CHAP. I.
The Wars of the Five Nations with the Adiron­dacks and Quatoghi [...]s.

THe first Account we have of the In­dians, who call themselves Rodinunch­sioum, now commonly known by the [Page 2] Name of the Five Nations, (and by the French call'd Les Iroquois) was from the French, who settled Canada under Mr. Champlain, their first Governor, in the year 1603. six years before the Dutch settled New-York. When the French first arrived, they found the Adirondacks (by the French called Algonkins) at War with the Five Nations, which, they tell us, was occasi­oned in the following manner.

^(a) The Adirondacks formerly lived about one hundred Leagues above Trois Rivier [...]s, where now the Utawawas live; at that time they imploy'd themselves wholly in Hunting, and the Five Nations made Planting of Corn their whole business, by which means they be­came useful to one another, and lived in Friend­ship together, the Five Nations exchanging with the Adirondacks Corn for Venison. The Adiron­dacks valued themselves, and their manner of living, as more Noble than that of the Five Nations, and despised them for that reason.

At last the Game began to be scarce with the Adirondacks, they therefore desired that some of the young Men of the Five Nations might joyn with them, and assist them in their Hunting, which the Five Nations the more wil­lingly [Page 3] agreed to, in hopes that thereby their People might acquire skill in Hunting.

It has been a constant Custom among all the Nations of Indians, to divide themselves into small Companies while they Hunt, and to divide likewise the Country among their several Parties, each having a space of 3 or four Miles Square alloted them, in which none of the o­thers must pretend to Hunt; and if any Nation should encroach upon the Limits of another, in their hunting, they certainly draw a War upon themselves.

At this time the Adirondacks were obliged to spread themselves far, because of the scarcity of the Game, and each Party took some of the Five Nations along with them, who being less expert than the Adirondacks, perform'd most of the Drudgery in their March. One of the Parties, which consisted of six Adirondacks, and as many of the Five Nations, marched further than any of the rest, in hopes of the better Sport: They had, for a long time bad luck, so as to be obliged to live upon the Bark of Trees, and some Roots, which those of the Five Nations scraped out of the ground, from under the Snow. This extremity obli­ged the Adirondacks to part from those of the Five Nations, each making a seperate Com­pany; and after they had agreed on a Day to return to a Cabbin where both of them left [Page 4] their Baggage, each took his Quarter to hunt in: The Adirondacks were unlucky, and return'd first to the Cabbin, where not finding those of the Five Nations, they did not doubt of their being dead of Hunger; but these young Men of the Five Nations, were become dex [...]rous with their Bows, and very cuning in approaching and surprizing their Game, which was chiefly owing to their being more patient and able to bear [...]atigues and Hardships than the Adiron­dacks were, accordingly they soon arrived loaded with the flesh of Wild Cows. The Adirondacks could not believe that they were capable of such an Expedition, without being assisted by some of their Nations. However, the Adirondacks received them with pleasant Countenances, and congratulated them on their Success. Those of the Five Nations made the other a Present of the best of their Venison: They eat together with much Civility, on both sides: But the Adirondacks becoming Jealous of this Success, conspired together, and in the Night time murdered all the six Men of the Five Nations, while they slept. Next Morning the Adirondacks follow'd their Foot-steps, by which they had return'd to the Cabbin, and found the place where they had hunted, and much Venison which they had killed, which the Adirondacks dryed, and carried home along with them.

[Page 5] The rest of the Five Nations enqui [...]d after their Companions; The Adirondacks answered very cooly, that they parted soon after they had left home, and they knew not what [...] become of them. But the People of the Five Nations being impatient to know something certain of their Companions, sent out several Parties in quest of them: They followed the Foot-steps of those Hunters, and found the six Dead Bodies, which the wild Beasts had dug up; and upon Examination found they had been Murdered. They made many Complaints to the Chiefs of the Adirondacks, of the In­humanity of this Murder, who contented themselves with blaming the Murderers, and ordering them to make some small Presents to the Relations of the murdered Persons, with­out being apprehensive of the Resentment of the Five Nations; for they look'd upon them as men not capable of taking any Revenge.

Those of the Five Nations [...]mother'd their Anger, and not being willing to trust themselves any longer with the Adirondacks, they returned home to their own People, who then lived near Montreal on the Banks of St. Lawrence River. They gave an account of this Assassination to their Nation, who upon hearing it conceiv'd a vast Indignation against the Adirondacks, who being advised of the secret movements of the Five Nations, Re [...]olv'd to oblige them to submit [Page 6] to their Law, by force of Arms. The Five Nations apprehending their Power, retired to the Southward of Cadarackui Lake, where they now live, and defended themselves at first but faintly against the Vigorous Attack [...] of the Adirondacks. But afterwards becoming more expert, and more used to War, they no only made a brave Defence, but likewise made themselves Masters of the great Lakes, and chased the Shawanons from thence.

While the two Nations were at War, the French arrived and settled in Canada, and the Five Nations having forced the Adirondacks to leave their own Country and retire towards Quebeck, the French thought themselves obliged to assist their New Allies, the Adirondacks, without examining into the Reasons of the War.

Thus began a War and Hatred between the French and the Five Nations, which cost the French much Blood, and more than once had like to have occasioned the entire Destruction of their Colony. The War had driven the Adirondacks to Quebec, and the desire of Trad­ing with the French, had drawn likewise all their Allies that way, who agreed with them joyntly, to make War against the Five Nations, and to attack them in their own Country.

Mr. Champlain desiring to give his Allies Proof of his Love, and the Valour of the [Page 7] French Nation, put himself at the Head of a Body of Adirondacks, and passed with them into Corlars Lake, which from this time the French have called by Mr. Champlain's name.

They had not long been in the Lake before they discover'd a Body of the Five Nations going to War. As soon as they saw each other, Shouts and Crys began on both Sides. Mr. Champlain made his men keep their Canoes at some distance; The Five Nations in the mean time landed, and began to intrench themselves, by cutting down the Trees round them; The Adirondacks stopt their Canoes near the Enemy, & sent to offer them Battel, who answer'd, That they must stay till Morning, when both sides would have the Advantage of the Day Light: The night passed in Dancing and War Songs, mixed with a thousand Reproaches against each other. Mr. Champlain had put some French in each Canoe, and order'd them not to show themselves, that their appearance might be the greater surprize to the Enemy, in the time of the Battel. As soon as day light appeared, the Adirondacks [...]anded, in order of Battel, & the Five Nations to the Number of 200 Men marched out of their [...]ntrenchments, and put themselves in order, with three Captains in the Front, having large [...]lumes of Feathers on their Heads, and then advanced with a grave Air and slow Pace. The Adirondacks gave a great Shout and open'd [Page 8] to the Right and Left, to give room for Mr. Champlain and the French to advance: This new Sight surprized the Enemy, and made them halt, to consider it, upon which the French firing, the three Captains were kill'd: This more surpriz'd the Five Nations; for they knew that their Captains had a kind of Cuirass made of pieces of Wood join'd together, that was Proof against Arrows, and they could not perceive in what manner the Wound was given by which they fell so suddenly. Then the Adi­rondacks gave a terrible Shout, and attacked the Enemy, who received them bravely, but a second Volley from the French, put them into such Confusion (having never before seen fire Arms) that they immediately fled. The A­dirondacks took twelve Prisoners, and as the Custom of the Indians is, burnt one of them alive, with great Cruelty; His Torment had continued much longer than it did, if Mr. Champlain had not in Compassion, & abhorrence of such Barbarity, Shot the poor Wreth thro' the Head.

The Adirondacks having their Numbers thus very much encreased, and their fire Arms giving them new Confidence, proposed no­thing less to themselves, than the entire De­struction of the Five Nations, by open Force; And upon this their Young Warriors became Fierce and Insolent, and could not be kept [Page 9] under any Discipline, Order or Subjection to their Chiefs or Captains, but upon all Occa­sions rashly attacked the Enemy, who were oblig'd to keep themselves upon the Defensive, and to make up what they wanted in Force, by Stratagems, and a skillful management of the War. The Young Men of the Five Nations soon perceived the Advantages they gain'd by this Conduct, and every day grew more sub­missive to their Captains, and diligent in ex­ecuting any Enterprize, while the Adirondacks confiding in their Numbers and their fire Arms, thought of nothing but of Conquering by meer Force.

The Five Nations sent out small Parties only, who meeting with great Numbers of the Adi­rondacks, retired before them, with seeming Fear and Terror, while the Adirondacks pur­sued them with Fury, and without thought, till they were cunningly drawn into Ambu [...] ­cades, where most of their men were kill'd, or taken Prisoners, with little or no loss to the Five Nations.

By these means and their being frequently surpriz [...]d by the Five Nations, while they re­main'd consident in their Number, the Adi­rondacks wasted away, and their boldest Soldiers were almost entirely destroyed, while the Number of the Five Nations rather encr [...]ased [Page 10] by the Addition of the Prisoners which they took from the Sh [...]vanons.

It has been a constant Maxim with the Five Nations, to save the Children and Young Men of the People they Conquer, to adopt them into their own Nation, and to educate them as their own Children, without Distinction; These young People soon forget their own Country and Nation; and by this Policy the Five Na­tions make up the Losses which their Nation suffers by the People they loose in War. The wisest and best Soldiers of the Adirondacks, when it was too late, discovered that they must imitate and learn the Art of War from those Enemies, that they at first Despised. Now five of their chief Captains end [...]avour to perform by themselves singly, with Art and by Stratagem, what they could not perform by Force at the Head of their Armies; but they having no longer any hopes of Con­qu [...]ring their Enemies, their thoughts were only set on Revenge.

The Five Nations had taken one of the chief Captains of the Adirondacks, and had burnt him [...]. This gave Piskaret, who was the chief Captain of the Adirondacks so deep a [...], that the Difficulty or Danger of the most desperate Attempt made no Imp [...] ­sion upon his Spirit, where he had the hope of Revenge.

[Page 11] I shall give the Particulars of this from the French Accounts; for by it the nature of the Indians, and the manner of their making War [...] may be more easily understood.

Piskar [...]t, with four other Captains, set out from Tro [...]s [...]ivieres in one Canoe, each being provid [...]d with three Fuz [...]es. In two Days they reach'd Sorel River, where they p [...]rceiv'd five Cano [...]s of the Five Nations with ten Men in each. At first those of the Five Nations be­lieved that this Canoe was the van of some considerab [...]e Party, and therefore went from it with all the force of their Paddl [...]s. When th [...]y saw that after a considerable time, no others followed, they returned, and as soon as they came within call, they rais [...]d their War­Shout, which they call S [...]ss [...]kue, and b [...]d Piskaret and his Fellows Surr [...]nder. He answered, That [...] was their Prison [...]r, and that he could no [...] surviv [...] [...] Captain they had burnt; but that he might not be accused of surr [...]nd [...]ing Cowardly, he bid them advance to the middle of the River, which they did, with surprizing Swiftness. [...] had before hand loaded all his Arms with two Bull [...]ts each, which he joyn'd toge­ther with a small Wire ten Inches in length, with design to t [...]ar the Cano [...]s in pieces (which it could not fa [...]l to do, they being made only of Bir [...]h Ba [...]k) and gave his Compa [...]ns Dire­ction, [Page 12] each to chuse a Canoe, and level his shot between Wind and Water

As the Canoes approached, he made as if he had design'd to escape; and to prevent him, those of the Five Nations seperated from each other with too much Precipitation, and Sur­rounded him. The Adirondacks, the better to amuse the Enemy, sung their Death Song, as ready to surrender themselves, when every one suddenly took his Piece and fired upon the Canoes, which they Reiterated three times, with the Arms that lay ready. Those of the Five Nations were extreamly surpriz'd; for Fire Arms were still terrible to them, and they tum­bled out of their Canoes, which immediately sunk. The Adirondacks knock't them all on the head in the Water, except some of the chiefs that they made Prisoners, who's Fate was as cruel as that of the Adirondack Captain, who had been burnt alive.

Piskaret was so far from having his Revenge glutted with this Slaughter, and the cruel Torments with which he made his Prisoners dye, that it seem'd rather to give a keener edge to it; for he soon after attempted another ente [...] ­priz [...], in which the boldest of his Country-men dur [...]t not accompany him.

As he was well acquainted with the Country of the Five Nations, he set out alone about the time that the Snow began to melt, with the [Page 13] precaution of putting the hinder part of his Snow Shoes forward, that if any should hap­pen upon his foot-steps, they might think that he was gone the contrary way; and for fur­ther security went along a Ridge, where the Snow was melted, and where his foot-steps could not be discovered, but in a few places. When he found himself near one of the Vil­lag [...]s of the Five Nations he hid himself in a hollow Tree: In the Night he found out a Place nearer at hand, and more proper to re­ [...]ire into, for the execution of any Enterprize. He found four Piles of Wood standing close together, which the Indians had provided against the Winter and their b [...]ie times, in the middle of which was a hollow place, in which he thought he could safely hide. The whole Village was fast asleep when he enter'd a Cabbi [...] [...]ill'd four Persons and took off their Scalps, being all that were in the House, and then re­ [...]rn'd quietly into his Hole. In the Morning the whole Village was in an Alarm, as soon as the Murder was discovered, and the young Men made all possible haste to follow the Mur­derer. They discover'd Pisk [...]rets foot-steps, which [...]ppear'd to them to be the foot-steps of some Person that fled; this [...]ncourag'd them in their Pursuit: Sometimes they lost the Track, and sometimes found it again, till at last they en­ [...]ely lost it, where the Snow was melted, and [Page 14] they were forced to return, after much useless fatigue. Piskaret quiet in the midst of his Ene­mies waited with impatience for the Night. As soon as he saw that it was time to act ( viz. in the first part of the night, when the Indian are observed to sleep very fast) he [...]nter'd into another Cabbin, where he kill'd every Person in it, & immediately retir'd into his Wood-pile In the morning there was a greater Outcry that before, nothing was seen but Wailing, Tears and a general Consternation. Every one run in quest of the Murderer, but no Tract to be seen besides the Tract which they saw the day before. They search'd the Woods, Swamp and Cli [...]s of the Rocks, but no Murderer to be found. They began to suspect Piskaret who's Boldness and Cunning was too well known to them. They agreed that two me [...] next night should watch in every Cabbin. All day long he was contriving some new Stratagem he bundles up his Scalps, and in the night he slips out of his lurking place, He approach [...] one of the Cabbins as quietly as possible and peeps thro' a hole to see what could be done there he perceived Guards on the Watch, he went to another, where he found the same care When he discover'd that they were every where upon their Guard he resolved to strike his last blow, and opened a Door, where he found: C [...]ntinel nodding with his Pipe in his mouth [Page 15] Piskaret split his Scull with his Hatchet, but had not time to take his Scalp, for another man who watched at the other end of the Cabbin, raised the cry, and Piskaret fled. The whole Village immediately was in an Uproar, while he got off as fast as he could; Many pursued him, but as he was so swift as to run down the Wild Cows and the Deer, the pursuit gave him no great uneasiness; When he perceived they came near him, he would Halloe to them; to quicken their pace, then spring from them like a Buck. When he gain'd any distance he would loiter till they came near, then halloe, and fly. Thus he continued all day, with design to tire them out, with the hopes of over-taking him.

As they pursued only a single Man, five or six only of the Nimblest young Men con­tinued the Chace, till being tired they were forced to rest in the Night, which when Pis­karet observed, he hid himself near them in a hollow Tree. They had not time to take Vic­tuals with them, and being wearied & hungry, and not apprehending any Attack from a single Person that fled, they all soon fell a sleep. Pis­karet observ'd them, fell upon them, kill'd them all, and carried away their ^(b) Scalps.

[Page 16] These Stories may seem incredible to many, but will not appear to be Improbable to those who know how extreamly Revengeful the Indians naturally are. That they every day un­dertake the greatest Fatigues, the longest Jour­neys, and the greatest Fatigues, the longest Jour­neys, and the greatest Dangers, to gratifie that Devouring Passion, which seems to gnaw their Souls, and gives them no ease till it is satisfied. All Barbarous Nations have been observed to be Revengful and Cruel, the certain Conse­quences of an unbounded Revenge, as the Curbing of these Passions is the happy Effect of being Civilized.

The Five Nations are so much delighted with Stratagems in War, that no Superiority of their Force makes them neglect them. They amu­sed therefore the Adirondacks and their Allies, the Quatoghies, (called by the French, Hurons) by sending to the French, and desiring Peace. The French desired them to receive some Priests among them, in hopes that these prudent Fathers would by some Art recon­cile them to the French, and engage their Af­f [...]ons. The Five Nations accepted the Offer, and some Jesuits went along with them. But [Page 17] after they had the Jesuits in their Power, they used them only as Hostages, and by that means obliged the French to be Neuter, while they prepared to Attack the Adirondacks and Qua­toghies, and accordingly entirely destroy'd the Quatoghies in a Battle fought within two Leagues of Quebeck, while the French dur [...]t not give their Allies any assistance.

Indeed the French Author says, That if the Five Nations had known the weakness of the French at that time, they might easily have de­stroyed that Colony.

The Defeat of the Quatoghies struck Terror into all the Allies of the Adirondacks, who were at that time very Numerous, because of the benefit of the French Trade, which they had by their means; for before that time the Indians had not any Iron Tool among them.

The Nipeceriniens, who then lived on the Banks of St. Laurence River, fled to the North-ward, in hopes that the extream Coldness of the Climate, and a barren Soil, would free them from the fear they had of the Five Na­tions. The remainder of the Quatoghies fled with the U [...]awawas towards the Southwest­ward, and for their greater Security settled in an Island, which the French still call by their Name, which being further than the Name of the Five Nations had at that time [Page 18] reached, they thought themselves secure by the Distance of the Place.

This Expedition having succeeded so well, the Five Nations gave out, that they intended next Winter to visit Yonnondio (the name they give to the Governor of Canada.) These visits are always made with much Show. They gather'd together 1000 or 1200 Men, and passing over Corlaers Lake, they fell in with Nicolet River, where it falls into the South side of Lake St. Pierre in St. Laurence River, eight Leagues above Trois Rivieres; Six Scouts marched three Leagues before the Army, who met with Piskaret, as he return'd from Hunting, loaded with the Tongues of wild Cows. As they came near him, they sang their Song of Peace, and Piskaret tak­ing them for A [...]ba [...]adors, [...]topt, and sung his. It is probable that he having glutted his private Revenge, and his Nation having been long harassed with a Cruel War, he too greedily swallow'd the Bait: Peace be­ing what he and all his Nation earnestly desir'd. He invited them therefore to go along with him to his Village, which was but two or three Leagues further: and as he went, he told them, that the Adirondacks were divided into two Bodies, one of which hunted on the North side of St. [...]aurence [Page 19] River at Wabmache, three Leagues above Trois Rivieres, and the other at Nicolet. One of the Scouts had on purpose staid behind, this Man followed Piskaret, and coming up be­hind him, knockt him on the Head with his Hatchet. Then they all returned to their Army with Piskaret's Head. The Five Nations immediately divided likewise into two Bodies, they surprized the Adirondacks, and cut them in pieces.

Thus the most War-like and Polite Nation of all the Indians in North-America was almost entirely Destroy'd by a People they at first despised, and by a War which their Pride and Injustice brought upon them. Immorality has ever ruin'd the Nations where it abounded, whether they were Civilized or Barbarians, as Justice and strict Discipline has made o­thers Flourish and grow Powerful.

A very few Adirondacks now remain in some Villages near Quebeck, who still waste away and decay, by their drinking Strong Waters, tho' when the French first settled Quebeck, 1500 Men of them lived between that and Silleri, which are only a League distant, besides those that lived at Saguenay, Trots Rivieres, and some other places. After this Battle the Adirondacks have never been considered as of any consequence, either in Peace or War.

[Page 20] The Quatoghies and Utawawas soon began to be in want of the European Commoditi [...]s, and their desire to make themselves conside­rable among their new Friends, set them upon attempting to return to trade at Que­beck, by which means the place of their re­treat was discover'd to the Five Nations, who not having their Revenge satiated, so long as any of that Nation remain'd, resolved at all hazards to march through these vast un­known Deserts, to satisfy their cruel Passion. The Quatoghies had the good Fortune to discover them time enough to make their Escape, and fled to the Putewatemies, who liv'd a days Journey further, where they and all the Neighbouring Nations secur'd themselves in a large Fort. The Five Nations followed, but being in want of Provisions, they could not attempt a Siege, and there­fore propos'd a Treaty to the Putewatemies, which was accepted. The Putewatemies a­gr [...]d to a League of Friendship, in which they acknowledged the Five Nations to be the Master of all the Nations round them, ap­plauded their Valour, and promised to sup­ply them with Provisions, but would not trust themselves out of their Fort. The Putewatemies accordingly sent them out a sup­ply of Provisions, but with design to effect, by Treachery, what they dur [...]t not attempt [Page 21] by Force; for they Poi [...]on'd all the Provi­sions This was discover'd to them by an old Quatoghie, who had a Son Prisoner a­mong the Five Nations. His affection for his Son overcame his hatred to his Country's Enemies. This Treachery enraged the Five Nations against the P [...]tewatemies, and the Neighbouring Nations, but Famine obliged them to return at this time, and to seperate their Army into Parties, the better to pro­vide for their Subsistence by Hunting. One of these Parties fell in with a Village of the Chichtag [...]icks (call'd by the French, Ilinois) and surpriz'd the old Men, Women and Chil­dren, when the young Men were abroad Hunting, but they upon their return ga­ther'd all the rest of the Villages; pursued the party of the Five Nations, and recover'd the Prisoners.

This was the first time that the Five Nations had appear'd in those Parts, but their Name was become so Terrible, that the Chicktaghicks, notwithstanding of this Advantage, left their Country, and fled to the Nations that lived Westward, till the general Peace was settled by the French, and then they return'd to their own Country.

CHAP. II.
Their Wars and Treaties of Peace with the French from 1665. to 1683. and their Affairs with New-York in that Time.

IN june, 1665, Mons. de Trasi being Ap­pointed Vice-Roy of America, arrived at Quebeck, after he had visited all the Islands in the West-Indies, and brought with him four Companies of Foot. In September of the same year Mr. Coursel arrived with the Commission of Governor General of Canada, with eleven Vessels, which transported a Regiment, and several Families, with all things necessary for the establishing of a Colony. The French Force being thus so considerably augmented, he re­solved in the Winter to send out a Party against the Mohawks, which by the Cold, and their not knowing the use of Snow-Shoes, suffered very much, without doing any thing against the Enemy.

This Party fell in with Schenectady, a small Town which Corlaer (a considerable Man among the Dutch) had then newly settled. When they appear'd near Schenectady they were almost kill'd with Cold and Hunger, and the Indians, who then were in that Village, [Page 23] had entirely finished their Ruin, if Corlaer, in Compassion of fellow Christians) had not [...]ontriv'd their escape. He had a mighty In­fluence over the Indians, and it is from him that all the Governors of New-York are call'd Corlaer by the Indians to this Day, tho' he himself never was Governor. He perswaded the Indians that this was but a small Party of the French Army, come to amuse them, that the great Body was gone directly towards their Castles, and that it was necessary for them immediately to go in Defence of their Wives and Children: which they did. As soon as the Indians were gone, he sent to the French, and supply'd them with Provisions to carry them back. The French Governor, in order to Reward so signal a Service, invited Corlaer to Canada, and, no doubt, with design to make use of his Interest with the Indians in some Project, in favour of the French Colony; but as he went through the Lake (by the French call'd Champlain) his Canoe was Over­ [...]et, and he drowned. From this Accident that Lake has ever since been call'd Corlaers Lake by the people of New-York.

There is a Rock in this Lake, on which he Waves dash and fly up to a very great height, when the Wind bl [...]ws strong; the Indians fancy, that an Old Indian lives under this Rock, who has the Power of the Winds, [Page 24] and therefore as they pass this Rock in their Voyages through this Lake, they always throw a Pipe or some Tobacco, or something else to this Old Indian, and pray a favourable Wind. The English that often pass with them, sometimes laugh at them; but they are sure to be told of Corlaers Death with a grave air. Your great Country-man Corlaer (say they) as he passed by this Rock, jested at our Fathers making Presents to this Old Indian, and in derision turn'd up his Back-side towards the Rock, but this Affron [...] cost him his Life.

But the next Spring the Vice-Roy and the Governor, with 28 Companies of Foot, and all the Inhabitants of the Colony, marched into the Country of the Mohawks, with a de­sign to destroy this Nation, which by the War not only prevented their Commerce with other Indians, but even prevented the Settlement of the Colony. This certainly was a bold At­tempt, to march thus above 250 Leagues from Quebeck, through unknown Forre [...]ts; but all they were able to do, was to burn some of their Villages, and to Murder some Old Men, that (like the Old Roman Senators) would rather dye than desert their Houses.

This Expedition. however, gave the Five Nations Apprehensions they had not before; for they never before that saw so great a Num­ber of Europeans [...] whose Fire-Arms were ex­treamly [Page 25] Terrible, and they therefore thought proper to send and beg a Peace, which was concluded in 1667.

But they [...] naturally very Enter­prizing and Haughty, a Party of the Five Nations met with a Party of the French a hunt­ing, and quarrelled with them. The French Author does not inform us of the particu­lars: But it seems the Indians had the Ad­vantage, for they kill'd several of the French and carried one Prisoner into their own Country. Mon [...]. De Coursel sent to Threaten the Five Nations with War, if they did not deliver up these Murderers.

The Five Nations being at this time appre­hen [...]ive of the French Power, sent Agariata, the Captain of the Company that did the Mischief, with forty others, to beg Peace; but Mr. Coursel was resolved to make an Example of Agariata. He therefore ordered him to be H [...]ng'd, in the Presence of his Country-men, which kind of Death they having never seen before, it struck them with Terror, & the French, think that this Severity was a great means of preserving the Peace till the year 1683.

The Dutch having settled New-York in 1609. (which they call'd the New-Netherlands) they enter'd into an Alliance with the Five Nations, which continued without any Breach on either side, and were frequently useful to the [Page 26] French, in saving the French that were Prisoners from the Cruelty of the Indians, as before ob­served.

In 1664. New-York was taken by the English, who immediately entred into an Alliance and Friendship with the Five Nations, which has continued without the least Breach to this Day. History, I am afraid, cannot inform us of an Instance of the Most Christian or Most Ca [...]holick King Observing a League so strictly, and for so long a time as these Barbarians have done.

Both the English and French (Peace being every where settled) endeavour to extend their Commerce and Alliances among the Indians which lie to the Westward of New-York. The French in their Measures discover'd a Design of Conquering and Commanding; for Mr. de Front [...]n [...]c, who had succeeded in the Go­vernment of Canada in the Year 1672, per­swaded the Indians to allow him to build a Fort at Cadarackui, under the Notion of a Store for Merchandize and security for his Traders, and under the same pretence built small Forts at some other considerable Passes far in the Country.

The English and Dutch Prosecuted their [...] only with the Arts of Peace, by sending People among the Indians to gain their Affections, and to per [...]wade them to come to Albany to Trade; but ev'n these honest [...] [Page 27] Designs met with Obstruction, and had not so considerable Success, by reason of the War with the Dutch, as otherwise they might have had; for in the Year 1674. New-York being Surpriz'd by the Dutch, and Restor'd, the alterations in Government and of Masters, obstructed very much the designs of gain­ing the Indians. Their Trade was likewise considerably hindred by the War, which the Five Nations had with the ^(c) River In­dians, which forced many of the River In­dians to seek shelter among the Utawawas, who fell under the French Government.

At last the English, Dutch and French ha­ving made Peace in Europe, and the Gover­nor of New-York likewise having obtain'd a Peace between the Five Nations and Mahikan­ders or River Indians, the English and French were at full liberty to prosecute their de­signs of extending their Commerce among the Indians, which both did with very con­siderable success and advantage to the In­habitants of their Colonies.

But this Justice must be done to the French, that they far exceeded the English in the da­ring attempts of some of their Inhabitants, in travelling very far among unknown In­dians, [Page 28] discovering new Countries, and every where spreading the Fame of the French Name and Grandeur, by making themselves the Arbitrators in all difference between the Indian Nations. The Sieur Perot deserves to be remember'd, who pushed his Discoveries as far as the Putewatemies and Indians living round the farther Lakes, with the greatest Fatigues and Danger. He acquired the Lan­guages of many Nations, and brought them to Canada to Trade, before the Peace was made with the Five Nations. In the Year 1667 he accomparied the Officer that was sent to the Fall of St. Mary, to take Possession of all that Country, in the name of the French King, in the presence of many of the Sachems of the Nations that liv'd round the Lakes, where there was an Alliance agree'd to with the French, but (ev'n by the French Books) no Subjection was Promised.

In the Year 1697. Mr. De la Sale built a Sloop or Bark of sixty Tons on Ohswego Lake, and provided her with great Guns. He car­ried this Vessel as far as Missilimackinack, and there loaded her with Furrs and Skins, and then went on the Discovery of the Misissipi. He only left five or six French on board to carry her back to Oniagara: But the Indians entertain'd such a Jealousy of this floating Castle, that they resolv'd secretly to destroy [Page 29] it, tho' they exprest nothing to Mr. De la Sale, but Admiration of the extraordinary Machine, and sent for all the Nations round to come to see it. When they were to­gether they consulted how to surprize and destroy it; and this design they kept so se­cr [...]t, not only before the Execution, that Mr. De la Sale had no suspicion of it, but afterwards likewise, for it was long be­fore it was known what became of this Vessel. At first they thought of killing all the French among them, and throwing them­selves on the English for their Protection; but their Courage fan'd them. They thought they might act with more security after Mr. De la Sale and his Company should be gone on their intended Discoveries. The French having no suspicion of their designs, permit­ted a Number of Indians to come on board in a Bay where the Bark came to an Anchor, in her return, and the Indians taking advan­tage of their Numbers, and the security of the French, murder'd the Men and burnt the Vessel.

The Courage and Resolution of these Gentlemen ought to be taken Notice of, for their Honour, not withstanding that the English say, that the Barrenness and Poverty of Canada pushes the Men of Spirit there [Page 30] upon Enterprizes they would not attempt if they liv'd in the Province of New-York.

CHAP. III.
The Affairs of the Five Nations with the Neigh­bouring English Colonies.

THe Five Nations being now amply sup [...]ply'd with Fire-Arms and Ammunition give full swing to their War-like Genius and therefore resolv'd to Revenge the Affronts they had at any time receiv'd from their Neighbours. The nearest Nations as they were at [...]ckt, commonly flying to those that were further off, the Five Nations pursued This, to­gether with a desire they had of Conquering and of making all the Nations round them their Tributaries, or to acknowledge the Five Nations to be their Masters, made the Five Nations over-run the greatest part of North-America. They carried their Arms as far South as Carolina, and to the Northward of New-England, and as far West as the River Misissipi, over a vast Country which extends 1200 Miles in Length, from North to South, and about six hundred Miles in Breadth, and entirely Destroyed many Nations that made Resist­an [...].

[Page 31] These War-like Expeditions often prov'd [...]roubl [...]som to the Colonies of Virginia and Maryland; for not only the Indians who were Friends to those Colonies, became Victims to [...]he Fury of the Five Nations, but the Christ [...]n [...]nhabitants likewise were involv'd o [...]ten in the [...]ame Calamity.

For this reason about the year 1677. the Government of Maryland sent Coll. Coursey to Albany to make a League of Friendship be­tween Virginia and Maryland on the one part, [...]nd the Five Nations on the other; but this League was soon shaken by some Parties of the Oneydoes, Onond [...]g [...]s and S [...]nn [...]k [...]s, who were out when this Covenant was made, and were ignorant of it. One of these Parties met with the Susquehana Indians, who were in Friendship with Maryland, and [...]ell upon them, [...]ill'd [...]our, and took six Prisoners. Five of [...]hese Prisoners fell to the share of the Sennekas, who, as soon as th [...]y arriv'd in their Country, sent them back with Pr [...]s [...]nts, to [...]hew that they kept to their [...] with Maryland; but the O [...]eydoes d [...]tain'd t [...] Prisoner they had.

Another [...] went against the [...] [Page 32] Inhabitants, and carried away their Scalps with six Christian Prisoners.

The Mohawks all this while kept themselve strictly to their League, and suffered none to their Indians to go towards Virginia and Maryland.

There is reason to think that the Dutch, who lived at Schenectady at that time, spirited up the Indians against the English; For the Commande at Albany hearing that the Five Nations, (the On [...]ydoes especially) were in an Alarm from some Jealousy that they had entertain'd of the English at New-York sent Arnout and Daniel, two Interpreters of the Indian Language, to per­swade them to come to Albany, in order to be assured of the English Friendship, and to have their Jealousy remov'd. Which the Interpreter having happily brought to pass, Swerisse, one of the chief Men or Sachims of the Oneydoes ex­cus'd his Country-men at Albany, the 15th of Fe­bruary 1678, 9. as follows,

Then he gave a Belt of Wampum ^(d)

[Page 35] He in the next place gave an account of what had happened in Virginia, And then said,

[Page 36] Governor Andross, being acquainted by Letter with this last Proposal of the Oneydoes required the immediate Delivery of the Chri­stian Prisoners, and promised to write to Virginia to have the Indian Prisoners saved Some Presents being given to to the Oneydoes they answered,

Accordingly in May following the Oneydoes [Page 38] brought the other three Prisoners to Albany. And on the 24th of that Month Swerisse made the following Speech, when he deliver'd them to the Commander at Albany, and the Commissioners for Indian Affairs.

(Then taking the Christian Girl, who was a Prisoner, by the hand, said) ‘This Girl was deliver'd to an Indian Squa ^(f) here present, who's Brother then was kill'd. If we had been full of Wrath, and not afraid of further Inconveni [...]nci [...]s, we would have burnt her.’

(Taking the Boy, another of the three, by the hand, said) ‘This Boy was giv'n to an Indian here present, but he is now free. [Page 40] We have now perform'd our Promises, and are not ashamed. We hope Corlaer, who Governs the whole Country, will likewise do that of which he needeth not be ashamed.’

‘ Corlaer governs the whole Land, from New-York to Albany, and from thence to the Sennekas Land; We who are his Sub­jects shall faithfully keep the Covenant Chain: Let him perform his Promise, as we have perform'd ours, that the Covenant Chain be not broken on his side, who go­verns the whole Country.’

‘ Corlaers Limits, as we have said, stretch so far ev'n to Jacob my Friend, or Jacob Young, and we have heard that Corlaer is in good Correspondence with Virginia and Maryland; Why is it then that our Peo­ple, who are Prisoners, are not restored? Let what we now say be well observed, for we have observed the Governor's Or­ders.’

Lastly (taking the Woman Prisoner by the hand, said) ‘This Woman was given to that Indian, ( pointing,) but is now free, being the sixth. If those of our People who are Prisoners be Dead, let us have six Indians in their room. It is not by my Au­thority that these Prisoners have been re­leased, but by the good Will of them to [Page 41] whom they were given.’

‘Our Soldiers are to go out against the Dewagunhas, let us have Ammunition cheap.’

Then the Commissioners gave them Presents for their kind Usage of the Prisoners.

After which Swerisse stood up and said, ‘Let Corl [...]er take care that the Indian Squa that is wanting come again, and for those that are killed, others in their room. If Corl [...]er will not hearken to us in this Affair, we shall not hereafter hearken to him in any.’

They hearing afterwards that these last words were ill taken, Swerisse, Jehonongera and K [...]nohguage, three of the chief Oneydo Sachems excused it, saying, ‘What we said of not hearkening any more to Corl [...]er, was not from the heart, but only by way of Dis­course, to make Corl [...]r more careful to release our People that are Prisoners; for it was said after your Answer, and without la [...]ing down either Bev [...]r or any Belt or Wampum, as we always do when we make ^(g) Propositions; Therefore we desire that [Page 42] if it be noted, it may be blotted out, and not made known to Corlaer; for we hold firmly to our Covenant, as we said in our Propositions.’

They at the same time told, That the Sin­nondowans ^(h) came to them with eight Belts, desiring that they should no longer prosecute the War with Virginia, or Virginia Indians, but to go with them to War against the Dowa­ganhas, ⁽ⁱ⁾ a Nation lying to the North-west ward; and that the Sennekas did desire them to set these Christians at Liberty, and to car­ry them to Albany. All which they said they promised to do.

The Five Nations continuing still to be troublesome to Virginia, that Government, in September following, sent Col. William Kendall and Col. Southley Littleton to Albany, to Re­n [...]w and Confirm the League between Vir­ginia and the Five Nations. Col. Littleton dy'd at Albany before the Indians arriv'd. Col. Kendall spoke to the Oneydoes, as follows,

He spoke to the Mohawks, and the other Nations seperat [...]ly from the Oneydoes, because the other Nations were supposed not to have done any Mischief.

‘We are come here from Virginia upon occasion of some of your Neighbours do­ing of Mischief or Harm in our Country [Page 45] which upon the Interposition and Perswa­sion of the Governour here, we have who­ly passed by and forgiven. And being inform'd, that you are not concern'd there­in, but disowning such Actions, we did desire to see you, and to let you know that continuing the like good peaceable Neighbourhood, you shall find us the same, and willing to do your Friendship at all times, but we must acquaint you, that we have a Law, &c.’ (repeating the same words which he spoke to the Oneydoes on that subject.

On the Twentyfifth, he thought it neces­sary to repeat this last Speech to the Mohawks by themselves, who after they had receiv'd some Presents, answered on the Twentysixth before Noon,

‘WE are glad to see you here, and to speak with you in this place, where we never saw you before. We understood your Propositions; We thank you for your Presents and shall give you an Answer After­noon.’

In the Afternoon they said,

‘In the Beginning of your Speech you tell us of the League or Covenant made with Coll. Coursey. We remember it very well, that it was made in our Governors Presence. We have kept it hitherto, and are resolv'd to keep it Inviolably. We are glad to see you here, to renew this Covenant. You do better than the People of the East, (New-England) who made a Covenant at the same time; for we have seen none of them since, to renew and keep up the Remembrance of it.’ Then they gave a Fathom of Wampum.

‘We have said what we have to say, as to the Covenant made with Coll. Coursey. You [Page 47] desire us likewise to continue our good Neighbourhood. This we not only pro­mise to do, but likewise to keep the ^(l) Chain, which cannot be broken, clean and bright, and therefore we desire you to do the same.’ Then gave a Belt of Wampum twelve deep.

‘We are glad that by the Interposition and Perswasion of our Governor, the Mischeif which our Neighbours did in your Country is passed over, and now wholly forgiven. Let it be buried in Oblivion; for if any mischief should befal them (seeing we make but one body with them,) we must have partaken with them. We approve of your Law, to lay down our Arms as a token of Friendship, and we shall do so for the future.’ Then gave a Belt fourteen deep.

‘We were told before we heard your Propositions, that one of the Agents from Virginia was Dead. We lament and bewail his Death, but admire that nothing was laid down, according to our Custom, when the Death of such a Person was signified to us. We give you this Belt of Black Wampum (thirteen deep) to wipe away your Tears.’

[Page 48] The Onnondagas did not come till November, on the 5th of which Month the Virginia Agent spoke to them in the same words he had done to the Oneydoes. None of their Answers appear upon the Registers, except the Mo­hawks, which we have given. It is certain that the Onnondagas and Oneydoes did not observe the Peace with Virginia, but molested them with the reiterated Incursions of their Parties. It is observable however, that these two Nations and the Cayugas only, had received French Priests among them, and that none of the rest who were not under the Influence of those Priests, ever molested the English; for which reason Coll. Dongan, tho' a Papist, complained of the ill Offices the Priests did to the English Interest, and forbid the Five Nations to enter­tain any of them, tho' the English and French Crowns, while he was Governor of New-York, in King James's R [...]gn, seem'd to be more than ever in strict Friendship.

The French could have no hopes of per­swading the Indians to hurt any of the In­habitants of New-York, but they were in hopes, that by the Indian [...] doing frequently Mischief in Virginia, the Government of New-York would be forced to joyn in resenting the Injury, and thereby that Union between the Government of New-York and the Five Nations would be broke, which always ob­s [...]ructed [Page 49] and often defeated the Designs of the French, to subject all North-America to the Crown of France. For this reason the Go­v [...]rnors of New-York have always, with the greatest Caution, avoided a Breach with these Nations, on account of the little Differences they had with the Neighbouring Colonys.

These new Incursions of these two Nati­ons were so troublesome to the People of Virginia, that their Governor, the Lord Ho­ward of Effingham, thought it necessary for their Security, to undertake a Voyage to New-York.

The Sachems of the Five Nations being call'd to Albany, his Lordship met there eight Mohawk, three Oneydoe, three Onnon­daga and three Cayuga Sachems, and on the Thirtieth of July, 1684. being accompa­nied with two of the Council of Virginia, he spoke to them as follows, in the presence of Col. Thomas Dongan, Governor of New-York, two of the Council of New-York, and the Magistrates of Albany. The Sennekas liv­ing far off were not then arriv'd.

The next Day the Mohawks answered first by their Speaker, saying,

‘WE must, in the first place, say something to the other three Na­tions by way of Reproof for their not keep­ing the former Covenant, as they ought, and therefore we desire you, great Sachem of Virginia, and you Corlaer, and all Peo­ple here present, to hearken, for we will conceal nothing of the Evil they have done.’

(Then turning to the other three Nations) ‘You have heard Yesterday all that has been said; as for our parts, we are free of the blame laid on us for the Mischief done in Virgi­nia and Maryland. You are Stupid, Bru­tish, and have no Understanding, thus to break your Covenant. We have always been obedient to Corlaer and have steadily kept our Covenant with Virginia, Mary­land and Boston; we must therefore Stamp Understanding into you. Let the Cove­nant [Page 56] made Yesterday, be carefuly kept for the future. This we earnestly recommend to you; for we are ready to cry, for shame of you. Let us be no more ashamed on your Account, but be obedient, and take this Belt to keep what we say in your Remembrance.’

‘Hear now, now is the time to hearken. The Covenant Chain had very near slipt. You have not observ'd your Covenant. Observe it now, when all former Evil is buried in the Pit.’

‘You On [...]ydoes, I speak to you as ⁽ⁿ⁾ Chil­dren. Be no longer void of Understand­ing.’

‘You Onnondagas, our Bretheren, you are like Deaf People, that cannot hear, your Senses are cover'd with Dirt and Filth’

‘You Cayugas, Do not return into your former ways. There are three things we must all observe.’

‘ First, The Covenant with Corlaer. Second­ly, The Covenant with Virginia and Maryland. Thirdly, The Covenant with Boston. We must Stamp Understanding into you, that you may be obedient. And Take this Belt for a Remembran [...]er.’

[Page 57] Th [...]n Odianne, the same Mohawk Speaker, turning to my Lord, spoke in behalf of all the four Nations.

‘We are very thankful to you, great Sachem of Virginia, that you are pleased to be per­swaded by Corlaer, our Governor, to forgive all former Faults. We are very glad to hear you and to see your Heart softned. Take these three Bevers as a Token.’

‘We thank the great Sachem of Virginia for saying, that the Ax shall be thrown into the Pit. Take these two Bevers as a Token of our Joy and Thankfulness.’

‘We are glad that ^(o) Assarigoa, will bury in the Pit what is past, and stamp thereon. Let a strong stream likewise run under the Pit, to wash the evil all away.’ Gives 2 Bevers.

‘My Lord, you are a Man of great Know­ledge and Understanding, thus to keep the Covenant Chain bright as Silver, and now again to Renew it, and make it stronger.’

(Then pointing to the othe three Nations said,) ‘But they are Covenant Breakers. I lay down this as a Token that we Mohawks have kept the Covenant entire on out parts:’ Giving two Bevers and a Raccoon.

‘The Covenant must be kept; for the fire [Page 58] of Love of Virginia and Maryland burns in this place, as well as ours, and this Covenant House must be kept clean.’Gives two Bevers.

‘We now plant a ^(p) Tree, who's tops will reach the Sun, and its Branches spread far abroad, so that it shall be seen afar off; & we shall shelter ourselves under it, and live in Peace, without molestation.’ Gives two Bevers.

‘You proposed yesterday, that if we were desirous to see the Indians of Virginia, you are willing to send some of their Sachems next Summer about this time to this Place. This Proposal pleases us very much. The sooner they come, it will be the better, that we may speak with them in this House, which is apointed for our speaking with our Friends.’ And gave two Belts to confirm it.

‘You have now heard what Exhortation we have made to the other three Nations. We have taken the Hatchet out of their hands. We now therefore pray, that your Hatchet may likewise be buried in the Pit.’ Giving two Bevers,

‘Let the River be secure, for we some­times make Propositions to the Raritan and Nevessink Indians; but above all, let your Virginia Indians come securely hither, that [Page 59] we may keep a good Correspondence with them.’

‘ My Lord, Some of us Mohawks are out against Our Enemies that live a far off. When they come near your Plantations, they will do you no harm, nor Plunder as the others do. Be kind to them, if they shall happen to come to any of your Plan­tations. Give them some Tobacco and some Victuals; for they will neither Rob nor Steal, as the Oneydoes, Onnondagas and Cayugas have done.’

‘The Oneydoes particularly Thank your Lordship for hearkening to lay down the Ax.’ The Hatchet is taken out of all their hands. And gives a Belt.

‘We again thank your Lordship, that the Covenant Chain is Renewed. Let it be kept clean and bright, and held fast, Let not any one pull his Arm from it. We enclude all the Four Nations in giving this Belt.’

‘We again pray your Lordship, to take the Oneydoes into your Friendship, and that you keep the Covenant Chain strong with them; for they are in our Covenant.’ Gives a Belt.

The Oneydoes give twenty Bevers, as satis­faction for what they promised my Lord Baltimore, and desire that they may be Dis­charged.

[Page 60] My Lord and the Governor told them, That they would use their Endeavours with the Lord Baltimore, to p [...]r [...]wade him to forgive what remained.

Then the Indians desired that the Hole might be digged, to bury the Axes, viz. One in behalf of Virginia and their Indians, another in behalf of Maryland and their Indians, and three for the Oneydoes, Onnondagas and Cayugas. The Mohawks said, there was no need of burying any on their Account; for the first Chain had never been broke by them.

Then the three Nations spoke by an Onnon­daga, call'd Thanohjanihta, who said,

‘We Thank the great Sachem of Virginia, that he has so readily forgiven and forgot the Evil that has been done; And We, on our parts, gladly catch at and lay hold of the Chain.’ Then each of them deliver an Ax to be buried, and gave a Belt.

The Speaker added, ‘I speak in the Name of all three Nations, and inculde them in this Chain, which we desire may be kept clean and bright like Silver.’ Gives a Belt.

‘We desire that the Path may be open for the Indians, under your Lordships Protection, to come safely and freely to this place, in order to confirm this Peace’ Gives six Fathom of Wampum.

Then the Axes were buried in the South-east [Page 61] ea [...]t end of the Court-yard, and the Indians threw the Earth upon them. After which my Lord told them, That since now a firm Peace was concluded, We shall hereafter remain Friends, and Virginia and Maryland will send once in two or three years to Renew it, and some of Our Indian S [...]chems shall come, according to your desire, to Confirm it.

Last of all, the Oneydoes, Onnondagas and Cayugas, joyntly, sang the Peace Song, with D [...]monstrations of much Joy; and Thank'd the Governor of New-York for his effectual Mediation with the Governor of Virginia, in their favour.

The Mohawks by themselves, and the other three Nations by themselves, spoke to the Governor of New-York, much to the same purpose that they did to the Governor of Vir­ginia, so far as it r [...]lated to the Affair of Virginia, but with some particular Marks of Personal Esteem; for he had won their Affections by his former carriage towards them. And they desired the Duke of York's Arms to put upon their Castles. Which, we may suppose, they were told, would save them from the French.

Coll. Dongan desired them to call home those [Page 62] of their Nations that had settled in Canada, ^(q) To which they answered, ‘ Corlaer keeps [...] Correspondence with Canada, and therefore he can prevail more than we can. Let Corlaer use his endeavours to draw our Indians home to their own Country.’ And gave a Bever.

At the same Time, the Government of the Massachusets-Bay had appointed Coll. Ste­phanus Cortlandt, one of the Council of New-York their Agent, to Renew their Covenant with the Five Nations, and to give them some small Presents: Which was accordingly done.

The Governor of New-York, Coll. Dongan, concluded all, with this Advice to them, Keep a good Understanding among your Selves: If any Difference should happen, acquaint me with it, and I will compose it. Make no Covenant or Agreement [Page 63] with the French, or any other Nation, without my Knowledge or Approbation. Then he gave the Dukes Arms, to be put upon each of their Castles, in hopes it might deter the French from attacking them (as they were threaten'd from Canada) after they had so manifestly de­clared themselves to be under the Protection of the Crown of England.

Before I proceed further it will be necessary to incert a Remarkable Speech made by the Onnondagas and Cayugas, to the two Governors, on the 2d day of August, viz.

The Senekas arrived soon after, and on the 5th of August spoke to my Lord Howard in the following manner.

Coll. Bird, one of the Council of Virginia, and Edmond Jennings, Esq; Attorney General of that Province, came with four Indian Sachems, (according to my Lord Howard's Promise) to Renew and Confirm the Peace, and met the Five Nations at Albany in September, 1685.

Coll. Bird accus'd them of having again broke their Covenant, by taking an Indian Girl [Page 69] from an English Mans House, and four Indian Boys Prisoners.

They excused this, by its being done by the Parties that were out when the Peace was con­cluded, who knew nothing of it; Which Accidents they had provided against in their Articles. They said, The four Boys were given to the Relations of those Men that were lost, and it would be very difficult to obtain their Restoration. But they promised to de­liver them up.

The Senek [...]s and Mohawks declared them­selves free of any blame, and child the other Nations.

So that we may still observe the Influence which the French Priests had obtain'd over those other Nations, and to what Christian-like Purposes they us'd it.

The Mohawks Speaker said, Where shall I seek the Chain of Peace? Where shall I find it, but upon Our Path? And whither doth Our Path lead us, but unto this House? This is a House of Peace. And sang all the Covenant Chain over. He afterwards sang by way of Admonition to the Onnondagas, Cayugas and Oneydoes, and con­cluded all with a Song to the Virginia Indians. But I suppose our Interpreters were not Poets enough to Translate the Songs, otherwise I might have gratified the Reader with a taste of Indian Poetry.

Accordingly Garangula, one of the chief Sachems of the Onnondagas, with thirty War­riors, went with Mr. Le M [...]ine to meet the Governor of Canada at K [...]hohage. After he had remain'd two Days in the French Camp Mr. La Barre spoke to him, as follows, (the French Officers making a Semi-circle on one side while G [...]r [...]ngula, with his Warriors, com­pleated the Circle on the other.)

Garangula was very much surprized to find the soft words of the Jesuit, and of the Governors Messengers, turn'd to such threatning Language. They were designed to strike Terror into the Indians. But Garangula having had good Information, from those of the Five Nations living near Cadarackui Fort, of all the Sickness and other Misfortunes [Page 85] which attended the French Army, they were far from producing the designed Effect. All the time that Mon [...]. Del [...] Barre spoke, Garangula kept his Eyes fixed upon the end of his Pipe. And as soon as the Governor had done speak­ing, he rose up, and having walked five or six times round the Circle, he returned to his place, where he spoke standing, while Mons. De la B [...]rre kept his Elbow Chair, and said,

Then Garangula addressing himself to Mr. Le Main, said,

‘Take Courage, Ohquesse, you have Spirit, Speak, Explain my Words, Forget no­thing, Tell all that your Brethren and Friends say to Yonnondio, your Governor, by the Mouth of Garangula, who honours you, and desires you to accept of this Pre­sent of Bever, and take part with me in my Feast, to which I invite you. This Present of B [...]v [...]rs is sent to Yonnondio on the part of the Five Nations.’

When Garangula's Harrangue was explain'd [Page 90] to Mr. De la Barre, he return'd to his Tent [...]enraged at what he had heard.

Garangula feasted the French Officers, and then Return'd And Mons. De la Barre set out in in his way towards Monreal. As soon as the General was [...]mbarqued with the few Soldiers that remain'd in Health, the Militia made the best of their way to their own Habitations, without any Order or Discipline.

Thus a very Chargeable and Fatiguing Ex­pedition (which was to strike the Terror of the French Name into the Stubborn Hearts of the Five Nations) ended by a Dispute between the French General and an Old Indian.

When the Indians came to Albany, after they had met with Mr. De la Barre, (and were up­braided for it by [...] Dongan) Carachkond [...]e, an Onnondaga, slyly answer'd, We are sorry, and ashamed; for new we understand that the Governor of Canada is not so great a Man as the English King that lives on the other side the great Water; and we are vexed for having given the Governor of Canada so many five Wampum Belts.

CHAP. V.
The English Attempt to Trade in the Lakes, and Mr. De Nonvill [...] Attacks the Sennekas.

MOnsicur Le M [...]rquis de Nonville having succeeded Mr. De la Barre, in 1685. and having brought a considerable Reinforce­ment of Soldiers with him, he resolv'd to Re­cover the Honour the French had lost in the last Expedition, and to Revenge the Slaughter that the Fiv [...] Nations▪ continued to make of the Twihtwiks and Chictagh [...]ks, who had put them­selves under the Protection of the French; for the Five Nations having entirely subdued the Chicktaghiks, ^(e) after a six years War, they resolv'd next to f [...]ll upon the Twih [...]wies, and to call them to an account for the Disturbance they had given some of the Five Nations in their Bever-hunting. The Five Nations have few or no Bevers in their own Country, and are for that reason obliged to hunt at a great distance, which often occasion'd Disputes with their Neighbours about the Property of the Bever, in some parts of the Country. [Page 92] The Bevers are the most valuable part of the Indian Trade. And as the Twihtwies carried their Bever to the French, the English favour'd the Five Nations in these Expeditions, and par­ticularly in the beginning of the year 1687, made the Five Nations a Present of a Barrel of Powder, when their whole Force was pre­paring to go against the Twihtwies. The English were the better pleas'd with this War, because they thought it would divert their Thoughts from the Indians that were Friends to Virginia: But the French were resolv'd to Support their Friends more effectually by a powerful Diver­sion, and to change the Seat of the War.

For this purpose Mr. De N [...]nville sent, in May, 1687, great Quantities of Provisions to Cadarackui Fort, and gather'd the whole Force of Canada to Montreal. His Army consisted of 1500 French of the Regular Troops & Militia, and 500 Indians that lived near Monreal and Quebeck.

He sent likewise Orders to the Commandant at Missilimakinak to assemble all the Nations round him, and to March them to Oniag [...]r [...], in order to joyn the Forces of Canada design'd against the Sennekas. And the other Officers posted among the Indians West ward, had the like Orders.

The Tw [...]htwies receiv'd the Hatchet with Joy, from the hands of the French Officer, [Page 93] against the Five Nations. The Outagamies ^(f) Kikabous, and Maskoutuhs, who were not us'd to Cannoes, were at first perswaded to joyn the Twihtwies, who were to march by Land to Teuchsagrondie, where there was a French Fort, at which they were to be supply'd with Ammunition: But after the French Officer left them, the Utagamies and Maskuticks were disswaded by some of the Mahikander Indians, who happen'd to be with a neighbouring Na­tion at that time.

The Putewatemies, Malhominies and Puans offer'd themselves willingly, and went to the Rendevouze at Missilimainak, where they were receiv'd by the Utawawas with all the Marks of Honour usually paid to Soldiers, tho' the Utawawas had no inclination to the present Enterprize; they could not tell, how­ever, how to appear against it, otherwise than by inventing what Delays they could to pre­vent their Marching.

In the mean while, a Cannoe arriv'd, which was sent by Mr. De Nonville with his Orders to the Officers. This Cannoe in her Passage discover'd some English commanded by Major Mr. Gregory, in their way to Teiodondaraghie. The English thought (after they had an account [Page 94] of the new Alliance their King had enter'd into with the French) that the French would not disturb them in prosecuting a Trade with the Indians every where, and that the Trade would be equally free and open to both Na­tions. With these hopes a considerable Num­ber of Adventurers went out under the Con­duct of Major M' Gregory to Trade with the Indians living on the Banks of the Lakes; and that they might be the more wellcome, per­swaded the Five Nations to set all the Dionon­dadie Prisoners at Liberty, who went along with the English and conducted them towards Missilimakinak or Teiodondoraghie. But the English found themselves mistaken, for the French Commandant at Teiodondoraghie, as soon as he had Notice of this, sent 300 French to intercept the English.

^(g) The Utawawas and Dionondadies ha­ving likewise an account of the English, d [...] ­signed to support their own Independency, and to encourage the English Trade. The Return of the Dionondadie Prisoners made that Nation very hearty in favouring the Eng­lish, they therefore marched immediately off, with design to joyn Major M' Gregory, but [Page 95] the Utawawas were divided in their Inclina­tions, their Chief, with about thirty more joyn'd the French, the rest remain'd in suspence and stood Neuter.

The Utawawas thus wavering, disconcert­ed the Measures of the Deionondadies, for they began to suspect the Utawawas, and therefore immediately return'd to secure their Wives and Children they had left near the French Fort with the Utawawas. The English and their Effects were seized without any Opposition, and were carried to the French Fort at Teio­dondoraghie.

The English brought great Quantities of Rum with them, (which the Indians love more than their Life) and the French being afraid that if the Indians took to drinking, they would grow ungovernable, did what they could to keep them from it. They were most concerned that the Putewatemies, (who had no knowledge of the English, or of that be­witching Liquor, and were firmly attached to the French) should not taste it.

The Utawawas still contrived delays to the March, and having got some of the Putewate­mies privately by themselves, they offered them a Cag of Rum, and said, ‘We are all Bretheren, we ought to make one Body, and to have one Soul. The French invite us to War against the Five Nations, with design [Page 96] to make us Slaves, and that we should make our selves the Tools to effect it. As soon as they shall have destroyed the Five Nations, they will no longer observe any Measures with us, but use us like those Beasts that they tye to their Plows. Let us leave them to themselves, and they'll never be able to accomplish any thing against the Five Na­tions.’

But the Putewatemies had entertain'd such Notions of the French, as made them Deaf to all the Politicks of the Utawawas.

The French however grew Jealous of these Caballings, and therefore resolv'd to delay their March no longer, and would not stay one day more for the Utawawas, who desired only so much time to Pitch their Canoes, but went away without them.

Mr. Tonti Commandant among the Chictag­hicks met with another Party of the English of about 30 Men in Lake O [...]swego as he march­ed with the Chi [...]aghicks and Twihtwiks, and other neighbouring Nations to the General Rendevouze. He fell upon the English, Plundered them, and took them Prisoners. The French divided all the Merchandize among the Indians, but kept the Rum to themselves and got all drunk. The Dconondadic Prisoners, that Conducted the English, joyned with the Mihikander Indians that were among Mr. Tonti's [Page 97] Indians (who had privately disswaded about 200 of the neighbouring Nations from going along with Tonti) and endeavoured to perswade all the Indians to fall upon the French, while they were drunk, and destroy them, saying, The French are a Proud, Imperious, Covetous People, that sell their goods at an extravagant Price: The English are a good Natured, Honest People, who will furnish you with every thing at reasonable Rates. But these arguments were to no pur­pose, for these far Indians had entertained extraordinary Notions of the French Power, and knew nothing of the English.

The French and Putewatemies being gone from Teiodondoraghie, the Utawawas began to be afraid of the French Resentment, and there­fore the better to keep up the colour they had put on their delays, marched over Land with all possible expedition, to the general Ren­devouz near Oniagara, where all the French Force, both Christian and Indian was to meet.

The Five Nations being informed of the French Preparations, laid aside their Designs against the Twihtwies, and prepared to give the French a warm Reception. Upon this the Priest at Onnondaga left them, and their Soldiers came to Albany to provide Ammunition. The Commissioners made them a Present of a considerable quantity of Powder and Lead, besides what they purchased. They were [Page 98] under a great deal of Concern when they took leave of the Commissioners, and said, ‘Since we are to expect no other Assistance from our Brethren, we must recommend our Wives and Children to you, who will fly to you, if any Misfortune shall happen to us. It may be we never shall see you more; for we are resolved to behave so as our Brethren shall have no reason to be asha­med of us.’

We must now return to Mr. De Nonville's Army.

Mons. Champigni marched eight or ten Days before the rest of the Army, with between two and three hundred Canadiens. As soon as they arriv'd at Cedarackui, they surprized two Vil­lages of the Five Nations, that were settled about eight Leagues from that Place, to pre­vent their giving any intelligence to their own Nation of the French Preparations, or the State of the French Army, as it was supposed they did in the last Expedition under Mr. De la Barre. These People were surprised when they least expected, and by them from whom they fear'd no harm, because they had settled there at the Invitation and on the Faith of the French. They were carried in cold Blood to the Fort, and ty [...]d to Stakes to be tormented [Page 99] by the French Indians (Christians, as they call them) while they continued singing in their Country manner, and upbraiding the French with their Perfidy and Ungratitude. But the French Policy had no Compassion on these Miserable People, when they were resolved to destroy their whole Nation.

While Mr. De Nonville was at Cadarackui Fort, he had an Account that the Chicktaghicks and Twihtwies waited for the Quatoghies and Utawawas at ^(h) Lake St. Clair, with whom they design'd to March to the general Rende­vouz at the Mouth of the Sennekas River. For this Expedition was chiefly design'd against the Sennekas, who had absolutely refused to meet Mr. De la Barrie, and were most firmly attached to the English. The Sennekas for this reason were design'd to be made Examples of the French Resentment to all the other Nations of Indians.

The Messenger having assured the General, that it was time to depart, in order to meet the Western Indians, that came to his Assistance, he set out the 23d of June, and sent one part of his Army in Canoes, along the North Shoar, while he with the other part passed along the South, that no accidents of wind [Page 100] might prevent the one or the other reaching within the time appointed at the Place the Indians were to meet him. It happened, by reason of the good weather that both the Parties arrived on the same day, and joyned the Western Indians at Irondequat. As soon as the men were put on shoar, they hawled up the Canoes, and began a Fort, where 400 Men were left to guard the Canoes, and the Baggage. Here a young Canadien was shot to death, as a Deserter, for conducting the English into the Lakes, tho' the two Nations were not only at Peace, but their Kings in stricter Friendship than usual. But this Piece of severity is not to be wonder'd at, when the French were resolved to under­take an unjust War, and every thing to put a stop to the English Trade, which now began to extend it self far into the Continent, and would in its consequence ruin theirs. The next day the Army began to march towards the chief Village of the Sennekas, which was only seven Leagues distant, every man carrying ten Biskets for his Provision. The Indian Tra­ders made the Van with part of the Indians, the other part marched in the Rear, while the Regular Troops and Militia compos'd the main Body. The Army marched four Leagues the first day, without discovering any thing. The next day the Scouts advanced before the Army, as far as the corn Fields of [Page 101] the Village, without seeing any body, tho' they passed within Pistol shot of 500 Sennekas▪ that lay on their Bellies, and let them pass and repa [...]s, without disturbing them.

On the Report which they made, the French Marched with much haste, but little Order, in hopes to overtake the Women, Children and Old Men; for they no longer doubted of all being fled. But as soon as the French reached the foot of a Hill, about a quarter of a League from the Village, the Sennekas suddenly rais'd the War-shout, with a Discharge of their Fire-Arms. This put the Regular Troops, as well as the Militia into su [...]h a Fright, as they marched through the Woods, that the Bat­talions immediately divided, and run to the Right and Left, and in the Confusion fired upon one another. When the Sennekas per­ceived their Disorder▪ they fell in among them Pell-mell, till the French Indians, more used to such Fights, gathered together and Re­pulsed the Senn [...]kas. There were (according to the French Accounts) a hundred French-men, ten French Indians, and about foursc [...]re Sennekas kill'd in this Rencounter.

Mr. De Nonvelle was so dis-spirited with the Fright that his Men had been put into, that his Indians could not perswade him to pur [...]ue. He halted the remainder of that Day. The next day he Marched on with design to burn [Page 102] the Village, but when he came there, he found the Sennekas had saved him the trouble; for they had laid all in Ashes before they Re­tired; Two Old Men only were found in the Castle, who were cut into Pieces and boyled to make Soop for the French Allies. The French slaid five or six Days to destroy their Corn, and then marched to two other Villages, at two or three Leagues distance. After they had perform'd the like Exploits in those Places they return'd to the Banks of the Lake.

Before the French left the Lakes, they built a Fort of four Bastions at Oniagara, on the South side of the Streights, between Ohswego Lake and Cadarackui Lake, and left a hundred Men, with eight Months Provisions in it. But this Garrison was so closely blockt up by the Five Nations, that they all dy'd of Hunger, except seven or eight, who were ac­cidentally reliev'd by a Party of French Indians.

The Western Indians when they parted from the French General, made their Har­rangues, as usual, in which they told him with what Pleasure they saw a Fort so well placed to favour their Designs against the Five Nations, and that they Relied on his never Finishing the War but with the Destruction of the Five Nations, or Force­ing them to abandon their Country. He assured them, that he would act with such [Page 103] Vigour that they would soon see the Five Nations driven into the Sea.

He sent a Detachment of Soldiers to Teio­dondoraghie, and in his Return to Canada, which was by the North side of the Lake, he left the same Number of Men and Quantity of Provisions at Cadarackui Fort.

The French having got nothing but dry Blows, sent thirteen of the Indians that they surprized at Cadarackui, to France, as Trophies of their Victory, where they were put into the Galleys, as Rebels to their King.

CHAP. VI.
Coll. Dongan's Advice to the Indians. Adario's Enterprize, and Montreal Sacked by the Five Nations.

COll. Dongan, who always had the Indian Affairs very much at heart, met the Five Nations at Albany as soon as possible after the French Expedition, and spoke to them on the 5th of August, in the following words, viz.

Then he chid them for their Breach of Faith with Virginia. He told them, that he was in­form'd that last Spring they had kill'd a fine Gentleman, with some others, and that a Party of the Oneydoes was now there at the head of James River, with intention to destroy all the Indians there-about. They had taken six Prisoners, whom he order'd them to bring to him, to be Restored; and that for the future they should desist from doing any In­jury to the People of Virginia or their Indians, otherwise all the English would unite to de­stroy them. But at the same time he free'd the Sennekas from any blame, and commended them as a brave and honest People, who never had done any thing contrary to his Orders, except in making that unlucky Peace with the French three years a go.

Lastly, He recommended to them, Not to suffer their People to be Drunk, during the War [...] A Soldier thereby (he said) looses his Reputation, because of the Advantages it will give the Enemy over him.

This honest Gentleman earnestly pursued the Interest of his Country; but, it seems, his Measures were not agreeable to those his [Page 111] Master had taken with the French King; for he had Orders to procure a Peace for the French, and was soon after this Removed from his Government. Indeed such an Active, as well as Prudent Governor of New-York, could not be acceptable to the French, who had the Universal Monar [...]hy in view, in America as well as in Europe.

Coll. Dongan's Message to Mr. De Nonville at a time when the Crowns of England and France had so lat [...]ly entred into a strict Friend­ship, had, no doubt, some Influence on the French Governor. But the little Success he had in his Expensive and Dangerous Expe­dition, together with the Obstruction that the French Trade met with from the War, inclin'd him more effectually to Proposals of Peace, which Coll. Dongan was forced to make, and the [...]ive Nations to yield to: For notwithstand­ing Coll. Dongan's Advice to them, as above related, he by his Masters Orders (who was entirely devoted to Bigotry and the French Interest) obliged the Five Nations to agree to a Cessation of Arms, and to deliver up their Prisoners without any Conditions, in order to obtain a Peace on such Terms as the French should agree to. And that no Accident might prevent, Mr. De Nonville sent his Orders to all his Officers in the Indian Countrys to observe a Cessation of Arms till the Ambassadors of the [Page 112] Five Nations should meet him at Montreal, as they had given him reason to expect in a little time, to conclude the Peace in the usual Form.

In the mean time, Adario, the chief of the Deonondadies, finding that his Nation was be­come suspected by the French, since the time they had shown so much Inclination to the English when they attempted to Trade at Missi­limakinak, Resolved by some brave Action against the Five Nations to recover the good Graces of the French.

For this Purpose he Marched from Missili­makinak at the head of a hundred Men; and that he might act with more Security, he took Cadarackui Fort in his way for Intelligence: The Commandant informed him, that Mr. De Nonville was in hopes of concluding a Peace with the Five Nations, and expected their Embassadors in eight or ten days at Montreal for that purpose, and therefore desired him to return to Missilimakinak without attempting any thing that might Obstruct so good a Design.

The Indian being surprized with this News, was under great Concern for his Nation, which he was afraid would be sacrificed to the French Resentment or Interest, but dissem­bled his Concern before the French Officer. He went from Cadarackui, not to return home as the Commandant thought, but to wait for [Page 113] the Ambassadors of the 5 Nations near one of the Falls of Cadarackui River, by which he knew they must pass. He did not lurk there above four or five days before the unhappy Deputies came guarded by forty young Soldiers, who were all surprized & kill'd or taken Prisoners. As soon as the Prisoners were all secured, the cunning Deonondadie told them ‘That he having been enformed by the Governor of Canada, That Fifty Warriors of their Nation were to pass this way about this time, he had secured this Pass, not doubting of inter­c [...]pting them.’

The Ambassadors being much surpris'd with the French Perfidy, told Adario the Design of their Journey, who, the better to play his part, seem'd to grow Mad and Furious, declaiming against Mr. De Nonville, and said, He would, some Time or other be Revenged of him for making a Tool of him to commit such horrid Treachery. Then looking stedfastly on the Prisoners (among whom Dekanesora was the Principal Ambassa­dor) Adario said to them, Go my Brethren, I Unty your Bonds, and send you Home again, tho' our Nations be at War: The French Governor has made me commit so black an Action, that I shall never be easy after it till your Five Nations shall have taken full Vengeance.

This was sufficient to perswade the Ambas­sadors of the Truth of what he said, who [Page 114] assured him, That he and his Nation might make their Peace when they pleased. Adario lost only one Man on this occasion, and would keep a Satana Slave, (adopted into the Five Nations) to fill up his place. Then he gave Arms, Powder and Ball to the rest of the Pri­soners, to enable them to Return.

The Ambassadors were chiefly, if not all, Onnondagas and Oneydoes, who had been long under the influence of the French Priests, and still retain'd an Affection to them; but this Adventure throughly changed their thoughts, and irritated them so heartily against the French, that all the Five Nations from this time prose­cuted the War unanimously.

Adario deliver'd the Slave (his Prisoner) to the French at Missilimakinak, who to keep up the Enmity between the Deonondadies and the Five Nations, order'd him to be shot to Death. As they carried him out, he related the whole of the Action, but the French thinking that he had only contrived it to save his Life, had no regard to it, till the fatal Consequences call'd his Dying Words to their Remembrance, with sorrowful Reflections.

The same Day that the Satana was shot, Adario call'd one of the Five Nations, who had been long a Prisoner, to be an Eye-witness of his Country-mans Death, then bid him make his Escape to his own Country, to give an [Page 115] Account of the French Cruelty, from which it was not in his Power to save a Prisoner he himself had taken.

This heighten'd the Rage of the Five Nations, so that Mr. De Nonville's sending to disown Adario in this Action, had no effect upon them: Their Breasts admitted of no thought but that of Revenge. It was not not long before the French felt the Bloody effects of this cruel Passion; for 1200 Men of the Five Nations invaded the Island of Montreal when the French had no suspicion of any such Attempt, while Mr. De Nonville and his Lady were in that Town. They Landed on the South side of the Island at La Chine, on the 26 th of July, 1688. where they burnt and sacked all the Plantations, and made a terrible Massacre of Men, Women and Children. The French were under apprehension of the Town's being attacked, for which reason they durst not send out any considerable Party to the Relief of the Country, till the Indians had blocked up two Forts, when Mr. De Nonvill [...] sent out a hundred Soldiers and fifty Indians to try to bring off the Men. The French of this Party were all either taken or cut to pieces, except one Soldier and the Command­ing Officer, who was carried off by twelve Indians that made their escape, after he had his Thigh broke. There was above a Thou­sand [Page 116] of the French kill'd at this time, and Twenty six were carried away Prisoners, the greatest part of which were burnt alive. The Five Nations only lost three Men in this Ex­pedition, that got Drunk, and were left be­hind. This, however, did not satiate their Thirst after Blood; for in October following they destroy'd likewise all the lower part of the Island, and carried away many Prisoners.

The Consequences of these Expeditions were very dismal to the French, for they were forced to burn their two Barks which they had on Cadarackui Lake, and to abandon their Fort there. They design'd to have blown up their Works when they left that place, and for that end left a lighted Match where the Powder lay, but were in such a Fright, that they dur [...]t not stay to see what effect it had. They went down Cadarackui River, in seven Birch Canoes, and for greater Security travel'd in the Night. One of the Canoes with all the men in it was lost by their Precipitation, as they passed one of the Falls of that River. The Five Nations hearing that the French had deserted Cadarackui Fort, 50 Indians went and took Possession of it, who found the Match the French had left, which had gone out, and 28 Barrils of Powder in the same place, toge­ther with several other Stores.

The News of the Success the Five Nations [Page 117] had over the French, soon spread itself among all the Indians, and put the French Affairs every where into terrible Disorder.

The Utawawas had always shown an Incli­nation to the English, and they therefore im­mediately sent openly four Sachems with three Prisoners of the Sennekas that they had, to assure them, That they would forever Re­nounce all Friendship with the French, and promised to Restore the rest of the Prisoners. They also included seven Nations that liv'd near Missilimakinak, in this Peace.

This put the French Commandant there un­der the greatest Difficulty to maintain his Post; but there was no Choice, he must stand his Ground; for the Five Nations had cut off all hopes of Retiring.

The Nep [...]ciriniens and Kikabous, of all their Numerous Allies, only remain'd firm to the French, every one of the others endeavour'd to gain the Friendship of the 5 Nations, and would certainly have done it, by Massacreing all the French among them, if the Si [...]ur Perot had not with wonderful Sagacity and imminent Hazard to his own Person diverted them, for which Canada cannot do too much Honour to that Gentlemans Memory.

Canada was now in a most Miserable Con­dition; for while the greatest Number of their Men had been employ'd in the Expeditions [Page 118] against the Five Nations, and in Trading among the far Nations, and making New Discoveries and Settlements, Tillage and Husbandry had been neglected; now they lost several Thou­sands of their Inhabitants by the continual Incursions of small Parties, so that none durs [...] hazard themselves out of the Fortified Places. Indeed, it is not ea [...]ie to conceive what Distress the French were then under; for tho' they were almost every where starving, they could no [...] Plant nor Sow, or go from one Village to another for Relief, but with imminent Danger of having their Scalps carried away by the Sculking Indians. At last the whole Country being laid Waste, Famine began to rage, and was like to have put a Miserable End to that Colony.

If the Indians had understood the method of attacking Forts, nothing could have pre­served the French from an entire Destruction at this time. For whoever considers the state of the Indian Affairs during this Period, How the Five Nations were divided in their Sentiements and Measures; The Onnon­dagas, Cayugas, and Oneydoes, under the In­ [...]uence of the French Je [...]uits, were diverted from prosecuting the War with Canada, by the Jesuits cunningly spiriting up those three Nations against the Virginia Indians, and per­swading them to send out their Parties that [Page 119] way: The Sennekas had a War at the same time upon their hands with three numerous Indian Nations, the Utawawas, Chicktaghicks and Twihtwies: And the Measures the English ob­served with the French all King James's Reign, gave the Indians rather grounds of Jealousy than Assistance. I say, whoever considers all these things, and what the Five Nations did actually perform under all these Disadvantages against the French, will hardly doubt that the Five Nations by themselves were at that time an over Match for the French of CANADA.