1761. June 16, June 17, Detroit. June 19, June 19, Ligonier. June 20, June 20, June 20, Capt. Campbell to Bouquet. Has been alarmed by the reports of Indian designs, which has put him on his guard The plot was first attributed to the Northern Indians, but it is now found to come from the Six Nations. They have sent deputies and belts to all the Indians from Gaspé to the Illinois to take up the hatchet against the English. Two of the deputies (Seneca Chiefs) came a few days ago to invite the nations here to a great council at Little Lake to meet the Delawares and Shawanese. Hopes to be able to keep the nations here from going. The plan is to cut off the communication, stop the roads at Niagara, Fort Pitt and here; seize the goods and horses of the traders at Sandusky. Has sent Hamback with 50 armed men and bateaux to bring the traders' goods here There is no doubt of the truth of this; it came through the Senecas, who, with the rest of the Six Nations, are to assemble at French Creek about 25 leagues from Presqu'Isle. Has sent word to Niagara, &c., but in case of accident he (Bouquet) might also serd word. If Gorrel were here with the provisions he would not be uneasy for the post. Page 252 Same to Cochrane. The Delawares, Shaw inese and a part of the Six Nations intend to surprise Fort Pitt, first intercepting the provisions. Word to be sent off to Bouquet. 254 Major Walters to Bouquet. Sends returns; has discharged eleven infirm men. Amherst writee he will be at this post soon; he orders that the soldiers applying for their discharge are to be kept as they are; they will not be detained a moment longer than is necessary. Hopes Barnsley will come and bring money. 255 Lieut. Blane to the same. Sends returns. Difficulty of preserving the bullocks. Hopes Baillie will be soon. Was unable to clear the men for want of money; shall settle the whole to the 24th of June from the bills drawn, &c. Capt. Barnsley to the same. another letter) who has been Pitt. 256 Introducing Ensign Pauli (Pauly in ordered to join the battalion at Fort 258 Lieut. Carre to the same. Has received beef, pork, tools, &c. Mrs. Cremar escaped after being taken 20 miles; the bateaumen now going down promise to take care she shall not give them the slip. 259 Abraham Mitchel to the same. Asks his interference to obtain a Philadelphia. settlement from one Edmond Moran for goods purchased. June 21, June 21, 260 Capt. Campbell to the same. The intelligence of the bad intentions of the Indians is too true. Had assembled the nations here, who promised to report what the deputies from the Six Nations proposed at the Wyandot. village where they were; sends their report in French. In case the express by Presqu'Isle fail has sent Aaron, a Mohawk, to pass by the Little Lake and carry news to Fort Pitt, for which he is the more anxious as one of the designs is to surprise that fort by a party of Six Nations, Delawares and Shawanese, the rest to assemble at French Creek to attack Niagara, with the assistance of the northern Nations. Has sent an express to the General by way of Niagara, but asks him to communicate also in case of accident. Ensign Gorrell bad returned from Niagara with the bateaux which makes him easy as to the post. Ammunition refused by Major Walters; some taken from the traders. Preparations for building bateaux. 262 Hamback to the same. Is grateful for the settlement with the Indians. Trade going on well; would like to separate from his present partners and to be concerned with Captain Callender, who is willing to agree to this. 265 1761. June 21, Ligonier. June 24, June 24, June 24, June 24, June 24, Jnne 25, June 25, Lieut Blane to Bouquet. Will keep the four men from Stony Creek as ordered. No cartridge paper arrived. Captain Little with a hundred odd Pennsylvanians, marches to-morrow. Page 266 Capt. Cochrane to the same. Sends the letter from Campbell with report of the Indian plot. Shall take every precaution. Attack by Indians on Mr. Guy, on his road here from LeBoeuf, whom they robbed of his horses. Dispatches sent off. Sends the letters to Venango by Mr. Baird and another letter to LeBoeuf to be sent by another hand. 267 Same to the same. Gives information similar to that of Captain Campbell, respecting the Indian plot. 269 Colonel Armstrong to the same. Delay in opening the land office; no letter from Mr. Penn. The letter givos information respecting the Ohio Company, the settlement of the lands, quarrellings, &c., offering a disagreeable prospect. 271 Lieut. Blane to the same. Sends returns. Has received cartridge paper, which was carried past. Little's horses stolen by two Mingoes, who have been overtaken, are killed and the horses recovered. Respecting certain accounts between Stimbel and Woodward, &c. Gamelin to the same (in French). Thanks for kindness. what he can for Hamback, who, he has no doubt, will succeed. beaver skin, &c. 273 Will do Sends a 275 Lieut. Guy to the same. Has forward d by way of Venango the letters received from Cochrane. The attack on him by the Indians reported by Cochrane; will be on his guard. Powder horn and bullets stolen by two Indians from a soldier. 276 Capt. Cochrane to the same. Reports a talk Baby had with some Presqu' Isle. Hurons at Sandusky about the designs of the different nations who professed ignorance of the designs of the Council. June 26, Venango. June 27, June 27, June 27, June 27, June 27, June 30, 277 Lieut Carre to the same. For war is letter brought by express from LeBoeuf; shall be on his guard. Does not think it safe to send off the bateaux to Le Bœuf. 278 Capt. Campbell to the same. The ammunition and Indian goods are arrived from Sandusky; the imprudence of Callender and Hamback in telling the Indians the reason; they have asked Callender to go to Fort Pitt to say it is a false alarm. It is true nevertheless, as the copy of the Council's proceedings sent by Aaron will prove. The discovery may frustrate the plot, but the evidence will appear. The Seneca chief reports the designs of the Shawanese to carry off the horses at Fort Pitt and along the Monongahela. A word of defence for Lowrie the sutler; would take it as a favour if Lowrie's past crime could be forgiven. The loss to Detroit and the Indians by the sale of rum at Detroit. 279 William and Margaret Summerfield to the same. Asking for news of their child, if he is well treated, &c. 282 Hamback to the same. Has returned; he and Callender told the Indians of the discovery of the plot to prevent mischief. Has romitted £1,100 in furs and dressed feathers, retaining skins and bills to the amount of £300 more. Is ready to pay the £100 advanced by Mr. Lunan. 283 285 Lieut. Carre to the same. Forwards letter just received by express from Cochrane. Sends it by water, in case the road be waylaid. 284 Same to the same. Sends another letter just brought by Mr. Baird. Has not found the lost tools. James Kenny to the same. conscience. If he is to leave in care of. Cannot bear arms without abusing his two days asks if his goods shall be taken 295 Dr Stevenson to the same. The want of society with the miserable uniformity of life here, hurts them in every way. His visits to the Falls. 1761. June 30, June 30, The 55th at Oswego relieved, and five companies gone to New York. Page 294 289 Major Walters to the same. The troops mustered by Mr. Pitcher, the muster master. Returns wanted of the strength of the battalion to 24th April, 1760. Amberst has ordered the mon entitled to their discharge to be retained. The affair of Ensign William Hay is out of his hands. The quarrel between Ensign Schlosser and Demler is allowed by General Amherst to be settled. Lieut. Robertson with carpenters and materials, has arrived to build vessels on Like Erie; as he is to assist, the works on the fort will suffer. Cannot send flour wanted by Cochrane. Names of supernumeraries. 286 LETTERS TO COLONEL BOUQUET. 1761. July 1, A. 17. B. M., 21,647. Plumsted and Franks to Bouquet. Intend to leave this month for Philadelphia. Pittsburgh; hope their cattle have done well there, &c. Page 1 July 1, July 1, July 2, July 3, July 7, Ensign William Hay to the same. Thanks for his kindness. Has written to the General as hinted by the Major, so as to get out of his unlucky scrape. If that was settled, he would beg to be removed to some other post. Regimental news. Lieut. Dow to the same. A polite letter of social gossip. 2 5 Lieut. Blane to the same. Congratulates him on the discovery of the Indian plot; Pittsburgh can be defended against all the Indians in America; hopes the upper posts are on their guard. Coffey, the express, got safely over Laurel Hill. The deficiencies at this post. The work he has done on the defences. Has supplied the post well with provisions ; has found cartridges and kept two artillery men to make repairs. Stony Creek might be abandoned and that garrison join this. 6 Lieut. Carre to the same. Has sent off three expresses with intelligence from Capt. Campbell. Report of the express from Fort Pitt on the state of the road. Returns sent. The keg of rum was stolen from an Indian three months ago; the thief Barny McCannon, got 300 lashes. Has just received letters from Niagara, which he sends to Fort Pitt by Baird. 8 Capt. Campbell to the same. Sends this by a deputy of the Six Nations returned from Sandusky. Another council held at the Wyandot village, at which it was recommended to go no more to war against the Cherokees, as there would be other business. The deputy then produced a belt painted red, (called a war hatchet) on behalf of the Six Nations, Delawares Shawanese and Southern Indians, urging them to dispossess the English. The Wyandote, who were specially addressed, would only answer in his 1761. July 7, July 8, July 9, July 12, July 16, July 19, July 20, (Campbell's) presence, and, thanks to the interpreter, the majority of them were gained over against the deputy's proposals. The chiefs of the nations here brought the Six Nation chiefs and delivered up the war hatchet, in token of their good intentions. The Six Nations, surprised at this, acknowledged their plot, att ibuting it to ill-usage; will go back to urge peace, but hoped that they would be better used. Interchange of belts and speeches. The pillaging about Fort Pitt is said to be done by Delawares and Shawanese. Asks that the information be sent to the General and to Sir William Johnson. Page 10 Lieutenant Blane to Bouquet. Has sent off oats and received powder. Will take care of the fort and men. The precaution he took in sending word, not trusting the messenger's fidelity. Respecting the strength of the garrison, &c. Sends account for salt to be certified, 16 18 Robert Rutherford to the same. payment being refused by Hoops. Captain Cochrane to the same. Dispatches received. Corporal Tull returned from Niagara without provisions, there being none to spare there; between 200 and 300 New Yorkers have arrived there to build sloops on the Lake. Respecting muster rolls, &c. Did not believe the reported designs of the Indians, but neglected no precautions. His reason for doubting the truth of the reports, but wrote to Guy to be on bis guard. Cox left all his horses here, but though they strolled off for several miles not one has been lost. Repairs to the breast work and other parts of the works. Ammunition returns sent. Is glad Young's accounts are settled. The small number of Pennsylvanians would surprise him, were he less acquainted with the old policy of the Province. McDougall's troubles over the muster rolls and returns. 19 24 Lieutenant Carre to the same. Shall receive no more Indian corn; sends return of that now in store. Hutchins sent to Custologastown for intelligence. Custologa returns with Hutchins and says there are no bad intentions that he knows of, but he will inquire and report, and ended by asking for rum. Beef sent off to LeBoeuf. Escape of deserShall send powder. Settlement of 26 Andrew Fesch to the same. Has forwarded effects to New York. The conduct of D'Ellient commented on at length, with respect to his (Bouquet's) plantation. ters. Lieutenant Blane to the same. accounts, &c. 27 Alexander Lunan to the same. Daily alarms from Detroit and Fort Philadelphia. Pitt; hopes they are without foundation. Respecting shoes sent. 30 July 20 Andrew Fygner to the same (in German). Concerning the discharge Philadelphia. of Michael Goneck. 31 Hoops to the same. Has arrived from Fort Chiswell; movements of troops. Byrd was to make forced marches to draw the enemy off Grant, as it was reported that 2,000 Indians were sent to harass him, and that his rear guard had suffered loss from them. Has sent to-day 40 head of cattle, and will to-morrow send 70 sheep; a larger drove will follow. Returns sent. The daily consumption of Byrd's dotachment, the garrisons on that communication, &c., does not exceed 1,200 rations. North Carolina troops have not yet joined him. July 21, July 22, The 33 mont. The appointment of officers of the 1st Battalion Royal American Regi. 36 There is a list similar to this showing the officers to be returned according to the musters of the 25th April, 1761. 35 Captain Campbell to Bouquet. Sends roport of Indian Council and recapitulates what took place at the conference with him. Has sent to 1761. July 22, July 23, July 24, July 25, Sandusky for ammunition. Has been obliged to comply with the unreasonable demands of the Indians. Has sent for stores to Niagara; would send to Fort Pitt for cattle, but can get no Canadians who know the way, being chiefly accustomed to the water. Again interposes in favour of Lowry the sutler. Page 37 Capt. Clapham to Bouquet. Contradicting the report of the stealing of horses by the Mingoes; they are no honester than other Indians, but they do not use horses. 41 Capt. Callender to the same. Has made inquiry at Tuscarawas of Post's business among the Indians. He said his message was from God, to make them good Christians. Has sent his horse; Capt. Kill Buck will not deliver it up except to Capt. Campbell. The trouble he has had with the powder from bad kegs. 43. 45 Lieut. Carre to the same. Sent letters by John Coyle, who lost them, an Indian picked them up and has them. Recapitulates their contents (about deserters &c). The conduct of Custologa in seizing rum and beating the man carrying it; he expresses sorrow and offers to pay for it, &c. Col. Geo. Mercer to the same. His continued ill health Reports in Winchester. detail the manner in which Donnycastle has behaved to Colonel Byrd in respect to a credit the latter had guaranteed for goods to be supplied. Three 12 oared boats with bateaux and canoes manned by French men were near the Cherokees from Fort Assumption. Offers of service, &c. 47 Thomas Hutchins to the same. Report in detail of what took place at Custologa's Town respecting the rum stolen (p 16) with the speeches delivered. July 25, July 25, July 27, July 27, July 28, July 25, 50 Hamback to the same. Thanks for kindness. The arrangement he has made with Callender about another cargo for the Indian trade, and the proposal he has made to Mitchel about the old stock. 53 Capt. Cochrane to the same. Recapitulates the contents of the previous letters. Asks leave to retain Fisher as corporal and will pay the diffərence out of his own pocket, as he is a good man. Where his sergeants are. Explains his reasons for seeking to renew acquaintance with Mr. Townshend, which appear to have been misunderstood. Congratulations on the taking of Belle Isle. His hopes for cattle, as the salt provisions are bad for the sick. The want of money to settle with his company. Shall send returns when those from Niagara arrive 55 J. Prevost to Andrew Fesch. That it is to the Messrs Guinand he is to apply, who paid the bills for the purchase of every thing in his hands. The more trouble he gives the more infamous will his conduct appear. 59 Capt. Barnsley to Bouquet. Money left in Mortier's hands to meet bills drawn by Major Walters. Capt. Campbell has acknowledged receipt of £600 from Lowry and Callender. Respecting "gratification shoes" for different battalions. Would write Colonel Robertson to deliver his bat:alion's share of the shoes to Van Schaike to be forwarded to Niagara and Oswego. List of the regiments sent to encamp on Staten Island. Many desertions there and at Crown Point. News of the different officers, their promotions &c. Has applied for batt money, but is afraid the battalion will not got it. P. S. Pondicherry is certainly taken. There are forty or fifty transports in the North River, and it is expected there will be 90 in about a fortnight. Arrival of Monckton; he is appointed aide-de-camp to Lord Halifax. Duel between Demler and Schlosser at Niagara. 60 Asking to be recommended for pro65 Ensign Jehu Hay to the same. motion. |