Letter to Colden

Letter to C. Colden
(Johnson Hall, August 23, 1764)

Johnson, Sir William in: The Papers of
Sir William Johnson, vol. 4,
pp. 511-514.

pp. 511, 512, 513, 514.

(page 511)

Montreal, expressing satisfaction at the result of Johnson's labors at Niagara, mentioning the affairs of the Caghnawageys and asking to be relieved of the care of Indian matters, and speaking of legal action contemplated against Mr. Donnellan on account of his Quebec Delineated, and action begun against De Charme (Jean Marie du Charme), a Canadian trader who engaged in trade at Michilim'c; one of the 18th from Richard Preston, London, thanking Johnson for kindness to Achilles Preston, a brother, deprived of a lieutenant's commission for a slight offense, and asking intervention in his brother's behalf; one of the 19th from James Phyn, Schenectady, explaining why an order for rum was not filled, and offering to make any purchases desired, on an intended trip to York; one of the 22d from Baynton, Wharton & Morgan, Philadelphia, asking reimbursement, through New York agent, for money advanced to Mr. McGee (Kee), Indian deputy, offering to supply goods and requesting payment for goods previously shipped, indorsement by Johnson, recording payment made September 8; one of the 22d to General Gage, mentioning indisposition occasioned by hardships of the journey and discussing his dealings with the Indians at Niagara.

TO CADWALLADER COLDEN

A. L. S.1

Johnson Hall, August 23d, 1764

DEAR SIR,

I arrived here four days ago from Niagra after having settled affairs with the different Nations, as well as could be expected- the Nations who attended from the Westward were the Hurons, Ottawaes, Chippaweighs, Sakis, Puans, Reynards, Menominy's, & in short all ye Cheifs of the Westeren Nations, except about 300 under Pondiac at the Miamis River,2 and the Potawatamies who did not choose to trust themselves down, the whole amounted to upwards of 2000, includeing those of the 6 Nations who accompanied me they were the largest Number of (page 512) Indians perhaps ever Assembled on any occasion- the Shawanese & Delawares of Ohio did not attend, they are now up the River Sioto watching our motions, but I imagine that the transactions at the Congress will soon bring all to reason in case we are not able to effect any thing against them. Most of the Westeren Nations were well recommended by Major Gladwin & other officers, they dwelt much on their good treatment of the garrisons of La Baye & Michilimacinac ye latter taken by the Enemy Ottawaes & Chippaweighs, I therefore renewed & Strengthened the Covenant Chain with them, and they have promised not only to get all the Prisoners out of the Enemys Hands but also to procure restitution for the Traders losses, they have likewise agreed to the reestablishing a Post at Michilimacinac.

The Hurons accounted for the cause of their engageing in the War, delivered up three Prisoners which were all they had & have subscribed to a Peace;- but we were greatly delayed by the Chenussios, & other Enemy Seneca's, who did not arrive for a considerable time, occasioned by reports wh had been propagated amongst them, that we intended some Treachery, they at length came with 14 Prisoners & 2 Deserters, wh they Said was all they had, but there are Several Prisoners amongst the Delawares liveing near Chenussio, for the delivery up of whom as well as of their King, & Head Warriors called the Squashcutter the Chenussios have engaged & give two Hostages for y purpose these Delawares abandoned their Settlements on the Capture of Captn Bull & his party, & their Villages having been distroyed by the Partys under Montour &ca, they have since resided with the Chenussios, & requested their Interest with us to make peace, but I refused to treat with them, 'till all the Prisoners, & their 2 Cheifs were first delivered up, which I expect will shortly be complied with, the Senecas have likewise given up to his Majesty all the Land from Lake Ontario to Lake Erie 4 Miles in Depth on each Side of the Strait for the use of the Several Garrisons which is more that Double the (page 513) quantity their Deputys agreed to last Spring, the Iselands, (one of which is verry large) they insisted on my acceptance of, to shew their esteem, & make my mind easy (as they called it) after the Delays I had met with.

The behaviour of the Senecas cannot fail, operateing Strongly on the Shawanese & Delawares, as well as all the Nations for they are a people of much power, & Influence over the rest; so soon as Matters were settled with the Senecas, Coll Bradstreet proceeded with the Troops accompanied by about 500 Indians, but the lateness of the Season, & the disposition of the Inds in general will I beleive leave little to be done offensively, & Coll Bradstreet is well convinced of the absurdity of attempting to go to extreames with them, Justly observeing that we cant always keep an Army on the Frontiers, and that tho he might be able at present to establish a Post, it remains entirely at the Indians discretion whether we shall keep it or not, it were to be wished the World had been earlier convinced of this Truth, I hope now they have profited by experience. The Indians who have made peace & those who have renewed their engagements have been verry Solicitous for Trade, & it was Judged adviseable to let them purchase with what little Furrs they had, such thing as they wanted (amuntion excepted) I told them repeatedly their loss of Trade must be charged upon the Enemy, and that 'till they were punished, or brought to a proper Submission, they must not expect it as before, however I know nothing will contribute more to keep them at peace, than the letting them have a Trade carried on by Honest Men, and of this I think nescessary to acquaint You as Passes are to come from You by the Kings Proclamation.

Last night all the Cheifs of Conojohare came to acquaint me that they were often verry Ill treated, but particularly so of late, by one Cobus Maybe, who resides on part of their clear Lands, without any Title, notwithstanding their repeated desire that he should remove, I have (since his Majestys Proclamation was published here) at ye earnest request of the whole (page 514) Castle, Wrote him several times to leave sd place but to no purpose. In short several of the White People in that Neighbourhood use them vastly Ill, by turning their Cattle into the Indians Corn fields, and beat their Women & Children when Driveing them out, this has been often done, but more so of late in the absence of their Young Men, which the Sachims fear may prove of bad consequence if not redressed, & prevented for the future; As I am directed to see all Persons removed who occupy Indian Lands without Just Title, I must request You will acquaint me how this Maybe, or any others on the like footing are to be removed, of that You will please to give the necessary orders about it.

The great Number of Indians who Attended at Niagra, and the infinite variety of their affairs, Demands &ca afforded me scarce time for the least refreshment dureing my Months Stay there, & prevented me from answering several letters which imediately required it, as well as from haveing the pleasure of corresponding with You dureing that time.

I am

with the most perfect Esteem

Dear Sir

Your Most Obedient

& Most Humble Servant

WM. JOHNSON

The Honrble
CADWALLADER COLDEN

ENDORSED:
August 23d, 1764
Letter from Sir William Johnson
giving an account of the peace
concluded at Niagara, and of the
Complaint of the Connjohary Indians
agt Cobus Maybe who refuses to go off
their Lands.
Sept. 4- Read in Council.

____________________________

1 In the New York Historical Society, New York City. The draft was destroyed by fire.

2 The Maumee, on which Fort Miami was situated.