with small patches of cleared lands for the raising of a few vegetables, they possessed cultivated fields, and orchards into communities,

as they were,

of

gre;jt

Especially was this the

productiveness, at the West.

fact v/ith

regard to the Cayugas and Senecas.

The

IVIohawks

having been driven from their own rich lands, the extensive domains of the two westernmost tribes of the confederacy formed the granary of the whole. And in consequence of the superior social and political organization just referred to, and life, the Six Nathough not the most numerous, were beyond a doubt the most formidable, of the tribes then in arms in behalf of the

the Spartan-like character incident to the forest tions,

It was justly considered, therefore, that the only way them effectively, would be to destroy their homes and the growing products of their farms and thus, by cutting off their means of supply, drive them from their own country deeper into the interior, and perhaps throw them altogether upon their It was likewise the design to exBritish allies for subsistence.

Crown.* to strike

;

tend the operations of the expedition as far as Niagara, ble

—that

abling his

savage

post, of all others in the occupation of the offi.cers

to

if possi-

enemy, en-

maintain an extensive influence over his

allies.t

+ " The Six Nations were a peculiar and extraordinary people, contra-distinguished from the mass of Indian nations by great attainments in polity, in negotiation, in

eloquence, and in

wat."— Discourse

of

De Wilt

Clinton before the J^Tetc-York Hist.

Society— ISll. ]

Since these sheets were in the hands of the printer, the author has discovered an manuscript account of a grand Indian council held at Niagara, in September,

official

1776, by Colonel John Butler, and Lieutenants Matthews, Burnit, and Kinnesley, and Ensign Butler, with the Hurons, Chippewas, Ottawas, Pottawatamies, Mississa^as, Senecas, Cayugas, Onondagas, Oneidas, Tuscaroras, Mohawks, Dela-

4

LIFE OF BRANT.

[1779.

Tlic plan of this campaign was well devised and matured. It

was

commenced by

be

to

visions

movement of two

a combined

di-

— the one from Pennsylvania, ascending the valley of the

Susquehanna

Tioga

to the intersection of the

neral SuJlivan,

who was

river,

under Ge-

command

invested with the

in chief;

and the other from the North, under General James Clinton, which was to descend the Susquehanna from its principal source, and after forming a junction with Sullivan, the whole to proceed, by the course of the Chemung river, into the fertile country of the Senecas and Ca^nigas. This expedition was intended as the principal campaign of that year since the relative military strength and situation of the two contending powers rendered it impossible that any other oifensive operations could be carried on by the Americans at the same time.* ;

wares, Narticokes, Squaghkies, and Connoys

command

Caldwell, t'len in

was

present,

at

Niagara.

and one Tuscarora.

It

—

in

presence of Lieut. Colonel John

appears that only one Oneida sachem

They adopted an

address, which

was unanito embark

mously signed by the chiefs attending the Congress, declaring their intention and abide the

in tlie war,

made

result of the contestof the

King with

his people.

They

also

a strong appeal to the Oneidas and Tuscaroras, " to quit the Bostonians, and

be strong and determined to horted the

r

lohawks

to

engagements

fulfil their

They

King."

to the

be strong, and assured them " that they, and

ern brethren, would fly to their assistance at the

first call,"

&c.

also ex-

all their

west-

JMamiscripts of

Gen. Gansc'oort.

was

* It

with the con

by

letter,

mand

of this expedition, and the appointment

on the 6lh of March.

the Commander-in-chief

Congress upon the strictures u|

Washington to invest General Gates was tendered to that officer Gates declined it, in a manner not very agreeable to

the original purpose of General

The

latter, in

writing subsequently to the President of

subject, in the course of

sundry explanations, not unmingled with

on the conduct of Gates, wrote as follows

for the campai.^n

being determined, a commanding

This command, according

the Indian expedition.

probably be of the second,

if

not of the

first,

:

— " The plan of operations was

officer

to be appointed for

to all present

importance

for the

appearances, will

campaign.

The

offi-

has a flattering prospect of acquiring more credit than can be exand he has the best reason to hope for success. Gepected by any other this year

cer conducting

it

;

was out of the question General Schuyler, (who, by was so uncertain of continuino- in appoint him General Putnam I need not mention. I

neral Lee, from his situation,

;

the way, wouh! have been most agreeable to mc,) Lhe army, that

^

could not

;

made ihe oflcr of it, for the appointment could no longer be delayed, to Gewho was next in seniority, though, perhaps, I might have avoided it, if had been so Sir John Johnson

From

the

nomadic habits of the Indians, and the long

dis-

tances most of their nations were obliged to travel, the gather-

ing of their great council was a work of time.

Thus

it

will be

seen that six weeks more elapsed, before the Idndling of the council-fire,

and how much longer

impossible to

it is

the brokenness of the correspondence of the chief,

bably the only writer

among them.

Captain wrote as follows

On

tell,

who was

from pro-

the 7th of October the

:

Captain Brant to Lieutenant Langan. "

"Dear "

The

Miamis

River, 7th October 1788. ,

Sir,

business I have been obliged to attend to since

the pleasure of seeing you,

had

so

much

taken up

my

I

had

attention,

and kept me so busily employed, that I have scarcely had time And, indeed, nothing worth comto wi-ite any of my friends. municating has occurred, or otherwise a point

to liave

dropt you a line, as

my

I

should have strained

intention always

was

to

LIFE OF BRANT.

278

correspond with you, who,

moment

a

to

am

I

acknowledge the

certain,

receipt.

[1788.

would I

at any time spare have done myself the

pleasure of writing four letters to Sir John, who, I hope, has received them,* as I would wish to give him every information

ployed to attend to

him

that he

ment, '«

it

hear from time to time whether

to

my

I

should

conduct met

would not wish to act in any manner would not approve he being at the head of the depart-

his approbation, as I

Avilli

had

tliat

corresponded with you on public business.

if 1

be happy

them, and

to

is too busily emwould be more agreeable

Probably his time

affecting our proceedings.

;

the one

is

Upon my foro-ot

we

look to for advice.

found the nations

arrival at Detroit I

our

last Fall's

there.

All

,

agreements, and were averse to attend

However, we talked over matters

the council at this place.

with them, and convinced them of the necessity there was for our being unanimous, and determining the business that has

been so long in agitation, and after some time, I prevailed, and have got them all here. After waiting at this place, for near five weeks, the arrival of the Shawanese, Miamis, Onias, and the rest of the nations westward of this, are at last arrived so that I am in hopes in a few days to be able to give you the par;

ticulars of our meeting.

will all join or not,

I

have

still

my

doubts whether

some being no ways inclined

we

for peaceable

The Hurons, Chippewas, Ottawas, Pottawattamies, and Delawares, will join with us in trying lenient steps, and having a boundary line fixed and, rather than enter headlong into a destructive war, will give up a small part of their country. On the other hand, the Shawanese, Miamis, and Kickapoos,

methods.

;

who

are

now

much

so

addicted to horse-stealing that

a difficult task to break

them of

it,,

it

will be

as that kind of business

is

and not giving will be the means of

their best harvest, will of course declare for war,

up any of

their country,

which,

I

am

afraid,

our separating. They are, I believe, determined not to attend As Still I hope for the best. the treaty with the Americans. the major part of the nations are of our opinions, the rest may be brouo-ht *

One

to,

as

only of these has been discovered— that of

ceding page.

The

author has

Johnson, where these

They

nothing shall be wanting on

letters,

made many ptohahly,

tlic

my part

25th of August, on

efforts to obtain the

may

to con-

tlic |)re-

papers of Sir .Tohn

yet bo found— but witiiout success.

are either scattered and lost, or have been taken to England.

INDIAN COUNCILS AT TIIK WEST.

1789.]

vince

tliPin

of their error.

279

hope our business may We have not

I sincerely

terminato to our general interest and satisfaction.

upon public matters, as the Shawanese have a which will take up a couple of days, after which we

as yet entered

great feast, will

have a general meeting, and then we will be certain of Till then, I am, with compliments to Sir

each other's opinions.

John and Mrs. Claus, "

Your most

obed't friend,

And

very humble

'•'

" Jos.

"

P.

The

LanganP

tone of the three immediately preceding

might have been anticipated. indicate a change in the intentions of the

somewhat

be found

difficult to reconcile

letters, is

more

Indeed, they seem

pacific than to

scrv't,

Brant.

writer,

which

it

will

with portions of his

—particularly the the information of Sir John Johnson — the friend of pecially assume peace —perhaps being compelled by the anticipate the success force of circumstances — having reason crown the Indian proved—which was temporary,

subsequent conduct. last

He

is

in these letters

addressed to Lieutenant Langan, though intended more esfor

that attitude

to

to

as

macy

had declared devil," or,

opinioii

diplo-

to

it

of General St. Clair.

In his

first letter to

Langan, Brant

that ' the Six Nations

had sold themselves to the Yankees," which in his and the result was shortly af-

in other words, " to the

was equivalent

thereto

—

terward such as to sustain his sagacity.

No

records of the proceedings of the grand council so long as-

sembling in the it

Autumn

of 1788, have been discovered, although

appears by a letter from Captain Brant to his friend Matthews,

who had

returned once more to Quebec, written in March, 1789,

—

and speeches had been forwarded by M'Kee probably to Lord Dorchester. The presumption is, that the council came to no harmonious conclusion, inasmuch as a treaty was shortly afterward held with the Americans at Fort Harinar, which was attended by only a part of the

that all the proceedings

—

Captain

Indians, v/hile

its

proceedings were subsequently disavowed by

other and the larger portions of the nations.

Be

these things, however, as they may, on the

2d of

May

fol-

LIFE OF BRANT.

280

[1789.

lowing, (1780,*) General St. Clair wrote to President Washing-

New- York, announcing that on the 9th of the precedmonth of January, he had concluded two separate treaties with the Indians assembled in council at Fort Harmar the first with the sachems and warriors of the Five Nations, the Mohawks excepted and the second with the sachems and warriors of the Wyandot, Delaware, Ottawa, Chippewa, Pottawattame and Sac Nations. The reason of these separate negotiations, as explained by General St. Clair, M''as found in the Roman maxim — " Divide et impera^ " A jealousy," says the General, "subsisted between them, which 1 was not willing to " lessen by appearing to consider them as one people. They ton from

ing

;

—

"

do not so consider themselves

" neral confederacy

;

and

1

entirely broken.

is

" very difficult, if circumstances required

all

may

it,

to set

would not be them at deadly

it

nations, tribes,

more

the

persuaded their ge-

This Machiavelian policy of dividing to conquer and factions against each other, that

" variance."!"

— of poising

am

Indeed,

easily be crushed at will

—

is

an ancient mode

of war, and has been practised by every government having the opportunity.

Its

morality, however, cannot be

defended— more American

especially in regard to the simple children of the

whom

forests, against

success.

it

has been prosecuted with the greatest

was an approximation

there

Still,

to justice, in a pe-

cuniary point of view, toward the Indians, in these negotiations of General St. Clair, which had not been previously counte-

From

nanced by Congress. to the reception

Council

at

the date of the peace with England,

Grand had acted upon the princiwith Great Britain invested them with the

of the address of October, 1786, from the

Huron

Village, Congress

ple that the treaty fee of all the

Indian lands within the boundaries of the United

The

address of the Indian Council, of December, 1786,

States.

by Captain Brant, asserted a conwere the only rightful And this principle was acceded to in

written, as has been assumed,

trary principle

—viz

:

that the Indians

proprietors of the soil.

the instructions of Congress to General St. Clair, of October,

However

1787, and July, 1788.t *

Erroneously dated,

dates of the treaties,

Am.

State Papers, Vol. IV.

Vide State Papers, Vol. IV.

1739— same

greatly the Indians

vol. p. 13.

may have

2d, 1788, in the State Papers, as will be seen by Uie

and by the Report of the Secretary of War, July

+ St. Clair's l.at.T, t

May

p.

9

;

7,

1789.

p. 10.

and report of the Secretary

of War, July

15,

INDIAN NEGOTIATIONS.

1789.]

281

been defrauded since that date, such has at least been the basis all subsequent negotiations with them for lands.

of

Although the Mohawks were not parties to the treaty of Fort Harmar, yet it appears that they, at least their chief, Thayendanegea, must have been present at its negotiation. This fact is disclosed in a passage in his letter to Major Matthews, already referred to

"jaunt

" You'll

:

to the

hear by this opportunity the result of our

southward, as Captain M'Kee has sent

down

all

"the proceedinos of our councils with the American Commis"sioners, speeches, and answers. Our proceedings have been "

such as

hope will be approved of

1

much may

" that

yet be done,

if

must

I

we meet

" ance, as business cannot be carried

on

farther

mention

with necessary

assist-

upper country to " advantage without the attendance of the Five Nations, which " they cannot do without being more amply supplied than hereto" fore with

ammunition, provisions,

(fcc.

in the

I

have ever been forward

" in pointing out

what 1 thought would tend to the good of our " service, and which has ever been attended to, notwithstanding " that my friends below seem to credit these reports. Still, my " attachment to government is such, that personal injury will " not

have

"owe my There

sufficient

weight

to

make me swerve from

the duty I

King.""

an allusion, in the closing sentences of this quotation,

is

to certain " private griefs" of the writer, requiring

an explana-

Captain Brant was no more exempt than other

tion.

men from

the ill-will and evil machinations of the envious and jealous. "

Great honors are great burdens" as well

as the white

counter his

;

and

full

it

was

share of

had already sprung up

among

the fate of the noble trials

the red

Mohawk

of this description.

men

to en-

Difficulties

in the aJministration of his affairs, not

only with the Provincial Government, in regard to the nature of the

title

which the Mohawks were

to receive

of the lands

March 8, 1739, among the Brant Governor Clinton respecting the conduct of Captain Brant

Letter from Joseph Crant toCapt. Matthews,

Writing

papers.

touching

St.

to

Clair's proceedings at Fort

"Captain Brant has not been candid

in his

Harmar, President Washington

all

the art and influence of wliich

said

account of General St, Clair, nor done

Muskingum. he was p6ssessed

justice in his representation of matters at

It is

to

notorious that he used

prevent any treaty being

except in a small degree, General St. Clair aimed at no more land by the treaty of Muskingum than had been ceded by the preceding treaties." Let-

held

;

and

that,

ter frrnn President

VOL.

II,

Washington

to

Governor Clinton, Dec.

36

1,

1790.

LIFE OF BRANT.

2S2

[17S9

granted them on the Oiiise or Grand River, but also between the

some of the Indians

chief and

tliemselves

not

;

Mohawks, but

stragglers from other tribes of the Iroquois Confederacy.

Dur-

ing the protracted absence of the Captain to the councils of the

preceding year, in the country of the great lakes,

it

appears that

a council of disaffected Indians had been held at Montreal object of

which was

to

respects does not exactly appear.

w-hat

;

the

denounce the conduct of Brant, but in Strong complaints

were preferred against him, however, at that council, " not only " in the name of the Five Nations, but by some of his relations " and intimate friends," under circumstances, and with an air so imposing, as to give serious alarm to his friends at the castle of St. Lewis.

On

Matthews addressed a on the subject of that council, and the charges then and there preferred against him. This letter was written by Matthews with the knowledge and approbation of a distinguished personage, who, although his name is Major Matthews not given, must have been Lord Dorchester. did not specify the charges made against his friend, and they can only be vaguely surmised from the following extract " The " circumstances which have been alleged against you, you have long

the 3d of .January, 1789, Major

Mohawk

letter to his

friend,

:

"

no doubt been minutely informed of It is therefore unnecesYour and would be painful to me, to recapitulate them.

" sary,

wishes you to

" friend*

seriously

reflect

upon the

fatal

conse-

"

quences that must attend a misunderstanding and disunion of

"

your nation, and of those Indians who might make the settlement upon the Grand River a happy retreat for themselves and

"

by a cordial and friendly union. How materimust weaken their interest, and yours in par" ticular, in the great scale of the Indian Confederacy and how "heavy the blame must fall upon whoever shall be considered " their posterity,

" ally the contrary

;

" the "

promoter of so great a calamity.

mends

to you, as the safest

" fame, to

effect,

and

He

with your friends and fellow-settlers

"

mildness and generosity, and

still

;

convincing them, by your

more by a

strict attention to

you are worthy of their confidence exert all your establishing perfect union and friendship among

"justice, that

powers in

and

without loss of time, a perfect reconciliation

"

"

therefore recom-

surest road to consequence

;

'

Lord Dorchester doubtless, meai)ing.

DIFFICULTIES WITH HIS

1789.]

OWN

PEOPLE.

283

"your own nation, and you will convince those at a distance " that you are capable and worthy of cementing a general union " for good purposes. " Having thus far given you the sentiments of a hearty well" wisher, I cannot conclude without

adding from myself, in the and with the heart of an old and sincere friend, that I feel more sensibly than I can find words to express, for the critical situation in which every person who was present at the Council must consider you to stand with your nation. For

" language " ^'

''

"my own "

when

I

part I could scarce believe

saw and heard our

old

my own

friends,

eyes and ears,

whose hands and

hearts have been so long joined together in one common cause, "pour out complaints against you and they did it at the same " time with such reluctance and concern, that it was the more affecting. It is impossible that men who were born, brought " up, who have so oft fouglit by each others' sides, and bled together, can seriously disagree. The whole must be a misun" derstanding, and must be explained with reconciliation. It is "noble and generous to acknowledge an error, and mutually to " forgive injuries; and, my dear Joseph, listen to mine, and to " the voice of your friends, who wish your happiness by seeing ^' you so firmly re-united with your own flesh and blood as to "resist any power on earth that would separate you from eriod,

can best be determined by the following extracts from

a

addressed by himself to Captain M'Kee, three days ifter

letter

Gordon was

the letter from Colonel

mediately on

its

receipt

and probably im-

written,

:

Captain Brant to Captain M'Kee. (Extracts.) "

" I have received

who have

two

letters

all

means

March

River,

from the

7,

1791.

from gentlemen

States,

by which it appears the accommodate the matter which I

been lately in Philadelphia

Americans secretly wish should by

Grand

;

—

to

advise, if

it

could be effected upon honor-

able and liberal terms, and a peace become general." " I

am happy

has suggested

to see in

to his

in bringing about a peace

States

:

by which

it

Sir John's last letter to me, that

Lordship the necessity of

he

their interference

between the Indians and the United

appears he has an idea of recommending

the line settled in 1768 [qu

?

1765] between the Indians and

government, as the northern and western boundary of the States in that quarter.

on that

I

him

expect to hear more from

subject, as I

have pressed him hard

tmients on the utility of

my interference

Lord Dorchester's speech

to

in the Spring his sen-

in the present dispute."

in reply to the deputation already

mentioned, was of a similar tenor to the preceding

John Johnson.

me

give

letter

of Sir

His Lordship informed them that he should be

He informed them marked out in the treaty of peace with the United States, implied no more than that beyond that line the King and that the King their father would not extend his interference had only retained possession of the posts until such time as all the differences bet ween him and the United States should be glad to be instrumental in restoring peace. that the line

;

settled.

was

In regard to the questions of the deputation, Mdiether

true that, in

making peace with

the States, the

it

King had

given away their lands, his Lordship assured them that such Avas not the fact,

inasmuch

their lands, other than to selves,

with their

sale.

On

own

as the

King never had any

such as had been

free consent,

this point, his

fairly

right to

ceded by them-

by public .convention and

Lordship likewise referred

to the treaty

with Sir William Johnson, at Fort Stanwix, in 1765.

In con-

LORD DORCIIKSTER AND THE INDIANS.

1791.]

299

he assured the tk'i)ntation, that aUhougli the Indians had their friendship and