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 </</^/.y , 
 
 fn^ 109. 
 
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 ' ' iv N C E S 
 
 luui vy' . , : i? TT' , 
 
 KTesat KSV.aTWE TO OSr,- 
 ■kf. TOVCT*S ??.: THE O0r;.vi v, 
 
 '^ WITH 
 
 A. MO 
 
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 •^ ^ ^ n n \ ncocR. 
 
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 M 
 
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 fi'i/r 109 
 
\:i <■. 
 
 ONOJfDAGA; 
 
 OB 
 
 REMINISCENCES 
 
 OP 
 
 MELIER AND lATER TIMES; 
 
 =™» . ,.,., „, „,„„„„, ^^^^^^ ^^^^^^^ ^^ ^ 
 
 XOIES on THE SBVEEAL TO,V»S ,„ THE COMir, 
 
 AND 
 
 OSWEGO. 
 
 By JOSHUA V. a CLARK, A. M. 
 
 CORRESPONDINO MEMBER OF THE ? 
 
 NEW YORK HISTORICAL SOCIETY. 
 
 IN TWO VOLUMES. 
 
 VOL. I. 
 
 SYRACUSE: 
 STODDAJiD ANDBABCOCK, 
 
 1849. 
 
 f"'/' 109 
 
; I 
 
 Entered according to Act of Congress, in tiie year 1849, by 
 JOSHUA V. H. CLARK, A.M. 
 Ill the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the United States for the 
 Northern District of New-Yorli. 
 
 STEREOTYPED BY 
 BAKER & TIERNAX. 
 
 Syracuse, N. Y. 
 
 r f 
 
 I i 
 
 115521) 
 
PllEFACE 
 
 The collection of raatorials for tho.^ volumes was f5rst su<v.c9ted to 
 tho author, by tho members >of Ma.dius Lycou.n, before whom, in the 
 wnter of 18 1 l~i2, ho was solicitoa to ddivor a Lecture upon tho Early 
 History and Settlement of tho town of Munlius anxl vicinity-tho task 
 was reluctantly accepted. 
 
 In entering upon a subject, at first thought to lx> unfruitful in inci- 
 dent and barren of interest, materials multiplied and tacts accumulated 
 to such an extent, that instead of asinglo Lecture, two was tho result, • 
 
 Ihe held of hu-estigation already entered, was found to bo unex- 
 p ored, and the author was borne on involuntarily, if not irresistably, to 
 glean tresh materials from sources the most prolific. 
 
 la viewing tho ancient fortifications, burying grounds and relics, so 
 numerous in this county, and becoming satisfied that tho history of 
 these works was imperfectly understood, and that the materials for 
 bnngu,g it to light, were widely scattered-although unqualified, in 
 many respects, to do ju.tico to so important a subject, nevertheless, the 
 author telt it a duty to proceed. 
 
 The success which has attended tho undertaking, in the collectiou 
 ot a mass of materials, has greatly e.vcoeded anticipation. 
 
 The matter for this work, has been digested and arranged amidst 
 he cares and perplexities, toils and trials, incident to tho life of a la- 
 bormg man. It has been only in leisure moments, snatched at inter- 
 vals when tho plow was at rest, and tho sytho and sickle were sus- 
 pended, that the n.aterials have been gathered and put in order for 
 the press. 
 
 Since the time these labors first commenced, tho Libraries of Cam- 
 bridge University, Mass.; lirown University and Athenan.m, of Provi- 
 
iy 
 
 PREFACE. 
 
 Jonco, R. I.; and .ho New-Y„,k n«i„ri,„ Society. NowVork S^ty 
 
 L^™«ofNc» York and tl,oS.„.„Li,.™r,,,.Alba,,,,hnvol.e„vi' 
 « , to each ,„d,vi,lual Libraria,, of „l,ic|,, ,h„ „o,t grateful acknowl. 
 
 .<lge,„„„t,aroduc, for the go„.i„ ,„ycourt.,y a.u. ki„d„e.,, afforded 
 
 to tljo aiitlior iii Ids rcscarclics. 
 
 To tl,o lion. ,J„|,„ Carter Urowa, of rrovidence, R. I., the most 
 ..ufe,g„ed tha„k» are tendered, for Ids partial favor, in placing at tl 
 "uthor, d.„»al, the «J.a„„ „„.„.„.,,.. relative t^ onr "count/ 
 ^^tory Mr. Hrowa ha, a rare collection of these work, published 
 about two hundred year, ago, at Paris, in the French language. 
 
 IhoBO IWationsareto a considerable extent, our history, a Jas such, 
 tl,c,r ,„,rod„ct,on is |,ardo„abie_yea, necessary to its perfection. 
 
 In tho progress of this nndertaking, the author has consulted, and in 
 «..ne mstancos, (for which he hopes to be pardoned,) has drawn largely 
 ta>m the ollowing works, vi. :-Charlav„i.x' 1 listorie do Nouvillo Fran- 
 ca.; Charievoix- letters to tho ] ,„cl.ess IWcsdigaiorcs ; Francis Crenxins' 
 U.slora, Nov,e Franci. ; Father llenepin's Travels in North America; 
 •fes„,t he at,„ns fron, 1 0-12 to 1 T02 ; Loskiel's, La Ilontan's and Hceke- 
 welJe,-s ndian Histories; CoKlen's Five N.ations ; Sn,i.hs llisU^ry of 
 .New-\ork; JJroJhead's London Doenmcnts ; Mai-shalrs Lifo of Wash- 
 .-.gton; Snrollcfs Uistory of Kugland; Stone's Life of Brant; .School- 
 crafts Ao.es; Kip's .lesuits; Natural History of New-York; Canal 
 I^ocuinuiiLs ; Balloting Book, d'c. 
 
 To numerous individuals, .ho to a greater or less extent have aided 
 .a tins undertaking, the author is under peculiar ..Ui,ations, ^.r hints 
 «n^ostions and the lumishing uf n.aterials. An.ong those, he takes 
 pleasure in nanung Professor AVillian, Gannndl, of 1 5ro wn University^ 
 acob 1^. Moore, Es^., Librarian of the X.nv-^'ork Ilbtorioal Sooiet; ^ 
 Hon. Archibald Can.pbell, l.eputy Secretary of State; Mr. Van Kens' 
 selaer, Assistant Surveyor (General ; Aln-ed B. Street Esq., State Libra- 
 rian; and E. B. O'Callaghan, M. ])., Albany. 
 
 Totliellev. Messrs. Saltorn Givens, A,hun Eiliott and Abraham 
 Nelles, Missionaries among the Mohawks, Onondagas and Oneidas, in 
 Canada \^ est, respecting iheir interesting missions and also to tho 
 
v-York Society 
 , have been vis- 
 iteful acknowl- 
 diioss, afforded 
 
 '. I, the most 
 )Iaciiin^ at the 
 our county's 
 rks, published 
 iguago. 
 ',andas such, 
 'rfection. 
 suited, and in 
 Irawn h'lrgely 
 ouville Fran- 
 K'is Creuxius' 
 'th America; 
 s and Hocke- 
 3 History of 
 ifo of Wash- 
 ant ; School- 
 ork; Canal 
 
 • have aided 
 IS, for hints, 
 K', h(j takes 
 University ; 
 'al Society ; 
 Van liens- 
 state Libra- 
 
 Abraliam 
 Oneidas, in 
 xlso to the 
 
 PREFAOB. 
 
 Kov, Elczor Willi,,,,,,, l„„ij ,i„,„ . Ml.,io„Hry a,„o„g l|,„ 0„ondag« 
 
 mi 0„e,Ja., „l Onoid, d Uroen I)„y, „„d to Iholiov. E,.ki,l (J 
 
 Gear, Cl,a,,l„i„ U. S. A., K„,t Snclling, tho „,c«t .i„c«ro tl,„„b a«' 
 due far valuable co,i„n„„icatio„n, 
 
 Abo to the late lto». J„l„, C, liudd, IX I).. „f Utica; Eov. Ilenrv 
 Gregory D. U.. of Sy,,,e„,e; Kov. Jol„, I. f;,,,, ofManlius, and Rev 
 Geo. ... Dolevan, oO.a Kay..,to. Abo, to Harvey Baldwi,,, Jol,„ Wilkin- 
 .o„, W,s II Kedfeld, Tl„„.,a, S,,e„„,, a„,« v. G™ge, Phare. 
 Go,dd, E. W. Leavcawurtl, „„d U„f,„ Stanton, K,qr»., of Syracuse. Al- 
 »o, to t.o Clerk of Cayuga County, a,.d to V. W. S,„i.l,, E,,., Clerk, a.d 
 L. J. C.U ne,,„ty Clerk of Onondaga County; ,Io„. Squire M. 
 Brow,, of Elbndge ; JI„„. r,,„,.g, „Mo,, Hon. David Munro and B. 
 
 l^T^' "'^^^^'f'""'"-' "-- "»l<''v-™a l%do,v,of Lysao- 
 der fho„u„VVl,eele,,I.i,,.,of Salina; Si„,e„„ Clark, of Otiseo ; Cl.a', 
 0, Roundey. of .Sp,,,,,,, Wa,,,„ „,„„,_ ^,^^ „, ^^^ ^^_ 
 
 Lev, S. l„r,ou,, of Marcellu,; II. c. V.an Sol,aack, E,,., of M„„,i„,; 
 Jerem,al. Gould .„d I,,,ae Keeler, B.,rs., of La Layette; Hon. DaJ 
 Moseleyand Oliver U. Strong, Es,., of Ono„d,ga; Asa Eastwood and 
 W,n Steven,, Esqrs., of Cieero. Also, to Edwin W. Clarke, B B Burt 
 and Matthow McSai,., E„,r,, of Oswego, and A. G. Hull a,,,, Pete, 
 »cl,eaek, 11,,,.., of Falton, the author is under speeial obligations for 
 miJortaut suggestions .and ,nateri.als. 
 
 The na,ues of M„. O'BIenni.,, of g,ali„a, and Mrs. Wood, of Onon- 
 d»ga noUow, should not be omitted, both of whom have resided in 
 tie eounly fro,,, its earliest settlement, and whose vigorous minds are 
 stored w,tU an ahnost unli,„iled stoek of valuable information 
 
 U,t .,re .,eknowledged the MSS. and papers furnished by the Eev 
 J. W. Adams, D D, who for several years, had been engaged upon . 
 s,m, „r wor... These had been eolleeted by the Rev. Dr., with a view 
 ult,n,ate publiealion, but hisparoehial duties, and other nneontrol.- 
 ble e,reun,,,a„ces interposed, and the idea was abandoned. So far a. 
 ava,lable, these papers have been drawn from 
 
 In acWiH,., ,0 the aeknowledgements already made, there are hut., 
 dreds of „.J,v,d„al, throughout the eounty, who have been scareeiy 
 
^ PREFACE. 
 
 I«.ervi«blc l„ f„n,W,i„g ,„,„. , f„, „,, „„k, „„j ,,,„^j ^ 
 
 ^c.r nan.o, re«v„ a pl.«, wo ,houla U te„„a u, ^vo a couple,. 
 mu..cr roll of .h„ „,«,. .p„ .„...„,,„ „„,^,^^,_ __^^^_^ P 
 
 U^«., »h„ ,.„ve ,,,„«, „, ,„ , „„,„„.„ .,„,^,,.^,^ 
 
 littio progress. 
 
 With those prohminary remarks and explanations, the followinrr 
 pages nro submitted to tho public. wiiowmg 
 
 Jotv, 1849. ». 
 
 THE AUTHOR. 
 
 ^ il 
 
 I 
 
 It 
 
CONTENTS, VOL. I. 
 
 CHAPTER I. 
 
 INDIANS. 
 
 %1L% T '"•" J"'"""-, ^'"»°'' '"■ 'J'"-ercnt tribe, once inhabiting New-York. 
 
 cZlTt ^"*^'";'^"-^^-"-'--y- Mohawks. Oaeidas. OnondoKM 
 Cayugag. Senecus. General Remarks ^ . j. 
 
 CHAPTER II. 
 
 TRADITIONS OF THE ONONDAGAS. 
 
 "^SeTn'ent "" O^"''" ""l"": by Tao^n-ya-wat-ha. llin slaughter of a Mo„«rou, 
 Serpent. Opening of the chnnnel of OnondoKu River. The Enchantress 
 Featherea Mon.ter.s. Great l.^le. Allusion to other tJmo^^uZ 
 and Wuard. Evd Spirit. Tradition of a Colony. Helief in Thunder and 
 L.ghtnmg. Marnage. Fan.ily Discipline. Treatn.entof the Sick. Bur^I. 37 
 
 CHAPTER III. 
 
 PAGAN RITES AND CEREMONIEa 
 
 Religious Belief Annual Feasts. Sacrifices. Dances. Eemark* 53 
 
 CHAPTER IV. 
 
 PAGAN RITES AND CEREMONIES. 
 
 Compared with those of the Jews, Egyptians, Greeks and Romans. (59 
 
 CHAPTER V. 
 
 LIVES OF DISTINGUISHED ONONDAGA CHIEFS. 
 
 Dekannissora. Garangula. Kanahjeagah. Sadekanahto. Canassetago. Oundi- 
 ago. Conyatauyou. Ossahinta. Tatotah. Dehatkatons. Council Fire. 79 
 
 CHAPTER VI. 
 
 FRENCH MISSIONS. 
 
 Introduction of French Roman Catholic Missionaries to Onondaga. Father Si. 
 
••• 
 
 Vlll 
 
 CONTENTS. 
 
 Father Paul Ra-uencau n-JT? "'" ^"'"^ '° ^he Onondagas, by 
 
 Moyne with th/o ^.s el "i" nT""!." o'" """•• ^^''''"^'°" °^ ^' 
 
 Account of u Colony oaf Jan.^v l^r °'V '° ''''• ^^^ ^'" ^''"'°«'« 
 y Janie^vjlle, ICOG. Relalions from 1668 to 1709. 126 
 
 CHAPTER VII. 
 
 LWGLISII, GERMAN AND AMERICAN MISSIONS 
 
 Sanson Oce.; nSO. B^Z!]^:::^^:'^!:;^^ T ■ ^- 
 
 • 210 
 
 CHAPTER VIII. 
 
 -mY HISTORY OF THE ONONDAGAS, AND INCIDENTALLY 
 THAT OF THE SIX NATIONS '^'"'''^^^^^^ 
 
 of the Iroquois with the French. Irr val of Mo n . ^"^'''/"'^''=°"'«« 
 
 «»„ f„. Peace. F„„e„ P^p^^t trit I:e po t" ^..."^a 
 Attack and Dissappointment of the French Wnr Ton.- i ^"^'"'"S^'*- ^^^ 
 wicMC97. Enghsh Negotiations witutF^NaS:;:"^'- ^"""f^i^" 
 
 CHAPTER IX. 
 
 EARLY HISTORY CONTINUED. 
 
 Council at Onondaga. Council at A Ihamr i 7nn v i- ■ * 
 at Onondaga. I^rl Belo^ont'^^^S:?^ C^" kI .^1^°^' " ^ T 
 turn and Report. View, of the Five Nations. A ^cl Lnt t ^h"^^^^^ 
 Iroquo,s join Col. Schuyler in an Expedit.on against e Fr nch 17^0 rf 
 cessful. Aflairs of the Five Nuions .,,,1 .i ,,"' "^ '^'^«"'=''. 1 '09- Unsuc- 
 Gov. Hunter and the Fi.!: N^C ^ B rneT"t:d' 'h"''" '"''^"^• 
 at Oswego. Extract fro„. the Journal of Con d Weil^ S ""T ""' ^T 
 tions Incorporated with the Ironuois f)no J, . \. ^''^'"' ^*- 
 
 liam Johnson's Journal. Col. Brad-Street pn,1 cL «i • > .7 ""'" 
 
 ui. urdusirett and Gen. Shirley at Oswego, 1775-76 
 
t Relation 1655-6. 
 , and their Return 
 le Onoiidagas, by 
 Reception of Le 
 t)e Witt Clinton's 
 36Stol709. 126 
 
 5I0NS. 
 
 • German Mis- 
 
 "d, 17tJG. Rev. 
 
 IC. Missionary 
 
 and Onondaga, 
 
 - 210 
 
 [DENTALLY 
 
 cient and Mod- 
 rst Intercourse 
 
 • His Visit to 
 aldiers. Early 
 
 • Jiivasion of 
 1- Deputation 
 i witli the Five 
 ns of the Five 
 wis. Negoti- 
 Ciidaga. The 
 Peace of R,ys- 
 
 • 246 
 
 Build a Fort 
 Romer's Re- 
 tho English. 
 709. Unsuo- 
 ern Indians. 
 )se and Fort 
 Several Na- 
 estern Fron- 
 •om Sir Wil- 
 go, 1775-76 
 
 ■I 
 
 s 
 
 CONTENTS. ix 
 
 Loss of Oswego, i-all of Quebec. Peace. Approach of the Revolution. 
 Course Pursued by tiio Indian Nations During the Revolution. War of 1S12. 
 Present Condition of the Onondagas. •■-.... 286 
 
 CHAPTER X. 
 
 REMINISCENCES. 
 
 Aboriginal Names. E.\))o<Jition of Col. Van Schaick against the Onondagas, 1779. 
 Revolutionary Incident, 1 7i0. Biographical Sketch of Ephraim Webster. Trea- 
 ties with tlie Onondagiis. Military Tract. .... 333 
 
 CIIAPJ^ER XI. 
 
 ONONDAGA COUNTY. 
 
 Comfort Tyler, Esq. Lessee Coanpany. Property Line. Burr Conspiracy. Organ- 
 zation of Onondaga County. Roads. General View of the County. Organi- 
 zation of Courts. .Tudges. Surrogates. Clerks. Sherids. Treasurers. Mem- 
 bers of Congress, Senators, Members of Assembly. First Boards of Super- 
 visors, V'aJuatioiis, Census, Early Military Apiwintments, 365 
 
 Q 
 
I 
 
 i !* 
 
ILLUSTRATIONS, VOL. I. 
 
 Page 
 
 Map of Onondaga County and contiguous territory. 
 
 Portrait of the Onondaga Chief, Ossahinta, Fron- 
 tispiece. 
 
 Biographical notice of do. do. do. . . 109 
 Biograpical notice of Epiiraim "Webster, Esq., . . 887 
 Biographical notice of Col. Comfort Tyler, with por- 
 trait, 866 
 
'i 
 
 
 If '1 
 
 U t' 
 
 ^v ii 
 
INTRODUCTION. 
 
 Peruaps there is no subject, which has been in all ages, so 
 much a labyrinth of perplexity and philosophical speculation, 
 as the continual changes that are going on in respect to dif- 
 ferent nations and races of men, conquering and supplanting 
 those of other nations and other climes. Almost from the 
 creation of m:in, the world has exhibited these changes ; and 
 none, pcrhapt:, in the whole catologuc, would take higher 
 rank, or have been more fruitful of consequences than the 
 changes wrought on the continent of North America. Three 
 hundred and sixty years ago, America had no place or name 
 among the nations of the civilized world. Three hundred 
 and sixty years ago, the voice of the white man had not been 
 heard in this land. Since then, he has gradually extended 
 his dominion over the whole of our wide-spread country. 
 
 Two hundred years o.q-o, the voice of the '' Blach Mobes" 
 was first heard in the wilds of Onondaga : before them was 
 borne the bough of peace ; their only ornaments were the cowl 
 and cassock— their only arms, the cross and crosier. Rude 
 chapels of barks and brushwood arose at their desire, and the 
 deep-toned bell, called forth their untutored proselytes, to 
 vespers, mans and matins, and for the first time the red man 
 utters in chaunts and songs, and hymns cf praise, the glories 
 of the Redeemer. 
 
 A century ago, the hills which surround us were shaded 
 with lofty trees ; bogs and swamps, wore more extensive then 
 than now ; the beaver and the flood, made the only dams that 
 impeded the streams ; the trout, pickerel, and salmon, glided 
 through them unmolested ; the hawk and eagle towered in 
 their pride of height, far above the lofiiest crags ; and the 
 partridge and turkey whirred low amoi .^ iic trees. The fox 
 
 I 
 
XIV 
 
 INTRODUCTION. 
 
 •f •• 
 
 and wild door roamed in perfect froodom tln-ougU the dark 
 forest, and the panther, the wolf and boar, i,roAvlod about our 
 hills, unheeded and unharmed. Tho kingly savage, pure and 
 untanitcd aa the Great Spirit formed him, swayed his mild 
 sceptre in peace. 
 
 A change comes over this scene; tho rod man is proscribed 
 banished, hunted as it were from tho home of his fathers, and 
 IS doomed to roam, spirit broken and disconsolate, in a strange 
 land, beyond tho influences of civiliication, and his degraded 
 offspring creep here and there, upon the soil, where onc'^o their 
 proud ancestors stalked abroad in majesty sublime.. His hunt- 
 ing grounds, once his own domain, how changed ! Tho white 
 man settles on them ; farms become cultivated ; the hum of 
 business is heard; settlements soon become tho depots of 
 produce ; these rapidly increase to cities. Tho wilderness is 
 changed to busy and neat villages, redolent witii wealth and 
 comfort, adorne<l with temples for Christiaai worship, and 
 made cheerful by, the halls of scieuce. Scarce sixty years 
 have rolled around, since the very gromnl, beneath and about 
 us, was one Avide, unbroken wilderness. Mark the contrast 
 now,-aU around wo see, hill and valley, checkered with glado 
 and woodland, beautified witli comfortable dwellings, rejoic- 
 ing in all the blessings civilisation can bestow. 
 
 There is probably no portion of the United States whose 
 Indigonal annals are of so much importance as those of Onon- 
 daga, and the region contiguous ; and strange as it may appear, 
 the history of this important country, which of all others is 
 the most interesting, will only attract tho attention it demands 
 in the remote periods of future ages. Tho records of memory 
 are fast fading away. The remnant of a once mighty nation 
 18 rapidly disappearing. Indian tradition, with allks Vivacity 
 and interest, is fearfully becoming extinct. A few short years 
 and nothing new can possibly be gleaned. 
 
 It is certain that the French traders and Jesuit priests 
 visited Onondaga as early as im, and continued their labors 
 among the natives for a period of near one hund.-ed years as 
 their "Relations" in the succeeding pages will show ' ' 
 
INTRODUCTION. 
 
 XV 
 
 The Onondagas are by them described as a powerful nation, 
 of the confederacy of the Iroquois, who held tlie ascendency 
 over all the North American tribes, and with their colleagues 
 could furnish over three thousand warriors for the field. The 
 Dutch, through their traders at New-Amsterdam and Fort- 
 Orange, secured a profitable traflic with the natives — pushed 
 boldly into their country, and by acts of moderation and kind- 
 ness, won their confidence and esteem. 
 
 A new era succeeds — the dynasty of the Dutch is super- 
 seded by the English ; the French are bereft of their titles 
 and claims to any portion of the then United States and 
 Canada, and the arms of Bri.aiii are Everywhere triumphant. 
 After the war of the American Revolution, the Onondagas, 
 with the otlier Indian Nations, by the treaty of Fort Stan- 
 wix, in 1788, become subject to the jurisdiction of New-York. 
 Directly after this commences the settlement of Onondaga 
 County. 
 
 We shall see that om* beautiful fields were first purchased, 
 by the services, and sufferings, and blood of our fathers, the 
 soldiers of the Revolution, very few of whom now linger amono- 
 us. To those who survive, and to the memory of those who 
 are departed, we should never be ungrateful. 
 
 In our prosperity let us never forget the energy, generosity 
 and privations of that hardy, industrious race of pioneers, to 
 whose enterprise and perseverance, we arc mainly indebted 
 for the bountiful blessings we so richly enjoy. 
 
 Where we find one of these solitary sojourners, sliould we 
 not make smooth his path, and cherisli his momorv? For 
 only here and there, lingers one and another, like an arrod 
 oak, to inform us where, and when, the forest first gave wav, 
 and where, was the red man's lonely path. 
 
fam 
 
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 A: 
 
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 mmmmm 
 
i. 
 
 ONONDAGA 
 
 I 
 
 CHAPTER I. 
 
 ORIOm OF THE TKRM 1m,.M-NAV«, or n.PK.RKNT TRIBES ONCE .NHAB.TINO New 
 Y0RK~P,VE NaMonS-Orioin op the CoNKEr.ERACV-Mo,IAWKS-ONElDAS- 
 ONONDAOA»-CAYUGA..i-SKNECAS-GKNERAL Re,,ARK3. 
 
 In commencing our reminiscences of Onondaga, we are met 
 m the outset by a people who from time immemorial have oc 
 cupied our soil-a nation who have hitherto held a conspicu- 
 ous place and an important position among the aboriginal 
 inhabitants of North America. Finding thorn .0, it is but 
 just to give them a passing notice. 
 
 At the time the scheme of discovery was most strongly agi- 
 tated and urged by Columbus, it was supposed that by sailing 
 westward from Europe he would arrive at the eastern coast of 
 India. And it was confidently believed even at the period of 
 the discovery of the islands and continent of America, that 
 he had actua ly discovered a western passage to the continent 
 ot India. Many of the navigators who followed Columbus 
 were of the same erroneous opinion. Hence it was, that the 
 people of America, found here by Europeans, were at first 
 "nproperly ca led Indians. The truth was not clearly asce ! 
 tamed until the name had been so long in use that it could 
 not well be changed. By Americans, the term is seldom used 
 except as applying to the aborigines of the country. But 
 among Europeans, in the correspondence between peLns of 
 different countries, it oftentimes produces confusion and incon- 
 venience. 
 
 When the first Europeans visited this continent, thoy ,.ere 
 great y surprised to find a race of beings so entirely different 
 from themselves, m complexion, dress, language, manners, and 
 oode of hvmg. Savage, indeed, in many respects, they ap- 
 

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 ONONDAGA COUNTY & ADJACENT TERRITORY 
 
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 CLARK'S HISTORY OF ONONDAGA 
 
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18 
 
 ONONDAGA. 
 
 peared to be — yet the kindest hospitality, from the purest 
 motives, was always most readily extended to their foreign 
 guests. And perhaps would forever have remained unbroken 
 the golden cord of friendship, had the red man been the first 
 to try his strength upon it. " Welcome, Englishmen; tvel- 
 come, Englishmen,'' are words intimately associated with early 
 American history. These were the first accents our Pilgrim 
 Fathers heard on the American strand, and ever have the 
 same grateful sounds greeted the ears of the whites, upon their 
 first interview with the rude sons of the forest. Had the dis- 
 position of the aborigines been any other than friendly, the 
 feeble colonies first planted on American soil would have been 
 speedily annihilated. 
 
 At the time of the settlement of New- York by the Dutch, 
 in 1610, there were in their immediate vicinity, numerous 
 tribes of Indians denominated from their weakness and inferi- 
 ority ^'■the Bushes," by their more powerful neighbors the 
 Five Nations. As many as thirteen difierent tribes, all of 
 whom are now extinct, are supposed to have had their allotted 
 territories on Long Island, and exercised exclusive jurisdic- 
 tion and control over their several portions of domain. They 
 were known by the name of Canarsees, Rockaways, Merricks, 
 Massapequas, Mantinecocks, Nassaquakes, Setaukets, Cor- 
 chaugs, Manhassets, Secatogues, Patchogues, Shinecocks and 
 Montauks. In 1786, the remnants of the two last named 
 tribes took up their abode among the Oneidas, whither they 
 had been invited. The Manhattoes occupied the Island of 
 New- York. The Nyacks inhabited in the vicinity of the 
 Narrows below New- York, and about Westchester county. 
 The Moheakenunks inhabited a large portion of country, from 
 the Nyacks up the Hudson near to Albany. The Scagh- 
 takooks, occupied a large tract of country north of Albany ; 
 one of their principal villages was near where the city of Troy • 
 now stands. Other tribes of obscure origin and inferior note, 
 undoubtedly occupied other localities within the state of New- 
 York, some of which will be noted in their proper place. 
 Many of these Indian tribes, during the years immediately suo- 
 
 1 
 
 t 
 
 — ?^ 
 
INDIANS. 
 
 om the purest 
 y their foreign 
 lined unbroken 
 1 been the first 
 flishmen; tcel- 
 ated Avith early 
 its our Pilgrim 
 ever have the 
 ,tes, upon their 
 Had the dis- 
 a friendly, the 
 ould have been 
 
 by the Dutch, 
 ity, numerous 
 ess and inferi- 
 neighbors the 
 
 tribes, all of 
 I their allotted 
 usive jurisdic- 
 Dmain. They 
 ays, Merricks, 
 itaukets, Cor- 
 hinecocks and 
 last named 
 whither they 
 the Island of 
 cinity of the 
 ester county, 
 country, from 
 
 The Scagh- 
 li of Albany ; 
 3 city of Troy • 
 inferior note, 
 itate of New- 
 aroper place, 
 aediately suo- 
 
 19 
 
 ceeding the arrival of tlio first colonists among them, evinced 
 a hostile disposition towards their new neighbors, and were 
 contmual sources of alarm to the white inhabitants; never- 
 theless, they were all tributary, and otherwise subject to the 
 powerful confederacy of the "Five Nations." 
 
 These distinguished nations, firmly bound and concentrated 
 m one, held the ascendency over all the North American 
 tribes. Their territory proper extended from Hudson's river 
 on the cast, to the Niagara on the west; from lake Ontario 
 on the north, to the Alleghanies on the south. At one time 
 their actual domain extended from the Sorel, south by the 
 great lakes to the Mississippi west, thence east to the Santee 
 and coastwise back to the Hudson. They occupied a wide- 
 spread country, comprising a greater body of more fertile 
 lan< , combined with a temperate and healthy climate, greater 
 facilities for water communication, not only within their own 
 territory, but extending from it in all directiona. with more ex- 
 tensive hunting grounds and fisheries, than any other tract of 
 tlie same extent in the world. They were called by the IVeiich 
 ''Iroquois," by the English " The Cov federates;' or ''Five 
 Nations;' by the Dutch " Blaquas;' and by themselves " Mi^i- 
 !-/oes;' meaning by all, " United People:' The Eno-lish re- 
 tained the name Maquas for the Mohawks, for a lo'ncr time 
 after the Dutch had relinquished the country. The*' name 
 Iroquois, according to Charlevoix, is purely French * and is 
 .lerivedfrom"^zVo," signifying I have said it-answering to 
 the Latin dixit~^ccox,\mg to the words most frequently made 
 
 * Le nomdiroqnois e.si purement Frangois, et a ^te forme du terme Hiro 
 ou Hero q,u .gn,fie I'ai dit : et par quel ces sauvages finissent lous leurs discours' 
 cor.n.e le,s Lat.n.s fa.soient autrefois par leur Dixi ; et do Koue. qui est un cr 
 antot de tr.tesso, lor.quW le prononce e„ trainar... et tantot de jove, quand o^ 
 ie prononce plus court. Leur no,, propre est Agonnonsionni, qui veu; dire fZ 
 eurs de Cabannes; parce qu'ils les batissent beaucoup plus solides, que la pld- 
 part des autres sauvages."— Charlevoix, I. 270—1 . 4 pm 
 
 "Ces barbares ne sont qu'uue seule nation, et qu'un seul interet public. On 
 pourrou les nommer pour la distribution du terrain, les Suisses de ce continent 
 Les Iroquo.s sont partager en cinq cantons, sgavcr les Tsonontouans, les Goyo 
 goans, les Onnotagues, les Onoyouts et les Agnies."-Lahontan T 35 ^ 
 
20 
 
 ONONDAGA. 
 
 1 = 
 
 uae of at the close of all Indian speeches, and " Koue" a 
 term denoting sadness when spoken slowly, and joy when 
 spoken rapidly. 
 
 The term Aquinuschioni, according to the same author, is 
 translated ^' Faiseurs de Cabannes," or Makers of Cabins or 
 Wigwams, which they supposed they themselves built stronger 
 than any other people. Another name by which they always 
 boastfully termed themselves, was Ongwe Honwe, signifying 
 SI people surpassing all others. As the term Aquinuschioni 
 is usually accepted, it means the people of the long cabin or 
 long house, but when used in a national sense it means a Uni- 
 ted People. The limits of this imaginary house, was of the 
 same area as their territory proper, and may be considered 
 the broadest, longest and highest cabin as yet erected by 
 human hands. 
 
 At what period or for what purpose this league was origi- 
 nally formed, is a matter wholly speculative, as the records 
 of history and Indian tradition arc alike uncertain, and throw 
 but feeble light upon the subject. It is supposed, however, 
 that anciently, they wei-c separate and independent nations ; 
 and probably warred with an equal relish upon each other as 
 upon their neighbors, and perhaps finally united themselves 
 for purposes of greater strength and security, thereby enlarg- 
 ing their power and importance at home, enabling them to 
 prosecute more vigorously their conquests abroad. Common 
 danger or a desire for conquest were the motives, rather than 
 a far-seeing policy, which must have actuated these people to 
 form a league of consolidation. 
 
 By some authors the time of the foi-mation of the great 
 league of confederation, was about the life of one man before 
 the Dutch landed at New- York. By others, about an hun- 
 dred years before that period. Webster, the Onondaga inter- 
 preter, and good authority, states it at about two generations 
 before the white people came to trade with the Indians. But 
 from the permanency of tlieir institutions, tlie peculiar struc- 
 ture of their government, the intricacy of their civil affairs, 
 the stability of their religious beliefs and the imiformity of 
 
 I 
 
 I 
 
INDIANS, 
 
 nd "JTowe/'a 
 and joy when 
 
 lame author, is 
 8 of Cabins or 
 ! built stronger 
 ch thoy always 
 iwe, signifying 
 Aquinuschioni 
 ; long cabin or 
 
 means a Uni- 
 sc, was of the 
 
 be considered 
 et erected by 
 
 gue was origi- 
 .3 tlio records 
 lin, and throw 
 )sed, however, 
 ident nations ; 
 each other as 
 ed themselves 
 lereby enlarg- 
 bling them to 
 id. Common 
 s, rather than 
 lese people to 
 
 of the great 
 te man before 
 bout an hun- 
 londaga inter- 
 generations 
 ndians. But 
 »eculiar struc- 
 * civil affairs, 
 miformity of 
 
 21 
 
 their pagan ceremonies, differing from other Indian nations 
 in important particulars, we are inclined to the opinion that 
 their federative existence must have had a much longer dura- 
 tion. And from the following tradition, we are inclined to 
 the opinion, that the period is unknown, and the time lost, in 
 the clouded uncertainties of the past. 
 
 Hundreds of years ago, Ta-oun-ya-wat-ha, the Deity who pre- 
 sides over fisheries and streams, came down from his dwelling 
 place in the clouds to visit the inhabitants of the earth. He 
 had been deputed by the Great and Good Spirit Ha-wah-ne-u, 
 to visit the streams and clear the channels from all obstruc- 
 tions, to seek out the good things of, the country through 
 which he intended to pass, that they might be more generally 
 disseminated among all the good people of the earth, especial- 
 ly to point out to them the most excellent fishing grounds, and 
 to bestow upon them other acceptable gifts. About this time 
 two young men of the Onondaga Nation were listlessly gazing 
 over the calm blue waters of the " Lake of a Thousand Isles." 
 During their revery, they espied, as they thought, far in the 
 distance, a single white speck, beautifully dancing over the 
 bright blue waters— and while they watched the object with 
 the most intense anxiety, it seemed to increase in magnitude, 
 and moved as if approaching the place where they were con- 
 cealed, most anxiously awaiting the event of the visitation of 
 so singular an object, for at this time no canoes had ever 
 made their appearance in the direction from whence this was 
 approaching. As the object neared the shore, it proved in 
 semblance to be a venerable looking man, calmly seated in a 
 canoe of pure white, very curiously constructed, and much 
 more ingeniously wrought than those in use among the tribes 
 of the country. Like a cygnet upon the wide blue sea, so 
 sat the canoe of Ta-oun-ya-wat-ha upon the " Lake of a Thou- 
 sand Isles." As the frail branch drifts towards the rushing 
 cataract, so coursed the wMte canoe over the rippling waters, 
 propelled by the strong arm of the god of the river. Deep 
 thought sat upon the brow of the grey-haired mariner ; pene- 
 tration marked his eye, and deep, dark mystery pervaded his 
 
22 
 
 ONONDAGA. 
 
 ,iv' 
 
 m 
 
 countenance. With a single oar he silently paddled his light- 
 trimmed bark along the shore, as if seeking a commodious 
 haven for rest. He soon turned the prow of his fragile vessel 
 into the estuary of the ^'double river," and made fast to the 
 western shore. He majestically ascended the steep bank, nor 
 stopped till he had gained the loftiest summit of the western 
 hill. Then silently gazing around as if to examine the coun- 
 try, he became enchanted with the view; when, drawing his 
 stately form to its utmost height, he exclaimed in accents of 
 the wildest enthusiasm, Osh-wah-kee ! ! Osh-wah-kee !•' * 
 
 During the observations of the spirit-man, (for so' he was 
 afterwards called,) the two men who had lain concealed, cau- 
 tiously Avatching all his movements, discovered themselves, 
 la-oun-ya-wat-ha very civilly approached them, and after the 
 greetings usual at the first meeting of strangers, very gravely' 
 made inquiries of them respecting their country and its advan- 
 tages, of their fisheries and hunting grounds, and of the im- 
 pediments in the way of the prosperity of the nations round 
 about. To all of which the hunters, (for so they were,) could 
 give no very favorable answers, but briefly stated to him the 
 disadvantages they had ever been doomed to labor under, and 
 the sufferings they had borne in consequence. 
 
 A degree of familiarity and mutual confidence had by this 
 time become awakened in the bosoms of the parties, and the 
 greatest freedom of conversation proceeded without restraint. 
 The hunters provided for their venerable guest a repast of 
 roast venison, who received it in thankfulness; they smoked 
 the calumet together and were refreshed. 
 
 Ta-oun-ya-wat-ha disclosed to the hunters the spirituality 
 of his character and the object of his mission, after whiHl 
 he mvited them to proceed with him up the river, as he M 
 
 * It is known, perhaps, to comparatively few, that Lake Ontario and the outlet 
 of Oswego nver was anciently, and is now known to most Indian nations e" 'e 
 cially the remnant of the Five Nations, as the Osh-wah-kee wh.Vh h .' ^ 
 
 ted hterally, signifies from the circun.stance here Itedl^/ 1 ''^'"^""'-P-; 
 see ,....,. From this our English name for theUtoswe^irSvI ^"' 
 
 " ■■-rr^:;i 
 
1 
 
 INDIANS, 
 
 23 
 
 )addled his light- 
 ? a commodious 
 his fragile vessel 
 nado fast to the 
 steep bank, nor 
 i of the western 
 amine the coun- 
 len, drawing his 
 d in accents of 
 ah-kee !■ ! * 
 
 (for so ho was 
 concealed, cau- 
 •ed themselves. 
 1, and after the. 
 •s, very gravely 
 ' and its advan- 
 and of the im- 
 
 nations round 
 sy were,) could 
 ted to him the 
 bor under, and 
 
 ce had by this 
 arties, and the 
 hout restraint. 
 St a repast of 
 ; they smoked 
 
 lie spirituality 
 , after wliicli, 
 ver, as ho luul 
 
 irio and the outlet 
 lian nations, espe- 
 ch being inlerpre- 
 !ee evety where and 
 ;o is derived. 
 
 important business to transact, and should need their services. 
 After a moment's consultation together, the hunters consented 
 to accompany him, and forthwith joyfully attended him to his 
 canoe. 
 
 Of the events which immediately succeeded, we have not 
 now time or disposition to speak, only that many of them 
 were truly marvellous, and worthy a place only in the pages 
 of Indian Mythology. 
 
 From this, Ta-oun-ya-wat-ha ascended all the lesser lakes 
 and explored their shores, placing all things in proper order, 
 for the comfort and sustenance of all good men. He had 
 taught the people of the various tribes the art of raising corn 
 and beans, which had not before been cultivated among them. 
 He also encouraged them to a more faithful observance of the 
 laws of the Great and Good Spirit. He had made the fishing 
 grounds free, and opened to all the uninterrupted pursuit of 
 game. He had distributed liberally among mankind the fruits 
 of the earth, and had removed all obstructions from the navi- 
 gable streams. 
 Pleased with the success of his undertakings, the spirit-man 
 - now resolved to lay aside his divine character, and in after 
 years to make his abode among the children of men. He 
 accordingly selected for his residence a beautiful spot on the 
 shore of the Cross Lake, (Te-ungk-too, as called by the Na- 
 tives). After awhile, he totally relinquished his divine title of 
 Ta-oun-ya-wat-ha, and in all respects assumed the character 
 and habits of a man. Nevertheless, he was always looked up 
 to as an extraordinary individual, as one possessing transcend^ 
 ent powers of mind and consummate wisdom. The name Hi-a- 
 wat-ha, (signifying very wise man) was spontaneously awarded 
 him, by the whole mass of people who now resorted to him 
 from all quarters for advice and instruction. The companions 
 of the spirit-man, at a subsequent council, were rewarded by a 
 seat in the councils of their countrymen, and became eminently 
 distinguished for their prowess in war and dignified bearing 
 in the council room. 
 
 After a quiet residence of a few years at his new location. 
 
24 
 
 ONONDAGA. 
 
 1 
 
 the country became greatly alarmed, by the sudden approach 
 of a ferocious band of warriors, from north of the great lakes. 
 As they advanced, indiscriminate slaughter was made, of men, 
 women and children. Many had been slain and ultimate de- 
 struction seemed to be the consequence, either of bold resist- 
 ance, or of a quiet relinquishment of absolute right. 
 
 During this signal agitation of the public mind, people from 
 all quarters thronged the dwelling place of Hi-a-wat-ha, for 
 advice m this trying emergency. After a deep and thoughtful 
 contemplation of the momentous subject, he informed the prin- 
 cipal chiefs that his opinion was, to call a grand council of all 
 the tnbes that could be gathered from the east and from the 
 west, that the advice of all might be received; "for" said he 
 " our safety is in good counsel,and speedy, energetic action." 
 Accordingly, runners were dispatched in all directions, noti- 
 fying the head men, of a grand council to be held on the 
 banks of the lake Oh-nen-ta-ha. 
 
 This council is supposed to have been held on the high 
 ground where the village of Liverpool now stands. In due 
 time the chiefs and warriors from far and near were assem- 
 bled, with great numbers of men, women and children, to hold 
 this important council, and to devise means for the general 
 safety. All the principal men had arrived, except the vene- 
 rable Hi-a-wat-ha. 
 
 The council-fire had been kindled three days, and he had 
 not yet arrived. IVIessengers were dispatched, who found 
 him m a most melancholy state of mind. He told them that 
 evil lay in his path ; that he had a fearful foreboding of ill- 
 fortune, and that he had concluded not to attend the great 
 council at Oh-nen-ta-ha. But, said the messengers, we have 
 delayed the deliberations of the grand council on account of 
 your absence, and the chiefs have resolved not to proceed to 
 business, until your arrival. 
 
 The White Canoe had always been held as a sacred treasure, 
 and next to the wise man himself, was regarded with awe and 
 reverence. li had been deposited in a lodge, erected especial- 
 ly for its security, to which none but the most worthy and noted 
 
 r< 
 
 v5 
 
 
 ■—,::.Zi^ 
 
t 
 
 INDIANS. 
 
 25 
 
 dden approach 
 he great lakes, 
 made, of men, 
 d ultimate de- 
 of bold resist- 
 ■ight. 
 
 d, people from 
 i-a-wat-ha, for 
 md thoughtful 
 rmed the prin- 
 council of all 
 and from the 
 "for" said he 
 getic action." 
 -ections, noti- 
 held on the 
 
 i on the high 
 ids. In due 
 ' were assem- 
 dren, to hold 
 ' the general 
 ;pt the vene- 
 
 and he had 
 , who found 
 Id them that 
 oding of ill- 
 id the great 
 ers, we have 
 I account of 
 > proceed to 
 
 ed treasure, 
 ith awe and 
 ed especial- 
 y and noted 
 
 
 of the chieftains could have access. Hither on tliis occa- 
 sion Hi-a-wat-ha repaired, and in the most devout and humil- 
 iating manner, poured out his soul in silence to the Great 
 Spirit. After a protracted absence, he returned with a coun- 
 tenance beaming with confidence and hope. Being over per- 
 suaded by his friends, he reluctantly yielded to their ear- 
 nest solicitations. The White Canoe was carefully removed 
 from its sacred resting place, and reverently launched upon the 
 bosom of the river. The wise man, once again took his accus- 
 tomed seat, and bade his darling and only daughter (a girl of 
 some twelve years of age) to accom^jany him. She unhesita- 
 tingly obeyed, took her place beside her venerable parent in 
 the devoted vessel, and directly, they made all possible speed 
 to the grand council ground. 
 
 On the approach of the aged and venerable Hi-a-wat-ha, a 
 general shout of joy resounded throughout the assembled 
 host, and every demonstration of respect, Avas paid to this 
 illustrious sage and counsellor. As ho landed and was pass- 
 ing up the steep bank towards the council ground, a loud 
 sound was heard, like a rushing and mighty wind. All eyes 
 were instantly turned upwards, and a dark spot was discover- 
 ed rapidly descending from on high among the clouds. It 
 groAv larger and larger as it neared the earth, and was de- 
 scending with fearful velocity into their very midst. Terror 
 and alarm seized every breast, and every individual seemed 
 anxious only for his own safety. The utmost confusion pre- 
 vailed throughout the assembled multitude, and all but the 
 venerable Hi-a-wat-ha, sought safety by flight. He gravely 
 uncovered his silvered head, and besought his daughter, to 
 await the approaching danger with becoming resignation; at 
 the same time reminding her of the great folly and impropriety 
 of attempting to obstruct or prevent the designs or wishes of 
 the Great Spirit. "If," said he, "He has determined our 
 destruction, we shall not escape by removal, nor evade his 
 decrees." She modestly acquiesced in her kind parent's sug- 
 gestions and advice, and with the most patient submission wait- 
 ed the coming event. All this was but the work of an instant ; 
 
26 
 
 ONONDAGA. 
 
 for no sooner had the resolution of the wise man become fixed 
 and h. last words uttered, than an immense bird, vi la W 
 and pon.ted beak, with wide extended wings, eame d n w"h 
 
 vvitli such toice did the monster fall, and so great was the 
 ommotion o the air, that when it Struck th! ^oZ 1 
 ^vhol. assembly were forced violently back severah-or ' H^ 
 ajat-ha alone remained unmoved and silently witnessed the 
 mdancholy catastrophe of his child's dissolution. 
 
 H,s darlmg daughter had been killed before his eyes in a 
 marvellous manner, and her destrov<>v ' i • . i • 7 
 TI.o ,i; 1 . atstioytT liad perished with her 
 
 e™.;::;; ■;':'; " 'r''i "/ '«^''°' -""-^ *'' » 
 
 ereiy ,i.,n,o as J,e a,lvancc,l, ,,luclc«l a ,,l„,„e f,.„„, ,|,i ,;,, 
 
 fn ;;;:;;' ;,,:; ""'V-: "''"'™'' '-^ "'■'™ ■• -i «- ^ 
 
 indent, (he Ij raves of the cenfe.lerate nations forever after 
 made cl.o.ce of the ,,)„,„„» of the white heron as t e mZ 
 -P -nate „„litar, ornament, while „„„„ the war"" "' 
 Upon the ren,oval of the oareass of the monster, 'th body 
 of the „,„o«„t g,rl was found to he eompletely ground to 
 atoms .Nothmg could be seen of her, thit would inTca 
 1.0 had ever een a human being. At this appearan tt 
 bereaved and d.seonsolate parent gave himself up to th los 
 potgnant sorrow. Hollow moans and distre.«i„l ..ief to, 
 too plaudy the bitte™e.ss of hi., heart. He spnr.L? 1 'p „" 
 fora of consolatton and yielded to the kee,>est feelings of at 
 guish and unbounded sorrow. 
 
 He became an object of perfect despair, and threw himself 
 down upon lus face to the earth, dejected and diseonso 
 Th shatered fragments of the innocent girl were carefully 
 gathered ogether, and interred in all the tenderness and ! 
 emn, y of b.tter grief. Every one seemed to partieipateta 
 the affl,et,o„s ef the aged and venerable counsellor, and to sym 
 pathtze m h,s sufferings and woe. Still, no com or tc™ " 
 
INDIANS. 
 
 27 
 
 n become fixed 
 I'd, with a long 
 line down with 
 1 to tlie eartli. 
 !,'reat was the 
 e ground, the 
 I'ul rods. Hi- 
 witnessed the 
 1. 
 
 his eyes in a 
 hed with lier. 
 
 the spot and 
 I upon exauii- 
 letely buried 
 
 ground. It 
 y white, and 
 "rom this sin- 
 nd from this 
 ^orever after 
 s their most 
 ir-path. 
 ?r, the body 
 ' ground to 
 ild indicate 
 ^arance, the 
 to the most 
 
 grief, tohl 
 5d ail prof. 
 ings of an- 
 
 3W liimself 
 sconsolate. 
 3 carefully 
 !ss and so- 
 ticipate in 
 id to sym- 
 t came to 
 
 his soul. lie rem'-incd in this prostrate situation three whole 
 days and nights ui moved. The fears of the assembled chiefs 
 were awakened lest ho might become a willing victim to his 
 own melancholy and misfortune. Nothing had been done as 
 yet, in the Council, and such had been the causes of delay 
 that many began to despair of accomplishing any thing of 
 consequence. Some even thought seriously of returning to 
 their homes without an eflbrt. At length a few of the leading 
 chiefs consulted together, as to what course it was most expedi- 
 ent to pursue. It was at once resolved, that nothing should bo 
 attempted, without the voice of the wise man could bo heard. 
 A suitable person was thereupon dispatched to ascertain 
 whether he breathed. Jlejjort ennie that he was yet alive. 
 A kind hearted, merry chief, named Ilo-see-noke, was directed 
 by the council to make to the prostrate mourner a comforting 
 speech, to whisper kind words in his ear, and if possible arouse 
 him from his revery. 
 
 xYfter a deal of formal ceremony and persuasion, he gradu- 
 ally recovered from his stupor and conversed. After several 
 messages had passed between the assembled chiefs and Ili-a- 
 wat-ha, he arose and manifested a desire for food. He ate 
 and drank of such as was hastily prejiared for him, and ac- 
 knowledged himself strengthened and refreshed. 
 
 lie was conducted to the presence of the council, a con- 
 spicuous place was assigned him, and all eyes were turned 
 towards the only man who could with precision foretell their 
 future destiny. The subject of the invasion was discussed by 
 several of the ablest counsellors and boldest warrio)-s. A^ari- 
 ous schemes were proposed for the repulsion of the enemy. 
 Ili-a-wat-ha listened in silence till the speeches of all were 
 concluded. His opinion Avas gravely and earnestly sought by 
 many of the surrounding chiefs. 
 
 After a brief reference to the calamity which had so re- 
 cently befollen him, the wise man said :— " This is a subject 
 that requires mature reflection and deliberation. It is not 
 fitting that one of so much importance should be treated 
 lightly, or that our decision should be hasty and inconsider- 
 
 k 
 
28 
 
 ONONDAGA, 
 
 ■ (! 
 
 »tc. I,ot m postpone our .leliboratiorw for ono day that » 
 
 ,.„,] "" ^ ""> confii ent will succeed 
 
 and ensure our safety." ouwtea, 
 
 After another day's deh.y, the council again assembled and 
 1 were anx.ous to hear the words of Hi-a-^vat-ha. 7b ith 
 
 «<. ™.ous. voutr;-:eT::::yr;^^^^^ 
 
 chs anee from your homes, ^V. bave eonv'e nod C one com 
 men purpose, to promote ono cou,mon interest ,nd tZ 7 
 provule for our mutual safety, and bow i si ■! 11 b' M 
 Plished, To oppose these ifo'rdes „ ft ■! t tT" 
 
 tun wiaKC no nrfXTiviuu in +i.r.<. ' 
 
 into on. . P^''^^^^'^ '^ tliat way; wo must unite ourselves 
 into ono common bant of brothoiN On,. • 
 
 wouM surely repel these vJ^ ^ '''"'' ""'*«^^' 
 
 "ur borders 'n,i ,'''']' '''''''^''' '>"<l ^^nve them from 
 
 You t AT ? ' ^^'"' ''^"^^ ^^'^ «^^^" be safe. 
 
 i ou-the Mohawks, sittin . un.Ier the shadow of the - Great 
 T^ee whose rootB sink deep into the earth and whose branZ 
 •spread over a vast country; shall be the first IT 7 
 vou are warlike and mi^lit; ''''"' ^'''''''' 
 
 ^Zi::^C^:r:^ '-'' '-''''^ ^-'- ^-^-^ ^^-st 
 
 f ". "W'^'"'"' that cannot be moved shnll 1?„ »l,„ 
 second nation, because you give wise counsel! ' ° "'" 
 
 ••e™VT;:«°:v*'"^^^^^^ """ '-r ^»"" ''^''■'«- »' «>o 
 
 na.o„ ; b of your .-perior^cunniVin i™4 '°""' 
 
 ^>.' Xsir:;: :£'rr ;: f 7r '- 
 
 because you understand bett r ^h art of • "'"""" 
 beans, and making cabins. °^ '""''"S '^"" ""'» 
 
 Hi. 
 
 — ^■^>:^ 
 

 INDIANS. 
 
 29 
 
 •no day, that we 
 nd warriors who 
 {on my phm for 
 nt will succeed, 
 
 assembled, and 
 •ha. A breath- 
 er began ; 
 of many tribes 
 f you, a great 
 d for one com- 
 and that is to 
 host be accom- 
 focH by tribes, 
 struction ; wo 
 mite ourselves 
 rriors united, 
 ve them from 
 '0 safe. 
 
 )f the " Great 
 hose branches 
 tion, because 
 
 •odies against 
 shall be the 
 
 ition at the 
 
 crags, shall 
 
 !d in speech, 
 
 ' the fourth 
 ting. 
 
 Open Conn- 
 fth nation; 
 I corn and 
 
 You, Five great and powerful nations, must unite and have 
 but one common interest, and no foe shall be able to disturb 
 or subdue you. 
 
 And you — Manhattoea, Ni/acks, Montauks and others, who 
 are as the feeble ^^ Bushes"; and you, Narafjansetts, Mohe- 
 f/ans, Wampanoags and your neighbors who are a ^^ Fishing 
 People" may place yourselves under our protection. Be with 
 us and we will defend you. You of the South, and you of 
 the West, may do the same, and we will protect you. We 
 earnestly dosire your alliance and friendship. 
 
 Hrothers — if we unite in this bond, the (jreat Spirit will 
 smile upon us, and we shall l)e free, prosperous and happy. 
 But if we rcuuiin as we are, we shall be subject "to his frown ; 
 we shall be enslaved, ruined, perhaps annihilated forever. 
 We shall perish and our names be blotted out from among 
 the nations of men. Brothers ; these are the words of lli-a- 
 wat-ha — let them sink deep into your hearts — 1 have said it." 
 A long silence ensued, the words of the wise man had 
 made a deep impression upon the minds of all. They unani- 
 mously declared the subject too weighty for immediate deci- 
 sion. Let us, said the brave warriors and chiefs, adjourn the 
 Council for one day, and then we will respond. On the mor- 
 row, the Council agiiin assembled. After due deliberation, 
 the speech of the wise man was declared to be good and wor- 
 thy of adoption. 
 
 Immediately upon this was formed the celebrated Aquinus- 
 cliioni or Amphictyonic league of the great confederacy of 
 Five Nations, which to this day remains in full force. 
 
 After the business of the great Council had been brought 
 to a close, and the assembly were on the eve of separation, 
 lli-a-wat-ha arose in a dignified manner, and said : 
 
 '^ Friends and Brothers :— I have now fulfilled my mission 
 upon earth, I have done every thing which can be done at pre- 
 sent for the good of this great people. Age, infirmity and 
 distress, sit heavy upon me. During my sojourn Avith you, I 
 have removed all obstructions from the streams. Canoes can 
 now pass safely everywhere. I have given you good fishing 
 
80 
 
 ONONDAGA 
 
 waters an.l good Iniufm^ ^rrourwls. 1 luivo tau^M.t you the 
 tuanner of cultivntin^r ,orn and beans an<l IvnvuM you the 
 art of maki,,;,^ cal.i,.s. Many other blessings I have liberally 
 bestowed u|)on you. 
 
 Lastly I have now assisted you to form an ovorlastin-r 
 loajrne and covenant of stren^^^th and friendship for your future 
 safety and protection. If you preserve it, without the adnuH- 
 Hion of other people, you will ,.lw;,ys be free, nunuM-ous and 
 m^Uty. ^ Jf other nations are admitted to your councils, they 
 wdl sow jealousies amon^^ yo.,, and you will become enslave.l 
 few and feeble. Kemember these words, they are the lust 
 you wdl he^tr from the lips of lli-a-wat-ha. Listen my friends, 
 the Great Master-of-Breath, calls me to go. I have patientl^ 
 waited his summons. I am ready ; farewell." 
 
 As the wise man closed his sjieeeh, there burst upon the 
 ears of the assembled multitude, the cheerful .soun.ls of myri- 
 ads of the most delightful singing voices. The whole sky 
 seemed filled with the sweetest melody of celestial music ; and 
 Heaven's high arch, echoed and re-echoed the touching strains 
 till the whole vast assembly were completely absorbed in rap' 
 turous ecstacy. Amidst the general confusion which now 
 prevailed, and wlule all eyes were turned towards the ethereal 
 regions, lli-a-wat-ha was seen majestically seated in his white 
 canoe, gracefully rising higher and higher above their heads 
 through the a.r, until he became entirely lost from the view 
 of the asseml)led throngs, who witnessed his wonderful ascent 
 m mute and admiring astonishment— while the fascinating 
 music gradually became more plaintive and low, and finally'' 
 It sweetly expired in the softest tones upon their ears, as the' 
 wise man Ili-a-wat-ha, the godlike Ta-oun-ya-wat-ha retired 
 from their sight, and quietly entered the mysterious re^rions 
 inhabited only by the favorites of the Great and Good S^nirit 
 Ha-wah-ne-u.* 
 
 ♦ The substance of the foregoing tradition may be fo^iiidVthe "NoteT^e 
 
 roquo. - pp. 271 to 283. It is but .simple justice to the author of thi wo k to 
 
 «ay that the art.cle ,n the "Notes." was framed from a MS. furnished by th^ 
 
 author of th.s, to the Editor of the Connnercial Advertiser of New Lk fur'p, > 
 
 Iication in that paper. ' ^^ 
 
 
F \ f) r A \ R . 
 
 t!Ui;,'lit yoii tho 
 •iiiiM'd ymi tho 
 I liuvo liberally 
 
 ail overlastin;: 
 for your futiiro 
 lout the admia- 
 niiiiioroiiH and 
 ('oinu;ils, tlioy 
 :oiiio ouHliivod, 
 r are the last 
 en my fVlends, 
 liave piitiontly 
 
 irst upon the 
 iiids of niyri- 
 10 whole aky 
 1 music ; and 
 oiling strains, 
 orbed in rap- 
 » which now 
 3 the ethereal 
 I in his white 
 'i their heads 
 oin the view 
 erful ascent, 
 I fascinatinj: 
 and finally, 
 cars, as the 
 t-ha retired 
 ious regions 
 Good Spirit 
 
 ' "Notes on the 
 of this work to 
 rnished by the 
 ' York, for piil}- 
 
 31 
 
 Such is tho traditionary account of the Onondagas, of the 
 origin of tho very ancient and honorable league first formed 
 by the illustrious Kivo Nations, given to tho author by tho 
 late Captain Frost, and La Fort, head chiefs of the Ononda- 
 gas, (Jth February, iHlf). 
 
 This tradition, like all others, proves nothing positively, fur- 
 ther than that the lro<(uois themselves know little of their own 
 (U'igin, history, or the anticpiity of their most prominent char- 
 acteristics and institutions. These being orally transmitted 
 from generation to generation, and their minds ever deeply 
 imbued with superstiti(m, events are magnified to miracles, 
 distinguished men are deified, and every circumstance of note 
 is mystified and mingled with ignorance, barbarism and ex- 
 
 travagance. 
 
 By the early French writers, the Mohawks and Oneidas 
 were styled the lower or inferior Irocpiois ; while the Onon- 
 dagas, Cayiigas and Senecas, were denominated the upper or 
 superior Iroquois, because they were located nearer the sour- 
 ces of tho St. Lawrence. Tlie Mohawks who are commonly 
 supposed to be the first nation in the confederacy and were 
 consi.lered the most "warlike people in the land," were also 
 styled elder brothers, of the other nations, and so esteemed 
 themselves. Like their brethren of the Five Nations, they 
 have a tradition that their forefathers came from the far 
 north. However this may be, they occupied the valley of the 
 Mohawk, at the time of their first intercourse with the 
 whites. Charicvoix thus speaks of them as they were in 
 1646: ''J)am h Canton d'ArpiUqui autems dont nous par- 
 Ions, c'toit leplus peuple de tons; une jolie riviere serpente 
 agreeahlement Vespace de sept aliuit lieus entre deux belle 
 Praincsr* Other early historians give the same locality." 
 To the Mohawks was always accorded the high consideration 
 of furnishing the war captain or " Tekarahogea" of the con- 
 
 ♦Trans at.on-In the Canton of the Mohawks, of which several authors speak, 
 he mo. numerous population of all; a beautiful river winds agreeaMv through 
 Ihe.r country for seven or eight leagues, between two handsome meadows. 
 
 *5 
 
ONONDAGA. 
 
 fcderacy, which distinguished title was retained with them, till 
 the year 1814, when the celebrated Ploa-ho-a-quah, an Onon- 
 daga, was chosen in general council at Buffalo, to fill that 
 important station. [Sec close of Political History.) 
 
 The Oneidas were considered the second nation, and a faded 
 tradition once existed, that they were a branch of the Onon- 
 dagas, to whom they were always nearly allied, by relation- 
 ship and language. Their earliest recollected residence, was 
 on the southern shore of Oneida lake, neiu- the mouth of 
 Oneida creek. They afterwards took up tlieir abode higher 
 up the valley, and tlie famous " OxXeota," or Oxeida Stonk 
 became their talisman and the centre of their attractions 
 They were a people less warlike than the Mohawks, but many 
 of them were distinguished as orators and statesmen. They 
 were usually considered more susceptible of instruction from 
 the missionaries who early visited them, and were often first 
 resorted to in negotiations with the confederate nations, to win 
 them, and thus prepare the minds of the remaining cantons. 
 The Onondagas were considered the third nation. They be- 
 came, from their central position and numbers, their strength 
 of mind, skill in diplomacy and warlike bearing, the head^'or 
 leading nation of the confederates. The grand council-fire 
 of the union was usually kept with them. They kept the key 
 of the great council house of the Five Nations ; the Mohawks 
 holding the door on the east, as did the Senecas on the west. 
 No business of importance, touching the interests of the Five 
 Nations, was transacted elsewhere but at Onondaga. This 
 nation is divided into eight several tribes or clans, "called bv 
 themselves, the Wolf, the Bear, the Beaver and tiie Tortoise. 
 These are called superior clans, and from these may be se- 
 lected the chiefs of the nation. The inferior clans are the 
 Deer, the Eagle, the Heron and the Eel ; from which civil 
 chiefs, may not be elected. Individuals belonging to these 
 latter clans are not considered eligible to office. Though there 
 formerly were instances where, by great individual merit a^ 
 warriors, they have occasionally been selected as war chiefs ; 
 eonsidered the lowest class of officers known to their laws. 
 
 
INDIANS. 
 
 with them, till 
 [uah, an Onon- 
 lo, to fill that 
 tory.) 
 
 >n, and a faded 
 I of the Onon- 
 3, by relation- 
 residence, was 
 the mouth of 
 
 abode higher 
 )neida Stokk 
 ir attractions. 
 rks, but many 
 ?smen. They 
 itruction from 
 ore often first 
 lations, to win 
 ling cantons, 
 on. They be- 
 ■heir strength 
 , the head or 
 d council-fire 
 kept the key 
 the i\Iohawks 
 
 on the west. 
 3 of the Five 
 idaga. This 
 as, called by 
 tlie Tortoise. 
 ! may be se- 
 lans are the 
 1 which civil 
 ing to these 
 ^liough there 
 iml merit as 
 i war chiefs ; 
 heir laws. 
 
 33 
 
 The duty of this dignitary was to attend to all the mili- 
 tary affairs of the nation, and to conduct the warriors in bat- 
 tle. He was also allowed a seat in the national and confede- 
 rate councils. The term tribe, as understood by the Onon- 
 dagas, applies only tc these clans separately ; and they, when 
 taken collectively, comprise the nation. There is nothing 
 will sooner excite the indignation of a chief, than the appli- 
 cation of the term tribe, to the nation. 
 
 Tribe, to them, is diminutive — nation conveys to them the 
 idea of greatness and magnificence. 
 
 Among the Onondagas, the line of descent is emphatically 
 in the female branch of the family. For instance. La Fort 
 was the son of a chief, but on that account had no claim to 
 chieftainship, and had not his mother been the sister of Oun- 
 diaga, (or a relation of some other chief) he would have been 
 excluded, not having any hereditary right to an election. The 
 son or grandson of a chief's daughter or sister, is eligible to 
 office, but his own son would not be eligible. The inference 
 to be drawn from this is, that the sun is certainly derived 
 from the mother, but may not be from him whom he ac- 
 knowledges as father. 
 
 Among the Onondagas, are five civil chiefs and one war 
 chief; all of whom are subject to removal at any annual na- 
 tional council which may be fully represented by a majority 
 of those entitled to seats in council, or in other words, by the 
 voice of the nation. Anciently they had a greater number 
 of chiefs, sometimes as many as twelve or fourteen, with as 
 many sub or vice-chiefs, who acted as advisers, but took no 
 direct or active part in the management of great councils. 
 
 The Pagan party being the most numerous, bear rule on 
 questions where they are united ; consequently, the Christian 
 party are at this time excluded. For example, David Hill, 
 who is now the leader of the Christian party, and an exem- 
 plary man, who was lately a chief of influence, has been re- 
 moved, and his place supplied by one who still adheres to the 
 ancient customs and principles of their primitive institutions. 
 Among the earliest traditions of the Onondagas, it is noted, 
 
 i 
 
ili 
 
 mi 
 
 84 
 
 ONONDAGA. 
 
 that they at first came from the North, many hundred moons 
 ago and once inhabited a region along the northern banks 
 ol the St. Lawrence, and that straggling parties of hunters, 
 isolated themselves in the country since occupied by the Six 
 Nations. That in process of time, the remaining part of 
 their nation followed, and set themselves down in the valley 
 and on the hills of Onondaga. The Onondagas have also a 
 tradition that the Bear and Wolf tribes originated or sprung 
 from the ground near the Oswego Falls; that the Eel and 
 Tortoise tribes sprung from the same source on the banks of 
 the Seneca river; that the Deer and Eagle tribes first had 
 existence on the hills of Onondaga; and that the Beaver and 
 Heron tribes, sprung from the earth, on the shores of lake 
 Ontario. Whatever of truth may attach to the foregoing tra- 
 ditions, only goes to show, that on those localities, they may 
 at first have received their distinctive appellations, or there 
 assumed their respective titles. It is not uncommon amon.^ 
 Indian nations to declare, that wherever they have long resided" 
 there they have sprung from the earth, or there first had exis- 
 tence. • It is a fact well established by the Jesuit Fathers, 
 that the Onondagas had considerable villages at Oswego Falls • 
 on the shores of lake Ontario ; on the banks of the Seneca ' 
 and on the hills of Onondaga, and at those places may havJ 
 originated the several clans agreeably to their traditions. 
 
 On a celebrated land trial held at the Court House in this 
 County some five years ago, one of the chiefs testified, that 
 the Onondagas first came to Onondaga by way of Oriskany 
 where they had previously resided for several years. Upon 
 the cross examination, counsel being rather hard upon him 
 hj expressing doubt upon the subject, he indignantly replied ' 
 "i>o you think I would lie !" These are the accounts these 
 people give of their own origin. 
 
 The history of the Cayugas is the most obscure and unsa- 
 tisfactory of any of the Five Nations. Although they were 
 never deemed deficient in native energy, or inferior in intel- 
 lectual capacity, and have also produced warriors, orators and ' 
 statesmen of the greatest ability, yet their course has been 
 
INDIANS. 
 
 hundred moons 
 northern banks 
 •ties of hunters, 
 pied by the Six 
 laining part of 
 'n in the valley, 
 gas have also a 
 lated or sprung 
 it the Eel and 
 )n the banks of 
 tribes first had 
 the Beaver and 
 
 shores of lake 
 e foregoing tra- 
 ities, they may 
 itions, or there 
 !ommon amonjr 
 ve long resided, 
 3 first had exis- 
 fesuit Fathers, 
 Oswego Falls ; 
 f the Seneca ; 
 ices may have 
 traditions. 
 
 House in this 
 
 testified, that 
 ' of Oriskany, 
 years. Upon 
 ird upon him, 
 antly replied : 
 iccounts these 
 
 ure and unsa- 
 igh they were 
 erior in intel- 
 s, orators and 
 irse has been 
 
 85 
 
 .signally marked by decay and desolation. Logan, the prince 
 of Indian orators, was a Cayuga. His father, Shikellimus, 
 was a noted chief of this nation, who aided Count Zinzendorfif 
 and Bishop Zeisberger, in the establishment of a mission at 
 Shamokin in 1747. 
 
 Distinguished chiefs of this nation were almost universally 
 present at all the conferences of the Five Nations, with the 
 Dutch, English and French, during the early periods of their 
 history ; and in the campaign of General Sullivan, in 1779, 
 the extent of their settlements, and their determined resist- 
 ance, in their defense, shows that they were by no means a 
 despicable people. Very few now linger about their ancient 
 hunting grounds. Civilization has made sad inroads upon 
 them. 
 
 The Senecas, from the earliest times, have been the most 
 numerous and powerful of the Five Nations. They have al- 
 ways been farther advanced in agriculture and the arts than 
 their neighbors, and if oratory, statesmanship, and determined 
 opposition to the encroachments of the whites, be taken into 
 account, they may be said to stand in the foremost rank. 
 With their neighbors, the Tuscaroras, they have yielded more 
 readily to the advantages of education. Several of their young 
 men and maidens have entered the schools of the whites, and 
 become noted for their scholarship and learning. They are 
 sometimes styled the People of the Hill, from a tradition that 
 they originated from a liill at the head of Canandaigua lake.* 
 The tradition is, that the Senecas anciently encamped on 
 this hill, upon which they had a fort surrounded with pali- 
 sades. An enormous serpent encircled the fort, with his 
 head and tail joined at the gateway, through which none could 
 pass without being destroyed. 
 
 " When famine raged within their guarded hold, 
 And wan distemper thinned their numbers fast." 
 
 At length all fell a prey to famine, pestilence, or the de- 
 vouring jaws of the monster, except a youth and his sister. 
 
 Il 
 
 ♦See Hosmer's Poem, before G. O. I., 1845. 
 
 J^ 
 
36 
 
 ONONDAGA. 
 
 The young warrior dreamed that should an arrow be directed 
 to the monster's heart, beneath "The rounded scale that wall 
 his side," he would slay him and secure himself from further 
 harm, and thus prevent the total annihilation of his nation. 
 
 It was done as he had been forewarned, the monster was 
 slam, and the nation was finally established on the western 
 shore of the Seneca lake. The Senecas have always been 
 noted for the talents of their orators and statesmen. Corn- 
 Planter, Red Jacket, Farmers Brother, Handsome Lake, and 
 others of scarcely less distinction, during the last century 
 have wielded a power and influence among the Indian nations, 
 that will long cause them to be remembered as a noble and 
 illustrious nation. 
 
 The government of the Iroquois in their palmy days, when 
 their power was supreme, and their prosperity unbounded 
 was a sort of Oligarchy mixed with democracy ; having a re' 
 presentative and popular voice. It consisted of a republican 
 and hereditary form combined. Business transactions of a 
 national character, were carried on by the head chiefs of the 
 nations, and were ratified or rejected in general councils. De- 
 cisions made by the chiefs of a nation, only aftected that 
 particular nation. But all decisions of the united chiefs of 
 the confederacy, when rejected in general council, became 
 decrees from which there could be no appeal. 
 
 The organic laws of the Indians, are little understood. 
 Few persons can have the patience or opportunity, to study 
 the polity and government of these mysterious people, as con- 
 ducted in their councils, in a language almost totally unin- 
 telligible. None can know all the intricacies and details where 
 so much obscurity and circumspection exists. Everythin<^ 
 is dark and mysterious. They prefer, rather to mystify than 
 explain ; to darken the understanding rather than enlighten 
 It. Their habitual distrust gives but the slightest opp^'ortu- 
 mty to study their unwritten code. Even those who have 
 enjoyed their confidence longest, and who have been on terms 
 of the most perfect intimacy with them, but feebly and un- 
 certainly elucidate and explain the genius of their institutions. 
 
 tlm 
 
 i"\ 
 
 -,: :^, 
 
TRADITIONS. 
 
 •ow be directed 
 scale that wall 
 f from further 
 f his nation, 
 e monster was 
 >n the western 
 D always been 
 !smen. Corn- 
 )me Lake, and 
 ; last century 
 ndian nations, 
 IS a noble and 
 
 ly days, when 
 y unbounded, 
 having a re- 
 ' a republican 
 sactions of a 
 i chiefs of the 
 ouncils. De- 
 affected that 
 ;ed chiefs of 
 mcil, became 
 
 understood, 
 lity, to study 
 eople, as con- 
 totally unin- 
 details where 
 
 Everything 
 mystify than 
 an enlighten 
 ;est opportu- 
 ie who have 
 sen on terms 
 3bly and un- 
 institutions. 
 
 87 
 
 4'S: 
 
 CHAPTER II. 
 
 TRADITIONS OF THE ONONDAGAS. 
 
 Ascent of the Seneca River ity Ta-oi-n-ya-wat-ha— His Slaughter of a Mon- 
 s TRofs Serpent— Opexing of the Channel of Onondaga River— The Enchan- 
 tress — Feathered Monsters— Great Eagle — Allusion to other Tradi- 
 tions— Witches and Wizards— Evil Spirits— Tradition of a Colony— Be- 
 lief IN Thunder and Lightning — Marriage— Family Discipline— Treat- 
 ment of the .Sick — Burials. 
 
 In the annals of the \vorld, perhaps there never was a peo- 
 ple whose true history has been so completely wrapt in mys- 
 tery and so wonderfully mingled up with false traditions, 
 many of which may have had foundation in fact, interspersed 
 with fables, fictions, types, symbols and allegories, as that of 
 the aborigines of our land.- In tracing the progress of their 
 ancient history, we find no distinctive lines, whereby to dis- 
 tinguish what may be true from what is actually false. There 
 is no discrimination made by themselves, and among them, 
 the most extravagant fictions pass for truth. The Indian is 
 acted upon by his superstitions and fears. Seeing some things 
 mysterious and incomprehensible, he believes all things he 
 cannot explain by the evidence of his senses to be so. Thus 
 we find him drifting about without a system or without direc- 
 tion, on the broad ocean of ignorance, driven omvard by the 
 accumulating waves of superstition. " He sees God in clouds 
 and hears him in the winds," every strange event is mag- 
 nified into a miracle, and is transmitted from sire to son, as 
 the work of an invisible hand— the doings of the Great Spirit. 
 His credulity impels him to believe everything marvellous 
 that he hears, and the basest fabrics of the imagination, and 
 the simplest truths, enter alike into his systems of history, 
 
 Am 
 
88 
 
 ONONDAGA, 
 
 philosophy and theology. Although exceedingly extravagant, 
 and perhaps unworthy of credence, we here would insert a 
 few of the most prominent traditions and beliefs held in repute 
 among the Onondagas. 
 
 They have a tradition that Ta-oun-ya-wat-ha, the deity 
 who presides over fisheries and hunting-grounds, came down 
 from above in his White Canoe, and selected a couple of war- 
 riors from among the Opondagas, who met him at Oswego. 
 They together passed up the Oswego river, removed all ob- 
 structions to navigation at the falls, so that canoes could pass 
 m safety without carriage. As the tradition goes, the devoted 
 trio proceeded up the river until they had passed (Te-u-ung- 
 hu-ka) Three-Kiver-Point. They here came to a place where 
 the water was perfectly still for a long distance. The channel 
 was straight, the water deep and unruffled. Looking far ahead, 
 they distinctly saw an object lying directly across the stream, 
 apparently like the trunk of a large tree. As they advanced, 
 It seemed gradually to heave and fall; the waters became 
 strangely agitated, and rolled in large waves from the sides 
 of the obstraction. Upon a nearer approach, the object 
 proved to be an enormous serpent, whose body lay across the 
 stream, and such was his unparalleled length, that his head 
 was not in view, but extended far into the country on one 
 side of the river, while his tail was far out of sight on the 
 other. The god of the rivers bade him retire, but the reptile 
 would not obey. Then said Ta-oun-ya-wat-ha, die, thou dread- 
 ful beast, and know that the Great Spirit rules. He then 
 raised his paddle, which in its descent cleft the hideous beast 
 in twain. So firmly had the extremities of the monster be- 
 come fixed, that the separation was accompanied with a ter- 
 rific sound, like a startling peal of thunder. The earth 
 trembled and shook with a rumbling noise, the waters ran red 
 and were violently agitated, while the sudden contractions of 
 the dissevered parts were so violent, that each portion imme- 
 diately disappeared, and was never heard of more. But the 
 print of the place where the fell destroyer had lain, was plain 
 
 ■'nB :t.-i;Ki! 
 
TRADITIONS. 
 
 39 
 
 ;ly extravagant, 
 would insert a 
 fs held in repute 
 
 t-ha, the deity 
 ds, came down 
 
 couple of war- 
 im at Oswego, 
 amoved all ob- 
 loes could pass 
 •es, the devoted 
 ised (Te-u-ung. 
 > a place where 
 The channel 
 king far ahead, 
 )ss the stream, 
 ;hey advanced, 
 waters became 
 From the sides 
 5h, the object 
 lay across the 
 that his head 
 )untry on one 
 
 sight on the 
 )ut the reptile 
 ie, thou dread- 
 es. He then 
 hideous beast 
 J monster be- 
 d with a ter- 
 . The earth 
 aters ran red 
 ntractions of 
 lortion imme- 
 're. But the 
 lin, was plain 
 
 to be seen through all succeeding generations, till the white 
 man came and leveled the ground with his plow. 
 
 The canoe again passed on without interruption. It was 
 the first that had ever moved over the waters, past this ap- 
 palling spot. All who had before this attempted the passage 
 had been killed and devoured. 
 
 A few miles further up the stream, they met with another 
 obstruction of a like nature, which was removed with similar 
 consequences and results. 
 
 Upon a more critical examination of the space in the river 
 between the positions of these huge monsters, it was found to 
 be richly stored with an abundance of eels and other delicious 
 fish ; the taking of which had not been enjoyed by the na- 
 tives, because of these terrific spoilers who had constantly 
 guarded it and destroyed all who dared to approach — under 
 the auspices of the wicked spirit, 0-nees-hoo-hugh-nu. After 
 Ta-oun-ya-wat-ha, had vanquished the huge serpents, he gave 
 all good people permission to fish there without hindrance or 
 molestation, which beneficent privilege they have so richly 
 enjoyed to the present day. 
 
 Ta-oun-ya-wat-ha and his companions now proceeded on- 
 ward, to where the Seneca river makes its greatest bend to 
 the south. They here made a landing on the southern shore. 
 At this place they were much surprised at hearing an inces- 
 sant screaming of wild birds. " This," said Ta-oun-ya-wat- 
 ha, "is portentous of some remarkable event — let us exa- 
 mine and see." They proceeded south a short distance, and 
 behold, a great lake lay beautifully spread out before them, 
 extending far away to the south. It had no visible outlet — 
 no communication with the river. " We must open a free 
 passage here," said Ta-oun-ya-wat-ha, "for the canoes of good 
 people to pass. Our business is to remove all obstructions to 
 their prosperity and to make them happy." Then the spirit 
 of the rivers took the magic paddle which he had carried with 
 him, and with it made a mark or furrow, from the lake to the 
 river, through which at first the water gradually flowed and 
 in time wore the channel sufficiently deep for canoes to pass 
 
 B 
 
 
 tj3l 
 
 '3-' 
 
 
 t' < 
 
 
 4k 
 
 
 1 
 
 
 1^ 
 
 
 
 
 m1 
 
 
 1 
 
 
 1 
 
 
 F 
 
 w 
 m 
 
 1 
 
 
 1 
 
 M 
 
 Hi 
 
 1 
 
40 
 
 v: !■ 
 
 ONONDAGA. 
 
 "i;n 
 
 with ease and facility. This, according to Indian tradition, 
 was the first outlet of the Onondaga Lake. Previously to 
 this, the lake extended the whole length of the Onondaga 
 valley.* Year succeeded year, and this channel became 
 broader and deeper, and as time rolled on, the lake les- 
 sened in size, the water became shallow which before was 
 deep, and trees soon appeared where once the earth was over- 
 spread with water; and finally the boundaries of the lake gradu- 
 ally subsided to the ordinary limits of the water, and left the 
 salt springs on its shores bare, which previous to this event, 
 had been covered by fresh water, and were before entirely 
 unknown ; so that by this special kindness and interposition 
 of the Great Spirit, salt was introduced for the health and 
 comfort of the Indians, and has ever since been considered 
 by them an inestimable blessing. 
 
 After the removal of this barrier, the party again moved 
 up the river a few miles, and at a distance, discovered in a 
 beautiful chesnut grove, a single cabin, from which the smoke 
 ascended in graceful curls, while every appendage about it 
 looked cheerful and inviting. 
 
 Here was the residence of a wicked enchantress, called Oh- 
 cau-nee, who had hitherto prevented the gathering of nuts, 
 which were every where abundant around her dwelling. 
 
 After a protracted and violent struggle between the enchan- 
 tress and one of the followers of Ta-oun-ya-wat-ha, in which 
 she was slain, the god of the rivers, waved the paddle of his 
 magic canoe over the trees, which were literally covered with 
 nuts, and the rich and tempting fruit came rattling to the 
 ground in the greatest profusion. The party regaled them- 
 selves merrily, gathered in the sacred harvest, and Ta-oun- 
 ya-wat-ha, with his hand scattered the hard earned treasure 
 broadcast among all the nations of the earth, thus dissemina- 
 ting this rich blessing every where, which previously had not 
 
 * It may be well to remark, that there are evidences along the acdiviues from 
 the valley, that this tradition may have its origin in truth. ''^ "vf es from 
 
TRADITIONS. 
 
 41 
 
 ulian tradition, 
 Previously to 
 the Onondaga 
 lannel became 
 , the lake les- 
 ;ch before was 
 3arth was over- 
 the lake gradu- 
 )r, and left the 
 i to this event, 
 before entirely 
 
 I interposition 
 he health and 
 sen considered 
 
 ■ again moved 
 iscovered in a 
 ich the smoke 
 dage about it 
 
 iss, called Oh- 
 jring of nuts, 
 iwelling. 
 
 II the enchan- 
 >ha, in which 
 paddle of his 
 covered with 
 ittling to the 
 egaled them- 
 and Ta-oun- 
 led treasure 
 is dissemina- 
 usly had not 
 
 ! ncdivities from 
 
 been known beyond the grove of Oh-cau-nce the enchantress, 
 who had always been their keeper. After this event, all 
 good people were permitted to come to this place without fear 
 or hindrance, to gather chesnuts. 
 
 The country about Cross Lake, (Te-ungk-too) was so invi- 
 ting in appearance, that Ta-oun-ya-wat-ha resolved to explore 
 it. While upon the water he observed in all directions skele- 
 tons of men, swimming about on the surface. "Some mur- 
 derous monster" ho exclaimed "must be stationed near the 
 stream above and must be destroyed." When they had ar- 
 rived at a spot some distance above where the Skaneatelcs 
 empties itself into the Seneca river, they discovered two mon- 
 strous red feathered animals Avith long and arched necks. 
 One was stationed upon one side of the river and the other 
 on the opposite bank. Their long and pointed beaks crossed 
 each other like two sharpened swords, suspended over the 
 centre of the stream. Whenever canoes passed underneath, 
 the occupants were sure to become food for tliese rapacious 
 monsters, who, after picking off the flesh Avould send their 
 carcasses down the stream, most of Avhich lodged in Cross 
 Lake. "These destroyers of our race must be removed," 
 said Ta-oun-ya-wat-ha, " or the braves of our nations will be 
 devoured, and their Avives and little ones slain. We must be 
 wise and cautious, or we shall be overcome. I am aware that 
 the Wicked Spirit has placed these obstructions in our way 
 and is determined good people shall not navigate these waters. 
 But if we are wise and prudent and reverently keep the Great 
 and Good Spirit ever in view, we shall conquer these monsters, 
 overcome all obstacles and finally come oif triumphant in all 
 our undertakings." The White Canoe was paddled to the 
 shore, and Ta-oun-ya-wat-ha, after invoking the blessing of 
 the Great and Good Spirit, raised his magic paddle and smote 
 one of these monsters, which brought him to the ground. 
 After a furious struggle he succeeded in killing him. Com- 
 posing himself and taking rest, Ta-oun-ya-wat-ha crossed the 
 river with a view of attacking the remaining one, but he 
 could no where be found. The god of the rivers, placed his 
 
 
 
^1 
 
 42 
 
 ,:,! 
 
 O N O N D A (; A . 
 
 a e y. Th, sagacity of Ta-oun-ya-.-a.-ha, .,oo„ 'iLovered 
 he course he had take,,, a„.l directly proceeded in p„,. „ , 
 He d,l,ge„tly traced the monster by his tracks through v„; 
 
 to the place fro,,, whence he had departed. Tl,e frightened 
 an,mal now took wing and never rested till he can,c to ,"„ 
 rtaga, w en he alighted on the sandy plain, between t c 0„„„. 
 daga v,llage and the lake. His tracks where he rested were 
 pla.n to be seen many years afterwards, and to tl,is day the 
 pot ,s pomted out with particular precision. 'ZZt 
 wat-ha ,n fuU pursuit soon overtook him at this spot, and fhc 
 
 natives. l|,e strange animal again started, nor rested till 
 he had arr,ved at Oneida, when becoming m'uch fat lued h 
 agam settled down near the Oneota or sacred stonf of the 
 »at.o„. Ta-oun-ya-wat-ha, still pursuing, again came up ^A 
 he monster and both pnahed forward with great carneCe* 
 towards the w«t. The winged monster at lengtrbegl ^ 
 
 overtaken on the sandy grounds north of Salina. After a 
 desperate struggle, he w,as finally slain,a„d the sand k „ „ 
 so frequent in that neighborhood,werc thrown up by his drin: 
 cxert,ons. So swiftly had the monster flown, and so clo'ey 
 had he been pursued, that the whole transaction had ccnp J 
 but a very short space of time. At length he began to decay 
 and myriads of musketoes were the offspring of the d com 
 pos,ng m,.s, which completely filled the country. A dst 
 greeable efllu™ arose from it which spread far and wMe and 
 was frequently the ea„.e of fatal ani violent disels the 
 decaying matter also discolored the water in the swamps'and 
 ever smce they have been considered unfit for drinking 
 
 Ta-oun-ya-wat-ha and his companions again ascended the 
 beneea r.ver and cleared the channel of all obstructions, till he 
 came to the Cayuga marshes. When near them, they became 
 greatly alarmed by a constant humming sound, and a loud 
 
 3 
 
TRADITIONS. 
 
 43 
 
 tancc, treading 
 i(lin<5 pl'ico for 
 oon discovered 
 ded in pursuit. 
 s through vari- 
 10 came around 
 rhe frightened 
 came to Onon- 
 fccn the Onon- 
 he rested were 
 this day the 
 Ta-oun-ja- 
 
 spot, and the 
 d place by the 
 or rested till 
 h fatigued, he 
 
 atone of the 
 came up with 
 It earnestness 
 gth began to 
 tt last he was 
 na. After a 
 sand knolls, 
 by his dying 
 nd so closely 
 bad occupied 
 ;an to decay, 
 ' the decom- 
 y. A disa- 
 nd wide and 
 liseases ; the 
 swamps and 
 nking. 
 scended the 
 tions, till he 
 ihey became 
 and a loud 
 
 and continual cackling of ducks, geeso and other aquatic 
 birds. The pai-ty wore surprised to find their course obstruc- 
 ted by two enormous Eagles, who had long been the guardi- 
 ans of the water-fowl, which were in the habit of congregat- 
 ing in the marshes. Such had been their watchfulness, that 
 none could escape, and all people had hitherto been prevented 
 from taking them for food. These monstrous Eagles were 
 also slain and the wild fowl, now no longer restrained by 
 thoir rapacious guardians, arose on their wings in all direc- 
 tions, and scattered themselves abroad in all the surrounding 
 lakes and streams, and became ever afterwards a precious 
 article of food for man. These were some of the principal 
 deeds of Ta-oun-ya-wat-ha, the god of the fisheries, rivers and 
 hunting grounds, as held in estimation among the traditions 
 of the Onondagas. 
 
 Ta-oun-ya-wat-ha afterwards took up his abode at Cross 
 lake and assisted to form the great league of the Five Nations 
 as related in a former chapter. 
 
 The tradition of the flying heads, which greatly disturbed 
 their quiet, and defied all human power successfully to com- 
 bat, may be enumerated among their singular fancies. These 
 heads of monstrous size, enveloped in beards and hair of flam- 
 ing fire, rushed through the air like shooting stars or falling 
 meteors, threatening the destruction of their nation. The 
 priests, prophets and medicine-men were alike unsuccessful in 
 subduing these supernatural monsters. They were at last dis- 
 pelled by the machinations of an old woman. 
 
 The Quis-quis, or great hog, was another monster which gave 
 the Onondagas great trouble, as did also the great bear, the 
 horned water-serpent, the stone giants and many other equally 
 fabulous inventions, bordering so closely upon the truly mar- 
 vellous, that the truth would suffer wrongfully if related in 
 full ; but nevertheless are found among the wild and unseem- 
 ly traditions of the race. 
 
 A belief in witches and wizards prevailed extensively 
 throughout the Six Nations, and in none of the Iroquois can- 
 tons was the belief more prevalent, than among the Ononda- 
 
44 
 
 ONONDAGA. 
 
 m 
 
 hat It Hooraod .J, effect, ,voula ,l„»„l,uc the wh„]e country 
 
 affect ,he,r p„pu|„t,„„ „„,1 p^p^Hty. The.e witche, and 
 w.^ar,l, wore apposed to hold nightly meetings, to devi" 
 
 the nation. il,„y were »upp„,e,l to he bonnd hy a solemn 
 oath of secrecy; could change thomselvc, to various ™ 
 an,n,als, as ..Ives, foxes, hawk, .„„! turkeys, and to » , p 
 of vanou, substances, a, tree,, rock, and log, ; eouid be nre 
 sent and invisible in the a„emblie, and coundl, of t „„;„': 
 could mfu« poison and di,ea,c a.nong the people, and Z 
 
 In feet, there was scarce anything however hulicrous or ex- 
 
 M.. Webster, .n h,s conversation, with the old settlers ,iid 
 that an old Indian of the Onondaga, used to relate « 
 an anccnt penod, when a portion of the Onondagas' a„ 
 extensu^ ,e tlo.nent and populous village on the flat, east oj 
 
 one e,enu,g, he sunk down deep into an immense, cavern, 
 which wa, bnlhantly illuminated with flaming torches. N 
 ooner had he reached the floor, than he found him,elf in,tart! 
 ly surrounded by hundreds of witches and wizards, who rather 
 uneeremon.ously ejected him. The circumstance lay heavy 
 upon Ins heart. Early the next morning he proceeded to the 
 cncl-honse and Laid the matter before the Lemhlcd chief^ 
 T^,ey asked h,m, , he could identify a„y „f .,,0 persons he 
 had seen. lo rephed that he thought he could. lie straight- 
 way proceeded through the village and pointed to this and 
 that one whom he thus signified a, delinquent,. They were 
 at once doomed for execution, and without trial or ceremony, 
 upon the evdence or whim of a single individual, numbers of 
 both sexes were kdled. According to the tradition the slaugh- 
 ter was nnmense ; it seemed there could be no end to the alarm- 
 ".g panic ; many of the people dispersed, and for a season it 
 «as feared the nation would be completely broken up. It i, 
 
TRADITIONS. 
 
 45 
 
 )motimo8 carried, 
 ) whole country, 
 , it did seriously 
 leso witches and 
 Btings, to devise 
 md trouble upon 
 iiul by a solemn 
 to various wild 
 J, and to shapes 
 3 ; could be pre- 
 s of the nations; 
 eople, and even 
 } of individuals, 
 ludicrous or ex- 
 not accomplish. 
 )ld settlers, said 
 ' relate, that at 
 iidagas had an 
 he flats east of 
 )ut of his cabin 
 imense, cavern, 
 ; torches. No 
 limself instant- 
 ■ds, who rather 
 nee lay heavy 
 occeded to the 
 iembled chiefs, 
 (le persons he 
 He straifrht- 
 3d to this and 
 . They were 
 or ceremony, 
 1, numbers of 
 on the slaugh- 
 to the alarm- 
 3r a season it 
 en up. It is 
 
 said that more than half of those who remained at home were 
 killed, amounting in all to hundreds. Other and similar in- 
 stances are still related among their traditions of witchcraft. 
 Sometimes these witches were burned and sometimes summa- 
 rily dispatched with a tomahawk. Usually, however, they 
 were permitted to speak in their own behalf, freciuently own- 
 ing the charge, thus becoming voluntary victims to the gross- 
 est infatuation and superstition. They believed that the 
 witches and wizards had power to send fireballs, a ball of hair, 
 or a dog, or cat, to inflict some punishment upon any person, 
 upon wliom they chose to practice their deception, and if the 
 principal persons of the nation were satisfied of their guilt, 
 they were instantly sentenced to death. Upon this, some of 
 the most influential men would proceed to a high ledge of 
 rocks, roll some of them out sufficient to make a large and 
 deep hole ; they would then return to the Castle and inform 
 those whom they intended to execute, of what they had done, 
 and that they must forthwith depart for the place of execu- 
 tion. If it was a female who was to suffer, she instantly 
 drew her blanket over her head, and without a murmur or 
 word of repining, repaired to the place already prepared. 
 The Indian women understanding the import of tliese pro- 
 ceedings, immediately left the village and were not seen again 
 on that day, and long afterwards continued their demonstra- 
 tions of grief and mourning. After the victim had departed 
 for the place of execution, the men followed after. "When 
 they arrived at the spot, the doomed one was found ready for 
 the execution of her sentence, standing upon a rock at ine 
 edge of the hole, with her blanket drawn closely over her 
 head. One of the men would walk deliberately up to her, 
 remove her blanket and let it fall to the ground. At this 
 instant two Indians with tomahawks would step forward and 
 cleave the victim's head in twain, being careful to direct her 
 fall into the opening in the rocks already prepared. They 
 then rolled rocks upon the slain one till she was deeply buried. 
 They after this raised the cry, "thus perish all witches." 
 The mode of executing wizards was the same, but when the 
 
 1 H 
 
 -L 11 
 
 fi\'' 
 
 m 
 
46 
 
 ONONDAGA, 
 
 '■■ I *i 
 
 Wizard was singled out ard informed of his fate, he uttered a 
 deafening yell, and then ran with all his might to the place 
 of execution and his executioners after him. Several instan- 
 ces of the above mode of punishment have occurred since the 
 first settlements were made by the whites, and have been re- 
 lated to the author by the older inhabitants, some of when, 
 were witnesses. As late as 1803, four squaws were accused 
 of witchcraft at the Castle, three of them were executed ac- 
 cording to their customs. One of them agreed to deliver up 
 all her implements of incantation, and requested the Indians 
 to assemble at a place near the Castle. She then directed 
 them to build a fire of white-ash wood, to set up some crotches 
 ^nd lay poles across. This being done, the supposed witch 
 suspended from a pole a roll of white cotton cloth wound 
 tight around with cords. It soon took fire, and then followed 
 several explosions in quick succession, similar to a loaded 
 musket Several white people were present, who exerted 
 their influence without effect, to prevent disaster. The three 
 who were executed acknowledged all that was alleged against 
 them, but not promising reformation, were therefore disposed 
 of m a summary manner. The ground upon which one of 
 the three was condemned was like this : the Indians had pur- 
 chase a beef of Mr. Webster, for the purpose of making a 
 great feast. During the transaction, a young man who was 
 master of ceremonies, was charged by an Indian woman with 
 partiality, in the distribution of the good things which were 
 served. The following night the young man rose in great 
 agony, saying, this woman had choked him, and that if she 
 did so the following night, it would surely kill him The 
 succeeding night he was heard to utter a terrible cry, and as 
 he screamed, his friends rushed in, but he was dead. No one 
 was discovered in the room who could have effected his death 
 It has been said that Mr. Webster himself saw the prints of 
 fingers upon his throat. The supposed witch, when asked if 
 she was guilty, acknowledged she was. She was taken to the 
 top of the hill east of the Castle, killed with an axe and buried 
 among the rocks. 
 
 i^ 
 
 A 
 ^ 
 
TitADITIONS. 
 
 47 
 
 fate, he uttered a 
 ^ight to the place 
 ■ Several instan- 
 occurred since the 
 tnd have been re- 
 ts, some of whom 
 aws were accused 
 were executed ac- 
 eed to deliver up 
 ested the Indians 
 ihe then directed 
 
 up some crotches 
 e supposed witch 
 ton cloth wound 
 md then followed 
 ilar to a loaded 
 nt, who exerted 
 ster. The three 
 s alleged against 
 lerefore disposed 
 on which one of 
 Indians had pur- 
 ose of making a 
 ig man who was 
 ian woman with 
 ings which were 
 n rose in great 
 and that if she 
 kill him. The 
 ible cry, and as 
 
 dead. No one 
 ected his death. 
 w the prints of 
 
 when asked if 
 as taken to the 
 axe and buried 
 
 Another of the three was accused of killing five persons. 
 They said she plucked deer's hairs and made them sharp like 
 arrows, and sent them deep into their flesh, in an invisible 
 manner, which finally found their way to the heart and pro- 
 duced death. Although exhorted to retire out of the way, 
 she voluntarily went to the usual place of execution, and was 
 dispatched with a tomahawk. 
 
 Tlio last one, had been suspected for a long time of deal- 
 ing with the wicked spirit. Flaming heads and fiery serpents, 
 had been seen to enter her wigwam for several successive nights. 
 . Strange noises were heard after their entrance, as if persons 
 were struggling for life. Whereupon she was accused, ad- 
 judged guilty of witchcraft, and sentenced to death, which 
 sentence was executed like the former. In all these cases, 
 there seemed to be a desire in the accused persons to receive 
 the accorded sentence, and they invariably courted death, wuh 
 all the fortitude of martyrs to a holier cause. 
 
 The Indians had a practice to which they sometimes re- 
 sorted for conquering witches, or " laijmg" the evil spirit, the 
 father of them. The wicked spirit, they believe to be a great 
 serpent under ground. Where he was present, there would 
 rise a knoll, and whenever he moved away, the place would 
 sink again to a level. 
 
 The reason why they never destroyed rattle-snakes was, 
 because they believed them the offspring of the great serpent, 
 the devil, and if they destroyed any of his offspring, they 
 could have no success in hunting. Hence they always passed 
 them unharmed. The mode of allaying the wrath of the 
 great serpent, the father of wizards and witches, was, for a 
 number of the most resolute warriors to proceed to the spot 
 where it wns most likely he then inhabited, climb a small sap- 
 ling, lay hold of the topmost branches and bend it down to the 
 ground, binding the branches around the body of the tree 
 quite down to the root, making all the time a peculiar noise! 
 a they met with no interruption and succeeded in fastening 
 the top of the tree securely to the bottom, the devil was 
 allayed and the power of the witches dispelled. 
 
48 
 
 ONONDAGA. 
 
 snj!i^'' \ '^ '^''''°" P''^"''"' '^"^'^^g t^^""' that the evil 
 
 to the body. As an instance in point, an Indian woman 
 came into the house of a white neighbor one day trS 
 frightened ; she ran to the hearth, spat upon her hands, di' 
 pad hem m the ashes and with her finger made a cross up!n 
 her face; then turning suddenly round exclaimed, '^ there 
 <lefy you " If we mistake not, here is a relic of ;ncient Ko 
 man Catholic teaching, two hundred years ago^epentl' 
 ashes,— remember the cross. ^ ^ " 
 
 On the authority of some of the older inhabitants of Onon- 
 daga It IS stated that on a ledge of rocks, about a mile south 
 ot Jamesville, is a place which used to be pointed out by the 
 Indians as the spot where the Great Spirit once came down 
 and sut and gave good advice to the chiefs of the Onondagas. 
 Ihat there, are the prints of his hands and his feet left in the 
 rocks still to be seen. In former years the Onondagas use.l 
 annually to offer at this place, tobacco and pipes, and to burn 
 tobacco and herbs as a sacrifice to the Great Spirit, to con- 
 cihate his favor and which was a means of preventing diseases. 
 Ihere is a tradition among the Onondagas, that some 
 twenty years before the revolutionary war, about thirty fami- 
 lies came from Canada and settled among them. Some of 
 these people settled along the hill west of the Castle and oth- 
 ers m the present town of La Fayette. After a while the In- 
 dians became dissatisfied with them and drove them away 
 Pretending to fill their sacks Avith pounded corn, they only 
 put in them ashes, covering the mouth of the sacks with meal 
 Ihe company all miserably perished on the shores of lake 
 Ontario. 
 
 The colonists had brought out a blacksmith with them, who 
 refused to return with his countrymen to Canada. His stay 
 among the Indians, was in no way agreeable to them. They 
 took him and bound him to a tree, heated a large chain, with 
 an axe attached to it, hung it around his neck and roasted 
 mm to death. 
 
 Their notions of thunder and lightning are peculiar. Thun- 
 
 i 
 
 4 
 
TRADITIONS. 
 
 49 
 
 iCuHar. Thun- 
 
 <ler, they call Ec-soot-a-haut, which means the grandfather of 
 tlio power of tlie Great Spirit, and they believe he manifests 
 his power by the r- ng, and by shaking the earth, thereby 
 commaiuling his chii...en, the people of the earth, to reverence 
 his power and to obey him. 
 
 Liglitning, they call Oc-hees-taw, which they say, shows 
 how quick he can send his power and destruction among those 
 who are disobedient. 
 
 The Indians seem to have no true knowledge of the origin 
 or cause of the phenomena of lightning and thunder, but 
 judge of them entirely as they appear to their senses. 
 
 The ceremony or institution of marriage, among the In- 
 dians scarcely deserves a name. Marriage of near kindred is 
 however prohibited, and those of the same clan may not in- 
 termarry. An Eagle may not marry an Eagle male or female ; 
 a Bear may not marry a Bear, and so of the rest. Mar- 
 riages among the superior clans of a different name is en- 
 couraged, and so of the inferior; but intermarriage between 
 I the superior and inferior clans, is by no means interdicted. 
 The different nations frequently intermarry, and these mar- 
 riages are also encouraged. Thus the league itself is more 
 strongly cemented, and by the due observance of these rules, 
 the clans are more elosely united, intermixture of blood is 
 prevented and their whole system magnified and firmly es- 
 tablished. Whatever of sanctity may attach to the contract 
 of marriage in the outset, the simple covenant is easily bro- 
 ken, and the wife or husband is often repudiated on the slight- 
 est cause, and the family usually left to follow the fortunes 
 of the mother. 
 
 Rights of property are not conveyed by marriage. The 
 husband only retains his own, and has no claim upon that of 
 his wife ; and if separation takes place, each individual retires 
 with his or her original fortune. If the connection is not a 
 happy one, or difliculties arise between parties, they resolve 
 to separate. Neither is marriage or divorce subject to any 
 particular form or ceremony or restraint. They follow the 
 inclination of their own uncontrolled will and pleasure ; and 
 
 7 
 

 m 
 
 ONONDA(iA. 
 
 disgrace is no concomitant of marriage, repudiation or di- 
 vorce. Notwithstanding the laxity of the laws of marriage, 
 a great majority of instances are crowned with happy results. 
 The wife enters the cabin of her lord, prepared, according to 
 custom, to fill her allotted station, which is to do all the 
 drudgery and labor of the cabin, and much of that of the field 
 — a hewer of wood and drawer of Avater to him who is only to 
 be employed as a warrior, a hunter, or counsellor. At the 
 present time the labors of the women are not as slavish or 
 arduous as formerly ; but even now, the female is not only 
 sometimes engaged in the culture and harvest of corn, but in 
 the more laborious occupation of gathering and preparing 
 fuel for the cabin. 
 
 Among the Indians, family discipline is exceedingly lax 
 and not often resorted to. Among them, one of the most 
 common methods of correcting children, is in the application 
 of water. If a child is disobedient and will not heed reproof, 
 the parent often takes water in the mouth and spurts over the 
 child, if the child still remains refractory, it is divested of 
 its clothes and plunged into cold water until it yields and 
 become submissive. 
 
 The Indians have a singular practice in cases of extreme 
 sickness, especialy among persons of distinction. In the case 
 of the illness of the wife of Ca-whic-do-ta, which occurred in 
 1793, fearing she would die, the Indians gathered eight or 
 ten bu&nels of ashes and placed them in a pile near the hut 
 in which she lay. They then rolled one of their number 
 closely in blankets, sewed them firmly around her, then plac- 
 ing her at a corner of the cabin in which the sick patient lay, 
 they expected the Great Spirit would communicate to the one 
 wrapped in blankets, whether the patient would recover or 
 die. Ashes were then scattered all around the cabin high in 
 the air. By these manoeuvres they hoped to call down some 
 guardian spirit, who should inform the person wrapi)ed in 
 blankets of a speedy recovery of the patient. At this time 
 the enveloped prophetess gave answer that the patient would 
 recover, which eventually took place. The same practice still 
 
TRADITIONS, 
 
 ol 
 
 prevails to some extent, though occurrences of this kind are 
 far less frequent. 
 
 The most ancient mode of burial by the Iroquois, says La 
 Fort, was first to place the corpse upon a scaffold some eight 
 feet high, made by setting crotches and laying poles across, 
 attached or near to one corner of the cabin of the nearest 
 friend of the deceased. There the body was left exposed till 
 the flesh had completely fallen off. After this, the skeleton 
 was buried, placing the bones of the feet first, crowning the 
 pile with the skull. This method is said to be practised at 
 the present day among some of the far western nations. 
 When numbers were slain in battle, the same authority ob- 
 serves, they were gathered and laid in tiers one above ano- 
 ther and a high mound raised over them. 
 
 How late the practice of letting the corpse remain exposed, 
 till the flesh disappeared from the bones, prevailed, we have 
 not the means of knowing. But the practice pursued when 
 the whites first came among the Indians at Onondaga, was like 
 this : They dressed the corpse (if a man) in a shirt, a coat and 
 leggings, sometimes made of skins, at other times of cloth, as 
 Avas most convenient. A pair of deer-skin moccasins covered 
 the feet, and a cap of fur the head. The corpse was then 
 ready for the burial. Their graves were usually dug about 
 three feet deep. Barks were cut and pealed, of the length 
 of the grave, pieces were fitted for the bottom, sides and ends, 
 and then placed in the grave ; a single broad piece was fitted 
 for a covering. The corpse was then brought to the grave on 
 poles bound together for a bier. He was then lowered into 
 his bark coflSn, when an Indian woman approached with a ket- 
 tle of provisions, a pair of moccasins, with pieces of deer-skin, 
 and with sinews of the deer to sew the patches on the mocca- 
 sins which it was supposed the deceased would wear out on hia 
 journey to the land of spirits. These were carefully deposited 
 in the bark coffin. Then came an Indian with bows and ar- 
 rows, (or sometimes, if a distinguished person, a rifle,) a toma- 
 hawk and knife. These also were ceremoniously laid in the 
 cofl5n, and were considered indispensable to a prosperous and 
 
62 
 
 ONONDAGA. 
 
 happy journey, in procuring provisions on the way to the bliss- 
 ful regions of Ha-wah-ne-u. After these things were deposi- 
 ted, the final covering was carefully placed over the whole 
 and the grave closed with earth. This done, the Indian wo- 
 men kneeled down around the grave and wept. The men for 
 a time were silent, but after a while they set up a doleful cry 
 chaunted the death dirge, and all silently retired to their 
 homes. 
 
 In former years, after the burial of a friend, the Ononda- 
 gas used to visit the grave for twelve successive days, before 
 sunrise and after sunset, and there with sighs and moans make 
 great lamentation over it. Whenever they lost a dear friend 
 away from home, they buried him with great solemnity, set- 
 ting a mark upon the grave, and ever after, when they passed 
 that way, visited the spot, usually singing a mournful son-, 
 and casting stones upon it. '^ 
 
 At this day their burials are conducted similar to those of 
 the white peoph' The Indians themselves speaking the eu- 
 logy of the deceased as they are moved before burial. 
 
 Father Henepin, Lib. II, page 115, speaking of Indian bu- 
 r'.als in 1678, says : " The savages bury their dead with the 
 greatest magnificence they can devise; especially their rela- 
 tives, and more particularly their captains or heads of tribes. 
 They place them in a sort of coffin made of the barks of trees 
 and they polish the outside neatly with pummice stones, and 
 they form the place in which they bury them in the manner 
 of a mausoleum, which they encompass with palisadoes twelve 
 or thirteen feet high. They bury with tlie deceased whatever 
 IS esteemed valuable, sometimes to the amount of two or three 
 hundred crowns. If a man, they bury with him a gun, pow- 
 der and balls. But those that have no fire-arms are content 
 with putting in the coffin their bows and arrows, a potful of 
 sagamite or pottage of Indian corn and some fat meat." This 
 agrees with what other early French writers say upon this 
 subject. 
 
RITES AND CKREMONIES, 
 
 58 
 
 CHAPTER III. 
 
 PAGAN RITES AND CEREMONIES. 
 
 mom-nful soriir, 
 
 Religious Beuef-Annuai, Feasts-Sacrifices-Dances-Remarks. 
 
 It is not at all surprising, that a people as wise, warlike, 
 and sagacious, as were the Iroquois, should be marked by pe- 
 culiar religious institutions. From time immemorial, having 
 been shut out from the lights of civilization and the influences 
 of pure religion, with the traditionary faith of their forefa- 
 thers always orally transmitted ; it is not to be wondered at, 
 tliat their religious opinions are implicitly believed, most scru- 
 pulously adhered to, and practiced with a zeal and fidelity 
 worthy of all commendation. Among the Pagan portion, 
 there is no difference of opinion in religious matters. They 
 ure agreed in sentiment ; their aim is the public good. In- 
 dividual virtues are cultivated, and these are explained and 
 illustrated in their Pagan ceremonies. 
 
 They believe in one Croat and Good Spirit, styled in the 
 language of the Onondagas, Ila-wah-ne-u, who is the Crea- 
 tor of the World ; the Holder of the Heavens ; tho Master 
 of Breath ; the maker of men and useful animals. He is the 
 controller of events; He rules the destinies of men; sup- 
 plies them with the comforts and conveniences of life ; makes 
 abundance of game in the hunting grounds, and supplies the 
 streams with fish and the air with birds. He is believed to 
 be the peculiar Deity of the red man, and they are his pecu- 
 liar people. 
 
 To this Great and Good Being they address their prayers, 
 render thanks for success in hunting, and for victories in war.' 
 
H 
 
 ONONDAGA. 
 
 To him they offer sacrifices, and chaunt their songs of praise 
 Those things they do mth a regularity, devotion and rever- 
 ence, in the midst of a Christian people, within the influences 
 ot he G ospel ; and adhere to them with a tenacity that should 
 make their Christian neighbors ashamed. 
 
 In each year, they hold five stated festivals, for a general 
 assembling of their clans. Upon these occasions, all join 
 in thanksgiving to the Great and Good Spirit, for blessings 
 received at his beneficent hand ; and the old men converse 
 upon the best means of meriting his favors, and of continuing 
 them in future. ^ 
 
 The first of these festivals is held in spring, directly after 
 the season for making sugar is past. They give thanks for 
 the abundance of sap, and for the quantity of sugar they 
 have been permitted to make. The aged chiefs harangue the 
 people in expressions of thankfulness, urging the necessity 
 of national gratitude, describing the course which the young 
 men ought to pursue, in order to merit a continuance of the 
 favors of Ha-wah-ne-u. A straight line is pointed out, upon 
 which all good people are directed to walk, by placing one 
 foot directly before the other, and so proceed until they come 
 to the end. They are admonished that there should be no 
 deviation to the right hand or to the left, into the paths of 
 vice, but keep straight forward in the ways of rectitude and 
 virtue, which m the end leads to the mansions of Ha-wah- 
 ne-u. This festival is usually closed with dances, singing and 
 games. o & " " 
 
 The second festival is immediately after corn-planting, at 
 which time they return thanks for the fair weather they have 
 had during the preparation of the ground, for the good seed- 
 time, and are instructed by the aged men, in the means to be 
 used to secure an abundant harvest, and invoke the Great 
 Spirit to promote a rapid and luxuriant growth, and that the 
 green corn may come early to maturity. 
 
 When the green corn becomes fit for use, and directly after 
 the first ears are broken off, they hold the third festival, 
 called the green corn feast. 
 
RITES AND CEREMONIES. 
 
 65 
 
 3, for a general 
 isions, all join 
 it, for blessings 
 men converse 
 il of continuing 
 
 , directly after 
 jive thanks for 
 of sugar they 
 3 harangue the 
 the necessity 
 ich the young 
 nuance of the 
 ited out, upon 
 •y placing one 
 ntil they come 
 should be no 
 ' the paths of 
 rectitude and 
 i of Ha-wah- 
 s, singing and 
 
 i-planting, at 
 ler they have 
 le good seed- 
 ! means to be 
 ^e the Great 
 and that the 
 
 lircctly after 
 ird festival, 
 
 ■■3 
 
 At this festival thanks are rendered for the peculiar gift of 
 this inestimable blessing. Large quantities of corn are pro- 
 vided, both boiled and r, isted, upon which all partake with 
 unscrupulous relish. Songs and dances enter largely into the 
 ceremonies on this occasion, and the famous succotash dance 
 concludes the whole. The pipe of peace is usually smoked on 
 these festival days by the head men of the nation, from the 
 eldest to the younger, in succession to the last. This is one 
 of the most joyous and merry-making festivals in the Indian 
 calendar. The women are engaged, days beforehand, in 
 making preparation, and have the principal management of 
 the feast. The aged matron and the coy maiden are alike 
 active and busy in procuring materials, and in distributing the 
 contents of the kettles in which the corn has been boiled, and 
 it is truly amusing to ree with what cunning, archness and 
 address they will palm off an ear of hot corn upon an unsus- 
 pecting youth. 
 
 Their fourth festival is celebrated immediately after corn 
 harvest ; usually about the first of November. At this time, 
 they return thanks for the harvest, and the usual festivities 
 are gone through with, of music, singing and dancing. The 
 whole concluding with the peace dance. 
 
 The four preceding festivals occupy but one day each. 
 In former times, three days were allotted to each. 
 
 The fifth or last festival, the crowning one of the year, and 
 the one to which most importance is attached, is celebrated 
 late in the month of January, or early in the month of Feb- 
 ruary, according to the phasis of the moon. The Indian year 
 is reckoned by moons, and this great national festival is held in 
 the old moon nearest to the first of our month February. 
 
 The hunters having all returned from the chase, and having 
 brought in their venison and skins that have been taken, and 
 a portion of these trophies having been deposited in the coun- 
 cil-house, two sets of managers are appointed, numbering 
 from ten to twenty young men on a side. These are chosen 
 to superintend all the concerns relative to the grand festival, 
 thanksgiving and sacrifice, which are immediately to take place! 
 
56 
 
 ONONDAGA. 
 
 Arrangements are made at the council-house for the reception 
 and accommodation of the whole nation. This being done, 
 the managers arc ready to commence their appropriate duties,' 
 (luring the whole of which they act with great formality, 
 order and decorum. 
 
 On the first day a select number from each party of the 
 managers, some four or hve, start from the council-house, and 
 run with all pos'^ible speed to every cabin in the nation, 
 knocking on the doors and sides of the houses, informing the 
 people that all things are now ready, and that they must im- 
 mediately repair to the council-hor o aiiu paiiake of the festi- 
 vities of the occasion. At this time, this portion of the commit- 
 tee of arrangements, are nearly naked, covered only by a waist- 
 cloth girded about the loins reaching down nearly to the knee, 
 with moccasins on their feet, their faces and bodies painted' 
 and plumes upon their heads. The fire is now extinguished 
 in every cabin, the committee enter the dwellings {the inmates 
 expecting them,) and with a small wooden shovel scatter the 
 ashes about in every direction. The hearths are made clean ; 
 new fire is struck from the flint and rekindled ; thus they 
 proceed from house to house till every one is visited and puri- 
 fied. During these proceedings, the remaining part of the 
 managers are engaged at the council-house, in firing guns, 
 hallooing, shouting &c., to inform the people, that the^'cere- 
 monies have commenced. They meet all those who come to 
 the festival, greet them most cordially and conduct them into 
 the council-house. 
 
 This is the course pursued on the first day. The second 
 day, the managers assemble early at the -ouncil-house, and 
 receive from the master of ceremonies, instructions for the 
 day. When ready to depart, several guns are usually fired 
 accompanied by shouting and hallooing. On this day the 
 managers are fantastically dressed, and proceed from house 
 to house A h baskets, collecting the gifts of the people witli 
 which to grace the festival. These gifts consist of pork, beef, 
 bread, beans, peas, ears of corn, tobacco, savory herbs, small 
 handfuls of straw nicely bound, and every article is received, 
 
RITES AND CEREMONIES, 
 
 57 
 
 )r the reception 
 lis being done, 
 :opriatc dutiea, 
 •eat formality, 
 
 li party of the 
 ncil-house, and 
 in the nation, 
 informing the 
 tliey must im- 
 ce of the festi- 
 of the commit- 
 nly by a waist- 
 y to the knee, 
 odies painted, 
 extinguished 
 s (the inmates 
 el scatter the 
 B made clean ; 
 d ; thus they 
 ited and pur?- 
 ; part of the 
 I firing guns, 
 hat the cere- 
 who come to 
 net them into 
 
 The second 
 iil-house, and 
 tions for the 
 usually fired 
 this day the 
 I from house 
 ! people with 
 f pork, beef, 
 herbs, small 
 ; is rccci\ ("1, 
 
 1 
 
 that \d useful for food, for incense or for sacrifice. Every 
 one is bound to give something, or he is not to be included 
 in the general absolution. Each manager in his round of 
 alms-gathering, carries a large rattle made of dried tortoise- 
 shell, in which are small stoiK's, peas or beans. These they 
 rattle violently in the several cabins, earnestly inviting the 
 people to bestow their gifts. These proceedings are continued 
 for several days, according to the time allotted for the con- 
 tinuance of the festival. During all this time, the people 
 who are assembled at the council-house, are engaged in leap- 
 ing, running, dancing and their native sports. 
 
 On the first of the last three days, the committee cover 
 their faces with masks, dress themselves in old blankets, frag- 
 ments of old buff'alo robes, kc, bedaubing themselves with 
 soot and grease, in which frightful and ludicrous appearance 
 they run from house to house with baskets, crying, " give, 
 give." Every individual who refuses to comply with this 
 reasonable request, is saluted with a rub from these solicitors, 
 which leaves a mark of disgrace not easily eff'aced. 
 
 While these things are going on, it is supposed they are 
 collecting the sins of the people, and concentrating all the 
 evils of the nation within themselves, which are to be expia- 
 ted by the approaching sacrifice. On the evening of this 
 day, they hold a most ludicrous dance, called by the whitf 
 people " the devil's dance," in which they " dance off the 
 witches." Notliing can appear more loathsome and abhor- 
 rent than do the participators in this dance. Covered with 
 grease, coal-dust ad soot, dressed in old worn out rags of 
 blankets, tattered buffalo noes, hair side oui, with masks of 
 paper, bark, and i.nsks of corn; add to this the yells and 
 rude music of the savage, and indeed it may well be styled 
 "a dance of devils." 
 
 On the day precedin the last, the managers having gath- 
 ered all the ills of the nation to themselves, and mane a full 
 report of all their proc( -dings to the »erson who officiates ;' 
 high pn. t or master of ceremonies, the day is spent in prep- 
 aration for the great day of sacrifice which is to take place on 
 
 '•I! 
 
58 
 
 ONONDAGA. 
 
 the morro.-. This day is condudod .vith demonstrations of 
 
 joy, lostivity mid (hincing. 
 
 The last day and the one to which mo«t consequen.-n is at- 
 tached, bong the great day of Hacrifico, the poo do assombh- 
 at the counod-houso in great numhors. The exorciscH com- 
 mence 1>7 bu. .hng htrgo fires early in the morning, by firi„. 
 guns and loud hallooing. The wood for the sacrificial offorin: 
 
 cordT' h "T f" ^^""^"■>'--' b^ '-y'»o- "oar half I 
 cord, in alternate layers crosswise. This is done by a select 
 
 committee of the managers, who proceed with considerable 
 ceremony. •«o.»un, 
 
 A house near the council-house is selected as a place in 
 
 ■vhich to make preparation. To this the managers procee.l 
 
 and prepare themselves for the occasion. One from each' 
 
 party „ solectod as a loader. They are dressed in long loose 
 
 sh,rts of wh.te, and others are appropriately dressed, as manu- 
 
 gers &c according to the duties they are expected to per. 
 
 orra. The gran.l master of ceremonies or high priest t'.ke, 
 
 ■s station at the cnmcil-house, and to him, r:p„,';;::: ^at 
 
 rec ion, "m" P™"»°'''»S'' »'' <>« '« t"™ gives „e. di- 
 rection.,. Messengers are continually passing and renassinff 
 from the conncil-house to the house of preparation. On h? 
 occasion at wh.oh notes for this article were taken, the veno 
 able Capta,n lonncs, fOh-he-nu) presided with great ,li™„i,v 
 Having arnved at an early hour, we found this gray-hluled 
 h,ef, gravely seated near the centre of the c^moil-house 
 discoursing to his people, receiving messages .and givi„rdi 
 ections. One of these messengers, a femai; particTri; at 
 tractea attention. She was dressed throughout in a new »". 
 of fine blue woolen cloth. Her legging" (pantalets) w 
 mo t fancifully adorned with small white beads and brooches 
 and the lower part of the skirt, which came below the knee' 
 was ornamented in the same manner. Over the whole was' 
 an ample covering of plain blue cloth, sweeping the ground at 
 every step. Dp„n her, seemed to devolve, he'dutylif ,, pe 
 mtending the feast. She had as asseciates, two vlnn. ma - 
 ens dressed precisely like herself. To tiieso evjry oile .,ave 
 
 4 
 
 t 
 
 I 
 
RITES AND CEREMONIKS. 
 
 59 
 
 oraonstrations of 
 
 onseqiionce is at- 
 pcoplo asHcinblc 
 
 exorcises coin- 
 ornin^, hy firing 
 acrificial offerin«» 
 ing near half a 
 ilonc by a solect 
 ith considerable 
 
 1 as a place in 
 lagera proceed, 
 Jne from each 
 3d in long loose 
 esaed, as mana- 
 pected to per- 
 ;h priest, takes 
 ports are made 
 
 1 gives new di- 
 and repassing 
 ttion. On the 
 ken, the vene- 
 great dignity. 
 3 gray-headed 
 council-house, 
 md giving di- 
 irticularly at- 
 in a new suit 
 ntalets) were 
 ind brooches, 
 low the knee, 
 ho whole was 
 he ground at 
 ity of puper- 
 yoiing maid- 
 'I'J one gave 
 
 1 
 I 
 
 uiiy, and throughout the cerenionie» they were treated with 
 I he greatest deference and respect. 
 
 About nine o'clock, the managers rushed out of the house 
 of preparation, and two white dogs fantastically painted with 
 red figures and adorned with small belts of wampum, feathers 
 and ribbons tied around their nocks, legs and tails, followed 
 thciu. A long rope with a single knot in the centre was in- 
 stantly passed over the head of one of them, when some eight 
 or ten of the managers seized the ropo on either side, com- 
 menced pulling lustily, each party occasionnlly yielding to the 
 other, as if to give greater force to their operations. After 
 ;i few struggles, the dog Avns suffocated and hung up on a lad- 
 der which leaned against the house. The other dog was dis- 
 posed of in precisely the same miinner, and hung beside his 
 fellow. Guns were now fired, and some thirty or forty per- 
 sons rushed out of the council-house, gave three tremen- 
 dous yells, and retired. After about half an hour, the dogs 
 were taken down and carried into the house of preparation. 
 To this house spectators were not admitted, and what particu- 
 lar ceremonies were there performed, M'e have no means of 
 knowing. 
 
 These dogs are always white, or as nearly so as they can 
 procure them ; spot or blemish renders them unsuitable for 
 sacrifice. A wound producing an effusion of blood, would 
 be productive of the same consequences. 
 
 By some peculiar manoeuvering, the sins of the people 
 which had become concentrated in the managers arc now 
 transferred to the two individuals who arc clad in the white 
 giirnients. These by some peculiar ceremony, again work 
 them off into the dogs. These animals, thus laden with the 
 sins of the nation, are raised upon the shoulders of two per- 
 sons appointed for the purpose, (their legs being tied so as to 
 admit of their being slung like a pack). A procession is 
 formed in ranks of double files, preceded by the two men 
 dressed in Avliite, and others of the mantigers, followed by as 
 many others as may choose to join them. The procession 
 moves slowly and silently with measured step, around the 
 
 
 m 
 
60 
 
 ONONDAGA. 
 
 house of preparation, through the council-house which has 
 two doors, one opposite the other, and around it. After 
 which, they are brought in, and the dogs laid upon a plat- 
 form about a foot from the floor. As they enter the council- 
 house for the last time, they break into single file. While 
 these ceremonies were going on at the house of preparation 
 and out of doors, others of importance were observed in the 
 council-house. 
 
 The offerings which had been collected were disposed of 
 upon pins around the council-room. The master of ceremo- 
 nies, during the whole progress of proceedings, rcmai.ied sta- 
 tionary, seated in the centre of the council-room. To him 
 were brought, at different times, at intervals of about two 
 minutes, every article which had been deposited. Every per- 
 son who brought a piece of pork, a paper of tobacco, a bunch 
 of herbs, or handful of straAv, stopped about three paces from 
 him, holding it towards him, looking him full in the face 
 with Che greatest attention. After he liad said a few words, 
 the old chief took it in his hands, over which he uttered a 
 short ejaculatory prayer or thanksgiving, after which a hearty 
 response was made by all present. It was then returned t'o 
 the place from which it had been taken. Every article of the 
 offerings Avas presented and returned in like manner. The 
 females present participated in these ceremonies. All the 
 messengers wlio addressed the chief haltod at a respectful 
 distance, and stood a moment in silence before they made 
 their communications. These events all transpired at the 
 council-house before the dogs were brought in. After the 
 dogs were brouglit in, the procession, in single file, moved 
 three times around the platform, before they, were laid down. 
 At each round, t • j master of ceremonies rose in a sedate and 
 dignified manner, clapped his hands on the shoulders of the 
 bearer of the dog, who Avas foremost in the procession, lie 
 stopped in the precise position he was in, when the hand of 
 the chief was laid upon his shoulder, and there remained as 
 motionless as a slatne, for the space of a minute, durim: 
 whicli he was addressed in a whisper by tlic master of cere- 
 
RITES AND CEREMONIES 
 
 61 
 
 ise which has 
 ad it. After 
 upon a plat- 
 a* the council- 
 i file. While 
 f preparation 
 served in the 
 
 ) disposed of 
 er of ceremo- 
 romaiiied sta- 
 om. To him 
 jf about two 
 Every per- 
 acco, a buncli 
 ie paces from 
 ill in the face 
 a few words, 
 lie uttered a 
 lich a hearty 
 
 returned to 
 article of the 
 anner. The 
 es. All the 
 a respectful 
 Q they made 
 jii'ed at the 
 After the 
 
 file, moved 
 e laid down. 
 a. sedate and 
 Iders of the 
 ession. lie 
 the hand of 
 "ouiained as 
 lUte, duriii:^ 
 iter of cere- 
 
 monies. Several other chiefs, addressed those Avho carried 
 the dogs, in the same manner, and again the procession moved 
 on. After this the dogs were laid upon the platform, and all 
 ' joined in loud singing and chaunting, Avhile the procession 
 ■ continued slowly moving around the dead carcasses of the dogs, 
 with the most devout solemnity. 
 
 While these ceremonies Avere proceeding in the councll- 
 ^ house, fire had been applied to the altar of Avood out side. 
 The pile had become nearly half consumed and yielded great 
 heat ; while around it, in a circle had been drawn a line, Avithin 
 Avhich it Avas not intended spectators should pass. This, how- 
 ever, availed nothing, for the moment the procession had 
 drawn around the fire, the area Avas croAvded to its utmost ca- 
 padty. 
 
 Under the direction of Captain Ilonnos, the bearers of the 
 dogs again resumed their burdens ; a procession Avas formed 
 in single file, the master of ceremonies taking the lead. Then 
 folloAved the men in Avhite robes, the persons Avho carried the 
 dogs, the managers and others, promiscuously. As the pro- 
 cession moved along, the principal actors in the scene com- 
 menced singing, Avliich continued Avhile the Avhole marched 
 around the council-house to the place of sacrifice. Around 
 the burning pile they moA'ed three several timos, the last of 
 which, the master of ceremonies stopped on the west side, Avith 
 his face to the east and toAvards the fire. The remainder of 
 the procession formed around the vjircle ; the persons in Avhite 
 being on the left hand of the high priest, and those bearing 
 the dogs near to them. 
 
 The leader of ceremonies oflfered a short prayer to the Great 
 Spirit, a sacrificial chaunt was sung, the dogs Avere laid at the 
 feet of the officiating priest, another prayer Avas offered, an- 
 other chaunt Avas sung, when one of the dogs was cast into 
 the fire by the high priest. A like ceremony Avas performed 
 and the remaining dog Avas also thrown upon the burning pile, 
 and again folloAved the chaunting. Different individuals noAV 
 brought forward baskets of herbs, tobacco, and such like, 
 which Avcre at intervals throAvn upon the fire, and Avith the 
 
 ill ,.. 
 I < 
 
 fi 
 
i' 
 
 : I I 
 
 1 1i 
 
 1 hrfil 'i 
 
 '111! 
 
 
 62 
 
 ONONDAGA. 
 
 consuming dogs produced a variety of scents, not easily com- 
 prehended. After the dogs were nearly consumed, the pro- 
 cession was again formed and returned to the council-house, and 
 the committee were directed to go to the preparation house 
 The solemnities of this day being concluded, they formally ad- 
 journed. The accustomed ceremonies of this interesting season 
 are usually concluded by a war-dance and feast, on the same day 
 after the sacrifice. But on this occasion it was adjourned till 
 the following day, when the season of oblations, invocation, 
 sacrifice and thanksgiving, were concluded with the war! 
 
 DANCE. 
 
 This most singular and interesting of all the Indian cere- 
 monies is worthy of particular remark. 
 
 For this important ceremony about thirty young braves were 
 selected, each of whom provided himself with a horse, and 
 left the Indian village alone, and by different ways approach- 
 od a place previously appointed. When all were gathered at 
 the place agreed upon, painted in the most frightful manner, 
 they mounted on horseback, without saddles, Avith no clothing 
 except a short and scanty garment extending from the waist 
 r,e;irly to the knee. Each man was armed with a rifle, toma- 
 hawk and scalping knife, and adorned with a bundle of scalps, 
 or ccnething resembling them, hanging from his girdle, and 
 % /ew rude ornaments besides. They proceeded leisurely along, 
 till within sight of the council-house, when the deafening war- 
 whoop was raised and thrice repeated, and their horses were 
 at once put to their utmost speed. On arriving at the coun- 
 cil-house, the horses were speedily tied, the warriors during 
 the time maintaining an air of immovable gravity. They pro- 
 ceeded in a body to the council-room, where the chiefs and 
 aged men, who had all the while been anxiously waiting their 
 return, most cordially received them; asked them what suc- 
 cess upon the war-path ; how many trophies of victims slain 
 they had secured ; of the fortitude of the tortured captives ; 
 the snares and ambuscades they had escaped ; the feats of 
 daring they had themselves performed ; and if they were still 
 willing and resolved again to try their skill and courage, and 
 
RITES AND CEREMONIES. 
 
 63 
 
 ot easily com- 
 ned, the pro- 
 cil-house, and 
 ration house. 
 ■ formally ad- 
 estirig season 
 the same day, 
 idjourned till 
 i, invocation, 
 th the WAR- 
 
 Indian cere- 
 braves were 
 I horse, and 
 '"s approach- 
 gathered at 
 ful manner, 
 no clothing 
 m the waist 
 rifle, toma- 
 le of scalps, 
 girdle, and 
 irely along, 
 foning war- 
 lorses were 
 t the coun- 
 iors during 
 They pro- 
 chiefs and 
 liting their 
 what suc- 
 ctims slain 
 I captives ; 
 le feats of 
 y were still 
 jrage, and 
 
 ' to strive to add new trophies of valo? to enrich their former 
 fume. 
 
 All was gone through with in the most solemn and affecting 
 manner. Their stories were told with much gesticulation and 
 earnestness. After the preceding ceremony, commenced the 
 war-dance, which, for singularity and effect, and the thrilling 
 animation it imparts to the actors, cannot be surpassed by 
 any rite of modern times. The fantastic figures and devices 
 j)ainted on their almost naked bodies, the rude head-dresses 
 and ornaments, consisting of bells, brooches, rings, a profu- 
 sion of ear and nose jewels, with doers' hoofs dangling about 
 their ancles, gave the performers a most singular and gro- 
 tesque appearance. Each warrior held in his hand a hatchet, 
 a war-club, or a bow and quiver full of arrows. One of the 
 party was firmly bound to the stove pipe as if to a tree, and 
 personified a prisoner. A young brave, with long false beard 
 and hair of perfect whiteness, represented by his appearance 
 and movements an old and wrinkled man. He approached 
 the supposed prisoner, and with great vehemence and earnest- 
 ness of manner, addressed him, saying, " his glorious deeds 
 were now at an end,— that he must prepare himself for tor- 
 ture by fire,— that no mercy could be shown him,— that his 
 character for heroism should be established by the fortitude 
 with which he withstood his sufferings." After the old man 
 had finished his speech, the whole party gave the tremendous 
 war-whoop. It seemed as if the lower regions had been sud- 
 denly broken up, and that the inhabitants thereof had made 
 a hasty and unceremonious ascent to the earth. The substi- 
 tute beheld all their mock preparation for his manifest destruc- 
 tion with as much apparent seriousness as if the whole had 
 been real, and appeared as perfectly unconcerned and indif- 
 ferent to all their movements, as the coldest stoicism could 
 make him. Their rude music now struck up, consisting of 
 blows with a stick upon a barrel-head and a kind of half-drum, 
 accompanied by the voice. It would be utterly impossible to 
 uescribe the various attitudes in which they presented them- 
 selves, and the rapidity of the transition of one posture to an- 
 
 P 
 
 iii 
 
u 
 
 ONONDAGA, 
 
 other was so sudden, that the eye could not follow them. Look 
 at a man in one position, and instantly his form Avould be im- 
 perceptibly changed to another. During the dance the pri- 
 soner was frec^ucntly menaced as if to be instantly dispatch- 
 ed with a war-club or hatchet. At another time a bow would 
 be drawn Avith its arrow to the head, as if death was to be the 
 immediate consequence. 
 
 Through the Whole he stood as composed as if no threats 
 had been made, and occasionally sung of his own achieve- 
 ments in the wars and of the ignorance of his ememies in 
 the arts of torture. During the dance there was a continual 
 flourishing of war-clubs and hatchets, and an unearthly exhi- 
 bition of the most horrid grimaces, and protraction of the war- 
 whoop. The warriors exerted themselves to the utmost of their 
 capacity ; the sweat rolled from their nnked limbs and bodies 
 in profusion ; their breasts heaved from excessive fatigue ; 
 their nostrils were dilated to an unaccountable extent; their 
 eyes flashed with delight, and their countenances showed the 
 workings of passion intermingled with pleasure, and the whole 
 scene was one of the most perfect enthusiasm and phrensy. 
 Just at the close of the grand drama, which had lasted with 
 short intervals for more than two hours, the prisoner was 
 liberated, his bands having been cut by a stroke from a hatch- 
 et. He gazed wildly all around to see if the coast was clear; 
 an opening was made lor him to escape, he bounded like a 
 panther to clear the ring, but the war-clubs and hatchets 
 were flourished over his head ; the most terrific yells were 
 uttered, and he firtally sunk, as if beneath their blows, and 
 personified a dying man in the most perfect manner. An 
 agonizing cry proclaimed his deiith ; the slow, melancholy 
 death song was chaunted while the whole party moved sol- 
 emnly in single file around the apparent dead body of their 
 prostrate prisoner. After this, all passed out into the open 
 far reeking with perspiration as they were, and after a short 
 conversation they severally retired to their homes. After the 
 warriors had left the council-room, the young man who had 
 so really acted the part of a suffering captive, gradually raised 
 
RITES AND CEREMONIES. 
 
 65 
 
 iv them. Look 
 ; would be im- 
 ance the pri- 
 itly dispatch- 
 ) a bow would 
 was to be the 
 
 if no threats 
 own achieve- 
 i ememies in 
 LS a continual 
 earthly exlii- 
 )n of the Avar- 
 tmost of their 
 bs and bodies 
 sive fatigue ; 
 extent; their 
 s showed the 
 md the whole 
 md phrensy. 
 il lasted Avith 
 prisoner was 
 rom a hatcli- 
 ist Avas clear; 
 unded like a 
 nd hatchets 
 ic yells Avere 
 r bloAvs, and 
 Kinner. An 
 melancholy 
 y moved sol- 
 lody of their 
 nto the open 
 after a short 
 . After the 
 aan who had 
 .lually raised 
 
 his head and groaned, as if in excruciating agony ; and finally 
 collected himself, passed out and rejoiced with his companions. 
 After a recess of about an hour large numbers of both sexes, 
 young and old, assembled to participate in the peace-dance. 
 This interesting ceremony is performed to music without 
 Avords, and females, as well as males engage in it. In the per- 
 formance, the males form as large a circle as the room will 
 allow, facing inwards, the females then glide shyly into the 
 circle and range themselves forward of the males. After 
 these arrangements are made, the rude music strikes up, and 
 the females proceed by placing their feet close together, then 
 raising their toes, pass them about four inches to the right, 
 and then their heels in the same manner, thus keeping time 
 they pass noiselessly around the circle until the music ceases. 
 During this movement of the females, the males retain their 
 position, beating time with their heels and toes Avithout mov- 
 ing at all, to the right or left. 
 
 This course is gone through Avith several times, which 
 finally closes the dancing for the season. 
 
 Early in the morning, previous to the commencement of 
 the war-dance, several large kettles had been placed over the 
 fires in which were cooking the ingredients upon which the 
 Avhole nation Avere at liberty to feast. The contents were 
 composed of mo<;t, corn, beans, peas, potatoes, turnips, some 
 garden herbs which served for seasoning and other things 
 Avhich had been previously gathered in the baskets. After 
 the close of the Avar-dance and the peace-dance, the feast Avas 
 made ready, by removing the kettles to a convenient distance' 
 from the fires. 
 
 The mass was frequently stirred till the Avhole became com- 
 pletely mixed. The contents of the kettles were devoured 
 Avithout regard to politeness or ceremony ; some dipped from 
 the kettles Avith spoons, others skimmed out the more substan- 
 tial parts, Avith chips, some Avere provided with bowls and 
 spoons, Avhile others as soon v.s tltc scalding aliment Avas suf- 
 ficiently cooled, thrust in theii nngers and thus obtained their 
 share. After a reasonable lime, the Avhole had vanished, and 
 
 9 
 
66 
 
 ONONDAGA. 
 
 I <« 
 
 all appeared to be refreshed and satisfied. Tlie pipe of peace 
 was now lighted, and the presiding officer of the past cere- 
 monies drew the first draught, puffed the first whiff, and 
 was very carefuj that a large quantity of smoke should issue 
 from his mouth at a time, which he took great pains to make 
 ascend in graceful curls and watched them with peculiar en- 
 joyment. The pipe was passed from him to the other chiefs 
 present, and from them to the old men, who all partook 
 of it with a commendable relish. 
 
 Having concluded the ceremonies of the great festival, and 
 all its requirements being fulfilled, every one feels himself ab- 
 solved from the sins of the past year, and forms new resolu- 
 tions for the time to come. Congratulations are exchanged, 
 and new hopes excited, — free from iniquity and resolved to 
 follow the path of evil no more ; each one repairs to his 
 home, happy in the propitious commencement of a new year, 
 in perfect readiness to embark in all the operations of wai-, 
 the chase, the council or the cabin. 
 
 Such were the proceedings of tlie great annual festival held 
 at the Onondaga Castle in January 1h4], taken from notes 
 ma<le by the author on the spot, and explained by the late 
 Abraham La Fort. It may be proper to add that in all theii- 
 ceremonies, none but the Indian language is used, conse- 
 quently there is groat difficulty in the way of obtaining a full 
 and comprehensive kno'.vledge of all their practices. 
 
 During the celebration of these ceremonies, the Indians 
 observe the strictest sobriety and propriety of conduct, and 
 seem pleased with the company of visitors and strangers ^\h> 
 are disposed to treat them respectfully. But on pome occa- 
 sions, having been harshly treated, they are indifferent, except 
 to those of their acquaintances whom they esteem as friends. 
 
 These dances of the Onondagas, which are similar to those 
 of the other five nations, may witli propriety be called descrip- 
 tive dances. They are intended to exhibit some action or se- 
 ries of actions generally relating to war, and the imitation is 
 often sa dose and so exactly executed, that the most indiffer- 
 ent spectator can follow the intentions of the performers. 
 
RITES AND CEkEMONlES, 
 
 67 
 
 )ipe of peace 
 e past cere- 
 t whifF, and 
 should issue 
 tins ta make 
 peculiar en- 
 other chiefs 
 all partook 
 
 festival, and 
 
 i himself ah- 
 
 new resolu- 
 
 exchanged, 
 
 resolved to 
 
 lairs to his 
 
 a new year, 
 
 3ns of war, 
 
 estival held 
 from notes 
 hy the late 
 in all their 
 sed, conse- 
 ining a full 
 es. 
 
 he Indians 
 induct, and 
 luifjcrs Avlio 
 some occa- 
 'ent, except 
 IS friends, 
 ar to those 
 ed descrip- 
 3tion or se- 
 initation is 
 )st indifFer- 
 )erformers. 
 
 Dances are rather a business than a pastime. They mingle 
 with all the occupations and enterprizes of life. When war 
 is declared and proclaimed, it is by means of a dance, and the 
 warriors who engage in it are thereby enlisted. When an al- 
 liance is concluded, or peace restored, the event is celebrated 
 by a dance, corresponding to the change of circumstances. 
 The war-dance is the exact image of a campaign. It repre- 
 sents the preparation and arming of the warriors for battle ; 
 their departure from their own country ; their arrival at the 
 confines of the hostile nation ; their mode of encampment ; 
 the attack ; the scalping of sucli as fall into their hands, and 
 the torture and heroism of prisoners. In their countenances 
 they express the passions of anger, courage, resentment and 
 revenge. With such power and force do these acts of enthu- 
 siasm often strike the mind of the beholder, that he is led to 
 forget, in the moment of excitement, that it is only a repre- 
 sentation passing before him ; and the spectator often shud- 
 ders as if the Avhole was a positive reality. 
 
 Although these people have no wars, nor can ever be ex^ 
 pected to have any in which they may act as principals, yet 
 these ancient customs are continued to commemorate the past^ 
 and to transmit to posterity their former achievements, and 
 the glory of departed days ! 
 
 The Baron Lahontan, speaking of the dances of the Ameri- 
 can Indians says : *These dances may be compared to the 
 military dance of Minerva ; for these savages observe, whilst 
 dancing with singular gravity, the harmony of certain songs, 
 which the Greek soldiers of Achilles called Ilyporehcmatiques. 
 
 It is not easy to decide whether the savages learned them 
 of the Greeks or the Greeks of the savages. 
 
 Charlevoix, upon the same subject, remarks, (translation) — 
 
 * "Toutes ces danses peuvetit etre comparees H la.pyrrhique de Miuerve, car 
 les sauvages observenf, on dansant d'line pravite sinjruliere. lea fadcnci-s de cer- 
 taines chansons, (iiic les riiilicos t.'i-fcqiies d'Acliilie. apelloifnl liyp"i'cliematiqnes. 
 II nest pas facile de ssavoir si ios sauvages les out a prises des Grecs, on si les 
 (irecs les ont aprises des sanvages." 
 
 i: 
 
 >:-.H 
 
p 
 
 
 iiii 
 
 Ijii 
 III 
 
 dS 
 
 ONONDAGA. 
 
 that the greatest part of their feasts, their songs and dances, 
 appear to have their origin in religion, and still do preserve 
 some traces of it. I have met with some, who could not help 
 thinking, that our savages were descended from the Jews, and 
 found in every thing some affinity between these people and 
 the children of God. Indeed, there are in some things ii 
 strong resemblance. But in all their opinions there is noth- 
 ing certain. Some have maintained that the Calumet, took 
 its origin from the Caduceus of Mercury (which has been com- 
 pared to the rod of Moses), and that in its institution, it was 
 esteemed a symbol of peace. Calumet is a Norman word, 
 signifying a reed, and the calumet of the savage, is properly 
 the stem or tube of the pipe ; but they comprehend the pipe 
 also. On state occasions It is often highly ornamented with 
 feathers, beads, &c. 
 
RITES AND CEHK MONIES. 
 
 69 
 
 and (lances, 
 do preserve 
 uld not help 
 lie Jews, and 
 I people and 
 ne things n 
 liere is noth- 
 ilumet, took 
 is been com- 
 ution, it was 
 3rman word, 
 , is properly 
 3nd the pipe 
 mented with 
 
 CHAPTER IV. 
 
 PAGAN RITES AND CEREMONIES. 
 
 CoMPAKED WITH THOSE OF THE JeWS, EGYPTIANS, GREEKS AND RoMANS. 
 
 Having in a foregoing chapter alluded to the subject of the 
 origin of the Indian nations from the Jews, through Charle- 
 voix ; and other authors having affirmed this opinion, it may 
 not be considered improper in this place to note briefly some 
 of the coincidences which may by some be supposed to exist 
 between the rites and observances of the aborigines of our 
 land, (particularly the Onondagas) and those of the Jews, 
 Egyptians, Greeks and Romans. Without endorsing any par- 
 ticular theory, or without attempting to decide upon a subject 
 wrapt in so profound mystery, where even learned Doctors 
 disagree, avc will be content with a simple detail of circum- 
 stances, without entering upon the solution of a doubtful pro- 
 blem. 
 
 How long the Indian nations had inhabited our country 
 when first knoAvn to the whites, or at what period originated 
 their peculiar religious institutions, we have not the means of 
 knoAving. When the white people first came among them, 
 their practices in all respects were nearly the same as at the 
 present. It may be possible, and if we admit, (and we must) 
 the testimony of divine revelation, it must be true that they 
 and their institutions originated in a more enlightened ances- 
 try than they themselves exhibit. But it would perhaps ap- 
 pear unphilo-^ophical to search for their origin from an exalt- 
 ed and civilized people. Still, among all their dark and 
 unseemly institutions, we occasionally observe some faint 
 
 '^,< 
 
 .. Hi 
 
70 
 
 ONONDAGA, 
 
 i . 
 
 glimmerings of light, and perceive in the general wreck the 
 ruins of a more eleviteil and loftier order of thinj's. 
 
 Sacrifices have in nil iiges, and hy almost every nation, been 
 regarded as necessary to appease divine anger, and to render 
 Deity propitious. The origin of the institution of sacrifice is 
 clearly traceable to divine authority, and to that pure prime- 
 val period, when our (n-iginal ancestor and his fons, were yet 
 upon the earth. Cain hrouglit of the fruits of the ground an 
 offering ; and his brother Abol, of the firstlings of his Hock 
 and the fat thereof. Of the particular details of this offer- 
 ing arid sacrifice, there is no account, only that the offering of 
 the former was rejected, while that of the latter was resjiect- 
 ed and approved. From tho examples of the early chosen 
 people of (Jod, the Gentile nations received or i-etaincd their 
 notions of sacrifice, and on this account wo need not wonder 
 to find so many coincidences in the sacrificial systems of the 
 Jews and tho neighboring nations. .Vll false religions can be 
 esteemed only as departures from the true, and therefore the 
 origin of them, however corrupt they may become in the usage, 
 may be the same. To the unaccountable desire in man to 
 form low and limited estimates of Deity, more than to any 
 thing else, may be attributed the introduction and propaga- 
 tion of error and false religion. 
 
 The principal yearly sacrifices of the Jews, were the Pas- 
 chal lamb at tlie Passover, celebrated at the comiiii-nceuient 
 of the sacred year ; on the day of Pentecost or first fruits, 
 the beginning of the civil year or ingathering of harvest ; 
 lastly, the day of expiation or great day of . ■ tenement. Be- 
 sides these, were the monthly festivals and others of less 
 importance ; yet were nevertheless attended Avith the great- 
 est punctuality, but never more so, than are the five stated 
 festivals of the Six Nations to this day at Onondaga. Before 
 the laAV Avas given to Moses, burnt offerings served for all pur- 
 poses of divine worship, whether they gave thanks for bless- 
 ings, or deprecated evil, or prayed for good. These sacrifices 
 expiated sin^ of omission, as well as those of commission, 
 atid from examples like these, tho Gentilo nations undoubtedly 
 
 jfion. 
 
RITES AND CEREMONIKS. 
 
 n 
 
 wreck the 
 
 I. 
 
 ,tion, been 
 to render 
 lacrifiuo is 
 ire prime- 
 , were yet 
 L^round an 
 his llofk 
 tliif4 offer- 
 (flering of 
 ,8 rtvs()cct- 
 •ly chosen 
 iiicd their 
 )t wonder 
 nis of the 
 )ns can l)o 
 i-efore the 
 the usa^e. 
 11 man to 
 a to any 
 propaga- 
 
 tho Pas- 
 "ncenient 
 rst fruits, 
 
 harvest : 
 .'ut. Be- 
 •s of less 
 he great- 
 ve stated 
 Before 
 r all pur- 
 tor bless- 
 sacrifices 
 uniission, 
 loubtcdly 
 
 obtained their impreasions of the atonement of sin, by the 8acri< 
 fice of animals, and from a remote period the rite has been 
 transmitted with more <tr less of corruption, even to the wilds 
 of America and continued to the present, among a people 
 shut out, we know not how long, from all intercourao with the 
 old world, debarred the light of science, civilization and roli- 
 cion. Considering all this, it is oidy a wonder that they re- 
 tain so much of that primeval purity, as their religions prac- 
 tices (■\liibit ; and whlih, even at this late day, are marked 
 by ii iimch higher degi ■ of moral propriety and rational de- 
 votion, than were those o/ the Egyptians, Greeks and Romans 
 who lived and tlourishod in the more immediate vicinity and 
 nearer the times of the ancient patriarchs and propliets. 
 
 The priest's oflice was at fir't unibnibtedly exercised by mas- 
 ters of families, and afterwards by heads of clans. And pre- 
 vious to the consecration of Aaron and his sons to the priest- 
 hood, the priest's office and magistrate's were blended in the 
 same person. 
 
 ]\Iclchizedek was both a king and priest of Salem and offer- 
 ed sacrifices. 
 
 Abraham, who was styled a prince, performed the sacerdotal 
 functions ; and Jethro, a prince and priest of Midian, offered 
 burnt sacrifices as a priest, being at the same time a ruler of 
 his pcojde ; and (lideon, who long afterwards was a ruler in 
 Israel, and a distingnislied Avarrior, and who Avas offered a 
 crown by tlie people, did sacrifices and periui'med the func- 
 tions of a priest. And Manoah, while the cliildron of Israel 
 were yet under the dominion of the Philistines, and conse- 
 quently he could have no authority, offered burnt sacrifices 
 unto the Lord. So of the Chiefs of the Six Nations ; they 
 invariably offic ..e as priests or directors at their festivals 
 and sacrifices. 
 
 The place of sacrifice was directed, by the Jewish ceremo- 
 nial, to be at the door of the tabernacle or place of worship ; 
 and in like manner is the Indian sacrifice universally made at 
 the door of their council-house, their only place of worship. 
 
 The Jewish priests, on all sacrificial occasions, were clothed 
 
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72 
 
 ONONDAGA. 
 
 in robes of pure white ; and so are those clothed who ofiBciate 
 as priests at the Indian sacrifices. 
 
 On sacrificial occasions, the alms and offerings of the Jews 
 were gathered in baskets, brought to the altar and set before 
 the priest, with the strictest regard to order and propriety. 
 Almost precisely the same practice exists among the Indians, 
 who gather the alms and oblations of the people and present 
 them to the officiating high priest in baskets. 
 
 The Jews offered in sacrifice, only oxen, sheep and goats ; 
 other animals, although they might be esteemed good for food 
 were unsuitable for sacrifice, and the ceremonial law distinctly 
 declares, what animals shall be considered clean and what 
 unclean. It may be asked then, why the dog, an animal 
 entirely rejected from the Jewish ceremonial, even the price of 
 which should not be received into the treasury of the sanc- 
 tuary, should be received among the Indians as an animal 
 suitable for sacrifice. Let it be borne in mind, that not many 
 years since, dogs were their only domestic animals, — wild 
 animals being no where commanded for sacrifices, these were 
 the only ones they could have always at hand, and to them 
 they were suitable. They were, as it were, forced to adopt 
 them or reject the rite entirely. 
 
 By the Jews, in the selection of victims for sacrifice, the 
 utmost care was taken to choose such only as were free from 
 blemish, "without spot and without blemish" are terms in fre- 
 quent use throughout the Jewish ritual. And it Avas a cus- 
 tom among the nations surrounding Judea, and among the 
 Egyptians, to set a seal upon the victim deemed proper for 
 sacrifice. Among the Indians, a spot, or blemish, or maim, 
 renders the animal as unfit for sacrifice as did the same faults, 
 among the Jews. 
 
 The ceremony of Aaron with the goats, in many particu- 
 lars is not unlike the sacrifices of the Indians, except in the 
 selection of different animals. 
 
 Two goats were presented before the Lord at the door of 
 the tabernacle, One was offered for a sin offering for the 
 whole people, as an atonement, and the other bearing upon 
 
 ■A 
 
RITES AND CEREMONIES. 
 
 78 
 
 who officiate 
 
 his head all their transgressions, and all their sins, was sent 
 unto a land not inhabited, never to return. 
 
 Scarlet, cedar-wood and hyssop, were used in the Jewish 
 purifications, and myrrh and frankincense on sacrificial occa- 
 sions. And after they had oifered burnt offerings, and 
 brought peace offerings, the people sat down to eat and to 
 drink, and rose up to play. Practices similar to these may 
 be noted among the aborigines, and any one who will tak^ 
 the trouble to examine at all into the intricacies and ceremo- 
 nies of their sacrificial system, Avill readily admit, that there 
 are many things which bear striking analogy to the Jewish 
 system, and enough to encourage the opinion, that they may 
 have originated from the same source. 
 
 Although the Indians have been justly termed guilty of be- 
 lief in witchcraft, they never were more so than were the 
 Jews, or the heathen round about them ; and it may be added, 
 that there is scarcely a nation, civilized or bai'barian, heathen 
 or Christian, who have not had their seasons of belief in this 
 strange infatuation. Even our good forefathers of New Eng- 
 land, always remarkable for intelligence and light, can look 
 back upon a dark and gloomy page of their history, which re- 
 lates the horrors of murders committed for witchcraft. 
 
 We have endeavored to point out a few of the coincidences 
 which may be supposed to exist between some of the ceremO' 
 nies of the Jews, and those of the Indians, as practiced at 
 Onondaga. We are satisfied that they prove nothing posi- 
 tively as to their origin from that peculiar people. If any 
 thing, they may illustrate the common origin of all men, and 
 the high origin of all religious institutions, which at first must 
 have emanated from the same source. 
 
 From the Jews the Egyptians undoubtedly obtained their 
 notions of sacrifices, as did the Greeks and Romans from 
 them. Their systems of mythology, throughout, were mark- 
 ed with peculiar extravagance and profanity. 
 
 Isis and Osiris, were the principal Egyptian deities, and the 
 numerous myths and fables concerning their worship, are al- 
 most beyond credibility. Osiris was symbolized by the sun 
 
 10 
 
 -,^ .4( 
 
 f 
 
74 
 
 ONONDAGA. 
 
 and Isis by the moon. They were the patrons of agriculture 
 and the arts. Their priests were universally clothed in robes 
 of white. Although dogs were not admissible to the Jewish 
 sacrifices, they nevertheless occupied a conspicuous place in 
 the sacrifices of the most refined heathen nations, and enter- 
 ed largely into all their systems of mythology. Purifications 
 jvere made in Egypt, Greece and Rome, by drawing a white 
 dog around the person to be purified. Dogs were highly ven- 
 erated in Egypt, and their death was lamented as a misfor- 
 tune. Under the figure of a dog were represented all such 
 as had the management of funerals. Anubis, an Egyptian 
 deity, was represented by a dog. At first the dog was conse- 
 crated to Anubis ; but afterwards the figure of a dog was sub- 
 stituted for that deity ; lastly the head of a dog was annexed 
 to a human body as a proper emblem. The tutelary gods of 
 the Romans styled Lares, were covered with the skins of do2s, 
 and at their feet was the figure of a dog. These animals were 
 sacred to the Lares. The tomb of Diogenes, the prince of 
 Cynics, was surmounted by the figure of a dog. , 
 
 The fabled dog, Orthos, with double head, guarded the 
 flocks of Gcryon, and Cerberus, with treble jaws, guarded the 
 gates of hell, to prevent the dead from escaping, and the 
 living from entering. 
 
 Charybdis, an avaricious woman, was sent to a cave at the 
 bottom of the sea, and there committed to the continual bark- 
 ing of dogs. Diana was attended by a troop of dogs. Her 
 statues sometimes represented her with three heads, a horse, 
 a dog and a hog. The Philistine's god, Dagon, was repre- 
 sented by a fish. The Syrians also worshipped a fish, as Ci- 
 cero informs us, '' Sijri piscem veneranturr In fact almost 
 every animal was adopted in a real or symbolical sense as an 
 object of worship among the enlightened heathen of ancient 
 times. 
 
 Mention is made in Homer, of the sacrifice of whole heca- 
 tombs of cattle, perfect sheep and goats, whereby Achilles 
 hoped Apollo might be appeased, and stay the plague he had 
 sent among the Greeks ; and to the manes of his friend. Pa- 
 
'I 
 
 RITES AND CEREMONIES. 
 
 75 
 
 Df agriculture 
 )thed in robes 
 to the Jewish 
 uous place in 
 ns, and enter- 
 Purifications 
 iwing a white 
 re highly ven- 
 [ as a misfor- 
 nted all such 
 an Egyptian 
 og was conse- 
 '' dog was sub- 
 was annexed 
 elary gods of 
 skins of dogs, 
 animals were 
 the prince of 
 * 
 
 guarded the 
 , guarded the 
 ing, and the 
 
 a cave at the 
 ntinual bark- 
 ' dogs. Her 
 ads, a horse, 
 I, was rcprc- 
 a fish, as Ci- 
 i fact almost 
 1 sense as an 
 n of ancient 
 
 whole heca- 
 oby Achilles 
 iague ho had 
 3 friend, Pa- 
 
 4 
 
 troclus, with other animals, he sacrificed two dogs of purest 
 white, "for," said he, "to the gods the most perfect things 
 should be offered." The whole was concluded with funereal 
 games with great solemnity, at which Achilles officiated as high 
 priest, as well as a temporal prince, and for the occasion was 
 habited in robes of white. Virgil makes frequent mention of 
 the sacrifices of the Romans. He says goats were sacrificed 
 to Bacchus on every altar, and white bulls and heifers untri- 
 ed in the yoke, and sheep were laid upon their altars, and sa- 
 crificed to Jupiter. The festival of the Greeks termed Eleu- 
 sinia, corresponding to the Initia of the Romans, from which 
 the latter was taken, was the most imposing of all the Greek 
 festivals. It lasted nine days, and was conducted with great 
 ceremony. 
 
 The Greeks and Romans observed a festival in honor of 
 the muses, which lasted nine days, and was celebrated Avith 
 games, plays, songs and dances. At the Lupercalian held at 
 Home, two goats and a dog were sacrificed. This festival was 
 histituted in honor of tlie she-wolf which nursed Roiiiulus, the 
 founder of the city. 
 
 The festival of Ceres, at Greece and Rome, w^as celebrated 
 with great ceremony. She was represented with ears of corn 
 on her head, with a hoe and basket in her hands. It lasted 
 eight days. A festival in honor of Pales, was held at Rome, 
 the principal ceremony of which consisted in bringing little 
 bundles of straw uud dancing over them. 
 
 At the festival styled Faiaria, pulse and beans Avere the 
 oblations. These festivals of the Egyptians, Greeks and Ro- 
 mans, in process of time became grossly corrupt, and were of- 
 ten conducted with the greatest confusion, disorder and licen- 
 tiousness. Baskets were made use of, no less by the Greeks 
 and Romans, in gathering in their offerings, than by the Jews. 
 Solemn embassies were sent yearly to Delos, with baskets of 
 first fruits and holy things, to celebrate the feast of Apollo, 
 with music and dancing. Of this, there are traces among 
 the Romans ; the " Mystlca vannus iachi," mentioned by Vir- 
 gil, is explained by many as a wicker basket, in Avhich first 
 
76 
 
 ONONDAGA. 
 
 fruits were carried. Golden baskets were carried by the 
 wealthy virgins of Greece and Rome at the feasts of Bacchus. 
 
 Dancing occupied a conspicuous place among the heathen 
 nations as a religious ceremony, and was not considered irre- 
 ligious by the Jews. Miriam, and her maidens after her, went 
 out with timbrels and dances rejoicing in the overthrow of the 
 Egyptians. The women came out of all the cities of Israel 
 singing and dancing, and as they played, said, " Saul hath 
 slain his thousands, and David his ten thousands." David 
 himself danced before the Lord. 
 
 In all these, there was nothing of lasciviousness or impro- 
 priety ; they were devout expressions of joy attended with 
 sacred music. 
 
 From the dancing of Miriam and her companions on the 
 sea shore, it is supposed Callimachus conceived his hymn to 
 Diana, wherein he ascribes to the goddess, three score and ten 
 dancers, daughters of the ocean. From those examples, other 
 nations have made dancing a part of their worship to the gods. 
 Among all the heathen ceremonies, there was none held in 
 higher estimation than dancing. Their festivals were almost 
 universally concluded with feasting, singing and dancing. The 
 sacred fire kept constantly burning in the Temple of Vesta, 
 may have some analogy to the mystical council-fire of the Five 
 Nations. With the llomans the safety of the city was sup- 
 posed to be endangered by the extinguishment of the vestal 
 flame. With the rude sons of the forest, the expiring light 
 of the council-fire, foreboded the destruction of a nation. 
 
 The mode of punishment for murder, among the Jews and 
 heathen nations Avas not unlike that practiced by the Indians. 
 The nearest of kin was the avenger of blood, and held the 
 right and exercised it, of destroying the guilty murderer ; nay, 
 was bound to do his endeavor to avenge the blood of his rela- 
 tive. 
 
 Another coincidence may be remarked in the estimation of 
 time. The ancient Jewish year was estimated by lunar 
 ■ months, which commenced on the new moon. And this me- 
 thod was practiced by all nations indiscriminately, until the 
 
RITES AND CEREMONIES. 
 
 Tt 
 
 carried by the 
 ists of Bacchus, 
 ng the heathen 
 considered irre- 
 3 after her, went 
 )verthrow of the 
 cities of Israel 
 lid, " Saul hath 
 sands." David 
 
 isness or impro- 
 ' attended Avith 
 
 panions on the 
 )d his hymn to 
 2e score and ten 
 examples, other 
 hip to the gods. 
 s none held in 
 als were almost 
 I dancing. The 
 emple of Vesta, 
 -fire of the Five 
 le city Avas sup- 
 tit of the vestal 
 e expiring light 
 •f a nation. 
 g the Jews and 
 by the Indians. 
 1, and held the 
 murderer; nay, 
 lood of his rela- 
 
 e estimation of 
 
 lated by lunar 
 
 And this me- 
 
 ately, until the 
 
 more exact and consistent calculations by solar revolutions 
 were established. 
 
 Again, another may be noted in the significance of proper 
 names. The Jews were remarkable for their appropriate 
 names for individuals, places and things, occasioned by the 
 occurrence of some extraordinary circumstance or event. 
 This is to a careful reader, one of the peculiar beauties of the 
 Old Testament, and signally illustrates the characteristics of 
 God's chosen people. The ancient heathen were scarcely less 
 remarkable, than were the Jews, for the significance of their 
 proper names, and it has most appropriately been said, that 
 any person having a thorough knowledge of our aboriginal 
 names, and their derivation, would be in possession of a per- 
 fect key to the history of these peculiar people. 
 
 These comparisons might be spun out to an almost inter- 
 minable length ; but we trust enough has been said to show 
 that however remote the origin of our aborigines, or from 
 what nation or country descended, or however corrupt they 
 may have become in their religious rites and practices, they 
 have retained their ancient customs with singular purity and 
 for this, may very appropriately demand our commendation, 
 our sympathy and charity. 
 
 We have thus given a cursory glance at some of the most 
 prominent traditions, practices and customs held in estimation 
 among the Onondagas, as first observed by the white people 
 in their earliest intercourse with the Indians. It is truly 
 gratifying and worthy of remark, that their pagan rites are 
 not as rigidly adhered to as formerly ; that they are yearly 
 becoming less interesting to the pagans themselves, and in 
 many respects, are undoubtedly undergoing a change and 
 improvement. 
 
 " The Christian Party,'' among them is steadily increasing 
 and with what religion and schools is accomplishing for these 
 people, a sensible improvement in their condition is undoubt- 
 edly hastening. The school recently established among them, 
 is patronized by many of the natives, who manifest an inter- 
 est in the improvement of the pupils. The fruits of this 
 
 WA 
 
' A 
 
 78 
 
 ONONDAGA. 
 
 school, with those religious instructions so zealously imparted 
 to them, it is believed are gradually supplanting their pagan 
 practices, and will ere long, we confidently trust, be the means 
 of permanently establishing among them a happier order of 
 things. Their peculiar religious institutions are fast wither- 
 ing to decay, and the time cannot be far distant when the 
 last pagan sacrifices will have been performed in our Christian 
 country. The increased attention they pay to agriculture 
 and the arts, is an evidence that civilization is gaining ground 
 among them ; and were it not for that bane of human pros- 
 perity, (alcohol,) to the use of which too many of them are 
 unhappily addicted, improvement, thrift and happiness would 
 every where abound. 
 
CHIEFS. 
 
 70 
 
 aloualy imjiartcd 
 
 ting their pagan 
 
 St, be the means 
 
 mppier order of 
 
 are fast wither- 
 
 istant when the 
 
 in our Christian 
 
 I to agriculture 
 
 gaining ground 
 
 of human pros- 
 
 ny of them are 
 
 bppiness would 
 
 CHAPTER V. 
 
 LIVES OP DISTINGUISHED ONONDAGA CHIEFS. 
 
 UeKANISSOKA— GaRANSI:I,A— KaNAHJEAQAH— SADEKANAUTE-fCANASSET;(-0— OlIN- 
 DIAGA — CoNYATAUyoU — OSSAHINTA — TaIITOTAH — DeH ATK AXONS— CoUNCIU 
 
 Fire. 
 
 Dekanissora. — This celebrated Onondaga chieftain and 
 prince of Indian orators and diplomatists, flourished from 
 about 1680, to the time of his death, which occurred at St. 
 Louis, about the year 1730. During the term of his long and 
 eventful life, which was characterized by a participation in all 
 the important events of the confederate nations, he was on 
 terms of intimacy with both the French and English. From 
 his skill in diplomacy, faithfulness and honest integrity, he 
 possessed in a high degree, the confidence of both nations. 
 Although there were periods when his sincerity was doubted, 
 and he has even been charged with duplicity, yet his calum- 
 niators have failed to detect and point out the particular faults 
 laid to his charge. Among his own countrymen, he always 
 sustained the highest reputation as an undoubted patriot, an 
 able statesman, an accomplished public speaker, and a subtle 
 and safe manager o^ public concerns. On these accounts, he 
 was always selected by his people, as their most capable man 
 in the management of national affairs, and in conducting ne- 
 gotiations with both French and English, with the ambassa- 
 dors of which nations he was always able most successfully to 
 cope. He has been represented, as a tall Avell formed man, 
 graceful in elocution, possessing great fluency of speech, pow- 
 orful in argument, with features resembling the busts of Cicero. 
 
80 
 
 O N O N D A G A 
 
 His name is aasociated with all the important transactions of 
 the Five Nations, which transpired while ho was a chief of 
 the confederacy and perhaps ho has never been surpassed by 
 any of the distinguished men of the Iroquois, in all those arts 
 and accomplishments which adorn the native man. 
 
 Several of his speeches have been preserved in the Manu- 
 script London Documents, obtained by Mr. Brodhead, now 
 in the office of the Secretary of State, and also a few speci- 
 mens, by Golden, from which sources wo make the following 
 selections. 
 
 It is highly probable that these interpreted speeches fall far 
 short of the originals, in grace, power and effect. But they 
 may however throw some light upon the courtesy, the high- 
 souled honor, the indomitable courage, and untiring perseve- 
 rance of this truly distinguished man ; characteristics which 
 signally embellished his native worth. 
 
 During the winter of 1693, '94, after a long and angry con- 
 test between the French and Indians, in Avhich both parties 
 suffered inconceivable injury and loss, and were therefore mu- 
 tually inclined to peace, propositions were made by the Jesuit 
 priests for a cessation of hostilities, preliminary to a final set- 
 tlement of differences. These proposals were so well receiv- 
 ed, that a council was called with a view to act upon it. The 
 Mohawks were opposed to negotiation, and the English were 
 secretly, if not openly, opposed to a reconciliation between 
 the belligerent parties. This was well understood beforehand, 
 and it was agreed that nothing conclusive should be done be- 
 fore the subject was submitted to these parties. Having this 
 in view, Dekanissora and several other chiefs, visited Albany, 
 (he being chief speaker,) to lay the matter before Governor 
 Fletcher and Major Schuyler. We make the following ex- 
 tract from his speech on this occasion. After vindicating his 
 conduct in holding intercourse with the French, he thus pro- 
 ceeds : 
 
 "Brother Cayenguirago,* when the Christians first arrived 
 
 • Name for Governor Fletcher. 
 
CHIEFS. 
 
 81 
 
 msiictions of 
 18 a chief of 
 surpassed by 
 all those arts 
 
 in the Manu- 
 
 odhead, now 
 
 a few speci- 
 
 he following 
 
 cchcs fall far 
 t. But thoy 
 iy, the high- 
 •ing perseve- 
 r is tics which 
 
 d angry con- 
 both parties 
 herofore mu- 
 by the Jesuit 
 :o a final set- 
 ) well receiv- 
 pon it. The 
 English were 
 tion between 
 I beforehand, 
 I be done be- 
 Having this 
 lited Albany, 
 )re Governor 
 following ex- 
 indicating his 
 he thus pro- 
 
 3 first arrived 
 
 in this country, wo received them kindly. When they were 
 but a small people, we entered into a league with them, to 
 guard them from all enemies whatsoever. We were so fond 
 of their society that we tied the great canoe which brought 
 them, not with a rope made of bark, to a tree, but with a 
 strong iron chain fastened to a great mountain. Now, before 
 the Christians arrived, the General Council of the Five Na- 
 tions was held at Onondaga, where there has been from the 
 beginning a continual fire kept burning ; it is made of two 
 great logs, whose flame never extinguishes. As soon as the 
 hatchet makers (Christians) arrived, the General Council at 
 Onondaga planted this tree at Albany, whose roots and branch- 
 es have since spread as far as New England, Connecticut, 
 Pennsylvania, Maryland and Virginia ; and under the shade 
 of this tree all the English Colonies have frequently been 
 sheltered. Seven fathoms of wampum to renew the chain.'' 
 " The only reason, to be plain with you, of our sending to 
 make peace with the French, is the low condition to which we 
 are reduced, while none of our neighbors send us the least 
 assistance, so that the Avhole burden of the war lies on us 
 alone. Our brethren of New England, Connecticut, Pennsyl- 
 vania, Maryland and Virginia, of their own accord, thrust 
 their arms into our chain ; but since the war began, we have 
 received no assistance from them. We, alone, cannot contin- 
 ue the war against the Frencii, by reason of the recruits they 
 daily receive from the other side of the great lake. 
 
 " Brother Cayex(j uirauo — apeak from your heart. Are you 
 resolved to prosecute the war vigorously against the French ,' 
 and are your neighbors of Virginia, iSIaryland, Pennsylvaniii, 
 Connecticut and New-England, resolved to assist us ? If it 
 be so, notwithstanding any treaty hitherto entered into, we 
 will prosecute the war as hotly as ever. But if our neighbors 
 will not assist, we must make peace, and we submit it to your 
 consideration, by giving this great belt fifteen deep. 
 
 "Brother Cayenguirago — I have truly told you the rea- 
 sons which have induced us to offer peace to the French ; wc 
 shall likewise, from the bottom of our hearts, inform you of 
 
 a 
 
 III 
 
92 
 
 ONONDAGA 
 
 'J'l 
 
 El* 
 
 i 1 
 
 tho design wo hiivo in this treaty. When the Governor of 
 Caniula shall have accepted the nine belts, of whicli I have 
 just now told you, then wo shall have something more to say, 
 by two large bolts, which lie hid in our bosom. Wo shall lay 
 down first one and say, wo have a brother Caycnguirago, with 
 whoso people we have been united in one chain from the be- 
 ginning. They must bo included in this treaty ; we cannot see 
 them involved in bloody war, while wo sit easy in peace. If 
 the (jovernor of Canada answer, that ho has made a separate 
 peace with us, and that ho cannot make any peace with Cay- 
 enguirago, because the war is from over tho great lake, then 
 wo shall lay down the second broad belt and tell tho Gover- 
 nor of Canada ; if you Avill not include Cayenguirago's peo- 
 ple, tho treaty will become thereby void, as if it had never 
 been made, and if ho persists, avo will absolutely leave him." 
 
 Ho goes on with an account of his mission to tho praying 
 Indians at tho castle above Montreal, from whom he had been 
 conducted in great splendor by the superior of Canadian mis- 
 sions to Quebec. IIo is said to have been clothed in scarlot 
 trimmed witii gold, with a beaver hat richly adorned with sil- 
 ver lace, a present from Col. Fletcher a short time before. 
 At a subscfiucnt council ho says : " Our brother Cayenguira- 
 go's arms and our own are stiff, and tired with holding fast 
 tho chain. Our neighbors sit still and smoke at their ease. 
 The fat is melted from our ilesh and fallen on them. They 
 grow fat while we grow lean. 
 
 " This chain made us the enemy of the French. If all held 
 fast as Caycnguirago, it would have boon a terror to them. 
 If we would all heartily join and take the hatchet in hand, 
 our enemy would soon be destroyed. ^Yc should forever after 
 live in peace and ease. Do your parts, and thunder itself 
 cannot break tho chain." 
 
 On one occasion he said to Major Schuyler in reply to the 
 suggestion of fraud on the part of a Jesuit messenger of the 
 French — " We know that the priest favors his own nation. 
 But it is not in his power to alter our affection to our breth- 
 ren ; we wish you would bury all the misunderstandings you 
 
 1 
 
CHIEFS. 
 
 88 
 
 Governor of 
 which I havo 
 
 P more to sfi;', 
 
 Wo shall lay 
 
 nguirag(^, with 
 
 from the bc- 
 
 we cannot see 
 in peace. If 
 idc a separate 
 ace with Cay- 
 eat lake, then 
 sll the Oover- 
 ^uirago's pco- 
 
 it had never 
 y leave hiui." 
 ) the praying 
 m he had been 
 Canadian mis- 
 led in scarlot 
 )rncd with sil- 
 ; time before. 
 t' Cayengiiiru- 
 h holding fast 
 at their ease. 
 
 them. They 
 
 . If all held 
 rror to them, 
 chet in hand, 
 
 1 forever after 
 hunder itself 
 
 1 reply to the 
 senger of the 
 } own nation, 
 to our breth- 
 Jtandings you 
 
 ] 
 
 havo conceived on hia account, — and we likeioina wish you 
 (jave l('8H credit to the llllM CAHUIIMIS than you do." 
 
 Dokaninsora, or Teganessorons, as ho is sometimes called 
 by the Jesuit Fathers, was a believer in the Roman Catholic 
 faith, and was for many years considered a true disciple ; on 
 that account he could hear no evil spoken against them. 
 
 He wielded a mighty influence among the Five Nations, and 
 his good will and aifection was most earnestly sought, by the 
 Governors of New-York and Canada. 
 
 From another of his speeches we make the following extract. 
 [Lon. Doc's, 20, p. 110, A. D. 1715.] 
 
 A letter had previously been sent by lirigadicr General 
 Hunter, Governor of New- York, with papers relating to the 
 Five Nations, upon which propositions were made by the 
 Saclicms of the confederate nations, viz : " the Maquas, Oney- 
 dcs, Ononiliigc.M, Cayougos and Sinnckcs," — to his Excellency 
 Governor Hunter, liTth of August. 
 
 Dokiinnissora, Chief Sachem of Onondaga, speaker, said: 
 " When Ave were here last year we made three propositions, 
 ;md not then having belts of Avampum to lay doAvn according 
 to our custom, Ave gave three sticks, and noAV bring three belta 
 for the said three propositions. 
 
 Brother Corlcar — Ave arc here mot together, your Excel- 
 lency, and tiic Sachems of the Five Nations, at Albany, the 
 place ai)pointed for all treaties with us, and if there bo any 
 thing of moment to bo treated of, either of Virginia, Mary- 
 land, Carolina, or any of his Majesty's colonies in America, 
 this is the place Avhore avo are to treat Avith one another. 
 Your Excellency renoAved the covenant chain last summer 
 here, which was extremely acceptable to us all ; and you de- 
 manded the hatchet from us, Avhich you had given into our 
 iiands against the French of Canada, which hatchet we do 
 now deliver you. It has been an unfortunate hatchet. Wo 
 have had two Canada expeditions, but they both proved abor- 
 tive and unsuccessful, and therefore, if you ever offer to give 
 us such a hatchet again into our hands, avc Avill not accept it. 
 Brother Corlcar — Last summer, when we were here, you 
 
84 
 
 ONONDAGA, 
 
 'I I'll 
 
 commanded and required, that the path of going to war, 
 should be stopped ; but we told you then, that we could not 
 give you an answer, before we had consulted with our young 
 men, the warriors ; and we now come to a conclusion, to obey 
 your excellency's commands, and to stop up that path hence- 
 jrth. But there are diverse companies of our people still 
 out against them, who have referred the decision of that mat- 
 ter to the Sachems and other young Indians who were left at 
 home, Avhether that war should be continued or not. 
 
 "Bi other Corlear — We have heard of the demise of our 
 great Queen Ann, whose death we condole with all our hearts; 
 and at the same time, we heard with unspeakable joy that our 
 great King George succeeded her in the kingdoms and domin- 
 ions belonging to Great Britain. And we were likewise told, 
 that he would protect and defend us as Queen Ann had done. 
 We hope it will be true ; then our children's children will live 
 in peace and flourish, and no diflference -will ever arise be- 
 tween us if that be performed. 
 
 " Brother Corlear — you forbid us to go to war against the 
 Flat-heads of Carolina, and we have been obedient to your 
 commands. Now we have often desired that the goods should 
 be sold cheaper, which has not been complied with, and we in- 
 sist still that goods may be sold at a more easy rate. It would 
 be a great satisfaction to all our people. Brother — you ha.ve 
 taken the hatchet out of our hands ; that hatchet which you 
 put into our hands. We have laid it down willingly, but we 
 have a hatchet of our own, which we made use of in former 
 times, which we keep lying by us, to make use of the same 
 whenever we shall be attacked by any. Brother — avc have 
 done speaking, and this is what we had to say, for which we 
 prayed your excellency to come up. But wo have been sent 
 for, likewise, by your excellency's commands, and shall at- 
 tend to hear what your excellency has to propose to us, and 
 desire to know the time when avc shall wait upon you." 
 
 Numerous examples of the speeches of this noted chieftain 
 might be brought to view, as they abound in all the councils 
 of the confederates with the French and English. But we 
 
CHIEFS. 
 
 85 
 
 ;oing to war, 
 we could not 
 ith our young 
 usion, to obey 
 it path hence- 
 r people still 
 1 of that mat- 
 10 were left at 
 not. 
 
 lemise of our 
 ill our hearts ; 
 e joy that our 
 as and domin- 
 likewise told, 
 .nn had done. 
 Idren will live 
 ver arise be- 
 
 ir against the 
 dient to your 
 goods should 
 th, and we in- 
 ate. It would 
 er — you hav^e 
 et which you 
 ngly, but we 
 of in former 
 of the same 
 ler — we have 
 for which Ave 
 ive been sent 
 md shall at- 
 se to us, and 
 
 you." 
 
 ted chieftaiii 
 
 the councils 
 
 sh. But we 
 
 trust enough has been shown to prove his talents, sagacity, 
 and influence to be of no ordinary kind. After a long life of 
 usefulness and uncommon activity, he died at a very advanc- 
 ed age, on a visit to St. Louis, while engaged on important 
 business of the confederacy. 
 
 Garungula* — Was another distinguished orator and states- 
 man of the confederacy, a noted chiof of the Onondaga nation, 
 who flourished at a period a little earlier than Dekanissora. 
 He was an older man and dl^d some thirty-five years before 
 him. They were well known to each other, and on many 
 important embassies were associated. If Dekanissora can 
 with propriety be styled the Achilles of the Five Nations for 
 his prowess and address, Garungula may be styled a very 
 Nestor to these nations, for his wisdom and greatness. In 
 1684, the French governor of Canada, de la Barre, raised an 
 army of 1700 men with a view of invading the territory of 
 the Five Nations, and annihilating their power forever. He 
 had made but little progress in his expedition, w^hen an alarm- 
 ing sickness broke out in his camp and raged with such viru- 
 lence, that he was obliged to relinquish the undertaking en- 
 tirely ; all of which was as well known to the Onondagas, as 
 to the French. Meanwhile, with a view of keeping up ap- 
 pearances, and if possible to eflect something, de la Barre 
 crossed lake Ontario, and held a talk with such of the Five 
 Nations as would hear him. Garungula was present, and to 
 him the governor made a pompous and flourishing speech, 
 stating his desire to have peace, and of the power of the 
 French to enforce it, at the same time insisting, that tlie Five 
 Nations should make full restitution for injuries done, and 
 never more attempt hostilities against them. If they did so, 
 he had express orders he said, from the king his master, to 
 declare war against them, and to take vengeance at once. The 
 French governor's speech was received with subdued gravity 
 by the haughty Garungula, and with a hearty contempt for every 
 
 
 * Some of the French writers style him " Grnnd 'Giter!.," 
 which this name is by some supjwsed to be derived. 
 
 or great eater, from 
 
86 
 
 ONONDAGA. 
 
 threat he had put forth. Being conscious of the straitened 
 circumstances of the French, and of the justice of his own 
 cause, Crarungula arose, and walking about within the circle 
 which had gathered around the principal actors in the scene, 
 thus began : 
 
 *" YoNNONDio, I honor you, and the warriors that are with 
 me honor you. Your interpreter has finished your speech. 
 I now begin mine. My words make haste to reach your 
 ears ; hearken to them. 
 
 YoNNONDio, you must have believed when you left Quebec, 
 that the sun had burnt up all the forests which render our 
 country inaccessible to the French, or that the lakes had so 
 far overflown their banks, that they had surrounded our cas- 
 tles, and that it was impossible for us to get out of them. 
 Yes, truly, you must have dreamed so, and the curiosity of 
 seeing so great a wonder, has brought you so far. Now you 
 are undeceived, since that I, and the warriors here present, 
 are come to assure you, that the Senecas, Cayugas, Ononda- 
 gas, Oneidas and Mohawks, are yet alive. I thank you in 
 their name, for bringing back into their country, the calumet 
 which your predecessors received from theix hands. It was 
 happy for you, that you left under ground that murdering 
 hatchet, that has so often been dyed in the blood of the French. 
 
 Heak, Yonnoxdio, I do not sleep. I have my eyes open, 
 and the sun which enlightens me, discovers to me a great cap- 
 tain, at the head of a company of soldiers, who speaks as if 
 he were dreaming. He says, that he only came to the lake, 
 to smoke on the great calumet with the Onondagas. But 
 Garungula says, he sees to the contrary, tliat it was to knock 
 them on the head, if sickness had not weakened the arms of 
 the French. I see Yonnondio, raving in a camp of sick men, 
 whose lives the Great Spirit has saved, by inflicting this sick- 
 ness upon them. 
 
 Heak, Yoxnondio, our women had taken their clubs ; our 
 children and old men had carried their bows and arrows into 
 
CHIEFS. 
 
 87 
 
 he straitened 
 e of his own 
 lin the circle 
 in the scene, 
 
 that are with 
 
 your speech. 
 
 reach your 
 
 left Quebec, 
 h render our 
 lakes had so 
 ided our cas- 
 •ut of them, 
 curiosity of 
 •. Now you 
 ere present, 
 ;as, Ononda- 
 lank you in 
 the calumet 
 ids. It was 
 t murdering 
 ' the French. 
 Y eyes open, 
 a great cap- 
 speaks as if 
 to the lake, 
 lagas. But 
 -as to knock 
 the arms of 
 of sick men, 
 iig this sick- 
 
 clubs 
 
 our 
 
 arrows into 
 
 the heart of your camp, if our warriors had not disarmed 
 them and kept them back, when your messengers came to our 
 castles. It is done ; I have said it. 
 
 Hear Yonnondio— we plundered none of the French, but 
 those that carried guns, powder and balls to the Twightwies 
 and Chictaghicks, because those arms might have cost us our 
 lives. Herein we follow the example of the Jesuits, who break 
 all the kegs of rum brought to our castles, lest the drunken 
 Indians should knock them on the head. Our warriors have 
 not beaver enough to pay for all those arms that they have 
 taken, and our old men are not afraid of the war. This belt 
 preserves my words. We carried the English into our lakes 
 to trade with the Utawawas and Quatoghies, as the Adiron- 
 dacks brought the French to our castles to carry on a trade, 
 which the English say is theirs. We aru born free ; we nei- 
 ther depend on Yonnondio or Corlear ;* we may go when we 
 please, and carry with us whom we please, and buy and sell 
 what we please. If your allies be your slaves, use them as 
 such ; command them to receive no other but your people. 
 This belt preserves my words. 
 
 We knock the Twightwies and Chictagicks on the head, 
 because they had cut down the trees of peace, which were 
 the limits of our country. They have hunted beaver on our 
 lands ; they have acted contrary to the customs of Indians, 
 for they left none of the beavers alive ; they killed both male 
 and female ; they brought the Satanas into their country to 
 take part with them, after they had concerted ill designs 
 against us. We have done less than either the English or 
 French, that have usurped the lands of so many Indian na- 
 tions and chased them from their own country. This belt 
 preserves my Avords. 
 
 Hear Yonnondio— what I say is the voice of all the Five 
 Nations. Hear what they ansAver. Open your ears to Avhat 
 they speak. The Senecas, Cayugas, Onondagas, Oneidas and 
 
 ♦Governor of New-York. 
 
88 
 
 ONONDAGA. 
 
 Mohawks say, that when they buried the hatchet at Cadara- 
 (lui, in the presence of your predecessor, in the middle of the 
 fort, they planted the tree of peace in the same place, to be 
 there carefully preserved ; that in the place of arras and am- 
 munition of war, beavers and merchandize should only enter 
 there. 
 
 Hear, Yonnondio — take care for the future, that so great 
 a number of soldiers as appear there, do not choke the tree 
 of peace planted in so small a fort. It will be a great loss, 
 if after it had so easily taken root, you should stop its growth, 
 and prevent its covering your country and ours witli its branch- 
 es. I assure you, in the name of the Five Nations, that our war- 
 riors shall dance to the calumet of peace under its leaves ; and 
 shall remain quiet on their mats, and shall never dig up the 
 hatchet till their brother Yonnondio or Corlear shall, either 
 jointly or separately, endeavor to attack the country which 
 the Great Spirit has given to our ancestors. This belt pre- 
 serves my words, and this other, the authority which the Five 
 Nations have givon me." Then addressing himself to the in- 
 terpreter, he said, " Take courage, you have spirit, speak, ex- 
 plain my words, forget nothing, tell all that your brethren and 
 friends say to Yonnondio. Your Governor, by the mouth of 
 Garangula who loves you, and desires you to accept this pre- 
 sent of beaver, and take part with me in my feast to which I 
 invite you. This present of beaver is sent to Yonnondio on 
 the part of the Five Nations."* 
 
 De la Barre was struck with surprise at the wisdom of this 
 chief, and equal chagrin at the plain refutation of his own. 
 He immediately returned to Montreal and thus terminated this 
 inglorious expedition of the French against the high-souled 
 and martial spirited Onondagas. This speech was acknowl- 
 edged by the French themselves, considering the circumstances 
 under which it was delivered, as a masterpiece of ingenuity, 
 boldness and eloquence. 
 
 ♦Vide Smith's History of New- York, and De Witt Clinton's Address, ISll. 
 
CHIEFS. 
 
 89 
 
 at Cadaro- 
 
 liddle of the 
 
 place, to be 
 
 rras and am- 
 
 i only enter 
 
 hat so great 
 ke the tree 
 t great loss, 
 -) its growth, 
 !i its branch- 
 hat our Avar- 
 leaves ; antl 
 dig up the 
 shall, either 
 iintry which 
 is belt pre- 
 ch the Five 
 If to the in- 
 ;, speak, ex- 
 rethren and 
 le mouth of 
 pt this pre- 
 ; to which I 
 mnondio on 
 
 Jom of this 
 3f his own. 
 tiinated this 
 high-souled 
 IS acknowl- 
 cumstances 
 ingenuity, 
 
 ess, ISll. 
 
 Kan-ah-je-a-qaii,* called by the English, " Black Kettle," 
 and by the French " La Chaudiero Noir." lie Avas an Onon- 
 daga, and one of the most daring and renowned warriors whose 
 name has ever graced the pages of Indian history. He was 
 cotemporary with Dekanissora and Garungula, though some- 
 what a younger man. 
 
 His first appearance as a warrior was in 1690. In the 
 summer of that year, we find him in company with Major 
 Peter Schuyler of Albany, with a band of MohaAvk and Onon- 
 daga warriors, engaged in the destruction of the French set- 
 tlements along the shores of lake Champlain. Governor De 
 Calheres of Montreal, hastily collected a large force with 
 which to oppose them, and although the French force Avas 
 greatly superior on this occasion, yet it was repulsed Avith se- 
 vere loss. The French, smarting under their reverses, and 
 desirous of retrieving their tarnished honor and broken for- 
 tune, raised a force of three hundred men, Avith a view of sur- 
 prising the Indians in the neighborhood of Niagara. This 
 force was met by Kan-ah-je-a-gah and defeated. He, the 
 next year carried the Avar into Canada, and every Avhere 
 spread the greatest terror and alarm, besides causing immense 
 damage to the French settlements. The governor of the 
 French Avas so exasperated at these successes of the brave 
 Avar chief of the Onondagas, that he caused an innocent cap- 
 tive which had been taken from the Indians, to be put to 
 death by the most excruciating tortures. He Avithstood all 
 their efforts Avith the most stoical indiiference and courageous 
 fortitude. lie sung his achievements while they burned his 
 feet and hands Avith red hot irons, cut and Avrung off his 
 joints, and pulled out his sincAvs ; and to render the hellish 
 tragedy complete, his scalp Avas torn off, and red hot sand 
 poured upon his naked skull. 
 
 \ 
 
 * We have met this Indian name but once in our researches, and that was in 
 the London Documents, at Albany ; it is there , '' ^ 1 Can-ad-ge-gai. The Onon- 
 dasras ftiW revere this groat warrior, and pronouLce .i as it is writt'.'ii above. (See 
 Loii. Doc. vol. G, p. 104.) 
 
 12 
 
90 
 
 ONONDAGA. 
 
 no ; 
 
 111 
 
 A series of atrocities like the foregoing on the part of the 
 French, once more re-awakened the vengeance of Kan-ah-je- 
 a-gah. Revenge was too sweet to repose under such heinous 
 aggravations. About one hundred Senecas were soon upon 
 the war-path, who were joined by a large party of Onondagas, 
 with Kan-f.h-je-a-gah for a leader. They intercepted all 
 trading parties from Montreal to the upper lakes, secured 
 much booty, and severely harrassed the French, and their 
 Indian allies in all directions, carrying terror and dismay into 
 the heart of the French colony. These were the palmy days 
 of the confederacy, when they could successfully war with Eu- 
 ropean powers, and tlie t'mo when an advantage which was 
 gained over them, was lauded far and wide as a glorious tri- 
 umph. In July, 1G92, he fell upon the island of Montreal, 
 carrying his arms to the very gates of the citadel ; and it was 
 only for a want of the knowledge of attacking fortified pla- 
 ces that prevented the destruction of the city. lie suddenly 
 attacked a party of French, under the command of Sieur de 
 Lusignan, slew their commander, and put the men to flight. 
 This brave chief continued the war with success till the year 
 1697, when he was decoyed into Canada, by the perfidy of 
 the French, under the pretext of a desire to make peace, 
 with about thirty of his warriors, who were fallen upon at a 
 time when they had not the least thought that an enemy was 
 near, and treacherously murdered by a party of Algonkins, 
 engaged by the French expressly for the purpose. After he 
 had received his death wound, he cried out, " Must I, who 
 have made the whole earth tremble before me, now die by the 
 hands of children?" He always retained the most deadly 
 hatred for tlie Adirondacks. 
 
 Thus perished one of the most brave, bold and renowned 
 warriors of the Five Nations.* 
 
 Besides the before named chiefs, were two others scarcely 
 less distinguished. These were Sadekanaiite and Tuuren- 
 
 * Coldeti's Five Nations. 
 
CHIEFS. 
 
 91 
 
 part of the 
 •f Kan-ah-je- 
 such heinous 
 
 soon upon 
 ' Onondagas, 
 ;ercepted all 
 ikes, secured 
 h, and their 
 
 1 dismay into 
 3 palmy days 
 war with Eu- 
 ^0 which Avas 
 glorious tri- 
 )f Jlontreal, 
 
 ; and it was 
 Fortified pla- 
 IIc suddenly 
 
 of Siour de 
 len to flight, 
 till the year 
 
 perfidy of 
 make peace, 
 m upon at a 
 
 1 enemy was 
 Algonkins, 
 
 . After he 
 Must I, who 
 w die by the 
 nost deadly 
 
 d renowned 
 
 ers scarcely 
 
 ^d TlIUKEN- 
 
 SUEA, both of whom were men of influence and bore a con- 
 spicuous part in all the important affairs of the confederacy. 
 Some of the most beautiful and sublime passages of Indian 
 eloquence, which have been preserved, have fallen from the 
 lips of these distinguished chiefs of the Onondagas. Their 
 talents and voices swayed the councils of the confederacy for 
 a space of near a century before the French invaded their 
 territory in 1GU6. And perhaps they have never been equalled 
 in their Oratorical efforts, except by Logan, lied Jacket and 
 Farmers Brother. 
 
 Of the kind of oratory for which these native public speak- 
 ers were distinguished, we cannot be expected to particular- 
 ize with much precision. Indian eloquence is peculiarly 
 impressive in the manner of the orator's delivery ; forcible in 
 the expression of his countenance, and in the brilliant flashes 
 of irony, humor and pathos with Avhich he ombelishcs his sub- 
 ject. The Indian orator is remarkable for his allegorical 
 apostrophes, to animate and inanimate things, his high wrought 
 and original comparisons, and above all for the high toned prin- 
 ciple, and direct, unpolished, unsophisticated logical accumen 
 vhich prevades his discourse. l>y his eloquence, the orator 
 arouses the passions of his hearers, and by his manner, 
 affects their hearts and wins them to his views. He needs to 
 bo seen as well as heard, to have his speeches take their due 
 effect ; hence all interpretations, must always fall far short 
 of the originals, in every point which constitutes the excel- 
 lence of Indian oratory. 
 
 Dr. Golden, who was familiar with Indian oratory, in its 
 higher purity, remarks — "The speakers whom I have heard, 
 had all a great fluency of words and much more grace in 
 their manner, than any man could expect among a people 
 entirely ignorant of the liberal arts and sciences. Their 
 speakers attained a sort of urhanitas or atticism.'" 
 
 A great council was held at Onondaga, in January, 1690. 
 The object was to consider a message from Count de Fron- 
 tenac, the governor of Canada. The English authorities at 
 Albany, as was customary, were invited to attend. The 
 
ONONDAGA. 
 
 council opened on the 22d of the month. Eighty aachcmg of 
 the Five Nations were present. Sadekanahte was the loader 
 of the council. Rising in his place, ho at first addressed on<> 
 of the English messengers from Albany. He informed him 
 that deputies were present from the Canadian Governor. Then 
 taking in his hand a belt of wampum, sent by Count Fronte- 
 nac, and holding it in the middle, he proceeded; " What I have 
 said relates only to one half of the belt. The other half is 
 to let you know that the governor of Canada intends to kin- 
 dle his fire again at Cadaraqui next spring. He therefore 
 invites his children and the Onondaga Captain Dekanissora, 
 in particular, to treat there about the old chain." 
 
 Several other distinguished speakers, of different nations, 
 declared their sentiments. Belts, &c. were offered. After 
 which Sadekanahte again rose and said, " Brothers, we must 
 stick to our brother Quider, (Peter Schuyler, mayor of Alba- 
 ny,) and regard Yonnondio, (governor of Canada,) as an enemy. 
 " Brothers — Our fire burns at Albany. We will not send 
 Dekanissora to Cadaraqui. We adhere to our old chain with 
 Corlear, (governor of New- York,) we will prosecute the war 
 with Yonnondio. We will follow your advice in drawing off 
 our men from Cadaraqui. Brothers — we are glad to hear the 
 news you tell us, but tell us no lies ! Brother Kinshon ! 
 (New-England deputy,) we hear you design to send soldiers 
 eastward against the Indians there. But we advise you, now 
 so many are united against the French, to fall immediately 
 on them. Strike at the root ; when the trunk shall be cut 
 down, the branches will fall of course. 
 
 Corlear and Kinshon, — Courage ! courage ! In the spring 
 to Quebec ! Take that place — you will have your feet upon 
 the necks of the French and all their friends in America !" 
 After a short consultation, the following answer was prepared 
 to be sent to the governor of Canada by the deputies of the 
 French. 
 
 "Yonnondio — You have notified your return to us and 
 that you have brought back thirteen of our people who were 
 carried to France. We are glad of it. You desire us to 
 
CHIEFS. 
 
 98 
 
 ty sachems of 
 ms the loader 
 iddressed one 
 informed him 
 vcrnor. Then 
 /ount Fronte- 
 'Whatlhave 
 other half is 
 itends to kin- 
 He therefore 
 
 Dekanissora, 
 If 
 
 (rent nations, 
 'ered. After 
 lers, we must 
 lyor of Alba- 
 ) as an enemy, 
 vill not send 
 Id chain with 
 icute the war 
 I drawing off 
 .d to hear the 
 er Kinshon ! 
 send soldiers 
 vise you, now 
 immediately 
 shall be cut 
 
 In the spring 
 lur feet upon 
 1 America !" 
 was prepared 
 puties of the 
 
 n to us and 
 
 pie who were 
 
 desire us to 
 
 meet you at Caduraqui next spring, about the old chain. 
 But, Yonnondio ! how can we trust you, who have acted de- 
 ceitfully so often ? Witness what was done at Cadaraqui — 
 the usage our messengers met with at Utawas, and Avhat was 
 done to the Senecas, at the same place." Gives a belt indi- 
 cating a willingness to treat. 
 
 " TiiuiiENSUUA, OuHUESSE and Ertel — (names of French 
 deputies) Have you observed friendship with us ? If you 
 have not, how came you to advise us to renew the friendship 
 with Yonnondio V 
 
 " Taweraiiet — The whole council is glad to hear of your 
 return with the other twelve. 
 
 "Yonnondio — Y'ounmst send home Tawerahet and the oth- 
 ers this present winter, before spring. We will save all the 
 French we have prisoners, till that time. 
 
 " Y''oNNONDio — Youdesire to speak to us at Cadaraqui. Don't 
 you know that your fire there is extinguished ? It is extin- 
 guished with blood. Y'ou must send home the prisoners in 
 the first place. You are not to think we have laid doAvn the 
 axe because we return an answer. We intend no such thing. 
 Our far-fighters shall continue the war, till our countrymen 
 return. When our brother Tawerahet is returned, then we 
 will speak to you of peace." 
 
 This is only one of the many specimens of this distin- 
 guished orator's eiforts and abilities as exemplified in the 
 courtly councils of his people. Numerous others might bo 
 brought forward from the London Documents where they 
 abound. They show the high estimation in which the Five 
 Nations were then held by the two most powerful and enlight- 
 ened nations of the earth, and the influence which their deci- 
 sions had in the political alFairs of these European Powers. 
 
 Can-as-se-ta-qo — Was a renowned, sagacious and influen- 
 tial chief of the Five Nations. He was an Onondaga, a man 
 of note in his own nation, whose name figures largely in all 
 the principal transactions of the Five Nations from 1734 to 
 1783. To illustrate the tact and capacity of this distinguished 
 chief, it may not be amiss here to insert an extract from one 
 
94 
 
 ONONDAGA. 
 
 of Ms speeches at a council, with commissioners of Maryland 
 relative to claims advanced by the people of that province, to 
 a part of the territory of the Five Nations. (Taken from 
 Colden.) 
 
 " You mentioned the affair of the land yesterday, you went 
 back to old times, and told us you had boon in possession of 
 the province of Maryland over a hundred years. But what 
 is a hundred years, in comparison to the length of time since 
 our claim began, since we came out of this ground ? For 
 we must tell you, that long before one hundred years, our 
 ancestors came out of this very ground, and their children 
 have occupied here ever since. You came out of the ground 
 in a country far beyond the sea. There you may have a just 
 clami. Jiut here, you must allow us to be your elder breth- 
 ren, and the lands to have belonged to us, long before you 
 knew anything of them. It is true the Dutch came here a 
 hundred years ago in a ship, and brought with them many 
 goods, such as awls, hatchets, guns, knives, and several other 
 things, which they gave us ; and when they had taught us 
 the use of these things, we learned what sort of people they 
 were. We were so well pleased with them, that we at first tied 
 their ship to the bushes* on the shore. Afterwards, likin-^ 
 them still better the longer they staid with us, and thinking 
 the bushes too slender, we removed the rope, and tied it to 
 the great tree,t and finding that the tree was liable to be 
 blown down by high winds, or to decay of itself, we from the 
 affection we bore them, again removed the rope, and made it 
 fast to a strong and big rock ;| and not content with this, for 
 its further security, we again removed the rope to the great 
 mountain, § and there we tied it very fast, and rolled wampum 
 around it ; and to make it still more secure, we stood upon 
 the wampum and sat down upon it, to preserve and defend it, 
 and to prevent any hurt coming to it. We did our best en- 
 deavors that it might remain unchanged forever. But with 
 you, we have had no dealings, no trade, no chain of friend- 
 
 * Manhattan Island. 
 
 t Moliawk. t Oneida. J Onondaga. 
 
CHIEFS. 
 
 of Maryland, 
 ; province, to 
 (Taken from 
 
 ay, you went 
 )os8e8sion of 
 I. But what 
 )f time since 
 'ound ? For 
 1 years, our 
 icir children 
 ' the ground 
 r have a just 
 elder breth- 
 ; before you 
 came here a 
 them many 
 everal other 
 1 taught us 
 people they 
 '' at first tied 
 ^'^rds, liking 
 nd thinking 
 id tied it to 
 liable to be 
 we from the 
 and made it 
 vith this, for 
 to the great 
 ed wampum 
 stood upon 
 d defend it, 
 )ur best en- 
 But with 
 1 of friend- 
 
 Onondaga. 
 
 ship, and will not now quietly 
 
 05 
 
 . . nnnsont to have our lands un- 
 justly wrested from us." 
 
 An anecdote related by Dr. Franklin, shows in a very amia- 
 ble bght the hosp.table character and sagacity, as well as 
 honest suupl.c.ty, of this memorable chieftain. Conrad Wei- 
 ser, the famous In.lian interpreter, had been naturalized among 
 ho K.vo Nations, and spoke well their language. In going 
 through he Indian country to carry a message from the Go 
 vernor of 1 e.msylvania, to a council to be held at Onondaga, 
 ho called at the habitation of Canassetago, an old acquaint- 
 .ince, who embraced lam, spread furs for \nm to sit on, and 
 placed before hnn some boiled beans and venison, and mixed 
 some rum and water for him to drink. When he was well re- 
 resluvl, and had lighted his pipe, Canassetago began to con- 
 verse with lum, asked how he had fared, the ?nany years since 
 they ad seen each other, whence he then cauu, what occa- 
 s.onod the .journey, &c. Conrad answered nil his questions, 
 =m w en the discourse began to flag, the Indian, to^ontinu; 
 n Mid --. Conrad, you have lived long among the wldte peo- 
 
 I'le, and know somcthin;^ of their customs T ),..,r , .• 
 
 , o tuLii customs. 1 have sometimes 
 
 'ecu It Albany, and have observed that once in seven .l.vs 
 Jheyshut up their shops, and assemble all in the great ue^ 
 toll lue what It ,s for ; what do they do there T ^^ They meet 
 here -says Conrad, ''to hear and learn ,o.Z ./.■.;:.^ ""^ 
 not doubt, says the Indian, '' that they tell you so ; they 
 have told me the same, but I doubt the truth of wha toy 
 -J, and I wdl tell you my reasons. I went lately to Albany 
 ^sol la kms and buy blankets, knives, powd^n-, rum, ..c 
 lu know I used generally to deal with Hans Hanson, but I 
 
 W: r"tl V''^ '"'^ '^ ^^'^^^^"^ other merchants. 
 
 H)uld pay for beaver. He said he could not give more than 
 
 ::t'"""rr^ but, said he, I cannot tflk on business 
 no., this IS the day when we meet together to learn yood 
 
 n 1; TT"^ '' '^'' ^"'''^"S- ^' I *h°"gJ^^ to myself, 
 
 nee I cannot do any business to-day, I may Ts well go to 
 
 the meetmg too ; so I went with him. There stood up a man 
 
m 
 
 ONONDAGA, 
 
 I? 
 
 iit l)liick and began to talk to the people very angrily. I did 
 not understand what he said, but perceiving that ho looked 
 much at me and Hanson, 1 inuigined he was angry at seeing 
 me there ; so I went out, sat down near the house, struck liro, 
 and lighted my pipe, waiting till the meeting should break up. 
 I thought, too, that the man had menti()ne<l something of 
 beaver, and I suspected it might be the subject of their meet- 
 in". So when they came out, 1 accosted the merchant : Well, 
 Hans, says I, 1 hope you have agreed to give more than four 
 bhillings a pound. No, says he, I cannot give bo much ; I 
 cannot give more than three shillings and sixpence. I then 
 spoke to several other dealers, but they all sung the same song, 
 throe and sixpence — three and sixpence. This made it clear 
 to mo that my suspicion was right, and that whatever they 
 pretended of meeting to learn (/ooil thiiu/x, the real purpose 
 wa.s to consult how to cluNtt Indians in the price of beaver. 
 Consider but a little, Conrad, and you must be of my opinion. 
 If they met so often to learn (jood tliifu/s, they would certain- 
 ly have learned some before this time. But they arc still ig- 
 norant ; you know our ju-actice. If a white man in travel- 
 ing through our country, enters one of our cabins, wo all 
 treat him as I do you. We dry him if he is wet ; we warm 
 him if he is cold, and give him metit and drink, that he may 
 allay his hunger and thirst, and we spread soft furs for him 
 to rest and sleep on. We demand nothing in return. But 
 if I go into a white nnin's house at Albany, and ask for vic- 
 tuals and drink, they say, where is your money ? and if I 
 have none they say, get out you Indian dog. You see, they 
 have not yet learned those little i/ood thi>i(j8 that we need no 
 meetings to be instructed in, because our mothers taught them 
 to us when we were children, and therefore it i. i.;ii)o3.'')Uc 
 ■ their meetings shoukl be as they say, for any 'i '< - i.-; ^<e, 
 or have any such effect ; they are only to contrive ilio cheat- 
 ing of Indians in tlio price of beaver." 
 
 Another speech of his before the Governor and Council of 
 Pennsylvania and the head men of the Delaware nation, pre- 
 serren by Colden, illustrates the power of the Six Nations, 
 
 i 
 
angrily. I tliil 
 tiiiit }iu loukcil 
 iiigry at acciiij( 
 uso, struck firi', 
 tiould break Uj). 
 Honuitliing of 
 . of their meet- 
 ercliant : Well, 
 more than four 
 vo 80 much; I 
 pence. I then 
 ; the same song, 
 IS mailo it clear 
 whatever they 
 10 real purpose 
 irrco of beaver, 
 of my opinion, 
 f would certain- 
 ;hey are still ig- 
 man in travel- 
 cabins, wc all 
 wet ; wc warm 
 ik, that he may 
 >ft furs for him 
 n return. Eut 
 ,nd ask for vie- 
 jney ? and if I 
 You see, they 
 ;hat Ave need nu 
 icrs taught them 
 it io iii/|>u,sS'i.ljle 
 y t \\'h .,,(,•; -ie, 
 itnve tlie cheat- 
 
 and Council of 
 arc nation, pre- 
 .le Six Nation?, 
 
 C II 1 E F S 
 
 97 
 
 no IcBS than the commanding influence of this distinguished 
 chief. A dispute arose l)etw(>en the l^ehiwares and the gov- 
 ernment of rennsylvania, relative to a tract of land in the 
 forks of the Delaware. The Knglish claimed it by right of 
 purcha.<(e, and the Uelawares persisted in their claim, and 
 threatened to use force, unless it should bo given up by the 
 whites. The Delawares were at this tinto subject to the Six 
 Nations, and the (fovernor of rennsylvania sent word to the 
 chiefs of the Six Nations at ()nonda;j;a, to interferct and pre- 
 vent war. It wii;, this that called Canassotago with two 
 handrni and thirty Onondaga warriors to Thiladolphia, in 
 1742. Hv siys : 
 
 " We see the Delawares have been an unruly people, and 
 altogether in tho wrong. The Six Nations have resolved to 
 remove them and oblige them to go over tho river Delaware, 
 and (piit all claim to any lands on this side, for the future, 
 ,siiu'e they hud received pay for them, and it is gone through 
 their guts long ago. They deserved to be taken by the hair 
 of the head and shaken severely, till they recovered their 
 senses and became sober. I have seen with my own eyes a 
 deed signed by nine of their ancestors, above fifty year ago 
 for this very land." Then addressing himself to the Dela- 
 wares present, he says: ''How came you, to take upon 
 you to sell land at all ? Wc con(iuerod you ; wc made women 
 of you; you know you are women and can no more sell land 
 than women, nor is it fit you should have the i)ower of sell- 
 ing lands, since you woidd abuse it. This land you claim has 
 passed through you. You have been furnished with clothes, 
 meat and drink, by the goods paid you for it, and now you 
 want it again, like children as you are. But what makes you 
 sell lands in the dark '! Did you ever tell vis, that you had 
 ''. this land ? Did we ever receive any part, con the 
 value of a pipe shank for it ? You have told us a blind story, 
 that you sent a messenger to us, to inform us of the sale, 
 but he never came amongst us, nor did we ever hear any thing 
 about it. This acting in the dark, is very different from the 
 conduct our Six Nations observe in the bale of lands. On 
 
 J3 
 
08 
 
 ONONDAGA, 
 
 such occasions they give public notice and invite all the Indi- 
 ans of their united nations, and give them all a share of the 
 presents they receive for their lands. 
 
 This is the behavior of the wise, united nations. But we 
 find you are none of our blood ; you act a dishonest part, not 
 only in this, but in other matters ; your cars are ever open 
 to slanderous reports about your brethreii— you are Avonicn. 
 For all these reasons we cliarge you to remove instantly ; we 
 don't give you liberty to think about it." They dared not diso- 
 bey and soon removed, leaving cjuiet possession to the English. 
 This is the last we hear of this great chief; of his after life 
 we know notliing ; at this period he was far advanced in year;; 
 and probably soon after closed his earthly career. 
 
 OUN-Di-A-GA — Was a cliief of modern times, but scarcely 
 less noted than his illustrious predecessors. He was of the 
 Bear tribe, and for a long period was first civil chief of tlie 
 Onondaga nation. He was also a famous war captain, ami 
 on account of his supericjr martial abilities, was selected for 
 that important office at an early age. He lived at a time 
 when affairs of the utmost importance were transacted in re- 
 gard to his own nation, and of the confederates at large. 
 Born, as is supposed, in the year 1730, his youthful days were 
 spent upon the Avar path, and from childhood he was familiar 
 with all the tempestuous movements of the Six Nations, during 
 the old French war, and the border wars of the colonies. Eavlv 
 inured to arms, he became distinguished for his courage and 
 <kring exploits, which were signally exhibited on several oc- 
 casions. On the breaking out of hostilities, at the period of 
 the American Revolution, he was selected as first war chief 
 of the Onondagas. He commanded a party of Onondagas at 
 the seige of Fort Scliuyler, by St. Leger, and took an active 
 part in the battle of Oriskany, against the forces of the United 
 States. He was also i)resent with a party of Onondao-as at 
 the massacre of Cherry Valley, in November, 1778. Vv'hut 
 part he took in that memorable transaction is not known; 
 but that he was present, has often been asserted, and con- 
 firmed by his own lips. He was out with various war parties 
 
CHIEFS. 
 
 te all the Indi- 
 a share of the 
 
 ions. But we 
 onest part, not 
 
 are ever open 
 ou are women. 
 
 instantly ; we 
 dared not diso- 
 to the English. 
 ' his after life 
 anced in vears 
 er. 
 
 •, hut scarcely 
 tie was of the 
 il cliief of the 
 • captain, and 
 s selected for 
 ''cd at a time 
 nsacted in re- 
 itcs at large, 
 iful days wore 
 ' was faniiliiir 
 ations, durinir 
 lonies. Early 
 i courage and 
 )n several oc- 
 tlie period of 
 rst war chief 
 Onondagas at 
 ook an active 
 of the United 
 Jnondugas at 
 1.778. AVhat 
 
 not known ; 
 ted, and con- 
 s war parties- 
 
 99 
 
 to the Mohawk country, during the Revolution, and it has 
 been said he was present with the Onondagas at the massa- 
 cre at Coble's Kill,— did much damage to the frontier in- 
 habitants, and to the last was the uncompromising enemy of 
 -the Yanh'i'sr (A favorite expression with him.) He was 
 enlisted with a party of Onondagas, in the Indian wars of 
 1794, in which the western Indians were so signally defeated 
 by General Wayne. 
 
 The Onondagas, under the guidance of their chiefs, stood 
 firm through the thickest of the fight, and many a brave war- 
 rior of the nation bit the dust. It had been confidently ex- 
 pected by the Indians that General Wayne would be defeated; 
 but the sequel proved the contrary, and the remnant of the 
 band of Onondagas came home, satisfied to live in peace ever 
 after with the whites. 
 
 Little is known of his political course after that period; it 
 was the last opportunity he had to signalize himself in war. 
 
 In 180(j or 7, a mail route was established between Onon- 
 daga and Oswego, and Oundiaga, was employed as the first 
 carrier. At this period, the roads (if any) for a great part of 
 the year were impassable, and communication between the two 
 places was only made on foot or on horseback. Once a week 
 the mail was to be transported to Oswego and returned to 
 Onondaga. It was put up in a small valise, to leave Onon- 
 daga at precisely four o'clock in the morning. Anticipatino- 
 vhe tmie, the great war captain was always punctually at liis 
 post at nme o'clock the evening before he was to start. 
 
 After being put in possession of his cbarcje, he usually re- 
 pau-ed to the kitchen of a distinguished friend,* and without 
 H ^vord of comment, stretched himself on the floor, with his feet 
 to die fire,-placed his precious burthen under his head, and was 
 .^oon fast asleep. At the hour of four, without a sin-rle in- 
 stance of omission, he aroused himself, and be the weather 
 never so mclement, he posted off with all the consequence of 
 a bearer of Government dispatches. On his arrival at Oswe- 
 
 * Judge Foriiiaii. 
 
100 
 
 ONONDAGA 
 
 R> 
 
 lii.ijijt 
 
 }» J 
 
 go, his trust was faithfully and punctually delivered, and on the 
 morrow he returned. The distance from Onondaga to Oswe- 
 go is about forty miles, and the trusty chief traversed the route 
 on foot. This journey he performed regularly once a week 
 and returned, usually occupying about ten hours each way. 
 It is said that not an instance was ever known of his delav 
 or failure. The peoplo of Onondaga, looked for and receiv- 
 ed their mail at the hand of Oundiaga, with as much punctu- 
 ality as they have at an y time since by stage or by Rail Road. 
 
 The following interesting anecdote is related of Oundiaga. 
 It may not have been original Avith him, (yet it has been de- 
 clared so) still it typifies his feelings and character. It is well 
 known that he was a persevering enemy to all encroachments 
 being made upon Indian lands. In no instance was he ever 
 known to countenance any act, conveying any part of the In- 
 dian <lomain, nor docs his name appear in any of the treaties 
 made by his people. 
 
 At one time, Ave believe in 181.5, a gentleman Avho supposed 
 he possessed some influence over the great chief of the Onon- 
 dagas, called on him for the purpose of convincing liiin that 
 for once it Avould not be improper for him to give his consent 
 that a very small portion of land miglit be conveyed to the 
 Avhitos. For, said the gentleman, you Avill scarcely know it. 
 The chief Avas unyielding. The gentleman pressed him to 
 give a reason. Oundiaga invited him to take a seat beside 
 liim on a log some twelve feet long. They sat down together: 
 Oundiaga at one end and the gentleman quite near to him. 
 The chief began an animated conversation about the first, en- 
 croaclnncnts of the Avhites, talked of their cupidity and ava- 
 rice, and of their overreaching the Indians in trade. At the 
 same time he hitched up so close to his guest as seriously to 
 incommode him, and who Avas, therefore, obliged to move more 
 towards the center of the I02;. 
 
 The chief still kept engaged in spirited and agreeable con- 
 versation, occasionally complaining of the encroachments of 
 the Avhites, at the same time crowding along so adroitly that 
 the gentleman had not the slightest suspicion of any particular 
 
CHIEFS. 
 
 101 
 
 d, and on the 
 aga to Oswe- 
 sed the route 
 once a week 
 rs each way. 
 
 of his delay 
 r and recciv- 
 nuch punctu- 
 y Rail Road, 
 if Oundiaga, 
 has been de- 
 \ It is well 
 icroachments 
 
 was he ever 
 rt of the In- 
 ' the ti'eaties 
 
 dio supposed 
 )f the Onon- 
 ing him that 
 his consent 
 veyed to the 
 ely know it. 
 ssscd him to 
 ' seat beside 
 vn together: 
 near to him. 
 
 the first en- 
 ity and ava- 
 de. At the 
 
 seriously to 
 ) move more 
 
 ;reeable con- 
 nchments of 
 ulroitlj that 
 ij particular 
 
 design. The white man at length found himself at the end 
 of the log farthest from where he had at first sat down, with 
 scarcely room to sit. He looked earnestly into the face of 
 Oundiaga, and asked him what he meant. At the same in- 
 stant the chief gave one tremendous hunch and pitched his 
 guest clear from the log and laid him sprawling on the ground. 
 "There," said the chief, "you white folks, if allowed per- 
 mission to sit down with us on a little piece of ground on our 
 borders, you keep crowding up, crowding up, till the Indian's 
 land is very small ; and finally, we shall in a very few years 
 be entirely driven from our lands, piece by piece, without any 
 thing to help ourselves with, as you have been crowded from 
 the log. We shall too soon be at your mercy, as you were at 
 mine. Oundiaga will never consent to part with one foot of 
 our Indian lands, — go tell your people so." 
 
 Like most of his race, he was easily attracted by gaudy ap- 
 parel and glittering ornaments, and often judged of men by 
 these insignia of wealth and rank. On one occasion, meet- 
 ing with Judge Strong, for the first time, at the door of his 
 dwelling, after an interchange of salutations, the chief ap- 
 peared to take a particular fancy to a party-colored vest, then 
 worn by the Judge. His wife, who was present, also express- 
 ed by signs her admiration of the variegated garment, in 
 which red was a prominent color. After oxpressino- their 
 wonder at the showy article, the chief was asked if he should 
 like to have it for his own ; to which he answered, '' vcnj.much, 
 very much." The garment was instantly given him, Avhich 
 won for the giver the unlimited confidence and esteem of the 
 chief. 
 
 He never felt reconciled to the treaty of Fort StanAvix, by 
 which so large a portion of their ancient national domain was 
 conveyed to the Americans. 
 
 His intercourse with the whites was, for the most part, re- 
 served, circumspect and suspicious ; seldom condescending to 
 speak the English language. During the latter part of'^his 
 life he was considered the nation's oracle, and he was looked 
 upon by his people at large as almost a supernatural being. 
 
102 
 
 ONONDAGA 
 
 »!. ili 
 
 Commanding in personal appearance, venerable in bearing, 
 dignified in his deportment, aged in wisdom and experience, 
 he held, for a long period, a conspicuous place in all the na- 
 tional councils as a civil and war chief, and transacted much 
 of the important business of the nation. This distinguished 
 chief was always strenuously opposed to the introduction of 
 missionaries among his people, and on no occasion was he ever 
 known to relent. He oftentimes, in the national councils, op- 
 posed their propositions to come among the natives, and often 
 has his voice been raised with power and success to prevent 
 them. 
 
 His character may be summed up as a distinguished warri- 
 or, an able counsellor, the uncompromising enemy of the 
 whites, a man thoroughly versed in all the extravagant and 
 mysterious mythology of his people, a lover of their peculiar 
 institutions, an open enemy to all innovation, and a pure, un- 
 sullied specimen of his race. 
 
 He died suddenly by the road side near Oneida, wliilc pro- 
 ceeding thither on official business of his nation, in August, 
 1839, aged ninety-one years. He Avas borne to his grave by 
 a large concourse of Indians, on foot, and was buried at Onei- 
 da, with every demonstration of esteem and respect. His 
 grave is pointed out to the passer-by, near tlie Oneida Castle. 
 His memory is reverently cherished by the braves of his na- 
 _ tion, and his name will long be gratefully revered, wliilc his 
 noble acts shall live in the hearts of his countrymen. 
 
 Anotlier great and good man, the first civil chief of the 
 Onondagas, when first visited by the whites in 1788, and well 
 known to all the early settlers of the county, waa named IvA- 
 wiiic-DO-TA. He was eminently a man of peace, and the 
 early settlers all speak of him as a man of the kindest hospi- 
 tality and purest benevolence, from the most disinterested 
 motives. He often, without solicitation or expectation of re- 
 ward, furnished provisions to those who Avere new comers, and 
 whose stores were scanty. The older inhabitants, who are yet 
 living, and who are best acquainted with him, universally ac- 
 cord to him the appellation of a kind, benevolent, just and 
 
CHIEFS, 
 
 103 
 
 ( in bearing, 
 I experience, 
 In all the na- 
 isacted much 
 distinguished 
 troduction of 
 a was he ever 
 councils, op- 
 es, and often 
 s to prevent 
 
 uished warri- 
 icmy of the 
 avagant and 
 heir peculiar 
 d a pure, un- 
 
 a, while pro 
 , in August, 
 his grave by 
 Tied at Onei- 
 espcct. Iliri 
 neida Castle. 
 L^s of his na- 
 ed, while his 
 men. 
 
 chief of the 
 '88, and Avell 
 5 named Ka- 
 ce, and the 
 indost hospi- 
 disintevcstcd 
 tation of re- 
 comers, and 
 , who are yet 
 dversally ac- 
 mt, just and 
 
 • 
 
 good man, ever ready to contribute to the necessities of the 
 whites, bountiful in gifts, an unfailing and devoted friend to 
 all men. 
 
 He was in possession of a beautiful trumpet, which he called 
 the council horn ; by a single blast of which he could at 
 once summon more than half a thousand warriors to his cabin. 
 This interesting relic is yet in the keeping of one of the 
 principal chiefs of the nation, Avho, on important occasions, 
 winds it for the gathering of the clans. Whenever its sound 
 is heard over the reservation, business is at once suspended, 
 and all are assured that no ordinary circumstance awaits their 
 attention. The gray haired ancients, and high plumed war- 
 riors, approach the council-house in haste, while tlie women 
 and children linger around the door, all eager to catch the 
 first accents of the announcement in council. The last time 
 it was sounded was at the funeral of La Fort. 
 
 Kawhicdota died in 1808, at an advanced age, lamented 
 by the whites no less than by the Indians, all of whom felt 
 the greatest sorrow for their irreparable loss. lie Avas fol- 
 lowed to his last resting place, by a large concourse of the 
 the most respectable citizens of the county, without a foe, 
 beloved and lamented by all Avho knew him. 
 
 What has been related of Kawhicdota, will apply Avith 
 equal truth to the amiable and good Too-aviiis-quan-ta, a 
 civil chief in high estimation among his own people and the 
 whites. 
 
 The late Captain Ilonnos, a distinguished chief, Avas a son 
 of KaAvhicdota, and bore liis name. 
 
 Cox-YA-TAU-YOU, Handsome Lake, or the Great Prophet. 
 One of the most important personages, Avho has, in modern 
 times, appeared among the Six Nations, ie he who bore the 
 above title. He Avas a Seneca, from the Alleghany reservation, 
 and a brother of the celebrated Seneca chief, Corn Planter. 
 
 Corn Planter, becoming jealous of the rising greatness and 
 power of Red Jacket, and having in a measure lost the confi- 
 dence of his countr^'men, resoh^ed upon the following expedi- 
 ent to retrieve his declining reputation and poAver : He per- 
 
 
 ■■fr\ 
 
104 
 
 ONONDAGA. 
 
 ii I 
 
 auaded his brother, (the subject of this sketch,) to announce 
 himself as a proplict, sent expressly from the great spirit to 
 redeem the perishing fortunes of the Indian race. The super- 
 stitions of the natives, easily acted upon, induced them, witii- 
 out inquiry, to favor the deception. In many respects it had 
 a benign and salutary influence over a large portion of the 
 Indian population. But the original design was frustrated, 
 by the superior sagacity and eloquence of Red Jacket, who, 
 foreseeing the impending storm, warded off the machinations 
 of his rival, with his distinguished ability and address. 
 
 Tlic circumstances attending the pretended divine interpo- 
 sition and communication of heavenly gifts to Conyatauyou, 
 were like this. During the former part of his life, till near 
 fifty years old, he had been remarkable for nothing but his 
 stupidity and drunkenness. About the year 1790, while 
 lighting his pipe, ho suddenly sunk back upon his couch, upon 
 which he was then sitting, and continued in a state of insen- 
 sibility for six or eight hours. His friends supposing him 
 dead, had made preparations for laying him out preparatory 
 for burial. While in the act of removing him from his couch 
 he revived. His first words were, "don't be alarmed, I have 
 seen Heaven ; go call the nation together, that I may tell 
 them what I have seen and heard." 
 
 The people having assembled in large numbers at his house, 
 he informed them that he had seen four beautiful young men 
 who had been sent from Heaven by the Great Spirit, and who 
 thus addressed him : " The Great Spirit is angry with you 
 and all the red men, and unless you immediately refrain 
 from drunkenness, lying and stealing, you shall never enter 
 that beautiful place, which we will show you." He stated 
 that he was then conducted by these young men to the gate 
 of Heaven, which was opened, but he was not allowed to 
 enter ; that it was more beautiful than any thing they could 
 conceive of or describe, and that the inhabitants appeared to 
 be perfectly happy ; that he was suffered to remain there three 
 or four hours, and was then reconducted to the earth by the 
 same young men, who on taking their leave, promised they 
 
 #^ 
 
CHIEFS. 
 
 105 
 
 to announce 
 ;reat spirit to 
 . The super- 
 d them, with- 
 espects it had 
 )Oition of the 
 as frustrated, 
 , Jacket, who, 
 machinations 
 ddress. 
 ivine interpo- 
 Oonyatauyou, 
 life, till near 
 thing but his 
 
 1790, while 
 3 couch, upon 
 tate of insen- 
 ipposing him 
 ': preparatory 
 I'om his couch 
 armed, I have 
 it I may tell 
 
 5 at his house, 
 il young men 
 pirit, and who 
 igry with you 
 ately refrain 
 II never enter 
 ' He stated 
 n to the gate 
 )t allowed to 
 ig they could 
 5 appeared to 
 in there three 
 earth by the 
 I'omised they 
 
 would visit him yearly, and commanded him to inform all the 
 other Indians of what he had seen and heard. He imme- 
 diately visited the different nations of Indians in western 
 Ne\v-York, except the Oneidas, who would never consent to 
 his prophecy or teaching. They all put implicit faith in what 
 he said and afterAvards reverenced him as a prophet. 
 
 It may be proper to observe that he was called the Peace 
 Prophet, in contradistinction to the brother of Tecumseh, who 
 was styled the War Prophet.* 
 
 This vision of the prophet, will compare well Avith that of 
 the celebrated DelaAvare chief, Keposh, as related by Loskiel, 
 and undoubtedly the prophets Conyatauyou andEllskwatawa, 
 the brother of Tecumseh, both conceived their plans of impo- 
 sition from that source, and conducted tlioTu much upon the 
 same principles, llis introduction to the (>nondaga nation 
 was like this. At tlie time the whites came among this peo- 
 ple they were greatly addicted to the use of ardent spirits, 
 and frequently indulged in it to the most beastly excess. In 
 the year 17t>0 or '91,\v]iile Mr. Webster occupied his trading 
 house at the mouth of Onondaga creek, eighteen of the prin- 
 cipal chiefs and warriors of the Onon<l:igas called on him, sta- 
 ting that they had just set out to attend a great council of 
 the six nations, to be held at Bufialo. As was customary, 
 Mr. Webster produced his bottle, and it was plied with a right 
 good will to the lips of all. Webster was always a special 
 favorite Avith the Indians, and on this occasion parted Avith his 
 guests Avith unusual demonstrations of mutual attachment. 
 In due time, these delegates returned ; and as usual the bot- 
 tle of strong drink Avas placed before them. To the utter as- 
 tonishment of Mr. Webster, every man of them refused to 
 touch it. This he at first understood to denote the fiercest 
 hostility, and for a time, he supposed they contemplated tak- 
 ing his life — for he could imagine that nothing short of the 
 most deadly resentment, (or a miracle) could produce so great 
 a change. He was not long left in this painful state of anx- 
 
 ♦ Onondaga Register, August 23, 1815. 
 
 u 
 
1 1 ' 
 
 i 
 
 >♦* 
 
 106 
 iety and 
 
 ONONDAGA. 
 
 Tlic cliiefs explained. 
 
 suspense. J.ne cniets explained .._^ 
 
 at Buflalo, a Phopiiet of the Seneca nation, wlio liad assured 
 them, and in this assurance they iiad the most implicit confi- 
 dence, that without a total abstinence, from the use of ardent 
 spirits, they and their race would shortly become extinct ; 
 t!)at they had entered upon a resolution, never again to taste 
 the baneful article, and that they hoped to be able to prevail 
 on their nation to adopt the same salutary resolution. Many 
 iit this early day adopted the temperance principles, it is said 
 at least three fourths of all the nsition ; and of all those who 
 pled^avl tliemaelves to the cause, not an instance was known 
 of alienation or neglect ; but to a man, they religiously ad- 
 hered to their solemn pledge. The consequence was, that from 
 a drunken, filthy, lazy, worthless, set of beings, they became 
 a cleanly, industrious, sober, happy, and more prosperous 
 people. 
 
 At this period, it Avas considered one of the most temperate 
 coinmuuities in the laiul ; only a very few of the nation in- 
 <lulging in the intoxicating cup, and these were treated with 
 contempt by their more sober companions. Not lon,o- after 
 this, the Prophet came in person to reside for a season among 
 the Onondagas. He harangued and exhorted them continu- 
 ally, and became distinguished among them for his powers 
 and abilities. Pusiness transactions were conducted under his 
 direction and advice. On all occasions of diiliculty, he was 
 looked up to as the only individual who could restore things 
 to a proper degree of order. Ilis exami)les and precepts 
 were eminently for the good of the people, and had they per- 
 severed in his wholesome lessons of virtuous integrity, they 
 would have been far wiser and happier than they are at pre- 
 sent. 
 
 The following article, from the Secretary of War, Hon. 
 Henry Dearborn, will illustrate, better than any thing else, 
 the estimation in which he was held by the nation and 
 abroad : 
 
 " To Cox-YA-TAU-You, (or Handsome Lake,) with his breth- 
 ren and associates of the Seneca and Ononda-ra nations of 
 
CHIEFS. 
 
 107 
 
 .hey lijid met 
 
 I liiid assured 
 nplioit confi- 
 iso of ardent 
 >ine extinct ; 
 Jjain to taste 
 h to prevail 
 ion. Many 
 les, it is said 
 
 II those who 
 i was known 
 ligiousl}' ad- 
 LS, that from 
 ;licy became 
 
 prosperous 
 
 t temperate 
 3 nation in- 
 ;veated witli 
 long after 
 ison amonir 
 Mn continu- 
 his })owers 
 'd under his 
 Itv, he was 
 tore things 
 d precepts 
 d they per- 
 grity, they 
 are at prc- 
 
 iVar, Hon. 
 thing else, 
 lation and 
 
 I his breth- 
 nations of 
 
 Indians now present, at the seat of government of the United 
 
 States : 
 
 " Brothers — Your father and good friend, the President of 
 the United States, lias taken into consideration all that you 
 communicated to him when you took him by the hand three 
 days ago ; and he has authorized nie to give you the follow- 
 ing answer : Brothers — The President is pleased with seeing 
 you all in good health, after so long a journey, and he re- 
 joices in his heart, that one of your own people has been em- 
 ployed to make you sober, good and ha})py ; and that he is so 
 well disposed to give you good advice, and to set before you 
 so good examples. 
 
 "Brothers — If all the red people follow the advice of your 
 friend and teacher, the Handsome Lake, and in future will be 
 sober, honest, industrious and good, there can be no doubt 
 hut the Great Spirit will take care of you and make you happy. 
 
 "Brothers — The great council of the sixteen fires, and the 
 President of the United StatOvS, all wish to live with the red 
 people like brothers ; to have no more wars or disputes, but to 
 pursue such measures as shall contribute to their lasting com- 
 fort. For this purpose the great council of the sixteen fires 
 are now considering the propriety of prohibiting the use of 
 spirituous li(|uors among all their red brethren within the 
 Fuited States. This measure, if carried into effect, will be 
 pleasing in the sight of the Great Being, who delights in the 
 happiness of his common family. 
 
 " Brothers — Your father, the President, will at all times bo 
 your friend, and he will protect you and all his red children 
 from bad people, who would do you or them any injury. And 
 he will give you a writing or paper, to assure you, that what 
 lands you hold cannot be taken from you by any person, ex- 
 cepting by your own consent and agreement. 
 
 "Brothers — The Handsome Lake has told us, that the four 
 angels have desired him to select two sober men to take care 
 of this business, and that he has chosen Charles U'Beal and 
 Strong for this purpose. The President is willing that his 
 red children should choose their own agents for transacting' 
 
108 
 
 ONONDAGA. 
 
 'I r 
 
 their business, and if Charles O'Heal and Strong are the men 
 whom your people can best confide in, he has no objection to 
 their being appointed. But, it would bo improper for the 
 President to interfere in your national appointments. 
 
 " Given under my hand and tiie seal of the war of- 
 [L. S.] fice of the United States, this UUh day of March, 
 
 A. D., 1802. (Si-ned) II. DEARBORN." 
 For a period of a quarter of a century, tliis illustrious sccr 
 exercised an almost unbounded influence for the good of the 
 Indian nations. Scarce an individual but regarded him with 
 the most profound veneration and awe. His influence, his 
 teachings and examples, are held in pious regard even to this 
 day, and the remembrance of his many virtues and his excel- 
 lence, still serves to sustain many of his countrymen in the 
 way of well doing, and to prevent them from falling into de- 
 generacy, lie annually visited all the six nations, (the Onei- 
 das excepted,) and preached and exhorted them to beware of 
 their besetting sins, and the evil to come. On one of these 
 annual visits to Onondaga, he was suddenly taken ill, and af- 
 ter a short illness, died at the Castle on Sunday, the 10th of 
 August, 1815.* 
 
 Those who had been acffuainted with the influence this 
 man's preaching produced upon the conduct of the Six Na- 
 tions, (the Oneidas excepted) looked upon his death as a se- 
 vere dispensation of divine providence. lie was buried under 
 the centre of the old council-house, amidst every manifesta- 
 tion of sorrow and regret, surrounded by the entire people, 
 who had gathered to pay the last tribute of respect, to one 
 who for a long time, had held almost unlimited control over 
 their destinies. Some of the strongest appeals, of which In- 
 dian eloquence is capable, have been made over the grave of 
 the prophet, and the presence of his dust, in the midst of 
 their council-room, has stimulated many a heart to virtuous 
 action. If a wayward soul has gone astray in the path of 
 intoxication, he is directed to the grave of the Prophet. If 
 
 * Onondaga Register. 
 
CHIEFS. 
 
 109 
 
 I are the men 
 ) objection to 
 oper for the 
 onta. 
 
 f the war of- 
 ay of March, 
 ilBORN." 
 lustrious seer 
 
 good of the 
 led him Avith 
 iiflucnce, his 
 
 even to this 
 nd his excel- 
 vmen in the 
 ling into de- 
 s, (tlie Onei- 
 to beware of 
 )ne of these 
 n ill, and af- 
 
 tlie 10th of 
 
 ifliicnce this 
 the Six Na- 
 ^ath as a se- 
 )uried under 
 y manifesta- 
 tire people, 
 pect, to one 
 control over 
 )f which In- 
 he grave of 
 le midst of 
 to virtuous 
 ;he path of 
 rophet. If 
 
 he has overstepped the bounds of truth and propriety, he is 
 reminded that the Prophet taught not so ; and, with a regard 
 for his memory, little short of adoration, the delinquent pro- 
 mises reformation and obedience. 
 
 It has been related by several persons, and it is believed 
 !)y the Indians, that he actually foretold the hour and man- 
 ner of his death. 
 
 ()s-SA-iiix-TA — Captain Frost — This distinguished chief of 
 the Onondagas', wlio presided with great ability over the coun- 
 cils of the nation from 1880 to 1840, possessed a character 
 and a name, which eminently deserves to be reniembere<l. He 
 was a cousin of the celebrated Oundiaga, and a nephew of 
 Kiiwhicdota. lie was distingiiislied for the nobleness of his 
 ehiiracter, the peculiar fervidnoss of his eloquence, and his 
 luiimpoachable integrity — qualities which secured for him the 
 unlimited cotiKdojice of his nation. His most (listinjxuished 
 iissociates have been, Oii-iiE-xr, (Captain llonnos) (Mi-ka-a- 
 yi;n(JK, (Onondaga Peter) Ka-iia-ykxt, (Captain Joseph) 
 0-uiiA-TA-KAK, (Captain Joseph 2d) Dk-hat-ka-tons, (Abram 
 Lu Fort) and Ut-ha-wah, (Captain Cold). This latter for 
 a long time was keeper of the council-fire of the Six Na- 
 tions, and resided on the Tonewanda Reservation till the 
 time of his death, wliich occurred in the fall of 1847, when 
 this sacred symbol was restored to its ancient hearth at Onon- 
 daga, to the keeping of De-uat-ka-tons. His name has usu- 
 ally been pronounced Cole, but his real name was Cold, and 
 so named on account of the severity of the weather at the 
 time of his birth. He was a man of eminence as a counsellor 
 and chief. 
 
 Captain llonnos was considered as second to none of hi.s 
 people in point of talents, energy and manly bearing : and all 
 those who have been named, Avere men, whose characters were 
 without reproach, and whose names will live in the unwritten 
 records of the nation, so long as a remnant of their perishing 
 institutions is permitted by an all-Avise providence to remain. 
 ALis I not one of these noble men now live. The grass groAvs 
 green over th.oir humble graves, and like those Avho have gone be- 
 
 -rl 
 
110 
 
 ONONDAGA. 
 
 (l- 
 
 foro thoni, their bones may ere long bo turned out of their 
 .(uict resting phice by the careless plowman, ami bo left to 
 bleach and blacken in the storm, as the wondering traveler 
 passes them thoughtlessly by. 
 
 Ossahiiitu, was of the Turtle tribe of the Onondagas, a 
 clan which by the laws of the luifion, may be entitled to the 
 distinguishc.l |)rivil('gc «)f funiisliing a Head (.'hief, the high- 
 est ofiice in the gift of the ('(.iincil. lie had, therefore, a 
 hereditary claim to distiiictidu l.y relation and clanship, [n 
 early life, he was sclecU-d by the sachems of his nation, to 
 serve in the capacity of a runner. The manner of convey- 
 ing im|)ort:nit iiitflligciice, unlike our mail system, re(|uire(l 
 the bearer himself, to understand perfectly, so as to narrate 
 correctly, the information to be transmitted. CNjnsequentiv, 
 for this important station, none but men of the keenest diplo- 
 matic talents, and the purest patriots of the nation were ever 
 selected to act in this exalted sphere. His talents, integrity 
 and devotedness to his country's welfare, enal)led and stinm- 
 lated him, to perform all the duties assigned him by Lis con- 
 fiding countrymen, most, faithfully and satisfactorily, and lie 
 thus secured that confidence, esteem and aflVc-tioii of his breth- 
 ren, -which attended liiiu throughout a long and active life. 
 By this means, he became thoroughly versed in all 
 the intricacies, of the civil polity and history of the Iroquois, 
 and was called upon as one after another of the old sachems 
 were called to the regions of the " Great Spirit," to take 
 part in the religious ceremonies and observances of the con- 
 fedei'acy, as well as in the important duties, which ordinarily 
 devolved upon him, at the conventions of their stated coun- 
 cils. By his strength of mind and native energy of charac- 
 ter, he rose to eminence in the great councils of the united 
 nations. And at the time of his death he was supposed to 
 be the only person among the Iroquois, who perfectly under- 
 stood the genius and policy of their ancient government, the 
 peculiar forms of organizing general councils, and the prac- 
 tice and celebration of all their Pagan rites. At the last 
 gi-and council of the Six Nations, held upon the Tonawanda 
 
(MIIKFS, 
 
 111 
 
 I out of their 
 nd be loft to 
 I'iii^ traveler 
 
 )non(lftgas, a 
 iititlcd to the 
 lii'f, tlio liifrh- 
 , thi'fctorc, a 
 •liinship. In 
 lis nation, to 
 !• of convey- 
 cm, r('(|iiire(l 
 IS to narrate 
 "oiiscMjiioiitly, 
 ct'Oiiost ili[)ki- 
 ion wore ever 
 tits, integrity 
 kI and stiniu- 
 n by his coii- 
 nrily, and he 
 
 III" his brctli- 
 l active life. 
 M'sed in ail 
 the Iro(|uois, 
 old sachems 
 rit," to take 
 
 of the coii- 
 ;h ordinarily 
 ■stated couii- 
 V of charac- 
 f the united 
 supposed to 
 ectly under- 
 'rnment, the 
 id the prac- 
 At the last 
 Tonawanda 
 
 reservation in October, lH4r), he bore a conspicuous part, and 
 most ahly represented the Onondagas. In fact, he muh the 
 chief director of all their principal ceremonies. Many of the 
 younger chiefs had jiever Avitnessed the sublime organizati(»n 
 of a grand council of the Iroquois until now, and the hoary 
 chief (Ml this occasion jiroved himself a faithful guardian to 
 his yimtlifiil wards, and lil<e a wise and prudent father and 
 counsellor, e.vjihiined the way in which they ought to walk. 
 It wiis not alone as an ahh; diplomatist or distin^ruished conn- 
 sellor, that ho became most conspicuous. He was preeminent 
 as an orator; and whether in the council room of his own 
 Onondaga, or amidst the most talented and distinguished men 
 of the confederacy, he wielded a power in the untutored de- 
 mocracy of his race, which at all times seemed irresistible. 
 The varying play of his features and voice, the graceful ges- 
 iiirc of his })ersoi! — strong without vehemence — the lightning 
 Ihish of his eye, beaming with the most lively expression — 
 made him a most interesting person to belndd. Add to these 
 '[ualificatlons, a sound judgment, a discriminating taste, a 
 conception bold and original, and a eom]dete master of the 
 subject under consideration, and you have the faint shadoAv- 
 iii;.r of a man who amid the loudest storm of declamation, 
 amidst tli(> fiercest blaze of jiassson carried conviction to every 
 heart. The dauntless energy of his mind, the firm spirit of his 
 resolution, his nndeviating patriotism, without the sacrifice of 
 persona] dignity, carried with him the hearts and affections of 
 his hearers. It has been the jdeasure and good fortune of 
 tlie author, on sundry important occasions to witness the 
 attractions of his elofpience, and although not understanding 
 a word which he uttered, has been forced by the energy of 
 his manner, the grace of his gesture, the elegance of his 
 tone, and the thrilling responses of his hearers, to feel con- 
 vinced of the transcendant powers of this distinguished man. 
 Being entitled to the honors of chief sachemship by birth, 
 iind this being confirmed by election, he stood at the head of 
 his people, a noble example of the great and good — an exalt- 
 ed specimen of his race. The Onondaga nation, as a fur- 
 
 ;-l4 >S3 
 
112 
 
 ONONDAGA. 
 
 ! ' ,; ii 
 
 V .1 
 
 ther testimony of their confidence and esteem, conferred upon 
 him the honorary title of war captain, the highest title known 
 to their military usages, as a reward for his distinguished ser- 
 vices, and as a tribute to his superior wisdom and greatness. 
 
 The subject of this sketch was an admirable pattern of In- 
 dian excellence. Although he rigidly adhered to the customs 
 and religion of his fathers, no man could be more devoted to 
 sentiments of friendship and peace. "Whenever tlie shrill war- 
 whoop sounded tlirough his native woodlands, its echos had 
 scarcely suspended their reverberations from the surrounding 
 hills, before his influence was felt in quieting the tempest, 
 and in securing an adjustment of difficulties. It is true, his 
 career was not marked Ijy scenes of rapine and blood ; no 
 mighty warlike schemes were projected during his ascenden- 
 cy — no madly contested battle fleld marked the progress of 
 his course, nor was the clangor of arms, or the deceit of es- 
 pionage or the Ct'al't; of sti'ategy — elements that entered 
 prominently into the formation of his cliaracter. Circumstan- 
 ces never tried him as a warrior. IJut from his bold and 
 fearless spirit, his active and penetrating judgment, his easy 
 discernment of the capacities of men, ami Avithal his unbound- 
 ed influenco with his countrymen — it is to be inferred that 
 had his talents been thus require 1 and exerted, he would have 
 been as conspicuous in the character of a warlike leader as 
 he was in the councils of the nations. 
 
 Having drank deeply at the fountain of instruction diffused 
 by the Great Prophet, Conyataiiyou, he was strictly temper- 
 ate in his habits, and frequently mourned over the wretched- 
 ness and degradation of his brethren, occasioned by the '•//« 
 water" of the pale faces. Like his pi'c lecessors, he rogarilod 
 the introduction of ardent spirits among his pi^aple as a plot, 
 to extirpate the red race, and to eradicate their power. His 
 admonitions to his people in regard to " icaolnr/ tohiskei/ to the 
 whites," were cogent and salutary, and ffcqui.'ntly wlto the 
 national councils enriched with his eloquent temperance ap- 
 peals. Never was a man admitted to their councils who swayed 
 their wild spirits Avith so much effect, dignity and grace. 
 
CHIEFS. 
 
 113 
 
 nferred upon 
 it title known 
 iguished ser- 
 greatness. 
 attern of In- 
 
 the customs 
 '0 devoted to 
 le shrill war- 
 ts eclios had 
 surrounding 
 the tempest, 
 .t is true, his 
 d blood ; no 
 is ascenden- 
 
 progress of 
 deceit of es- 
 ;hat entered 
 Circumstan- 
 us bold and 
 ent, liis easy 
 his unbound- 
 inferred that 
 } Avould have 
 ke leader as 
 
 3tion diffused 
 ctly tempcr- 
 ic wvetched- 
 by the ''fire 
 he vegarded 
 )le as a plot, 
 power. His 
 Iilskeij to the 
 tly were the 
 iperance ap- 
 1 who swayed 
 1 grace. 
 
 Ossahinta, died at his residence, near the council-house of 
 the Onondaga nation, on the 24th day of January, 1846, in 
 the eighty-sixth year of his age, much lamented by his coun- 
 trymen. His funeral was attended by a large majority of 
 the nation, and numbers of his white friends were present to 
 pay their last fond regards to the distinguished and illustrious 
 dead. 
 
 His remains were interred in the common burying place of 
 the nation, in all the pomp and circumstance of aboriginal 
 ceremony. The stoical silence of his male brethren, and the 
 tears and moans of his female relatives and friends, told plainly 
 the hold he had on their affections and the loss which they 
 were called upon to mourn. 
 
 By way of eminence, this truly great man was sometimes 
 styled Ka-ge-a-lo-ha-ta, the head man or oracle of the Onon- 
 dagas — a very Cato. 
 
 A few montlis before his death, he was persuaded to sit for 
 liis picture, to Mr. Sanford Thayer, an excellent artist of the 
 city of Syracuse. The picture is a capital likeness of him 
 as he was usually dressed and decorated on state occasions. 
 From, this picture, now in possession of Mr. Welch, of Syra- 
 cuse, a spirited steel engraving has been made by Messrs. 
 Chase & Ostrander, which is placed as a frontispiece to this 
 work, and represents the care worn chieftain as he was famili- 
 arly known to many of the citizens of our county, in the 
 pahny days of his usefulness and power. 
 
 From time immemorial, the Onondagas have furnished the 
 King— "TAir-TO-TATi," or principal civil officer of the con- 
 federacy. This celebrated personage has usually resided at 
 Onondaga. The present Tah-to-tah is a reputed grandson of 
 Ephraim Webster, and the son of a daughter of the late 
 Ossahinta. The line of descent in all instances among the 
 Six Nations, has always been with the female branch of the 
 family, and this succession has been through the daughter of 
 Ossahinta, her mother, grandmother and so up to the first 
 Tah-to-tah— this being the XIII., XIV. or XV. from the first. 
 The present king is now (1848) about seven years old, pos- 
 
 16 
 
 
 
 '$ m 
 
! 't 
 
 I :> 
 
 114 
 
 ONONDAGA. 
 
 sessing an intelligent countenance, muscular frame, and much 
 intellectual vigor — with eyes like an eagle. He now takes 
 part in all their Pagan ceremonies, distinguishes himself in 
 their dances, and is a usual attendant upon councils. But 
 alas ; the title is all he can possess of royalty. 
 
 De-iiat-ka-tons— Abram La Fort.— This distinguished chief 
 was the successor of Captain Frost, in the principal chieftain- 
 ship of the Onondagas, and in all the mythology and intricate 
 mysteries of the peculiar institutions of the Six Nations. He 
 was born in the year 1794, and Avas a son of the celebrated 
 HoH-A-HOA-QUA, (La Fort,) who fell in the service of his 
 country, valiantly fighting at the head of his warriors, in be- 
 half of the United States, on the battle field of ChippoAva, on 
 the 6t]i of July, 1814. Dehatkatons was of the Beaver clan 
 of the Onondagas, and received his English appellation through 
 one of his ancestors, (his grand-father or great grand-father) 
 awarded upon a battle field, in which the French and English 
 were engaged, during the old French war. On this occasion, 
 the warrior sachem had performed prodigies of valor, and 
 Avith his red riglit hand and uplifted arm, had slain many of 
 his foes, in consequence of which, he was named La Fort* 
 by the French, Avhich conferred the title of the Brave. This 
 title Avas held in high estimation by the subject of this sketch, 
 and Avhenever he alluded to the circumstances of its origin. 
 his countenance Avould light up with peculiar lustre, and his 
 sharp, keen eye flash with delight. The father of Dehatka- 
 tons Avas a civil ehioi" of great distinction forty years a^o, and 
 then second only to Oundiaga. On account of his uncommon 
 martial abilities, he Avas chosen Avar captain of the Onondao-as, 
 and subsequently first Avar chief of the Six Nations, in Avhich 
 capacity he acted on the frontier, in the early part of the 
 campaign of 1814, until his death. While the life blood of 
 the warrior chief was fast flowing upon the plain of ChippcAva, 
 
 * Le being the French article for nouns of the niascuhne gentler, and La for 
 those of the feminine, this sliould properly be written Le Fort ; but, as it was 
 written by himself Las Fort, we adopt it as his proper name. 
 
CHIEFS. 
 
 115 
 
 anie, and much 
 
 He now takes 
 
 shes himself in 
 
 councils. But 
 
 inguished chief 
 cipal chieftain- 
 y and intricate 
 Nations. He 
 the celebrated 
 service of his 
 warriors, in be- 
 ' Chippewa, on 
 le Beaver clan 
 Ilation throufrh 
 
 o 
 
 I grand-father) 
 ih and English 
 . this occasion, 
 
 of valor, and 
 slain many of 
 led La Fort* 
 
 Brave. This 
 of this sketcli, 
 
 of its origin, 
 ustre, and his 
 r of Dehatka- 
 rears ago, and 
 bis uncommon 
 le Onondagas, 
 ions, in which 
 y part of the 
 ! life blood of 
 
 of Chippewa, 
 
 ;:ender, and Im for 
 t ; but, as it was 
 
 the braves of the Onondagas gathered around the prostrate 
 hero, and exclaimed in their own language, "Alas! great 
 chief! The Brave ! the Brave !" 
 
 Dohatkatons, then in the twentieth year of his age, accom- 
 panied his father to the Niagara frontier, was present with him 
 at the time he was shot, and assisted to bear his bleeding sire 
 from the field, amid the din and danger of angry battle. Af- 
 ter the burial of his father, being deeply imbued with the su- 
 perstitions of his race, he returned to his home, and there with 
 his relations and friends, bewailed the loss of the great war 
 captain of the Six Nations. 
 
 Dohatkatons succeeded in part to the title of the sachem- 
 ship held by his father, through the voice and consent of the 
 nation. But it was not until the death of Ossahinta, that he 
 was invested with all the insignia of rank pertaining to the 
 office of principal chief. He was connected, by consanguinity 
 or affinity with all the principal chiefs of a long and uninter- 
 rupted line, and to Tahtotah or king of the Six Nations ; Oun- 
 diaga, Tiungktakonea (Captain George) and Ossahinta were 
 his uncles. 
 
 After the death of his father, he was admitted to a seat in 
 the councils of his countrymen. He was entitled to this dis- 
 tinction through his mother, a sister of Oundiaga. 
 
 The next we hear of our late friend, is in connection with 
 the Oneida mission, established by Bishop Ilobart. In re- 
 lating the circumstances of a visit to Onondaga, in 1816, Rev. 
 ilr. Eleazar Williams in his journal says: "I was happy to 
 find Abram La Fort appeared to be under serious impres- 
 sions, llis inquiries after the nature and design of Christi- 
 anity, are such as to give me the greatest hopes that his heart 
 had been touched and moved by the spirit of God, to make 
 these inquiries. He has engaged to come monthly to Oneida, 
 for religious instruction, which I will most cheerfully give 
 him," 
 
 The Rev. E. G. Gear, who was at this time a missionary 
 at Onondaga Hill, and who often visited the Onondaga In- 
 dians, thus makes mention of him : " I found him in a corn- 
 
 Bsf^fS^Rl 
 
 p H 
 
 B ' ^ i 
 
 1 M 
 
 1 ," M 
 
 ' n 
 
 I ' . ii'^a 
 
 VM 
 
 
 11 
 
 BHJBMy 
 
 1 
 
116 
 
 ONONDAGA 
 
 '*! 
 
 ;i i 
 
 field, almost entirely naked, at work with his hoe." He was 
 considered by his countrymen and otiiers who enjoyed his ac- 
 quaintance, as a youth of uncommon promise. Mr. Gear be- 
 came very much attacliod to his new friend. In a conver- 
 sation. La Fort signified his wishes to be educated, that he 
 might be useful to his people. Ilis wishes were communi- 
 cated to Bishop Ilobart by Mr. Gear, lie had all along been 
 instructed in the truths of Christianity, by Mr. Elcazar Wil- 
 liams, then lay reader and catechist at Oneida, aided by that 
 devoted Christian, Abraham Brant, an aged Mohawk who 
 had settled at Oneida, and who was wholly devoted to the 
 service of God. The rudiments of an intellectual education 
 had also been taught him by Mr. Williams. It was on the 
 visit of Bishop Ilobart to western New- York, in the autumn 
 of 1817, that he for the first time Avas introduced to the younf^ 
 chief. From a full and unreserved conversation, the bishop 
 felt assured, that the education of this young native, would 
 be of vast importance to his countrymen. Mr. Williams also 
 became very much interested in the future prospects and wel- 
 fare of La Fort ; and in his journal, under date of Dec. 1818, 
 says: "As my great anxiety has been to assist my young 
 friend Abram La Fort, the Onondaga chief, in regard to his 
 education, so I addressed my diocesan upon the subject, who 
 answered as follows:" 
 
 " New York, January 8th, 1819. 
 
 " My Dear Sir : I have received your letter of the 29th 
 
 December, and will write you relative to its contents, and 
 
 furnish you with the document you requested by Mr. Thomas 
 
 L. Ogden, who expects to leave here for Albany, by Friday. 
 
 In haste, yours sincerely, 
 
 J. II. IIOBART." 
 
 The following is an extract from the document referred to : 
 " Mr. Eleazar Williams, a young man of Indian extraction, 
 has been admitted as a candidate for orders in the Protestant 
 Episcopal Church, and is usefully employed as a catechist and 
 lay reader among the Oneida Indians. Mr. Williams is en- 
 gaged in the laudable design of procuring funds, for tlie edu- 
 
 .. C ! 
 
 m sfflj 
 
CHIEFS. 
 
 117 
 
 e." He was 
 
 I joyed his ac- 
 Mr. Gear be- 
 In ii conver- 
 ated, that he 
 ii'c communi- 
 l11 along been 
 Elcazar Wil- 
 aided by tliat 
 ^lohawk who 
 voted to the 
 iial education 
 t was on the 
 
 the autumn 
 to the young 
 n, the bishop 
 lative, "wouhl 
 iVilliams also 
 ects and wel- 
 .f Dec. 1818, 
 it my young 
 ogard to liis 
 subject, who 
 
 Rth, 1819. 
 of the 21)tli 
 ontcnts, and 
 Mr. Thomas 
 •, by Friday. 
 
 IIOBART." 
 
 referred to : 
 
 II extraction, 
 e Protestant 
 jatechist and 
 Hams is en- 
 for the edu- 
 
 cation of a young Indian of piety and talents, who is desirous 
 of devoting himself to the ministry of the church. 
 
 " I recommend this pious and benevolent design, to the pa- 
 tronage of the friends of religion, and particularly to those 
 who are desirous of extending the blessings of civilization and 
 Christian knoAvledge among the Indian tribes." 
 
 With this testimonial of the bishop's approbation, Mr. Wil- 
 Uams, in company with La Fort, visited Boston, where they 
 found but few individuals who were willing to aid them in their 
 laudable undertaking. 
 
 Major General Dearborn, however, made a very handsome 
 donation, and some others gave according to their ability ; 
 among whom are favorably mentioned, the Rev. Mr. Kirk- 
 land, president of Harvard University, Gardner Green, 
 Thomas Williams, Esqrs., and Rev. Dr. Porter, of Roxbury. 
 
 Mr. Williams and his protege afterwards went to New- 
 York, Avhere, under the immediate influence of Bishop llobart, 
 they were more successful. Among his friends, was raised a 
 fund of about $1400, for the benefits proposed. The youth- 
 ful chief, was noAV placed under the guardian care of the Rev. 
 Samuel Fuller, of Rensselaerville, in whose family he remained 
 from March, 1819, to August, 1823, spending the winter 
 (some eight months) of 1822-3 with a son of Mr. Fuller, 
 wlio was then principal of Hudson academy. 
 
 In 1819 Bishop llobart thus speaks of him in his annual 
 address : " The young Onondaga chief, whom I mentioned in 
 my last address, as desirous of procuring an education, for 
 the purpose of qualifying him as the spiritual instructor of 
 his countrymen, will be able through the bounty of Episcopa- 
 lians and others, principally in the city of New York, and 
 through the aid of the government of the United States, to 
 attain his object. He is advantageously receiving an educa- 
 tion under the care of the Rev. Samuel Fuller, of Rensselaer- 
 ville." During the whole period of his stay with Mr. Fuller, 
 his conduct was in all respects most exemplary, his habits pi- 
 ous, and liis diligence and proficiency in learning were satis- 
 factory and encouraging to his teachers, considering his ad- 
 
 
 •-■'V'tH 
 
 ■v4 
 
 ■i 
 
 1 
 
 I 
 
 H 
 
 
 1 
 
 ^^1^1 
 
 
 ^n 
 
 ^^^^1 
 
 
 ^H 
 
 
 
 
 ^^^^^^^H 
 
 
 ^hI 
 
 ^^^^^^^H 
 
 
 ^^M 
 
 ^IHII 
 
 
 Wm 
 
 
 
 
 HHH 
 
 
 I^M 
 
 WWi 
 
 1 
 
 ml 
 
 WtVmm. 
 
 
 f^m 
 
I1 
 
 118 
 
 ONONDAGA 
 
 WW 
 
 ll"' 1 
 
 'II 1 ! I 
 
 u i 
 
 vanced age and the embarrassments he labored under in being 
 educated in a new hinguage. 
 
 After Geneva Academy was established, he was transferred 
 to the care of the Rev. Daniel McDonald, D. D., Principal 
 of that institution in 1823. Here he remained nearly three 
 years, until the fund for his education and support had been 
 expended. 
 
 Soon after this he returned to his nation, perhaps not as 
 well qualified for missionary labors among his brethren, in 
 point of classical attainments, as might by many have been 
 supposed, considering the time he was under instruction. But 
 great allowances should be made in his behalf; he had new 
 associations to form, a new language to learn, new ideas and 
 new impressions to receive. He was in fact an infant in all 
 things except physical proportions and strength. 
 
 After his return to his people, he opened a school, which 
 was continued about three years. He was paid eight dollars 
 a month for his services, by a Quaker, who resided among the 
 Onondagas with his family. The efforts of this Quaker fami- 
 ly were unremitting, for a period of eight years, during whicli 
 time several Indian girls were instructed in household duties, 
 the benefits of which we see, even at this late day, exemplifi- 
 ed in some of their habitations. The most strenuous exer- 
 tions were used by this family to bring about a reformation in 
 the morals and habits of the nation, and to hasten a knowl- 
 edge of civilization and Christianity. Altliough ineffectual in 
 their efforts, traces of their labors still remain, and the servi- 
 ces of Adin T. Corey and family, will be long and affection- 
 ately remembered. 
 
 La Fort was, at this time, undoubtedly sincere in his pro- 
 fessions of faith in the gospel, and in the doctrines and wor- 
 ship of the Protestant Episcopal Church, lie made it a du- 
 ty to attend punctually the services of the Church at Onon- 
 daga Hill ; always looked comely and well dressed ; liad a 
 full share of self-respect ; was exceedingly gentlemanly in his 
 deportment, and it has been remarked by numbers, that but 
 few young men spoke the English language Avith so much nu- 
 
CHIEFS. 
 
 110 
 
 rity, grace and ease, as did Abram La Fort, at the time he 
 left Geneva ; -which may be attributed solely to the fact, that 
 he never had but little if any intercourse after he left home, 
 during all his sojourn witli the whites, only with the highly 
 educated, the virtuous and the good. In addition to the fore- 
 going, lie led a devoted, exemplary, and Christian life ; had 
 been baptized, confirmed and admitted to the holy commu- 
 nion, and in all respects lived and adorned his Christian pro- 
 fession. 
 
 At this period strong hopes were entertained of his future 
 usefulness among his own people. lie was married in the 
 Church on Onondaga Hill by the Rev. Mr. Ilinton, in Au- 
 gust, 1828, to an Indian woman. For a time he continued 
 faithful to the trust reposed in him ; l)ut in the course of 
 events his faith grew cold, his wife, who was a complete and 
 perfect specimen of a Pagan — scKi.sli, obstinate, opposed to 
 Christianity and all innovations upon Indian practices, was a 
 primary cause of alienation of feeling. Add to this his love 
 of power among his people, wliicli could not be attained while 
 he remained a Christian, and his solitary and single-handed 
 efforts to Christianize a subtle and savage nation, and we have 
 the whole cause which by degrees disheartened, discouraged, 
 and finally sunk him to his original state of barbarism and 
 heathen degradation. It is to be deplored, that so favorable 
 an opportunity of permanently introducing the gospel among 
 this people, should have been suffered to pass without profit. 
 La Fort should never have been allowed, single-handed and 
 alone, to combat the prejudices, ignorances and influences of 
 his grossly superstitious countrymen. Had a missionary fami- 
 ly accompanied him to his home, and given him counsel and 
 encouragement, no t! ubt at this day might be seen a flourish- 
 ing mission of the Protestant Episcopal Church at Onondaga ; 
 and La Fort Avould have been preserved, a blessing to himself, 
 his family, his kindred and his people. For several years be- 
 fore his death, he had repudiated Christianity, and had been 
 considered the head of the Pagan party. He was openly and 
 even violently opposed, in latter years, to the admission of 
 
 ! ! ■ ri." 
 
120 
 
 ONONDAGA. 
 
 '! H 
 
 ministers of tlie gospel among his people, and opposed the in- 
 troduction of schools, except as a matter of policy. The fol- 
 lowing may be an instance in point : At a great National 
 Council, held at the Ca&tle in 1841, the subject of admitting 
 missionaries and school teachers, was seriously discussed. The 
 old Pagan chiefs were, to a man, opposed to the plan ; debate 
 ran high, and finally the subject was referred to La Fort. Af- 
 ter some preliminary remarks, ho said—" It is best to let all 
 those become Christians who will, and let all those who choose, 
 remain Pagans. Because if we do not, the Christian party 
 will make great ado. The white people will sympathize with 
 them,— they will become strong— they will have good sing- 
 ing—they will go to the white people and get good victuals, 
 and all our people will join them, and our Indian institutions 
 will all be absorbed, they will wither away and die. Let all 
 go as they will, we shall then stund a chance to be the most 
 numerous, and our party will finally succeed." 
 
 Latterly, his influence has been strongly exerted in keeping 
 many of the children of Christian pa-ents from the school" 
 . .tablished among them by the State, and most of the Pagans. 
 He was foremost in all the rites and ceremonies of the Pagan 
 festivals and sacrifices. He was a man of great influence, and 
 extensively known and respected among all the Six Nations. 
 And it is said he was the only man, at the time of his death, 
 who Avas every way capable of carrying on a great council of 
 the United Nations, in its pure and primitive form. 
 
 Although naturally distrustful of the whites, ho often in the 
 most unreserved manner communicated with those he thought 
 worthy of his confidence. Only ten days before his death, 
 and while in the full tide of life and health, arrangements 
 had been made to secure a likeness of him by a competent 
 artist, for the purpose of having an engraved copy made to 
 accompany this work as a frontispiece. The day was set that 
 we were to meet and commence the work. Three d..ys after 
 the appointment was made, he was taken sick, and on the day 
 he was first to sit for his picture, Abram La Fort expired. 
 He was sick but eight days. It was the fortune of the author 
 
CHIEFS. 
 
 121 
 
 to visit him during lis sickness, the Monday previous to hia 
 death. He then seemed very much in doubt whether he should 
 recover, and wlien questioned in regard to his future state and 
 his belief in his former teachings and profession, he replied, 
 the white man's God has been very good to me, and sighed, 
 but would answer no more. 
 
 His last public act, was to escort a largo delegation of the 
 chiefs and warriors of the Onondaga nation, as far as the city 
 of Syracuse, on their way to a grand council, to be held at 
 Tonawanda. He felt too ill to go on with them — charged 
 them how to proceed, and bade them adieu, as it proved for- 
 ever. He died on the morning of Thursday, the 5th of Oc- 
 tober, 1848, of congestive fever, aged fifty-four years. 
 
 AV^ithin a few hours after his deatli, the news had reached 
 the city of Syracuse, and was every where received with sur- 
 prise and sorrow. Every one was disposed to sympathize in 
 this (to the Indians) great national bereavement. 
 
 Immediately after his death, a runner was dispatched to • 
 Buffalo, to notify his friends at the council, of their irrepara- 
 ble loss. These returned on the Saturday following, and on 
 Sunday at tAvelve o'clock, the corpse was carried on a bier to 
 the council-house and placed in the centre of the room, in 
 wliicli he had so often addressed the few remaining sons of 
 the forest, Avho had now assembled to pay their last tribute of 
 respect, to the remains of their chief. 
 
 The ceremonies for the occasion of the burial, were com- 
 menced by Harry Webster, the highest religious ofiicer of the 
 Pagan party, by a speech in his native tongue. The speaker 
 closed his remarks, passed a belt of wampum, representing 
 the laAvs of the nation, to an individual named John Halfr 
 Town, who was to act as head chipf until the next annual 
 council, should be convened. 
 
 This same belt once held by Kawhicdota, Oundiaga, Ossa- 
 hinta and Dehatkatons, successively, is the unwritten code, 
 which he was to administer. The corpse was appareled in 
 the full costume of a warrior prepared for battle. He had 
 in latter years, delighted in administering the laws, and 
 
 16 
 
 fe«j-.A.j.' 
 
122 
 
 O N O N I) A G A . 
 
 1^'' 
 P 
 
 \\<K 
 
 I 
 
 I 
 
 I 
 
 'I' 
 
 honoring the customs of his forefathers as observed in olden 
 time. At tiioir feasts and sacrifices, ho 'vas })lumcd and 
 adorned as were tlio great chiefs in tlio palmy days of their 
 power. As he appeare<l on those occasions, so was his corpse 
 ha])itcd for its entrance upon the journey to the land of the 
 Great Spirit. He was placed in an elegant coffin, upon whicii 
 was a massive sdver plate, on which was engraved, '' Abram 
 La Fort, lload Chief of the Onondagas, aged fA years." The 
 coffin was carried to the grave, and placed in the ground with 
 the head in the direction of the setthig sun. 
 
 The shrieks of the mourners, and the rude simplicity of the 
 scene, as the eartli rattled upon the coilin, uniting earth to 
 earth, ashes to ashes, dust to dust, AViis deej)ly aifecting, and 
 especially r-o as tlie sister and bereaved wife followed by 
 other fcmtvle relatives in single file, retraced their steps to the 
 house made more than desolate, by the recent death of two 
 children and a father. A few days before, and he wielded 
 his sceptre over a fallen people, in the fulness and pride of 
 power, aiul now, there lies he low in the open common, the re- 
 mains of the hist great chief of the Onondagas. No enclo- 
 sure circumscribes his resting place, and there, according to 
 the red man's faith, his spirit takes its departure to the ely- 
 siura of the braves, who by their noble deeds have merited the 
 favor of the Great Spirit, and there to enjoy his smiles and 
 eternal presence. 
 
 At this time there is not an individual among the Onon- 
 dagas who can make good the loss occasioned by his death. 
 And judging from appearances, the time cannot be far distant, 
 when this feeble remnant of a once powerful nation, will totally 
 "disappear. They are like the last leaves of autumn, withered, 
 dried, decaying and scattered on the wings of the wind: 
 spring finds them not. 
 
 The pen of history may hereafter record the fact, that De- 
 hatkatons — Abram La Fort — was the last of a long line of dis- 
 tinguished chiefs, Avho have been eminent among their coun- 
 trymen, for their talents, their dcvotedness to their own pe- 
 
CHIEFS. 
 
 128 
 
 culiar institutions, and their opposition to civilization and 
 Christianity. 
 
 Since tlio foregoing was written, and while those pages 
 were in the hands of the printer, the author has received the 
 following communication from the old friend and teacher of 
 La Fort, the Rev. Eleazar Williams. 
 
 " It so happened that Ave met only three weeks previous to 
 his death, when we promised to meet again at Buffalo, on my 
 return to the west. On my arrival at Buffalo, instead of 
 meeting my friend as anticipated, I received the distressing 
 message from him, that he was in a most dangerous situation, 
 or rather at the point of death ; winliing mo to repair to him 
 immediately, to prepare him for his great change and hurial. 
 I left Buffalo by the first train of cars for Syracuse, to com- 
 fort my dying friend, to prepare hiin fur his exit, by the 
 prayers of the cliurch, and to attend his funeral. JJut alas ! 
 I was too late. The body of my I'riend and pupil had already 
 been consigned to the tomb. La Fort requested one of his 
 attendants, tliat if I did not arrive bcforj his death, to say to 
 me that he had died in the belief of the Christian religion, as 
 I had taught him. Tliat he believed on the Lord Jesus 
 Christ as his Saviour, and hoped to meet mo in a better world. 
 With these comforting words, I left Onondaga Hollow, and 
 with a heavy heart turned my lace once more to the west." 
 
 The ancient CouNcrL-FiiiE of the Confederate Nations, 
 from time immemorial, had always been kei)t alive at Onon- 
 daga, the central nation of the confederacy. After their al- 
 liance v. ith the English in ItJCiG, the fires of the United Coun- 
 cils of the two powers were kindled at Albany, and there, ac- 
 cording to the figurative manner of Indian expression, Avas 
 planted the great tree, to which was fastened the eliain of 
 friendship. With the close of tlic groat council of ITTo, that 
 fire, which had so long kept burning, was extinguisliod. It 
 was the last Indian council held at the ancient Dutcli Capital. 
 The great Council-Fire of the Six Nations was still kept alive 
 at Onondaga till after the close of the I'evolutionary Avar, at 
 Avliich time a portion of the Onomlngas took up their abode 
 
 PI 
 
 JM 
 
124 
 
 O N O N D A { J A . 
 
 
 i. 
 
 ■ i 
 
 on tho BufTiilo Creek Resorvatinn, iindor the protootion of the 
 SenecaH, und thero was established tho Coiiiieil-Fire of the 
 Six Nations. Tho Council- Kiro was kept by L't-ha-wah, (dipt, 
 Cold,) un Ononda^M, and tho Senccas appropriated a mile 
 square of land on their reservation, as a mark of distinction 
 to tho chief who kept it. Efforts have often been made by 
 the On()nd!i<;^as at home, to have the council-fire restored to 
 its ancient hearth, but always without success until tho fall of 
 1847. The Ononda;:;as and Senecas on tho Buffalo Reserva- 
 tion, seoin«,' that their lands were like to pass from thoui, and 
 thereby their removal become inevitable, after the death of 
 Capt. Cold, resolved to restore the sacred deposit to its an- 
 cient site. 
 
 We would here remind the reader that what is termed the 
 council-fire, is not, as is by miiny supposed, an actual fire, 
 kept constantly burning, but tho i)laco where their national 
 records are kept, and belts, the memorials of treaties, depo- 
 sited and prosewed, and as such, tho term is only used in a 
 figurative sense. It is the place where all the national coun- 
 cils assemble, and whore is retained tho spirit and essence of 
 their ceremonies and institutions. Important Indian councils 
 are often held without actual fire. 
 
 Dehatkatons was at this time chosen keeper of the council- 
 fire of the Six Nations. These archives consist of various 
 bolts of wampum, some twonty-fivo or thirty in number, wliioh 
 the author has had the satisfaction of seeing, (a sight rarely 
 allowed a white nuin,) with explanations from the keeper. 
 Here is shown a belt, sixteen inches broad, by four feet long, 
 representing the first union and league of the Five Nations, 
 and is called tho "cahpet," foundation or platform, or as we 
 may better understand it, tho constitution ; literally, some- 
 thing to stand upon. 
 
 The several nations, are distinguished by particular squares. 
 and these are joined together by a lino of white Avampum 
 and united to a heart in the centre, implying the union of 
 hand and heart as one. In connection with this, is a second 
 belt having the figures of several chiefs wrought in the warn- 
 
CIIIKFH 
 
 125 
 
 )tootion of the 
 il-Firc of the 
 la-wiili, (dipt, 
 riatc'd a mile 
 of (list i notion 
 )CC'U niado by 
 e restored to 
 itil the fall of 
 IViilo Roscrva- 
 Diii tlieiii, anil 
 tlu; death of 
 osit to its an- 
 
 3 termed the 
 II actual fire, 
 heir national 
 reaticH, dcpo- 
 nly used in a 
 ational conn- 
 id essence of 
 idian councils 
 
 r the council- 
 st of various 
 unibor, which 
 . sifjjht rarely 
 the keeper. 
 >ur feet long, 
 -^ive Nations, 
 arm, or as we 
 erally, some- 
 
 ;ular squares, 
 lite Avampum 
 ;he union of 
 !, is a second 
 in the wam- 
 
 pum, all holdintr hands in a circle, which i.s to represent, that 
 there .shall be no end to this lea/j;ue. 
 
 On one belt is n<,'urcd the Long House, the Great Cabin, 
 which no now nation can enter until it has erected aoino little 
 cabins around it ; that i.s, the nation must perform some 
 deeds worthy of note, before it can be entitled to admission 
 to the great league of confederation. Around this, are five 
 smaller cal)ins, emblems of the original Five Nations, before 
 the league was formed, and on one side is a still smaller one, 
 wrought since the first, representing the Tu.scarora nation, 
 which was admitted at a 8ubse(iuent period. Another long 
 narrow belt, having a cross at one end and a long house at the 
 olher, a narrow white .stripe connecting the long house and a 
 large cross, was explained as follows: " arcat many years 
 ago," a company from Canada presented this belt, desiring 
 that missionaries, from the Roman Catholic church, might bo 
 settled among the Five Nations, and erect a church, at Onon- 
 daga, and that the road should be cortinually kept open and 
 free between them. All tlie other belts were explained with 
 particular minuteness. 
 
 The bag which contains these relics is of itself a singular 
 curiosity. It is made of the finest shreds of Elm bark, and 
 a person without being apprised, mi<rht easily mistake it for 
 the softest 11a x. Its capacity would exceed a bu.shel. This 
 liag is reputed to be as old as the league itself, and certainly 
 hears the marks of great antiquity. 
 
 The tubes or beads of wampum are of red, dark blue, pale 
 hlue, black and white colors, made of conch shell. They are 
 about five-eighths of an inch long, about as large as a small 
 pipe stem, and hollow, strung, woven and Avrought with sinews 
 of deer, and bark. 
 
 The wliolc, to say the least, is a great curiosity, and has 
 undoubtedly been handed down from a remote period. It is 
 held as a sacred treasure, preserved with great care, and 
 looked upon with peculiar reverence. 
 
ONONDAGA. 
 
 CHAPTER VI. 
 
 FRENCH MISSIONS. 
 
 Introduction of French Roman Catholic Missionaries to Onondaga — Father 
 Simon Le Moyne's Joiunal of a Visit to Onondaga, 1653— Jesuit Rela- 
 tion l(;r)5-C — Voyage ok Joseph Ciiaimo.ndt and Ci.aihe Dablon to O.no.v 
 
 DAGA, AND TIIEIU RetUKN TO QUEBEC RELATION, 1 656-7— PUBLICATION OF TUl; 
 
 Faith to the Onondagas, by Father Paul Rauueneau— Charlevoix Ac- 
 count OF THE Same— Reception of Le Moyne with the Onondagas— Rela- 
 tions FROM 1659 TO 1067— De Witt Clinton's Account of a Colony near 
 Jamesville, 1666 — Relations from 1668 to 1709. 
 
 In entering upon an investigation of the antiquarian re- 
 mains every where apparent in the vicinity of Onondaga, we 
 find a foundation more permanent upon which to build, mate- 
 rials more tangible, with which to erect a superstructure, than 
 can be found in the faded traditions of Indian history. We 
 have the most conclusive testimony that the vestiges of Eu-- 
 ropean art, the traces of civilization and the evidences of 
 military occupancy by a scientific people, so widely scat- 
 tered throughout the country, are but the ruins of erections 
 made by missionaries, traders and military commanders of 
 France, Holland and England. And the most ancient, (except 
 perhaps the Pompey monumental stone,) can scarcely be traced 
 further back, than the early part of the seventeenth century. 
 The Dutch settled at New- York, in 1609, and the French at 
 Quebec and Montreal, a little earlier ; but it cannot be sup- 
 posed that these nations entered immediately into the busi- 
 ness of sending traders among the Five Nations, or primarily 
 adopted the measure of Christianizing them. However, at an 
 early day, these matters became subjects of serious conside- 
 
MISSIONS, 
 
 127 
 
 ration, and the Christianizing of the Five Nations, and their civi- 
 hzation too, was a subject Avhicli almost entirely engrossed the 
 minds of the French Jesuits, and subsequently the Dutch and 
 English missionaries. The trade and good will of this powerful 
 confederacy, was sought with great avidity, and Onondaga being 
 the central nation, the seat of their government and power 
 the main operations were centred here. The Dutch during 
 the days of their ascendancy and power in New-Yo4 were 
 successful 111 securing the favor and trade of these nations 
 And such was their progress, that the French made no posi- 
 tively favorable efforts to gain a permanent foothold, till the 
 ^lynasty of the Dutch was superceded by the English After 
 this event, the French Mere more successful in" their enter- 
 prises Their missionaries were pushed into the heart of the 
 Onoiulaga country. The details of their Inbors and opera- 
 tions, give them the air nnd consequence of history, and that 
 too of the utmost import..ucc. Most of these missionaries 
 v,erc men of education, and |,reservrd the record of their 
 .lomjrs, and their Eolations, so far as they throw light upon 
 our liistory, are wortliy of credit. 
 
 In tiieyear 1028, Il'enry de Levi, Ducde Ventadour, sought 
 .'.n. obtained the title of viceroy of New France. This lord 
 had retired from court and had received sacre.l orders It 
 was not to enter into the tumult of the Avorld, that he took 
 charge o| the afiairs of x\ew France, but to establish a new 
 mission m the wilderness, and to procure the conversion of 
 the savage inhabitants. As this Jesuit was the director of 
 his own conscience, possessing a bold and fearless spirit he 
 cast his eyes towar,ls the western world, as a theatre suitable 
 01- the execution of his magnificent project. He proposed 
 his great scheme to the French king, and laid his plans and ex- 
 plained them before his majesty and his council, who were de- 
 ghted, that an enterprise so daring, and promising the most 
 appy results, should thus be proposed. His majesty acce- 
 dod to the p an the more willingly, as the Order of the Recol- 
 le_.s,_who had on most occasions, been the pioneers in all new 
 missions, so far from opposing the scheme, had themselves 
 
 
 ■I" 
 
 f 
 
 iin 
 
 
 tl'% 'M 
 
 
 LlJl 
 
128 
 
 ONONDAGA, 
 
 ih a 
 
 made the first proposal to the Due de Ventadour. Thus all 
 things being harmoniously arranged, Father Charles Lalle- 
 mant, the same who had accompanied Mons. de la Saussaye 
 a Pentagort, the Father Eremond Masse and Father Jean de 
 Brebeuf, who had been selected to conduct the Canadian mis- 
 sion, with two brothers of the Order of Jesuits, made ready to 
 depart. These first and devoted heralds of the cross were 
 ready to sail early in the year 1625. 
 
 It was in this year that Jesuit missionaries first arrived in 
 Canada, prepared to announce the gospel to the heathen. 
 Previously, none had had intercourse with the aborigines of 
 our land, except in the character of traders, using every means 
 to overreach and swindle them, or in the more stern garb of 
 military adventurers, prepared to oppress them. These sons 
 of the forest, now for the first time saw men entering their 
 villages, whose words breathed peace and love ; whose business 
 was only to suffer, and to teach humility ; whose sword was 
 the cross, and whose garb was soberness, good will and charity. 
 
 The privations of the wilderness, and rigors of the cliraate, 
 were borne with foi-titude ; native languages were to be mas- 
 tered ; the dispositions and customs of a strange people were 
 to be studied and conformed to ; and difliculties to be en- 
 countered, sufficient to appal the stoutest heart. Yet these tie- 
 voted men and their successors, entered upon tlieir labors with 
 a zeal that knew no limit, and a devotedness that surmounted 
 every severity to which they were exposed. They were suc- 
 cessful in winning these strange men to their stranger doc- 
 trines and faith ; and their object was in a measure accom- 
 plished, of winning these wild inhabitants from tiieir wandering 
 Avays, and drawing them unconsciously into the practices of 
 civilized life. The establishment of missions among the na- 
 tives naturally led to the exploration of the country. And 
 thus these pioneers of the cross became the first discovereis 
 and historians of the whole interior of North America. They 
 widely extended geographical knowledge, and did not overlook 
 the importance of providing the means of education for the 
 youth of the land. So important have their relations become, 
 
MISSIONS. 
 
 129 
 
 that they may well be termed " an elaborate history of the 
 country." In proportion to their high value, is at the same 
 time their great scarcity. 
 
 Those more intimately relating to our early history, are 
 those of Father Francis Joseph le Mercier, Father J. Claude 
 Dablon, Father Cholonec, Father Le Moyne, Father Jean 
 Quien, Father Paul Le Jeune, Father Paul Ragueneau and 
 Father Jerome Lallemant. As the history of these missions 
 is somewhat interesting, occupying a period of near one hun- 
 dred years, and of which, comparatively little has been pub- 
 lisiied, and consequently little is known, it is deemed of suf- 
 ficient importance, to insert it somewhat at large. 
 
 At first, these missionaries were received with doubt and 
 even suspicion, for the natives could not easily comprehend, 
 how men could thus devote themselves entirely to their wel- 
 fare without a prospect of favors in return. 
 
 We find but slight traces of these laborers in the country 
 of the L'oquois, till the years following 1G50. In 1642, 
 Martyr Rone Goupil was killed by the stroke of an axe in the 
 hand of his master, whom he only knew in the moment of 
 death. It Avas occasioned by his making the sign of the cross 
 upon a child, which they all supposed Avould produce the death 
 of the whole village by his sorceries. Father logues interfer- 
 ed to save him to no purpose, although he offered to die in his 
 stead, or with him. 
 
 Father Jerome Lallemant, Relation of 1045, '6, speaking 
 of the different nations of the Iroquois, remarks, that the 
 Mohawks are the most populous, and at the same time more 
 revenscful and warlike than all the rest, and have far less 
 disposition to embrace the faith. 
 
 The Onondagas have a beautiful lake, in tlie environs of 
 which are several salt fountains which afford excellent salt.* 
 
 Oneida, between Mohawk and Onondaga, is not inferior to 
 
 S'Sf 
 
 *"Celui il' Ouontague, a iiii fort beau Lac appello Gaiineiitaha, aiix environs 
 duqiiel il y' a plusiours tbntaiiies salt^es et dont les bords, soiit toiijours couverU 
 d' 1111 tres boiui sel." 
 
 17 
 
130 
 
 ONONDAGA. 
 
 'i 
 
 U Jf! ' I 
 
 ' if 
 
 either m any point. But the cantons of Cayuga and Seneca 
 surpass them all by the excellence of the soil, the beauty of 
 the country, and mildness of the climate. The inhabitants 
 being influenced by these superinducements, have always shown 
 themselves the most tractable of all the Iroquois. 
 
 Father Isaac logues Avas the first missionary of whom Ave 
 have any knowledge as having visited Onondaga, which he did 
 m 1642. He was a Roman Catholic— a Jesuit. His "Itv 
 lation" or Journal has not come within our reach. 
 
 In May, 1646, he was commissioned as an envoy from the 
 French, was hospitably received by the Mohawks, and gained 
 an opportunity of offering the friendship of France to the 
 Onondagas. 
 
 Father Cholonec, speaking of him, says— "We availed our- 
 selves of this occasion, which seemed a favorable one, to send 
 missionaries to the Iroquois. They had already gained some 
 smattering of the gospel, which had been preached to them 
 by Father logues, and particularly those of Onnontague 
 am?,ng whom this Father had fixed his residence. It is Avell 
 known that this missionary received among the Iroquois that 
 recompense of martyrdom which Avell befitted his zeal."* 
 Mr. Bancroft, in his United States, vol. 3, page 138, gives a 
 thrilling account of the labors, privations and death of this 
 distinguished herald of the cross. 
 
 Father Henepin, in his liistory of discovery in North Ame- 
 rica, at Book II, page 178, says—" The Order Recollets of 
 St. Francis, were the leading pioneers of the Roman Cathohc 
 Church in all the Indies, and throughout the world, preceding 
 the Order of Jesuits, on all occasions being much longer es- 
 tablished. But from some unexplained arrangement, the Je- 
 suits Avcre made the leading order of missions in America." 
 
 This venerable Father himself was a Recollet of St. Fran- 
 cis, and published a large quarto volume of his Travels in 
 North America from 1679 to 1682. 
 
 The year 1653, Father Le IVIoyne was sent to the Ononda- 
 
 * Kip's Jesuits. 
 
MISSIONS. 
 
 181 
 
 gas to ratify with them a treaty in the name of the Governor 
 General of Canada, and every thing passed very agreeably 
 between them. The missionary remarked to the savages, that 
 he wished to locate his cabin in their canton, and not only was 
 his offer accepted, but they showed to him the most marked 
 attention. When he came to take possession, he was caress- 
 ed in a royal manner, through many villages. He was charg- 
 ed with presents to all, and was reconducted with great cere- 
 mony to Quebec, as they had previously promised. 
 The Relation of Father Le Moyne thus commences : 
 On the 17th day of July, 1653, I set out from Montreal 
 and embarked for a land as yet but little known, accompa- 
 nied by a young man of piety and fortitude, Avho had long 
 been a resident of that country. 
 
 July 18th. Following always the course of the " Saint 
 Laurens," we encountered nothing but breakers and boiste- 
 rous rapids full of rocks and shoals. 
 
 19th. We passed into a beautiful lake, eight or ten leagues 
 long. At evening an innumerable host of vexatious musqui- 
 toes, gave us warning of an approaching storm, in which 
 we were drenclied during the whole night. To be thus ex- 
 posed, without shelter, except of the forest, is a pastime more 
 innocent and agreeable than could well be anticipated. 
 
 20th. Islands more beautiful than any in the world, here 
 and there divide the unruffled stream. Tlie land on the north 
 side is excellent. Towards the west, there is a range of high 
 mountains, which we named St. ]\Iarguerite. 
 
 21st. The Islands continue. In the evening we broke 
 our bark canoe. It rained all night. The bare rocks served 
 us for a bed, covering and all. He who has faith in God, re- 
 poses sweetly in any place. 
 
 22d. The rapids, Avhich for a season are not navigable, 
 compelled us to carry our luggage and canoe on our shoulders ; 
 on the opposite side, I perceived a herd of cattle, grazing at 
 their ease in perfect security. Four or tive hundred are 
 sometimes seen in this region in one drove. 
 23d and 24th. Our guide being wounded, we were forced 
 
 
 
 1 'i'\ 
 
 MMIM^-Htr^MM 
 
 
132 
 
 ONONDAGA, 
 
 I I 
 
 to encamp, a prey to the musquitoes. We submitted patiently. 
 A task the more difficult, because there was no cessation from 
 this inconvenience day or night. One could rest with as much 
 ease with death staring him in the face. 
 
 25th. We found the river so rapid, that we were compelled 
 to throw ourselves into the water, and draw our canoe 
 after us over the rocks^ as a dismounted cavalier leads his 
 horse by the rein. In the evening we landed at the mouth of 
 lake St. Ignace, where the eel abounds in prodigious quantities. 
 26th. A storm of wind and rain, obliged us to land this 
 morning, after four hours journey. We soon made a shelter, 
 stripping some neighboring trees of their bark, we placed it 
 on poles fixed in the ground in a circle, tlie ends of which 
 we brought together in the form of an arbor. This done, 
 behold the house is finished. Ambition finds no door to such 
 a palace— more delightful to us, than if the roof was of gold. 
 ^ 27th. We coasted along the banks of the lake, which are 
 high and rocky on all sides, presenting a frightful and pictu- 
 resque appearance. It is wonderful how trees so large can 
 find root among so many rocks. 
 
 28th. A storm of thunder and lightning, amid torrents 
 of rain, obliged us to remain under the i)rote('tion of our 
 canoe, which being inverted served us for a shelter. 
 
 29th and 30th. A continued storm of wind detained us 
 at the entrance of the great lake, named Ontario. We called 
 it Iroquois lake, because the Iroquios nations, have their vil- 
 lages^ on the southren borders. The Hurons are on the north- 
 ern side, more in the interior. This lake is about twenty 
 leagues broad and forty long. 
 
 31st. We were this day obliged to make up for the time 
 we had lost by the storm. We traversed extensive islands, 
 carrying our luggage, provisions and canoe on our shoulders. 
 It made the way seem long to us, poor Aveary voyagers. 
 
 August 1st. We landed this day at a small village of Iro- 
 quois fishermen. Some Hurons are among them. They re- 
 quested me to pray for them. I confessed Ilostagehtak, our 
 
MISSIONS. 
 
 133 
 
 host of the Petun (tobacco) nation. He was the fruit of the 
 labors of Father C. Garnier. 
 
 2cl. We began our march in the forest, and after travel- 
 ing twelve or fifteen leagues, encamped about sunset. 
 
 M. At noon we found ourselves on the bank of a river, 
 one hundred or one hundred and twenty paces wide, on the 
 other side of which there is a village of fishermen. An Iro- 
 (juois, whom I had befriended at Montreal, set me across in 
 his canoe, and kindly bore me to the shore on his shoulders, 
 being unwilling that I should put my feet into the water. 
 Everyone received me with joy, and these poor people en- 
 riched me with their poverty. They conducted me to another 
 village, about a league distant, where a young man of con- 
 sideration made a feast for me, because I bore the name of his 
 father, Ondessonk. The chiefs, one aft-r another came to 
 harangue us. I baptized some dying children, who perhaps 
 Avere just spared for that sprinkling of the precious blood of 
 Christ. 
 
 4th. They inquired of us why we were clothed in black. 
 I embraced this opportunity to speak to them of the mys- 
 teries of our religion. They brought me a dying infant which 
 I named Dominique. They no longer conceal these little 
 innocents from us. They took me for a great medicine man, 
 although I had only a little sugar to give my patients. We 
 pursued our journey. At noon we found a dinner waiting for 
 us. The nephew of the principal chief of the country is to 
 lodge us in his cabin, being commissioned by his uncle to 
 escort us, and furnish us with every delicacy the season affords, 
 especially bread from new Indian corn, of a kind which we 
 roasted by the fire. We slept this night in the open air. 
 
 5th. We traveled four leagues before arriving at the 
 principal Onondaga village. I passed many persons on the 
 way, who kindly saluted me, one calling me brother, another 
 uncle, and another cousin. I never before had so many rela- 
 tions. At a quarter of a league from the village, I began a 
 harangue in a solemn and commanding tone, which gained 
 me great credit. I named all their chiefs, fomilics and dis- 
 
134 
 
 ONONDAGA. 
 
 tinguished persona. I told them that peace and joy were my 
 companions and that I scattered war among the distant na- 
 tions. Two chiefs addressed me as I entered the village with 
 a welcome, the like I had never before experienced among 
 savages. Their women and children all treated me in a 
 friendly and respectful manner. In the evening, I called the 
 principal chiefs together to make them two presents. One to 
 wipe their faces, that they might regard me with kindness and 
 never show symptoms of sadness in their countenances. The 
 second to clean away the little distrust, that might remain 
 upon their minds. After considerable discourse, they reti- 
 red to consult together, and then responded to my presents 
 by two others more valuable tlian mine. 
 
 6th. I was called to-day in different directions to administer 
 relief to dying children. Some I baptised. I also confessed 
 our old Huron Christains, and found that God is every where ; 
 that he is pleased to labor silently in those hearts where faith 
 has reigned. He there builds a temple, where he is worship- 
 ped in spirit and in truth, that he may be glorified forever. In 
 the evening my host took me aside and told me, with much 
 affection, that he had always loved me ; that he was now con- 
 tent, seeing that all the tribes of his nation, desired nothing 
 but peace ; that recently the Senecas had requested negotia" 
 tions for peace to be commenced, and for that object had made 
 several valuable presents ; that the Cayugas had brought three 
 belts for that purpose ; that tlie Oneidas were gratified in hav- 
 ing been, through his intervention, relieved from a bad posi- 
 tion, and wished only for peace; that without doubt the Mo- 
 hawks would foil in with the otliers ; that I must take cour- 
 a.ge, for I had the good wishes of all. It is sweet consolation 
 to witness so much faith in savage hearts. 
 
 7th. I baptized a young captive taken from the Neuter 
 nation, fifteen or sixteen years old, who had been instructed 
 in the mysteries of our faith by a Huron convert. This was 
 the first adult baptism made at Onondaga, for which wo are 
 indebted to the piety of a Huron. The joy I experienced was 
 
MISSIONS. 
 
 18u 
 
 an ample compensation for all past fatigues. When God dis- 
 poses a soul, a way of safety is soon provided. 
 
 9th. This day at noon a dismal cry arose, occasioned by 
 the massacre of three Iroquois warriors by the nation of the 
 Cat, (Eries,) which took place about a day's journey from the 
 latter. This amounts to a declaration of war. 
 
 10th. The deputies having arrived from the neighboring 
 nations, after the customary proclamations by the chiefs that 
 all should assemble in the cabin of Ondcssonk. I opened the 
 council by a public prayer on my knees, in a loud voice in the 
 Huron tongue. I astonished them exceedingly by mention- 
 ing them all by nations, tribes, families and individuals, which 
 amount to no small number. This I was enabled to do from 
 ray notes, and to them it was as astonishing as it was novel. 
 I told them I had nineteen messages to deliver. 
 
 The first was, that Onnontio (Monsieur de Lauson, Gover- 
 nor of New France,) who spoke by my mouth in behalf of the 
 Hurons, Algonquins and French, since all these nations ac- 
 knowledge him as their great captain. A large belt of wam- 
 pum, a hundred small beads of green glass, which are the dia- 
 monds of the country, and an elk skin, confirms my words. 
 
 The second, was to cut the bonds of eight Seneca captives, 
 taken by our allies and carried to Montreal. 
 
 The third, was to break the bonds of some captives of the 
 Loups, taken about the same time. 
 
 The fourth, was to thank the people of Onondaga for hav- 
 ing restored to us a prisoner. 
 
 The fifth, was to thank the Sonecas for having saved him 
 from torture. 
 
 The sixth, was to thank the Cayugas for having aided in 
 his deliverance. 
 
 The seventh, was to thank the Oneidas for having broken 
 the bonds that held him captive. 
 
 The eighth, ninth, tenth and eleventh, were for those Iro- 
 quois nations, a tomahawk to each, for their new war with the 
 nation of the Cat. 
 
 pp|| 
 
 * Li 
 
 
136 
 
 ONONDAGA. 
 
 il 
 
 i i 
 
 I'Hiiii 
 
 The twelfth, was to replace the lost head of the Senccas, 
 (alluding to the capture of their chief by the Eriea.) 
 
 The thirteenth, was to strengthen their defenses against 
 their cncniies. 
 
 The fourteenth, Avas to paint their warriors for battle. 
 The fifteenth, was to unite all their counsels. Three pre- 
 sents for that object, a belt of wampum, two small glass beads, 
 and an elk skin. 
 
 By the sixteenth, I opened the door of Annonchiasse to all 
 their nations, that they would be welcome among us. 
 
 By the seventeenth, I exhorted them to become instructed 
 in the truths of our faith, and for that object 1 made three pre- 
 sents. 
 
 By the eighteenth, I retiuired them henceforth never to lay 
 in ambush for the Algonquin or Huron Nations, who might 
 be on their way to visit our French settlements. This I ac- 
 companied with three presents. 
 
 Finally, by the nineteenth present, I wiped away the tears 
 from all the young warriors, shed for the deatli of their great 
 chief, Annencraos, lately taken prisoner by the nation of the 
 Cat. 
 
 On the delivery of each present, they uttered, from the 
 bottom of their chests, a profound exclamation, in testimony 
 of their gratification. I was about two hours in delivering my 
 speech, in which I assumed the tone of a chief, walking about, 
 as is their custom, like an actor on the stage. 
 
 After I had concluded, they assembled by nations and tribes, 
 having called in the Mohawk, who by chance happened to be 
 there. 
 
 After consulting together for two hours more, they called 
 me among them, and seated me in a place of honor. The 
 chief, who is principal spokesman and orator of the country, 
 repeated faithfully the substance of my whole speech, and af- 
 ter all had sung in testimony of their joy, he directed me to 
 pray to God, which I did very willingly. These exercises be- 
 ing finished, he addressed me in behalf of his nation. 
 
MISSIONS. 
 
 187 
 
 chiasse to all 
 
 First, he thanked Onnontio for his good wishes. Two largo 
 belts of wampum. 
 
 Second, in the name of the Mohawks, he thanked us for 
 having restored five of their allies of the nation of the Loups. 
 Two other belts. 
 
 Third, in the name of the Senecas, lie thanked us for hav- 
 ing rescued from the fire five of their people. Two other 
 belts ; each present being followed by exclamations from the 
 assembly. 
 
 Another chief, an Oneida, arose and delivering four large 
 belts, thanked Onnontio for having generously encouraged 
 thorn to combat agiiinst their new enemies, of the nation of 
 the Cat, and for having exhorted them never to wage war 
 against the French. " Thy words are admirable, Onnontio. 
 They produce in my heart two contrary emotion.-^. You ani- 
 mate me to war, and calm my heart with thoughts of peace. 
 You are both a great warrior and a peace maker ; kind to- 
 wards those you love, but terrible against y<>ur enemies. We 
 all wish you joy, and wo will love the French for your sake." 
 In conclusion, the Onondaga chief commenced speaking : 
 •'Hoar, Ondessonk," said ho, " five nations speak through my 
 mouth. I have in my heart the sentiments of all the Iroquois 
 nations, :ind my language is faithful to my heart. Tell On- 
 nontio four things, which are the su])joct of all our councils. 
 
 First, we will acknowledge him of whom you have spoken, 
 who is the master of our lives and to us unknown. 
 
 Second, our national tree, is this day planted at Onon- 
 daga; henceforth, it will be the place of our councils and 
 treaties for peace. 
 
 Third, we request you to select on the banks of our great 
 lake, a convenient place for a French habitation. Place 
 yourself in the heart of our country, since you have possessed 
 our inmost affections. There, we can go for instruction ; and 
 from thence, you can spread yourselves everywhere. Have 
 for us the care of fathers, and we will entertain for you the 
 respect of children. 
 
 Fourth; we arc engaged in new wars; let Onnontio animate 
 
 18 
 
 
 JfJW^MBJi^i 
 
138 
 
 O N O N D A (J A . 
 
 US for the acone. For him wo will have no thoughts but 
 peace." 
 
 Their most vahiable presents were reserved for the last four 
 Hpccchefl. 
 
 On tiio l')th of August, wo set out on our return with ii 
 goodly company. 
 
 On the Itjth we arrived at the entrance of a small lake. 
 (Onondaga.) In a large basin, half dry, we tasted the water 
 of a spring, Avhich the Indians are afraid to drink, saying 
 that is inliiibited by a demon who renders it foul. I found it 
 to be a fountain of salt water, from which we made a little 
 salt, ns natural as from the soa, some of which we shall carry 
 to Queljcc. This lake aboiuids in salmon, trout and other 
 kinds of liwh. 
 
 On the ITth, we entered the outlet of the lake, and passed the 
 river of the Senecas on the left, the addition of which enlarges 
 the stream. It rises, they say, in two streams, nmong the 
 Cayugas and Senecas. After three leagues more of pleasant 
 traveling, wo passed on our right, the river of Oneida, which 
 seemed (piitc deep. A league farther, we encountered some 
 rapids, wliifh gave the name to a village of iishermen. 
 
 On the 18th, my companions were engaged in putting their 
 canoes in order. 
 
 August 19th, '70 journeyed on upon the same river, Avliich is 
 of fine width, and everywhere deep, except some rapids, where 
 we found it necessary to get into the water and draw the ca- 
 noe to prevent its being broken by the rocks. 
 
 20th. We arrived this day at the great lake Ontario, called 
 the Lake of the Iroquois. 
 
 The residue of the journal is a continuation of his journey 
 back to Quebec. lie describes the scenery along the lake as 
 very beautiful. He became almost enchanted with the abun- 
 dance of game, consisting of immense herds of wild cattle, 
 deer, &c., which were feeding on extensive meadows. Com- 
 pletely satisfied with the results of his mission, he arrived 
 safely at Quebec, on the 11th of September, 16-58. 
 
 Next in order is the Relation of the years 1055 and 1650, 
 
ar I s H I o N a , 
 
 189 
 
 Jturn with a 
 
 by Father Francis lo Mercier, giving an account of tho voy- 
 age of Father Joseph Chauraonot, and Father Claude Dablon 
 to Onondaga, to the country of the Inxiuois superiors. 
 
 Tho Agnics (Mohawks) and Onneiouts (Oneidas) from be- 
 low, wo denominate the Lower or Inferior Iroquois. The 
 Onon(hvga3 and the neighboring nations for tho Upper or Su- 
 perior Irociuois, because they advance higher towards tho 
 source of the river St. Lawrence, and itdmbit a mountainous 
 country. ()non(higa being the central nation, our voyage was 
 directed to that place. Wo set out from Quebec, the" IDth 
 of September, HUV), and from Montreal, the 7th of October. 
 We ascended the Sault St. Louis, but on account of the break- 
 ers, and the difficult passage, we ordy advanced four leagues 
 the first day, and a (fuarter of a league on the second. Ve 
 here joined some Onondagas, who had preceded us, that they 
 might have time to prepare canoes for the voyaf^e. We 
 piissod the remainder of the day with them. 
 
 On the 9th, we traversed tho lake St. Louis, which is formed 
 ill the river St. Lawrence. This magnificent river forms lakes 
 in many places, by expanding its waters and afterwards com- 
 pressing them within its natural channel. 
 
 On tho 10th, which was Sunday, we had tlio consolation 
 of saying holy mass. Our guides and the rest of our people, 
 had soon erected and dressed an altar and living chapel, since 
 it was built of the green branches of trees. We made wine 
 from the grapes of the country, which were everywhere abun- 
 dant. After our devotions were completed, we rc-embarked, 
 and had hardly made a league, when we met a band of Tson- 
 nontnuan (Seneca) hunters, who told us that their nation was 
 to send an embassy to the French in tho autumn. 
 
 On the 12th, we rowed up several rapids, and in the eve- 
 niug, instead of resting, after our hard day's work in these 
 currents by which we had advanced about five lengucs, we 
 liad to keep watch, for we greatly feared the Mohawks, of 
 which a part of our band was composed, who were enemies 
 to the Ilurons and the faith. 
 On the 13th, we did not proceed far, on account of the 
 
 At li 
 
 'f'--" 
 
 i :i 
 
 • I 'f '(■■ m » 
 
 
 h 
 
140 
 
 ONONDAGA. 
 
 failure of our provisions. Our hunters and fishers were ne- 
 cessarily engaged in seeking their own subsistence and ours 
 from the woods and streams. 
 
 14th. Our purveyors were not remarkably fortunate ; our 
 stock of provisions Avas still running lower and lower, and our 
 appetites continually sharpened by hunger. At this juncture 
 we made prize of a wild cow. This poor boast had been 
 drowned ; its flesh was already in a state of decay, but appe- 
 tite being a superior cook, without salt or spices, Ave still found 
 this meat not only very acceptable, but exceedingly well fla- 
 vored. Nay, let us rather say that the zeal and ardor that 
 we feel, in gaining these poor souls for God, so softens all our 
 difficulties, that avc find much sweetness in the strong, and 
 much that is agreeable in the bitter. 
 
 On the 15th, God caused us to pass from destitution to 
 abundance. Eight bears had fallen into the hands of our 
 liunters. Immediately all our people became butchers and 
 cooks. Nothing was seen but flesh and grease and skins. 
 Four pots boiled continually, and Avhen it came to the knives 
 and the teeth, not one asked for bread, Avine, salt or sauce. 
 It Av. s most excellent, Avithont seasoning. The rains descend- 
 ed abundantly this day, Avhich obliged our fiimished horde to 
 repose, Avitliout the loss of a day of fine Aveather. 
 
 On tlie 17th, the abundance continues ; our people killed 
 thirty bears. One man killed ten, for his single portion. A 
 singular ceremony folloAved this great carnage, Avhicli Avns to 
 drink the grease of these bears after a meal, as avc drink " Ily- 
 jjocras" in France. AfterAvards every individual rubbed them- 
 selves from head to foot Avith this oil. 
 
 On the night of tlie 18th and 19th, Ave Avere much diAxrted 
 by an agreeable incident. One of our savages aAvakes at raid- 
 night, out of breath, crying and turning himself about like a 
 madman. We thought at first that some great calamity had 
 befallen him, so Adolent Avere his convulsions. We ran to him 
 to encourage him, but his cries and fury redoubled. We hid 
 our arms lest he should seize them and improperly use them. 
 Some prepared a medicinal drink for him ; others held him ao 
 
MISSIONS, 
 
 141 
 
 well as they could, but he escaped from their hands and cast 
 himself into tlie river, where he behaved strangely ; several 
 ran to draAv him out ; they proposed a fire for him ; altho' he 
 acknowledged himself very cold, he went away from the fire 
 and took his station against a tree, by which to warm himself. 
 Our people oifered the medicine prepaied for him ; "But," 
 said he, " it is not suitable for my complaint. Give it to that 
 child," said he, pointing to the skin of a bear stuffed with straw. 
 We were obliged to obey him, and pour it down the throat of 
 that beast. Until then, every one had been alarmed. But 
 when closely questioned, as to what ailed him, he said he had 
 dreamed that a certain animal, Avhich is in the habit of divine 
 in the water, had got into his stomacli and awakened him, and 
 that to fight with it, he had thrown himself into the river. 
 Upon this, all our fears were changed to laughter, ic was 
 neccssMvy, however, to cure the diseased imagination of this 
 man, Wherefore they all pretended to be as mad as himself, 
 and to fight with the animals diving in the water. They also 
 prepared to sweat themselves so ii.s to get him to do like them. 
 As he cried and sung aloud durhig the process of SAveating, 
 imitating the cry of the animals with which he was fighting, 
 so thoy also began to cry and sing aloud, the cries of those 
 animals with which they pretended to be fighting, every one 
 violently striking the poor fellow in the cadence of their song, 
 hnaginc what a chorus of twenty voices, imitating ducks, teall 
 and frogs, and what a sight to see so many men pretendino- to 
 be mad in order to cure a madman. They succeeded well 
 for after being thoroughly sweated, our lunatic stretched him- 
 self upon liis unit and slept as soundly as if nothing had hap- 
 pened. Ilis disease, which had come on in a dream, passed 
 off in a dreamy sleep, and whosoever has to do with these Pa- 
 gan savages may lose his life by a dream. 
 
 On the 10th, 20th, 21st, 22d, 2.3(1, we labored hard in drag- 
 ging our canoes through the rapids, making only four or five 
 leagues. 
 
 2-kh, AVe arrived early at Lake Ontario, a very beautiful 
 lake. (Father Henepin, speaking of this lake, says. Tome 
 
 ■ '<■'' "5,1 M 
 
 , |,f ! i 
 
 ii f[['t it 
 
iH 
 
 ^aJlllrLI' 
 
 yjMiro'tiB 
 
 li 
 
 w 
 
 ■KJlLiii 
 
 If 
 
 142 
 
 ONONDAGA. 
 
 I, page 23, '' The river of St. Laurence derives its source 
 from Liic Ontario, which is Hkewise called, in the Iroquois lan- 
 guage, Skanadario, that is to say, very jjretty Lac." Again, 
 at Tome II, page 136, he says, " The great river of St. Lau- 
 rence, which I have often mentioned, runs through the mid- 
 dle of the Iroquois country, and makes a great Lake there, 
 which they call Ontario, viz : the beautiful Lac. It is near 
 one hundred leagues long, and a vast number of towns might 
 bo built upon it.") To continue our narrative — five stags were 
 killed this evening, at the entrance of the lake. The inci- 
 dent was sufficient to stop our party. We considered at lei- 
 sure the beauty of this lake, the entrance to which is half 
 way from Montreal to Onondaga. It is incomparably the 
 most difficult part, on account of the great number of rapids. 
 We afterwards enter into beautiful smooth water, interspersed 
 with numerous islands, distant about a quarter of a league from 
 each other. It is pleasant to witness the swimming of herds 
 of cows from island to island. Our hunters often intercept 
 their path, as they return to firm land, and place themselves 
 at the landing places, conducting them to death at the most 
 desirable spot. 
 
 On the 25th and 26th, we advanced sixteen leagues into the 
 lake, and fairly enter it. We have never remarked any thing 
 more beautiful. It borders on the sublime. At times the 
 scenery is even frightful. Lofty islands and huge rocks piled 
 up like towering citadels, covered with cedars and pines, va- 
 riegate the prospect. 
 
 On the 27th, we passed most of the islands, and water alone 
 was visible on every side. In the evening we met a band of 
 Seneca hunters. We Avere both greatly surprised at meeting, 
 but to relieve our embarrassment, they invited us to a feast 
 of corn and beans, cooked in the beautiful clear water of the 
 country. This food, simple as it was, and seasoned with 
 brotherly love, was delicious. 
 
 29th. We arrived at Ontiahantague (Oswego). We received 
 there a warm welcome ; every one crowded to see us. Ontia- 
 hantague, is a large river whicli discharges into Lake Ontario; 
 
MISSIONS. 
 
 143 
 
 jrives its source 
 
 lands, all propo ' ' ' 1 ^ f ™ ""'° ^'^'"" »<• '»- 
 fish are oLZ;„ I , "' "'■"''■ ^'"''°™ kinds of 
 
 " """S''' '" ''I'mdance at all seasons of the vear T„ 
 spring, as soon as the snow is melte.l it i,f„l „f n ^ ,, 
 «.T. sueceed the™, afterwards the i ^.t" if:^,'^:^, 
 Ml, SIX inches bn:», of exeell„„t « I ^ ™' 
 
 '■-.■5„c.V and at th end f I vV """ "■"" "^"^ *° 
 npo, stn,,eo„ are often" «!, Se't" "17 hTrt"? 
 
 were here received wit], +l,« *. V^'''J'i<iagds.j vVe 
 
 selves on his no,-]- «. • ^r\™°"°<^ 5 some threw them- 
 
 selves, on ms neck, some invited him to -i f^-icf .fi, 
 1 m nr.NPnf-a Ti *^^^^^' others ffave 
 
 mm pitsents. J-hey were overiovo,! p„ *= 
 
 nppfnvmr.,1 .> 1- 7 • "^ "'^'•'*^y""- -I layers were openlv 
 peiioimed, a ciil)in bcmr^ too sitimU f^ ^ ^ • , I^^^^v 
 17 *i 1 1 , . " sin.iJl to contain them Tho 
 
 H.ons, Of the upper e^l^.-^rd it:, ^^nefe^ 
 
 m account of tlieir aversion to the f.ith 1. "\^tiacted, 
 
 .yi^'I^l^ listening attentively to tl.e^ .f ' i- ' '' '^'^'^" '' 
 
 is it that affliction X" f Xl . ^ T" r "'""" ' '' ''^' 
 I'uii ^ixcb a iiniit understandino- Tim tt-..^! 
 
 met here Otohenha, the host of the 1-ito F ^" ,/^'' *^*'^^^'' 
 tI)A T7.,fi /-I . ^•^'' "1 "-"^ late leather Gamier -md 
 
 1"C Father Carrea.,, in the nation of Petu,, (Tobaoe ' ,T 
 «as so overjoyed at the siW.t of the v7lL ,uT,' 
 «ot speak, ami was obliged To delav to , ' ' ''" """''' 
 
 lation of his adventures? whht' l^ <' """• """ ''■ 
 
 «-|io Iia,l solicited a dwelli,,,, place , "°™"'^' 
 
 «ely overtaken by the oZ^.^ ^r"] '"J,™ "'"■<"■'"- 
 
 ■-anddistribiitoiinion/trhi;?;:!;;:^::;'^'-^^^^ 
 
 One of the women having lee„ secretly advised, that the 
 
144 
 
 ONOxNDAGA 
 
 IS'iIilt 
 
 f " 
 
 11 
 
 relatives of liim for whom she had been given, wished to burn 
 her, fled into the woods with her child, after Rene had bap- 
 
 tized it. 
 
 What is not less sad, he related the death of that famous 
 Martha Gahatio, of well known sanctity, (lod willed to try 
 her severely. Ho said that during the past year, being at 
 war with the nation of the Cat and with the Onondagas, having 
 taken and sacked a small village, he found among the slain, 
 the good Reno and Sondiouaeren and his daughter, among 
 the captives, the same Martha of whom we speak. They had 
 mutually encouraged each other, had kept their promises to 
 God, and died in a full profession of the faith, llie poor 
 INIartha, who could not well follow the victors, because of lame- 
 ness and a little child which she could scarcely carry, was 
 cruelly burned on the road. Two of her children had escaped 
 the fury of the Onondagas, but they gave us no tidings of 
 them. It was truly pitiful to hear these poor people relate 
 the story of their captivity. Several of them had been killed 
 by those who had at first spared their lives. A slight dis- 
 obedience or sickness, was sufficient to obtain for them a blov/ 
 of the hatchet. 
 
 On the yOth, avc prepared to go by land to Onondaga, 
 After mid day, we met several Oneida warriors, who were 
 going beyond the rapids, against a people called Nez Pcrce^, 
 (Pierced Noses) Atondutochan was their leader. He was at 
 Montreal on the second embassy sent by the town of Oneida, 
 He was a well made and an elotpient man. He entreated us 
 to remain a day or two longer, that he might learn our pur- 
 pose. 
 
 On the 31st, these warriors all assembled, and after the 
 ordinary ceremonies, at such a meeting, Father Chaumonot 
 addressed Atondutochan, and told him in the first place, that 
 he rejoiced to see this great man, whose voice had been so 
 liigh at Montreal that its echo still resounded there. 
 
 'secondly ; that the subject which led him to this country, was 
 to fulfill a promise he had previously made, to speak to all tlic 
 same language, as all are warmed by the same sun, and all 
 
MISSIONS. 
 
 146 
 
 have the same heart, so all should henceforth be brothers. 
 At these two articles the usual acclamations were heard ; all 
 manifested in their countenances, the joy which this discourse 
 gave them, and because it had been reported that peace had 
 been concluded between the French and Mohawks, without 
 comprising the Algonkins and Ilurons in it. 
 
 The Father added thirdly, that he came to make and conclude 
 a good and universal peace. 
 
 In the fourth place, he made a present of fifteen hundred 
 porcelain beads, to invite them to treat well the two French- 
 men, among those whom they were about to combat • and 
 finally, he prayed to the Maker of all, to take care of his en- 
 terprise. We had resolved to make him a valuable present 
 in order to quiet his soldiers ; but we learned secretly, that 
 ue should have been certainly refused, because they were 
 strongly moved at the death of some of their people, whom 
 they wished to avenge at any price whatsoever. After the 
 Father had spoken for half an hour, the chief commenced his 
 response. 
 
 The whole party, as if by concert, commenced to sing in a 
 man-^r like a full chorus. The first song said, that they 
 were all now engaged for the day in thanking the Father for 
 the good news he had brought them. The second song was 
 to congratulate him for his favorable voyage, upon his safe 
 arrival. They sang a third time, to light a fire to the Father 
 that he miglit take possession of the country. The fourth 
 song, united us as a band of brothers. The fifth, threw the 
 Iiatchet to the bottom of the waters, that peoce might reign 
 m all their borders. The sixth song, was to make the French 
 masters of Ontiahantague. It was here that the chief invited 
 the salmon, the " barlme- and otlier fishes to cast themselves 
 into our nets, and to fill this river only for our benefit. He 
 told the fishes, that they would be very fortunate to terminate 
 their lives thus honorably. He named all the fi.hes of this 
 river, even to the very smallest, and apostrophized them all 
 in his peculiar vein of eloquence, lie added many other 
 things, which caused all our people to laugli. The seventh 
 
 19 
 
 
146 
 
 ONONDAGA. 
 
 '< i 
 
 song was still more agreeable to us. It was to open their 
 hearts and ask us to read there, their satisfaction upon our 
 arrival. At the end of these songs, they made us a present 
 of two thousand porcelain beads. Thereupon the Father rais- 
 ing his voice answered, that the kindness of his words con- 
 tinually became more affecting. That before this time, the 
 shores of Lake Ontario only had listened to his voice ; but 
 henceforth, it should fly beyond the greatest of all the lakes, 
 and would roll like thunder over all France. This pleased 
 the chieftain, as well as all his people. They afterwards invi- 
 ted us to a feast, which closed the evenins;. 
 
 On the first of November, we set out overland for Onondaga. 
 We met here a good Huron Avoman, named Theresa Oiouha- 
 ton. This poor woman, luiving heard of the arrival of the 
 French, came three leagues distant from her dwelling to greet 
 the Father on his passage. Her joy Avas great at seeing the 
 ^^ Noir llob':^'' (priests) once more before she died. The 
 Father asked her if the little child she held in her arms had 
 been baptized, and by whom. She answered that she herself 
 had baptized it in these Avords : Jesus have mercy on my child. 
 I baptize thee my child, that thou mayest be happy in heaven. 
 Thereupon the Fatlier confessed and consoled her. We pass- 
 ed the night on the bank of the stream, after having made 
 five good leagues. We departed thence at dawn, on the 
 2d of November, and after advancing six or seven leagues, 
 we pitched our camp, at the same sign, under the same au- 
 spice, Avhich had always shone upon our journey, the evening 
 star. 
 
 On the 3d, we left before the sun had risen. The Frencli 
 met upon their road, the sister of that Theresa of whom we 
 have spoken, Avho related her misfortunes with many tears. 
 I had, said she, two children in my captivity ; but alas, they 
 have been massacred by their captors, and I have every day 
 to dread a similar fate. Death stands before me continually. 
 We had to console her, and afterwards to confess her, then 
 leave her quickly, to follow our guides, who took us this day 
 
MISSIONS, 
 
 147 
 
 to Tethiroguen.* This is a river which issues from a river 
 called Goienho.f Oneida village, one of the Iroquois nations, 
 IS above this lake, which in its construction makes the river 
 Tethiroguen, and afterwards a rapid of steep descent, called 
 Ahaouetc^.t As soon as we had arrived at this river, the most 
 notable among a good number of fisherman who sojourned 
 here, came to pay us their respects, and afterwards conducted 
 us to their best cabins. 
 
 On the 4th of November, we advanced about six leagues, 
 still on foot, and burdened with our little baggage. We passed 
 the night about four leagues from Onondaga. 
 
 On the r,th of November, 1G5.5, as we continued our route, 
 a chieftain of note, called Gonatcregon, met us a league from 
 his cabin, welcomed our arrival, and kindly invited us to re- 
 mam with his people. He placed himself at the head of our 
 little company, and conducted us in state to within a quar- 
 ter of a league of Onondaga, where the '^ Anciens" of the 
 country awaited us. Having seated ourselves beside them 
 they set before ns their best provisions, especially pumpkins 
 baked in the ashes. While we were eating, an aged chieftain 
 named Okonchiarennen, arose, requiring silence, and among 
 other things, said, we were very welcome ; we were much wish- 
 ed for, and had been expected for a long time. Since the 
 young men, whose element is war, had themselves demanded 
 and procured peace, it was for the aged men no more to han- 
 dle arms, but to ratify peace and embrace it with all their 
 hearts, wliich they sincerely did. It was the lAIohawks only, 
 Avho wished to darken the sun, rendered so splendid by our 
 approach, and who were disposed to fill the sky with clouds, 
 at the same time that we dispersed them ; but that all the ef- 
 forts of these envious men would fall to the ground, and that at 
 the last tlioy would agree with us, that we should soon take pos- 
 session of the lands assigned us, and enter and enjoy our new 
 liomes in perfect security. After having delivered this dis- 
 course, which was spoken in apparently a studied manner, the 
 
 * Oneida IWvcr. 
 
 t Chittunango Creek. Gastoirs R ifts, town ofClay. 
 
148 
 
 ONONDAGA, 
 
 Father replied, that his speech was as a most agreeable bever- 
 age to U8, wliich took away all the fatigue of the journey. 
 That he came on the part of Onnontio to satisfy their demands 
 and he doubted not they Avould be fully satisfied when they 
 had learned his commision. The whole people listened with 
 attention and ailmiration, delighted to hoar a Frenchman 
 speak their language so well. After this, our chief, Avho had 
 lately spoken, arose arid gave a signal, and conducted w 
 through long fdos closely ranged, to see us pass through their 
 midst; Ave were prescniid with fruits and favored with happy 
 greetings on all sides, until we arrived at the principal villaf^c. 
 whose streets were very clean and the roofs of the cabin.'* 
 seemed covered with children. We were ushered into a spa- 
 cious cabin which had p.- viously been prepared for us, and as 
 many as could entered v.ith us. After resting a short time. 
 we were invited to a })ear feast. We excused ourselves be- 
 cause it was Friday. Tills did not prevent us however from 
 being treated all the rest of the day, to fish and beaver tail in 
 various cabins. Very lale in the evening, the '•'' Anciems' 
 held a council in one cabin. One of them having welcomed 
 us in behalf of the nation, made us two presents, one of five 
 hundred porcelain beads, with which to wipe our eyes, still 
 wet with the tears shed for the murders which had occurred 
 among us this year ; and as grief takes away the voice, (ob- 
 serving that it was weak on our arrival.) he added a second 
 present of five hundred porcelain beads, to strengtlicn our 
 stomach and clear the phlegm from our throats, so as to re- 
 store our voice, very clear, very free, and very strong. The 
 Father thanked tliem kindly for their good Avill, and told them 
 that Onnontio and Achiendase* had their eyes turned towards 
 the coast of Onondaga, to see from Quebec the state in which 
 we were, and that he made us a present of two thousand 
 beads to cause them to open the door of their cabin, where 
 they had lodged us, so that all the Frenoli might see the good 
 treatment which we received there. The kindly countenan- 
 
 * GoverB'T of Canada, and tlie French Superior of Misf:ions. 
 
MISSIONS, 
 
 140 
 
 ces 
 
 which they exhibited, and the beautiful mats they, 
 
 , , , - — ""'^y gave us 
 
 to rest upon, showed they were .lolighted with the compliment 
 On the morrow, the sixth of November, wo were invited by 
 day light to several feasts, which la.s^ed all the mornin^ This 
 did not Inuder the Father from .jroing to see the sick, who 
 proniiscd to ask for instruction in case they regained their 
 health. 
 
 On the seventh day, Sunday, was hel.l a secret council of 
 littecn chiefs, where the Father was called, after havin<' wor- 
 shiped God, to meet twenty persons, avIio presented 'them- 
 selves It was told the French in this assembly, first, that 
 Agocluendaguete, who is the great king of all the country 
 and Onnontio were equally firm and constant in their decisions' 
 and that nothing could sever the bond which held them so 
 firmly united. Second, that they should send their most vi- 
 gorous youth to bring back the Huron ambassadors, who had 
 come to treat for peace with us. Thir.l, they prayed that 
 Onnontio should be informed, that althougi, some of their peo- 
 ple should be ill-treated or even killed by the Mohawks, that 
 should not prevent the alliance they so much desired, and that 
 It should be the same on the part of Onnontio, if injuries were 
 inflicted on the French. Fourth, having learned that Onnon- 
 tio would be best gratified to hear that they had erected a 
 chapel for believers this very autumn, to please him, they 
 would provide it as soon as possible. At this sentence, the 
 father having taken their words, told them, that they had 
 found the secret of taking captive the Governor's heart, and 
 of gaining him entirely. All, at once uttered a cry of appro- 
 val, upon which the council concluded. 
 
 In the evening, speaking familiarly to the Father, they 
 asked him to tell them sometlm.g about France. The Father, 
 finding so fair an occasion of making an impression, repre- 
 sents to them that Franco had formerly been in the same error 
 in which they were, but that Go<l had opened our eyes by 
 means of his Son. Whereupon, explaining the great mystery 
 of tlio Incarnation, he refuto<l all the calumnies, whidi had 
 prevailed in their country i.gainst the faith. lie did this so 
 
150 
 
 ONONDAGA, 
 
 I' ' 
 
 pleasantly and effectually, that for the spaeo of an hour and 
 a half that ho spoke, no sign of weariness appeared. The 
 council ended in a feast, from whicli they excused themselves 
 because the entertain'ni.nt at Onondaga was not as sumptuous 
 us that given to t^v < iiii()a.u-i;uiors at Quebec. The day closed 
 by a great asstimhly of those who came to worship God, and 
 those who visited through motives of curiosity. 
 
 Much of the time of our missionaries is taken up in visit- 
 ing, talking and arranging the affairs of tlie mission. Several 
 children have been baptised, jithI pcvmi. ,.lon granted for us 
 to settle among them, and the place selected. On the 9th, 
 while the French were at work rebuihling the old foundations 
 of the old Huron church, Avhich had been somewhat broken 
 up.* This day, for the first time, we visited the salt spring, 
 which is only two leagues from here, near the lake Genen- 
 taha, and the place chosen for the French settlement, because 
 it is in the centre of the Iroquois nations, and because we can 
 from thence visit in canoes, various locations upon the rivers 
 and lakes, which renders commerce free and commodious. 
 Fishing and hunting increase the importance of this place, 
 for besides the various kinds of fish that are taken there at 
 different seasons of the year, the eel is so abundant tliat a 
 thousand are sometimes speared by a single fislierman in a 
 night, and as for the game, which does not fail tlirough the 
 winter, the pigeons gather in spring in such numbers tliatthey 
 are taken in nets in great abundance. Tlie fountain, from 
 which very good salt is made, intersects a fine meadow sur- 
 rounded by a wood of superior growth. From eighty to a 
 hundred paces from this salt spring, is found another of fresh 
 water, and both flow from the same hill. The missionary 
 
 * B' 'lis and similar references it would seem tlint a church had pre vionsly been 
 established at Onondaga. Fatiier logiies, had prior to this (vstablished a (thurch 
 among the Hurons. Tliat nation had l)een entiR'ly subdued by the Iroquois, pre- 
 vious to Ifi.'jO, and the remnant of the llurons incorporated among tiiem. It is 
 l)y no means improbable that the converted Ilurons, under the guidance of some 
 missionary, and with the approbation of the Onondagas, had here e'lblished a 
 ehurc 1 the existence of which is lu lo distmctly alluded to. 
 
MISSIONS. 
 
 151 
 
 gives an account of the bvirning of a Cat chikl by the Onon- 
 (lagas, which detenu 'neil the Father Chaiimonot to preserve 
 the soul of the child, whose I ody he could not save. He then 
 haptizcd him with a few drops of water, whicli ho retained in 
 his handkerchief. It was enough— it furnished a key for him 
 with which to open the gate of heaven. He then baptized 
 iiim before he was burned. He was two hours in torture and 
 (lied resolutely, amidst the shouts of his enemies. 
 
 14th— H'uiday. We could not commence better than by 
 administering the sacrament of the Holy Mass, which we 
 celebrated on a small altar, in an oratory, made in the cabin 
 of Teotonharason, one of the women who came down to 
 Quebec with the ambassadors. She i^ here highly esteemed 
 for ker nobleness and wealth, but especially because she has 
 openly declared for the faith, making a public profession of 
 it, instructing all who are connected with her, having already 
 eagerly demanded baptism for herself, for her mother and her 
 (laughter. After having herself e.vjilained to them the myste- 
 ries of our religion, anil taught them its prayers. 
 
 About ten o'clock, the same d;iy, was assigned as a time 
 suitable for making presents. Every thing being in readiness 
 we publicly, on our knees, recited our prayers, amid the deep 
 ilence of the whole solemn assembly. At this time, news 
 arrived that the deputies of (Cayuga were entering the 
 \illage. It then became necessary to prepare ourselves 
 to receive them suitably to their rank. The French made 
 them two complimentary presents, and they answered by two 
 others, adding a ti,ird, and entreated him to defer the cere- 
 woiiy until the following day, which was conceded. 
 
 The two succeeding chapters of this narative are taken up 
 in a description of the giving and receiving of presents, which 
 was done in great pomp vith much ceremony, and in prelirai- 
 nar;- negotiations. 
 
 On the 28ih of November, being the first Sunday in Advent, 
 was held the first celebration of the Catechism at Onondaga, 
 m one of the principal cabins. 
 Our chapel being too small, we began with prayers, which 
 
 ^.A 
 
152 
 
 O \ O N D A G A . 
 
 |1| ! 1. 
 
 tho assistants roa<l aloud ; then tho Father explained some 
 points of oui* crood, afterwards ho displayed several images, 
 m order to assist the imagination and eause devotion to eater 
 tho heart through the eyes. 
 
 For about two months after this, the mission seemed to be 
 in a most prosperous condition. Proselytes were contiiaially 
 added to tho faith, and the hopes and anticipations of the 
 missionaries werc^ raised to the highest elevation. At lenfth 
 doul)ts and dissensions invaded the minds of some of the 
 principal imlividiials of the canton, when it was resolved that 
 the Father Dahlon should proceed to Quebec for a rcenforce- 
 mont, that not only the hearts of the missionaries should be 
 strengthened, but their hands also. 
 
 Ilelation of K!')"), '(5. Departure of Pere Claude Dahlon, 
 from Onondaga, and his return to Quebec : — 
 
 We were in great trouble about informing our friends at 
 Quebec, of the state in Avhieli our afi'airs were at Onoiida'M. 
 and how passionately the people desired that our establish- 
 ment should be made as soon as possible. They gave the last 
 evidence of this, in a celebrated council held on the 21)th 
 February, where, amongst other things, they said to the 
 Father, that he must now show himself out ; that they had 
 been expecting the French for more than three years ; that 
 they were still put off from year to year ; that they were 
 weary of delay ; that if the matter was not consummated at once 
 it need be no more thought of, and that they would break off 
 entirely, since the French were so dilatory. They added, 
 moi'eover, that they knew well tluit it was not trade that 
 caused the French to come among them, but only the faith 
 which we wished to publish to them. Why do you not come 
 at once, said they, since you see all our village embrace it? 
 We have not ceased all this winter to go in crowds to the cha- 
 pel, to pray and be instructed. You liave been cordially wel- 
 comed in all our cabins, when you have visited them to teach. 
 You cannot doubt our dispositions, since "we have made you 
 so solemn a present, with protestations so public, that we are 
 believers. They added many other things, declarative of their 
 
MISSIONS. 
 
 153 
 
 scntimonta on this suljoct, in wliioh cortainly tlic providence 
 of (ioil is most !i(liiiir:il)ly mimilVstcd, in disposing a j)oo[)lc to 
 sock Jlim, who hut a littlo whih* hcl'oi-o woro tho groiitcst per- 
 secutors of his Church. And what appours inconooivuhlo is, 
 tliiit thcsL' good pooplo, who show so much oagcrnosa to have 
 us roiiiain among thoni, cannot comprehend how it is, or 
 wlu'iicc comes this great desire, ahnost in s[)ito of tliemsclvcs. 
 Tlicy urge our estnMishment in the country, and com])hiin of 
 mo iinothcr for inviting us to come. Tlie old mp?i say they 
 cannot oppose tho youth who ask for the L'roncli. The youth 
 say that the old men wisli to ruin all their country in calling 
 m thither ; and with all this, hoth parties cease not to add en- 
 treaty to (mtreaty, and threaten to hecome our enemies, un- 
 less ■•'0 forthwith become their compatriots. 
 
 This especially caused us to seek all possible means to make 
 kiionn their dispo.Mtions at (^lebec, and to hasten tho coming 
 of till' French, for fear of losing so favorable an opf)ortunity. 
 No otie, after all, would undertake! to guide any of us back to 
 Quebec, for fear of losing the searon of providing beaver and 
 provisions for the year ; lor it was the time when all the youth 
 •j(!t out for the hunt. Wo were in despaii' of prrformlng the 
 journey, although it Avas absolutely neeessaiT for the j)re6er- 
 vation and advancement of our establishment. It was already 
 Dioro than two months that avo ha.l been nring every device to 
 la-ing it about, but in vain. At last we determined upoTi say- 
 ing nine masses to St. Jolm the Jiaptist, the patron of this 
 mission, in order to obtain light in a business where all was 
 dark to us. 
 
 Behold how contrary to our expectations and to all human 
 appearance, without knowing how it Avas done, or by whom ; 
 immediately after the ninth mass, I set out from Onondaga, 
 accompanied by tAvo of the principal young men of the vil- 
 lage, and by several others, Avhom doubtless St. John inspired 
 to engage in this enterprise and journey. Thus the chief of 
 tho escort Avas named St. Jean Baptisto, he being tho first 
 adult of the Iroquois, liaptised in full health. 
 
 It was about nine o'clock, on the 2d day of March, after 
 
 •JO 
 
 
 ''1 
 
 li'l ' 
 
 f 
 
 I 'I h' 
 
 
 5 *' 
 
 U-MitJjfl' 
 
154 
 
 ONONDAGA. 
 
 having celubrated holy mass, and bid my adieu to the country, 
 by the baptism of a child, whom I confessed before my de- 
 parture, that we fc-et out. We made five leagues this first day, 
 during which the weather was mild and spring like. How- 
 ever, at evening it changed to rain, with cold, which obhged 
 us to spend one day and two nights in the midst of a wood, 
 in a house without doors or windows or walls. 
 
 On the 4th of March, after a journey of about six leagues, 
 we encamped on the bank of the lake which terminates at 
 Techiroguen. This day was very wearisome, having encoun- 
 tered snow or water most of the way up to our knees. 
 
 We passed another day and two nights at this place by the 
 lake, which we expected to have crossed on the ice, but could 
 not on account of the thaw. We knew by the cold of the 
 last night, that the passage Avould soon be free and the bridge 
 solid. In fact we traveled a league and a half over the ice, 
 after which it was a pleasure to walk softly over the snow. 
 We were ol)liged to go very deep into the Avater, in order to 
 cross a small rivulet, which had resisted the violence of the 
 cold. 
 
 On the 7th of jMarch, after a slight rest, we set forth in 
 the morning, and marched till evening Avithout taking any- 
 thing. We could not arrive at Oeiatonneheugue* before the 
 morrow, a little after midday. We hoped to have embarked 
 upon the great lake, although it was not frozen ; all the banks 
 were so filled with large piles of snow and huge pieces of ice, 
 that it was not safe to approach it. We made two leagues 
 over the beautiful beach, and after having chased an incredi- 
 ble number of otters, who make their abode there during 
 winter in a little swamp, we made our exit for the night. 
 
 The 9th was extremely tedious to us. We walked over a 
 frozen swamp, but with our feet always in the water, because 
 the morning rain was not yet frozen. We came at last to a fine 
 sand upon the shore of the great lake, but were stopped in 
 our course by a deep river, the ice of which was not strong 
 
 * Villaye tit-ar Fort Ontario. 
 
MISSIONS. 
 
 166 
 
 enough to bear us. We sought all means to pass it without 
 avail ; our people halted to consult what to do. They passed 
 more than three hours trembling with cold, rather than con- 
 sulting. The result was in part, to retrace our steps and seek 
 a, place suitable to pass the night. We then crossed another 
 stream, with the same inconvenience as in the morning, but 
 ^Yith this difference, that we were drenched by a heavy rain, 
 which finally compelled us to shelter ourselves under barks. 
 Next day we ascended a league above the mouth of the river 
 which had stopped us. We were rejoiced to find it frozen 
 strong enough to cross over it. But, oh, my Grod, what diffi- 
 culty to regain our route ; we had to cross a vast meadow co- 
 vered with water, amidst water and half melted snows, throufrh 
 woods and swamps ; and after having surmounted these diffi- 
 culties, we had to wade several streams in our way. At last, 
 having journeyed all the day, we found at evening that avc had 
 advanced only three leagues on our route. 
 
 We marched nearly all of the eleventh day upon the ice of 
 tlie great lake, bat with our feet always in tlie Avator, be- 
 cause of the thaw, wliich made our w^alking dangerous. Se- 
 veral times the ice gave way under us, and some of the bold- 
 est had to walk before us, to prove that which was strong, and 
 that which was weak. 
 
 The remaining portion of this chapter relates the ordinary 
 incidents of travel, in perilous iourneys, from Onondaga to 
 Quebec. 
 
 Finally, on the oOtli of IMnrch, we arrived at Montreal, 
 having set out from Onondaga on the 2d. Our hearts here 
 felt the joy, which pilgrims feel when they arrive in their 
 own country. God having preserved us in so remarkable a 
 manner through so dangerous a voyage, shows that he watches, 
 more than we can imagine, over the salvation of the Irocj[uois. 
 May He be blessed for it forever. 
 
 You will remark, in passing, that letters have been received 
 in Quebec, by the last vessel, stating that Father Claude Dab- 
 Ion, Avhose journal we have just seen, has returned to Onon- 
 daga with l^'ather Le Mcrcier, the superior of this mission, 
 
156 
 
 ONONDAGA, 
 
 Father Eene Mesnard, Father Jaques Fremin, Brother Am- 
 brose Broar, and Brother Bourzier, who all go to join Father 
 Joseph Chaumonot, who remained in the country of the Iro- 
 quois. They are escorted by fifty bravo Frenchmen, who 
 have already commenced a good settlement in the midst of all 
 those nations. We shall sec the success next year, God as- 
 sisting. The Fathers require evangelical laborers, and the 
 assistance of the prayers of all those who wish for the salva- 
 tion of their people. As the expenses, which must bo made 
 in order to sustain such an enterprise, are very great, if those 
 who profess to contribute for the conversion of the savages, 
 would sustain this mission, they would do God great service! 
 We have baptized at diflferent times, in sundry places, more 
 than four hundred and fifty savages of all ages, notwithstand- 
 ing the troubles and obstacles of the wars in which they are 
 engaged. If we can sustain preachers of the gospel in these 
 countries, whicli I shall call the country of martyrs, many 
 more will bo baptized. Let it bo done ! Let it be done ! 
 
 Wo set out from Quebec, 17th of May, 1750. Our force 
 was composed of four nations, French, Unondagas, Seiiecas, 
 who had come to seek our alliance, and a few llurons. We 
 tilled a few shallops and several canoes. Departing from the 
 port, we were cheered by the acclamations of many different 
 people, who crowded the shore, all regarding us with an eye 
 of compassion, and trembling hearts, thinking us so many 
 victims, destined to tlic ilames, and to the rage and tortures 
 of the Iroquois. This misfortune had nearly 'happened to us 
 on the morrow. After our departure, our shallops having 
 cast anchor about twelve leagues above Quebec, near a place 
 called the point of St. Croix, we resolved to descend thither 
 the next morning and celebrate holy mass. Our sailors for- 
 getting this resolution, raised anchor during the day, and 
 caused us to pursue our journey. Our danger was very^rreat, 
 there being in this place three hundred Mohawks, who could 
 easily have captured us without fighting, since our men had 
 disembarked without arms, supposing these traitors had retired 
 to their own country, as they had informed our French they 
 
 1 M 
 
MISSIONS. 
 
 157 
 
 we 
 
 would. It was at Lake St. Pierre, about Three Rivers, that 
 incurred this danger, without knowing it, these barbarians not 
 showing tliemselves, although they had narrowly watched us. 
 They threw themselves upon some of our canoes, which were 
 separated from us, and upset one in the river, slightly wounded 
 one of our brothers with two gun shots. They bound and 
 gagged the Ilurons in our company, and ill-treated the Onon- 
 dagas, being unwilling they should form an allitmce with us. 
 But the fear of provoking a war with the Onondagas, who 
 showed on this occasion a proper resentment, quieted their 
 wrath, and obliged them to render excuses. They said thev 
 believed our canoes were filled only with Ilurons, with whom 
 they have no peace. After this, they set every one at liberty, 
 not excepting the Ilurons. Those who escaped at the beginning 
 of the contest, by running through the woods and coming to 
 our shallops, advised us of what was passing. Having arrived 
 at the Three Rivers, on the 20th of May, we left there on 
 the 29th, and on the 31st entered into the Montreal settle- 
 ment, whence we departed in canoes on the 1st of June, for 
 the village of the Ononda<'as. 
 
 On the 8th of June, we embarked in twenty canoes— the 
 shallops being no longer of service beyond Montreal, on ac- 
 count of the rapids above that settlement. We had scarcely 
 })roceedod two leagues, before a band of Mohawks, having per- 
 ceived us at a great distance, and taken us for Algonkins and 
 Ilurons, cast tliemselves panic-stricken into the woods ; but 
 having recognized us by our flag, on which was the name 
 "Jesus," painted in large letters, on beautiful white cloth, 
 flying in the air, they came forward and accosted us. The 
 Onondagas received them with a thousand curses, reproached 
 them with treason and robbery, and seizing upon their canoes, 
 took their arras and whatever was best of their equipments, 
 making reprisals for having tliemselves been pillaged a fcAv 
 (lays before, by this same i.eoplo. ^I^his was all the consola- 
 tion these poor wretches obtained, for having come to sa- 
 lute us. 
 
 On the r)th and Gth of July, wv caught some fish, but in 
 
 rrfui 
 
 ■* fi 
 
 111 
 
 ■mn 
 
 fid^ 
 
158 
 
 ONONDAGA, 
 
 
 ; t 
 
 such small quantities, that it made but a small allowance for 
 fifty men. 
 
 On the 7th, we arrived about ten o'clock in the evenincr, at 
 the mouth of the river, which flows from the Lake Genentt'ha 
 on the banks of which, we proceeded to erect a dwelling place 
 for the niglit. The next day we found currents of water so 
 rapid, that it required all our force to surmount them. I con- 
 fess, that the faces of most of us were haggard and worn, 
 and we felt downcast and discouraged. Before lying down 
 in the evening, we had only a drop of brandy to distribute 
 among our company. In the morning, we had to set forth, 
 and continued all day, striving against breakers Avhich threw 
 us back, almost as far as we advanced. In fact we only made 
 one league this day, part of our people falling sick, and the 
 rest losing their courage with their strength. The providence 
 Of^ God is wonderful; He casts down, and He raises up; for 
 being in the greatest distress and in extreme need, we s'aw a 
 canoe in the distance, laden with provisions, which seemed to 
 fly towards us, rather than to be rowed. 1'his sight cured all 
 our sick ; our strength returned by beholding this precious 
 sight ; our weary would not wait to take rest, and tlie very 
 prospect of this boon restored us to joy and health. We 
 joyfully disembarked, and the master of the convoy, after a 
 few compliments, presented us, from Father Chaumonot, with 
 sacks of Indian corn, and large fresh cooked salmon. This 
 little canoe was followed by two other larger ones, as well 
 filled S.S the first. We returned thanks to God for having 
 granted us a meal of which we were so much in need. We 
 flourished our kettles in the air by way of rejoicing. One 
 fine day effaces the memories of ten evil ones. Of our des- 
 perate famire, nothing now remained, only the glory of Lav- 
 ing suffered something for our Lord, who thus turns our trials 
 to His glory. He made us there experience the truth of His pro- 
 mises, giving us an abundance, a hundred fold greater than the 
 famine we had endured in His service, had been afflicting. J 
 might say, that He sent back the fish into the rivers express- 
 
MISSIONS, 
 
 159 
 
 1 allowance for 
 
 ;he evening, at 
 ke Genentaha, 
 dwelling place 
 its of water so 
 them. I con- 
 rd and worn, 
 re lying down 
 y to distribute 
 d to set forth, 
 3 which threw 
 we only made 
 
 sick, and the 
 he providence 
 ■aises up ; for 
 ecd, we saw a 
 ioh seemed to 
 sight cured all 
 this precious 
 iind the very 
 health. We 
 ivoy, after a 
 -umonot, M'itli 
 hmn. This 
 ones, as well 
 I for having 
 1 need. We 
 )icing. One 
 
 Of our des- 
 flory of Lav- 
 'ns our trials 
 ;h of His pro- 
 ater than the 
 xfflicting. I 
 ^ers express- 
 
 ly for us, one of our men having taken twenty large salmon 
 in one night, and several '' barbues:' 
 
 On the 10th of the same month of July, passing a sault 
 about five leagues in extent, our people took, whilst journey- 
 ing, thirty-four salmon, spearing them with their swords, and 
 striking them with their oars. They were so numerous that 
 we could strike them Avithout difficulty. In the evening, we 
 found at the place where we intended to pass the night, 'one 
 of the first chieftains of the Onondagas awaiting us, who re- 
 ceived us with a fine oration, in which he testified of the joy 
 his countrymen felt on our arrival. That all the Five Nations 
 were possessed of the same sentiments. That all the old men 
 awaited us with impatience. 
 
 On the 11th of July, ofc three o'clock, wo found our- 
 selves entering the Lake Genentaha, on whose shores we had 
 destined to pitch our camp, wlien the old men, knowing it to 
 l)e the place selected by Fathei-s Chaumonot and Dablon, 
 awaited us with a great multitude or people. 
 
 The size of this lake is two leagues long and half a league 
 ill width. We have remarked three things of importance. 
 The first is, that several salt springs are formed upon the 
 eastern side, although this lake is far distant from tlie sea. 
 There are such however in Lorraine, but do not think that 
 salt could be made as easily thc;'e. For we find salt ready 
 made ui)on the ground about these springs, and it is readily 
 deposited when the water is boiled. 
 
 The second matter of observation is, that in spring there 
 gather around these salt fountains so great a quantity of pi- 
 geons that thousands are caught in a mornino-. 
 
 The third subject of remark is, that there are found here 
 certain serpents, unseen elsewhere, which we call " Serj^ent a 
 minetfes," (rattle-snakes,) because in creeping they make a 
 noise, like a locust or grasshopper, (" Sautcrceller) They bear 
 at the end of their tails, certain round scales connected with 
 each other in such a manner that a simple motion produces 
 this peculiar noise, whicli can bo lioard twenty paces off. These 
 rattles continue to make a noise after the death of the ser- 
 
 m 
 
 vm 
 
 i . 
 
160 
 
 O N O N D A G A . 
 
 pent, though not so great as when alive. The inhabitants of 
 the country say, tliat the scales are an antidote to the poison. 
 which is very virulent. The flesh is said to be as well tasted 
 as that of the eel, and is elTicacious in fevers ; the flesh is 
 much used for food. Its body is about three feet long, larger 
 than a man's wrist, and marked t)ver the back with dark and 
 yellow spoty, except the tail, which is nearly black. It has 
 four teeth, two above and two below, long and sharp like 
 needles. They bite like a dog, and cause the venom to flow 
 into the bite through a little black spur, which they draw out 
 of a sack in which the poison is enclosed. The person bitten 
 presently swells, and dies after a peculiar manner. We know 
 not whether they are attracted by the salt, but this Ave know, 
 that at our residence, surrounded by springs of fresh water. 
 we are not troubled Avith them. 
 
 "Relation" 1656, '7, by Pere Paul Le Jeune. Our arri- 
 val at the place destined for our abode, and the reception w( 
 met with from the people of the country : — 
 
 I have said, in a former chapter, that on the 11th of July 
 we entered the Lake Gcnentalia, on Avhose banks we prepared 
 our abode, having advanced Avithin a quarter of a league of 
 this place. We disembarked five pieces of cannon, wliose 
 diminutive thunder rolled over the waters of the lake ; tliif 
 was followed by a discharge of all our arquebuses. This wai- 
 the first salute Avhich ^vo had sent throuaih the Avater, the air 
 and the Avoods to the ancients of the country, who had ex- 
 pected us, Avith a great multitude of people. This souml 
 boomed over the Avaters, burst forth loudly in the air, and re- 
 .sounded very agreeably in the forest. We sailed aftcrwanln in 
 beautiful order, our canoes or little bateaux going four by foiii' 
 over this small lake. Our French made a second (h.^charw 
 upon coming in sight, Avith a grace which highly delighted all 
 these poor people. 
 
 The chiefs had erected two scafibhls, in order properly to 
 make us a complimentary harangue, but their purpose was 
 interrupted by a heaA'y rain, Avhich obliged us all to seek sliel' 
 ler. Words Avere then exchanged for endearments, and inu- 
 
MISSIONS. 
 
 161 
 
 tual testimonies of joy. If these poor savages welcomed us 
 so earnestly, showing in their countenances and gestures the 
 sentiments of their hearts all overflowing with tenderness for 
 us, our actions corresponded to their love, so that in all our 
 joys and reciprocal affection, we blessed God for having pre- 
 served us through so many dangers and fatigues, at last con- 
 ducting U8 to the end of our pilgrimage. 
 
 It is a custom with these people, to entertain their guests 
 during a part of the night, either with compliments or con- 
 versation, about the advantages of the country. They excel 
 in politeness after their fashion, or else by their usual songs 
 and dances continue their favors. But finding us weary with 
 the fatigue of so long a journey, they said they would return, 
 for fear their conversation might disturb our rest, which they 
 said they would propitiate by singing around our cabins their 
 sweetest and most melodious airs for our lullaby. 
 
 Next morning, the 12th of July, we sang the Te Deum in 
 thanksgiving to God for our happy arrival, and formally took 
 possession, in the name of Jesus Christ, dedicating and con- 
 secrating it by the holy sacrament of the mass. 
 
 The Christians afterwards made us some presents to felici- 
 tate our arrival, and in token of their good wishes for our fa- 
 vorable establishment. 
 
 On Sunday following, the 16th of the same month, we ful- 
 filled a vow which we ha<l made during the dangers of our voy- 
 age, promising God to commune altogether if He woulrl fa- 
 vor our meeting in the country of our clioicc. Having ob- 
 tained this favor, all our French received the sacred bread in 
 a holy mass. It was here that we first displayed all our or- 
 naments, which though poor in France, were here considered 
 magnificent. 
 
 On Monday, the 17th, we commenced work in earnest upon 
 our dwellings, and to make a good redoubt* for our soldiers. 
 
 *T!ie location of tliis loitiiicution Wiis probaiily about tliree-fhiirths of a mile 
 below Green Point.on the farm iiovvocuupi,.,! by Jlr. Myriek Bradley, in the town 
 of Salina, where the enibnnKinent and i,ut;iucs\\ ere plain to ixt 
 ago. (See drawing, town of Salina.) 
 
 21 
 
 ^een fil'ty years 
 
 Hffi 
 
 F 
 
 MRilff 
 
 1; 
 
 1 t' 
 
 
 w 
 
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 H|i 1 
 
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162 
 
 ONONDAGA. 
 
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 We have placed it upon an eminence which commands the 
 lake and all the surrounding positions. Springs of fresh 
 water are abundant. In short, the place appears as beauti- 
 ful, as convenient and advantageous as we could desire. While 
 the laborers are thus occupied, our Father Superior, to whom 
 the Lord had rcstv^r-id health, went with sixteen of our most 
 stalwart soldiers to ilie village of Onondaga, distant about 
 four leagues from our dwelling. The people being apprised 
 of the coming of the French, came forth in crowds to meet 
 us. At about a quarter of a league from the village, several 
 chiefs invited us to halt, take breath and listen to a poHte ha- 
 rangue, in Avhich Ave were highly complimented, by one of the 
 principal chiefs of the country, who afterwards, marching be- 
 fore us, caused us to pass through a great crowd arranged like 
 a hedge on both sides. We followed him in beautiful order, 
 while another captain behind prevented the lines from press- 
 ing too closely upon us. Our soldiers, upon entering the vil- 
 lage, made a graceful salute, Avhich greatly delighted all the 
 spectators. We were conducted into the cabin of one of the 
 most distinguished captains of the country, Avhere every thing 
 was sumptuously prepared, after their fashion, to receive us. 
 From all (juarters they brought us fruits ; feasting Avas tlie 
 order of tlie day, and for ten days the people of the village 
 Avere engaged in hunting and fishing, and entertaining the 
 French. Every family seemed anxious to have us in their so- 
 ciety. Soon after, another party of the French, in full uni- 
 form, arrived Avith drums beating ; there Avere never seen so 
 many pleasant faces. It appeared that the hearts of the sava- 
 ges issued from their eyes. I knoAv not hoAv Ave can avcU ex- 
 press the many testimonies of love and cordiality Avhicli they 
 gave us. If they should change their minds and massacre us, 
 I should not accuse them of deceit, but of levity and incon- 
 stancy, which in a little time can cliange the love of these 
 barbarians into hatred, fear and treachery, and thus these de- 
 vils seek to destroy us. But if these men do persecute the 
 Jesuits in various places, those dear unfortunate spirits, against 
 Avhom they every Avhere declare AVar, will jiot spare them. 
 
MISSIONS. 
 
 163 
 
 On the (lay of our entrance, the deputies of several nations 
 came to salute us, and to show us the esteem in which the On- 
 nndagas liekl " Achiendase." They sent a present, asking that 
 his mat shouhl be the place of assembly, that is to say, the 
 council-house of the country, in which all public business is 
 .lispatched. The Onondagas made us their presents with 
 ;,'reat cordiality. 
 
 The Mohawks, not being able to evade the common law of 
 the country, came very reluctantly indeed to make their pre- 
 sents, but fearing they had the worst of the game, and dis- 
 liking our alliance with the Onondagas, they made a harangue 
 full of sneers and ridicule against the French. They wish- 
 ing to excuse themselves, because having received presents 
 from Quebec for all the Iroquois nations, they said the French 
 hud been so stupid as to give them articles which could not bo 
 (livitlcd, s6 they had been obliged to give all the presents to 
 their own nation. The Father Superior replied to their impo- 
 sition with so much earnestness, that they soon repented of 
 their false assertions. He told them that memory never fail- 
 ed the French, who held the pen in their hand, and that if 
 ;inv thing escaped their mind, their paper would suggest it at 
 need. 
 
 He afterwards related all that had been transacted at the 
 council of the French and Onondagas, enumerated all the 
 beaded belts, the artpiebuses and capotes ; in short, all the pre- 
 sents which had been made by the great chief of the French, 
 lie named the nations, and even the persons of note, to whom 
 each present had been destined. Then with an air confound- 
 ing to the Mohawk brave, he asked, could not these things be 
 given separat ,ly ? lie iniiuired of the deputies of the seve- 
 ral nations, whether at least the mention of these presents 
 had been made in their country, since the Mohawks confessed 
 to have withheld them. 
 
 This deluded man, who only thought we could stammer in 
 their tongue, like Europeans who trade with them, was so 
 much surprised at hearing the French, that he has since 
 sought by all means, to gain our good will. After this assem- 
 
 
 I' 'n4 
 
 ; m 
 
164 
 
 ONONDAf^A. 
 
 ' i; 
 
 bly, we wero employed several days in gaining over the dif. 
 ferent nations, wlio wore at Onondaga, and who every day 
 camo there to decide, or be present at tlio decision of State 
 affairs, and at the great council of Avar, which is usually held 
 at this villngt!. 
 
 The deputies from the Sonecas and Cayugas having arrived 
 we went to salutt them. They first e.\hil»itc'd their mourninf 
 for one of their cliiefs, siain by the Mohawks at Three Kiv- 
 ers. They filled the air with mournful howls, dismal indeed, 
 We made them a present to console their grief, but when thev 
 answered, the Cayugas took the word and said, that the wound 
 of the Senecas, had changed their joy into tears, and their 
 voices into sighs and songs of mourning. All the nations 
 being assembled, it as as necessary before holding council, to 
 purify the village, on account of the death of a chief the 
 night before, who by great good luck for him, had received 
 the holy bai)ti3m, with pious instruction, forty-eight hours 
 previously. The purification was made by two presents, one 
 of which served to dry the tears »f the Onondagas, and to 
 restore to them the speech of which this death had deprived 
 them. The other, to wipe away the blood, Avhich might have 
 fallen from the dead body upon the council- mat. The Onon- 
 dagas replied by two other presents; one to say, that they were 
 about to buiy the body, and the other, to announce that ihe 
 council would afterwards be opened. 
 
 This people had convoked all the states of the country, or 
 rather the allied nations, to reconcile the INIokawks with the 
 Senecas, who were on the point of commencing a war, for 
 the death of the captain of whom we have spoken ; to treat 
 of our establishment, in the heart of their country, and to invite 
 all these people, to place something in the great Wiir-kcttle. 
 That is to say, to advise upon the means ol attacking and 
 defeating their enemies, and of providing for some common 
 expenses. Such were the designs of these people, but God, 
 had higher purposes ; he Avilled himself to be preached and 
 announced in an assembly of the most notable and numerous 
 nations, which caa be named in this country. 
 
MISSIONS. 
 
 165 
 
 -vinfT arrived 
 
 This grftnd council, was hekl on the 24th day of July, when 
 
 ;tll the nations referred to Achicndase the cause of the Mo- 
 liiiwks iuid 8enccas, which was very soon terminated. They 
 afterwards agreed, with evidences of extraordinary good will, 
 that wc should remain and permanently establiah ourselves in 
 the country. Finiilly every one put his presents into the war- 
 kettle. Now these people being great orators, and often using 
 itllegorics and metaphovH, our Fathers, in order to attract 
 ;hem t' (rod, adapt tluiuselves to their custom of speaking, 
 v.liicli delights them vei v Tnuch, seeing avo succeed as well as 
 they. 
 
 We have so well arranged our presents, that they are won- 
 derfully captivating. But Father Chaumonot, who speaka 
 the Iroc^uois language as well xs the natives of the country, 
 ,n'eatly cidianced their value by interpreting them. It may 
 not be improper to remark in passing, that these presents con- 
 sist of porcelain beads, arquebuses, powder, capotes, axes, 
 kettles and similar utensils, which are bought of the mer- 
 chants for beaver skins, tlie money demanded in payment for 
 their merchandize. If a Jesuit receives or collects some of 
 these, to aid in the immense expenses made in such distant 
 missions, in order to gain these people to Jesus Christ and to 
 incline them to peace, it would be desirable, that those who 
 should be at such expense for the preservation of the country, 
 >lioiild not at least be the first to condemn the zeal of these 
 Fatliers, and make them blacker than their own robes, by 
 scandal. They should leave this sort of reviling to the low 
 populace, always ill informed of what is going on, whose igno- 
 vanco is a sufficient excuse for calumny. But let us act well 
 and leave evil speakers to themselves, since calumny alone, 
 'vill make cemc> ■ for virtue. They have written us from 
 France, that they could no longer continue the great expenses 
 which we incur in these new enterprises. We give our labors, 
 our sweat, our blood and our lives, to them. For want of 
 assistance, wc shall be compelled, to relinquish a station so 
 advautagous to the faith, and the preservation of the country. 
 
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 WEBSTER, N.Y. 14580 
 
 (716) 872-4503 
 

 5 
 
166 
 
 ONONDAGA. 
 
 J*! 'it'".- „. 
 
 Those who persecute us will not be the richer, and God will 
 be less glorified. 
 
 Let us turn again to the presents. 
 ^ The Father Joseph Chaumonot, afterwards rising, explained 
 eight or ten presents, made to soften the regret for the death 
 of several chieftains, and to cause a revival of the faith in the 
 bosoms of the children and friends, of some of our most de- 
 voted Christians, men and women, who had lately passed from 
 earth to heaven. He united the Algonkins and Hurons in 
 his presence, so as to make but one heart, one mind, and one 
 people,^ of all those nations. He savl aloud that Onondaga, 
 being like the parliament of the whole country, and Agoch- 
 iendaguete being the most renowned chief in all these countries, 
 Achiendase,as the mouth of Onnontio, joined himself to Agocli- 
 iendaguete, (forming a union of tAvo governments,) that he 
 might assist him to rebuild the fallen houses, to resuscitate the 
 dead, to sustain what was in good order, and to defend the 
 country against disturbances of the peace. While the Father 
 explained all these things in detail, admiration and acclama- 
 tions arose from all the people, who were delighted to see us 
 so well acquainted with their mode of procedure. 
 
 He made a present, in token of thanks, because they had 
 shared with Onnontio in the spoils they had taken from their 
 enemies, having sent to him two children, whom they had 
 captured and carried off from the nation of the Cat. He 
 made two other presents, one in token of gratitude for our 
 courteous reception in their country, and their earnest invita- 
 tions, and the other, to cause them to put the canoe in the 
 water and carry news of us to Quebec. 
 
 At last the Father raising his voice and becoming more 
 animated, exclaimed, it is not for trade that you see us appear 
 in your country. Our pretensions are far higher, your pel- 
 tries would never cause us to undertake. a journey of so much 
 labor and danger. Keep your beaver, if you find it profita- 
 ble, for the Dutch ; even those which should accidentally fall 
 into our hands, would be employed for your benefit.' ^\c 
 seek not perishable things. It is for the faith that we have 
 
 I 
 
MISSIONS. 
 
 167 
 
 quitted our country-it is for the faith, that we have aban- 
 doned our parents and friends-it is for the faith, that we 
 have crossed the wide ocean— it is for the faith, that we have 
 left the great ships of the French, to embark in boisterous 
 waters, m jour little canoes-it is for the faith, that we have 
 left our splendid mansions, for your bark cabins— it is for 
 the faith, that we deprive ourselves of our natural nourish- 
 ment, and the delicacies we might enjoy in France, to eat 
 your provisions, which the dumb animals of our country would 
 loathe ; and taking in his hand a beautiful belt of beads skil- 
 fully wrought, he continued; it is for the faith, that I hold 
 in my hand this rich present, and that I open my mouth to 
 remind you of the word, which you gave us, when you went 
 (loTvn to Quebec, to conduct us to your country. You have 
 solemnly promised us you would lend your ear to the words 
 of the Great God ; they are in my mouth, listen to me ; I am 
 only his organ. He sends to warn you by his messengers, 
 that His Son became a man for your love. That this man^ 
 the Son of God, is the prince and master of men. That He 
 has prepared in the heavens, endless pleasures and eternal 
 delights, for those who obey his commandments, and that He 
 kindles horrible fires in hell, for those who will not receive 
 His word. His law is mild ; He forbids us to do any wron- 
 either upon property, or upon life, or upon woman, or upo^'n 
 the reputation of our neighbor. What if thou deniest God 
 ^\hosoever thou art, whether an Onondaga, a Mohawk, a 
 feeneca, a Cayuga, or an Oneida, know that Jesus Christ, who 
 animates my heart and my voice, will precipitate thee, one 
 day into hell. But I beseech you prevent this misfortune, by 
 yielding to conversion ; be not the cause of thine own loss 
 obey the voice of the Lord. 
 
 On the 27th of July, we returned to the shores of the lake 
 ^vhere a large party of our French, have long and faithfully 
 worked m preparing us a dwelling, which we shall call St. 
 Mary s of Genentaha. 
 
 On the 30th, the eve of St. Ignatius day, the chiefs of Onon- 
 daga came to visit us and made us several presents, to bind 
 
 i'i 
 
I' 11 
 
 
 
 168 
 
 ONONDAGA, 
 
 US 80 Strongly, tliat henceforward we should bo but one people, 
 and to warn uh thut wo must not trust the OneidaM ; tliat this 
 nation was fraudulent in actions and deceitful in words, and 
 they prayed ua to fortify ourHolves well, and to render our 
 fortress capable of recoiviufr them and sheltering them from 
 their enemies, in case of necessity. That they were going to 
 take the axe and build us a canoo, which was to carry iKnvs 
 of ua to Quebec. The month of vVugust was a time of labo- 
 rious exercise for us in every nuinner. We had built a chapel 
 at Onondaga, part of our Fathers having remained there, 
 the others held conversation among the cabins. They hardly 
 ceased from nior.iing till night to preach, teach catechism, 
 baptize, teach prayers and answer questions, from all (juartcrs,' 
 these good people showed so much inclination for the faith! 
 The French who were a,t St. Mary's, of Lake Genentaha, per- 
 formed all the trades of a city, to get us lodged and preserve 
 us amidst these ))arbarians. None of this was the work of 
 frolic or amusement. We had to labor much, sleep little, lie 
 upon the ground, sheltered only by miserable barks, eat only 
 a httle meat, without bread or wine, or other seasoning {'"ra- 
 gout") than hunger. We were tormented both night and day 
 by musquitoes, {'' Manngouws") which there assailed us on 
 every side. All this, combined with the change of climate 
 and the great labor of the journey, so injured our constitu- 
 tions, during the greatest heat of summer, that we all f.;ll sick. 
 It was a pitiful sight to see sometimes as many as twenty, al- 
 most piled upon each other, at a time, and in a country where 
 we had no other help than heaven. 
 
 The sickness here spoken of, continued till late in the au- 
 tumn, during which a number of the French became dispirited, 
 and sighed for tht groves and vineyards of their native coun- 
 try. At length, health was in a measure restored ; and with 
 its return, the drooping spirits of the colonists in a degree re- 
 vived ; but, owing to the withholding of the necessary sup- 
 plies of provisions for the sustenance of the French, and the 
 requisite quota of articles suitable for presents to the natives, 
 which alone could engage their attention. From this time 
 
MISSIONS. 
 
 169 
 
 forward the mission may be said to languish, and the colony 
 to dwindle away. 
 
 About this time, a noted Seneca hunter came to visit the 
 Father (Jhaumoiiot, and to offer liim a suit of furs, to keep 
 the warmth of friendship which he had just contracted with 
 him. 
 
 It has been related to us, that the Dutcli wislied to bring us 
 horges and other things, rejoicing at our settlement in these 
 countries. 
 
 An aged chief of the Cayugas, an intelligent man, employed 
 in public affairs, came to visit us, on the part of his whole 
 nation, to beg Aahicndnse to grant him the assistance of 
 some of our Fathers, assuring tliem if they would, a chapel 
 should be erected, that the people desired to bo instructed in 
 our creed. The Father Rend Mesnard, and two Frenchmen 
 were sent with him, notwithstanding our great want of laborers. 
 Fatlicr Joseph Chaumonot is to accompany him as far as the 
 Cayugii, towns, and then to pass on to the Senecas, there to 
 found a permanent mission, hoping to reap an abunii.int har- 
 vest, if it pleases God to assist us and preserve us in peace 
 and send us laborers, sufficient for the harvest. At this time, 
 a party of Ilurons, settle at Onondar a, who have previously 
 been instructed in our religion, and who manifest a lively in- 
 terest in everything relating to the faith. We took them at 
 once into our keeping, encouraging and instructing them in 
 the true and lively way. They were of some service to us by 
 their example to the Onondagas ; for they, observing these 
 Christians worthily engaged in the service of God, felt them- 
 selves bound to make more diligent inquiry, after the salva- 
 tion of their own souls. 
 
 This year also, the Father Le Moyne visits the Mohawks, 
 and revives the mission among them ; an account is given of 
 the progress of the Gospel generally among the Iroquois, 
 their manners and customs, and other details. 
 
 The succeeding chapter commences with a description of 
 the country as it then appeared. 
 " Relation," 1056-7. Publication of the faith to the Onon- 
 
 22 
 
170 
 
 ONONDAGA. 
 
 dagas. For the better understanding of these missions, we 
 say that the exercises are conducted in much the same man- 
 ner and degree of order and decorum, as in European assem- 
 bhes. More than two hundred have been baptized within a 
 short time. Five of the most prominent individuals in the 
 nation are among them ; more than two hundred are the hv- 
 ing stones who comprise the foundations of this church. 
 
 The liead chiefs were so much engiiged that they became 
 exhorters of the hiw and commandments. It wouhl be de- 
 sirable if thousands of others would follow their virtuous ex- 
 ample. 
 
 During the latter months of the year 1656, new hopes were 
 awakened in the progress of the affairs of the missionaries at 
 Onondaga, and New France, generally ; but they declined in the 
 former, and linally early in 1658, the mission was broken up, 
 and the colonists dispersed. As Charlevoix gives the most 
 condensed an.l satisfactory account of the abandonment of the 
 Onondaga mission, v,c will follow liim in preference to the 
 Father Paul llagueneau whose delation is before us; an<] 
 while upon the subject of Onondaga missions, we give the his- 
 tory of Charlevoix in full, of the colonizing and Christian- 
 izing the Onondagas. 
 
 iMoYc jn-occeding, however, as we have not before had 
 much occasion to mention this author, we would state, tliat Peter 
 Francis Xavier de Charlevoix, was a learned Jesuit, famous 
 for his travels and his authentic historical compositions. lie 
 lived to the age of 78 years, and died in 1761, after having 
 traversed a large portion of the continent of America. His 
 writings (in the French language) relating chiefly to this 
 country, were very voluminous, consisting of three large quar- 
 to volumes, of from 500 to 700 pages each. In the vear 
 1720, he was directed by the king of Franco to visit Canada, 
 and to pay particular attention to the condition, manners and 
 customs of the Indians. He passed up the river St. Law- 
 rence, and through the great lakes to Mackinaw, thence through 
 the Lake Michigan, and the rivers Illinois and Mississippi lo 
 New Orleans. At the end of one of the volumes, he gives a 
 
MISSIONS. 
 
 171 
 
 list of the works and authors consulted for his work, which 
 list contains many works scarcely known and very profitable 
 to aid in the researches of the antiquarian student. 
 Charlevoix, Tome I, page 320 : — 
 
 It was on account of the great sincerity and regard Avhich 
 the Onondugas appeared to possess in the cause of religion, 
 vhich induced the Governor General to send to them Fathers 
 Cliauinonot and Dablon. The former was of Italian origin, 
 and tlie oldest missionary who was then in New France, where 
 he labored to an extreme old age, with unwearied zeal ; and 
 whore his memory is yet revered. Father Dablon profited by 
 liis arrival in New France, and was not long in establishing 
 for himself a great reputation for wisdom and virtue. The 
 two missionaries set out from Quebec the 19th of September, 
 Kjoo, with the deputies of the Onoudagas, who were sent to 
 invite them, accompanied by a great number of savages of 
 the same nation, and tlioy waited only for the appointed time 
 of their ministry to perform their duties. 
 
 The chief <leputy had with him his wife, who was extreme- 
 ly pleased with every thing she had seen among the Chris- 
 tians, and especially in the two communities of Daughters of 
 the -Convent. There was no end to the questions put to Pcto 
 Chaumonot, by her, about our ceremonies and our mysteries. 
 Seven or eight Iro(piois joined with her for instructions. They 
 were much affected with the preaching of our missionary, and 
 on their arrival in their own country, found themselves in a 
 state to receive baptism, which was administered with much 
 ceremony. These examples of piety in the French, had pro- 
 duced in the hearts of the Iroquois, of whom I am to speak, 
 the fervor and zeal of the Huron captives. These feelings 
 spread through the difierent villages, in which they had been 
 manifested ; and the missionaries found, in these villages, a 
 true and just appreciation of Christianity, with hearts and 
 minds already disposed to embrace it. They arrived in this 
 canton the 5th of November, and they had evory reason to 
 predict their success, by the reception which was given them 
 in the principal village. They were loaded with presents on 
 
172 
 
 ONONDAGA, 
 
 the part of Monsieur de Lauson ; they were accepted with re- 
 spect and presents made in return. They immediately hail 
 assigned to them, hind for buihling, and as soon as they were 
 comfortably lodged, they made known to the elders that thev 
 wished to declare, in full council, the intentions of those who 
 had sent them. This proposition was well received, and the 
 meeting was very large ; Pere Chaumonot spoke of the Chris- 
 tian religion in a manner which excited their admiration and 
 love. He dwelt much upon the marvellous change which 
 Christianity produced in the hearts of those who embraced it 
 sincerely ; and this portion of his discourse made a great im- 
 pression on those who had before their eyes these living ex- 
 amples. When he had finished, an orator thanked him, in 
 behalf of all, for the zeal which he showed in procuring for 
 them eternal happiness, and said to him, that in comparison 
 with the French, the other Europeans did not know how to 
 speak. They commenced immediately the erection of a chapel, 
 and so many put their hands to the work that it was finished 
 in a single day, and that same day they baptized a convert. 
 From that time the missionaries performed all their duties 
 with the same freedom as if they were in the midst of a colo- 
 ny of French, and they knew well in their hearts those of 
 whom the Holy Spirit had taken possession. A young woman, 
 who was not yet baptized, refused the two best offers of her 
 village, for the only reason, that her suitors were idolaters. 
 A few days after a warrior, having in vain urged her to evil, 
 sought by violence to subdue her, but the generous proselyte 
 had the courajre to withdraw herself from his friends, and to 
 place herself in safety from his persecutions. After such a 
 trial. Father Cliaumonot did not believe it his duty to defer 
 administering baptism to her, which she had urged with great 
 entreaty ; and he had the consolation of hearing the infidels 
 themselves say, that she was worthy of being a Christian ; a 
 decisive testimony in favor of a religion, of which wickedness 
 and hardness of heart could not prevent from acknowledging 
 its true piety. A very estimable woman in this village, whose 
 rank was the first among them, wished to be baptized, and all 
 
MISSIONS, 
 
 178 
 
 her family follovred her example. Several idolaters wished 
 to persuade her that she would repent of it ; and a short time 
 after she fell sick. She had a grand-son of ten or twelve 
 years of age, whom she loved much, who was attacked with 
 the same disease as his grand-mother, and was soon reduced 
 to a leanness so great, that it was painful to see him. The 
 enemies of Chr'stianity did not fail to triumph over their 
 misfortune. But tlieir triumph was short. God inspired the 
 sick with firmness and resignation, who hecame the subject 
 of conversation and admiration of all the village, and at the 
 time of their receiving baptiam, they were restored to health. 
 This wonder, whicli was followed by many others, did not pre- 
 vent the missionaries from enduring Avell this opposition and 
 running many risks, principally upon the part of some Hu- 
 rons, who being hard of heart, whilst they were in their 
 country, did not cease to insinuate to the Irociuois, that if 
 they introduced this strange religion among them, it would in 
 time make the same progress, and produce the same results, 
 which they had known Avherever these doctrines had been 
 preached. Seeing that nothing could make any impression 
 upon the minds of this people, they imagined every day new 
 devices to draw the Onondagas to their designs, but they did 
 not succeed, as they had taken care to anticipate the Hurons 
 upon these points. Meanwhile preparations were in progress 
 for the reception of the missionaries, who were expected to 
 be sent from Quebec. The people of the whole canton were 
 in ecstasies, in anticipation of so fortunate a circumstance. 
 Father Dablon had set out the 2d day of March, in the year 
 1056, with a large escort of savages, and made the voyage to 
 Quebec for the purpose of persuading M. de Lauson to esta- 
 blish a French colony at Onondaga, but he did not arrive at 
 Quebec until the commencement of April following. He had 
 no difficulty in causing M. de Lauson to enter into the pro- 
 jects of the Iroquois. A Huron, who was one of the compa- 
 ny who accompanied M. Dablon, and who had been a long 
 time with the Onondagas, used his secret influence to prevent 
 M. de Lauson from encouraging the mission, but could not 
 
 
 ! n »| 
 
 *>•>* '' ill 
 
 rl.f'. if 
 
m 
 
 ONONDAGA. 
 
 prevail upon him to change his purpose. Fifty Frenchmen 
 "Were selected to form the proposed settlement, and Sieur Du- 
 puys, an oHicer of the garrison, was appointed commandant. 
 Father Francis le Mercier, who had succeeded Father Jcromo 
 Lalleniant, in tiie office of Superior (Jeneral of Missions, ear- 
 nestly desired to conduct in person these missionaries, who 
 were destined to establish the first Iroquois Church, who were 
 the Fathers Fremin, ^lesnard and Dablon. Their departurt' 
 was fixed on the 7th of May, and although the harvest had 
 been indifferent, tlu^y gave to Sieur Dupuys an abundance of 
 provisions for his people to supply him during the year, and 
 enough to soav the land of which they were going to take pos- 
 session. 
 
 The circumstances of this new enterprise being noised 
 abroad, gave the Mohawks great dislike, and revived in their 
 breasts, their ancient jealousy of the Onondagas. A general 
 council of the nation was called, for the purpose of taking 
 into consideration this momentous affair. It seemed to them 
 as of tlie utmost importance ; and the result was, that tlieir 
 united resources must be put in requisition, to oppose this 
 new establishment. A party of four hundred men wjis imme- 
 diately raised, and orders were issued, eitlior to disperse or 
 annihilate the company of M. Dupuys. They failed however 
 to accomplish their object, and only expended their Avrath upon 
 some straggling canoes, which were plundered, and a j)art of 
 those who conducted them were wounded. After a short stay 
 at Three Rivers and at I\Iontrcal, M. Dupuys left the latter 
 place on tlie eighth of June, and tlic same day fell in Avith a 
 party of Mohawks, whom he plundered as a reprisal for the 
 outrage committed by them. 
 
 On the 29th of the same month, tow^ards 9 o'clock in the 
 evening, they heard from the camp, a voice of a man com- 
 plaining. The comnninder caused the drums to be beat ; and 
 soon they perceived a savage, who approached as if in great 
 distress. This was the young Huron (of whom I have before 
 spoken) who had escaped from the expedition, to the Isle of 
 Orleans. The skin upon his body was half roasted, and for 
 
MISSIONS. 
 
 175 
 
 seventeen days that he had traveled, ho had taken no other 
 nourishniciit tlmii wild fruits, gathered by the way. The 
 Onondagas who accampanicd the French, gave him a drink, 
 which strengthened him in a short tijne. They gave him at'ter- 
 wiinls, provisions also, and sent him forward to Quebec. 
 
 The remainder of the voyage Avas very pleasant, except 
 that they suffered very severely from a scarcity of provisions, 
 (if which they had been quite too prodigal. They had calcu- 
 lated considerably on the fisheries and upon the chase, but 
 !iotli these failed ; and the French, who were unaccustomed 
 to fast like the savages, would have perished of hunger, had 
 lint the chiefs of the Onondagas sent them some canoes loaded 
 with provisions. They learned from the same, that a large 
 party of Iro(iuois, from all the villages, and a great number 
 of other savages, awaited their arrival upon the shore of the 
 Lake Genentaha ; and M. Dupuys on his part, prepared him- 
 self to make his entrance into their country as imposing as 
 possible. 
 
 Before arriving at the place where the savages were wait- 
 ing, ho landed five small pieces of cannon, and made a dis- 
 rharge. lie then re-embarked, and rowing in beautiful order, 
 "iiterod into the lake ; wliere, in less than a (luartcr of an 
 hour, he made two discharges of all his musketry; and judg- 
 ing from all appearances, he was received in the most cordial 
 :in(l respectable manner possible. They wore welcomed with 
 -peechcs, feasts, songs, dances, and with every demonstration 
 •fjoywliich savages were capable of oifering ; in fact nothing 
 '.vas spared on tlic occasion. On the following day, the 12th 
 'if July, the To Deum was sung at the end of a solemn mass. 
 The chiefs then made presents as they are accustomed to do 
 in making treaties of alliance ; and on the IGth, the French 
 all partook of the sacrament of the Eucharist, with great de- 
 vonon, which was a beautiful example, and made a. great im- 
 pression upon the minds of the savages. The next day, they 
 roiiinicnced the building of cabins, in which to lodge them- 
 selves, and Father Le Mercicr visited the principal village of 
 the Ouondagas, where he was received with great ceremony. 
 
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 I'Mra 
 
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170 
 
 ONON l>A(J A. 
 
 On llio 'JItli, II ^niml nmnril wiiH ImM, at wliicli FiithorH 
 Mrrricr niul ('Imimionol, ovpliiiiMMl iil lar/^o llif viowH of the 
 l'r«Mi('li, iiinl IfiitltTtMl llu»ir LiikI n-j^mtlM (o llicir now iioigh- 
 Ihmm. |''n(li('r ('liiniiiiniKd H|i(il\tM»r llu> ('liiinlian rcli^idii with 
 
 i\w HiXWW (<itM|U(MI(*(> aiul KIIOOOHM, tllUt \w luitl (loUO U|l()|l ll'lH 
 
 iit'rival in IIiIh villa^o. 
 
 'ri\t« mn\r (liiv lilt- il('|»iilics tif lilt' villaj^(< of <!a_vii|j!a, «muu(< 
 
 to asK a misHionarv. and llit'V M»«nt tlifin 
 
 M 
 
 csnai'i 
 
 Mppoiirctl rciiilv in the ninvruicnt of tlio OmMulaj^aM, lor their 
 «'nil»riiciM<i ( 'lirinlianil y, ami it lu'canio nt'i't'ssiiry lo cnliir^t' 
 tin* cliiiiM'l, wliifli limt lu'cn Iniilt llit> year lu'lort', ami wliich 
 otuild Mol rontain near all llii»s(> who wish.cij to lu» inslnictcd 
 
 111 oui- uivstoncs. 
 
 Thcro had Ium'ii, tlmin;' tlif month of An- 
 
 j^usl, i»\c('ssi\(« Ileal, which was llu< oaMiHion ol iiiiich mivoiv 
 siokiK'Ns, Imt l>_v lln> kind atlt<nlion of tln> savaj^os, nil iho nick 
 woro rt'i'oviMt'd in a short linio. 
 
 This last mark of iho alVt'clion of iIiomo iicoplo, luM'Humlod 
 tlio more rrcdiiloiis of lh(> h'tfiich to hcliovt', that they foiiM 
 ill all cases rely npoii them. Novertlndess, thos(> who weiv 
 more sagacious, ludieved it iu>eessai'y to provide nt loiust 
 nuaiiist their ineonslaney, and they loiind it in tho end iiiuoli 
 the wisest course to follow their etmnsel, notwithslandiiij; their 
 Jissurances of friendship. It wns thought advisable to hold 
 in restraint the inliahilants of this villajjje, and conseipiently 
 a strong fort was biiill, and all duo eautitni used to prevent 
 
 SUV 
 
 prise, and all jnoper diligence exorcised to secure | 
 
 )re- 
 
 tectii>n in case of an alarm. Meanwhile supplies from Que- 
 boc were not readilv granted for the sustemnu-e of this colony; 
 suitable articles for jiresents \vert> wanting to draw the niiads 
 of the savages, favorably towards the French. Kvcn the 
 
 ~ ft 
 
 nocessarv expenses, were relnctantlv yielded. It was stated 
 
 • I ft • 
 
 in reply tv> the demands necessary to sustain the colony, that 
 all the lands of Camula were not enough to contribmc salli- 
 oient t'or so great an outlay of expenses. The Indians iiud- 
 ing the French slow in bestowing presents, and becoming in a 
 il<groo tired of supporting tlieni, as might naturally be sup- 
 
MIHMIONH 
 
 177 
 
 jioHtMl, their ic^ard tor ('hriHtiiiiiily rctlaxtid, m thoir afl'oo* 
 tinriH for the KrcuicJi dot^liiKMl. 
 
 VVIiilHl lli('H(< tliiiij:;rt wort) piiHHiiif^ amoiij^ the OrioiuhigiiH, 
 tli(> lliiroiiH of tho iHh* (if Orh'iiiiH, who did not foid uHHUiod 
 (if their Hiifet y, took refiij^e at (^iiehi'ir, and in a niouutnt of 
 v('Xiilit»M, had heen iihaiidontMl hy th(> Kreneh, they Hent pri- 
 \nU'\y to the Mohawks, to have? thcMiiHtdveH a(hnitt(!d into their 
 cimtiiii, lo heeonie as one p«'oph^ with them. They had lianlly 
 taken lIiiH Htep h«'loni. they reh'tited ; hut the MohawkH took 
 iluMii at their woni, and Hiunn^^ that thc^y wished to hreak thoir 
 ciifjiil^cnient, t(M»k measures to eompcd th(!iri t(t conform to it. 
 Tliey conniieiMMMl hy h'ttinj^' htose upon them war parties, who 
 iimssncred or curried away nil tiiose who attempted to hsave 
 the coiinlry, iin<l when they heli(!ved that these hostilities had 
 huIkIikmI tii(* s|)irit of these peoph>, they sent to Quehoe thirty 
 aiuliasHiidors. Nothin;^ eoiihl e(|ual the <li^nity with which 
 these messen;^ers iieijuitled themselves of their commission. 
 They iul(lr(>ssed M. de Laiison and tlemaiidtid of him a hear- 
 ill};, in an assemhiy of llin'ons and {''nMieh. The (Jovernor 
 (iciioral haviii"!; consented, the chief of tin; depntation, spoke 
 liist to the lliiroMs and said to lliem : '" My Hrother — tho 
 time has heen when thou hast extended thy arms to entreat 
 me to eonduet (hee into my conntry ; hut evei-y time 1 have 
 [lUt myself in the way of my <hity, thoii hast withdrawn, and 
 it islo punish thy inconstancy, that I have raised my hatchet. 
 lU'liovc me, and j^ive nm no cause again lo treat thee in this 
 iDiumer; remove ihysidf and avoid me." Finishing those 
 Wdnls, he presented two necklaces — one, said lio, is to aid the 
 lliirtMis in raising themselves, and the other, to assure them 
 tliiit lieucelorth the iMohaw ks shouhl live with them as hrothcrs. 
 llo tlu>n turned towards the ({overnor (jieneral, and spoke to 
 him in these wcu'ds : '' Onnontio — raise thy arms and give 
 up thy children, which thou holdest in thy bosom ; for if they 
 should commit any folly it is to be feared, that in punishing 
 them, my blows might fall upon thee. I know," continued 
 he, "that tlie llin-on loves ]>rayer, and that he adores the 
 Author of all things, and that in all liis nccoasitios, he has 
 
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1 I 
 
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 178 
 
 ONONDAGA. 
 
 access to him ; I wish to make as much of it. Agree that 
 Ondessonk, who has left me, I know not why, should return 
 to instruct me, and as I have not a sufficient number of canoes 
 to carry so many, do me the favor, to lend me thiiie." He 
 then presented two necklaces and retired. They had much 
 <^', .culty in comprehending what caused M. de Lauson to suf- 
 fer this insolence, at a period Avhen the French had no other 
 enemy but the single canton of the Mohawks. Perhaps he 
 wished to see, before showing his displeasure, in what manner 
 it might :urn the affairs at Onondaga. It is certain he did 
 not show to the Mohawks any resentment, to the haughty 
 speech of their orator ; this was Avell observed by the Ilurons 
 and greatly embarrassed them. The experience of the past. 
 and the conduct of the Iroquois, caused them to fear their 
 ruin would be certain and complete. In this difficulty they 
 were divided, some declaring they would not quit the French, 
 others resolving to give themseb'es to the Onondagas, witli 
 whom they had already formed an engagement. There was 
 only the tribe of " Ours' who kept their word, given to the 
 MohaAvks. These resolutions taken, the council re-assembled 
 and although the Governor General had not taken, it appears 
 any measures to establish his reputation, he yet wished to 
 assist Pore la Moyne, who served as interpreter, who first 
 spoke and said: " Onnontio loves the Hurons,they are hi'- 
 children ; but if they do not hold themselves und'n- his pro- 
 tection, they are of an age to take cave of themselves. He 
 opens his arms and gives them their liberty to go where they 
 wish. As for me, I shall follow them, wherever they go, and 
 if they are with the Mohawks, I shall instruct them how to 
 pray and to adore the Great Spirit. But I dare not hope that 
 thou wilt listen to me. I know Ihee, and am acquainted with 
 thy indocility : but I am pleased with the Hurons. As to 
 the canoes which thou demandest, thou sccst Avell that we 
 have not enough ourselves. Make them, if thou hast not 
 a sufficient number." The chief of the Ilurons of " Oun" 
 took the word and said : " My Brother— I am with thee ; I 
 throw myself with my eyes shut into thy canoes, determined 
 
MISSIONS. 
 
 179 
 
 withal even to die : but I wish to go alone with my house- 
 hold, (" %e,") I will suffer none other to embark with me. 
 If in time the rest of my nation desire to follow, I shall not 
 oppose them ; but I am well satisfied, that they sec in what 
 manner thou wilt treat me." He then tlirew down three belts, 
 which signified that liC engaged the Mohawks to treat him 
 well, and to neglect nothing that would cause him to forget 
 what he had sacrificed, and to facilitate the voyage. The 
 deputies accepted the belts, ^nd appeared well satisfied. 
 They went to work immediately to make canoes, and when 
 finished, they embarked in them with the Huron and Pere 
 la Moyne. A few days after their departure, the deputies of 
 the Onondagas arrived at Quebec, to summon three of the 
 Hurons, who had offered themcelves to them on their word, 
 and were much displeased when they learned that the tribe 
 of " Oi«-6-," had followed the Mohawks. The Hurons made 
 luost unsatisfactory excuses and were much embarrassed. 
 The French were no way desirous of entering into a quarrel 
 with these people, who took so high a stand in the cause of 
 Christianity and the affairs of the new colony. Finally, the 
 Governor General made known to the deputies, that if they 
 failed in respect due to tlieir Father, that a party of Hurons 
 were ready to follow them, and as they did not bear about 
 their persons the equippage of warriors, but the garb of friends 
 and brothers, that the Hurons being desirous of doing things 
 in the right way, they should return with the Onondagas and 
 keep their Avord. To sliow that their words were not deceit- 
 ful, the Hurons visited thciu at Slontrcal and gave them hos- 
 tages. This reply soothed tiie Onondagas, wlio gave a great 
 i'east and returned apparently contented. 
 
 Notwithstanding these frequent altercations, the dissolution 
 of this body of Christians, on v-hom tlie French had cherished 
 the most lively hopes, ;\nd the hostilities of the Mohawks, 
 caused great uneasiness to the Governor General, and to the 
 missionaries. It is true these received consolation, from the 
 number of conversions which took jdace every day among 
 the people, even among those who had shown a great opposi- 
 
 I 
 
 i m iiiiiiiiii 
 
 > V 'J 
 
 r 
 
180 
 
 ONONDAGA. 
 
 tion to the Church, and by the examples of grace and virtue 
 ■which they daily saw in their converts. The remembrances of 
 this time are filled with very edifying traits of the fervor of these 
 Christian savages whom we leave with regret. It is thus that 
 the Lord keeps his ministers in continual changes of hope 
 and fear, which nourishes in them two virtues, the most neces- 
 sary to the duties of Apostleship — distrust in themselves, and 
 confidence in Him of wliom they are ministers. 
 
 The Onondagas arrived in the Isle of Orleans to receive the 
 Hurons, and to carry them with them, as had been previously 
 arrani-ed. Some of the French, and two Jesuits were to uc- 
 company them, but they were much surprised, Avhen on the 
 day of their departure, the Onondagas declared that the Hu- 
 rons alone should embark with them. They relented how- 
 ever, in favor of the French, but still persisted in excluding 
 the two Jesuits, who on their part did not wish to leave theiv 
 converts, were obliged to embark in a canoe which they found 
 upon the bank, without any other provision than a small bai; 
 of corn. This conduct of the Onondagas, for which they 
 were wholly unprepared, augured an unpropitious beginning 
 for the Hurons. Many foresaw the unhappy Ic t which awaited 
 them, and their presentiments were well founded. These un- 
 fortunate Christians had not proceeded far, before they knew 
 they were inevitably lost. A young Avoman avIio liail refused 
 the offer of an Iroquois chief, was shot by the savage ininic- 
 diatcly. As if they had only waited for this signal to re- 
 move the mask, which covered the blackest of their crimes, a 
 great number of the most respectacle Hurons were massacred 
 on the spot. Otliers were regarded as prisoners of war, and 
 some were burned, Avithout knowing beforehand the cause (if 
 such inhuman treatment. A resolution had been formed of 
 putting tue French to the sword. Wo know not how they 
 prevented the execution, but they avoided this d mger only to 
 fall into another, where it appeared to them for a long time 
 that they Avould inevitably perish. The first thing vrhich they 
 learned upon their arrival at Onondaga was, th it a conspiracy 
 had been discovered atiainst th." French. A band of Oneidiu 
 
MISSIONS, 
 
 181 
 
 having gone to the chase near Montreal, surprised three 
 Frenchmen in a secluded place, killed them, and brought 
 their scalps into the village where they Avere divided. This, 
 with other flagrant indications of hostility, were soon given, 
 which left no doubt in the minds of the French, that an effort 
 would be made to destroy their new colony. Monsieur de 
 Aillebout, who commanded at Quebec, in place of M. De Lau- 
 son, who had returned to France, demanded satisfaction for 
 this outrage, and to oblige the nation to render it, he gave 
 orders that they should arrest all the Iroquois in the colony, 
 lie was obeyed, and the first movement Avhich the news of 
 this order caused in the cantons, was to form the most violent 
 resolutions. These were not enforced, however, and they held 
 to those which were formed with more deliberation. Pere le 
 Moyne, who was with the Jlohawks, was entreated to deliver 
 the Iroquois under arrest, under pretence of doing him honor, 
 and of sustaining the offenses of the young men against the 
 French. It was determined to give Father Le Moyne a nu- 
 merous escort, with which to visit Montreal, and then to let 
 loose parties of warriors, who, scattering themselves through 
 the colony, where as soon as they were informed of the liberty 
 of their men, they would pillage and massacre all the French 
 and their allies, whom they should chance to meet. Pere Le 
 Moyne, contrary to their expectations did not go, and their 
 plans were thereby frustrated. But in the month of February 
 of the following year, (1658) numerous bands of Mohawks, 
 Oneidiis and Onondagas were in the field, ready equipped as 
 warriors. It is not necessary so much to give the suspicions 
 of Monsieur Dupuys, as he was very soon informed by a 
 Christian Indian, of all of which they plotted against him. 
 He found himself in great perplexity, and in truth saw no 
 way of extricating himself from his present danger, without 
 much trouble and hazard. 
 
 To fortify himself and sustain a seige, was only to post- 
 pone his destruction and not prevent it, because he had no as- 
 sistance to hope for from Quebec. lie found himself driven 
 to the necessity of being obliged, sooner or later, to give him- 
 
 t >H».i 
 
182 
 
 ONONDAGA. 
 
 self iij), or die in fighting, or perish miserably by famine. In 
 order to effect a safe retreat, it became necessary to construct 
 canoes, for they had taken no precaution to secure any in case 
 of emergency. To make them there, in a public manner, was 
 to proclaim their retreat, and thereby render it impossible. 
 Something must be resolved upon instantly, and thus the 
 commander decided. He commenced by sending an express 
 to Monsieur Do Aillebout, to inform him of the conspiracy, and 
 then gave orders to construct, with all possible speed, small 
 light boats, and to hinder the Iroquois from hearing of it, they 
 went to work at them in the store room {^'- grenier') of the 
 house occupied by the Jesuits, which was more secluded than 
 the others, and much larger. This done, he ordered all his 
 men to be in readiness at a moment's warning, and each in- 
 dividual to supply himself with provisions sufficient for the 
 voyage ; and to be careful to avoid giving the least cause of 
 suspicion to the Iroquois. He waited only to take such pre- 
 cautionary measures as might be necessary to embark in so 
 secret a manner, that the savages could have no knowledge 
 of the retreat of tlie French, until they had so far advanced 
 as to have no apprehensions of being pursued, and this they 
 accomplished by the following singular stratagem. A young 
 Frenchman, who had been adopted into one of the principal 
 families of the Onondaga s, and wlio had acquired considera- 
 ble influence with the Indians, arose one morning and pre- 
 sented himself before his adopted father, saying, that during 
 the previous night he had dreamed of one of those feasts where 
 it became necessary for the guests to eat all that was set be- 
 fore them, and he prayed he would make a similar one for all 
 the people of the village, and that he had a presentiment that 
 if so much as one thing were wanting to render the feast such 
 an one as he desired, he should surely die. The savage re- 
 plied, that he should very much regret to see him die, and 
 that he would make this repast immediately, and that he 
 would have the care of making the invitations, that noth- 
 ing should be lacking to make the entertainment precisely 
 what ho desired it should be. Upon this the young man as- 
 
MISSIONS. 
 
 183 
 
 signed the lOtli of March, which also was the clay fixed upon 
 for the (lepnrture of the French. All the provisions which 
 could veil bo spared, throughout the village, were brought 
 forward to grace the entertainment, and all the savages were 
 invited to attend. 
 
 The feast commenced in the evening, and in order to give 
 the French an opportunity of putting their boats into the 
 water, and to load them for the voyage, without being ob- 
 served, drums and trumpets sounded cheerily around the place 
 of their festivity. 
 
 The boats being now launched, and all things in readiness 
 for departure, the young man, at a certain signal, which was 
 made to him, said to his adopted father, that he pitied the 
 guests, of whom a great number had asked quarters, that they 
 wished to cease from eating, and give themselves up to repose, 
 adding that he would procure for them all, a most agreeable 
 sleep. He immediately commenced playing upon his guitar, 
 and in less than a quarter of an hour there was not a single 
 Indian who was not sound asleep. He instantly rushed out, 
 joined his companions, who were in waiting, and the little 
 fleet in a moment left the shore. 
 
 The next morning a number of savages, according to their 
 custom at waking, went to see the French, and found all the 
 doors closed and barred. This novelty, and the profound si- 
 lence which every where reigned throughout the French set- 
 tlement, greatly astonished them. Their first impression was, 
 that the French were at mass, or that tliey might be holding 
 a secret council, but after waiting several hours for a solution 
 of the mystery, they knocked at the doors, but were only 
 answered by the barking of some dogs left by the French. 
 They saw also a number of fowls walking upon the walls, but 
 no person could be seen or heard. They waited very impa- 
 tiently till towards evening, and finally broke open the doors, 
 and great indeed was their surprise on finding all the houses 
 vacant. For a long time the savages were unable to compre- 
 hend how the French, who they really supposed had no ca- 
 noes, had been able to get away, and tlu ; ould not imagine 
 
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184 
 
 ONONDAGA. 
 
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 how it was possible for tiiera to effect their escape. It was 
 in truth the first time they had made use of boats upon such 
 voyages ; but if they had been provided with canoes it would 
 not have been possible to have used them, because there was 
 yet large bodies of ice in the rivers, and this circumstance 
 prevented the Iroquois from pursuing them with any hope of 
 success. Monsieur Dupuys did not however believe himself 
 entirely safe, but used such speed, that in spite of contrary 
 winds, which detained them on Lake Ontario, he reached Mon- 
 treal in fifteen days. The joy of deliverance from so great 
 danger, did not however prevent this officer from feeling sen- 
 sibly that a flight so precipitous was a disgrace to the French 
 nation, and regretting that for the want of a little timely as- 
 sistance, he was unable to sustain an establishment of so mucli 
 importance, and of governing a people who acquired the 
 power and right of insulting the French on account of their 
 own weakness. 
 
 Reception of Pero le Moyne by the Onondagas :— 
 The next autumn they received at Quebec letters from 
 Father le Moyne, dated from Onondaga. This missionary, 
 having experienced many dangers in his journey on account 
 of the Mohawks, the Oneidas, and the Senecas, who had no 
 part in the deputation of the two other cantons. He arrived 
 at last without any serious accident, at two leagues from On- 
 ondaga. He there was met by the great chief of this canton, 
 named Garakontie, who awaited him there with a numerous 
 suite to do him honor. He was much surprised at this event, 
 as it was not the custom of the savages to go more than one 
 league to await the deputies; but his astonishment ceased 
 when he knew to whom he was indebted for this act of po- 
 liteness. 
 
 Relation of the years 1659-60. Gives a comprehensive 
 view of the country of the Iroquois, and of their customs and 
 cruelties in war. The state of the country of the Algonkins, 
 and of some new discoveries. Of the state of the Huron na- 
 tion and its last defeat, by the Iroquois. The state of the 
 remaining Hurons, after their last defeat. The state of the 
 
MISSIONS. 
 
 18") 
 
 mission among the Hurons, and the opening which was made 
 anew, and of the burning of some Iroquois prisoners at Quebec. 
 
 Relation of the years 1000-01. (Jives an account of the 
 wars which raged with great violence between the French and 
 lro(|uois. The theatre of cruelty and rapine, Avas in the vi- 
 cinity of Montreal, whither the Iroquois had carried the war. 
 The French had suffered great distress, not only by the rava- 
 ;fos of war, but by pestilence and famine. A large number 
 of prisoners of the French had been taken, many of whom 
 ^uftbrcd all the excruciating pains of savnge torture, crowned 
 hy (loath itself. Several had been sj)ared this refined ordeal 
 (if suffering, and although prisont/s of war to a savage people, 
 were permitted to enjoy a good degree of liberty. It is said, 
 tliere were at this time at Onondaga, not fewer than 'thirty 
 Frenchmen. These captives by the assistance of some pious 
 Onondagas, relics of the former mission, and some of the Hu- 
 lons, who, since the conquest, had taken up their abode there, 
 liiul converted a spacious cabin into a chapel, where they re- 
 gularly assembled to say mass ; and, through all the wars be- 
 tween the French and Iroquois, some persons Averc at Onon- 
 daga, Avho kept up the worship of (Jod, and kept alive for a 
 series of years, a spirit of Christianity, and an interest in the 
 faith. This Ilelation gives an account of a conference for 
 peace between the French and some of the Iroquois. 
 
 Of the establishment of a new mission among the Killiste- 
 nous, called that of St. Francis Xavier, towards the North Sea, 
 on Hudson's Bay, and a journal of the first visit of the French 
 to that quarter, and the dangers of the road, and sundry let- 
 ters to and from Father Le Moyne. Also a marvellous ac- 
 count of the flight of some French prisoners, who had escaped 
 from the Iroquois, and other accounts of captive French, and 
 savages. 
 
 Relation 1001-02, by Father Jerome Lallemant. Gives a 
 continuation of the wars with the Iroquois, and of various mur- 
 ders. The wintering of the Pere Pierre Balloquet, with the 
 Montagnais and the Algonkins ; also the Avintering of the 
 Father Le Moyne in the country of the Superior Iroquois, 
 
 24 
 
 
 .-. if 
 
186 
 
 ON ONI) A (J A 
 
 ' it 'J 
 
 (Senecas, Ciiyuga.s) which rehitcs principally tho cruelties of 
 the Iroquois towards the French, the torture of prisoners and 
 the persecutions of the Christians and the Church. Tho re- 
 turn of Father Lc Moync, the deliverance of eighteen French 
 captives, of several murders of the Gaspee savages, and others 
 called " Papinuchionetkhr 
 
 Relation, lOOi^MJ-'}. Describes certain inctoorological phe- 
 nomena, tho grout oartluiuako of 100;}, and tho solar eclipse 
 of September in tliat year. 
 
 liclation, l<;(i:M. Treats of the missions among tho IIu- 
 rons, Algonkins and Five Nations, and the war between the 
 Mohawks, and the Moliegans and Abena(|uis. It gives an ac- 
 count also of an embassy which the Irocpiois sent to the French 
 to conclude a poaco, being alarmed at the preparations of the 
 latter against tJiom. 
 
 Relation, lOlU-f,. Gives an account, of the arrival of 
 Monsieur I)e Traci in Now France. His reception by the 
 savages of Canada ; his negotiations with the Iroquois ; also 
 of the arrival of the Superior Algonkins at Quebec, and the 
 mission of the Father Claude AUoucz, and of the first forts, 
 constructed on tlie rivers of the Iroquois ; desci-iption of their 
 country, and the roads thither. 
 
 Journal of the second vo} age of a, Father of the Society of 
 Jesus, to tho Lake St. Eavnabo, continuation of the wars with 
 the Iroquois, and of their defeat at the Lac " Puizonafiami " 
 called Lake St. John ; particulars regarding comets and si^ns 
 which appeared at Quebec, and in that neig]il)orhood ; cir- 
 cumstances upon tho arrival of the vessels from France ; the 
 king interfering with the rights of Carignansalieres and a let- 
 ter of the Mother Superior of the Hospitaliors Order of Nuns, 
 at Quebec. 
 
 Relation 1005-'G, by Pore Jerome Lallomant : 
 
 There is supposed to be but one copy of this volume in the 
 United States or Canada, and this in possession of J. Carter 
 Brown, Esq., Providence, R. L It contains but three chap- 
 ters. But many interesting particulars of the expeditions of 
 the French in IGGO. Alludes to a colony formed at Ononda- 
 
MISSIONS. 
 
 187 
 
 ,,.^ — (lr.4cii)»os tlie oxpodition led by T)e Cnnrcclles in January 
 iifiiinst the Oiieidas and Mohawks, in the course of which five 
 humhTd men marched on snow-shoes from Quebec to Scho- 
 noctiidy and 1)ack, a distance of three hundred leagues. The 
 (itlicr commanded by Monsieur do Traci, then an octogenari- 
 an, and proceeded in September following against the Mo- 
 hawks. Chapter 2d treats of the Huron, Algonkin and Pa- 
 pinakioises missions. Chapter M gives an account of the 
 wars and treaties of peace between the French and Iroquois, 
 and mentions a letter of the Mother '' Supcrieur llospitalicres," 
 nuns of (.^lebec and New France, dated 3d Oct., IGGG, which 
 is not here published. 
 Relation IGGG, 'G7, by Pe>e Francis Lc Mercier: — 
 Upon the state and condition of Canada for the last two 
 voars; of the journey of Perc Claude Allouez in the country 
 of the Outaouacs. On the arrival of the missionai'ies at L'ance 
 th St. Ki^prit^ called ChagouaviH/cv;/. General Council of the 
 nations in the country of the Outi'.ouacs. Of some of the 
 superstitions and of the false gods of the country. Continu- 
 ance of the niissi(jn de St. Eaprit in the Lac de Traci. a\Iis- 
 sion of the Tionnontuteheronnous. The mission of the Ou- 
 taouacs, Kiakakoumas and Outaona Simar/oue. The mission 
 of the Foutconatamiouec, and those established among other 
 tribes of Indians called Ous aki Oiickout, Agamivuck^ IlU- 
 vmiec, Nadout'sioiu'k, Killutinoucc, Xipis IriniemH, and the 
 voyage of the Father Claude Allouez to Quebec, and his re- 
 turn to the Outaouacs, and to the mission of Lac St. John ; 
 the re-establishment of the Iroquois missions ; recital of the 
 wonders of the Church of St. Annie of the little " Cap Coste 
 (Je Beau pray Nouvellc France.'' 
 Relation IGGT, 'G8, by Pdre F. Le ^Mercier :— 
 After a " resume" of the advantages derived from the mis- 
 sions among the Five Nations ; we have in this volume the 
 French names of several missionary posts among the Mo- 
 hawks, Oneidas, Onondagas, Cayugas and Senecas. Refer- 
 ence is also made in it to the drov/ning of Arent A'^an Curler 
 in Lac Champlain on his way to visit Gov. de Traci. In 
 
 ■M 
 
 f¥ 
 
 
188 
 
 ONONDAGA. 
 
 conclusion, it contains a letter from Monsieur do Petrea, first 
 Bishop of Quebec, on tiie state of the Church, and an account 
 of the death of the Jlcv. Mere Catharine. As this Relation con- 
 tains many things relative to Onondaga, wo again resume, and 
 insert somewhat at large. The Fathers once again made 
 strenuous eftbrts to re-establish the Christian Church anioncr 
 the Mohawks, but owing to the dissolute habits of these peo^ 
 pie, and their constant hatred of the French, the mission was 
 not eminently successful. This year, KiOT, the mission of 
 St. Francis Xavier was established among the Oneidas. Father 
 Jacques Bruyas, having arrived among the Mohawks, in com- 
 pany with Fathers Frcmin and Pieron, separated from tlioni 
 in order to pass towards the Oneidas' village, which is the 
 second nation of the lower Iroquois ; the least numerous in- 
 deed, but the proudest and most insolent of all. We arrived 
 there in the month of September, KJOT, to lay the foundation 
 of a new Church, which Providence had destined to be es- 
 tablished hero. 
 
 I cannot better begin my narrative than by relating what 
 has passed this very day, in which I have had the consolation 
 of saying the holy mass, for the first time in my little chapel, 
 which has just been finished by the hands of our Iroquois 
 themselves. I hope that the feast of the glorious Archan^re] 
 St. Michael, will bring a good omen {'■' ainjure') for us, be- 
 cause he is the prince of the Church. I trust he will take 
 especial care of this one, which is but newly born, and give 
 it protection and increase. 
 
 Next follows the account of the establishment of a new 
 mission at Onondaga, styled that of St. John the Baptist. 
 We follow the locations in the order of our chapters, for after 
 the nation of Mohawks and that of Oneida, between the south 
 and west, Ave meet Onondaga, a large village, which is the 
 centre of all the Iroquois nations, and where every year a sort 
 of State's General council is held, to consider the differences 
 which may have risen amongst them during the course of the 
 year. Their policy in this is very wise, since their preserva- 
 tion depends upon their union. As it is very difficult amon'^ 
 
MISSIONS. 
 
 189 
 
 a people, where the most unlimited license in every thing pro- 
 vails with impunity, especially amou^ the young men, ko it 
 seems necessary that soinothing should keep them in restraint, 
 that nothing may occur capable of causing a rupture, and of 
 producing discords among them. 
 
 Each year they hold a general usseml)1y at Onondaga, where 
 all the deputies of the other nations meet to make their com- 
 plaints, and receive the necessary satisfactions, by mutual 
 presents, by which they best keep on good terms with each 
 iithcr. On this account it is, that amongst all the Iroquois 
 missions we shall find here that with which wo have most 
 cause to 1)0 pleased. IJesidcs, as we have before said, Onon- 
 (la<'ii, first of all, received the light of the gospel, and this 
 may pass for the most ancient Church of the Iro((uois. 
 
 Providence has taken a favorable occasion to create, or 
 rather to re-establish in its first estate, the (Christianity which 
 was once tndy fiourishing there, and which still would be if 
 the treachcrios of some of those barbarians had not forcibly 
 driven off the Fathers, some ten years since, througli the war 
 ivliich they then carried on against the French. Father Ju- 
 lian Gamier, having gone up in the course of last summer to 
 Oneida, to labor there, conjointly with Father Bruyas, for the 
 salvation of those people, found himself obliged by every mo- 
 tive of charity, to proceed as far as Onondaga, which is but 
 a short journey distant. He was there received with every 
 testimony of cordiality, affection and benevolence, which could 
 be Avishcd for from a people who although barbarians, were 
 strongly affection ed towards our Fathers, so much so that they 
 liad committed a gentle violence upon him to prevent his re- 
 turning to his post, undertaking to satisfy him in all things 
 lie should desire of them. 
 
 As he had declared to them that he could not remain alone 
 and without a chapel, Garakontie, that famous captain of 
 whom we have before spoken in preceding Relations, resolved 
 to gratify him to the utmost of his wishes. In fact in a few 
 tlays he built a chapel, and immediately after undertook a voy- 
 age to Quebec to visit the Governor of Canada, who had long 
 
 4 
 
 % 
 
 r 5 
 ' 1,' 
 
 I 
 
 ^l 
 
 %ki 
 
 Nir 
 
11)0 
 
 ONONDAGA. 
 
 -• I' 
 
 I 
 
 doflircd to 806 this grcHt nn.l good man, so ohVi^mif towards 
 the French. One principal object of liis vinit was, to take 
 away with him some of the Fathcri., whom ho wished to con- 
 duct into his own country. 
 
 In order bettor to .succeed in his ombassy, ho tnkes with 
 him the four principal nu-u of the villnRo, who represent the 
 principal Caiuilics o[' which it is composcl. With this com- 
 pany he arrived at (.>uel)ec, on the L'Oth of last Ai.^'ust, whore 
 having appeared before the Governor and Intendant, lu^niade 
 five presents, which were to be the interpreters (,f five speech- 
 es whi.-h he hrou-ht in behalf of his whole nation, (iura- 
 kontio goes on to niak(> and explain liis presents, first, how- 
 ever, he speaks to the French Governor as follows : *' I for- 
 meriy boasted, to have done for the French nation what no 
 frien.l among us had over done for another, having ransomed 
 more than twenty-six of their people fr.nn the hamis of those 
 who would certainly Imve burned them, had they not been 
 liberated by my hand. But now I dare boast no longer for 
 what r have done in this respect. Since you, Onnontio, have 
 <lone so much more for us, by giving life, not only to the 
 Oneidas, who are among you, whilst they, on whose behalf 
 they came to ask for peace, were sliiying you. But moreover 
 you have restored ((uitc as many other persons, who arc of 
 our Five Nations. When having led into our country a pow- 
 erful army, and being able to carry every thing by' fire and 
 sword, whilst every one fled before it, you have been content- 
 ed to humble the Mohawks alone, wherein you have greatly 
 surpassed my expectations in the clemency of the French. 
 And whereupon I now come to thank you, and would fain be 
 able to thank our great King Louis, inasmuch as he has not 
 desired our blood, nor our total ruin, but only to hniiide us. 
 I come also to wipe the tears from your cheeks, whir]) F: Hit 
 Gonneau told us had flowed from your eyes becaubo of the 
 death of our men killed l>y the Andastes." 
 
 Father Gonneau, upon entering Onondaga, said, it was 
 Onnontio, who had commanded him on his departure from 
 Port-R;.ya\ ^o visit our poor nation, and see the condition it 
 
M I H S I O N H , 
 
 191 
 
 was in. This courteHy 1ms ho glatMencd our lioarts, that wo 
 have lavisiiod upon him many cnchnirmontH, ami have en- 
 treattMl him not to leave us. He liaHaj^reod to thi.s, provideil 
 we wouhl huihl for him a chapel, and seek out a companion 
 for him. Wo have now done botli, the chapel was completed 
 two days after his ttrrivul, and now behold us here, first to 
 thank you, because you have remembered us, and after this, 
 we ask of you a priest, ('' Noir robe,") and also that you will 
 ;'ivo us a hunter. 
 
 You cannot doiiijt my fidelity. I pray you to believe, that 
 all our nations, will henceforth live in the terras which they 
 have proiuised rhe great Onnontio. Do not listen to the fugi- 
 tive llurons, Avho wish to make you distrustful. 
 
 We have never, never held the ^^ Lonps" as our enemies, 
 vet they slay us. Therefore cause the voice of Onnontio to 
 resound in their country, that they may no longer infest the 
 roads, which we keep open in order to visit each other. If 
 you do not, they will proceed to kill you, as well as us. 
 
 After the chieftain had thus spoken, he was answered in as 
 many words, accompanied by five presents. The answers 
 wore given, on the 27th of August, 1(;)(J8, to the words of the 
 Iro(iuois, through the nation of Onondaga brought by the 
 ^•I'eat cliieftaln Garakontic. 
 
 The French iigree Avith the nations, and are assured that 
 they are rightly esteemed and highly regarded, on every oc- 
 casion, and cannot doubt the truth of the Avords of the great 
 chief. Thus has it given a testimony of its pleasure, and 
 marked its gratitude to thee, for thy good offices which are 
 esteemed meritorious since they are sustained, by the most 
 exemplary conduct. We hope that time Avill never cause your 
 sentiments to vary, and that thou wilt ins])ire thy brothers, 
 :i '^ ^'y children to keep their faith inviolably, towards the 
 French, since thou perceivest in them, such good feelings of 
 compassion and clemency, and art persuaded, tiiat being able 
 to destroy thy brothers and children, they have had the good- 
 ness not to do so. Let the tliought be foi-gotten then — only 
 cherished by some inconsiderate youths, that if the French 
 
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 ■ij^' 
 
 mw 
 
 wt 
 
 
 I 
 
 1 
 
 Jii 
 
 % 
 
 m 
 
 11 
 
 
 III 
 
11>2 
 
 OiNONDAGA. 
 
 had not destroyed the village of Oneida, it was because tliey 
 could not, or dared not. Make them understand, that even 
 if there were no troops liere at present, capahle of such an en- 
 terprise, tliat great Onnontio, called King Jiouis, is so powerful 
 and so jealous of the respect, which his children owe him, that 
 he could send here twenty times as many troops as there arc 
 hero at present, upon the sliglitest information, that any of 
 the Iroquois, should have done the least injury, not only to 
 his own subjects, but also to such of the savage nations us 
 are under his })rotection, and who have recognized him its 
 their sovereign, as thou hast done for the Five Nations, TIio 
 interest which the French have taken, expressed by tears of 
 grief, for thy brothers slain by the Andastes, shows the fath- 
 erly tenderness the king lias towards thee, as his ehild, and 
 the gratitude, wliieli thou sliowest for the favor which he has 
 done thee, will oblige him to continue them o?i every occasion. 
 Thus always pursuing the course of testifying gratitude for 
 benefits received, liecause it is the surest nu'thod of preserv- 
 ing his good will towartls thee, ami to perpetuate his favors. 
 As this distinguished chieftain figures largely in the Onon- 
 daga mission, and seems also to have been a great as well av 
 a good man, we deem it not inappro])riate to give his charac- 
 ter in the language of the lli;-torian Charlevoix, who says 
 (Tome I., page •5')^.) (Jarakontie was by birth and educii- 
 tion a savage. With the many excellent qualities with which 
 by nature he was endowed, he was enabled to elevate himself 
 to the highest place in his nation. He possessed a noble nat- 
 ural nninner with great afiability, a disposition of much swcct- 
 7iess, a superior genius, with mueli integrity and ujtrightiic.ss 
 of character. His braveiy in Avar, liis dextrous dijiloniacy. 
 his lively spirit in council, had acquired f^r him the greatest 
 esteem in his nation. His most comuKin employment was, ti' 
 moderate the violent resolutions of the national council, and 
 to cultivate peace with the French, which he sincerely wished 
 to preserve, lie had given to the French the most sincere 
 and indubitable proofs of his aifection, in recovering from the 
 hands of tlie English a great number of prisoners, and all 
 
MISSIONS. 
 
 198 
 
 itioiis. Tlic 
 
 those who were actually captives in his own canton. And in 
 the other cantons many were under the greatest obligation to 
 him for their lives and liberty. After thus describing the 
 chiiraotor of this illustrious chief the same author gives us 
 (Tome i. page 427) the following account of his Baptism. 
 Through the pru<lencc of (;larakontie, who had been sent by 
 the people of his canton, and the firmness of the Governor 
 General, the agreement was concluded to the satisfaction of 
 all piirties. (iarakontie then spoke to the Outawas, on the un- 
 ivorthy manner in which they had treated the missionaries, 
 whom they acknowledged he hiid the kindness to confide to their 
 trust. And as if he had waited cx[)ressly for the gathering 
 of so numerous an assembly before whom to make the declara- 
 tion of his faith, he declared himself pu])licly, a worshiper 
 of Jesus (Jhrist. He added, that long since, he had been a 
 Christian at heart, that he had all his life detested and abhor- 
 red the superstitions in which he had been brought up, and 
 that lie could defer no longer to retain to himself the advan- 
 tages, which he had been the instrument of procuring for so 
 niiiny others. Then addressing the ]>ishop who was present, 
 lie conjured him to receive him among the children of God, 
 ^vithout delay. Every thing seemed to encourage the prelate 
 to grant to so illustrious a proselyte, that which he asked for 
 with so much earnestness,— Apostle as he had been, before 
 declaring himself a Christian. J le had always seemed to take 
 as much at heart in the establishment of Christianity in his 
 nation, as the missionaries themselves, and the whole colony 
 '.vas always under great obligation to him. Uesides all this, 
 there was nothing which Avas bettor calculated to give credit 
 m\ character to our religion, among tlio nations of this con- 
 tinent, than to render their deputies witnesses of the conver- 
 sion ■ a, man, so generally esteemed. The Bishop therefore, 
 made no objection, to admitting this illustrious proselyte, to 
 the bosom of the Church. He knew him to be sufficiently 
 instructed, and he baptized him himself. The Governor Gen- 
 eral insisted on being his God-Father, and Mademoiselle de 
 Bouterou(i, daughter of the Intendant, was his God-Mother. 
 
B,. 1* ' I 
 
 194 
 
 ONONDAGA. 
 
 From the former, he received the name of Daniel, which was 
 his own name. Nothing was omitted to give celebrity to this 
 ceremony— all the deputies of the nations were assistants and 
 witnesses, and after the exercises, all were regaled profusely. 
 
 It was to this great chief, that the French, were under great 
 indebtedness for the establishment about this time, of a colony 
 in the country of the Onondagas. This colony was supposed 
 to have been located on the Butternut creek, about one mile 
 south of Jamesville. The circumstances and facts relating 
 to it, were taken froui a Jesuit's Journal, and from the 
 sachems of Onondaga. As the history of this colony is re- 
 lated almost solely on the authority of the late Dewitt Clinton, 
 being part of a discourse delivered before the New- York His- 
 torical Society, we give it in his own words. 
 
 "From the Jesuit's journal, it appears that in the year 
 1666, at the request of Garakontie, an Onondaga chieftain, 
 a French colony was directed to repair to his village, for the 
 purpose of teaching the Indians the arts and sciences, and 
 endeavor, if practicable, to civilize and christianize them. We 
 learn from the sachems, that at this time the Indians had a fort, 
 a short distance above the village of Jamesville, on tlie banks 
 of a small stream near ; a little above which, it seems the 
 chief, Garakontie, would have his new friends set doivn. Ac- 
 cordingly they repaired thither and commenced the labor, in 
 ^vhich being greatly aided by the savages, a few months only 
 were necessary to the building of a small village. 
 
 This colony, remained for three years in a very peacea- 
 ble and flourishing condition, during Avhich time, much addi- 
 tion was made to the establishment, and among others, a small 
 chapel in which the Jesuit used to collect the barbarians, and 
 perform the rites and ceremonies of his Church. About 
 this time, (1669,) a party of Spaniards, consisting of twenty- 
 three persons, arrived at the village, having for guides some 
 of the Iroquois, who had been taken captives, by some of 
 the southern tribes. It appears evident, that this party came 
 up the Mississippi, passed Pittsburgh and on to Olean Point, 
 where leaving their canoes, they traveled by land. They had 
 
MISSIONS, 
 
 195 
 
 been informed that, there was a lake to the north, whose bot- 
 tom was covered with a substance shining and white, which 
 they took from the Indians' description, to be silver. 
 
 Having arrived at Onondaga Lake, and the French vil- 
 lage, and finding no silver, they seemed bent on a quarrel 
 with the French, Avhom they charged with having bribed the 
 Indians, so that they would not tell where the silver might be 
 found. A compromise was finally eifected. They agreed 
 that an equal number of French and Spaniards should be sent 
 on an exploring expedition. The Indians seeing these stran- 
 gers prowling through the woods, with various instruments, 
 suspected some design to be in operation, to drive them from 
 their country. Tliis jealousy, was much increased by the ac- 
 cusations of the Europeans themselves. The Spaniards told 
 the Indians, that the only object of the French was to tyran- 
 nize over them. The French on the other hand asserted, that 
 the Spaniards were laying a plan to rob them of their lands. 
 
 The Indians, by this time becoming jealous of both, deter- 
 mined in private council, to rid themselves of these intruders. 
 Having privately obtained the assistance of the Oneidas and 
 Cayugas, they agreed upon the time and manner of attack. 
 A little before daybreak, on AU Saints Day, 1GG9, the little 
 colony, together with the Spaniards, were aroused from their 
 slumbers by the discharge of firearms, and the war-whoop of 
 the savages. Every house was immediately fired or broken 
 open, and such as attempted to escape from the flames, were 
 killed by the tomahawk, and not one of the colonists or 
 Spaniards were left alive to relate the sad disaster." 
 
 " The French in Canada, on making inquiries respecting the 
 fate of their friends, were informed by the Indians, that they had 
 gone towards the south, with a company of people who came 
 from thence, and at the same time, showing a Spanish coat of 
 (u-ms, and other national trinkets, confirmed the Canadian 
 French in the opinion, that their unfortunate countrymen, 
 had indeed gone thither, and in all probability perished in the 
 nnmonse forests. This opinion was also measurably con- 
 hrmcd by a Frenchman, who had long lived with the Senecas, 
 
 H,u , 
 
 ; I, 
 
 .li'i' 
 
196 
 
 ONONDAGA. 
 
 and who visited the Onondagas at the time the Spaniards 
 were at the village, but left before the disaster, and could 
 only say he had seen them there."* 
 
 Thus perished the second Christian colony, so far as known 
 that was attempted to be settled in western New- York. 
 
 The first at Lake Genentaha, having been broken up in 
 1656, and those who composed it, were compelled secretly to 
 leave for Canada. 
 
 Relation, 1667-68. Gives an account of a newly estab- 
 lished mission among the Cayugas, and of a colony of Cayu- 
 gas newly established on the north coast of Lake Ontario. 
 
 Father Estienne de Carheil and Lc Pe're Millet, went up 
 among the Iroquois to share their labors and cares ; the one 
 destined for Onondaga, the other for Cayuga. There is a 
 fourth Iroquois nation about thirty leagues distant from Onon- 
 daga, always going up between the west and south. These 
 people are well disposed, for Iroquois. It can never be said 
 they have borne arms against the French ; and, if some of 
 them, have done so, it has been by small parties, in simple 
 skirmishes, without any preformed design or concert of the 
 whole nation. They are quite susceptible of kind impressions ; 
 we have often experienced this, even ten years ago, when we 
 were much among them; the same mind still proves their kind- 
 ness and docility ; in proof of which, they have erected for 
 us a chapel in their village, which is well attended. 
 
 They were very willing the faith should be reestablished 
 there. Father Carheil came, who has just revived their church, 
 composed of Hurons and Iro(|uois. The fear of enemies, 
 obliged many of the nation to leave, and to plant themselves 
 on the North coast of Lake Ontario. This detachment of 
 the Cayugas, or of this new nation, needed pastors to confirm 
 the spirit of the faith in this new church, Avhich we had 
 cherished for two years, and this has been well done, by Eev. 
 Monsieurs Fenelon and De Trouvc, two fervent missionaries, 
 
 * Notes on Ihe Iroquois. 
 
MISSIONS. 
 
 197 
 
 who have been sent here by the Bishop.* But as they set out 
 only at the end of summer, as -well as the two Fathers, none 
 of them have yet been able to send any news of what has ta- 
 ken place in this new church. 
 
 The Relation continues, by giving an account of the Huron 
 church at Quebec ; remarkable conversions and deaths of cer- 
 tain Iroquois converts. A letter from the Bishop of Petrea, 
 to Monsieur Poittevin, Curate of St. Joff, Paris. An account 
 of the mission of St. Michael into the fifth nation of the Iro- 
 i[Uois Scuecas, and a circular letter on the holy death of a 
 hospital nun at Quebec. 
 
 llelation, 1(508-69. The establishment of a mission, St. 
 Francis Xavier, to the country of the Onoidas, or the nation 
 of the "Stone." 
 
 The nation of Oneida, is about thirty leagues towards the 
 south and west, from the Mohawks, and one hundred and forty 
 from Quebec ; arc of all the Iroquois, the least tractable ; and 
 the arms of the French, not yet having penetrated so far, they 
 fear us only, through the experience of their neighbors, the Mo- 
 haAvks. This nation, which despises the others since their 
 defeat, is in a disposition contrary to the Christian faith, and 
 by its arrogance and pride, tries the patience of a missionary, 
 very sorely. It was necessary that Divine Providence, should 
 assign them a peculiar man, and choose for them a spirit, who 
 might by his mildness conquer or allay their wild and fierce 
 disposition. Father Jacpics Bruyas, has been the man, whom 
 Divine Providence has destined for their service, but his la- 
 bors have generally been rewarded, only by rebuffs and con- 
 tempt. He does not however think his time wholly misem- 
 ployed, since he makes it his joy to suffer. He writes in one 
 
 * By the recent investigations of Mr. Robert Greenhow, it would appear almost 
 beyond a doubt, that the llev.Mo}isienr Finibii, here mentioned, was none other 
 person than the illustrious M. De i^t';u'fow, afterwards Archbishop of Caniliray. U" 
 the identity of tlie two personages can be conclusively established, (and we think 
 :t is by Mr Greenhow's showing) then the great and good Fenelon, is connected 
 by the most sacred ties, with the history of our country. And it may yet appear 
 that his labors have been abundant at Onondaga, at this time, the seat of Iroquois 
 missions and the great centre of Indian missionary attraction. 
 
198 
 
 ONONDAGA, 
 
 •it«i- 
 
 of his letters, that he considers all his labors well rewarded 
 when he can baptize some dying child, and by this means se- 
 cure its salvation. 
 
 The number of baptized, amounts already to near thirty 
 most of whom are already in glory. Such is the state of this 
 mission, to which the Father has given the name of St. Fran- 
 cis Xavier, who is the protector of this new world. As such 
 he is honored here each year, by a solemn festival, which the' 
 bishop of P6tre'a has established throughout France. 
 
 Relation, 1668-69. 
 
 New mission of St. Jean Baptiste, in the country of Onon- 
 daga, or Nation of the Mountain. 
 
 After the nation of the Mohawks and Oneidas between the 
 south and west, wo meet Avith Onondaga. This is a ]ar<re 
 town, which is the centre of all the Iroquois nations, and the 
 place where the groat general assembly h held in each year. 
 This mission was formerly the most flourishing of any among 
 the Iroquois, which have been established by the Fathers, and 
 still being one of the principal fields of labor, two faitiiful 
 laborers have been assigned to its cultivation, viz. : Father 
 Julian Gamier, and Father Pierre Millet. But it is not with- 
 out much difficulty that they have revived the spirit of the 
 faith, which had been for some years nearly extinct, in the 
 souls of these barbarians. 
 
 One of ^ the greatest obstacles which we find to the progress 
 of Christianity is their dream, {''mere rerem,") which ap- 
 pears to be almost the only divinity of this country, and to 
 which they refer in all things. As they do not disturb our 
 prayers, and even the most superstitious assist us in them, 
 they cannot endure that we should interfere with, or oppose 
 their ceremonies, and they think we desire their destruction, 
 if we wish to destroy the charm of the dream, which they re- 
 gard as a kind of talisman to their actions, whereby they live. 
 One day a celebrated council was held over the dream of an 
 old man who was sick. He said he had seen in a dream, a 
 man no higher than a finger's joint, who had first pointed out 
 to him drops of blood, falling from the heavens. lie added 
 
 ifii 
 
MISSIONS, 
 
 199 
 
 moreover, that it had rained men from heaven, but in a very 
 pitiable condition, for they had been treated there as captives, 
 and had their fingers and noses cut off. Finally, this old man 
 asserted that one of these little men had told him, that he 
 also would be treated thus in heaven, and that all those Avho 
 went there would bo given into the hands of the Andas- 
 tes, their implacable enemies. 
 
 Upon this one of the ^' anciens" immediately opposed his 
 dream, to the dream of the other. I dreamed, said he, that 
 I was in heaven. Every thing there was beautiful, joy, peace 
 and love abounded, and that as soon as I wished for any thing 
 it was beside me. Thus by one dream another was over- 
 thrown, and this to please the missionaries, but very conveni- 
 ent to refute the impertinence of this dream. The most en- 
 lightened among them easily see that the greater part of these 
 dreams are invented. They act upon them however, just as 
 if they believed them true. 
 
 This does not prevent the Onondagas from respecting the 
 faith and the commands of God. Some of those who have 
 visited Quebec, have been touched with the example of the 
 Huron Christians, and the exhortations which they have made 
 there in favor of the Christian religion. The man with whom 
 Father Garnier dwells, has related at Onondaga the discourse 
 which a Huron had with him at Quebec, to persuade him to 
 embrace the faith. Nothing could be better calculated to ad- 
 vance the cause of religion, or more effectually aid the mis- 
 sionaries, than this harangue. Upon this, every one began 
 to say some good of it, and to remark the advantages of the 
 laws of Christianity over their own superstitious customs. 
 
 Chapter IV, same Relation, gives an account of the mission 
 of St. Joseph in the country of Cayuga, which makes a fourth 
 Iroquois nation. It is about one hundred and sixty leagues 
 from Quebec, and forty from Onondaga, always going between 
 west and south. 
 
 Father Estienne de Carheil arrived on the 6th of Novem- 
 ber, 1668, and there presented to Heaven, as the first fruits 
 of his labors, a female slave of the Andastes. He had come 
 
 .1 i| 
 
 I il/J 
 
 IL J 
 
 'r 
 
200 
 
 ONONDAGA. 
 
 
 ,.li 
 
 in 
 
 'i'i 
 
 in 
 i I 
 
 1 ** M ' 
 
 in hor company from Onondaga, and this journey, which they 
 made together, enabled hor to proceed on her way joyfully 
 towards paradise, for having been instructed and baptized 
 during this journey of two days, as soon as she had arrived 
 at Cayuga, she was burned and eaten by these barbarians on 
 the Gth of November. Father Garnier accompanied Father 
 Carheil on this mission. They were very assiduous in their 
 labors. A chapel was soon eroctod, many were invited to the 
 faith, and a goodly number most joyfully accepted. The 
 mission was dedicated to 8t. Joseph, by Father Carheil. It 
 was ably conducted, and for a long time the Church was* tru- 
 ly prosperous. ]}csides tho village of Cayuga, which is the 
 scat of his mission, there are two others; one of four lou^r^es 
 distant, and the other nearly six. Tho two last are situated 
 upon a river, whifh coming from the side of tho Andcmoi/uc, 
 descends at four loa^gucs distant from Onondaga, on its way 
 to empty into Lake Ontario. The great quantity of rushw 
 bordering this river, (Seneca,) has given tlio name of Thi- 
 ohero, to the village nearest to Cayuga. Tlie pt^ople wlio 
 compose the body of these three great villages, are composed 
 in part of Cayugas, llurons and Andastes; the two latter 
 being captives to the lro(iuois. It is there that the Fatlior 
 exercises his zeal, and asks companions to assist in his apos- 
 tolic labors. 
 
 The great chief Carakontie exercised great iniluence at this 
 new mission, as well as at Onondaga and Oneida,. lie en- 
 couraged the new converts by exhortations, and strengthened 
 the hands of the missionaries by his zeal and perseverance in 
 the faith. 
 
 Tho same Relation relates to the mission of St. Michael in 
 the country of the Senecas, or nation of the great mountain. 
 This, of all the Iroquois nations in which we have been, istlie 
 most distant from us, and its inhabitants being the least fre- 
 quently seen by us are called the superior Lxxjuois. It is 
 reckoned from us about one hundred and eighty leagues. This 
 country gives us the greatest hope of a successful mission, 
 which has obliged Father Jaques Fremin, Superior of all the 
 
MISSIONS. 
 
 201 
 
 ^enince in 
 
 Iroquois missions, to go there to establish a new church. Wo 
 havo known tliis tlirough the letters of other niissioniiries, he 
 liiivirif^ set out frotn Moliiiwk on tlie 10th of October, IGGb. 
 IIu visited other missions on his way, and on the Ist of No- 
 vember arrived at the Seneca's country, where lie was receiv- 
 ed with all tiie honoi-s rendered to Ambassadors Extraordina- 
 ry. Wo havo also learned that the chiefs luive ))nilt a chapel, 
 !iii(l that every one shows an inclination towards Cinvistianity. 
 Upwards of sixty persons were biiptized within four months. 
 Thirty-three are supposed to be enjoyinj.^ a blissful heaven by 
 ;i li;il»py death. The ^^ Jonijleurn,'' in many instances, inter- 
 posed, so that it was diflicult to keep up an interest in propor- 
 tion to the merit of the work. Of course it soon decreased, 
 and the war also whicli then was waged against the Outaouaes, 
 greatly retarded the progress of the faith ainong these people. 
 A mission was also established in the country of the Al<'on- 
 kins at St. Esprit, and among tlu; Outaouaes, and a mission 
 of St. Croix, in the country of the Afonfar/jiitis at Tndoussffc, 
 and the Huron mission of the Annunciation, of Notre Dame, 
 nciir the city of (^ue))ec. 
 
 Relation of 1(>(57, '71, gives an account of the embassy of 
 Saonchior/oua, chief of the nation of Cayugas. lie having 
 visited Quebec, as an ambassador from tin; Senccas. Also 
 gives an account of the conversion of this chief captain of 
 the Cayugas, under the name of Louis S\innchio(/oua. 
 
 He labored incessantly to ac((uit himself of his mission, 
 with Avhich he had been charged by the Senecas. He held a 
 council with the Governor, who placed at his disposal all the 
 captives Avhich had been taken from the Senecas, the chief 
 at the same time making the most solemn protestations of 
 submission and obedience of all his orders. The Governor 
 and suite regaled him and treated him with no little kindness 
 and respect. All things being well done, the chief next turn- 
 ed his attention to the salvation of his soul. Ho conversed 
 earnestly with Father Chaumonot, who has charge of this 
 Huron mission. No great time was re(iuired to instruct and 
 enlighten him in the knowledge of our holy mysteries, as ho 
 
 20 
 
 k It.} 
 
 !5: 
 
 h 1 |l " 
 
 t ».fil 
 
 > * t 
 
 
 >fi 
 
202 
 
 ONONDAGA. 
 
 fi 
 
 ii'!. 
 
 had been sufficicMitly informed respecting them, for more than 
 fifteen years, when he hud the good fortune to be present at 
 an assembly of distinguished men of the Five Irocjuois Na- 
 tions, hehl iit Onondaga, soon after our arrival in the country 
 Avhero Father Cliaunionot had taught in the faith. The mis- 
 sion is reported for 1(571, as being in a very prosperous state, 
 three Imndred and twenty souls having been added to tlie 
 Church, many of whom arc in Heaven. 
 
 The mission of St. Francis Xavier at Oneida, 1071, was 
 successfully continued and reported as fast growing in the af- 
 fections of the peoi)lc under the missionaries who established 
 it, and who now occuj)ied this grouiul. 
 
 Of the mission of St. Joseph, at Cayuga, Father Estienne 
 Carheil writes, that the advancement of the faith, and the 
 progress in the salvation of souls being the only consolation 
 which your Excellency expects each year, from our missions, 
 I cannot give you more pleasure than in informing you of the 
 progress of the Church, regenerated by the waters of baptism. 
 Sixty-two received the life of grace, thirty-five having gone 
 to live in glory, will be cause of consolation and rejoicing to 
 you. The greater part who died after baptism, were children, 
 whose age does not permit us to doubt their happiness, ^hi- 
 ny were adults, whose demeanor allows me to believe that tliey 
 have deserved, by the cooperation in grace, what those little 
 innocents have received by the operation of the sacrament 
 above. 
 
 With respect to the mission of St. John the Baptist at 
 Onondaga, the llelation goes on to say : 
 
 We have been infornuul of two things of great comfort, in 
 the mission of St. .John the Baptist, at Onondaga, which gives 
 us reason to believe, that the faith has made great progress 
 in this country. One is, that thirty-nine persons had received 
 the grace of holy baptism, twenty of whom, a short time 
 after, entered into full possession of their glory. This can- 
 not be doubted, in the case of sixteen inf\ints and four other 
 adults, who gave in their death, great marks of predestina- 
 
MISSIONS, 
 
 208 
 
 tion, particularly a young man nf twonty-fivc or twenty-six 
 years of ago. 
 
 Sonic of these people state, that after having })eon ill treated 
 by some Frenchmen, they were well received by wonio of our 
 priests of Montreal, which seemed not a little to bring them 
 to God. The family of this young man, most of whom had 
 |)iv>vionsly embraced the faith, Jiavo often manifested their 
 gratitude, and he was eager himself for his salvation. His 
 mother, was the first to teach him to pray to God, and to in- 
 vite Father Millet, to instruct him. A short time before his 
 (lentil, she herself went promptly to give information of the 
 (l;inger in which her son was in, in order that ho might die 
 hippy, and his death corresponded faithfully, to all his graces. 
 I hope, says Father Millet in his letter, that he will not be 
 the only Christian, nor the only predestinated one of this 
 family. The joy which they ex})erienced, after his death, in 
 the lio[)0 of his eternal h;ippin(fss, is no slight mark of their 
 faith. Besides thev seem not far removed from the kincdom 
 of God, through the great desire they manifest, of meeting 
 him one day in heaven, and give us reason to hope, of seeing 
 them all children of the Church. 
 
 The other point which ought to cause joy to these soul.^, 
 to see God glorified, in the c(uiversion of those people is in 
 the constancy of the Chief, Daniel Garakontie, in ludding 
 fast the faith, and in nuiking every Avhere, a high and impos- 
 ing' profession of Christianity. lie solemnly made it two 
 years since, when after having been baptized at Quebec, lu' 
 declared on his return in a public assembly, he should no 
 lonrrcr perform any duties of his station, which did not coti- 
 form to the commandments of God. lie yet made another 
 (leclaration in a more generous manner, in New Holland, in 
 presence of the Europeans, who commanded in that country 
 ami the chiefs of all the five Iroquois nations, who had been 
 called together, to conclude a peace with the de Loups. The 
 Father has informed us in his last, that he manifested a truly 
 Christian courage, in the case of a young person in sickness, 
 Avhich had reduced him very low. His parents and all his 
 
 li'* 
 
 ■U 
 
 m 
 
 I'f » 
 
ipj t 
 
 'ft 
 
 ft- 1 
 
 20! 
 
 n\(»\ I) A(i A, 
 
 Iril.c rt'iniii;,' Ills ilr.itli, .sMlicitnl him with \n\u:U iiii|)()rtuMitv, 
 tn |Miiiiit ihMii hi (iiiipluy Cor his rcctivcry, th(! onliimrv 
 ^\i<>tiif/iiir.<," whu |>iiss lor |ihvsiciiiiis in this coiiiitry. Ho 
 ri'Histt-d ihciii stntn;.';ly. Nfvcrlhchvss, they pci'loriiuMl mhii. 
 |u'rHtitiniis cffcuioiiy in his \vin;\\iiiii, luronlinj^r t,, ihoir j,i-„i.. 
 tici' when they iiii<h rfiikc lh(< cuni of a nick jhtmoii. 
 
 The Kill her uiis iuroniicd of it, imd ciilcrliiiiictl Hum(< hiih- 
 picioii lh;il the sick tiiiiii hiid cnnsriilcil to ii. lliMvcuttu 
 visit him ill the fvciiiii<,', iiiid loiind with him nil tli(> old men, 
 who li('Iit>viii;^' him near dciitli, nunc in ii hody to tnkc of him 
 II Inst liircwcll. 'I'lic sick ninii riiiscd liis hciid, siiyiii;^': "mv 
 l''iitlicr I liMvc Iiccii much ti'oiiMcd tuiLiy, in coiisci|iicncc df 
 tlic ceremony, which has Iteeii iicrloniied wilhoiit my kimwl. 
 i'dM;e, and out td' my si;:;lit at iIh- t';irlli<r end of my culiin. 
 Alas! I have said to mystdf, what will the l''athcr think. \\v 
 will hclieve nu' a hypocrite and a. (lect>iver. Uiit my I'^atl 
 
 I have not chaiii'ed iiiv sentiments sin 
 
 ce my haptisiM ; I 
 
 UT, 
 
 nil 
 
 no loiii^er a iu:iii to einiseiil |o these loojerics, I h 
 
 MAC (illly 
 
 licimitl 
 
 llieiii to sa<'ril 
 
 iiid to shed a liltl(< lilooil lur 
 
 llir 
 
 testament. I'miI I helieve in this, ik.I to have ollciidcd (I.mI. 
 I letd too deeply, my l''atlie!', and I have pi'omised •otidi!, 
 too solemnly to kt'cp hi^^ holy I; 
 
 Mv all mv life, ever to retiiri 
 
 to' m V aneit'iit ciistoiib 
 
 wiucli 
 
 I I 
 
 lave I'lven iiii willi all mv 
 
 heart. No my l''athei-, I would never a^aiii li 
 
 as 
 
 1 1 
 
 KIVi 
 
 oe«'ii. 
 
 Ill' I' .atlier coiilirnied 
 
 liim in these i.rood seiitiiiiciits. 
 
 with \\]\\r\\ the eoi 
 
 K'taiiv weri' liiirlilv edilu 
 
 Ail 
 
 erwarus, 
 
 one prosi'Iytt> lia\ imr reeovei'ed his health, proceeiled to Meii- 
 ti'cal, as Jill ai'.ihass.ador of |Ih« lro(piois nations, to Iiolil a 
 Council with tlu> Aliioukiua ami Anfoinh-Icx, who tliere lia4 
 their rendezvous, as well lor the transacti(Ui (d* luisiness, as 
 I'm- the sale of their I'lirs. It was in this convoy of one lain- 
 <lred and lii'ty canoes, that more than live hundred savages of 
 dilVerent nations, wcri> asst'inhled to preserve Mons. DeCoui'- 
 Celle, irovernor of the country, for whom all these peo))le liail 
 a particidar regard. (.Jarakontie manifested his spirit and liis 
 good sense, Imt particularly his faith and his zeal ; for, after * 
 havin-ji; terminated their Imsincss, and confirmed tho treaty of 
 
 peace, hy 
 nits, he n 
 
MISSIONS. 
 
 205 
 
 peace, by in'W |irot(!Mtiiti(tiis of rriciiilMJiip and nuiiprocal prca- 
 iiits, lie riiiM('(l Ills voiro to Hiiy to llu'iii, lliiit lie liiul forincrly 
 liot'U iiH they were, in ij^'hoi'iinri) of tlio tiiU) ( lod, and a l)«!lio vor 
 III itll tlicir siipcrslitioiis ciistonis. iSiit, that now ho wtiH a 
 Christisiii, and that he lived liappy in keeping tho coininand- 
 iiii'iilH oCiiod, and in thcliopc of eternal life. Ho concluded 
 ills el(M|iient haran^iio, according to his custom, hy iiivitin;^ 
 thciii to ri'llow him. 
 
 Sucii a disfoMrsc comin;^' IVom the mouth of a fViciidly sav- 
 ijjt', dcclariii;^ thus IVaidviy the sentiments of his heart, often 
 jifiMJuces more olfeet upon such minds, than ono from tho most 
 •iiiious misni(»n:uy. Mehold another examph! which lias come 
 Id iiur kno\vled;.'e. The sanu* l)ani(d (larakontie, says the 
 I'l'i'e he liamlierville, in hin letter of 2-»il (d" Septond)or, hav- 
 1111.' met on his return to lii:< eonnfry, on(! of his parents sick 
 iitilo death, eanu' to ii\e to ask for her some remedy. "My 
 liiotiier," said I to him, "the only renmdy which will ho of 
 iiM' to her in her present stale, is haptism, to preserve her 
 :Viiiii hell ; liiit she has no (ii'positinn I'or this sacrament, she 
 inTsists in wishin;^; to ^^o to the |>retended country of souls. 
 It'tlioii hast any trui' alVection lor her, put lorth all thy efforts 
 to render her more docile; hut hasten thys(df, she has not a 
 ioiii; time to live. These are the words of the Father." 
 
 lie has nothin;i: of the Irnqiiois savnp;o in him, hut the l)irtli 
 ;iii(l the name. J le went to \isit her instantly ", produced hy 
 
 , lii.s zeal inid earnestness ati eflect so wonderful, tluit slio was 
 iiiiuiLMliately instructed sulfuMiMitly to receive bai)tism, to the 
 ,:,'i'i'at joy of all the fannly. The Father was not able to ap- 
 pruaeh another dyin^ creature, to sjx'ak of her salvation, be- 
 (';uise she numifested so ji;reat an aversion to Christianity, and 
 stuli an ineredibl(> attaehnu'nt to the su})erstitions of her coun- 
 tvv. In this diiliculty, he had recourse to a friendly woman 
 of tiiis fandly, v.ho was not yet a catechumen, neither had she 
 boon known to come to jirayers ; she had, however, some 
 kiu)wled<re of our mysteries, with jjood intentions. She way 
 
 isosuccessfid from the lirst time she addressed the sick Avoman, 
 and managed with so much tact, and so becoming a Christian, 
 
 ' u 
 
 i iM 
 
 lii 
 
206 
 
 ONONDAGA. 
 
 vMrn 
 
 i 
 I 
 
 that the Father was most favorably received into her cabin 
 and she listened to him witli profound respect After being 
 sufficiently instructed, she was baptized, and shortly after 
 died like a Christian. 
 
 It is thus, says the Father, in concluding his letter, not- 
 withstanding the drunkenness which prevails here to the 
 greatest excess, and the other obstacles which the evil one 
 incessantly opposes to the advancement of the faith, we are 
 permitted to Avin some souls, and reap some fruits, from the 
 blood of Jesus Christ. 
 
 The same Relation gives an account of the mission of St. 
 Joseph among the Cayugas, with a letter from the Father 
 llaffeix instructing him to take charge of this mission in the 
 absence of Father Carheil, giving a clear and intelligent ac- 
 count of it. 
 
 Also an account of the mission of the Conception of St. 
 James, to the Senecas. Letter of Father Garnier, dated July 
 1672. 
 
 Also an account of the mission of the Martyrs to Annie 
 by the Father Claude Dablon, Rector of the college of Que- 
 bec, and Superior of the mission of the society of Jesus in 
 IS'ew France. 
 
 Relation of 1671—72 contains a further notice of the 
 missions among the Iroquois, and of the mission of the Mar- 
 tyrs to Annie. 
 
 Father Boniface to the Oneidas. Of the Francis Xavier 
 mission to the Oneidas, by Father Millet : 
 
 The Father de Lamberville governed the Church of St. 
 John the Baptist at Onondaga. The Father Carheil, by a 
 nervous debility, was retained at Quebec, but returned in the 
 spring to his mission of St. Joseph, at Cayuga, after having 
 been cured of a sickness, in a miraculous manner, by the re- 
 course he had to our lady of the faith and to St. Annie. We 
 learned afterwards that he arrived in perfect health, and that 
 Father Rafleix, who had the care of this mission in his ab- 
 sence, aided by Father Garnier, in the labors of the three 
 missions of the Conception of St. Michael, and of St. James 
 
MISSIONS, 
 
 207 
 
 to the Senecas, in which they gained in all near twelve or 
 
 thirteen thousand souls. 
 
 The mission of St. Francis Xavier to the Oneidas, is rep- 
 resented as being in a very flourishing condition. From a 
 Jesuit map, published 1770, we find the locations of several 
 missionary stations to be as follows : 
 
 Mission de St. Esprit, situated near the west end of Lake 
 Superior. 
 
 Mission of de Ste Marie du Sault, at the entrance of Lake 
 Superior. 
 
 Mission of St. Ignace, at Mackinaw. 
 
 Mission of St. Francis Xavier, at the south end of Green 
 Bay, or the Bay des Puans. 
 
 Mission of St. Simon, established at Missisague, Lake 
 Huron. 
 
 These Relations are continued for several years, though not 
 successively. Charlevoix gives a condensed continuation of 
 the progress of these missions, more or less interesting. While 
 the Jesuits themselves have committed the summary of their 
 hibors to manuscripts, Avhich arc widely scattered. 
 
 Charlevoix, relating transactions of 1693, brings to view 
 two distinguished chiefs who have not been named, and relates 
 the death of the famous Garakontie. Oureouliarie was one 
 who had taken great interest in the affairs of the Romish 
 Church. The Fathers lunl made frequent journeys tlirough 
 his cunton, (Onondaga,) and had been greatly aided by his 
 counsels. He omitted nothing of that Avliich he esteemed most 
 proper to dispose the minds of his people, so that they should 
 he nearer the French. Besides, this Garakontie Avas still alive, 
 :iii(l although a fervent Christian, ho had remained at Onon- 
 (higu, wlierc his presence was considered necessary to profit 
 by the opportunities which presented themselves to re-estab- 
 hsh commerce between us and his countrymen, which had de- 
 clined. This veneral)le old man, deprived as he was of all 
 spiritual succor, in the midst of this Jiabylon, never allowed 
 his piety or zeal to relax ; and by the coui-se which he took, 
 uhvays to husband his credit, which like another Daniel, he 
 
208 
 
 ONONDAGA. 
 
 i' i 
 
 1 I 
 
 If 
 
 Mim 
 
 
 found more than once to be the secret, to cause the intrigues 
 of the English to wreck, which witliout such help, would often 
 have reduced us to dreadful extremities. lie died at St. Louis, 
 (Canada,) 1G03. 
 
 I could not know whether Teganesorens was at that time 
 a Christian or not, but it is certain he was one while at Onon- 
 daga, and that ho perfectly seconded the good designs of Gar- 
 akontie, and I feel bold to assert that New France was in a 
 good degree indebted to the good offices of these three sages, 
 without which the country and inhabitants would have been 
 continually overrun by parties of the enemy. It seems by 
 what follows, that these missionaries were in continuid dread 
 of the English, who certainly were continually gaining favor 
 with the Iro(|uois. 
 
 1(395. ile says that forty pioneers, having gone towards 
 Onondaga, some of them had advanced as far as the River 
 Chouguen, (Oswego,) where they saw thirty-four boats of the 
 Iroquois coming down, and even heard some of them say to 
 each other, that they would soon pay the Fathers and the 
 brethren of the Sault St. Louis such a visit as they did not 
 expect. Other parties confirraed the intelligence, that a great 
 number of Iroquois were in the field. All used due diligence 
 to convey the intelligence to the Governor of Montreal, that 
 he might have opportunity to secure his posts free from insult, 
 advising ]Monsicur De Frontcnac to form a body of eight 
 hundred men in the Isle of Perrot, to check them. A battle 
 ensues, in which the Indians are defeated, by Momieur De La 
 Durantaye. 
 
 1709. He further says : It was more than a year since 
 Father Mareuil, a missionary of Onondaga, had given advice 
 to the Governor General, that the Irof^uois were anxiously so- 
 licited to declare against the French, and that one of these 
 savages, to whom much influence had been awarded, wiis the 
 secret author of this intrigue. :M. de Vaudreuil had given no 
 credence to the advice, prejudiced as he was in favor of the 
 perfidious Iroquois, but all along had treated them with the 
 greatest confidence and friendship. 
 
MISSIONS. 
 
 209 
 
 The Jesuit Missions among the Iroquois began sensibly to 
 decline after the year 1700. Still there were for a season 
 martyrs and proselytes ; and although isolated members of 
 the Society of Jesus were occasionally to be found, their influ- 
 ence was greatly weakened with the advances of the English ; 
 and when that people gained the ascendancy by the conquest 
 of the French colonies of North America, the French mis- 
 sionaries, one by one, reluctantly relinquished their posts, and 
 abandoned their fields of labor. It is true, the Passamaquad- 
 (ly, Penobscot and St. Regis Inc^ians, held on longer than the 
 rest, but even they have dwindled to almost nothing, and what 
 little of Christianity remains to them has nearly if not quite 
 yielded to Protestantism, while among the Mohawks, the Onei- 
 tlas, the Onondagas, the Cayugas and Senecas, the traces of 
 these missions, once so famous and so interesting to the whole 
 Christian world, are entirely obliterated, and the posterity of 
 those inhabitants, who once listened with eagerness to the 
 sound of chapel bell, " the deep toned summons to worship 
 God," and united in the devotions of the mass with earnest- 
 ness and zeal, know nothing of these things that have passed. 
 To them it is as if nothing had been done. The blood of 
 martyrs has been freely shed, the blood of martyrs to a pecu- 
 liar faith. logues, Du Poisson and Souel, fell mangled with 
 clubs, and their bones bleached in the wilderness. Brebeuf, 
 Lallemand and Senat, died at the stake, amid the yells of in- 
 furiated demons, quietly yielding their spirits to God with re- 
 signation and in prayer. 
 
 Charlevoix gives a particular and minute account of the 
 life and death of several Iroquois Christians and martyrs who 
 juffered for the faith. 
 
 xV host of the natives at different seasons have suffered mar- 
 tyrdom among the Iroquois, but it has signified nothing ; the 
 blessing of God did not sustain them ; a few generations have 
 passed away, and all foot-prints of Jesuit teachings have dis- 
 appeared ; their existence among the sons of the forest is un- 
 known, and but for their own preserved records, their history 
 would be a perfect blank. 
 
 27 
 
 ! n 
 
 
 I ... 
 
 ^ 
 
210 
 
 ONONDAGA. 
 
 CHAPTER VII. 
 
 ENGLISH, GERIMAN, AND AMERICAN MISSIONS. 
 
 Hpl 
 
 |l 
 
 wil^ 
 
 m 
 
 
 n ' 
 
 
 1 ! li 
 
 New-England Mission, by Rkv. John Eliot — Mohawk Missions — German Mir 
 BioN AT Onondaga, 1760 — Oneida Mission, Rkv. Samuel Kirkland, 176G 
 Rev. Samson Ocoum, 1786 — Bishop Hobart, Mission at Oneiua, 1816 — Mis- 
 sionary Operations at Onondaga, 181C — Methodist Missions at Oneida 
 AND Onondaga, 1829 — Indian School. 
 
 While the scenes were enacting, which have just been re- 
 lated, it is not to be supposed that all Christendom, except the 
 Jesuits, were asleep or unconscious of what was passing ; or, 
 unmindful of the spiritual welfare of the savages. At a very 
 early period, some of the clergy of New-England, took into 
 consideration the possibility and propriety of introducing among 
 these benighted people, the light of the Gospel. As early ;n 
 1647, Parliament was solicited to aid in so beneficent a work. 
 The result was, that that body passed an ordinance, July 27, 
 1649, authorizing the orgaiiigation of a society for the ad- 
 vancement of civilization and Christianity, among the Indians 
 of New-England. Under the patronage of this society, schools 
 were established, and the Gospel gratuitously preached among 
 the Indians. Among those who were foremost in this good work, 
 was the great Apostle to the Indians, John Eliot, who, after 
 ministering for many years to the spiritual necessities of the In- 
 dians, in 1663, had translated the whole Bible into Indian, with 
 a Catechism and the Psalms of David, in Indian verse. Eliot's 
 Indian Bible, was the first vcivsion of the Scriptures ever printed 
 on the American continent. A copy of this Bible is in the 
 library of Harvard University, Cambridge, Mass., to the 
 
MISSIONS. 
 
 211 
 
 IIONS. 
 
 ! — Gkeman iMlS- 
 
 CiRKLAND, 176tj 
 
 IDA, 1816— Mis- 
 eons AT Oneida 
 
 ist been re- 
 1, except the 
 passing; or, 
 At a very 
 :1, took into 
 ucing among 
 As early ;h 
 3ent a work, 
 ce, July 27, 
 for the ad- 
 the Indians 
 iety, schools 
 ched among 
 s good work, 
 ;, who, after 
 es of the In- 
 Indian, with 
 •se. Eliot's 
 ever printed 
 e is in the 
 ss., to the 
 
 accomplished librarian of which, the author is indebted for a 
 sidit of this highly interesting and antique volume. The title 
 to this Bible is as follows : " Mamussc Wunneetupanatamkve. 
 Up Bibliim God Naneeswe Nakkone Testament, kah wonk 
 Wuskii Testament." 
 
 Other works were translated and published in the Indian 
 language, for the advancement of Christianity among the In- 
 dians. It is by no means asserted, that there were no visible 
 marks of the progressive labors of the Xow-England Mission- 
 aries. For a long time the missions were considered flourish- 
 ing. Many reverend gentlemen, and even laymen of piety 
 and intelligence, learned the Indian language, and visited and 
 prayed among them. They were prepared to carry the Gos- 
 pel to every hut and every heart,and often found such respon- 
 ses, as gave them renewed courage and flattering hopes of per- 
 manent success. On the 12th of May, 1700, there were 
 thirteen Protestant ministers of the Gospel supported by the 
 .government in the plantations of North America, receiving 
 from ten to thirty pounds each, besides some other Protestants 
 who were missionaries on their own account.* 
 
 Although large sums of money were expended for the ad- 
 vancement of this plan, and the energies of a powerful corpo- 
 ration brought to bear in its aid, and all the learning and talent 
 of New-England, and much of that of the mother country, 
 applied in pressing on this important work, still the missions 
 of New-England in their time and in their turn, declined, lan- 
 guished, and at length expired. Two hundred years have not 
 yet rolled around, and a Bible, the fruit of many years of 
 diligent labor^ translated expressly for a people whose salva- 
 tion was the end and aim of the great, the gracious and the 
 good of that era, lives only as a literary curiosity, on the 
 shelves of a very few libraries in Christendom ; while not a 
 being who now inhabits this earth, can intei'pvct a solitary 
 sentence of it. Tlie race for whose benefit these holy words 
 
 II 
 
 '. < { 
 
 * London Documents, 1700. 
 
 Am 
 
212 
 
 ONONDAGA. 
 
 were arranged, has passed away, and with them then- religion, 
 their literature, and even their very names. 
 
 In the year 1700, the Earl of Belomont, then Governor of 
 New- York, memorialized the lords of trade and plantations, 
 on the want of " some ministers of the Church of England, to 
 instruct the Five Nations of Indians, and to prevent their 
 l)eing practised upon by the French priests and Jesuits." 
 Whereupon the said lords submitted a representation on the 
 subject to Queen Anno, who by an order in council, sanc- 
 tioned their proposal, for the appointment of two clergymen, 
 and referred the accomplishment of the plan to the Archbishop 
 of Canterbury. Even before this. Lord Belomont intended 
 to build a fort and chapel in the country of the Onondagas, 
 and the matter was carried so far, that King William ordered 
 and sent over plate and furniture for a chapel there, but the 
 design of building it was abandoned upon the death of that 
 monarch, which event took place in 1702.* In 1701, the As- 
 sembly of New-York, granted sixty pounds a year to Rev. 
 Bernardus Freeman, minister of the Gospel at Schenectady, 
 as his salary for instructing the Indians of the Five Nations, 
 and fifteen pounds a year for his charges and expenses. f Al- 
 though the measure submitted to the consideration of Queen 
 Anne, so far as the government was concerned, appears to have 
 been suggested by motives of political expediency, quite as much 
 as by a desire for the conversion of the savages. Still the society 
 took advantage of the opportunity of establishing a mission 
 among the Iroquois Indians. The Rev. Thoroughgood Moor 
 arrived at New-York, on this noble service, in the vear 1704. 
 The enterprize, hoAvever, was not attended with that success 
 which its importance seemed to demand. The Indians from 
 appearances, were wholly unprepared to profit by missionary 
 instructions. In the first report made to the Society for the 
 Propagation of the Gospel in Foreign Parts, under whose pa- 
 tronage the mission was established, it is said, " there are de- 
 mandss upon the Society for ministers, schools and libraries. 
 
 * London Documents, 1700, p. 139. 
 
 t Ibid. 
 
MISSIONS. 
 
 213 
 
 For the Mohawks. For the Oncidas. 1 for the Onontages. 
 1 for the Cayougas. 1 for the Sinnekes." 
 
 In 1700, four sachems went to England, to confirm the 
 peace which had been m{ide by their nations with the Governor 
 of New-York, and to request Her jMajesty would be pleased to 
 take measures for the instruction of their subjects in the truths 
 of Christianity. 
 
 This request having been submitted by the Archbishop of 
 Canterbury to the Society, it was agreed to send two mission- 
 aries, together Avith an interpreter and school-master to the 
 •'Mohocks and Oneides Indians;" i'ld the Queen gave direc- 
 tions for the erection of a fort, with a chapel and house for 
 the clergyman, in the country of the ]Moliocks. The Rev. 
 William Andrews, the first missionary selected, arrived at Al- 
 bany, in 1712 ; and in giving an account of his reception, he 
 says : " When we came near the town, we saAV the Indians 
 upon the banks, looking out for my coming. They received 
 me with abundance of joy ; every one shaking me by the hand, 
 biddina: me welcome over and over." 
 
 A school was established with this mission, at which about 
 twenty children usually attended. After about six years of 
 labor, toil and disappointment, Mr. Andrews solicited that the 
 Society should remove him from his mission, which was finally 
 done. He gives anything but a favorable report of the suc- 
 cess of his labors, saying, " There is no hope of making tliem 
 better. Heathen they are, and Heathen they still must be." 
 After this, for many years, the Rev. Henry Barclay, D. D., 
 Rev. John Ogilvie, D. D., and others, who were missionaries 
 at Albany, continued to visit and officiate among the Mohawks. 
 Although most of the Christian Indians were from among the 
 Mohawks and Oneidas, still the Onondagas did not fail to ob- 
 tain some knowledge of the duties and doctrines of Christi- 
 anity from that source. 
 
 The Queen Anne had the good of the Five Nations, at all 
 times, very much at heart, and sought by various means to 
 arouse their minds to a sense of religious duty. It appears, 
 this sovereign took no ordinary interest in their spiritual wel- 
 
 , , 
 
 ! \< 
 
 •ill 
 
^nr 
 
 214 
 
 ONONDAGA. 
 
 faro, and among other proofs of her beneficence, she ordered 
 the erection of a neat and commodious chapel in the Mohawk 
 country, and the gift of a valuable communion service to that 
 people. A set was ordered for each of the other four of the Five 
 Nations ; but it appears that only the Mohawks received theirs. 
 There Avcre five pieces, of plain, pure and massive silver, and 
 each piece bears tlie following inscription : " The gift of Her 
 Majesty Ann, by the Grace of God, of Great Britain, France 
 and Ireland, and of Iler Plantations in North America, Queex, 
 to her Indian Chappel of the Mohawks." The chapel at Fort 
 Hunter was erected of stone, about tlie year 1710, and a glebe 
 of three hundred acres of land attached to it. It was fur- 
 nished Avitli a bell, which we are informed is now used at the 
 Academy in Johnstown. This chapel was torn down in 1820, 
 to make room for the Eric Canal. The parsonage is still 
 standing in siglit of the canal, an antiquated ])uilding two stories 
 high, with a square roof, about half a mile below Schoharie. 
 The author has been informed, that the bell in St. Peter's 
 Church, xVlbauy, N. Y., has this inscription : " St. Peter's 
 ""'Mirch, in Albany, ITol, J. Ogilvie, ^.^inister, J. Stevenson, 
 K. Collins, Vrardens." The Bible used there, is over one hun- 
 dred and thirty years old, having been printed in 1710. 
 The communion plate, which is very heavy, and numbers 
 six pieces, was a present fr(nn Queen Anne. Upon each 
 piece is engraved as follows : " The gift of Her Majesty, 
 Ann, by the Grace of God, of Great Britain, France and 
 Ireland, and of Her Plantations in North America, Queen, 
 to her Indian Chappel of the Onondawgus." 
 
 A. R. 
 \_Coat of Arms.'\ 
 
 The plate consists of six pieces, viz. : one chalice, two flag- 
 ons, and three patens. 
 
 By this, it would seem, that the good Queen contemplated 
 the erection of a chapel in the Onondagas country, and the 
 furnishing it with a suitable communion service ; and why the 
 plan was broken up, or the valuable plate designed for it, re- 
 ceived another destination is now probably past explanation, 
 
MISSIONS, 
 
 215 
 
 unless it be the following, which we have presumed. On the 
 plate presented to the Mohawks, the date is 1712. The two 
 sets were undoubtedly ordered at this time. But as yet, there 
 had been no chapel erected for the Onondagas and the proba- 
 bility is, the date was omitted at the period of its manu- 
 facture, to be engraved at the time it should be proper to pre- 
 sent it to this people. And it is highly probable that the 
 missionary intrusted with its care, was instructed also to effect 
 the building of the chapel. Frequent mention is made in the 
 London Documents, of the anxiety of the Home Government 
 to effect that object. St. Peters was organized in 1716, and 
 Hi the chapel for the Onondagas was not built as was antici- 
 pated, this valuable memento of a sovereign's kindness was 
 lost to them and retained at Albany. 
 
 Sir William Johnson, during bis sojourn in America from 
 1750 to 1775, used the whole weight of his influence and en- 
 ergies for the advancement of the cause of Christianity, 
 schools and civilization among the Iroquois, especially the 
 Mohawks, in Avhose country he was located ; and missiona- 
 ries, catechists and school teachers, were continually among 
 them. The Divine blessing followed these pious endeavors, 
 and many of the Mohawk nation, and individuals of other 
 tribes, were converted to Christianity. 
 
 At the approach of the great contest of 1776, as was very 
 natural, the Mohawks took sides with the crown of Great 
 Britian, from Avhom they had received numberless favors. 
 Their attachment to the royal cause, naturally excited the 
 hostility of the republicans, and they were eventually com- 
 pelled to flee their native country, as they termed it " the 
 country which the Great Spirit had given to their forefathers." 
 The local attachments of the Iroquois are said to be stronger 
 than in any other race. It is not easy, therefore, to estimate 
 the sacrifice of feeling, which this expatriation must have cost. 
 
 In 1776, one party, consisting of a majority of the nation, 
 fled to Niagai'a, under the guidance of the celebrated captain 
 Joseph Brant, and eventually settled on Grand River, where 
 they still reside. The other party, under cnptain .John Dese- 
 
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 I ': 
 
 
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 H 
 
 ) II 
 
 In i 
 
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 I 
 
 i 
 
 ii 
 
 216 
 
 ONONDAGA. 
 
 rontyon, escaped to Lower Caniidii. After a Rojourn of seven 
 years at La Chine, in that province, they proceeded to the spot 
 selected by their chief, on the Bay of Quinte', \v the upper pro- 
 vince, W'hic'li they reached on the 15th of May, 1784, and 
 have occupied ever since. This tract of hmd was immedi- 
 ately surveyed and called Tyendenaga, in honor of the prin- 
 cipal chief of the nation, which name it still retains.* There 
 are now, (1848) exclusively Mohawks, at this station, four hun- 
 dred and eighty souls. At the Grand River station, there 
 are over two thousand souls, including those of other tribes 
 of the Six Nations. 
 
 The Indian Church at the Bay of Quinte, was originally 
 a square wooden building, used both as a school house, and 
 place of worship ; but as the congregation increased, it was 
 lengthened, and a spire and belfry added. Since this, it has 
 been confined to sacred purposes exclusively. It stands on a 
 gentle elevation on the borders of the Bay of Quinte. The 
 spot selected for its location is a beautiful one, and does credit 
 to the taste of its founder. The first cottages of the Indians, 
 which have long since fallen to decay, stood along the margin 
 of the Bay, having the church in the centre, forming what 
 was called the " Mohawk village." The occupants of these, 
 subsisted partly by tilling the soil, and partly upon the chase 
 and waters. But the rapid settlement of the adjacent town- 
 ships, and the increase of steamers which ply upon the Bay, 
 have so diminished these last resources, that their descendants 
 have been obliged to disperse over the tract, to seek a liveli- 
 hood by the more laborious, but certain process of farming. 
 
 In 1843, this portion of the Mohawk tribe resolved on re- 
 placing their old church, which was fiist falling to decay, with a 
 new one of stone, which has since been done. This new church 
 is very much admired, as well for the elegance of its structure, 
 as for the beauty of the site upon which it is erected. It is 
 
 * The author is indebted for these facts, to a pamphlet piibhshed in Londnn, 
 ] 6-13, by Rev. Saltern Given?, missionary among tlie Moiiawks at Bay of Quints, 
 iuid parts, adjacent politely furnished by him, and also for his communication. 
 
M I S R T O N S . 
 
 217 
 
 furnished with a neiit altar-piece, contaiiiln{» the creed, the 
 Lord's j)rayor and the ton conunan(hncnta, in the Mohawk 
 I;iii;,'uago, surmounted by the royal arms of England, hand- 
 sKinely carved and gilt, as well as a fine toned l)ell, cast 1787. 
 These Avero the gift of his majesty George the third, and 
 were brought from England by the late Sir John Johnson. 
 
 Besides the church furnitm-e already alluded to, they have 
 in their possession a part of the plate, (two pieces,) a ilagon 
 anil paten, originally given to tiie nation by Queen Anne. 
 Tiie "gift" was fii-st intended for the nation collectively, but 
 it has been divided, and a part (three pieces) retained by their 
 brethren, at Grand lliver ; ami althougli it has been confided 
 to the care of individuals of ^the nation for at least one lum- 
 ilred and thirty-five years, the articles are in an excellent state 
 of preservation. Even the " fair white linen elotli for the 
 oommunion table," beautifully inwrought Avitli (Unices, emble- 
 matical of the rank of the royal donor, although unfit for use, 
 is still in such a state of preservation as to admit of their 
 being easily traced. The gray-haired matron, a descendant 
 of the chief, the present guardian of thc-se treasures which 
 she considers as the heir-loom of her family, accounts for the 
 mutilated state of the cloth l)y o))serviug, th;.t during the 
 revolutionary war it was buried to prevent its falling into the 
 liaiuls of their enemies. 
 
 This mission is at this day represented as being in a very 
 prosperous condition. They have a prosperous Sunday school. 
 The service is conducted partly in English ami partly in j\Io- 
 liawk, as many of the Indians understand English and a num- 
 ber of white families attend. The instruction from tho pul- 
 pit is conveyed through an interpreter. The singing is in 
 Indian. In this sacred service, the Indians are thought by 
 competent judges to excel. The sacraments of the church 
 arc duly administered : the number of communicants is about 
 forty-five. 
 
 The translations among them are as folloAvs : 
 
 The four Gospels, St. Paul's Epistles to the Corinthians, 
 and a selection of important texts of scripture. 
 
 28 
 
 ;'l 
 
 :i 
 
 \% 
 
 u.. 
 
 ( • i 
 
 
 , I 
 
 
 i 
 T 
 
 i; 
 
 i '. 
 
 
 ■J '(. 
 
 ■i.l 
 
 ' 1 I* 
 
 
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 i I J.. I 
 
 , ■ ! 
 
218 
 
 ONONDAGA. 
 
 The Common I'niycr with the offices, and a form of fumilv 
 prayer. 
 
 A selection of Hymns nnd Psahns. 
 
 The Book of the propiiet Jsaiah and otlier portions of the 
 Holy Scriptures. 
 
 They have various portions of the Old Testament translatt'd 
 l»ut not printed. 
 
 Of late years, the Indians of Canada have attracted movv 
 attention than formerly, nnd it is gratifyin<^ to he enahU'd t(i 
 state that the missionary endeavors nuide hy various hodies of 
 Oiiristians have been crowned with a great measure of suc- 
 cess. The Wesleyan Methodists have several missions, and the 
 Moravians two. 
 
 There are two niissions supported hy the New .En;,dand com- 
 pany, on the (Jrand Kiver, in connection with tlie Protestant 
 Ei)iscopal churcli. One under the charge of the Rev. Abra- 
 ham Nelles, among the Mohawks, and another under the Rev. 
 Adam Elliott among tlu; Tuscaroras. 
 
 This company was originally established for the conversion 
 of the Indians, in New England and the parts adjacent, ami 
 still possesses considerable landed property in one of the New 
 England States. 
 
 At the Tuscarora village is a church styled St. Johns, at 
 which the Onondagas assemble for divine worship. About 
 one half of the Onondagas are adherents to the Church. 
 
 Mr. Nelles has a co])y of the Holy Scriptures printed 
 A. D. 1701, and presented to the Mohawks in 1712, probably 
 by Her Majesty, with the communion plate.* 
 
 Mr. Elliott's mission is at Tuscarora village, where are set- 
 tled about three hundred and sixty Tuscaroras, two hundred 
 and eighty Onondagas, five huiulred Cayugas, about two hun- 
 dred Senecas and Oneidas, and a few Mohawks, making in 
 all over two thousand souls. These are settled on lands as- 
 signed them by the English government, amounting to about 
 fifty thousand acres, and are the national property of the In- 
 
 * Rev. Adam Elliott's letter. 
 
MISSIONS, 
 
 210 
 
 (liaiis. No iiidlvidiuil hns any porrnunciit jji-operty in a sin- 
 <l\c acre of them. Here they are repreHented us making 
 icspoctable proficiency in the connnon arts, in agricnltiu'e, and 
 in school education. 
 
 The other, Mr. Nelles' mission, is established at Brantford, 
 (iiiiiiu'd after the celebrated FJrant,) attheheail of ])\irlin;^ton 
 Hay. At this [)laee are about ei^ht hundred Mohawks, with 
 ;i tew of the above nations intermixed. 
 
 At both of these stations arc schools, which employ si,x 
 school masters and one scliool mistress. At each of them, 
 there is a house of industry or nu'chanical institution, main- 
 tiiiiu'd by the New En,f.dand society, where the Indians are 
 taiijllit to construct their ordinary farming utensils and other 
 iiiipK'incnts in common use amonu; them. Tlu're is also a 
 >elio()l where ^'irls are tau<;ht needle work, knittin;.', writinti, 
 roadin;:, &c. The results of both these missions are, that the 
 Mi)liinvks, Tuscaroras and Oneidas, are entirely Christians ; 
 the Onondarras and the few Dclawares mostly so, the latter 
 hoinji recent converts. Of the Seneci'S, not so many as half 
 hiive been baptised, and the Cayugas hold out obstinately, al- 
 li'ilaiajr that thev have not been well treated bv the British."'' 
 
 Both these stations are adorned with beautiful chui'chcs, and 
 the one at the ^Slokawk settlement has one half of the valua- 
 hlc connnunion set, originally fui-nishe<l the nation by Queen 
 Anne, consisting of a ilagon, chalice and paten. 
 
 Every thing relating to these missions is most floiuishing. 
 The missionaries, the schools and the mechanics' institution?-, 
 at these places, besides other schools throughout the Indian 
 (settlements, are all supported by the bounty of the New Eng- 
 land society and reflect the highest credit on that respectable 
 liody. Their exertions for the temporal and spiritual auielio- 
 ration of the Indians of this diocese merit the thanks of every 
 Christian in the colony. f 
 
 Thus we see that the attention of the Christian public is 
 
 * Indian n)i-<sions in Upper Canadn, .Tames Beaveu, U. P.. London Edition. 1S40. 
 t Journal of visitation by tlie Lord Bishop of Toronto, London Edition 1^11. 
 
 P I . 
 
 I' I 
 
 %• > 
 
 ii 
 
 ■ f. 
 
 • fi 
 
 I ; 
 
 f f 
 
 f 
 
 
 '* 
 
220 
 
 ONONDAGA. 
 
 yet directed to the spiritual wants of tliis lonp; ncfrlected and 
 much injured race, and if it was increased, it would greatly 
 ameliorate their lot. 
 
 The Hernhutt, or Moravian Brethren, who were organized 
 as a society in 1722, under the patronage of Count Zinzen- 
 dorf, also formed the idea of establishing an affiliated society 
 in America, and a mission among the Indians, about 1740. 
 Their principal settlement and scat of operations, was at Beth- 
 lehem, in Pennsylvania, where they had an establishment of 
 considerable importance. This little colony was formed at 
 first under the strict laws of the original society, viz : " Se- 
 clusion from the world, enjoyment of a contemplative life, and 
 possession of all worldly goods in common." They were for 
 a while very successful in their enterprises among the Indians, 
 the Delawares, Shawnese, Lenna-Lenapes, and made a de- 
 cided and strenuous effort to establish themselves among the 
 Iroquois, of which the following is the history : 
 
 Account of a German ^Mission at Onondaga in 1750 : — 
 
 Tt is a matter which has been often doubted whether or not 
 the Dutch had ever established a mission at Onondaga. The 
 Indians themselves retain no knowledge of it by record or tra- 
 dition. 
 
 The following from the Indian Historiographer Hecke^Yel- 
 der, sets the matter at rest. Loskiel mentions the same facts 
 in substance. The individuals engaged in this mission were 
 Moravian Brothers. 
 
 Heckewoldcr says : The most remarkable occurrence of 
 1750, was the journey of Bishop Cammerhof and brother Da- 
 vid Zeisbergcr to Onondaga, the chief town of the Iroquois. 
 They set out from Betldehem on the 14th of jNIay, having ob- 
 tained a passport from the Governor of Pennsylvania, request- 
 ing all subjects of the British Government to forward their 
 undertaking, and to lend them all possible assistance. The 
 inhabitants of Tioga, a considerable Indian town, as Avell as 
 those of other places, were surprised to find that the Brethren 
 were going to Onondaga, and were ac(|uainted with the head 
 chiefs of the Six Nations. And as their guide purposely 
 
MISSIONS. 
 
 221 
 
 spread this account wherever they came, it gained them great 
 respect. 
 
 On the 19th of June they reached Onondaga, the chief 
 town of the Six Nations, situated in a very pleasant and beau- 
 tiful country, and consisting of five small towns or villages, 
 through which runs the river Zinoehsaa. They Avere lodged 
 at the house of Gronassatako, who received them with much 
 cordiality. The object of this visit was Ijoth to fulfil the 
 promise of a visit to the great council of the Iroquois, made 
 last year to the deputies at Philadelphia, and to obtain leave 
 for some bretliron to live either at Onondaga or some other 
 chief town of the Iro'^uois, to learn the language, and to 
 preach the gospel. 
 
 Bishop Canimcrhof and David Zeisberger having notified 
 their urrival to the council in the usual manner, they were ad- 
 mitted and received as the Deputies of the Church of the 
 United Brethren, and their message taken into consideration. 
 The council then consisting of twenty-six elderly men of ven- 
 erable itppcarance. The consultations upon the message last- 
 ed long ; many questions were put to the Brethren, ond many 
 belts and fathom of wampum delivered. The Brothers choos- 
 ing to let the subject rest for a while, proceeded to the settle- 
 ments of the Cavugas and Sonecas. On their return thev 
 found that the chiefs had made no advances in their cause. 
 They therefore renewed their petition, and were so successful 
 that on the 20th of July, with the usual ceremonies, they re- 
 ceived the followins decision : 
 
 That the Iroquois nnd the Brethren on both sides of the 
 great Ocean, should regard each other as l^rothevii. That this 
 covenant should be indissoluble, and that the two Brethren 
 should have leave to live at Onondaga or some other town, to 
 learn their language. The mission was for a season very suc- 
 cessful, many wore converted and led a new life, being bap- 
 tized in the faith. The Brethren returned to spend the win- 
 ter in Bethlehem. 
 
 In July, 1751, the Brethren Zeisberger and Godfried Rundt 
 and Martin Mark, set out for Onondaga, agreeable to the 
 
 it Eii'f^B.'H 
 
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 i I 
 
 
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 'ill 
 
222 
 
 ONONDAGA. 
 
 
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 :■] 1, i. 
 
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 p-'g 
 
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 B'sa I , i 
 
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 ii 
 
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 <& t' 11 y i I 1 
 
 treaty, by which the f^rcat council permitted two Brethren to 
 reside at Onondaga and learn the language. The Oneidas 
 were opposed to the introduction of these missionaries at On- 
 ondaga, and did tlieir best to prevent it. The Brethren, how- 
 ever, would not be repulsed. They were gladly received and 
 highly flattered by the Onondagas. They were lodged in the 
 chief's house, and all things prospered. The Brethren were 
 treated Avith great esteem for near a year, when, by the advice 
 of a great council, and on account of the troubles and war 
 they were advised by the Onondagas to retire to their lionK's. 
 
 In 1754, Zeisberger returned to his post in Onondaga, with 
 a brother named Charles Frederick, and resided there almost 
 a whole year. The chiefs erected a house for him, which 
 proved such a comfortable retirement that they resolved to 
 spend the winter, which they did, but left for Bethlehem early 
 in the following summer. 
 
 The missionary Zeisberger was adopted as the son of the 
 principal chief, Canassetago, and had much influence with 
 the Onondagas. This zealous missionary at no time lost sight 
 of the importance of this mission, aiid althouglv not a laborer 
 on the ground, his mind Avas occupied, and his hands and heart 
 engaged in preparing for an effectual and permanent estab- 
 lishment in this fruitful land, of a prosperous and happy mis- 
 sion. 
 
 The same author says, (page 428,) Zeisberger, about the 
 year 1768, wrote and completed two grammars, one written iu 
 English, and the other in German, adapted to the Indian lan- 
 guage, and a copious dictionary, German and Indian, contain- 
 ing seven quarto manuscript volumes of more than seventeen 
 hundred and seventy pages of writing, consisting of German 
 words and phrase; , with their translation into Indian ; upon 
 which he justly remarks that there are not many dictionaries 
 of this size, and if this is filled with genuine Iroquois^, it is 
 in vain to speak of the poverty of that language. 
 
 In 1776, he published a spelling book, and other primary 
 books for learners, with juvenile devotional books, calculated 
 to advance the cause of Christianity among the Indians. We 
 
 ■'^ma 
 
MISSIONS. 
 
 223 
 
 find no permanent fruits of this mission, or that it was ever 
 re-established, although feebly continued for several years. 
 
 In 1770, the Rev. Mr. Ashley, who was a missionary at 
 Ocquaga, states that he had occasionally preached at Onon- 
 daga to the Indians, and that a Rev. Mr. Crosby had succeed- 
 ed him. He also mentions the names of the Rev. Messrs. 
 Peter and Henry Avery, who had preached among the Tus- 
 caroras, Onondagas, and Ocquagas. 
 
 The next mission of note among the Iroquois, was that es- 
 tablished by the Rev. Sanmci Kirkland, among the Oneidas, 
 which commenced about the 1st of August, 1760. Since a 
 brief account of this mission was written, and since this work 
 was in press, the author acknowledges the receipt of the Life 
 iif Samuel Kii-kland, by his grandson, Samuel K. Lothrop, 
 number XV. of American Biography, conducted by Jared 
 Sparks, with tlie author's permission to use it in this connec- 
 tion, whicli has been made available. 
 
 Samuel Kirkland was born at Norwich, Connecticut, on the 
 1st of December, 1741. His fatlier was the Rev. Daniel 
 Kirkland, who was pastor of the Third Congregational Church 
 in Norwich, the parish of Newcut. His mother was Hannah 
 Perkins, daughter of a very respectable gentleman of Wind- 
 sor, Connecticut. Samuel was the tenth in a family of twelve 
 children, of whom five were sons. The ancestors of the Kirk- 
 liind family were from Scotland. At the age of twenty we 
 find Samuel Kirkland a student, at the Rev. Dr. Wheelock's 
 School at Lebanon, Conn. In the autumn of 1762, he en- 
 tered the Sophomore class, at Princeton College, New Jersey, 
 which was a place of resort for Indian youth, who were desir- 
 ous of procuring a classical education, and others who were 
 desirous of becoming missionaries among the Indians. At 
 Lebanon and Trinceton his studies were pursued with a con- 
 stant and determined reference to his preparation for a mis- 
 sionary among the Indians. 
 
 In this benevolent design, he was cheered and encouraged 
 I'y the celebrated Whitefield, and the Rev. .Air. Kirkpatrick, 
 ifather of the late Dr. Kirkpatrick, of Salina,) to proceed^ 
 
 8 W''' 
 
 tmi 
 \ 
 
 
 n^, 
 
 ^Wn 
 
 1 
 
 ' « I 1. 
 
 ilii 
 
 ',; f" 
 
224 
 
 ONONDAGA. 
 
 and by their suggestions and advice, was induced finally to lo- 
 cate himself among the Oneidas. While at school, he had ac- 
 quired some knowledge of the language of the Iroquois. In 
 the autumn of his senior year, he left College for the purpose 
 of visiting the Senecas, and to learn their language, habits 
 and dispositions, and thus become qualified to be their spiritual 
 teacher and guide. 
 
 In November, 1764, he set out for his mission, and in hit- 
 course, spent some time with Sir Wm. Johnson, at Johnson 
 
 Hall. 
 
 On the IGth of Jan., 1765, ii. company with two Senecas, 
 he set out for the Indian country on foot. The weather was 
 severe, and the earth covered with a great body of snow, over 
 which they had to plod their way by the help of snow shoes. 
 Our young missionary was burdened with a pack, containing 
 clothes, provisions, and a few books, in all weighing about forty 
 
 pounds. 
 
 The whole country was a wilderness, and the last vestige of 
 civilization was seen at Johnson Hall. Every thing looked 
 gloomy and forbiding, but the fervent heart of this pious and 
 devoted youth, beat with hopes too high to languish, and with 
 aspirations too holy to relent. 
 
 On the fifth day, the party arrived at a village of the Onei- 
 das, where they rested and were refreshed. Afterwards they 
 proceeded to Onondaga, where they remained a night, and 
 nearly all the next day. 
 
 The object of Mr. Kirkland's mission was explained to the 
 Indians in the council house, "a building nearly eighty feet 
 long, and containing four fires, in which they assembled in 
 crowds about ten o'clock in the morning." Towards the 
 evening of this day, they left Onondaga, and proceeded on 
 their journey. On the 7th of February, towards evening, 
 twenty-three days after leaving Johnson Hall, they reached 
 Kanadasegea, the principal town of the Senecas. 
 
 In due time the object of his visit was explained in council, 
 and he was permitted to remain with them, and was taken 
 into the family of the head sachem, by whom he was ultimate- 
 
MISSIONS. 
 
 225 
 
 ly adopted. During his stay among the Senecas, his life was 
 often in peril, and after the death of his host, which occurred 
 soon after, he visited Johnson Hall, and on his way spent a 
 night at Fort ^^ Bennington,'' (Brewerton,) where he was sup- 
 plied with provisions by the commanding oflScer of the gar- 
 rison. After visiting the Hall, he returned to the Senecas on 
 the 29th of June, where his arrival was hailed with joy. Hia 
 intercourse with the Senecas was full of interest and adven- 
 ture. (See Lothrop's Life of Kirkland.) 
 
 He left the Senecas country in May, 1766, and we find no 
 traces of his return to them again as a missionary. 
 
 On tlie 19th of June, 1766, Mr. Kirkland was ordained at 
 Lebanon, and on the same day received a commission from 
 the " Connecticut Board of correspondents of the Society in 
 Scotland," as an Indian missionary. 
 
 He set out for his new mission on the 7th of July, and 
 commenced his labors among the Oncidas, as before stated, 
 about the 1st of August, 176G, with whom he remained up- 
 wards of forty years. He at once earnestly engaged in the 
 good work of teaching the Indians the principles of the Chris- 
 tian religion, and in preaching to them the gospel. He made 
 himself master of their language, became intimately familiar 
 with all their customs and fancies, and greatly endeared him- 
 self to them by the kindness of his disposition, his assiduous 
 attention, and by liis amiable and sympathizing spirit. He 
 soon gained by these rave qualities, the unlimited confidence 
 of a very large majority of the Indians, and especially of two 
 principal chiefs, Good Peter and Skenendoah. All looked 
 upon him as a friend and father, all were anxious to hear his 
 words, and listen to liis instructions. He was particularly in- 
 strumental in banishing from among the Oneidas that bane 
 of tlie race, intoxicating drinks, an article which had been 
 freely furnished by traders, and which, through his influence, 
 would not be received even as a gift, and when offered in one 
 instance, the answer Avas, '• It is contrary to the minister's 
 word, and our agreement with him." 
 
 On the 19th of September, 1769, he was married to Jeru- 
 
 29 
 
 K. 
 
 I i 
 
 :.: . 
 
 1 1 )] }" 
 
226 
 
 ONONDAGA. 
 
 sha Bingham, a niece of Dr. Wheelock. She was a v^oman 
 of uncommon energy, sterling good sense, with a vigorous 
 understanding, and a most devout heart, with a mmd deep y 
 imbued with the principles of Christianity, and with a lively 
 interest in the cause of propagating the gospel among the In- 
 dians; she was therefore well qualified to be a partner and 
 help to her husband, and to share with him the labors and sa- 
 crifices of an Indian missionary. 
 
 Mr Kirkland continued his residence and labors among the 
 Oneidas, with such success as the turbulent state of the times 
 admitted. The storm of impending revolution lowered oyer 
 the western horizon, and even the distant wilds of Oneida 
 were not deemed secure from its portentous fury. 
 
 Mr Kirkland was in religion and politics a pure American 
 patriot His influence was eagerly sought by the master 
 spirits and actors in the grand drama that was about to open 
 to the world, and his advice and opinions were solicited .vith 
 an earnestness which proved the character and excellence ot 
 the man. and the estimation in which he was held abroad. ^_ 
 By a vote of the Continental Congress, 18th July, li.o, 
 the Commissioners of the Northern Department were recom- 
 mended to employ the Ilev. Samuel Kirkland among the Six 
 Nations of Indians, in order to secure their friendship and 
 to continue them in a state of neutrality, with respect to the 
 controversy between Great Britain and the Colonies. For 
 this purpose, Mr. Kirkland was employed, and to accompLh 
 the object he exerted his powers to the utmost, took long jour- 
 nies among the Indian nations, and atteu'ded councils at Al- 
 bany, German Flats, Oneida and Onondaga At first he .as 
 flattered with a prospect of success, and felt confident that 
 the Six Nations would not take part In the approaching con- 
 test But through the wiles and machinations of those most 
 in the Interest of the crown, his hopes and expectations .'crc 
 defeated, and all but a portion of his faithful Oneidus we 
 ranged in the ranks of Britain. 
 
 L the commencement of the great contest of the revolu- 
 tion, Mr. Kirkland removed his family to Stockbridge, Mass,, 
 
MISSIONS. 
 
 227 
 
 a woman 
 
 for fear of danger which might arise from proximity to a hos- 
 tile foe, while living in a location likely to become the theatre 
 of sanguinary war. He still continued his labor as an Indian 
 missionary among the Oneidas ; his healthful influence over 
 them, it is thought, contributed materially to secure the neu- 
 trality, and in several instances the friendship and services 
 of a considerable portion of the Oneidas to the American 
 cause. 
 
 He was appointed a chaplain to the garrison at Fort Schuy- 
 ler and other posts, Avith rank and pay of Brigade Chaplain, 
 and when duty permitted, still continued his labors among the 
 Oneidas. 
 
 In 1779, he was Brigade Chaplain with General Sullivan, 
 in his Indian campaign, after which he returned to his family 
 at Stockbridge. During the remainder of the war, he was 
 part of the time at Fort Schuyler and the neighborhood, de- 
 voting his services to his country and to the Indians. After 
 the close of the war, (in 1784,) Mr. Kirkland, at the earnest 
 req^iest of the nation, resumed his missionary labors at Onei- 
 da, and received some pay for special services rendered dur- 
 ing the war. Harvard College rendered him some assistance, 
 and altogether, comfortable provision was made for his sup- 
 port. He was on several occasions employed as an interpre- 
 ter in the formation of treaties, and every where possessed an 
 influence which could not well be dispensed with. 
 
 The summer of 1788 was spent by him in visiting the wes- 
 tern nations of the confederacy, as far as Buffalo Creek, the 
 main object of which was to learn their disposition towards 
 the Christian religion, and the prospects of the usefulness of 
 a missionary who might reside among them, and to be present 
 at a treaty to be held in their country. 
 
 For his valuable services, Messrs. Phelps and Gorham 
 granted him two thousand acres of land, which they subse- 
 quently confirmed by deed, bearing date, April 22d, 1792. 
 This land was located in Ontario County, township No. 7. 
 
 In 1790, the State of New York and the Indians, granted 
 to Mr. Kirkland and his sons, in the neighborhood of Oneida, 
 
 111 i 
 
 P i 
 
 J' U i ' 
 
228 
 
 ONONDAGA. 
 
 
 about four thousand seven hundred and sixty acres of land. 
 During this time, his labors were incessant as a Christian 
 minister. Ho preached three times on every Lord's day. He 
 held evening and daily conferences during the week, and often 
 visited remote villages of the Indians. 
 
 In 1792-3, he projected his " Plan of Education for the 
 Indians, particularly of the Five Nations," in addition to 
 smaller schools, which had previously been in operation. Out 
 of this "Plan," grew the Hamilton Oneida Academy, which 
 was incorporated early in 1703. Soon after the charter was 
 obtained, he endowed the institution with a valuable donation 
 of lands, amounting to several hundred acres, including a lot 
 of about twelve acres, on which a large and commodious build- 
 ing was erected. In 1810, it was elevated to a college, and 
 received liberal additions to its funds from the State of New- 
 York, and the donations of sundry public spirited individuals. 
 Additional buildings have from time to time been erected, and 
 the college has held a reputable rank omong the classical in- 
 stitutions of the State. The establishment of this institution 
 of learning, for the mutual benefit of the frontier inhabitants 
 and the Indians, was the last important act of Mr. Kirkland's 
 life . Afterwards, however, so far as strength and health would 
 permit, he continued his missionary labors among the Indians; 
 and, as a citizen, took a lively interest in everything pertain- 
 ing to the welfare of society, and the rising prosperity of the 
 country. The remaining fifteen years of his life, were marked 
 with peculiar vicissitudes. Ill health, bodily infirmity, pecu- 
 niary embarrassments, family bereavements, and many pain- 
 ful events, that may not here be dwelt upon. He was a man 
 of unbounded benevolence and hospitality, and daily supplied 
 the necessities of numbers of his red brethren, from his own 
 board ; a custom which, though burdensome and expensive, 
 could not be departed from. He loved the Indians, and by 
 them in turn was he most sincerely beloved. 
 
 Among missionaries, there are few who have been more 
 faithful and devoted to the cause of truth, or have made larger 
 sacrifices, exposed themselves to greater perils and hardships, 
 
MISSIONS. 
 
 229 
 
 or had their efforts crowned with a greater measure of succeas, 
 than the Rev. Samuel Kirkland, Missionary to the Onei- 
 (las. 
 
 He lived and acted through a most interesting period of our 
 history, was identified with many important events and trans- 
 actions, was well known, and his worth appreciated by most 
 of the great men of his time, and sunk to his rest amidst the 
 regrets and lamentations of his countrymen. 
 
 He departed this life on the 28th of February, 1808, in the 
 78th year of his age, after a short but severe illness. 
 
 His remains were conveyed to the village church at Clin- 
 ton, and after appropriate services, which were conducted by 
 Rev. Dr. Norton, they were deposited in a private grave 
 near his dwelling, where they still await the summons which 
 shall cause the sea and the earth to give up their dead. On 
 one side lie the remains of his Avidow and a daughter, and on 
 the other, those of the venerable Shenandoah. 
 
 If the character of a man may be estimated by the good he 
 Joes to his fellow men, by the privations he endures in their 
 behalf, by the blessings he confers upon them, by the labor 
 lie performs in the advancement of the Redeemer's kingdom, 
 then the character of Mr. Kirkland stands preeminent. He 
 stands forth a shining example to youth, a noble precedent 
 to manhood, and a profitable model for old age. 
 
 Mr. Kirkland was the intimate friend of the Rev. Samson 
 Cecum, a thoroughly educated Indian, who was ordained a 
 minister by the Suffolk Presbytery, on Long Island, in 1759. 
 He came to Oneida from Long Island with a party one hun- 
 dred and ninety-two Montauks and Shinecocks, among the 
 Stockbridge and Brothertown Indians, as a missionary in 
 1786, and was eminently useful as a preacher of the Gospel 
 among the simple sons of the forest. Mr. Occura was the 
 first red man educated by the celebrated Rev. Dr. Wheelock 
 at his Moore Charity School at Lebanon. Mr. Occum left 
 this school in 1742, and for several years was engaged as a 
 teacher among the Long Island Indians, to whom he was 
 greatly endeared. He passed the early part of his life on 
 
 J I ' 
 
 ^i'll 
 
 h . 
 
230 
 
 ONON nA(J A. 
 
 Long Island, tlio pliico of his nativity. After his ordination 
 ho waa Hcnt to Enghiiui, hy Dr. Whciolot-k, in company witli 
 Mr. Whitakor, to solicit benofactiona for a college. The ap- 
 pearance of Mr. Oecum in England, excited strong Honsationa 
 in the minds of all intelligent people, particularly the pious 
 and benevolent. Benefactions were solicited with a success 
 which greatly outran the most sanguine expectations. Among 
 the patrons to the proposed college, were the King, and many 
 persona of rank and distinction; a la' go anm of money was 
 collected and forwarded to America, whore others cotitributed 
 liberally to swell the amount, lie often preached to very 
 crowded houses, and was the first Indian clergyman who had 
 ever visited that country. In those days, it was considered a 
 great novelty. The noblest chapels in the kingdom were open 
 to him, and oven the pulpit of the great Whitefield, was filled 
 with acceptance. After his return, he labored in his mission 
 among the iStockbridge and Brothertown Indians, several 
 years, with great success, and even to this day, among the 
 few survivors of his race, his name and mem(n*y are held in 
 grateful remembrance. He died in July, 17!>2, at New-Stock- 
 bridge, Madison County, New-York, aged sixty-nine years. 
 Both he and the Rev. Samuel Kirkland, were well accpuiintcd 
 at Onondaga, often visited and occasionally officiated there 
 among the Indians. By the early settlers we have been in- 
 informed, that Mr. Kirkland, on several occasions, preached 
 to them in their dwellings and in their barns, and was proba- 
 bly the first Potestant Clergyman wlio ever officiated in our 
 county. 
 
 Bishop llobart's establishment of a mission at Oneida, in 
 
 1816 :— 
 
 In 1816, Mr. Eleazar AVilliams was selected to take charge 
 of this important mission. lie was a son of Thomas Wil- 
 liams, who was a distinguished chief of the St. Begis branch 
 of the Mohawk nation, and a descendant of the Bev. John 
 Williams, of Deerfield, Mass., who with his family and parish- 
 ioners was taken captive at the sacking of his native town, 
 by the French and Indians, in 1704. 
 
MISSIONS. 
 
 281 
 
 Mr. Eloazar Williutns had received a liberal education for 
 the purpose of being useful as a missionary among his people, 
 and was appointed by IJisliop Ifobart and the committee of 
 the Protestant Episcopal Cliurcli, for propagating the gospel 
 in the State of New-Y(n'k, a catechist, lay-reader and school 
 miwtcr, to the Oneida nation. He had been educated in u 
 different communion, (Presbyterian,) but connected him- 
 self with the Protestant Episcopal Church, from conviction. 
 Mr. Williams arrived at Oneida Castle, and entered on hi.«i 
 duties, --Jd of March, iHlfJ. One large portion of the Onei- 
 das had previously adhered firmly to the religion of their fath- 
 ers, and had always been denominated in business transac- 
 tions, the '"'■ Payan purty of the One Ida nation." 
 
 Mr. Williams, in taking upon himself this new responsibili- 
 ty, felt it a duty first incumbent upon him, to prepare a 
 translation of portions of the Holy Scriptures, the Liturgy, 
 and other devotional portions of theComraon Prayer Book, into 
 a language they could luore easily understand than the English. 
 This, in duft time he effected, by following Brant's transla- 
 tions of the Gospels and Prayer Book of the church of Eng- 
 laml, which were altered and amended to suit the circumstan- 
 ces of the case. 
 
 It is worthy of remark, that these translations of Brant's, 
 of the Gospels and Prayer Book, are to this day in use, as 
 devotional books, with some trifling alterations, among all 
 the tribes of the Six Nations, even among those who are not 
 Episcopalians. 
 
 At this period, a large portion of the Oneid<is, resolved to 
 throw off at once and forever, their idolatries and pagan prac- 
 tices, and embrace Christianity. 
 
 The following communication to the Governor De W^itt Clin- 
 ton, will show with what zeal they were animated in their re- 
 nunciation of Paganism, and in the embracement of the Chris- 
 tian faith, as well as the success of Mr. Williams' exertions. 
 
 " May it please your Excellency — wo, the chiefs and prin- 
 cipal men, of that part of the Oneida nation of Indians, 
 heretofore known and distinguished as the " Pagan Party \ 
 
 ,4' k I 
 
 i, i;:; 
 
232 
 
 ONONDAGA. 
 
 it'll f^'*! ' 
 
 
 I'-' 
 
 \ii 
 
 in tho name of the said party beg leave to address your Ex- 
 cellency, on a subject, which wo hope will be as pleasing to 
 your Excellency, as it is to us. Wo no longer own the name 
 of Par/an. We have abandoned our idols and our sncrificos, 
 and have fixed our hopes on our Blessed Uedcemcr. In m- 
 dence of this assertion, we here tender to your Excellency, 
 sincerely and une<iuivo(!ally, our abjuration of I'liganism and 
 its rites, and take the Christian's God to be our (Jod, and our 
 only hope of salvation. 
 
 Wo believe in God, the creator and preserver of all things. 
 As omnisciont and omnipresent, most gracious and most mer- 
 ciful. We believe in Jesus Christ, that he is the Son of God, 
 the Saviour of the world, the Mediator between God and man, 
 and that all must believe in him, and embrace him in order 
 to obtain salvation. We believe in God, the Sanctifier and 
 Comforter of all the children of men. W^e believe in a gen- 
 eral resurrection and a future judgment, in which all mankind 
 shall be judged according to their works. We believe the 
 Scriptures to be the word of God, and that in them are con- 
 tained all things necessary to man's salvation. 
 
 We present to your Excellency this abstract of our faith, 
 in order to demonstrate the impropriety of our any longer re- 
 taining the name of Pagans. We trust, that through the 
 mercy of God, we have abandoned the character of Pagans ; 
 let us also .abandon the name. 
 
 We, therefore, request your Excellency, that in all future 
 transactions with this State, we may be known as " 21ie aecond 
 Ohristian Party of the Oneida Indians."* and we pray that 
 your Excellency will take such means as may be necessary 
 
 * " Tlie (First) Christian Party" was that portion of the Oneidas who had been 
 under the teachings of the Rev. Samuel Kirkland ; but wiio were at this period 
 under the guidance of the Rev. Mr. Jenivins. At the time of Mr. Williams' lirst 
 appearance at Oneida, the mission was in a lanfruishing condition, and those adiitt- 
 ring to Mr. Jenkins, constituted about one-tenth of the nation. Mr. Williams at 
 once addressed the Oneida.s in their own language, and with this advantage was 
 successful in gaining tlie affections and confidence of a large portion of the peo- 
 ple, which very soon had tlie eflect to draw away from Mr. Jenkins, those who 
 were favorably disposed to Christianity. 
 
MISSIONS. 
 
 288 
 
 »ntl proper, to cauBo us to be recognized in future by that 
 name. And in the name of the most Holy Trinity, we do 
 here sign ourselves, your Excellency's most sincere friends. 
 
 Done in general council, at Oneida, this 25th day of Jan- 
 uary, A. D., 1817." 
 
 The following Indians subscribed to the above, each one 
 making his mark : — 
 
 Cornelius Otliaeaheat, 
 Arius Tehoraniogo, 
 John Cahellius, 
 Jacob Atoni, 
 Wm. Toniateshen, 
 
 Peter Sauthecalcos, 
 Nicholas Garongontie, 
 Moses Schuyler, 
 Wm. Tegarcntotashon, 
 Wm. Tehoratatshe, 
 
 Peter Tewaserteshe, 
 
 Mr. Williams pursued his vocation with a well tempered 
 zeal, and with a desirable degree of success. Devotional 
 books in the Indian language, were placed in the hands of 
 these devoted children of the forest, and several of the youth 
 made very respectable proficiency in learning to read them, 
 so that in due time the devotions and renponses of the Church, 
 were made with great order and propriety. Several of them 
 became familiar with the English language, and wrote letters 
 to the Governor of the State, and to the Bishop of the Diocese, 
 whicli were highly creditable to their scholarship. The style 
 of these, is marked with peculiar simplicity, as the following 
 extract of an address, written by a young Indian, a commu- 
 nicant in the Church, to the Bishop, will show : 
 
 " Right Reverend Father — we salute you in the name of 
 the ever blessed and ever living sovereign Lord of the uni- 
 verse. We acknowledge this Great and Almighty Being, as 
 our Creator, Preserver and continual Benefactor. Right 
 Reverend Father, we rejoice that we now, with one heart and 
 one mind, would express our gratitude and thankfulness to 
 our venerable Father, for the favor he has bestowed on this 
 nation, viz : in sending Brother Williams among us, to instruct 
 us in the religion of the Blessed Jesus. We hail him as our 
 friend and brother, and our guide in spiritual things, and he 
 
 M 
 
 30 
 
234 
 
 ONONDAGA. 
 
 ml 
 
 shall remain in our hearts and minds as long as he shall teach 
 us in the ways of the Great Spirit above. 
 
 Right Reverend Father — we beseech you not to neglect us. 
 We hope the Christian people of NeAV-York will help us all 
 that is in their power. We hope our brethren Avill by no 
 means withdraw from us. If this should take place, the cause 
 of Religion will die among us, immorality and wickedness will 
 prevail. 
 
 Right Reverend Father — as the head and father of the Holy 
 Apostolic Church, in this State, we entreat you to take a spe- 
 cial charge of us. We are ignorant, we are poor, and need 
 your assistance. Come, venerable Father, and visit your 
 children, and warm their hearts by your presence in the 
 things which belong to their everlasting peace. 
 
 May the Great Head of the Church, whom you serve, be 
 with you, and his blessing ever remain with you. 
 
 We, venerable Father, remain ever your dutiful children.' 
 Signed by the following chiefs and head men of the nation : 
 Hendrick Schuyler, Moses Schuyler, 
 
 Silas Anosente, Ilestael Peters, 
 
 William Tehoiatato, William Schuyler, 
 
 D?niel Peters, Abraham Schuyler, 
 
 Nicholas Garongontie, Stofle Schuyler, 
 
 William Sonawenhese, Hendrick Schuyler, Jr., 
 
 William Tewagarate. 
 Done at Oneida, the 19th day of January, A. D., 1818. 
 The Bishop answers them in a style of the most unaffected 
 love and simplicity, which shows the benevolence of his heart, 
 and the tender regard he cherished for this portion of his flock. 
 The address may be found at large, in the Christian Jour- 
 nal of February, 1818, and is highly characteristic of that 
 eminent Prelate. 
 
 On Sunday, the 13th of September, 1818, the Right Rev- 
 erend Bishop Hobart, visited the Oneida Indians for the 
 purpose of administering the sacraments and ordinances of 
 the Church. On this occasion the morning prayer was read 
 in their own language. The Indians present joined in the 
 
MISSIONS. 
 
 235 
 
 services witli great solemnity and devotion, and many of them 
 repeated the responses. The Bishop addressed them, and his 
 address was interpreted by INIr. Williams, who also interpre- 
 ted to them the various offices of baptism, confirmation and' 
 the Lord's supper, which rites the Bishop administered. Twen- 
 ty-four children were baptized, eighty-nine young persons (In- 
 ilians) were confirmed, and tAventy-four receivad the holy com- 
 munion. None were confirmed but those whj had been thor- 
 oughly instructed, and felt a willingness to resume their bap- 
 tismal ol)ligations by living a righteous and godly life. The 
 services at this visitation of the Bishop, are represented by 
 eye-witnesses as peculiarly affecting. The place of worship 
 was filleil to overflowing ; all present were deeply affected with 
 ;!ie solemnity, reverence and devotion, with which the young, 
 the middle aged, and the grey haired, joined in the confes- 
 .ions, supplications, prayers and praises to the lledeemer, ai'd 
 '.vith the solemn attention with which they listened to the in- 
 structions and exhortations of the Bishop, and the humiUty 
 and thankfulness evidenced by their prostration on their knees 
 and by the tears which flowed down the cheeks of several wiio 
 levoted themselves in the Apostolic " laying on of hands" to 
 the God who made them, and the Saviour who shed his blood 
 for them. 
 
 The clergy present were some of them so affected that they 
 could not remain to witness the scene, and retired to give 
 vent to their feelings in prayers of thankfulness and in tears. 
 The Bishop remarks that " the Oneidas amount to above one 
 thousand souls, and it must afford high pleasure to every be- 
 nevolent mind to hear that the labors of Mr. Williams, under 
 the authority of the Protestant Episcopal Church in this 
 State, for the cpiritual improvement of his unfortunate coun- 
 trymen, are thus attended with the divine blessing." 
 
 The second Christian parti/, in 1818, sold a piece of their 
 land to the State of New York for the express purpose of 
 raising funds for building a Church edifice, from which sale 
 about four thousand four hundred dollars was realized. 
 
 This edifice, a chapel, was completed the following year, 
 
 I ■: 
 
286 
 
 ONONDAGA. 
 
 under the supervision of Mr. Williams, and consecrated by 
 Bishop Hobart 21st September, 1819, under the title of St. 
 Peter's Church. This congregation of Christian Oneida?, 
 with their new and neat Church, became a great favorite with 
 Bishop Ilobart, iiud the pride of the Church in New York 
 and the praises of Mr. Williams were lauded in all the 
 Churches. 
 
 At this visit tiie Bisliop confirmed fifty-six, and baptized 
 two adults and iorty-threc children of the Oneida nation. 
 Rev. Daniel Nasli, in his report for 1821, says : " In the 
 month of May last I visited the Church at Oneida, and with 
 pleasure can testify to the excellent order observed. In no 
 congregation, although I have seen many solemn assemblies. 
 have I beheld such deep attention, such humble devotion. " 
 He, in company with the Rev. Dr. Orderson of the English 
 Church, baptized fifty children and five adults of the Oneida 
 nation. 
 
 Mr. Williams was succeeded by Mr. Solomon Davis, in 
 1822, to the charge of the Oneida mission, Mr. Williams hav- 
 ing, with a large portion of the Oneidas, removed to Green 
 Bay, where was estitblished a mission under the auspices of 
 the Domestic and Foreign Missionary Society of the Protestant 
 Episcopal Church. The Church at Oneida progressed under 
 the ministrations of Mr. Davis, who for several years acted in 
 the capacity of lay-reader and catechist. The Government 
 of the United States appropriated five hundred dollars for the 
 support of a school among the Oneidas, and two hundred dol- 
 lars for the purpose of aiding in the erection of a suitable 
 school house. Tlie school was conducted by Mr. Davis, and 
 during his stay at Oneida was regularly attended by a respecta- 
 ble number of children, and numbers were yearly added to 
 the Church by baptism and confirmation. 
 
 On the 18th of June, 1826, Mr. Eleazar Williams was or- 
 dained a Deacon, by Bishop Ilobart, at Oneida Castle, at 
 which time addresses were interchanged between the Bishop 
 and Mr. Williams, and between the Bishop and the Indians, 
 
 .f i 
 
MISSIONS. 
 
 237 
 
 which, although highly interesting, are too long for insertion 
 here. (See Christian -^'turnal.) 
 
 The Bishop, in lii. .nual visitations, visited the Oneida 
 Church, and was always most cordially received by his red 
 brethren. They became extremely attached to him, and al- 
 ways treated him with great reverence and respect. 
 
 One of these visits is thus described by an eye-witness of 
 the sceno : 
 
 On the 21st of June, 1827, information having been pre- 
 vi'msly given of the Bishop's intended visit, a party of fifty 
 or sixty Indians, on horseback, with their chiefs and interpre- 
 ter, came out about four miles to meet hiin and escort him to 
 the chapel.* This was a novel and gratifying spectacle, and 
 the groups of Indian women and children that might be 
 seen hurrying across the fields towards the church, as the 
 procession approached, added much to the interest of the 
 scene. On arriving at the house of worship, the Bishop and 
 Clergy took their stations, when the services commenced, with 
 a few verses, translated into Indian, from the Psalms of Da- 
 vul, sung by about one hundred natives in the gallery, joined 
 bv those below. After the usual services, whicli were con- 
 ducted in English, and translated by an interpreter into Indi- 
 an, the holy rite of confirmation was administered to ninety- 
 m-en native Indians, and about fifty partook of the sacrament 
 of the Lord's suj)per. The confirmations among the Oneidas, 
 including some Onondagas, by Bishop Ilobart, from first to 
 last, exceeded five hundred persons, many of whom continued 
 faithful to the end, and more than twice that number were 
 baptized on various occasions by different members of the 
 Church. 
 
 On the 14th of September, 1829, Mr. Solomon Davis was 
 admitted to the holy order of Priests. That he might the bet- 
 ter be enabled to administer all the ordinances of the gospel 
 
 *Tliis practice of escorting the Bishop to the place cf public worsliip on 
 liorseback. is still continued at the Oneida Reserve Mission, iieur Nashola, Wis- 
 '.unsin. as we are infurnaed by a cotnniunication from the missionary. Ko v. J. LloyiJ 
 Preok. 
 
 . lil 
 
238 
 
 ONONDAGA, 
 
 ^ i 
 i! 
 
 to them, ii was deemed expedient to ordain him to this office, 
 for wliich purpose several of the Clergy attended with the 
 Bishop, and joined in the imposition of hands. lie was ad- 
 mitted to the order of Deacons the summer previous, at Christ 
 Church, Manlius. 
 
 Mr. Davis continued with his flock at Oneida, with undi- 
 minished success, till 1888, when the remaining portion of 
 the Oneidas removed to (Ireen Bay ; consecpiently this inter- 
 esting mission was broken up, their lands at Oneida were sold, 
 and at present there are but few (about one hundred and fifty) 
 of the nation remaining at that place, and there is no Pro- 
 testant Episcopal Church Mission among them. 
 
 The church edifice which belonged to the Indians was sold in 
 1840, and removed to Vernon, where it is now occupied by the 
 Unitarians. 
 
 The mission at Green Bay has since been continued witli 
 moderate success, many of the Indians having become Chris- 
 tian. It has been an interesting; field of labor. The confre- 
 gatlon, as well as the nation, is said to be increasing in num- 
 bers, and in the arts and virtues of civilized life. 
 
 In 1834 or '35, the Rev. Richard V. Cadle, witli groat self- 
 denial, sought out the Oneiihis and gave them a year's most 
 faithful labor. Under his efliorts the waste places of their lit- 
 tle Zion were repaired, and many wandering members were 
 brought back to the fold. By many of the nation his servi- 
 ces were unappreciated, although the eommunicants regarded 
 him with the most tender affection. 
 
 From the avails of the sale of a parcel of their lands to 
 the United States, in 1838, a neat church and parsonage 
 have been erected, and the mission, in other respects, placed 
 on a respectable footing. Mr. Davis continued his services 
 up to 1847, since which the Rev. Franklin Haff has had charge 
 of the mission. 
 
 Missionary operations among the Onondagas : — 
 
 The first person connected with the Protestant Episcopal 
 Church, who called the attention of the Onondagas to the sub- 
 ject of religion, was Mr. Eleazar Williams, lay-reader, catechist 
 
MISSIONS, 
 
 239 
 
 and school-master among the Oncidas. By the request of 
 several of the Onondaga chiefs, he visited the nation first, on 
 31st of March, 1816. Extract from his journal. "Reached 
 this village (Onondaga) about ten o'clock this morning, and' 
 came thither by the special invitation of the principal chiefs 
 and people, by whom I was received with much kindness. 
 They gave me no time to refresh myself, but hurried me to 
 their council house, ' to hear' as they said ' the words of Him 
 who diuclls in the Heavens.' " 
 
 Mr. Williams, on this occasion, addressed them on the sub- 
 ject of repentance, and the jjerfections of God, held several 
 conferences at their houses, and all seemed anxious and con- 
 cerned for thoir salvation, lie at this time spent several days 
 among them, and received many encouragements of repent- 
 ance among his l)rethrcn, the Onondagas. During this year, 
 and afterwards, Mr. Williams made frequent visits to Onon- 
 ilaga, cxliorting them publicly, and from house to house. Be- 
 ing master of their own language, he Avas listened to with 
 great attention, and his labors attended with success. 
 
 In another part of his journal, Mr. Williams remarks : " In 
 ray first visit to Onondaga, I attempted to ascertain whether 
 the "aiits of the labors of the Father Jesuits, could be traced 
 among them, but I could find none." 
 
 Again he says, " What little thoy know of the Christian 
 faith, they received it from tlie noted and pious missionary, 
 Rev. Samuel Kirkland." Again: "In 181(3, they had no 
 idea that they had ever been taught by a Jesuit missionary." 
 
 *In the year 181G, the Rev. Timothy Clowes, Rector of 
 St. Peter's Church, Albany, was re(iuested by the Indians to 
 pay them a visit, lie did so, in company with Mr. Williams, 
 who acted as his interpreter, on the 18th day of July, preach- 
 ing to attentive congregations, and administering the sacra- 
 ments, lie baptized eleven children among the Onondagas. 
 They expressed their thanks for the instruction given, the 
 
 * MS. of Rev. Henry Gregory, D. D., and the Journals of Diocesan Conveo- 
 
 lion. 
 
240 
 
 ONONDAGA. 
 
 "mm 
 
 
 ll 
 
 §m 
 
 hi 
 
 I 
 
 attentions paid to them, and requested the clergy of the 
 church to visit them as often as circumstances would allow. 
 Most of the Pagans attended these meetings. In July, 1817 
 the Onondagas were again visited by the Rev. William A. 
 Clark, accompanied by Mr. Eleazar Williams of Oneida, and 
 the llev. Mr. Gear. In the opinion of Mr. Clark, one-half 
 the tribe was friendly to Christianity, and acquainted with 
 the elementary principles of the Gospel. Even the Pagan 
 portion of them did not refuse to hear. Baptism was admin- 
 istered by Mr. Clark, to ff teen, and by Mr. Gear, to four or 
 Jive. Mr. Gear continued to visit frequently, and preach 
 among the Onondagas, so long as he lived at "the Ilill." 
 After the church edifice was completed at Onondaga Hill, the 
 Indians frequently came there to the public worship, and some- 
 times brou^z;ht their children to be baptized in the presence 
 of the congregation. Several couples were also married pub- 
 licly in the church. 
 
 On one occt^ion at their village, four or five (and one a 
 principal chief) who had been baptized by the Romanists at 
 St. Regis, signified their wish to leave that clwirch, and make a 
 new profession of Christianity. Mr. Gear having instructed 
 them as well as possible through an interpreter, in the true 
 principles of the Gospel and the Avorship of God, and having 
 required of them to assume their promises and vows imposed 
 in the baptismal service, received them with several others 
 whom he baptized. This was done on a raised platform, in 
 the presence of the whole nation, and the scene was one of 
 the deepest solemnity and interest. These persons were sub- 
 sequently confirmed at Oneida, on some of those occasions 
 when Bishop Ilobart visited the Indian Church. 
 
 It was at the instance of Mr. Gear, that a school was 
 opened among the Onondagas, by one of tlieir own people. 
 Mary Doxtator, a Stockbridge by birth, was taken when young 
 by some Quakers, to Philadelphia, and educated in all domes- 
 tic duties. After she returned to her people, she was married 
 to an Oneida, a Pagan, and who opposed all her efforts to be 
 Ui-t'ful among them. After his death, however, aiiil vrhen left 
 
MISSIONS. 
 
 241 
 
 with the care of tliree children, she opened a school of indus- 
 try at Oneida, and taught the Indian women to sew and spin, 
 and weave blankets and coverlets. There Mr. Gear became 
 acquainted with her, and induced her to attempt the same 
 thing among the Onondagas. This she did in the year 1820, 
 and with considerable success. She Avas baptised and admit- 
 ted to the Holy communion, and brought her children to bap- 
 tism. Her house was a pattern of neatness and order — her 
 example was that of a woman deeply imbued with Christian 
 temper and principles, and the white people of her acquaint- 
 ance gave her both their esteem and assistance. She died two 
 or three years after the opening of her scliool among the On- 
 ondagas. 
 
 We possess no other evidence of Episcopal Church missions 
 among the Onondagas, except those before named in the bio- 
 ffrapbical notice of La Fort, although they frccpiently at Onei- 
 da attended tlie ministrations of Mr. Eleazar Williams and Mr. 
 Solomon Davis, and took much pains to attend whenever 
 Bishop Ilobart officiated there, to whom they were particularly 
 attached. 
 
 After the departure of Mr. Gear, it seemed there was no 
 person in the ministerial office of tlic Protestant Episcopal 
 Church, who was specially charged with this business, or who 
 by habit or inclination was qualified for the peculiar duties of 
 a missionary among these singular and benighted people. 
 The consequence was, that for several years they were with- 
 out religious instructicm, 
 
 Methodist Mission at Oneida and Onondaga, 1829 : — 
 
 The first religious society of the Methodist Episcopjil Church 
 established at Oneida, was in 1829, by the Rev. Dan Barnes, 
 and was composed of twenty-four Indian members. At this 
 time, also, Indian exhorters Avere appointed at Oneida to visit 
 the Onondagas, which they did under the direction and super- 
 intendance of ministers located at Oneida. It was impossible 
 to make any direct approaches to the Onondagas, on account 
 of their hostility to the plan. 
 
 But all missionary operations were carried on at this time, 
 
 rM 
 
 iiif ) 
 
 til 
 
242 
 
 ONONDAGA, 
 
 *; 
 
 in a Becrot manner unknown to the Pagan party, at private 
 houses of the Indiana. 
 
 For a period of twelve years, this people were only visited 
 occasionally by licentiates, oxhorters and local preachers. 
 The head men of the nation were opposed to the erection of 
 a church and schools, and it was not till 1841, when the Rev. 
 Rosman Ingals was appointed a missionary at Oneida and On- 
 ondaga, that any thing like a regularly organized society was 
 formed at Onondaga. At this time there were but nine mem- 
 bers. On the first of January, 1842, for the first time the 
 holy communion was administered after the forms and order 
 of the Methodist Episcopal Church, at the Onondaga Castle, 
 and from the first of August of this year, the Onondagas en- 
 joyed the services of the Methodist Church, a Sunday once 
 in four weeks, and the Oneidas the remaining three Sundays 
 of the month. These services were conducted by Rev. Ros- 
 man Ingals, and the substance communicated to the natives 
 through an interpreter. During the year 1842, the natives 
 procured and fitted up a building formerly occupied as a 
 dwelling, so as to answer very well as a substitute for a church. 
 In this building meetings were regularly held till 1846, at 
 which time the new school house was built, after which meet- 
 ings were held in it. Mr. Ingals continued his labors once in 
 four weeks, and Indian exhorters in the intermediate Sundays, 
 and occasionally on week days, till August, 1846, when the 
 Rev. Daniel Fancher took charge of the mission, and meet- 
 ings were held at Onondaga, three Sundays in each iT.onth, 
 and one Sunday at Oneida, thereby reversing the order of 
 things. The reason why these missions have never been sepa- 
 rated is because the Onondagas have never yet till now, been 
 strong enough to sustain themselves without the assistance of 
 the Oneidas, who are by far the most susceptible of religious 
 impressions and improvement. 
 
 Henry Jones, David Hill and his son, are among the first 
 fruits of this mission, and bid fair to continue faithful to the 
 end. After the commencement of Mr. Fancher's ministra- 
 tion, the number of communicants rapidly increased, so that 
 
MISSIONS. 
 
 248 
 
 it the present time there are not less than sixty who receive 
 regularly the bread of life. A new end commodious church 
 was erected during the summer of 1848, which cost a trifle 
 over one thousand dollars, which sum was raised by donations 
 from individuals of the Methodist Society, the Indians contri- 
 buting, by materials and labor, about one hundred and twenty 
 lollars. The missionary has had a laborious task in bringing 
 this work to a favorable termination, constantly superintend- 
 ing the whole, and doing much labor with his own hands. It 
 was consecrated with appropriate services Oct. 12th, 1848. 
 
 At Oneida a Methodist church was built in 1841, and was 
 owned by the Indians ; Avhen their lands were sold in 1843, 
 the church was sold with them, and in 1844, another church 
 was erected by the benefactions of the Indians and whites, 
 and is owned by the Methodist Episcopal Society. 
 
 This mission, with the one at Oneida, is considered in a 
 prosperous condition, and it is thought they will each be able 
 soon to sjistain themselves. 
 
 Indian School. For several years a portion of the Onon- 
 Jagas have manifested a willing disposition to profit by the 
 advantages of schools. Several have been persuaded to avail 
 themselves of the opportunities which have at times presented 
 themselves, and sent their children to the district schools of 
 the whites, contiguous to their reservation. 
 
 In the year 1845, a very respectable young lady, Miss Mary 
 Hitchcock, was induced to open a school on the reservation, ex- 
 clusively for Indian children. Her efforts were unwearied, and 
 attended with a measure of success ; so much so that the pat- 
 rons of tlie school (it being supported mainly if not entirely 
 by benevolent individuals) thought the experiment a success- 
 ful one. From twenty to forty Indian children usually at- 
 tended with commendable regularity, who, considering the dis- 
 advantages they labored under, made very respectable profi- 
 ciency. She boarded herself, and the school was kept in the 
 building occupied as a church. 
 
 Through the instrumentality of sundry benevolent individu- 
 als, who appreciated the necessities of the red men, and who 
 
 f i 
 
 !r5 
 
 ; p; 
 
244 
 
 ONONDAGA. 
 
 were dosiroua also of improving their mental condition a 
 plan was set on foot for the purpose of procuring for them a 
 school exclusively their own. With this kind intention, during 
 tho winter of 1845-0, petitions were circulated ia various 
 parts of the county, «»lcii)o;tho Legislature to grant a sum of 
 money, to enable ih.MU t> ..rcct a suitable school house, and 
 employ a teacher. The petition was favorably received, and 
 in April, 1846, an act was passed autliorizing the agent of 
 the Onondaga Indians, by consent of tho chiefs of the Onon- 
 daga nation, to cause to be built and furnished, a suitable and 
 sufficient school house on tho Ouaudagu Reservation, at an 
 expense not exceeding three hundred dollars. 
 
 The sum of two hundred and fifty dollars annually, was also 
 appropriated for the term of five year.^, for the payment of 
 teachers' wages, and other expenses of maintaining said school. 
 
 The following season a suitable and well arranged school 
 house was completed, under the direction of tho Indian agent, 
 and a numerous body of citizens attended its dedication, 
 among whom were several clergymen of dificrent denomina- 
 tions from tho adjacent villages. The services on this occa- 
 sion, were of a highly interesting character. A school ivas 
 commenced under very favorable uuppices, and promised all 
 that its most devoted friends could anticipate. A comptlent 
 teacher, Mr. L. B. Whitcomb, was employed, who fur a time 
 kept up the interest at first excited. Few persons can realize 
 the disadvantages and discouragements which present them- 
 selves in a purely Indian school. Not a single family uses the 
 English language in their intercourse among themselves or 
 neighbors. The children only learn if at a more advanced 
 age in their communications Avith the whites ; consequently 
 the teacher meets in the beginning, pupils who cannot under- 
 stand perhaps a word he utters. A new language is to be 
 learned, new ideas formed, new objects present themselve?, 
 and tl relish for application is soon lost, after the novelty 
 Avhich new scenes at first present, has died away. !3o far as 
 they can learn by observation and imitation, many of the pu- 
 pils make respectable proficiency. Hence, in drawin- and in 
 
MISSIONS. 
 
 245 
 
 mental arithmetic, as stolveil on the bhick-boniHl, in vocal mu- 
 .je, iic, they exhibit talent and progresH not une<iual to white 
 pupils having the same amount of instruction. One ot" the 
 rreatost causes of embarrassment to the teacher is lack of 
 iitfcndancc on the part of pupil-^. The parents do not, in all 
 instances, rc(juiro or compel their children to attend school, 
 and they having little to ;ittract them there, ar( of themselves, 
 ill many instances, unwilling to submit to the confinement or 
 iljsoipline necessary to good order and improvement, so that 
 many only occasionally attend. Of the forty or fifty chil- 
 dren who arc of suitable age, and ought to attend school, not 
 uiio half that number ordinarily avail themselves of the bene- 
 fit« ?o favorably presented. 
 
 It requires great patience and equanimity of temper suc- 
 cessfully to conduct a school composed entirely of Indian 
 ihildren. It is well known that the system of domestic go- 
 vernment is very loose among them. Children are seldom 
 (becked or restrained at homo ; they become restless by cf-n- 
 tincment at school, and often feel as if the restraints there im- 
 posed upon them were irksome and unnecessary, consequent- 
 ly they must, from the peculiarities of their case, bo far be- 
 hind those who are instructed in their native language, in les- 
 ?nn'^ of obedience to N'achers, and in the rudiments with 
 which they are easily made familiar. The efforts which are 
 at present making are attended with a degree of success. But 
 iu order to have them completely successful a change will have 
 t' be wrought in their manners, customs and language. 
 
 The district officer.^' nre of the Indians, assisted by the agent, 
 town -iuperintendant and teacher, wdio manage tlio school af- 
 fairs with credit to tb<mselves, and for llio benefit of the na- 
 tion. For the last yenr, April, 1849, Rev. Rosman Ingals 
 
 IS had charge of the scho d. The Pagan party do not give 
 their cordial support to t^ >■ measure, and until there is more 
 unanimity of sentiment, the subject of education will noi reach 
 
 e elevated position anticipated by its Viends. 
 
246 
 
 ONONDAGA, 
 
 CIIArTER VIII. 
 
 EARLY HISTORY OF TIIK ONONDACAS, AND INCIDENTAfXY 
 THAT OF THE SIX NATIONS. 
 
 I H 
 
 Bahbauitiks ok tuk Troquoib Caitains, CoMi'AKrn with IIkhoks ok ANciEfrr 
 
 AN1> Monr.IlN TiMKs — NoTlCKH (IK TlIK O.NtlNDAltAS, IIY K.iKI.V I llrtTOlllANH— 
 
 FiKST Intkiicoubhr ok TirK lndyooi.s \,-iTii TlIK l''iiKN(Mi — Aruuai, OK Mow 
 Ohamvimin— IFis Visit toOnondaoa IN 11115 — Ok Moss. 1)k Tiiaoi wini fnui 
 NI8TS ANi> Hoi.niEKS — KAKi.y ('r.Nsi'soKTiiK Iiioyi.oirt — M. Dki.a Uariik— Mar 
 QUiH I)k NiiNVM.i.K — Invasion ok Montukai, iiythk Iiioyt'ois in ItlSH — Oreai 
 
 DiSTBKHS OKTIIK FltKNC'll DkPUTAI'ION FUOM N KW-IiNliL^NDTOTlIK luoQlOIH— 
 
 Dk Fim .iknai'sNk(;()TIati()Ns wiTiiTiii'; Fivn Nations — Sn; William I'liii'i'. 
 
 Exl'KDITIUN i" diUKIlDC InC'IIIWIONO OK TUK KlVF, NaTIONH TO C VNAIIA, 
 
 l690-i)l — FttKNOH Attack upon tuk. Mohawks — Nkuiotiations k(,ti I'kack— 
 Fkkncii 1'kki'auation kok an Atiack upon (JNONKAm — Tin; Attack and 
 
 DlSAPPOINTMKNT OK TUK FuKNOIl — WaK CoNIINlKl) — !'KAt.'K OK RVHWllK' 
 
 1697— KwoLian NEiiOTiAxioNa with thkFivk Nations. 
 
 The two folUming chapters containing an account of the 
 civil and military history of the Onondagas, and incidontalh 
 that of the Five Nation;^ is taken mainly from Charlcvoi.x. 
 Historic de Nonville Frsvncais, Francis Creuxius Ilistoroc 
 Novae Francine, Colden's Five Nations, Smith's History of 
 New-York, Brodhead's Collection of London Do(!ument8, and 
 Marshall's Life of Washington. 
 
 Many of the early historians, in describing the character 
 of the Iroquois, set them down as vindictive, (rruol and blood- 
 thirsty, without one redeeming quality, or a. single human 
 feeling of compassion, virtue, honor or gr;ititude, and univer- 
 sally stigmatize them, as barbarian and savage ; while others. 
 viewing them in a higher light, are lavish in their pruisc. By 
 
 '|..iil 
 
EARLY HISTORY. 
 
 MV 
 
 Golden, Do Witt Clinton, and othors, thoy have been styled 
 tiio Uoinans of Americii ; and tho French tourist, Volney, 
 coinpan'H tlioiri to the ancient Spartans. 
 
 " Notwithstanding 1 havo seen much of tho savai^es of 
 America, I persist more firndy in tho comparison herctoforo 
 made, for I find that tho first book of Thucydidos, and all 
 that part whicli gives tho customs of the ImcedemonianB, 
 proves them in every respect similar to the Five Nations; I do 
 not therefore, hesitate to declare tho Spartans to be the Iro- 
 ijunis of tho old world." 
 
 Were we strictly to compare tho Iroquois with civilized 
 nations, the real dificrence would not bo as wide as at first 
 iraairined. It is wonderful how custom and education are 
 able t" soften tlio most revolting actions among learned, polite 
 and Christian people. Whoever attentively reads the history 
 of ancient or modern heroes, will find them little better in 
 many respects than the distinguished war chiefs of the Iro- 
 quois. Does Achilles' behavior towards the dead body of the 
 valiant Hector, appear less savage ? Does King David's saw- 
 ing the Amoritcs in sunder, or harrowin^r them with harrows 
 of iron, or driving them through burning brick kilns, appear 
 less barbarous 'i Does the infamous example of Napoleon at 
 Jaffa, appear less horrid, or the murderous scenes on board 
 the British prison ships at New-York, or tho quartering and 
 exposure by hanging, of the mutilated body of the valiant 
 King Philip of Mount Hope, appear less revolting, than the 
 most detested acts of Indian barbarity ? The horrors of the 
 Inquisition, the auto-de-fe, or the scourgiugs and burnings of 
 New-England, for opinion's sake, and the sale of helpless In- 
 dians to West Indian slavery for sordid gain, are all far be- 
 yond the capacity or imagination of Indian refinement in 
 cruelty. 
 
 Father Henepin, speaking of the Iroquois, says : Lib. 1, 
 page 17. The Iroquois are an indolent and barbarous people, 
 that has shed the blood of more than two millions of souls, in 
 that vast extended country. They would never cease from 
 
 » i 
 
 t- :i'i 
 
 : Jfli 
 
 j .If',!' 
 
248 
 
 ONONDAGA, 
 
 disturbing the repose of the Europeans, were it not for fear 
 of their fire-arms. 
 
 Again at Piigo 23. The Five Cantons or districts of the 
 Iroquois, do inherit, for the most part, the south side of the 
 Lake Ontario. The Mohawks and Oncidas are the nearest 
 neighbors to New-IIolland. The Onondagas or those who 
 live in the mountains, are the most warlike people of all those 
 nations. The Cayugas and Senecas, are the most populous 
 of them all. There are also on the north side of the lake, 
 three Iroquois villages, viz. : Tejajagon, Kente and Ganne- 
 ousse, which is not distant from Frontenac above nine leagues. 
 
 Lib. II, page 104, he further says : Tiie Onontagues or Iro- 
 quois lligliianders, are more subtle and crafty than the rest. 
 They deliberate maturely upon everything, and endeavor to 
 understand merchandize before they trade for it. They steal 
 very cleverly. 
 
 Charlevoix in his letters to the Duohess De Lesdiguieres, 
 speaking of the Iroquois, country of Onondaga, says :* All 
 the coast along this country, is variegated with garden grounds 
 and highlands, something sandy, and covered with very fine 
 trees, especially oak, which appear as if they had been planted 
 by the hand. 
 
 A Jesuit Father, P. C. Rageneau, in his Relation, 1657-8, 
 in describing the country of the Onondagas, remarks : The 
 country of the Iroquois, which they occupied before their con- 
 quest, is situated between the fortieth and fiftieth degrees of 
 north latitude. However, ve are ignorant of the extent of 
 their ancient dominion, Avhich has been gieatly extended on all 
 sides, by their military valor. 
 
 Our demesne (Onondaga) is between the forty-second and 
 forty-third degices of north latitude, ou the shores of the small 
 Lake Genentaha, and would be one of the most splendid lo- 
 cations in the world, not even yielding to the rising grounds 
 
 * " Toute la Cote dans cet espace est variee de Marais et de Torres haiites ua 
 peu siibionneuses couvertes de tre-jcau arbres et surtout de chunes qui seniblanl 
 avoir etc plaiUus a la niaiii.'' 
 
EARLY HISTORY. 
 
 249 
 
 of the River Loire, were its inhabitants as polished and affable. 
 
 In another place he says, the word which signifies a moun- 
 tain in the Iroquois language, has given name to the village 
 called Onontac, or as others call it, Onontaguo, because it is 
 upon a mountain. The people who inhabit it arc consequently 
 called Onontav.;ronnons or Ouontagucoronnons. 
 
 Charlevoix, Book I, page 270-1, says : Seven or eight 
 leagues Avest of Oneida, between two l)eautiful prairies, is sit- 
 uated the canton of Onondaga, contiguous to a beautiful lake, 
 called Genentaha, about which there are many salt foulitains, 
 the shores ot v.hich are always covered with very fine salt. 
 Two leagues further off, drawing towards the Canton of Cayu- 
 ffa, we find a fountain, the Avatcr of whicli is white as milk, 
 having a very strong odor ; which, being put upon the fire, 
 becomes a kind of salt, as acrid as lunar caustic. All this 
 country is charming and well adapted to all kinds of tillage. 
 
 Francis Creuxieus, a Jesuit, who wrote a large quarto vol- 
 ume in Latin, which was published in Paris, 1074, entitled 
 a History of Canada and New France, in ten books, to the 
 vcar 1(J;jG. After describing his par-sage along the shores of 
 the Cadnraqui, (Ontario) he says : Lib. X. page 7-30, (literally 
 translated) therefore, four days afterwards, with a great com- 
 pany, wc were conducted to the place fixed upon for the set- 
 tlement and abode of the French, four miles distant from 
 where we had first ;.et ouv foot. It is scarcely possible to find 
 anything naturally more perfect. And if it was aided by art 
 as in France and other parts of Europe, it would not suffer in 
 a comparison with Baiix;.* A grove of beautiful cedars near 
 the hank of the Lake Genentaha, surrounds on every side an 
 extensive meadow,, whither tlie four principal nations of the 
 Iroquois were able easily to asseml)le in their canoes, as it 
 \vere at a centre, and from which in turn there \*as the most 
 easy access to each of the nations, through the rivers and lakes. 
 
 * Bairp, a town oi' raini);uiii;i, notoii by Cicero for its fertility and v, arm baths, 
 and as a favorite resort for the Romans, the gardens of which were irrigated witJi 
 :ts tepid waters. 
 
 32 
 
 1 , 
 
 ♦■''"^^", 
 
260 
 
 ONONDAGA. 
 
 
 i II 
 
 i M 
 
 The supplyofvenison compares with the abundance of fish, and 
 that nothing may be wanting, tortoises collect there at the 
 opening of spring, in such great numbers, that they may be 
 taken with a net. Indeed, so great is the supply of fish, that 
 there are said to be fishermen who in the space of a single 
 night, take a thousand eels with a single hook. Two foun- 
 tains intersect the meadoAV about one hundred yards from 
 each other. The salt water of the one, furnishes an abun- 
 dant supply of the best of salt, and the clear pure water of 
 the other, is excellent for drinking, and what is truly wonder- 
 ful, each bubbles up from the same hill. 
 
 While the French admire these things, the Iroquois present 
 a mournful spectacle, which affects us with great grief. 
 
 Wentworth Greenhalgh in 1677 made a journey among the 
 Five Nations, and visited their several villages. His journal 
 is preserved among tlie Brodhead papers and is entitled "Ob- 
 servations of Wentworth Greenhalgh, in a journey from 
 Albany to y'e Indians westward. Begun May 20th, 1677 and 
 ended July y'e 14th following." He thus remarks upon his 
 visit to the country of the Onondagas. 
 
 " The Onondagoes have butt one towne, butt itt is very 
 large ; consisting of about one hundred and forty houses, not 
 fcnoud, is situate upon a hill thatt is very large, the banke on 
 each side, extending itself att least two miles, all cleared 
 land, whereon the corne is planted. They haVe likewise a 
 small village about two miles beyond thatt; consisting of about 
 •24 houses. They ly to the southward of y'e Avest, about 36 
 miles from tlio Onyadas. They plant aboundance of corne, 
 which they sell to the Onyadas. The Onondagoes are said 
 to be about 350 fighting men. They ly about 15 milcf. from 
 Tshii'oqui."* 
 
 At the time the French commenced the settlement of Canada. 
 in 1603, they found the Iroquois at war with the Adirondacks, 
 
 * Tshiroqui is mentioned in a preceding part of the paper, as Lake Teshiroque 
 uear the village of the Onyadas, and is evidently Oneida Lake, at the outlet ol 
 *-hich was an Indian village of considerable extent. 
 
EARLY HISTORY, 
 
 261 
 
 then the most powerful nation in North America. The Adi- 
 rondacks had always a contemptible opinion of the Iroquois, 
 who then had settlements in the vicinity of Montreal. The 
 Iroquois were driven from their homes, and took shelter on 
 the banks of the great lakes, where they have since inhabited. 
 As they had been losers in the war, it obliged them to apply 
 themselves more vigorously to the use of arms, in which they 
 daily became more expert. They conquered the Satanas, and 
 adopted the remnant of them. They soon carried the war in- 
 to the heart of the Adirondacks country, and forced them to 
 leave it, when they settled near where Quebec is now built. 
 Soon after these changes, the French arrived in Canada, and 
 settled at Quebec, and at once thought it advisable to gain 
 the confidence and friendship of the Adirondacks, in whose 
 country they had settled. Mons. Charaplain, the first Gov- 
 ernor of Canada, joined the Adirondacks in an expedition 
 against the Five Nations. They met a party of two hundred 
 men of tlie Iroquois, in Corlear's Lake, afterwards called Cham- 
 plain, and both sides went on shore to prepare for battle. 
 The French kept themselves undiscovered till the battle was 
 joined, when they interfered in favor of their friends : and bv 
 the discharge of their fire-arms, surprised the Iroquois, who 
 were soon put to confusion, having never before seen such 
 weapons. This affair it is supposed occurred in 1009. 
 
 There is a traditionary account of the wintering of Monsieur 
 Champlain in the country of the Onondagas, based upon the 
 conversations of an old Frenchman, fifty years ago, with Mr. 
 Thomas Wheeler, of Salina. By this it would seem that 
 Champlain, with a party of French and Algonkins, made an 
 attack upon an Iroquois fort, late in autumn, and that the 
 hunting and fishing was so favorable that the party resolved 
 upon spending the winter, and did so, and it was said they 
 did so on the shore of the Onondaga Lake. 
 
 In confirmation of this tradition, Mr. 0. II. Marshall, in a 
 communication to the N. Y. Historical Society, gives the fol- 
 lowing, which goes in part to establish the tradition, and which 
 proves conclusively that Monsieur Champlain did visit the 
 
 
 ^^^■; 
 
252 
 
 ONONDAGA. 
 
 V" -ill 1 
 
 Onondagas as early as 1615 : " In the summer of that year, 
 accompanied by an interpreter, one French companion, and 
 ten savages, Champlain embarked from Quebec in two ca- 
 noes, ascended the Ottawa River, visited the Algonkins and 
 Hurons living near its sources. He had been preceded a few 
 days by ten Frenchmen, well armed, and by a Franciscan Fa- 
 ther, Joseph Le Caron, who had gone to found a mission in the 
 Huron country at that early day. Soon after his arrival 
 among those tribes, Champlain was induced to join them in a 
 warlike incursion against the Iroquoia,dwelling south of Lake 
 Ontario. 
 
 The expedition left in September, 1615, accompanied by 
 Champlain and the armed detachment of the French. 
 
 The details which he gives are so meagre that their route 
 cannot easily be traced. 
 
 After discovering the lake which perpetuates his memory, 
 and Lake Huron, our bold adventurer and his companions 
 were the first white men who sailed on the Avaters of Ontario. 
 
 The river avo descended, says he, entering into the great 
 lake of the Untouhonoroiis, (Lake Ontario.) Proceeding east- 
 ward, we crossed the eastern end of the lake, from which flows 
 the River St. Lawience, we passed large and beautiful islands 
 on the way." 
 
 It is supposed the party traversed by a circuitous route the 
 wilderness, from tlie southern shore of Lake Ontario to On- 
 ondaga, crossing the Oneida River at tlie fishing place, now 
 Fort Rrewerton. After crossing this river, they mot a party 
 of Iroquois going to the fishing, about four leagues from the 
 fort, of which they were in search It must, therefore, be 
 concluded that the fort was southerly from this place about 
 four leagues. 
 
 The following is Monsieur Champlain's own account as 
 translated by Mr. Marshall, of Bufi'alo. (See proceedings of 
 N. Y. H. S., March, 1840.) 
 
 After describing their passage across the eastern end of 
 Lake Ontario, the substance of which has already been given, 
 the narrative proceeds as follows : — 
 
 "After 
 wards the 
 of the lak 
 woods nea 
 over a sai 
 pleasant C( 
 which emf 
 ries, and s 
 and vines, 
 agreeable 
 
 All the 
 is eighty L 
 by land tw 
 crossed a i 
 which emp 
 
 This lak 
 thirty leag 
 Iroquois cr 
 
 On the 1 
 met and Cii 
 tlieir fisher 
 tives consii 
 girl. 
 
 The savf 
 by cutting 
 buked the ( 
 to desist fn 
 
 On V'.e 1 
 fort of the 
 ilians, whic' 
 until the nc 
 the desire t 
 un the ener 
 eJ with my 
 never befor 
 
 * Oneida Ls 
 
EARLY HISTORY. 
 
 268 
 
 "After going fourteen leagues in a southerly direction, to- 
 wards the territories of the enemy, we reached the other side 
 of the lake, and the Indians concealed all their canoes in the 
 woods near its bank. We traveled by land about four leagues, 
 over a sandy plain, where I remarked a very beautiful and 
 pleasant country, watered by many creeks and two small rivers, 
 which emptied into the lake. Besides these were many prai- 
 ries, and smaller lakes, abounding in game. Beautiful forests 
 and vines, and groves of chestnut trees, bearing a small but 
 agreeable fruit, were also noticed. 
 
 All the canoes being thus concealed, wo left the lake, which 
 is eighty leagues long and twenty-five broad, and proceeded 
 by land twenty-five or thirty leagues. During four days we 
 crossed a number of streams, and a river issuing from a lake,* 
 which empties into the lake of the Entouhonorons. 
 
 This lake, in which arc beautiful islands, is twenty-five or 
 thirty leagues in circumference, and is the place where the 
 Iroquois catch their fish, of which there is great abundance. 
 
 On the 9th of October, as our Indians were scouting, they 
 met and captured eleven Iroquois who were on their way to 
 tlieir fishery, distant four leagues from their fort. The cap- 
 tives consisted of three men, four women, three boys, and a 
 girl. 
 
 The savages commenced the usual torture of the prisoners 
 by cutting off a finger of one of the women. Champlain re- 
 buked the chief who was guilty of the act, and induced him 
 to desist from further cruelty. 
 
 ^ On t'v 10th of October, at 3 P. M„ we arrived before the 
 fort of the enemy. Some skirmishing ensued among the In- 
 dians, which frustrated our design of not discovering ourselves 
 imtil the next morning. The impatience of our savages, and 
 the desire they had of witnessing the effects of our fire-arms 
 on the enemy, did not suffer them to wait. When I approach- 
 ed with my little detachment, we showed them what they had 
 never before seen or heard. As soon as they saw us, and 
 
 ♦Oneida Lake and its outlet. 
 
 
 :^f^;r.mmfi^ 
 
 ■ati:mi* 
 
254 
 
 ONONDAGA. 
 
 El ' ' ii^ 
 
 heard the balls whistling about their ears, they retired quietly 
 into the fort, carrying with them their killed and wounded. 
 We also fell back upon the main body, having five or six 
 wounded, one of whom died. 
 
 The Indians now retired out of sight of the fort, and re- 
 fused to listen to the advice of Charaplain as to the best mode 
 of conducting the siege, lie continued to aid them with his 
 men, and in imitation of the more ancient mode of warfare, 
 planned a kind of moveable tower, sufficiently high, when ad- 
 vanced to the fort, to overlook the palisades. It was con- 
 structed of pieces of wood placed one upon another, and was 
 finished in one night. 
 
 The village, says Champlain, was enclosed by four rows 
 of large interlaced palisades, thirty feet high, near a body of 
 unfailing water. Along these palisades the Iroquois had 
 placed conductors to convey water to the outside, to extinguish 
 fire. Galleries were constructed inside of the palisades, pro- 
 tected by a ball-proof parapet of wood, garnished with double 
 
 pieces of wood. 
 
 When the tower was finished, two hundred of the strongest 
 men advanced it near to the palisades. I stationed four marks- 
 men on its top, who were well protected from the stones and 
 arrows which were discharged by the enemy. 
 
 The French soon drove the Iroquois from the galleries, but 
 the undisciplined Ilurons, instead of setting fire to the pali- 
 sades, as directed by Champlain, consumed the time in shout- 
 ing at the enemy, and discharging harmless showers of arrows 
 into the fort. Without discipline, and impatient of restraint, 
 each one acted as his fancy pleased him. They placed the 
 fire on the wrong side of the fort, so that it had no effect. 
 
 When the fire had gone out, they began to pile wood against 
 the palisades, but in such small quantities that it made no im- 
 pression. The confusion was so great that nothing could be 
 heard. I called out to them, and pointed out, as well as I 
 coold, the danger they incurred by their imprudent manage- 
 ment, but they heard nothing by reason of the great noise 
 wL.h they made. Perceiving that I should break my head 
 
EARLY HISTORY. 
 
 265 
 
 in calling, that my remonstrances were in vain, and that there 
 vrere no means of remedying the disorder, I resolved to effect, 
 with my own people, what could be done, and to fire upon 
 those we could discover. 
 
 In the meantime, the enemy profited by our disorder. They 
 brought and threw water in such abundance, that it poured in 
 streams from the conductors, and extinguished the fire in a 
 very short time. They continued, without cessation, to dis- 
 charge flights of arrows, Avhich fell on us like hail. Those 
 who were on the tower, killed and wounded a great number. 
 
 The battle lasted about three hours. Two of our chiefs, 
 some headmen, and about fifteen others were wounded. 
 
 The uns(i(!cessful issue of the assault, induced the besiegers 
 to think of retiring until they should be joined by a reenforce- 
 ment of 500 men that was daily expected. Champlain was 
 twice severely wounded with arrows, the first time in his leg, 
 and the second in his knee. 
 
 Tliey remained before the Onondaga fort until the 16th day 
 of October, when, in opposition to the remonstrances of Cham- 
 plain, and their chiefs, they raised the siege, and began their 
 homeward march. Champlain being unable to walk, wa« 
 placed in a basket of wickerwork, and so doubled up and fas- 
 tened with cords, that he was unable to move. Thus bound 
 and confined, ho was carried by the Indians on their backs for 
 several days. The Iroquois pursued them for half a league, 
 in hopes of cutting off some stragglers, but their arrangements 
 for the retreat were such that they suffered no loss. The 
 wounded were placed in the centre, and tlic front, rear, and 
 wings were protected by chosen warriors. 
 
 When they arrived on the borders of Lake Ontario, they 
 were rejoiced to find their canoes had not been discovered and 
 broken up by the enemy, 
 
 Champlain was now desirous of returning to Quebec by way 
 of the St. Lawrence, a route yet untraversed by the white 
 man, but the Indians refused him a canoe and guides. He 
 was thus compelled to accompany them home, and pass a long 
 and dreary winter in the Huron country. 
 
 ' ih I 
 
 ml 
 
256 
 
 ONONDAGA. 
 
 fie did not reach Quebec until the following June, where 
 he was received aa one risen from the grave, — the Indians 
 having reported his death a long time previous." 
 
 It is thus satisfactorily shown, that this Iroquois fort was 
 on the shore of Onondaga Lake ; and, it is highly probable, 
 that it was on the grouiMl subsequently occupied by Sieur Du- 
 puis in 1GG5, and also by Count Frontenac, in his expedition 
 against the Onondagas, 1696, and by Col. Van Schaick, in 
 1779. The locality was always described by the Fathers, 
 as being destitute of trees, and as a place of surpassing beauty. 
 
 The Iro({uois were delighted with the stratagems of war, 
 and no superiority of force ever made them neglect them. 
 They amused the French and their allies, the Ilurons, by 
 sending to the French and desiring peace. The French de- 
 sired them to receive Jesuit Priests among them, in hopes these 
 prudent Fathers would, by some art, reconcile them to their 
 Interest, and engage their affections. The Five Nations 
 readily accepted the offer, and some Priests went along with 
 them. But after they had these in their power, they used 
 them only as hostages, and thereby obliged the French to stand 
 neuter, while they prepared to attack the Adirondacks and 
 Hurons, Avhom they defeated in a dreadful battle within two 
 leagues of Quebec. This defeat, in sight of the French set- 
 tlements, struck terror into all their allies, who were at that 
 time very numerous, because their trade with the French fur- 
 nished thorn with many of the most useful articles ; for, be- 
 fore this time, the Indians had no iron tool among them. The 
 neighboring tribes, the Utawawas, the Nipecerins and the rem- 
 nant of Ilurons, left their territory, and fled for safety to the 
 remote wilds of the south west, beyond what was thought to 
 be the reach of the Five Nations. 
 
 The successes of the Iroquois had so emboldened them. 
 that th^y gave out, that the following winter they should pay 
 a visit to the Governor of Canada, Under this pretence, they 
 fathered over a thousand men, and set out. But meeting on 
 the way the famous Pi.skaret, a chief of the x\dirondacks, 
 they professed only a visit of fiicnd.shlp, and obtained from 
 
EARLY HISTORY. 
 
 267 
 
 him the information that the Adirondacks were divided into 
 separate parties, engaged in hunting. After learning the lo- 
 cation of these parties, and by their address, securing all tho 
 information necessary to their success, they murdered the un- 
 suspecting warrior, who had for a long time been a terror and 
 a scourge to the braves of the Five Nations. Thus, at the 
 hands of professed friends, perished one of the bravest chiefs 
 of Indian history. The Five Nations also divided into two 
 parties, and fell upon the unsuspecting Adirondacks, sur- 
 prised them, and completely cut them in pieces. This proud 
 and high spii'ited nation, were now completely conquered and 
 nearly annihilated, by a people they at first contemned. Thus 
 norished tho most numerous, haughty, polite and warlike na- 
 
 tion. 
 
 then in North America. 
 
 The Five Nations afterwards discovered the retreat of the 
 Ilurons and UtawaAvas, and not having fully glutted their ven- 
 ireance, soon satisfied their enemies, that no distance could 
 hinder their ap})roach, or time set limits to their master pas- 
 m\\. These })eople being apprized of their approach, silently 
 left this home for another, among the PottaAvatomies. The 
 Five Nations pursued, and finally entered into an agreement 
 for peace. This is said to be the first time (1G50) the Five 
 Nations had visited these Avestern tribes, Avho were so much 
 overaAved by the presence of these victorious warriors, that 
 many of them left for places of security, further Avestward, 
 leaving these indomitable braves in quiet jjossession of their 
 territory. 
 
 A ncAV accession Avas made to the French forces, by the ar- 
 rival of Mens. De Traci, in June, IGt)"), Avith four companies 
 of foot soldiers ; and in September of the same year, Mens. 
 Coursel brought Avitli him a regiment of soldiers and several 
 families, Avith conveniences for the permanent establishment 
 of the colony. Their forces being now considerably aug- 
 mented, the French Governor feeling his superiority, resolved 
 to chastize the insolence of the Five Nations ; and for this 
 purpose, the folloAving Avinter sent a strong party against the 
 Mohawks, which expedition proved highly disastrous, and 
 
 33 
 
 •i b If I 
 
 . , J 
 
258 
 
 ONONDAGA 
 
 K*.. 
 
 •would have proved cntiroly ho, but for the hospitality of the 
 Dutch, who kindly rurnishod them provisiona in thoir great 
 diHtrosH. 
 
 The followini^ year, WM, th(( whole disposahh- forco of 
 Canada was eonwutrated with a view of inakitij; a descent in- 
 to the Mohawk (!ouutry, and if possible to annihilate them. 
 Tboir march was ;i hold one, considering the iinmense dreary 
 forests through wliich tlicv were conipelled to traverse, Sdinc 
 ei"ht hnndrcd or a thousand miles. On the approach of this 
 warlike host, the Mohawks retireij to the forests, with their 
 women andchihiren, leavinj^ the French the in;zlorious triumph 
 ofhurninj; their hamlets and mnrderinj); sonuMd" their ageii 
 warriors, who prcl'errcd to die rather than desert their lamies. 
 The ill success of this expedition, h'ssened in a f!;reat do- 
 cree, the i)ride and vanity of tlie l-'rench, who had felt suro 
 of an casv conquest of the eomitrv. lint the fati<^ue and loss 
 consequent upon so tedious an expedition, without an oppor- 
 tunity of giviuL!; Iiiittle, made th.in desirous of ])eace, which 
 was finally brou'jht about llu" following yeiir, l(l<!7. 
 
 Deposition of William Teller before Lord Belomont, says, 
 that "about the year KUKi, the French of Canada earaowitli 
 a larire nartv into the country of the Maipms, and set up 
 there the arms .-i" h'rance, in brass plates, before their castles, 
 but were driven hack by a party of Maquas, and would have 
 perished or bcon il'stroyed but for the humanity of the Dutch, 
 who were settled at Schenectady."* 
 
 In consequen;.'e of the discomfiture of tlie French, the Five 
 Nations assum -d an air of importance not easily stilled. A 
 party of their hiritevs, some time after, f,,ilin>; in with a party 
 of French, maU' ba'ale upon them, slew several, ami carridl 
 one home a pvi-ouer to their own country. Monsieur Do 
 Coursel threat em 'd the Five Nations with imni'diate war, in 
 case they would not yield up the jjartieipators in this act ot 
 hostile treache.-y. And the F'ivo Nations, to show their rea- 
 diness to yield satisfaction, sent Agariata, the captain of the 
 
 London Docunieiits, vol. 11. p. I.m. 
 
KARI.V HISTORY. 
 
 269 
 
 company that connnittcd the ajrf^roHsion, with sonic forty oth- 
 ers, to ht'g pardon. But Monsieur ('oursel instantly hanged 
 .\;^ariata na an example, hul'orc the faees of hi.s country- 
 inon, wlio returned panie-stricken by this severity of the 
 French. The fieace however was maintained for several years 
 without itiiVaetion. 
 
 In 1(17-, the subtle Count Frontenac, who was now Gover- 
 nor of (Janada, jxTsuiided the ehiefs of the Five Nations to 
 ;ilI()W iiini to build several forts within their territory under 
 pretence of stores for tiicrehandize, and the scc^urity of Ills 
 traileis. The En<:;lish an. Dutch, on the contrary, prosecuted 
 tlicir uicasures only by th(.' arts of peace. 
 
 In 1<!77, a census was taken of the Irofjuois, by Ool. Cour- 
 soy, an agent of Virginia, which states their warriors to num- 
 ber : 
 
 Of the Ma(iua3, .^00 Oneidas, 200 
 
 Onoiulagas, '550 Cayugas, 800 
 
 SenecuH, 
 
 1000 
 
 Total 
 
 warriors. 
 
 2,150 
 
 During the revolutionary war, the British had in their ser- 
 vice according to the calculation of a British agent : 
 Mohawks, 800 Oneidas, 150 
 
 Tuseai'oras, 200 ()non<lagas, 800 
 
 Cayugas, 280 Kenecas, 400 
 
 Add those who adhered to the United States, 220 
 
 Total warriors, 1800 
 
 In 1788, Jlev. Samuel Kirkland estimated the warriors at 
 1900, and the Aviiolo p(.pulation at 6330. 
 
 Schoolcraft, in 1845, makes the whole population residing 
 within the State, 3733 ; add 2000 in Canada, makes 5733 for 
 the whole. 
 
 The wars between the English and T)utch, and those between 
 the Five Natioiio and river Indians, had considerably hinder- 
 ed the trade already favoral)ly begun. 
 
 These dilliculties, however, were speedily overcome, and 
 peace at length restored in all quarters, which left the Eng- 
 lish and French at full liberty to prosecute commerce in its 
 greatest latitude, and both did so with great advantage to the 
 
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260 
 
 ONONDAGA. 
 
 respective colonies. But from what can be gatliered, the 
 French were by far tlie most enterprising and persevonn<^ ; 
 often pushing their emissaries far beyond where the whites 
 had ever been, they every v.here spread the fame and splen- 
 dor of the " Grand 3Ionarque." It must be acknowlodccd 
 that for a long period, the French had a decided snperioritv 
 over the English in the Indian trade, who in their Indian af- 
 fairs, always entrusted the chief management to the special 
 care of the Governor and principal oificcrs of the jirovince 
 whereas the English left it almost entirely to their tnulers, 
 who Avere mostly personally interested, and men who had lit- 
 tle knowledge of public affairs. The French, with the greal- 
 CBt perseverance, pushed their traders, and built forts for their 
 protection far in the interior. The only opposition they met 
 with was from the Five Nations, who continually allowed the 
 English traders to come among them. The local advanta-'es 
 which the English possessed over the French, caused the lat- 
 ter much alarm, for thej'' plainly foresaw that the Enirlisli 
 would not only bo dangerous rivals, but would be able to un- 
 dersell them with their goods, thus their trade would become 
 ruined, their labor lost, and the interest destroyed, which had 
 been gained at great expense. The Iro-juois carried on war 
 with many of the nations, wlio yielded a profitable trade to 
 the French, and frequently intercepted supplies of goods and 
 ammunition and converted them to their own use. This in a 
 measure weakened the French power and influence, for they 
 saw clearly thr.t they were not able to protect their allies from 
 injury or insult. 
 
 The Senecas always had a peculiar aversion to the French, 
 and could scarcely ever be induced to receive any priests 
 among them. They were consequently more firmly attaciied 
 to the English, who constantly supplied them with powder, 
 arms, &c. The (xovernor, Do la Barre, for these reasons, 
 made complaint to the English Governor, Dongan, (a profess- 
 ed papist,) of New York, 1084, stating the injuries the Sene- 
 cas had done the French. To which the principal Seneca 
 sachem returned a spirited reply, vindicating the conduct of 
 
EARLY HISTORY. 
 
 2C1 
 
 his nation. Monsieur Do la Barre, at this time, Lad gathered 
 the disposable force of Canada, at Cadaraqui. His design 
 was to throw a French army into Onondaga, and thus fright- 
 en the Five Nations into terms of his own proposing. This 
 avmy consisted of nearly two thousand men, including Indian 
 allies, which for that time was a formidable force. While 
 stationed at this place, in the heat of August, his a^my suf- 
 fered so much from sickness, fatigue and hunger, that he was 
 completely unable to accomplish any thing, except by treaty. 
 Accordingly, Monsieur Ue la Barre passed across the lake 
 with as many men as were able to travel, and arrived at the 
 Kaihohage River. The Indians, especially the Mohawks and 
 Senccas, had little inclination to treat, while the Onondagas, 
 Oneidas and Cayugas, over whom the resident Jesuits held 
 considerable influence, were more favorably inclined. Al- 
 though strict alliance and friendsliip existed between the two 
 crowns, still tlie English, seeing it much to their advantage, 
 advised the Five .Nations not to be influenced by the French. 
 It Avas at this coancil, held at Kaihohage, that De la Barre, 
 on the part of the French, and the famous Garangula, on the 
 part of the Five Nations, carried on one of those remarkable 
 debates which sometimes so effectually brings out the charac- 
 ter of the diplomatists of sovereign nations. The firmness of 
 Garangula very much frustrated the plans of the French, who 
 had calculated upon the easy control of affairs, and of manag- 
 ing things entirely in their own way. 
 
 On the 2d of August, 1684, the Onondaga and Cayuga sa- 
 chems made proposals to the Governor of New York asking 
 permission to be taken under the protection of the King, stat- 
 ing that they were willing to grant to him their lands ^'on the 
 Susquehanna River to prevent the colonists of Pennsylvania 
 from settling on them, and to protect themselves against the 
 French.* 
 
 The following is the speech of the Onondaga chief Dekan- 
 issora, on the occasion :f 
 
 m 
 
 M i' 
 
 Hi 
 
 * London Documents, vol. 4, ]\ 1S2. 
 
 t Ibid vol. 5, p. 107. 
 
 f'i 
 
262 
 
 ONONDAGA. 
 
 "Brother Corlear — Your sachem is great and we but a 
 small people. When the English came to Manhattas, that is 
 New York, Aragiske, which is now called Virginia, and Ja- 
 quokrandgare, called Maryland, they were but a small people 
 and we a great people, and finding they were a good people, 
 we gave them land and treated them civilly ; and now since 
 you arc a great people and we but a small, you will protect 
 us from the French, which if you do not, we shall lose all our 
 hunting and beavers, and the French will have them, and be 
 angry with us for bringing them to you. 
 
 Brethren — We have puL all our land and ourselves under 
 the protection of the great Duke of York, the brother of your 
 great sachem. We have given the Susquehanna River, which 
 we won with the sword for this government, and desire that 
 it may be a branch of that great tree that grows here, whose 
 top reaches to the sun, under whose branches Ave shall shelter 
 ourselves from the French or any other people, and our fire 
 burn in your houses, rnd your fire burn Avith us, and we de- 
 sire that it always may be so, and will not that any of your 
 Penn's people shall settle on the Susquehanna River, for our 
 young folks and soldiers are like wolves in the wood, as your 
 sachems of Virginia know, we having no other lands to leave 
 to our wives and children. 
 
 We have put ourselves under the protection of the great 
 sachem, Charles, that lives over the great lake, and we give 
 you two white dressed deer skins, to be sent to the great sa- 
 chem, Charles, that ho may write upon them, and put a great 
 red seal upon them. That we do put the Susquehanna River 
 above the Washiata or falls, and all the rest of our land, un- 
 der the great Duke of York, and no one else. Our brethren, 
 his servants, were as fathers to our wives and children, and 
 did give us bread Avhen Ave Avere in need of it, and we Avill 
 neither join ourselves or our lands to any other government 
 than his, and Ave desire that Corlear, the Governor, may send 
 over to your great sachem, Charles, that dwells over the great 
 lake, with this belt of Avampum-peag, and another smaller belt 
 for the Duke of York, his brother, and we give a beaver 
 
 to 
 
 Corlear to se; 
 of Virginia, ( 
 ginia,) we let 
 in Corlear's 1 
 (juehanna Rii 
 under his goA 
 of what Ave n 
 your friend tl 
 are a free pe( 
 and do give ^ 
 The Marq 
 government ( 
 from France, 
 cover the fad 
 continued thi 
 themselves ui 
 encouraged i 
 who bought 
 French. In 
 arranged ano 
 they repaired 
 visions. The 
 Montreal, cor 
 dians. Order 
 as possible at 
 agara in ord( 
 force of Fren 
 Five Nations 
 used every e 
 They sent to 
 plied by the ] 
 and destroye( 
 ated near the 
 ments, who a 
 fidy. It was 
 between the I 
 pedition, det( 
 
EARLY HISTORY. 
 
 263 
 
 Corlear to send over this proposition ; and your great man 
 of Virginia, (meaning the Lord Effingham, Governor of Vir- 
 ginia,) we let you know that great Penn did speak to us here 
 in Corlear's house, by his agents, and desired to buy the Sus- 
 quehanna River ; but we would not hear!:en to him, nor come 
 under his government, and therefore desire you to be witness 
 of what we now do, and that we have already done, and tell 
 your friend that lives over the great lake, we know that we 
 are a free people, uniting ourselves to what sachem we please, 
 and do give you one beaver skin to establish it." 
 
 The Marquis De Nonville succeeded De la Barre in the 
 government of Canada, in 1685 ; having brought with him 
 from France, a considerable reenforcement, he resolved to re- 
 cover the fading honor of his nation. The Five Nations still 
 continued the war with many of the tribes who had placed 
 themselves under the protection of the French. They were 
 encouraged in these predatory excursions, by the English, 
 who bought their furs, the other nations selling theirs to the 
 French, In order to divert the Five Nations, the French 
 arranged another expedition in May, 1687. For this purpose 
 they repaired the fort at Cadaraqui, and supplied it with pro- 
 visions. The whole disposable force of Canada was gathered at 
 Montreal, consisting of fifteen hundred men f .ad five hundred In- 
 dians. Orders were then sent to Mackinaw, to assemble as many 
 as possible at that post, when the whole were to move on to Ni- 
 agara in order to make an attack upon the Senecas. A large 
 force of French and Indians were here congregated, and the 
 Five Nations being informed of these mighty preparations, 
 used every exertion to give the enemy a warm reception. 
 They sent to Albany for ammunition, and were liberally sup- 
 plied by the English. In the mean time, the French attacked 
 and destroyed two small settlements of the Five Nations, situ- 
 ated near the Cadaraqui Fort, destroying their prisoners by tor- 
 ments, who all the while upbraided the French for their per- 
 fidy. It was on account of the strong attachment existing 
 between the Senecas and English, that the French by this ex- 
 pedition, determined to chastize them. The party from the 
 
 M 
 
 Hi' 
 
264 
 
 ONOiNDAGA. 
 
 west met M. De Nonville's party at lerundequat. Here the 
 French erected a fort, where four hun(h-ed men Avere left to 
 guard the baggage and canoes. The sole object of the expedi- 
 tion, was to stoj) the English trade. The French proceeded to 
 search out the villages of the Senecas, and coming near their 
 principal settlement, about seven leagues from leruii(lc((u;it, 
 found it entirely deserted. Whereupon they concluded to try 
 and overtake the women and children, and make them prison- 
 ers, thinking thereby to accoinplish their object by treaty. 
 
 During their march to the Seneca towns, they had passed 
 a body of Senecas, who lay in ambush near where the French 
 had passed. The French finding no traces of them, for a 
 while concluded all had fled beyond their reach ; but suddenlv, 
 while on their march, they were attacked by a large body of 
 Scnecas, who loudly raised the war cry, and discharged their 
 firearms with deadly effect upon the French, who were thrown 
 into complete disorder ; and, had it not been for the friendly 
 Indians, they would probably have been irrecoverably I'outed. 
 Then- loss as it Avas, amounted to over one hundred slain. The 
 Senecas lost about eighty. The French commander, De Non- 
 vdle, was very much disappointed in this unexpected turn in 
 affiiirs, and his men ineeting so bold a reception, could hardly 
 be persuaded to 'renew the attack. Having taken time to 
 rest, M. De Nonville concluded to mai'ch on and burn the 
 Senecas' village; but on their arrival, they found it in ashes, 
 and not an enemy to be seen, except two aged warriors, who. 
 like devoted martyrs to their country's glory, died heroically 
 under the most excruciating torments inflicted by the French. 
 They also destroyed a few hamlets that fell in their uay, 
 and much corn in the fields. After these exploits, they re- 
 turned to the banks of the lake, where the little garrison had 
 been left, and proceeded to Niagara. Before the French left 
 for home, they erected a strong fort at Niagara, and left a 
 garrison of one hundred men, and eight months provisions. 
 Upon the breaking up of this armament, the western Indians 
 returned thanks to the French General, for establishing so 
 strong a fort for their protection against the Five Nations, 
 
EARLY HISTORV. 
 
 265 
 
 and both mutually pledged themselves not to make peace with 
 them. Tiio garrison of which wo have just spoken, was soon 
 so closely besieged by the warriors of the Five Nations, that 
 they all perished of hunger, except seven or eight, who es- 
 caped through the interference of some of the western Indians. 
 The French gained notliing but shame and disap.pointment 
 through the whole of this affair ; and to make a show, and to 
 keep up appearances, sent thirteen of the Iro(juois whom they 
 liiid formerly surprisf.'d at Cadara(iin, to France, as trophies 
 of their victories, and to the everlasting disgrace of the French, 
 thoy were placed in the galleys as rebels against a Christian 
 king. From this bold irruption of the French into the strong- 
 est hold within their borders, the Five Nations had just 
 cause of alarm, and the Onondagas made the following pro- 
 position to the-'' ancient ally, the Mayor of Albany : 
 
 Dokanissora speaker — We have heard that the French are 
 going to make war upon us. We have been to Cadaraqui 
 ,in(l taken some prisoners. We have not seen the Maquas. 
 We desire of His Excellency to send for our fort at Onondaga, 
 
 SIX great guns. 
 
 The Governo'- of Ca(hu'aqui desired us to come to him this 
 spring, but wo did not go. 
 
 V>'e desire to deliver the French prisoners to your Excel- 
 lency. 
 
 The F'rench have a fort at Onyngara, (Niagara.) 
 
 The Cayougas and Sinnekes begin to groAv faint-hearted be- 
 cause the F'rench are strong. 
 
 His Excellency spoke of making a fort, which was pro- 
 posed to be made at Kajonhare, but we are of opinion, that 
 it would be better to be at Sowego, (Oswego) a place a day's 
 journey from Onondaga. We renew the covenant chain and 
 give a belt of wampum ten deep. 
 
 Answer — by Peter Schuyler, Mayor, and Aldermen, who 
 commends them not to go to Canada, oi to hearken to the 
 visit of the French Governor ; for if you do, says he, you 
 will suffer as have the Senecas. He recommends them to be 
 firm and united, and they will be protected by the English. 
 
 34 
 
 K' 
 
206 
 
 ONONDAGA. 
 
 He advises tliem to winter at Catskill, Rooloffe, Johuson'a 
 Kill, and other eonvoniont places. 
 
 Let none stay at the castles but such as are fit for war. 
 The women and children should he protected. 
 
 The Mayor recommends the Five Nations to send one hun- 
 dred men from the Senecas, fifty from the Cayugas, sixty 
 from the Unondagas, fifty from the Oneidas, ami forty from 
 the Maquas, to be at Schenectady this winter, (17H7-8) to 
 join the militia, for it is expected the French will come by 
 way of Corlear's Lake. This message was acceptable to the 
 chiefs, Avho send with joy to acquaint the brethren. 
 
 Hth February, 1087-8. Col. Dongan, Governor of New 
 York, declares to the chiefs of the Five Nations, that the 
 French shall deliver up all prisoners and goods taken from 
 tne Indians, and that he will protect them against all attacks 
 of the French, threatening war if they continue opposed. 
 The French, he declares are the sworn enemies of the Five 
 Nations, and states that they have declared to him that they 
 built the fort at Onyagara to protect themselves from harm 
 agjiinst the Five Nations. 
 
 He states that an armistice of fifteen months is agreed up- 
 on to give time for the two governments to agree upon terms 
 of peace, and proposes to assist them in the prosecution of 
 the war by furnishing men and arms, if the war should be 
 continued. 
 
 Answer of the Six Nations to Governor Dongan, through 
 Dekanissora, chief speaker : — 
 
 The sachems return thanks. for the care of the Governor. 
 and because he resents the acts of the French, and for not 
 hiding any thing from them. 
 
 We condemn the claim of the French to any part of our 
 territories, and demand that their forts be speedily demolished. 
 
 They have no claim even to Cadaraqui or Mont Royall, 
 nor none of our lands towards the Otowawas, Diondadies, 
 Twichtwichs. They claim title because they burned our cabins 
 and destroyed our corn. If that is a title, we have a title to 
 the whole of Canada, for there we subdued whole nations of 
 
 Indians, and der 
 
 i 
 
EARLY HISTORY 
 
 267 
 
 Indians, and deinolislied their castles, in so much, that great 
 trees grow where they were built. 
 
 Our lands have been placed under the protection of the 
 English King, and ho must protect them and suifor no en- 
 croachments. 
 
 We formerly had a friendship for the French, but it was 
 held l>y the left hand ; that is broken off now, and the English 
 htivo the right hand, fast and firm, and we renew the chain, 
 that it may bo firm and lasting. 
 
 If the Governor of Canada will not restore the prisoners 
 and goods, we will continue the war. But we leave the whole 
 business with the Governor of New York, and whatever he 
 and the great king agrees to, we stand by, whether peace or 
 war. 
 
 The great captain of the Onondagas, called " Canadgcgai," 
 (Black Kettle,) Avas invited in to the house of Madam Toulon 
 and there met Pore Valiant, who desired a discourse. And 
 upon Avhat Avill you discourse, said the captain 'i Do you speak 
 first. "Whereupon the first asked how it was with the Five 
 Nations, and how they were inclined ? Why do you ask mo 
 how it is with them, Avhen you daily converse with the Gover- 
 nor, who is their head ? I should rather ask you how affairs 
 stand, that have been so long in agitation with him, to whom 
 he referred all things, and whose commands we only obey ? 
 
 The Five Nations Avere advised by their English allies not 
 to listen to any proposals of peace from the French, and they 
 were promised supplies of arms and ammunition for carrying 
 on the war. But in spite of all the efforts of the English to 
 prevent, the Five Nations continued their wars with the south- 
 ern Indians. Through the influence of the Jesuit priests, 
 many of the Five Nations about this time settled in Canada, 
 for the sake of enjoying religious instruction ; but declared, 
 that if a Protestant priest was settled among them, they would 
 return. 
 
 M. De Nonville called an assembly of the chiefs of the 
 Five Nations at Montreal, and all French officers were 
 ordered to cease hostilities till the deliberations should be 
 
 . M 
 
 t >1j 
 
 1 1 
 
 t \i 
 
 It Li 
 
 y i 
 
 lii 
 
268 
 
 O N O N D A G A . 
 
 known, for he confidently expected to conclude a peace with 
 the Five Nations. In the mean time, Adario, the great chief 
 of the western Indians, finding that his nation had become 
 suspected hy the French, since the time they had shown so 
 much favor to the Ihiglish, when they attempted to trade iit 
 Mackinaw ; resolved hy some notahle action against the Five 
 Nations, thereby to recover the good opinion of tne French. 
 For this purpose, he set out from Mackinaw with one hun- 
 dred men, and ciiiuc to Cadara(|ui for intelligence of M. De 
 Nonville. lie was informed by the commander of the I'arri- 
 son, that a negotiation for a peace was on foot, and that am- 
 bassadors from Onondaga would be expected in about ten days 
 at Montreal, and he was advi^sed to I'eturn to Mackinaw with- 
 out an attempt to accomplish his wishes. Adario, surpviseil 
 at this news, was greatly alarmed for the safety of his nation 
 who he thought would become a prey to the rapacity of the 
 Iroquois, through the perfidy of the French. He dissembloil 
 his concern, and instead of returning to Mackinaw, as tiie 
 French oliicer i)roposed, he concluded to wait at the Cadaraijiii 
 Falls, a place which he knew the ambassadors must pass, and 
 intercept them. After a suspense of four or five days, the 
 deputies came along, guarded by about forty warriors. They 
 were surprised, and all killed or taken prisoners. 
 
 The ambassadors being greatly surprised at this piece of 
 what they supposed to be French perfidy, told Adario the de- 
 sign of the journey, Avho instantly assumed an air of ani^er 
 towards M. De Nonville, and promised revenge upon him at 
 the first opportunity, for making a tool of him, to commit so 
 horrid a treachery. After mutual explanations, the crafty 
 Adario dismissed his prisoners with presents and provisions, 
 at the same time declaring, he should never be at ease till the 
 Five Nations had been fully revenged upon the French. The 
 manner of Adario was so perfectly in keeping with his asser- 
 tions, that the deception was complete. The ambassadors 
 were all Onondagas and Oneidas, with the far-famed Onon- 
 daga Chieftain, Dekanissora, at their head. They had all 
 along, through the influence of the Jesuits, entertained great 
 
EARLY HISTORY, 
 
 269 
 
 affection for tho French. 15ut this triui.suction greatly changed 
 their mindH ; and instead of friendship and love, revenge and 
 (li.'tj.'ust pervaded their hearts, and tho Five Nations resolved 
 unanimously, to prosecute the war with vigor against the 
 French. 
 
 It was not long before tho French felt the bloody effects 
 of this fell passion. For on the 2(!th of July UiHH, twelve 
 hundred of the Irocjuois invaded the Island of Montreal, with- 
 out the least previous notice, and the Froncli had not the least 
 suspicion of such an attempt. They burned, sacked, plun- 
 dered and laid waste all tho country around, and made a 
 ih'eadful slaughter of nu'n, wdiuen aiul children. Over a thou- 
 sand French are supposed to have perished by this invasion, 
 iind they were, as it seems, completely at the disposal of the 
 Indians. Several French were carried away captives, greater 
 part of whom, miserably pei'ished under the most excruciat- 
 ini!; t(U'ments. The whole colony was thrown into conster- 
 nation, and Valrenes, the commander at Cadaracpii, by order 
 'n De Nouville, abandoned the fortress at that place. The 
 'larharities of the massacre are too shocking to relate."- 
 
 The Five Nations lost but three men in this expedition, and 
 those arc said to have been drunk and were left behind. The 
 Five Nations were far from jjcing satiated by this invasion, for 
 in the October following, they attacked and destroyed all the 
 lower part of the Island of Montreal, and carried off manv 
 prisoners. The consequence of these exjicditions, was the 
 abandonment by the French of fort Cadara([ui, and their 
 liiiht vessels upon the lake ; and they were completely shut 
 up on the Island of Montreal, in comparatively very narrow 
 limits. The news of the success of the Five Nations, spread 
 through all the Indian tribes. It had the effect to bring the 
 French into very low repute among them, and their affairs 
 were thrown into great disorder. The great body of the west- 
 
 * Charlevoix says, " lis ouvireiit le seiu des tcniniC!) tnoientt's pour en arra- 
 liier le fruit qi'i files |K)rtoient ils iiiirenl des enlan,« tout vivnns d la broche. El 
 iL'or.traignirent les meres de les tourner. pour lea faire rotir." 
 
 ; ) 
 
 h 
 
 'lit 
 
 TW^l 
 
270 
 
 ONONDACJA. 
 
 orn IndiariH, had already faultcrcd in tlioir allogianco to the 
 Fri'iicli, and many were making ovorturos to tho EniTJish 
 throuf^h tile Fivo Nations. At this cri.sia, tho French oom- 
 niandor at Maokiiiaw oxpericiKied groat dillioulty in niaintuin- 
 ing his post, lint tho oMt('ri)risiiig and sagacious Mons. Pe- 
 rot had tho prudonoo and sncooss of divortitig this order of 
 allairs, .so tiiat tho contomphitod sohonios of a general union 
 wore not fully carried into ofToot. Tho colonists of Cainida 
 were in a most doplorahlc condition ; their men had heen con- 
 tinually harrassed hy watching and fighting tho Five Nations, 
 and in extending their enterprises among tho western Indi- 
 ans, so th;it tillage and hushnndry had heen entirely ncs- 
 lected. During the several incursions of small parties of tlic 
 Five Nations, the French lost several thousands of their in- 
 habitants. It is difficult to conceive the deplorable situiition 
 and distress they were in — none could plant or sow, or pass 
 from one place to another, wit'iout danger of being killed by 
 a skulking foe. The whole country being laid waste, famine 
 began to rage, and a mi.-orablo end was like to come of the 
 colony. Had the Indians understood tho method of attack- 
 ing fortified places, nothing could have saved tlie French 
 from entire destruciion. Considering the state; of Indian af- 
 fairs during this p(M-io(l, that the Five Nations were divided 
 in their sentiments and measures, that the Onondagas, Cayu- 
 gas and Oneidas, wci'o more or less inllueneed by French 
 Jesuits, and were by them diverted from pr(jseeuting the war 
 against (';inada, by urging these three nations against the 
 southern Indians, and persuading them to send their war par- 
 ties that Avay ; considering that the Senecas had a war at 
 the same time with the western Indians, and that the mea- 
 sures observed by the English, during all the reign of King 
 James II., gave the Indians rather ground of jealousy than 
 assistance ; whoever considers these things and what the Iro- 
 quois did actually perform, will hardly doubt that they at that 
 time were an overmatch for the French in Canada. 
 
 In September, 1689, a deputation was sent from the New 
 England colonies, to renew the friendship of the Five Nations, 
 
 I 
 
i:ari,v II I hto uy. 
 
 m 
 
 and to engage thorn imains«t the eastern Indians, who made 
 war upon those (:()h)ni('(4, and wore instigated by the French. 
 The eastern Indiiins had ahoady preceded them, by four mes- 
 Mges on tho sanie errand, and the En^'lish were anxious to 
 know the reception they had met with. The <U«putie.s of New 
 England wore tohl by Tahajadori.s, a Mohawk Hadiem, on the 
 24th of September, that ho and his peoph> were willing' to 
 briglitt'ii tho chain of friendship, and ex[iressod in unmeasured 
 terms their hatred of the Krench, and to continue tho strug- 
 gle 80 h)n;; as a Frenchuian remained alive, even to their own 
 .lestruction. 'i'hey couhl not be prevailed upon to engage in 
 •nvar upon the eastern Indians, but declared their intention 
 iif living;; and dyiiijix iu peace with them. 
 
 The Kngiish in New- York and Albany, having fears of the 
 French in Canada, and their Indian allies, held a private con- 
 tVroncc with the chiefs of tho Five Nations at Albany, 2r)th 
 September, wheri' they engaged to stand by their English 
 t'ricnils in any emergency whatsoever, and to continue their war 
 with the French. 
 
 On the 27t'i December, TOSH, the Mayor of Albany, Peter 
 Schuyler, was notified that a council would be held at Onon- 
 daga, to consult on injportant business, with a desire that the 
 English would be represented there. But little notice was 
 taken of tho invitation ; only to send three Indians to dis- 
 suade the Five Nations from entertaining thoughts of peace, 
 or yielding to a cessation of arms. 
 
 On the 22(1 of .January, a general council was opened at 
 Onondaga, consisting of eiglity sachems. The Albanians had 
 sent a messenger to attend this assembly. Sadekanaghtie 
 stated that tho Count Froutenac had returned to the govern- 
 ment of Canada, and invited an assembly of the Five Nations 
 to meet him at Cadarai^ui, and in particular, that Dekanissora 
 should be there to treat of peace. Some of the sachems, who 
 were favorably disposed towards tho French, advised their 
 meeting the French Governor in the spring. But after a long 
 and tedious debate, it was concluded not to send Dekanis- 
 sora with a delegation to Cadaraqui, and finally sent word to 
 
 ill: T 
 
 Pit. 
 
272 
 
 ONONDAGA. 
 
 Governor Frontenac that they had little faith in the French, 
 and could not rely on their treaties, nor trust their professions 
 of friendsliip. The Count Frontenac was still desirous of 
 rousinn; the drooping spirits of the French in Canada. The 
 English and French wore now engaged in war, and to rally 
 the coi'vago of his desponding countrymen, it was arranged 
 that i/iirce several parties shouUl make sepai-ate at*^acks upon 
 the English colonies in liopes to lessen the confidence the Five 
 Nations had in the English. One coniniandod by ^^ D. Ail- 
 lebout, M. D. Mantel, and 1*. Le Moyne, made a descent upon 
 Schenectady, in Fcl)rnary, ](!8iJ-l,)0, whicli conii)lete!y dcso- 
 hvtcd that village. The colonists of both countries were now 
 heartily engaged in the war ; the course the Five Nations de- 
 cided to pursue, was of infinite importance to both. The very 
 being of the French colony depended upon it, as well a; the 
 .safety of the Englisli. Affairs were >iow destined to take a 
 turn decidedly favorable to the Froich, and tliis in tlio main 
 was owing to the .-(ubtloty, wisdom, prudence and pensevorance 
 of M. Do Frontenac, in whom the colonists of Ciinada had 
 unhesitating coTiildence i'l respect to his public spiiit and ca- 
 pacity. They entered into all his measures with alacrity, and 
 obeyed his commands with cheerfulness, whereas the English 
 people held their colonial Governors in no very higti esteem. 
 The Count Frontenac Vr-as in hopes the Five Nations would 
 incline to peace, and uifoi'ed further proposals, l)nt Ids ambas- 
 sadors were taken prisoners, and after being compelled to run 
 the gauntlet, were delivered to tlio English. This conduct 
 satisfied M. Do Frontenac, that tliere was little hope in nego- 
 tiation. Tiic French were continually harrassed by small par- 
 ties of the Five Nations, on their route to remote posts, and 
 also in the immediate neighborhood of Montreal, oftentimes 
 victorious, spreading alarm and desolation throughout the 
 whole country. The English at this time did not render the 
 jissistance the Five Nations expected, in consecpience of which 
 the Mohawks, being neareat to the English, sent one of their 
 chiefs to Monsieur De Fi'ontenac with a view of negotiating a 
 peace. The ambassador found the Count ready to treat on 
 
 terms of friem 
 to his nation, 
 and friendship 
 cute the war w 
 operate. The 
 idle words of ] 
 ly to the work 
 would succeed 
 on the M'ar by 
 an attack upor 
 hundred men, 
 ter Schuyler, \ 
 expedition of 1 
 command of S 
 Montreal, bein 
 force such a re 
 Ham, by his im 
 ment, and was i 
 gage that had 
 failed, and not 
 tinned their ex 
 rence, from Mr 
 Notwithstandin 
 continual hara> 
 under of keepi 
 ground, or of r 
 tress throughoi 
 added to the 1 
 kept up his woi 
 anee of convin 
 with the Englif 
 afraid, — that 1 
 invasion. The 
 eitirely engro> 
 In lian allies W( 
 mon enemy, wl 
 among them. 
 
EARLY HISTORY. 
 
 278 
 
 Til 
 
 terms of friendship, and gave a belt, with proposals of peace 
 to his nation. Thoy also renewed their professions of peace 
 and friendship with the English, and their resolution to prose- 
 cute the war with the French provided the English would co- 
 operate. The Five Nations were no longer to be amused with 
 idle words of English professions, and unless they came bold- 
 ly to the work, there was every reason to believe the French 
 would succeed in making peace, and leave tho English to carry 
 on the war by themselves. Finally a plan was arranged for 
 an attack upon Quebec and Montreal. A land force of five 
 hundred men, and a large body of Indians, under Major Pe- 
 ter Schuyler, were to advance by Lake Champlain, and a naval 
 expedition of thirty sail, by the Gulf of St. Lawrence, under 
 command of Sir Wm. Phipps. M. Do Callieres, Governor of 
 Montreal, being apprised of these intentions, gave the land 
 force such a reception as obliged them to retire, and Sir Wil- 
 liam, by his imbecility and inactivity, let slip the golden mo- 
 ment, and was repulsed with the loss of all the cannon and bag- 
 gage that had been landed. The whole expedition signally 
 failed, and nothing was accomplislied. The Five Nations con- 
 tinued their excursions in small parties all along the St. Law-- 
 rence, from Montreal to Quebec, and destroyed many persons. 
 Notwithstanding the French preserved their country, these 
 continual hiirassiug^, and the necessity they were continually 
 under of keeping guard, prevented them from cultivating the 
 ground, or of reaping the harvest. This occasioned great dis- 
 tress throughout the colony, and the miseries of famine were 
 added to the horrors of Indian war. The aged Frontenac 
 kept up his wonted energy ; he was well aware of the import- 
 ance of convincing the Five Nations, that their joint attacks 
 with the English had neither digcouraged him or made him 
 afraid, — that he was as vigorous for war as before the last 
 invasion. The distractions in the province of New York, so 
 entirely engrossed the attention of the English, that their 
 In lian allies Avere left almost alone to contend with the com- 
 mon enemy, which was the cause of considerable disaffection 
 them. They had made proposals of peace through 
 
 35 
 
 1.1 
 
 '1 i i 
 
 *. I .1 
 
 among 
 
 1 < 
 
 m 
 
274 
 
 ONONDAGA. 
 
 the Mohawks to Count Frontenac, but through the interposi- 
 tion of Colonel Sloughtcr, then Governor of New York, it 
 was not consummated. The Five Nations continued their incur- 
 sions during the whole winter, (1090-01,) greatly distressing 
 the French. In the summer of this year, Major Peter Schuy- 
 ler, then Mayor of Albany, made, witli a party of the Five 
 Nations, a bold irruption upon the French settlements by way 
 of Lake Champlain. This expedition was successful. The 
 Enirlish returned victorious, which inspired the warriors of 
 the Five Nations with new vigor and new hopes. They con- 
 tinued their hostilities under their favorite leader Kanahjeaga, 
 who with his warriors, and by his frequent incursions, kept 
 the country in a constant state of alarm, and continually har- 
 rassed the French borders. In the midst of these distresses, 
 the French Governor preserved his accustomed sprightliness 
 and humor, animating every body around him. He learned 
 that a considerable body of the Five Nations were hunting 
 beaver wc;>t of the Niagara lliver in fancied security, and he 
 resolved at once to surprise them. For this purpose three 
 hundred young men Avere sent forward under command of 
 •Monsieur Beaucouv, in the heart of winter, and the party 
 suffered severely during the march from cold and want of 
 provisions, having none but what they carried on their backs. 
 
 After an almost incrediljlc march, for so severe a season, 
 they succeeded in surprising about eighty of the Five Nations, 
 who made a brave defense, and only yielded after they had 
 lost most of their men dead on the spot. The French re- 
 treated to Montreal, with a few prisoners to grace their tri- 
 umph. This was a severe expedition, but it tended to revive 
 the flagging spirits of the French, and taught the Five Nations 
 that they were by no means a despicable enemy. 
 
 In return, the Five Nations, took possession of all the passes, 
 and entirely c; structed the communication of the French with 
 their western allies, intercepting every traveler who chanced 
 to pass that way. Kanahjeaga, with a large band of warriors 
 hung around the Cadaraqui River, in hopes of meeting parties 
 from the upper lakes, or of French, proceeding that way 
 
 succeeding ii 
 the country { 
 had with hin 
 the country j 
 The populati 
 diers had stri 
 tirely on the 
 jeaga had be 
 length began 
 four hundred 
 least cxpecte 
 French had 
 the Indians f 
 ing twenty r 
 French lost fc 
 caped from th 
 puting the p 
 captain, who, 
 was himself I 
 French for t 
 the forts, and 
 his scalp. T 
 when he four 
 bravados of h 
 his good nam 
 torture of t\ 
 cruelty, M. II 
 could invent, 
 treaty was en 
 of the Englisl 
 June, 1092, a 
 dislike, becaui 
 sistance as h 
 reason to exj 
 after much coi 
 edr This CO 
 
 Not 
 
EARLY HISTORY, 
 
 275 
 
 succeeding in his designs, he resolved to carry the war into 
 the country around Montreal. The French accounts say, he 
 had with him six hundred men. This famous chief overran 
 the country as the sweeping torrent does the lowly valley. 
 The population sought shelter in fortified places, and the sol;- 
 diers had strict orders to remain within their forts and act en- 
 tirely on the defensive. After the warriors under Kanah- 
 jeaga had become weary of slaughter aad desolation, they at 
 length began to retire. Mons. Vaudreuil pursued them with 
 four hundred men. He overtook them at a time when they 
 least expected it; a desperate battle ensued; although the 
 French had nearly surrounded about two hundred of them, 
 the Indians fought bravely, and cut tlieir way through, leav- 
 ing twenty men dead on the spot ; the rest escaped. The 
 French lost four ofBcers and a number of privates. Having es- 
 caped from this attack, we next find them below Montreal, dis- 
 puting the passage of a flotilla under convoy of a French 
 captain, who, as he passed through the isles in Lake St. Pierre, 
 was himself killed and his whole party entirely routed. The 
 French for the whole summer, were obliged to keep within 
 the forts, and not a man could stir out without danger of losing 
 his scalp. The Count Frontenac was pierced to the heart, 
 when he found that he could not revenge these insults and 
 bravados of his enemies. At this time, he signally tarnished 
 his good name and venerable character, by the murder and 
 torture of two unfortunate captives. Notwithstanding tliis 
 cruelty, M. De Frontenac, used every device his imagination 
 could invent, to bring about a peace, but without success. A 
 treaty was entered into between Capt. Ingoldsby on the part 
 of the English, and the chiefs of the Five Nations, at Albany, 
 June, 1692, at which time, the Indians manifested considerable 
 dislike, because the English did not so fully render them as- 
 sistance as had been agreed, and as the Five Nations had 
 reason to expect, considering they were at open war. But 
 after much counselling, the chain of friendship was " brighten- 
 ed." This council was managed on the part of the Five Na- 
 
 3li '^ 
 
276 
 
 ONONDAGA, 
 
 tions by Ohedaun, an Oneida sachem, who made a long and 
 very sensible speech. 
 
 The Count De Frontenac knew well, that unless some bold 
 and successful enterprise should succeed, it would soon be too 
 late to effect a reaction. An attack upon the Mohawks was 
 contemplated, for the purpose of showing that the English 
 would not protect their nearest neighbors. The winter was 
 chosen as the most appropriate season for surprising their ene- 
 mies, who could not keep scouts abroad at that inclement sea- 
 son, or the English render timely assistance. An army, con- 
 sisting of French and Indians, amounting to seven hundred 
 men, and supplied with snow-shoes and everything necessary 
 for a winter campaign, set out from Prairie de Magdaleine. 
 15th of January, 1693. 
 
 After a march of incredible hardship through pathless for- 
 ests, they passed Schenectady on the 6th of February, and 
 succeeded in capturing the three lower Mohawk castles, with 
 little opposition. Three hundred Mohawks were made pri- 
 soners, and several slain, the French having lost thirty men. 
 On the retreat of the French, they were pursued by a party 
 of Albany militia, under Major Peter Schuyler, but nothing 
 decisive accomplished. This invasion of the French into the 
 immediate neighborhood of the English settlements, produced 
 the greatest alarm, and had the eff"ect also to dishearten the 
 Mohawks, but still, through English influence, they were in- 
 duced to continue the war. Hitherto, for a number of years, 
 the French had been unable to bring down their furs and pel- 
 try from Mackinaw, and they had so accumulated, that there 
 were large stores on hand. The Five Nations had so blocked 
 up the passage, that there had been but little communication. 
 But now, a time had come, when it was so, that two hundred 
 canoes loaded with furs, had arrived safely at Montreal, which 
 caused as much joy there, as ever the richly laden galleons 
 did in Spain. 
 
 By the bold stroke before related, the warlike ardor of the 
 Five Nations was considerably abated, and as it was the pohcy 
 of the French, to secure a peace on as favorable terms as pos- 
 
 sible, negotii 
 tinned throu 
 the Jesuits, 
 caused them 
 oil for that p 
 of Albany, ^ 
 arras, ammui 
 to the Five 
 cas, Cayuga 
 for continuii 
 Mohawks, m( 
 held back, 
 ambassador 
 informing th 
 considered, 
 head of whoii 
 is said to ha\ 
 He rehearse(] 
 of the Engli 
 have done ho 
 nation, with 
 is said to ha\ 
 tiation was ] 
 praying Indi 
 branch of tli 
 French and 
 attachments, 
 vention at All 
 raissioners wc 
 ehusetts and 
 were desirous 
 which were, t 
 fort at Cadar 
 English shou; 
 dians. But 
 French shoult 
 raqui, nor inc 
 
EARLY HISTORY. 
 
 277 
 
 sible, negotiations for that purpose were set on foot, and con- 
 tinued through the years 1693 and 1694. The influence of 
 the Jesuits, and the disappointed hopes of English assistance, 
 caused them more willingly to yield to the opening of a coun- 
 cil for that purpose ; but, through the agency of Col. Fletcher 
 of Albany, who distributed timely and liberal presents of 
 arras, ammunition, knives, hatchets, clothing, provisions, &c., 
 to the Five Nations, the negotiation was staid. The Sene- 
 cas, Cayugas, Onondagas and Oneidas, felt more in mood 
 for continuing on friendly terms with the French ; but the 
 Mohawks, more under the immediate influence of the English, 
 held back. The four nations met and resolved to send an 
 ambassador to the Governor of the French, but not without 
 informing the Mohawks and English, whose advice was to be 
 considered. Several sachems were sent to Albany, at the 
 head of whom was Dekanissora, whose speech on this occasion, 
 is said to have been a brilliant effort of native tact and genius. 
 He rehearsed the aff'airs of the French, and the pusillanimity 
 of the English, with an accuracy and ingenuity, that would 
 have done honor to the most skilful diplomatists of the polished 
 nation, with which he was then in contact. Sadekanashtie 
 is said to have taken a part in this council. While this nego- 
 tiation was pending, Dekanissora visited Montreal and the 
 praying Indians, in order to secure the cooperation of that 
 branch of the Five Nations. But they, true alike to the 
 French and their Jesuit priests, remained unaltered in their 
 attachments. Dekanissora returned, and laid before the con- 
 vention at Albany, an account of his mission to Canada. Com- 
 missioners were present from New- York, New-Jersey, Massa- 
 chusetts and Connecticut. His report was, that the French 
 were desirous of peace only on their own terms, the chief of 
 which were, that they should have the privilege to rebuild the 
 fort at Cadaraqui, and keep a garrison there, and that the 
 English should not be encouraged to trade with Canada In- 
 dians. But the policy of the Five Nations was, that the 
 French should not be permitted to rebuild H^-, fort at Cada- 
 raqui, nor include their Indian allies in the p\.'a> o, with whom 
 
 ' m 
 
 < iJ] 
 
 Sl-!l 
 
278 
 
 ONONDAGA. 
 
 the Five Nations wished to be at war. They were dismissed 
 with a large supply of presents, and many fair promises in 
 case of compliance. They threatened the Five Nations with 
 utter destruction, in case of their refusal of the terms they had 
 offered. 
 
 The Five Nations refusing to come to the terms proposed, 
 the Governor resolved to force them, and as he suspected they 
 continued obstinate through English influence, he resolved to 
 make an attack upon the Mohawks, but a prisoner, learning 
 his design, escaped and informed them, and the expedition 
 was abandoned. 
 
 In the summer of 1695, the Count Do Frontenac sent a 
 body of French and Indians to repair the fortifications at Ca- 
 daraqui, which were found to be in a much bettor condition 
 than was expected. The French certainly possessed them- 
 selves of a great advantage in this place, as it was considered 
 one of great security to their traders in passing from Macki- 
 naw to Montreal. It served as well for stores, as a place of 
 security and retreat, in all enterprises against the Five Na- 
 tions, an ''. it greatly exposed them in their irruptions to the 
 neighborhood of the French. The English were exceedingly 
 uneasy when they found that the French had regained posses- 
 sion of Cadaraqui, and blamed the Five Nations for not pre- 
 venting it. The French were also troubled upon hearing that 
 the western Indians had nearly concluded a peace with the 
 Five Nations. Had the western Indians perseveringly ad- 
 hered to their first intentions of making peace, it would pro- 
 bably have ended the colony of the French in Canada, for 
 without their aid it Avould have been impossible for them to 
 continue. These nations being continually at war with the 
 Iroquois, they were obliged to keep at home a large force to 
 defend themselves against those nations, otherwise the Iro- 
 quois would have been able to throw their whole force against 
 Canada. 
 
 Having secured the alliance of the western Indians, and 
 failing of making a peace with the Five Nations, the Count 
 Frontenac resolved upon a signal effort to conquer and subdue 
 
 them. Ilaviuj 
 now called by 1 
 ammunition an 
 and wounded i 
 Nations feel tli 
 ing his terms c 
 assembled all t 
 body of Canac 
 mustered, consi 
 Adirondacks, i 
 Indians of the 
 Instead of wa<j 
 country as he 1 
 through rivers 
 whenever the r 
 mus, rendered 
 On the 4th ^ 
 end of the Isla 
 under the conn 
 ornor of Mont: 
 under the comr 
 van. He had 
 small pieces of 
 sils and ammur 
 followed the C 
 accompanied b 
 young and acco 
 four battalions 
 Ramezai, Gove 
 regulars and a 
 ell, brought up 
 that those who ■ 
 following. Inc 
 gence of the 
 they were oblij 
 bateaux, partiei 
 twelve days ma: 
 
EARLY HISTORY. 
 
 270 
 
 them. Having repaired and garrisoned the fort at Cadaraqui, 
 now called by his name, making it a place of deposit for arms, 
 ammunition and provisions, as well as a retreat for the sick 
 and wounded undta' his command, resolved to make the Five 
 Nations feel the full force of his resentment, for their refus- 
 ing his terms of peace. For this purpose, in June, 1696, he 
 assembled all the regular troops under his command, the whole 
 body of Canadian militia, and all the Indians that could be 
 mustered, consisting of Oweniigungas, Quatoghies, of Loretto, 
 Adirondacks, Sokakies, Nipiciriniens, the proselyted praying 
 Indians of the Five Nations, a few F^awawas and Abenaquis. 
 Instead of wagons and horses, which were useless in such a 
 country as he had to march through, the army was conveyed 
 through rivers and lakes in light barks, which were portable, 
 vrhenever the rapidity of the stream, or the crossing an isth- 
 mus, rendered it necessary. 
 
 On the 4th of July the army left La Chine, on the south 
 end of the Island of Montreal. Two battalions of regulars, 
 under the command of Le Chevalier de Callieres, then Gov- 
 ernor of Montreal, Avith about five hundred Indians, chiefly 
 under the command of Baron de Beaucourt, constituted the 
 van. He had with him two large bateaux, which c.';rried two 
 small pieces of cannon, the mortars, grenades, artillery uten- 
 sils and ammunition, afterwards followed the provisions, then 
 followed the Count himself, at tlie head of the main body, 
 accompanied by a large number of volunteers, under the 
 young and accomplished Chevalier de Grais, his engineer, and 
 four battalions of the militia, commanded by Monsieur De 
 Ramezai, Governor of Trois-Rivieres. Two battalions of 
 regulars and a few Indians, under the Chevalier De Vaudru- 
 eil, brought up the rear. In this order they marched, only 
 that those who Avere in the van one day, were in the rear the day 
 following. Indians were kept out as scouts, to gain intelli- 
 gence of the enemy, and for fear of ambuscades, when 
 they were obliged to carry the canoes, and drag the large 
 bateaux, parties were detached to cover the men. Aftw 
 twelve days march, they arrived at Fort Frontenac, one huu- 
 
 
 
 i 
 
 ■ ■ J ( iwr 
 
 ¥ ''^^H^^^^B'^ 
 
 
 
 ■ -m 
 
 f .|^B& 
 
 ■■ 
 
 
 ''i^^B^B 
 
 ^B- 
 
 ■jt^iB' 
 
 ' '^^^HIH 
 
 ^H 
 
 ' 1 il 
 
 
 8 
 
 
 iHi 
 
 1 
 
280 
 
 ONONDAGA. 
 
 dred and eighty miles from Montreal. They waited at this 
 place some time, for the Utawawas, who finally disappointed 
 them, and in the mean time raised a bateau, which had 
 been sunk, since the fort had been deserted. They then 
 crossed the Lake Ontario to Oswego, on the 28th of July. 
 Fifty men wore ordered to march on eacli side, to prevent sur- 
 prise. A military road was cut around tho falls, and carry- 
 ing their transports over the portage, they moved slowly alon? 
 the river, according to tho intelligence obtained from the 
 scouts. They had found a tree as tliey passed along, on 
 which the Indians had in their manner, painted tiie French 
 army, and lying by it was a bundle of rushes. This was a 
 defiance after the Indian custom, to inform the French, by 
 the number of rushes in the bundle, that fourteen hundred 
 and thirty-four men would oppose them. Finally the whole 
 flotilla debouched upon the waters of the Onondaga Lake. 
 " It must have been a gallant sight to behold this warlike 
 pageant floating on that lovely water, surrounded as it was 
 by the lofty hills and unbroken forests, which for the first 
 time, had now displayed their beauty and grandeur to an in- 
 vading army. It must have been sublime, to see the veterans 
 who had served under Turenne, Vauban and the great Conde, 
 marshalled with pike and curiass, side by side with the half 
 naked Hurons and Abenaquis ; while gay and youthful cava- 
 liers, in the tawdry garb of the court of the magnificent 
 Louis, moved with towering plume and flowing mantle, amid 
 the dusky files of the wampum-decked Utawas, and Algon- 
 kins. Banners were there which had been unfolded at Steen- 
 kirk and Lauden, and rustled above the troopers that Luxem- 
 burgh's trumpets had guided to glory, when Prince Waldeck's 
 legions were borne down beneath his furious charge. Nor 
 was the enemy that this gallant host were seeking, unworthy 
 those whose swords had been tried in some of the hardest 
 fought fields of Europe. The Romans of America, as the 
 Five Nations had been called by more than one writer, had 
 proved themselves soldiers, not only by carrying arms among 
 the native tribes a thousand miles away, and striking their 
 
 enemies alik 
 Carolina and 
 bearded one! 
 shut up anotl 
 with the sami 
 vanquished tl 
 George." (II 
 their army d: 
 that the enei 
 their landing 
 a fort. A S 
 Canada, and 
 was sent out 
 dagas, who w 
 their homes i 
 pose, they h 
 woods. But 
 French arm} 
 and that the^i 
 air, which fal 
 tering fire t 
 their weak s 
 most prudent 
 and bark cot^ 
 Count Front( 
 of battle. 1 
 commanded t 
 on the left, c 
 tre of a batti 
 fallowed ther 
 Her de Vaud 
 ions, in the s 
 ried in an el 
 was found pe 
 ing through t 
 dable mannei 
 embers of t 
 
K A R L Y HIS T O II V. 
 
 281 
 
 enemies alike upon tlie lakes of Maine, the mountains of 
 Carolina and the prairies of Missouri. They had already 
 bearded one European anny beneath the walls of Quebec, and 
 shut up another for weeks within the defenses of Montreal, 
 with the same courage, which half a century after, they had 
 vanquished the battalions of Dieskau upon the shores of Lake 
 George." (Hoffman.) When the French entered the lake, 
 their army divided into two parts, coasting along the shores, 
 that the enemy might bo in uncertainty as to the place of 
 their landing. As soon as a landing was effected they erected 
 a fort. A Seneca who had been some time a prisoner in 
 Canada, and who had pretended an attachment to the French, 
 was sent out to make discoveries. Ho deserted to the Onon- 
 dagas, who were waiting for the French, determined to defend 
 their homes and castle to the last extremity, for which pur- 
 pose, they had sent their women and children far into the 
 woods. But upon the Seneca's informing them that the 
 French army, was as numerous as the leaves of the trees, 
 and that they had machines, which threw up largo balls in the 
 air, which falling on their cabins would burst in pieces, scat- 
 tering fire and death every where around, against which 
 their weak stockades could be no defense ; thoy thought it 
 most prudent to retire, and after setting fire to their castle 
 and bark cottages, moved off to the wilderness. As soon as 
 Count Frontcnac heard of tliis, he marched forward in order 
 of battle. The array was divided into two lines. The first, 
 commanded by the Chevalier de Callieres, who placed himself 
 on the left, consisted of two battalions of militia, in the cen- 
 tre of a battalion of regulars on each wing. The artillery 
 fbllowed them. The second line, commanded by the Cheva- 
 lier de Vaudrueil, composed of tlie same number of battal- 
 ions, in the same order. The Count De Frontcnac was car- 
 ried in an elbow chair, directly iifter the artillery. But it 
 was found perfectly impossible to preserve this order in pass- 
 ing through thick woods and in passing brooks. In this formi- 
 dable manner, the aged general, marched forward to the dying 
 embers of the desertcl villnjro, luul tlius he caused the 
 
 i u 
 
 h ifi 
 
282 
 
 ONONDAGA. 
 
 destruellon and exerted his fury on some fields of Indian corn 
 the only aciiiiisition to the arms of the French. A briivt' 
 old sachem, then upwards of a hundred years old, by his 
 own desire was left behind, and was the only person wlio 
 tarried in the castle to salute the French, and wjio chose 
 this time to end his days. The French Indians j^it Jiim 
 to the torture, which he bore with astonishing presence of 
 mind, and with that heroic fortitude which so well becuDio ;i 
 chief of the Onomhigas. lie told his tormentors, to remem- 
 ber well his death, when his countrymen should come to take 
 terrible vengeance of them. Upon which, one of them stab- 
 bing him several times with a knife, he thanked him ; "but," 
 said he, "you had better make medic by fire, that these 
 dogs of Frenchmen may learn to suffer like men. You In- 
 dians, their allies, you dogs of dogs, think of me when you 
 shall be in a like condition." It was, says Charlevoix, a 
 strange and curious spectacle, to sec many hundred men sur- 
 rounding a decrepid old warrior, striving by tortures, to draw 
 a groan from him. While life lasted, he reproached the In- 
 dians with becoming slaves to the French. When one stabbed 
 him Avith a knife, "You do wrong" said ho, "to shorten my 
 days ; you should have taken more time to learn how to die 
 like men." He bore their inflictions with the most stoical in- 
 difference. Never Avas a man treated with more cruelty, nor 
 did any ever Ijcar it with superior magnanimity and resolu- 
 tion. He died as became an Ind'an warrior. This sachem 
 was the only man of the Onondagas killed. The Chevalier 
 de Vaudrueil, was sent with a detachment of six or seven 
 hundred men to destroy the Oneidas' corn, a feat which he 
 performed Avithout resistance. Thirty-five remained in t])eir 
 castles, to make the French Avelcome, but the only favor they 
 obtained, was to be made prisoners, and Avere carried to Mon- 
 treal. Though the French army Avas much an overmatch for 
 the Onondagas, both in their arms and number of men, yet 
 the Onondagas Avere not so far dispirited, as not to follow them 
 in their return. They found many opportunities to revenge 
 themselves, by cutting off every canoe that happened at any 
 
 time to bo at a 
 the French gen( 
 to Montreal on 
 little by this for 
 and their bark ( 
 old sachem avIk 
 glory. 
 
 The French i 
 planters being t 
 or in watchinn 
 famine ensued 
 had often happi 
 had been callec] 
 (he Five Natioi 
 and the Frencl 
 Albany and Scl 
 r\'ing off their 
 parties of Indi 
 scalping the inl 
 ern Indians thii 
 in spite of the . 
 The reason the_ 
 to them cheape 
 tions were disc 
 captain Avith a 
 fected their sur] 
 who, at the ini 
 burned alive, : 
 Montreal, Avere 
 
 DeLanissora 
 1697, to use h: 
 Nations from i 
 peace, but if n 
 lO prosecute th 
 
 The Cayugas 
 tiu'ough three ( 
 der and lead, 1 
 
EARLY HISTORY, 
 
 288 
 
 time to bo at a diatanco from tho main body. This obliged 
 the French general to hasten his march, so that ho returned 
 to Montreal on the lOtli of August. The Onondagas suffered 
 little by this formidable expedition, but the loss of their corn 
 and their bark cottages. They lost not a man, except tho 
 old sachem who yielded himself a martyr to his country's 
 glory. 
 
 Tho French suffered materially by its consequences, for the 
 planters being taken from their labor, either in this expedition, 
 or in watching and securing their forts and country, a 
 famine ensued througliout the liind a circumstance which 
 had often happened in Canada, wlieu the men fit to bear arms, 
 had been called away on such like enterprises. Afterwards, 
 the Five Nations sent several small parties against Canada, 
 and the French and their Indians, in turn hovered around 
 Albany and Schenectady, murdering several families, and car- 
 rying off their scalps. Thus the war was continued by small 
 parties of Indians on both sides, harrassing, surprising and 
 scalping the inhabitants of Montreal and Albany. The Avest- 
 ern Indians this year concluded a peace with the Five Nations, 
 in spite of tho French, who used every means to prevent it. 
 The reason they assigned was, because the English sold goods 
 to them cheaper than the French. A party of the Five Na- 
 tions were discovered hovering around Corlear's Lake. A 
 captain with a party of men Avere sent against them, and ef- 
 fected their surprise. He killed several, and took one prisoner, 
 who, at the instance of the French Governor, was publicly 
 burned alive, and upon whom the Indians then trading at 
 Montreal, were invited to feast. 
 
 Dekanissora proposes to Col. Peter Schuyler, June 0th, 
 1697, to use his influence to prevent the people of the Five 
 Nations from settling in Canada, that they are inclined to 
 peace, but if need be, they are ready with their whole force 
 lO prosecute the Avar against the French. 
 
 The Cayugas also made application 28th of September, 1697, 
 through three of their principal captains, for a supply of pow- 
 der and lead, to defend themselves against the French and 
 
m 
 
 ONONDAGA, 
 
 western Indians, and desire tho condolence of the English, for 
 the loss of their people slain in battle with Indians of the west. 
 The treaty of Kyswick was signed September lOth, lODI, 
 by which the French and English were to be at peace. 
 
 The Governor of New-York, being first informed, sent an 
 express to the Governor of Canada, with the news, that hos- 
 tilities might cease. The Five Nations learning the fact ear- 
 lier than they of Canada, took advantage of it, in huntiri" 
 heaver, near Cadaraqui Fort. Tho Governor of Canada bo^ 
 ing informed of this, and believing that tho Five Nations 
 thought themselves secure, by the general peace, resolved to 
 take his last revenge of them. For this purpose, he sent ii 
 considerable party of Adirondacks to surprise them ; whicli 
 they did, and killed several, but not without loss on their own 
 side. The murder of the distinguished war chief, Kanahjeajah 
 of Onondaga, at this time caused the greatest aflliction through- 
 out all the Five Nations. After the peace, a dispute arose 
 between the Governors of New- York and Canada, relative to 
 the disposition of tho prisoners, which the Five Nations had in 
 their hands. The French were not willing to include the 
 Five Nations in the peace ; but the English had them too 
 much at heart, to suffer them to be injured by tho French, and 
 the English Governor assured the French, that were hostiii- 
 ties continued against them, it would be sufficient cause for 
 the English to continue the war. This put a stop to the 
 threatenings of the French, and both sides made complaints 
 to their masters. Tho two Kings ordered their respective 
 Governors to be assisting each other in making the peace efTcct- 
 ual to both nations. The Count Frontenac died while these 
 disputes continued ; Mons. Dc Caliercs, who succeeded him 
 put an end to them, by agreeing to send a deputation to Onon 
 daga, to regulate an exchange of prisoners there. For 
 
 t',i 
 
 purpose, Mons. Joncaire, and the Jesuit Bruyas were sent. 
 When the French commissioners were within a mile of 
 Onondaga Castle, they arranged themselves in order, and 
 marched with the French colors flying, with as much display 
 as possible. Th- grave old chief, Uekanissora, met them with- 
 
 out the gate, ar 
 wampum. Thoy 
 respect and eHte( 
 of firearms, take 
 taineil. Tho co! 
 factory peace ; i 
 exchange of pris 
 The French c( 
 the Five Nations 
 of the greatest b 
 Xothing could b( 
 ate their bread 
 DUt of his o^^n 1 
 laboring in 'Ii f 
 of being killed, 
 dole out a long 
 torments. In si 
 suspended ; whil 
 tenances of the 
 French commissi 
 of the Five Ni 
 inented, and red 
 the French, at ^ 
 people, who struj 
 triumph with ho 
 friends among 
 many had becora 
 ing could induct 
 to Canada, agai 
 days among thei 
 
EARLY IIISTORV. 
 
 285 
 
 
 out the gate, and complimented them with tliree strings of 
 wampum. They were received with every demonstration of 
 respect and CHtcem, and were saluted with a general discharge 
 of firoarmH, taken to the bcHt cabinH, and sumptuously enter- 
 tained. The commissioners succeeded in negotiating; a satis- 
 factory peace ; and an agreement was made, to facilitate the 
 exchange of prisoners. 
 
 Tiie French commissioners, now being assured of peace with 
 the Five Nations, the inhabitants of Canada, considered it one 
 of the greatest blessings which could be bestowed upon them. 
 N'otiiing could be more torr'blc than this last war ; the French 
 ;ite their broad iti continual fear. No man was sure, when 
 out of his own house, uf ever returning to it again. While 
 laboring in *!y^ fields, they were under perpetual apprehension 
 of being killed, or carried off to the Indian country, there to 
 dole out a long and fearful captivity, or to die in lingering 
 torments. In short, all business and trade was often entirely 
 suspended ; while fear, despair and misery, blanched the coun- 
 tenances of the wretched inhabitants. On the return of the 
 French commissioners, they brought with them several chiefs 
 of the Five Nations from Onondaga. They were compli- 
 mented, and received with every demonstration of respect, by 
 the French, at Montreal ; and thus it always is with a brave 
 people, who struggle through every difficulty, until they finally 
 triumph with honor. Notwithstanding the French had many 
 friends among the Five Nations, who were prisoners, yet 
 many had become so attached to their new friends, that noth- 
 ing could induce them to return ; and, some who did return 
 to Canada, again went to the Onondagaa, and ended their 
 (lays among them. 
 
 i^iri 
 
 , I 
 
286 
 
 ONONDAGA. 
 
 CHAPTER IX. 
 
 EARLY HISTORY CONTINUED, 
 
 Council at Onondaoa — Councii^ at Albany, 1700 — English aoree to bhilu a 
 FORT AT Onondaoa — Earl Helomont'h instuiktions to Col. Romkr— Col. 
 
 RoMEr's RETURN AND RKPORT — ViEWS OK THK FlVE NATIONS — ATTACHMENT TO 
 
 THE English — Iroquois join Col. Sciiuvlur in an ExrEnrnoN a(;.mnst thk 
 French, 1709 — Unsuccusskul — Aukaiks oi- tiii-. Five Nations, and the 
 French and wustkrn Indians— (!ov. IluNirR and tiik Fivr, Nations— Oov. 
 Burnet — Trai)in(j House and 1'\>ut ai' ()s\vkc;o — Kxtr ait from the Journal 
 OF Conrad Weiskr — Of the sevkkai. Nations incoruorated with the Iii(>- 
 <iuois — Operations on the North Western Frontier — Extract kikim 
 Sergeant Deoarimo's orderly Uook— Extract vrom Sir William Jonx- 
 son's Journal — Col. Bkadstreet and Gen. Shhu.ey at Osweco, 1775-7B— 
 Loss OF Oswe(;o — Fall of (Quebec — Peace — Approach of the Hevoli'tiox— 
 Course pursued by the Indian Nations during the Revolution — ^V.\n ir 
 1812 — Present condition ok the Onondagas. 
 
 The Onondagas and Oneidas made a proposition, 3d of 
 February, 1698, to the Governor of New, York, through De- 
 kanissora and Carondowaune, an Oneida sachem, the former 
 being chief speaker. 
 
 They informed the Governor and Council, that deputies 
 were on the point of leaving Onondaga, to treat with the 
 French Governor of Canada, who had made them many fine 
 promises. Upon which the board expressed great surprise, 
 and forthwith proposed to send a messenger post to Onon- 
 daga, to prevent them from going. Whereupon, John Bap- 
 tist Van Epr, was ordered to make all possible haste to On- 
 ondaga, charging said messengers not to depart, or if possi- 
 bly they had gone, that they should be brought back : desir- 
 
 ing that a gt 
 Nations shoul 
 and other gen 
 out Avith John 
 chiefs at Onoi 
 
 On the 21 si 
 to Albany M-it 
 overtui'cs of t 
 of prisoners. 
 for tlic sccurit 
 iety to havo tl 
 Onondaga, an 
 and their desii 
 to them to spc 
 
 U{)on the r 
 r^chuylor and 
 Governor and 
 the chiefs of t 
 to Canada was 
 Those gentlcin 
 to dissuade thi 
 la'euk up their 
 ancient coventi 
 protection ; re 
 to do Ihem hai 
 
 Baptist and 
 the motions of 
 ,,'oing to Canat 
 i.ith the Fren( 
 and promising 
 L'ovcrnment w( 
 means to prev( 
 
 In a council 
 .^lay, at whic 
 Arnont Viele, 
 hannis Bleekei 
 The Earl of 1 
 
EARLY HISTORY. 
 
 287 
 
 ing that a general council of all the sachems of the Five 
 Nations should be held at Onondaga, at which Col. Schuyler 
 and other gentlemen would attend. Johannes Glen, was sent 
 out with John baptist, and a conference was held with the 
 chiefs at Onondajja. 
 
 On the 21st of March, 1G99, John Baptist was dispatched 
 to Albany with a message from tlio Onondagas, stating the 
 overtures of the French, and their promise of the restoration 
 of prisoners. In this they expressed the desires of the French 
 for the security of peace, and Monsieur Do Marricour's anx- 
 iety to have the ancient councils with the French continued at 
 Onondaga, and to break off with the Governor of New-York, 
 and their desire to send M. De Lamberville and Pere Bruyas 
 to them to speak of peace. 
 
 Upon the representations of John Baptist, Captain John 
 :>chuy]er and Captain John Bieeker, were dispatched by the 
 Governor and Council, with all possible expedition, to inform 
 the chiefs of the Five Nations, that their sending messengers 
 to Canada Avas very ill received by the Governor of New-York. 
 Those gentlemen were charged to use all possible arguments 
 to dissuade them from a repetition of such evil practices ; to 
 break up their correspondence with the French ; to revive the 
 ancient covenant chain, and renew the Governor's promises of 
 protection ; reminding them, that the French were always first 
 to do ihem harm. 
 
 Baptist and Arnont were to be left at Onondaga to watch 
 the motions of the Indians, and prevent their deputies from 
 ,,'oing to Canada, and from holding any sort of correspondence 
 vith the French ; persuading them to go to Albany as usual, 
 and promising them, if they desired to be made Christians, the 
 government would provide fit persons to that end, and by all 
 means to prevent the Jesuits from remaining among them. 
 
 In a council, held at Onondaga, on the 1st and 2d days of 
 May, at which Averc present John Baptist Van Eps, and 
 Arnont Viele, interpreters, and Johannis Schuyler, and Jo- 
 hannis Bieeker, with chiefs and head men of the Five Nations. 
 The Earl of Belomont's instructions were submitted for the 
 
 i - Ja:!! 
 
 :iir ^n 
 
 -..JlL^' 
 
288 
 
 ONONDAGA. 
 
 consideration of the Five Nations, which were treated with 
 great decorum and respect, while the belts of the Governor 
 of Canada were received Avith contempt by the Indian depu- 
 ties, who kicked them about with every demonstration of in- 
 dignity, declaring they would hold no correspondence Avith 
 the French. Dekanissora took the lead in this council on the 
 part of the Five Nations, who at this time expressed great 
 anxiety about the Christian religion being introduced among 
 them, inasmuch as Jesuits had been prohibited from being ad- 
 mitted into tlieir country. Tliey ask that assistance may be 
 granted them against the French and western Indians, and 
 gave assurances that they would hereafter hold the great coun- 
 cils at Albany, and that one should be 'ndd at that place at 
 the expiration of fourteen d;iys. They demand that goods 
 shall be made cheaper to them, and that they shall be more lib- 
 erally supplied witli powder and lead. 
 
 At the close of this council, which lasted several days, John 
 Baptist Van Eps was sent to Albany, as bearer of dispatchcti, 
 and upon his presenting the demands of the Indian nations to 
 the Governor and (Jouncil, they were acceded to and ap- 
 proved. Upon this Islr. Robert Livnigston, Secretary of In- 
 dian Affairs, was dispatched to Onondaga, and raakes the fol- 
 lowing report and observations of his voyage in April, 1700, 
 for the consideration of the Earl of Belomont, of which we 
 here give the substance : — 
 
 Many of the Maquas moved to Canada, thereby very much 
 lessening the numbers of that nation, more than two-thirds 
 of whom had removed. These Avere clothed and maintained 
 by the French, Avho took particular pains to have them in- 
 structed by their missionaries, in the Roman Catholic faith. 
 He attributes the cause of removal to tAvo sources. First, 
 fear, — seeing the French so formidable as to be able to sub- 
 due them, and the English not able to render any protection. 
 Second, neglect, — by not sending missionaries among thcni. 
 He recommends that the Maquas should come nearer to Al- 
 bany, and that a stockade fort should be built, and have a 
 minister to instruct them, and provision made for him, Avith 
 
 servants, tha 
 seven or eigh 
 
 He recomr 
 grant it to th 
 dians, that oi 
 
 That the ( 
 remove neare 
 ing attacked 
 miles nearer 
 
 The Onont 
 them, and avc 
 once settled ; 
 in converting 
 redound not < 
 would keep tl 
 to Canada, ai 
 have got of la 
 of those in the 
 
 He thinks 
 to the Englis 
 the passes to 
 the mouth of 
 Oneidas' Rive 
 Five Nations 
 be a key to t 
 
 He recomii 
 ti'oit,) anothe 
 Howatoa,'' (I 
 risons to be 1* 
 sliould be gai 
 employed in I 
 itrms should 1 
 ven to the ch 
 cannon, bate 
 each carrying; 
 Cadaraqui wa 
 drcAT many o 
 
EARLY HISTORY. 
 
 289' 
 
 servants, that he may keep a horse and caw, and be withia 
 seven or eight hours ride of Schenectady. 
 
 He recommends that the king should purchase land and 
 grant it to those nations, to be located so near the praying In- 
 dians, that one minister might serve for both. 
 
 That the Oneidas and Onondagas should be persuaded ta 
 remove nearer to Albany, on the river, out of the way of be- 
 ing attacked by the French. The Onondagas to come twelve- 
 miles nearer Oneida, on the same account. 
 
 The Onondagas are much inclined to have a minister among 
 them, and were willing to maintain him. If ministers were 
 once settled among them, it would not only be a pious work 
 in converting them to the Christian faith, which honor would 
 redound not only to His Majesty and the English nation, but 
 would keep those firm to us, draw the rest home, who are gone 
 to Canada, and prevent " that diabolical practice ivliieh they 
 have got of late, in poisoning one another, by tohich^neans most 
 of those in the English interest are dispatched out of the way." 
 
 He thinks it impossible to keep and secure the Five Nations 
 to the English interest, without building forts, and securing 
 the passes to their country. A strong fort should be built at 
 the mouth of the Onondagas' River, where it intersects the 
 Oneidas' River. This being well fortified, would secure all the 
 Five Nations from the inroads of the I^'rench, by water, and 
 lie a key to the Indian country. 
 
 He recommends the building of forts at ^^ Iktroett,'.' (De- 
 troit,) another between " Sweege,'' (Ontario) Lake, and " 0. 
 Howawa," (Huron) Lake, and other forts westerly, and gar- 
 risons to be kept in them. That the fort at Onondaga River, 
 should be garrisoned with one hundred youths, partly to be 
 employed in boating and carrying provisions. That the king's 
 arms should be put up at all the castletS, and silver badges gi- 
 ven to the chiefs to wear about their necks. Magazines of 
 cannon, bateaux, clothing, provisions, &c., should be kept at 
 each carrying place. He made complaint that the fort at 
 Cadaraqui was not destroyed, and that the French, by threats, 
 drew many of tlie Indians away fiom their allegiance, who. 
 
 t« 
 
290 
 
 ONONDAGA. 
 
 would otliovwise be serviceable to the English in vrar. That 
 the Governor of Canada threatens to erect forts in the coun- 
 try of the Five Nations, one at Onyagara, (Niagara,) another 
 at Irondequot, a tliird at Kaneenda, (near Fort Brewerton,) 
 a fourth at Kahioghage, (Sackctt's Harbor,) a fifth at Ojcen- 
 rudde, on a branch of tlie Mohawk River, three days jour- 
 ney from a village of the Mohawks, called Dekanage. That 
 the French are continually circulating reports, that the Eng- 
 lish design to destroy the Indians by depriving them of pow- 
 der and lead. That the English government would not clothe 
 them, which reports were proved to be false. 
 
 The Mohawks earnestly desire, that a minister maybe sent 
 among them, and wonder why the English cannot do so as 
 well as the French. On the 2otli of April, 1700, Col. Schuy- 
 ler, j\Ir. Jjivingston and Mr. Ilanse, held a council at Kacli- 
 nawaacharcgo, a fishing place eight miles north of Onondaga^ 
 at which tlireo Onondaga sachems were present, who said, 
 the Governor of Canada, had charged them not to hearken 
 to Corlear ; for, if they did so, he Avould take them off by poi- 
 son ; that Pero Bruyas, threatens tlie English with war, uidess 
 they consent to the admission of priests among them. The 
 commiHsioners thence proceeded to the Onondaga Castle, ami 
 examined s?\'eral Indians, who confirmed the tidings of the 
 chiefs below, of the acts of the French. The Five Nations 
 again desire iho English, to erect forts in their country. 
 
 Th« Earl of Belomont, tlirough the commissioners, proposes 
 to meet tin; Five Nations, in council at Albany. Strenuous 
 efibrts are made, to secure the favor of the Five Nations, with 
 assurances, that they may rely on the King's protection ; sta- 
 ting, that th'-'V were in daily expectation of liaving the King's 
 commands fo.- building a fort in their country, and for send- 
 ing Protestant ministei-s among them, to give them instruc- 
 tion in the Christian religion. The commissioners are op- 
 posed to their holding correspondence with the French, and 
 recommend, that their dwellings should be compact, and near 
 together, for greater security. 
 
 On the 21st of June, 1700, five hundred pounds were paid 
 
 IS 
 
 to Mr. Cham 
 wards buildir 
 ence money ^ 
 April, to the 
 Majesty's shi 
 (juantities of 
 the value of 
 Nations. Tl 
 dians, create 
 
 Dekannissi 
 council, and 
 complaint to 
 had killed m 
 they would n 
 Five Nations 
 
 The affecti 
 the English ; 
 with presents 
 resolved, to 1 
 tre of the Fi\ 
 to send one." 
 
 " It is the 
 are baptized 
 our people t^ 
 that they ma 
 gion, as oftei 
 through the 
 them ministei 
 go, unless fori 
 ordered a for 
 pense, and wi 
 out a suitable 
 Schenectady 
 proposes to h; 
 guage, and g 
 poses, that tl 
 
EARLY HISTORY. 
 
 291 
 
 to Mr. Champete, to be remitted to the Earl of Belomont, to- 
 wards building a sod fort in the Onondaga country. Subsist- 
 ence money was paid him for the soldiers, from the 24th of 
 April, to the 19th instant. These were shipped on board His 
 Majesty's ship, Adair, with four hundred light fusils, suitable 
 (quantities of lead and powder, clothing, and other valuables, to 
 the value of eight hundred pounds, for presents for the Five 
 Nations. This was done to remove the jealousies of the In- 
 dians, created by the French. 
 
 Dekannissora Avas the leader of the Five Nations in this 
 council, and through him, on the 30th of June, they make 
 complaint to Corlcar and Quider, that the western Indians, 
 had killed many of their men, and the French had declared, 
 they would not take the hatchet from their hands, unless the 
 Five Nations Avould submit to the French. 
 
 The affections of the chiefs were in a degree alienated from 
 the English ; they often visited the French, who loaded them 
 with presents. Said the chief speaker : " All of us here, are 
 resolved, to have a Protestant minister at Onondaga, the cen- 
 tre of the Five Nations, as soon as your Lordship shall please 
 to send one." 
 
 " It is the custom of the French, to feed and clothe, all that 
 are baptized into the church. This is a great inducement for 
 our people to become Papists. Our people express a wish, 
 that they may be instructed in the Protestant Christian reli- 
 gion, as often as they visit Albany." The Earl :snggcsted, 
 through the commissioners, that he was in favor of sending 
 them ministers, forthwith; but, that they were unwillin-^ to 
 go, unless forts were first erected for their security. We have 
 ordered a fort to be built, and a tax levied, to defray the ex- 
 pense, and will immediately send the King's engineer, to look 
 out a .suitable site. The Indians arc told, that Albany and 
 Schenectady shall be fortified, and that the Earl of Belomont 
 proposes to have Rev. Mr. Lidius, of Albany, learn their lan- 
 guage, and get the Bible translated for their use ; and pro- 
 poses, that they should send two or three of the sons of the 
 
 1' 
 
 .n I 
 
 h 
 
 f'' ''m 
 
 ii 
 
 JM 
 
292 
 
 ONONDAGA. 
 
 Bachems of each nation, to New- York, to be educated at the 
 King's charge. 
 
 On the 26th of August, 1700, the council was reconvened 
 at Albany, agreeable to arrangement. In a speech of some 
 length, the Earl of Belomont reassures the five nations, of the 
 King's protection ; laments, that the French Jesuits are so 
 successful in making them believe the English design to de- 
 stroy them. He informs them, that he has sent for ministers, 
 to instruct them ; and, in the mean time, has settled Mr. Vree- 
 man at Schenectady, who will learn their language in one 
 year, and then be able to teach them in their own tongue. 
 He promises them another minister before winter, and hopes 
 they will learn the difference between the Protestant and Ro- 
 man Catholic religions ; advises them to use all means to draw 
 those Indians the French have seduced, back to their own 
 country. 
 
 On the 2d of August, eleven Mohawks, six Oneidas, eleven 
 Onondagas, eleven Cayugas, eleven Senecas, and fifty war- 
 riors, were present. 
 
 Sadekanaghtie, the chief speaker, replied, that they came 
 hither, by his Lordship's order ; that they will discredit the 
 idle tales of the French, and are resolved, to continue firm to 
 the crown of England, if it will protect them from their ene- 
 mies ; that they were thankful for the promise of Protestant 
 ministers. 
 
 "The French also promise us, Jesuits, through Fathers 
 Maricour and J. Bruyas ; but, we are determined to stick to 
 the religion of the King." 
 
 The Indians agree to furnish two hundred men, to work at 
 the fort, for the same pay as the English, and the fort to be 
 completed within three months ; and, that they will seize all 
 Jesuits, and send them prisoners to Albany, for which they 
 shall receive a hundred pieces of eight, for every Jesuit. 
 
 The Earl remarked to them, " We have a law for seizing 
 and securing all Popish priests and Jesuits ; and I would 
 gladly put that law in execution against these disturbers of 
 mankind." 
 
 In answer 
 fore him, an 
 
 His Lords 
 be large en( 
 hundred En^ 
 be added, an 
 
 The India 
 to assist in b 
 
 " As to yc 
 " that is a si 
 women entin 
 
 Colonel R 
 country, and 
 gas were cho 
 ration. Whi 
 nish provisioi 
 fish. On thi 
 ing list of f 
 hundred weig 
 of lead, two 
 dred knives, 
 Ions each, si 
 bacco, &c. 
 
 31st of A 
 steadfast in tl 
 religion, and 
 
 " God hatl 
 shined long i 
 and union to^ 
 taught to be , 
 Let us theref 
 were liere bei 
 v.hen you wei 
 and cherished 
 to you, if yoi 
 that matters ; 
 may not be tt 
 
EARLY HISTORY 
 
 fl98 
 
 In answer, they promise to seize them, and bring them be- 
 fore him, and prohibit their coming into the Indian country. 
 
 His Lordship tohl them, that the fort at Onondaga, should 
 be large enough to receive two hundred men ; always, one 
 hundred English, and in case of war, a hundred Indians should 
 be added, and cannon should be forwarded for defense. 
 
 The Indians agreed to send twelve men from each nation, 
 to assist in building the fort at Onondaga. 
 
 "As to your oifcr to educate our children," said the chief, 
 " that is a subject, not under our control ; it belongs to the 
 women entirely." 
 
 Colonel Romer was selected as the engineer to explore the 
 country, and fix the site for a fort, and four young Ononda- 
 gas were chosen to accompany him on his journey of explo- 
 ration. While engaged in building, the Indians were to fur- 
 nish provisions for the workmen, of corn, venison, pigeons and 
 fish. On this occasion, the earl gave the sachems, the follow- 
 ing list of presents, viz. : two hundred bags of balls of one 
 hundred weight each, two hundred fusees, two hundred pounds 
 of lead, two thousand flints, one hundred hatchets, two hun- 
 dred knives, two hundred shirts, forty kegs of rum, two gal- 
 lons each, sixty-three hats, three barrels of pipes, with to- 
 bacco, &c. 
 
 Slst of August, Sadekanaghtie answers, that they will be 
 steadfiist in their resolution, to be instructed in the Protestant 
 religion, and declares it in the following words : 
 
 " God hath been pleased to create us, and the sun hath 
 shined long upon us. We have lived many years in peace 
 and union together, and we hope by your instructions to be 
 taught to be good Christians, and to die in the Christian faith. 
 Let us therefore go hand in hand and support each other. We 
 were here before you, and were a strong and numerous people 
 when you were but young and striplings. Yet we were kind 
 and cherished you, and therefore, when we propose any thing 
 to you, if you cannot agree to it, let us take council together, 
 that matters may be carried on smooth, and that what we say 
 may not be taken amiss. When we are to be instructed in the 
 
 li \m 
 
294 
 
 ONONDAGA. 
 
 Protestant religion, pray let not such severity be used as the 
 Jesuits do in Canada, who whip their proselytes with an iron 
 chain ; cut oft" the warriors hair ; put them in prison, and 
 when the men commit any heinous sin, the priest takes his op- 
 portunity when they are asleep, and beats them severely. 
 Now as a token of our Avillingness to be instructed in the 
 Protestant religion, we give nine beaver skins." The Indians 
 stipulate for free trade of the French at Albany, and desire 
 that a smith may be sent among them at the same time with 
 the minister to Onondaga ; state that Pere J. Bruyas wished to 
 come among them as a physician and surgeon, but his request 
 had been refused. Sadekanaghtie returned thanks for the 
 presents and for the attention the delegates received, and the 
 council adjourned. 
 
 The following are the instructions of Lord Belomont to Col. 
 Romer, Ilis Majesty's chief engineer in America, with respect 
 to locatinc the fort at Onondaga. 
 
 " First, you are to proceed with all possible dispatch to the 
 Onondagas' country, where you are to find out the best place 
 for erecting a fort for the defense and security of that nation 
 and the other nations, if it may be so, taking in your way 
 thither, visiting the Mohawk and Oneida Indians. 
 
 Second, you are to proceed on to the Oayugas' nation, after 
 you have well viewed and visited the Onondagas' country, and 
 from thence to the Seneca nation. 
 
 Third, you are to observe the country exactly as you go 
 and come, with the lakes, rivers, woods, plains and hills, that 
 you may make a report thereof to me, and that a map may 
 be made thereof, tc be laid before His IMajesty; and you are 
 to take a particular view of the carrying places, and to report 
 unto me your opinion, how much they may be shortened by 
 clearing and making the creeks navigable for boats and ca- 
 noes. 
 
 Fourth, you are to inquire out and view the salt spring. 
 which is said to bo in the Onondagas' country, and to taste 
 the water, and to give mc your opinion thereon. You are to 
 inform yourself about the salmon fishing, which is so much 
 
 spoken of, ant 
 that country- 
 the inhabitant 
 
 Fifth, you 
 eight miles be 
 told me, blaze 
 into it. 
 
 Sixth, you 
 as you can, bj 
 protection, an 
 power to then 
 vince shall be 
 that they neet 
 
 You Avill do 
 they continue 
 pondence with 
 priests and Jc 
 are carefully I 
 vice. 
 
 Given undc 
 tembor, A. T>. 
 
 Col. Romer 
 until he came 
 build a fort, 
 the ledge calk 
 that the prope 
 
 He fulfiled 
 returned in du 
 
 From this ti 
 ered as entirel 
 English. Eai 
 of New-York 
 every popish f 
 This was prov 
 who Avere cont 
 
 * See Loudon '. 
 
EARLY HISTORY 
 
 29,' 
 
 spoken of, and also about other fish in the lakca iind rivers in 
 that country — wiiat sorts of fish — wliat i)lenty — wiiat ways 
 tho inhabitants have to take tlio fish. 
 
 Fifth, you are to go and view a well or spring, which is 
 eiglit miles beyond the Senecas further castle, which they have 
 told me, blazes up into a flame when a lighted coal is put 
 into it. 
 
 Sixth, you are to encourage all the Indian nations as much 
 as you can, by assuring them of the king's care of tliem, and 
 protection, and you are to magnify the king's greatness and 
 power to them, and assure them that the frontier of this pro- 
 vince shall be Avell fortified and secured in a short time, so 
 that they need not to fear the French of Canada. 
 
 You will do well to assure them of my kindness, provided 
 they continue faithful to the king, and keep no sort of corres- 
 pondence with the French in Canada, nor receive any of the 
 priests and Jesuits among them. All which instructions you 
 are carefully to observe and perform for His iNIajesty's ser- 
 vice. 
 
 Given under my hand, at Albany, the third day of Sep- 
 tember, A. D. 1700, and in the 12th of His Majesty's reign."* 
 
 (Signed) "BELOMONT." 
 
 Col. Romer explored the Onondagas' country, passed down 
 until he came to the Oneida liiver, but found no fit place to 
 build a fort. They passed on to a place called Quichook, near 
 the ledge called Kagnewagrage, (near Oswego,) and reported 
 that the proper place for a fort should ])e in that region. 
 
 He fulfiled his instructions in visiting other localities, and 
 returned in due time to Albany. 
 
 From this time forward, the Five Nations may be consid- 
 ered as entirely wedded and devoted to the interests of the 
 English. Early in 1700, the Earl Belomont and assembly 
 of New- York had passed a law, (severe indeed,) for hanging 
 every popish priest, who voluntarily came into the province. 
 This was provoked by the great number of French Jesuits, 
 who were continually tampering with the Indians. 
 
 * See London Documents, vol. 13, p. 430. 
 
296 
 
 ONONDAGA. 
 
 In 1701, tho King of England gave five hundred pounds, 
 for erecting a fort in the country of the Onondagas, and eight, 
 hundred pounds to bo laid out in presents to the Indians. In 
 return, tho Indians conveyed a large tract of tho Mohawk 
 country to tho English, to prevent the necessity of submit- 
 ting to the French, in case of war. The government of New- 
 York, was not insensible of the importance of the Indian in- 
 terest, and of the infinite acts of the French to seduce theui 
 from their English alliance. The propriety of making suitable 
 presents to the chiefs and warriors of the Five Nations, was 
 strongly recommended ; a list made out of wliat the articles 
 should consist, together with an estimate of tho charge. 
 Funds were soon raised, and the presents purchased and dis- 
 tributed. 
 
 In 1709, an expedition by the American colonies, was pro- 
 jected against Canada. The Indians of the Five Nations 
 were engaged, through the indefatigable exertions of Col. 
 Schuyler, to join heartily in the attempt. To preserve the 
 friendship of the Five Nations, without which, it would have 
 been impossible to prevent the western frontiers from becom- 
 ing deluged in blood, he studied all tho arts of insinuating 
 himself into their favor. He gave them all possible encourage- 
 ment and assistance, and very much impaired his own fortune 
 by his liberality to their chiefs. They never came to Albany 
 but they resorted to his house, and often dined at his table. 
 By these means he obtained an ascendency over them, which 
 was attended with advantageous consequences to the colonies, 
 for he could in a great degree, obviate or eradicate the preju- 
 dices and jealousies, by which the French Jesuits were inces- 
 santly laboring to debauch their fidelity. As a further means 
 of securing their cooperation, Col. Schuyler, at his own pri- 
 vate expense, visited England, accompanied by five principal 
 chiefs of the Iroquois, to pay their respects to the Queen, Anne, 
 who had all along taken a lively interest in the afi'airs of these 
 people. The arrival of the five sachems, created a great sen- 
 sation throughout the kingdom. Splendid garments were 
 prepared for them, and great parade and solemnity attended 
 
 the audience tli 
 ted in splendid 
 Chamberlain, v 
 royal presence, 
 the 19th of A I 
 
 The attempt 
 The French a 
 New England ' 
 at this period, 
 their Indians, ■ 
 for the peace o 
 land with Col 
 mended tho re 
 reduction of C 
 the northern C( 
 apprised of thi 
 General, sent ( 
 the works he 
 possible, and 
 should be in r 
 The western Ii 
 Messrs. St. P 
 took up the lu 
 
 But the trca 
 settled definiti\ 
 ish crown bee 
 cerned, to the 
 Nations. 
 
 There being 
 and English, t 
 ward and resii 
 the Flat-Head 
 ties they rctui 
 who came off ; 
 
 The death oi 
 greatly aft'ecte 
 been to them, j 
 

 EARLY HISTORY, 
 
 297 
 
 the audionco they had of Iler Majesty. They were conduc- 
 ted in spknidid (ioachos to St. James' pahice, and the Lord 
 Chamberliiin, with much ceremony, introduced them into the 
 royal presence. Their speech on this occasion was made on 
 the 19th of April, 1710, and is preserved. 
 
 The attempt to make attacks upon Canada proved abortive. 
 The Frcncli and Indians ravaged the northern frontier of 
 New England with impunity. A treaty of neutrality existed 
 at this period, between the confederates, and the French and 
 their Indians, whicli was the only security the colonists had 
 for the peace of their frontier. The chiefs who went to Eng- 
 land with Col. Schuyler, having returned, strongly recom- 
 mended the renewal and prosecution of the scheme for the 
 reduction of Canada, as the only effectual means of securing 
 the northern colonies. The French in Canada, were not un- 
 apprised of these designs. Mons. Vaudreuil, the Governor 
 General, sent orders to the Sieur De Beaucourt, to complete 
 the works he was engaged upon at Quebec, as speedily as 
 possible, and commanded that all the regulars and militia 
 should be in readiness for a march, at a moment's warning. 
 The western Indians arrived at Montreal, at this time, under 
 Messrs. St. Pierre and Tonti, who with the Caughnuagas, 
 took up the hatchet in favor of the French. 
 
 But the treaty of Utrecht, concluded 81st of March, 1713, 
 settled definitively the Avhole m-itter. By this treaty, the Brit- 
 ish crown became entitled, so far as the French Avere con- 
 cerned, to the entire sovereignty to the country of the Five 
 Nations. 
 
 There being now a prospect of peace between the French 
 and English, the Five Nations turned their attention south- 
 ward and resumed hostilities against their ancient enemies, 
 the Flat-Heads, living in Carolina, and after a scries of bat- 
 tles they returned, and soon after adopted the Tuscaroras, 
 who came off from that country a vanquished people. 
 
 The death of Queen Ann, in 1714, was a circumstance which 
 greatly affected the chiefs of the Five Nations. She had long 
 been to them, as a mother to her children, and the many instan- 
 
 38 
 
 |i 
 
 if 
 
 i 
 
 1 it! 
 
 I 
 
 !:'# 
 
 ' H 
 
298 
 
 ONONDAGA, 
 
 ces of her kiiulnoss and jifTcction towiirda those sons of tlip 
 forest, wore long lioM in lively ronien»l>rance. 
 
 In behalf of the Five Nations, at a council hold at Albany, 
 •list Aiiiijii.st, 17ir>, Dt'kaiiissora coiif^ratulatod the Governor 
 on tho aoci'sjiion of Cieor;,'o I. to tho throne, and renewed with 
 Xroiit pomp ;ind Holniinity the aneicnt covenant eliai!! of the 
 Five NutiiMis, promising the Hanio should he kept invi'iliihle. 
 desiring nn uninterrupted course of prosperity and peace. The 
 Five Nations were solicited to use their iniluenee in restoring' 
 peace between the Catawbas and tho colony of Carolina, wh(» 
 had been at uar. 
 
 A proposition was made by the Five Nations, 2d of Sep- 
 tember, 17 IT), at a council held at Albany, at which was pre- 
 sent iviilian Van Rensselaer, Teter .Matthews, Jojin Cuyler, 
 llendrick ILinson, Teter Van iJrugh, and several sachems of 
 the Five Nations, witli Dekanissora at their head. 
 
 Here tlie liead chiefs engaged to renew the war with the 
 southern Indians, should tliey persist in continuing hostilities 
 against the whites, and to ratify the matter, desired an appro- 
 priation of arms and ammunilion to be made at once, that 
 they might Itc in readiness, whenever called upon, to march 
 in a body, and not in detached parties, and destroy them at 
 once. 
 
 The connnissioners in due time returned the answer of the 
 Governor, stating that arms and ammunition were i-endv for 
 them, bat were not to be delivered till such time as it beeume ne- 
 cessary for their warriors to depart. In the mean time, the Five 
 Nations sent eight ambassadors to tlie southern Indians to 
 treat of peace, and had during the past year made a success- 
 ful attack u])on the southern rebel Indians, and returned with 
 some scalps and prisoners. 
 
 Governor JTunter assures the chiefs of the Five Nations, in 
 council assembled, ISth June, HIT, of tlie good will of his 
 master, the king ; rencAvs the league of friendship, and allays 
 their apprehensions about evil designs of the English towards 
 them. 
 
 In this reply, is a curious appeal to the superstitions of an 
 
 inconstant peof 
 introduction of 
 •.'DCS on to say, 
 ly the small po 
 allies. But wo 
 iif that kind, as 
 an breaking of 
 ries, and tho lik 
 wo have a like i 
 there is not one 
 and at present i 
 Jerseys, and wc 
 the practieo of 
 
 fn tho same c 
 tir, that the Fr 
 i]uat, in tho co 
 Mipply the Inili 
 asrninst tho sout 
 which stops nuv 
 country. 
 
 In 1720, Wil 
 t-rnraent of tho 
 necessity of cul 
 the Five Natio 
 secure tho com 
 friondship of tl 
 French, in conf 
 ahing the sea cc 
 Mana. With t; 
 trading house a 
 vision t'' bo ma( 
 the Senecas an 
 from the Frenc 
 
 This year, a 
 I'onunissioners, 
 uiicient friendsl 
 
 Nothing coul 
 
KAIILY HISTORY, 
 
 299 
 
 inconstant people. They Imd previously complained of the 
 iiiti'oductiun of the small pox ainoiij^ them, ami the (xovernor 
 ;.'i)es on to Hay, " I am sorry for the loss that han happened 
 liy the small pox to the hrethren, or any of your friends or 
 allies. Hut wo Christians look upon that disease, and others 
 ,if tliiit kind, as punishments for our misdeeds and sins, such 
 ;iH lireakinii; of covenants ami promises, murders and rohbe- 
 rics, and the like. Wliatever sh;ire we have had in these sins, 
 \v(> have a like share in the punishment, for in I'ennsylvania 
 tliL're is not one {Christian family that has escaped the disease ; 
 ami at present it rages, and luis the last twelve months, in the 
 iorspys, and we firmly believe it will, sn lonr^ as wo continue 
 tlio practice of these sins, our plafjue will also continue." 
 
 fu the same conference, Dekanlssora informs Governor Ilun- 
 ti'f, that the French had erected a tradinji; house at lerondo- 
 iiiiiit, in the country helonrriu-^ to tiie Senecas, where they 
 supply the Indians with powder and lead, to pursue the war 
 aiiJiinst the southern Indians, and also with goods ami clothing, 
 which stops much of the peltry coming down from the upper 
 country. 
 
 In 1720, William Burnet, Esq., took upon himself the gov- 
 rrnmcnt of the Province of New-York. He early foresaw the 
 iK'Cossity of cultivating amicable relations with the cliiefs of 
 the Five Nations, and concluded it was highly necessary, to 
 secure the conunand of Lake Ontario, as well to retain the 
 friondship of this people, as to frustrate the designs of the 
 Froiich, in confining the English colonics to narrow limits, 
 along the sea coast, by a chain of forts from Canada to Loui- 
 <i;ma. With these views, he commenced the erection of a 
 tniiling house at Oswego, in 1722, and recommended a pro- 
 vision t' bo made for the residence of trusty persons, among 
 the Senecas and Onondagas, to keep their minds alienated 
 from the French. 
 
 This year, a convention of several colonial governors and 
 tommissiouers, was held at Albany, upon the renewal of the 
 uucient friendship with the Indians. 
 
 Nothing could more naturally excite the jealousy of the 
 
 
 •If 11 
 
800 
 
 ONONDAGA. 
 
 
 BXSI 
 
 1 
 
 
 ^^r 
 
 French, than the erection of a tradinpj house at Oawc^o. To 
 secure the trade of the west, and eountoruct the inlhienco of the 
 English ; JJaron l)e Lonj^^ueil, who had the chief command in 
 Canada, visited the Ononihiga canton in person, for leave to 
 erect a storehouse at Niagara, and by false representations in- 
 duced them to consent. But the other Irocjuois nations, de- 
 clared this act of the Onondagas void, signifying that the 
 country in which the French were at work, belonged solely to 
 the Seneeas, and reciuired them to desist. The French were 
 regardless of the rights of the Senectas, but used their utmost 
 exertiims to complete their work, wliile the Jesuit Joncaire, ex- 
 ercised all his address among the Indians, to prevent thera 
 from demolishing wiiat had already been erected. 
 
 Joncaire was a man much esteemed by the Senccas and 
 Onondagas, by the fornier of whom he was adopted. 
 
 He spoke the Indian, as Cliarlevoix infoinis us, " Avec la 
 plus SHbli»u' eloquence Iroquoine," and had lived with them, 
 from the year 1700. 
 
 The French completed their works at Niagara, and Governor 
 Burnet, who was unable to accomplish anything else, erected 
 a fort at Oswego, 1727. This necessary undertaking, was 
 pregnant with the most important conseciuences, not only to 
 this, but all the English colonies ; and what renders the mat- 
 ter abundantly more creditable to the Governor, he built the 
 fort almost wholly at his own private expense. Mons. Beaii- 
 harnois, the Governor of Canada, who superceded Longuiel, was 
 so incensed at the erection of a fort at Oswego, that he sent 
 a written sunmions to the officer posted there, to abandon it. 
 Not only so, but he sent Mons. De la Chassaigne, Governor 
 of Tiu-ee llivers, to New-York, with the strongest remon- 
 strances to Governor Jkruet, upon tliat head. Ilis Excel- 
 lency answered the French Governor very }iolitely, and in a 
 determined manner, on the eighth of August, in which he re- 
 futed the arguments of the Frencli Governor, and remonstra- 
 ted against his proceedings at Niagara. 
 
 Colonel John Montgomery, succeeded Governor Burnet, 
 on the lath of April, 1728. On the first of October follow- 
 
KARl-V HISTORY. 
 
 801 
 
 injj, lie hold a treaty with the Six Nations, for a renewal of 
 the ancient covenant, Avas lavish of presents, and engaged 
 tliciii iti the deferiHe of Oswego, Nothing could be more sea- 
 sonable than this interview ; for the French, who eyed that 
 important garrison, and our increasing trade there, with the 
 most restless jealousy, prepared, early in the following spring, 
 to diMnolish the works. (lovernor Burnet gave the lirst intcl- 
 liircnce of tliis design, in a letter to Col. Montgomery, dated 
 ;it Boston, .'Hstof jMiiTch, 1720; whereupon, the garrison was 
 imiiKMliiitoly rccnfoiH^ed, whicli, together with the resolute pro- 
 fessions of the Indians to protect the fort, induced the French 
 [0 desist from the projecte<l invasion. From this time to the 
 your llfA, this garrison was kept ordy by a lieutenant and 
 tffoiity-fivc tnen. 
 
 The following extract, from the journal of Conrad Weiser, 
 nil interpreter among the united Indians of the Six Nations, 
 furnished the author by Henry C. Van Schaack, Esq., pos- 
 soHSOs something of consequence to this work, as showing the 
 iiillucnce of the Five Nations, the interest manifested in their 
 proceedings, and the importance attached to their opinions 
 :iiid policy towards the French and English at that early day. 
 It thus begins : — 
 
 " Extract from the subscriber's journal, taken New- York, 
 the ir)th July, 1745 :— 
 
 11th June last past, set out from Onontago for Oswego, 
 accompanied by the chief of the nation, and about one hun- 
 dred persons, men, women and children, going to Canada .t 
 an invitation of the French Governor. 
 
 On the 13th, about eight o'clock in the morning, we arrived 
 at Oswego. The Indians at a distance saluted the fort, with 
 a discharges of their guns a second time, and in return were 
 answered with a discharge of some guns from the fort. Af- 
 ter we had landed, the officers of the fort came down and re- 
 ceived us kindly. They cordially invited me to the fort, and 
 accordingly I went with them. 
 
 Soon after, the Onontagas, with others of the Six United 
 Nations, came to the fort to visit the officers. Thev were 
 
 i!:.li_Mii 
 
 1; "'% 
 
302 
 
 ONONDAGA. 
 
 severally served with a drara. The Black Prince soon asked 
 for another to drink the king's health, which was freely (riven 
 and afterwards the same Indian, at a second visit, asked for a 
 third, for the purpose of drinking the health of the Governor 
 of New York. This request was also granted them. Wiiile 
 they sat with us and smoked their pipes, they asked several 
 questions about the war between England and France ; com- 
 plained that their brethren, the Commissioners of Indian Af- 
 fairs in Albany, had never told them the truth relative to tlio 
 progress of the war. Sometimes they would inform them of 
 the number of ships the English had taken from their enemv 
 but never a word of the loss themselves had sustained. When 
 on the other side, the French would always tell them whether 
 they had lost or gained, and would never hide any thine; from 
 the Indians. They desired to know every thing particularlv. 
 and as they were now on their way to Canada for the puljlic 
 good, and for the preservation of their house at Osweco, it 
 was expedient they should be informed. They gave all tlic 
 assurance tliat could be expected from an Indian council, that 
 their intent was good, and that the Governor of Canada would 
 never prevail upon them in any thing hurtful to their brethren, 
 the English, who they knew did not lila; their going to Cana- 
 da, which only arose from a distrust of the motives of tlieir 
 brethren of the Six United Nations. That their brother, tlie 
 Governor of New-York, and the Commissioners of Indian Af- 
 fairs in Alban3% desired thorn to stay at home ; ret thcv were 
 resolved to go, in order to convince their brethren that their 
 a,pprehen:-.ions were groundless. They said furthei', that on 
 their return from Canada, their brother, the Governor of 
 New-York, should know all that passed between them and 
 the Governor of Canada, which they positively allirmed, and 
 pointed with their fingers towards Heaven, and said, that God 
 heard them now speak, who would certainly punish them if 
 they told any lies in that affair, which was of such great im- 
 portance. After they had done speaking, I advised that the 
 officers might go into a room by themselves, and agree upon 
 an answer, Avhich was immediately done. The Indians Mere 
 
 told by me, wi 
 "Brethren of 
 Canada, hear 
 months agij, lii 
 English, his |)e 
 borders of Ne^ 
 women and c!ii 
 French carried 
 
 of St. LaWi'fMK 
 
 many hundreds 
 England p^vjul 
 the hatahc!, an 
 that town, and 
 them to assibt J 
 jiblc make th; 
 great King Ge 
 which say ti);it. 
 great guns a.;rl 
 to be mast -vs < 
 weeks. But Lti 
 it for truth. 
 
 As to tlio tal 
 from the Frenc 
 ports of Bo.-toi 
 of tliem, and S( 
 taken from n/,, 
 ilom hear of th 
 commissioners <. 
 sometime aftcrv 
 was no more lo( 
 or a cow, sin-'o 
 according to tin 
 got the better 
 money, which -a 
 
 As for their ; 
 thing as stoppir 
 
 We believed 
 
EARLV 11 1 STORY 
 
 303 
 
 told by mo, v.-ith the approbation of the officers, as follows : 
 '• Brethren of the United Six Nations, now on your Avay to 
 '■ Canada, hear : — When the King of Franco, about twelve 
 j months ai^o, first proclaimed war against your brethren, the 
 |: I English, hiri people immediatoly cut off a little town upon the 
 borders of Now England, which Avas settled with ploughmen, 
 ivomen and children, who knew nothing of the war, and the 
 French carried off some prisoners to an island, near the mouth 
 of St. Lawrence River, where they have a strong town, with 
 many hundroli uf soldiers, besides the inhabitants. The New 
 England i)oo;)le, therefore, made thcm:;;elves ready to return 
 the hatahet, and went with an array of their people to take 
 that town, and some of the great king's ships of war went with 
 them to as:U:;f; them in their undertaking, and they will if pos- 
 sible make tliat town, and the whole island, sihjoet to the 
 great King George, over the Avaters ; and we Iiave had letters 
 which say tliit your brethren, the English, have taken several 
 ;.a'eatguns and a strong fortification already, and are in hopes 
 to be masi,;rs of the chief town and whole island in a few 
 weeks. But ihis news must be confirmed, before we receive 
 it for truth. 
 
 As to tlio taking and losing of ships, Avhen any are taken 
 from the Erencli in North America, they are brought into the 
 ports of Boston, New-York or Piiiladelphia, and wo soon hear 
 of them, and :x'e tliesn with our eyes. As to those that are 
 taken from ui, tliey are carried into Frencii ports, and wo sel- 
 dom hear of thonxtill after a twelve montli, iind tiicrefore the 
 commissioners could not give a certain account of them, till 
 sometime afterwards. Besides, the taking or losing of a ship 
 was no more looked upon than to hear of the death of a horse 
 m- a cow, sin.-e so many have been taken on both sides. But 
 according to t:io calculation made by wise men, the English 
 got the better a great deal, considering they got the most 
 money, which was what the Europeans fight for. 
 
 As for their going to Canada, there was at this time no such 
 thing as stopping them. 
 
 We believed what they said to be the truth, and that it was 
 
 V 
 
 iist 
 
4)04 
 
 ONONDAGA. 
 
 for the public good, and for the preservation of their house 
 at Oswego. We wished them a good journey and a safe re- 
 turn, and concluded I would inform the Governors of New- 
 York and Pennsylvania of the promise they had made, with 
 which they were pleased. 
 
 The Indians desired that their brethren might give them a 
 meal of victuals, according to what poor Indians do to the 
 council of the United Nations, on their travels, and to the 
 white people themselves. But the officers had been at some 
 charge already. A gallon of rum at Oswego is two dollars, 
 and four or five gallons had been spent, to serve all the Indi- 
 ans going to Canada Avitli two drams each. They were at a 
 loss how to do, but gathered about three bags of peas, about 
 thirty pounds of pork, and four or five loaves of bread, and 
 gave it to the Indians. They returned thanks, and were well 
 pleased. But it was not sufficient for one quarter part of them 
 to serve for one meal. They complained to me of the covet- 
 ousness of their brethren of Albany. That they reaped a 
 great profit of thousands of pounds at the house of Oswego, 
 but would never give them a meal of victuals at Oswego." 
 
 The 14th of June, the Indians came again to the fort. I 
 treated them with a dram, and gave them a two gallon cask 
 of rum on their journey, with which to drink the health of 
 the King and Queen of Great Britain, in Montreal, after 
 their arrival. I presented their chief speaker with a watch- 
 coat, shirt, and a pair of stockings. 
 
 The 15th I set out again from Oswego, for Onontago, where 
 I arrived on the 16th. 
 
 The 17th, spent one day with Cathkerrowano and Canasa- 
 tego, the very chiefs of that nation, who staid at home, to 
 meet the Crovernor of New- York, in Albany^ (as they said,) 
 .some time this fall. 
 
 The 18th, set out for the Mohawks' country; passed 
 through the Tuscaroras' and Oneidas' countries, and arrived at 
 Canashocany." 
 
 The remainder of the Journal relates to several interviews 
 had with the Mohawk chiefs, at which interesting speeches 
 
 were made- 
 
 of the Engl 
 
 Onondaga— 
 
 allies the E 
 
 While the 
 
 and their ] 
 
 Nations we: 
 
 over one hu 
 
 many of whc 
 
 cases, were 
 
 early part oi 
 
 the Satanas, 
 
 on the south 
 
 considerablv 
 
 age. After 
 
 most implacf 
 
 long and blc 
 
 Quatoghies, 
 
 perly, occupi 
 
 and Ontario 
 
 year 1052. 
 
 confederates, 
 
 the French, \ 
 
 nation of thi 
 
 sanguinary ci 
 
 were comple 
 
 since been he 
 
 ited the soutl 
 
 hilated by th( 
 
 thus became i 
 
 the western \ 
 
 part of the S 
 
 and adopted, 
 
 tied amono; tl 
 
 CD 
 
 Tutelos, who 
 country. Th 
 age — they sp( 
 
EARLY HISTORY. 
 
 305 
 
 
 were made— during which, the interpreter explains the policy 
 of the English towards the Indians, the object of his visit to 
 Onondaga— beseeching the Indians to remain faithful to their 
 allies the English, which they promise to do. ♦ 
 
 While these events were passing, relative to the Iroquois 
 and their French, Dutch and English neighbors, the Five 
 Nations were engaged nearly the whole time, (a period of 
 over one hundred years,) in wars with various Indian tribes, 
 many of whom they conquered ; the remnants of which, in many 
 cases, were adopted and were settled among them. In the 
 early part of their wars with the Adirondacks, they conquered 
 the Satanas, a feeble nation, whom they adopted and settled 
 on the southren shore of Lake Ontario, which conquest added 
 considerably to their numbers, and raised their drooping cour- 
 age. After the overthrow of the Adirondacks, ever their 
 most implacable enemies, with whom they had carried on a 
 long and bloody war, they subdued the Hurons, called also 
 Quatoghies, who lived north of the great lakes, or more pro- 
 perly, occupied that groat peninsula between Lakes Superior 
 and Ontario. This conquest was accomplished about the 
 year 1652. Many of those who survived, settled among the 
 confederates, while others who continued their attachment to 
 the French, settled near Quebec. The Eries, called also the 
 nation of the Cat, were wholly destroyed after a long and 
 sanguinary contest, which closed about the year 1654. They 
 were completely extirpated, and no remnant of them has 
 since been heard of in existence. The Andastes, who inhab- 
 ited the south eastern shore of Lake Erie, were nearly anni- 
 hilated by the Senecas, about the year 1672. The Iroquois 
 thus became masters of their lands, comprising what is now 
 the western part of the State of New- York, and the eastern 
 part of the State of Ohio, besides these, had been conquered 
 and adopted, the Kasoongktas, who were subdued by, and set- 
 tled among the Onondagas ; and again, a small tribe, called 
 Tutelos, who were conquered and settled in the Cayugas' 
 country. These last were supposed to be of Winnebago line- 
 age—they spoke a harsh, rough sounding dialect. In 1712, 
 
 SO 
 
 i' Jtii 
 
 »i I'll 
 
 :.J.. 
 
306 
 
 ONONDAGA. 
 
 a terrible Indian war broke out in South Carolina, in which 
 colony the Tuscaroras then resiiled, and bore a distinguished 
 part. They were finally subdued, after immense loss to them- 
 selves, which was computed to be over one thousand warriors in 
 a single campaign. They soon after this disaster, abandoned 
 their country and united themselves with the Iroquois, who 
 assigned them a portion of their territory, near the Oneida 
 Lake, in the Oneidas' country ; after which, they removed to 
 western New- York. The Scnecas gave them lands on the 
 great ridge, in the present county of Niagara. Here they 
 have since continued to dwell, having added to their posses- 
 sions, by an early purchase from the Holland land company, 
 made with the avails of the sale of their reservation in North 
 Carolina. They number at present, in New- York, (1848,) 
 little less than three hundred souls. A portion of them have 
 joined the Mohawks in Canada. The acquisition of the Tus- 
 caroras to the Five Nations, gave them the nominal title of 
 the Six Nations. They are supposed by some, to be of the 
 lineage of the Iroquois, speaking a similar dialect. In 
 1722, the strength of the Six Nations was further augmented 
 by their reception among them, of a considerable body of 
 Nicariaguas. Their residence had been on the north of Macki- 
 naw. It has been said* that about the year 1765, the Messa- 
 aagnes were admitted as a seventh nation. They lived adjacent 
 to Lakes Huron and Superior. They were about two thou- 
 sand in number. This connection, however, (if ever formed,) 
 must have been broken oft', for there is at present no traditioD 
 imong the Onondagas, of such an event. 
 
 Hostilities again broke out between the French and Eng- 
 lish, in 1744 ; but, by the treaty of Aix la Chapelle, signed 
 30th of April, 1748, it was stipulated, that all conquests made 
 during the war, by either party, should be restored, entirely 
 on the principle, status ante helium. But this had not the 
 effect to remove the controversies previously existing between 
 the eolonies of England and France, respecting their bounda- 
 
 • Drake's Book of the Indians. 
 
EARLY HISTORY. 
 
 807* 
 
 ries. The English had taken possession of the Atlantic coast, 
 and considered themselves, as having a preemptive right to all 
 the country west to the racific. The French settlements 
 Btretching from Canada on the north, to Louisiana on the 
 Bouth, seriously interfered with those of the English. Canada 
 and Louisiana united, would have formed, as has been aptly 
 said " a bow, of which the English colonies would have consti- 
 tuted the string ;" and France insisted on confining them to 
 the eastern side of the Allcghanies. The contest was for the 
 extensive and fertile valley of the great Mississippi. At this 
 period, the white population of the English colonies, is supposed 
 to amount to upAvards of a million souls, while that of the 
 French, scarcely amounted to sixty thousand. Notwithstand- 
 ing this disparity in numbers, advantages inclined in favor of 
 the P'rench. Their whole power was concentrated under one 
 governor. The genius of the people and the government was 
 military, and great reliance was placed on the Indians, who, 
 with the exception of the Five Nations, were firmly attached 
 to the French cause. 
 
 On the other hand, the British colonies were divided into 
 distinct governments, unaccustomed to act in concert, already 
 jealous of the power of the crown ; besides, they had for a 
 long time remained in peace, consequently^ unused to arras, 
 but they still continued their alliance with the Five Nations,, 
 who were ready and powerful auxiliaries. Such was the po- 
 sition of these rival nations in America, at the opening of the 
 campaign, in 1755. General Braddock this year arrived from 
 England ; expeditions Avere planned against Fort du Quesne, 
 forts Niagara, Frontenac, and Crown Point ; and another by 
 the Massachusetts colony, against Nova Scotia. That against 
 du Quesne proved disastrous, in the defeat of General Brad- 
 dock. The two northern expeditions, though not so disas- 
 trous as that against Fort du Quesne, were neither of them 
 entirely successful. Although General William Johnson ob- 
 tained the victory over the Baron Dieskau, the advantages 
 were not as great as might have been anticipated, or would 
 have been, had the victory been more complete. While Gene- 
 
 IT 
 
 J'f| 
 
 rvl 
 
 ■I- 
 
 
 ill 
 
 
 H!i 
 
 -.iLi! 
 
308 
 
 ONONDAGA 
 
 ral Shirley experienced so many delays, that he accomplished 
 nothing against Niagara, but to leave a garrison at Oswego 
 and return to Albany. In the expedition under General 
 Johnson, the warriors of the Five Nations, principally Mo- 
 hawks and Onoudagaa, under the renowned King Ilcndrick 
 rendered signal service to the English, and sustained in a dis- 
 tinguished manner, their former character for courage and 
 bravery. The Onondagas were ready with their whole availa- 
 ble force, to assist General Shirley, and only waited an oppor- 
 tunity to prove themselves every ^vay worthy the conlideace 
 and consideration of their friends. 
 
 The Marcjuis do Montcalm, who succeeded General Dies- 
 kau in command of the army of Canada, in the mean time 
 advanced with five thousand men, including Europeans, Cana- 
 dians and Indians, against Oswego. After a siege of three 
 days, in which Colonel Mercer, commander of the garrison, 
 was killed, the whole force capitulated, and were made prison- 
 ers of war, and the forts, in the presence of the Onondagas 
 demolished. A respectable naval armnmcnt, then on the lake 
 fell also into the hands of tbe enemy. Tlie following year, 
 175". 'he successful and vigilant Montcalm, laid siege to Fort 
 William Henry, v.-ith so much vigor, that the garrison under 
 Colonel Munroo capitulated, after an investment of six days, 
 surrendering their militai-y stores, and material of war, stipu- 
 lating that they should not serve against the King of the 
 French, or his allies, for the space ef eighteen months. 
 
 The campaign of 1757 closed, leaving the affairs of the 
 colonies of Great Britain, in America, in a more gloomy situ- 
 ation than at any former period. 
 
 By the reduction of Fort William Henry, tlie French ac- 
 quired possession of Lakes Champlain and George, and, by 
 the destruction of Oswego, secured the dominion of the Lakes, 
 Ontario and westward to the waters connecting with the Mis- 
 sissippi. The campaign of 1758, opened with brighter pros- 
 pects, although at first, it seemed to forbode anything like 
 success. General Abercrombie was repulsed before Ticon- 
 deroga, with great loss ; but, to make amends for this, Colo- 
 
 nel Bradstri 
 tenac, with i 
 all the soutl 
 principal de 
 armed vessel 
 razed the fc 
 easily remov 
 to Oswego ; 
 with unexan 
 yielded to tl; 
 17')!>. 
 
 The same 
 Lake Ontari 
 had scarcely 
 had been le 
 rously attacl 
 repulsed Avitl 
 flict. Mean 
 and investei 
 the siege, th 
 upon which 
 A battle was 
 lish were vie 
 by Avhich th( 
 
 The authc 
 expedition, i 
 book of Ser 
 Highlanders 
 the archives 
 H. R. Scho 
 ance to inser 
 lished. 
 
 " On the i 
 Johnson, wit 
 pedition agai 
 19, 1759, af 
 
 Boats, baj 
 

 EARL Y HISTORY. 
 
 8D9 
 
 nel Bradstreet, in the mcth of August, took the Fort Fron- 
 tenac, with its larpfc miigizine of military stoves, from which 
 all the south-wostcrn posts drew their supplies, it being the 
 principal depot for articles designed for the Indians. Nine 
 armed vessels also fell into the hands of the English. Having 
 razed the fort, and demolished such stores as could not be 
 easily removed, Colonel Bradstreet recrossed the Lake Ontario 
 to Oswego ; the expedition throughout having been attended 
 with unexampled success. Ticonderoga and Crown Point, 
 yielded to the English arms, under General Amherst, in July, 
 IToD. 
 
 The same month, July, General Prideaux embarked on 
 Lake Ontario, with an army destined against Niagara. He 
 had scarcely departed from Oswego when that place which 
 had been left in command of Colonel Haldimand, was vigo- 
 rously attacked by a body of French and Indians, who were 
 repulsed Avith considerable loss, after a somewhat severe con- 
 flict. Meanwhile, General Prideaux proceeded to Niagara, 
 and invested that fortress in due form. In the progress of 
 the siege, the General was killed by the bursting of a cohorn, 
 upon which the command devolved upon General Johnson. 
 A battle was fought on the 24th of July, in which the Eng- 
 lish were victorious. A capitulation Avas immediately signed, 
 by Avhich the garrison became prisoners of Avar. 
 
 The author having in hand, a manuscript relative to this 
 expedition, it being no other than that of the original orderly 
 book of Serjeant John Degarimo, of the 44th regiment of 
 Highlanders, company of Capt. John McKenzie, found among 
 the archives of the NcAv-York Historical Society, presented by 
 H. R. Schoolcraft, Esq. We think it of sufficient import- 
 ance to insert entire, inasmuch as it has never before been pub- 
 lished. 
 
 " On the 21st of June, 1750, Gen. Prideaux and Sir William 
 Johnson, AA'ith the army, set out from Oneida Lake, on an ex- 
 pedition against Niagara, Avhich terminated at OsAvego, August 
 19, 1759, after the capture of that post. 
 
 Boats, bateaux, &c., were prepared for the conduct of the 
 
 ri 
 
«10 
 
 ONONDAGA. 
 
 whole army. Among which arc mentioned, masons, sawyers 
 bricklayers, wheelwrights, colliers, carpenters, house and ship! 
 joiners, turners, blacksmiths, gunsmiths, &c., &c. Orders 
 were given, to have all the bateaux ready in three divisions, 
 each one to be numbered, as soon as a sufficient number 
 of them shall be assigned to each. During the march, tho 
 most particular regard was paid to order and precison in dis- 
 cipline. On tho 23d, the army passed Fort Brcwington, and 
 encamped at Three Rivers. On the 24th, at 5 o'clock, A. M. 
 all were ordered to bo in readiness for the March. The pi- 
 quet guard, and quarter guard, to march along shore. 
 
 24th; arrived at the great falls and encamped, and re- 
 mained there the 25th and 26th. On the 27th, arrived at 
 Oswego, and were engaged in procuring provisions, 28th, 29th 
 and 30th, and in making preparations for the march. 
 
 July 1st, moved on to Osenodus Bay ; next day moved on 
 to Nidenindequeat, and were there through the 3d at Prideaui 
 Bay on the 4th, and at Johnson's Creek, 5th, 6th, and 7th, 
 and before Niagara, from the 8th of July, to the 2d of Au- 
 gust ; during which time, it was duly invested and taken ; af- 
 ter which, the army returned to Oswego, on the 6th. The 
 journal closes with the 19th." 
 
 Another journal by the same hand commences with a col- 
 lection of troops from Massachusetts, Rhode Island, New- 
 Hampshire, Connecticut, and New- Jersey, with the 44th 
 Highlanders, under command of Colonel Woodhull, and their 
 march to the frontiers of New- York, being at Albany, May 
 3d, 1760, and terminating at a camp near Fort Ontario, July 
 16th, 1760. These troops were nearly all collected by the 
 1st of June, and were ready to proceed on the 9th. On the 
 10th, they were mustered at Schoharie ; June 15th, encamped 
 at Willihea ; 10th at Frey's ; 19th to 29th at Canajoharia ; Ju- 
 ly Ist at Fort Stanwix, and at Fort Brewington on July 6th. 
 The journal thus goes on, "July 6th, 1760, camp at Fort 
 Brewington. No man to presume to damage any thing be- 
 longing to the Indians, on penalty of receiving one Imndred 
 lashes, without benefit of court martial. The officers com- 
 
 manding com 
 
 bateaux, with 
 
 what species. 
 
 stay with it a 
 
 that man is t 
 
 of each com] 
 
 o'clock, to th 
 
 Camp at I 
 
 The third 
 
 board their b 
 
 at ten o'clocl 
 
 mediately. 
 
 Camp at 1 
 
 R. 0. Ai 
 
 such prisoner 
 
 Capt. Yates, 
 
 Cannon, mei 
 
 The army 
 
 They arri\ 
 
 closes with tl 
 
 nal gives the 
 
 turn of Gen< 
 
 close of the 
 
 ending at So 
 
 From a m 
 
 Library of tl 
 
 lowing relati 
 
 dagas, &c. : 
 
 July 17, 1 
 
 Brewerton,* 
 
 chem of Gai 
 
 der to suppo 
 
 of the dearn 
 
 &c. After ' 
 
 ties had beei 
 
 * It iB « little 
 ia spelled Brewi 
 
EARLY HISTORY. 
 
 811 
 
 manding companies to give in a return of -what number of 
 bateaux, with the number of barrels each will contain, and of 
 what species. That a man shall be assigned to each boat to 
 stay with it all night, and keep her always bailed out, and 
 that man is to be answerable for it. A return of the state 
 of each company to be given in to-morrow morning, at six 
 o'clock, to the serjeant major. 
 
 Camp at Fort Brewington, July 7ih, 17G0. 
 
 The third New-York Regiment to bo ready to embark on 
 board their bateaux at half past nine o'clock, and to push oflF 
 at ten o'clock. The Serjeants to see that their men cook im- 
 mediately. 
 
 Camp at Three River Rift, July 8. 
 
 R. 0. A regimental court martial to sit immediately, to try 
 such prisoners as shall be brought before them, consisting of 
 Capt. Yates, President ; Lieuts. Deneyck, Vrooman, Hanson, 
 Cannon, members. 
 
 The army proceed to Oswego Falls, and again encamped." 
 
 They arrived at Oswego on the 9th July, and the journal 
 closes with the army at Oswego, July 20th. The same jour- 
 nal gives the orderly's record of the same regiment of the re- 
 turn of General Bradstreet's army from Detroit, 1764, at the 
 close of the Pontiac war, beginning at Sandusky Bay, and 
 ending at Schlosser and Niagara Falls, Nov. 13, 1764. 
 
 From a manuscript journal of Sir William Johnson's in the 
 Library of the New York Historical Society, we glean the fol- 
 lowing relative to Indian councils, held with the Oneidas, Onon- 
 dagas, &c. : 
 
 July 17, 1761, Sir William Johnson having arrived at Fort 
 Brewerton,* west end of Oneida Lake, Sequarisero, chief sa- 
 chem of Gauayhsaragey, came to his tent to buy some pow- 
 der to support his family in hunting, and complained greatly 
 of the dearness of goods and the low prices of beavers, furs, 
 &c. After which Sir William asked him whether any depu- 
 ties had been sent by the Five Nations in the spring or sum- 
 
 * It is a little singular that at this time, and at nil times, the name of this place 
 is spelled Brewington and Brewerton— the latter is right. 
 
 ''I 
 
312 
 
 ONONDAGA 
 
 mor, either by the Indians living about Detroit, or to tnj 
 other nations of Indians. To wliich ho answered, that there 
 were some sent by tiio Senecas, and that the Cayu^ruH wc-o to 
 have sent some also, but that on the arrival of the Cayuga 
 Indians in the Scnocas' country, ho was toM it would not be 
 prudent to go so far alone, whereupon they proceeded without 
 him. 
 
 To confirm what had on a previous occasion been said, tho 
 journal continues, '' I then sent by an Indian a string of wam- 
 pum to desire the Brant, and other chiefs of the Onondagas, 
 to meet us at Oswego in order to talk over the business with 
 them, as also to deliver the medals sent by (Jeneral Amherst, 
 to all those of that nation, who ai^eompanied tho army to 
 Montreal the last year, but on mentioning some particular 
 chiefs. Sir William was informed by tho Tuscarora sachem 
 that they were gone, on tho Governor of Pennsylvania's invi- 
 tation, to attend a meeting of deputies of that'jjrovince, ad- 
 ding that this nation and the Oneidas refused sending a depu- 
 tation thither. 
 
 Sunday, July 10th, Sir William Johnson arrived at Oswe- 
 go. On the 20tli, several Messasauguas and other Indians 
 waited on Sir William, whom he informed of the cause of his 
 going to Detroit. 
 
 Two o'clock P. M. Two Onondagas arrived and acquaint- 
 ed Sir William that forty of their nation were on their way 
 to meet him agreeable to his summons." 
 
 At a meeting held at Oswego, Tuesday, July 21st, 1761 
 present, Sir William Johnson, Part., Maj. Duncan, Capt. Gray,' 
 and several officers of the r).5th regiment, Lieut. Guy Johnson! 
 acting as Secretary, with interpreters, and upwards of forty sa- 
 chems and warriors of Onondaga. Sir Willlnm opened the con- 
 ference by welcoming them to Oswego, and after the usual cere- 
 mony of condolence for their friends slain at Niagara, acquaint- 
 ed them with the reasons for his not calling them to a gen- 
 eral council, since his return from Canada ; Informed them 
 of the cause of his journey to Detroit, and of his discovery 
 of the evil intentions and proceedings of tho Indians, and 
 
 cautioned thr 
 ho expected t 
 ing which ho 
 hunting and i 
 lish during hi 
 idle reports w 
 ing to create 
 dians. He t 
 gas, and del 
 General Ami 
 they withdra^ 
 returned, wlu 
 turning man 
 through tho i 
 of wampum ; 
 ly been given 
 go against Ni 
 
 " Brother 
 army to the s 
 ing with our 
 of tho rest of 
 trade, so as 
 likewise prom 
 ort ourselves 
 whicii we cli 
 you to Nlagai 
 the wounds wl 
 we find ourse] 
 people in trad 
 ral posts. Tl 
 our expectatic 
 of much unea 
 meet with bet 
 we shall be Ir 
 told us Avoulc 
 Selt given. 
 
 "We are si 
 
KARLY HISTORY. 
 
 818 
 
 cautioned thorn againHt haviiif^ any hand in them, and that 
 ho ox|)(!CtiMl tlic Five Nation.s would have attended the nicot- 
 ing which he Wiis },'oiii<^ to call ; advised them to nund their 
 huntinj^ and trade, and to hohave friendly towards the Eng- 
 lish duriii;^ his absence, and by no means to pay re^jard to any 
 idle reports which mi;^'ht bo cireidated about tiio country, tend- 
 ing to create a misumlerstandinf; between the English and In- 
 dians. He then presents a, belt to the cliiei' of the Ononda- 
 gas, and delivers iti groat pomp the medals forwanh'd by 
 General Amherst, to all the chiefs of that nation, after which 
 they withdraw to consider an answer. In about an hoin- they 
 returned, whereupon the chief speaker stood up, and after re- 
 turning many thanks for what Sir William had said, wont 
 through the usual ceremony of condolence, gave three strings 
 of wampum ; then pulling out a large belt wiiich had former- 
 ly been given them by 8ir William, when they were called to 
 go against Niagara, he proceeded : 
 
 " lirother Warraghiyagey — On your setting out with the 
 army to the seige of Niagara, you then promised us a meet- 
 ing with our nation. That after the reduction thereof and 
 of the rest of the country, you would be enabled to regulate 
 trade, so as to reduce the exhorbitant price of goods, and 
 likewise promised us good treatment forever, should we ex- 
 ert ourselves in conjunction with the army against tlio enemy, 
 which wo cheerfully agreed to, and accordingly conducted 
 you to Niagara, and assisted you in taking it, as a salve for 
 the Avounds which you had received. Notwithstanding Avhich, 
 we find ourselves very much wronged and ill treated by your 
 people in trade, and frequently ill used, without cause, at seve- 
 ral posts. This proceeding, so contrary to your promises and 
 our expectations, has greatly alarmed us, and been the cause 
 of much uneasiness. Wo therefore entreat you, that we may 
 meet with better usage from the English in future, otherwise 
 we shall be induced to believe what the French have so often 
 told us would be the consequence of your reducing tliem. 
 Belt given. 
 
 " We are surprised, to find you are going to call a counctt 
 
 W tli'f 
 
 I 
 
 ■ -^ 
 
 m 
 
 lLi 
 
 21''* 
 
 h| 
 
 
 ll 
 
 rll 
 
314 
 
 ONONDAGA. 
 
 at Detroit, as you know that the chief and only council fire 
 burns at your house, excepting that whicli we have at Onon- 
 daga. Besides, the Avestern Indians, as aggressors, oucrht 
 rather to have attended on you. You recommend to us to 
 mind our hunting and trade, and to live on good terras with 
 our brethren at the several posts, than which nothint^ could 
 be more agreeable to our inclinations. But Ave are sorry to 
 observe that your brethren do not seem desirous of living on 
 any good terms with us, from the frequent acts of violenco 
 offered, as well to us as to our women, and also from their 
 hindering us from fishing or hunting about the posts, although 
 in our own country, and frequently taking from us what we 
 have killed or taken, contrary to promise and the friendship 
 subsisting between us and you. We therefore beg, brother, 
 that you Avill interpose and see justice done us — that Ave may 
 have a free and reasonable trade, Avith powder allowed us, and 
 that there may be, also, interpreters fixed at the several posts, 
 who may prevent any future misunderstanding, Avhich otherAvise 
 might happen, through our not understanding each other's 
 language. 
 
 " Brother — With regard to Avhat you spoke to us, concern- 
 ing the intelligence sent from Detroit, and to your kind cau- 
 tions to us on that head, Avhereby you advised us to avoid en- 
 tering into any such idle project, Ave can truly answer, that 
 we knoAV nothing of any such plot, neither are Ave, or shall 
 re get drunk and suffer ourselves to grow giddy, being deter- 
 mined to hold fast the coA^enant chain, and hope you will do 
 the same on your part, so that Ave may both live together, till 
 we become gray. This belt, Avhich you have delivered us, 
 shall be sent to the soA'eral nations, our allies, to acquaint 
 them Avith Avhat you say, Avith our resolutions thereon, Avhich 
 we hope Avill be a precedent for them to follow, and Avhen they 
 are all acquainted therewith, you Avill receive a belt in return. 
 
 "Brother — We esteem it a great favor that the general 
 hath thought proper to remember those Indians who attended 
 him to Monti eal last year, by rcAvarding them Avith medals, 
 and we return you thanks for delivering them to us, assuring 
 
 arose at t 
 nations rt 
 may with 
 to their w 
 you must 
 guished tt 
 war. 
 
 " Broth 
 adaeta, w 
 spring, wl: 
 kettles, a 
 then goinf 
 you will i 
 been grea 
 chase clot 
 
 " Broth 
 came here 
 leturn. ^ 
 much the; 
 which ren 
 the maint( 
 it, even fo 
 wampum, 
 have a coi 
 until your 
 to be forg 
 
 In replj 
 instances 
 out in no 
 length ass 
 ment of tl 
 of the On 
 &c., on pr 
 ceptable t 
 
Miruii^ 
 
 EARLY HISTORY. 
 
 315 
 
 you that you may always depend on our remaining true allies 
 to the English, and although, through misunderstanding which 
 arose at that time, several of our and of the other Indian 
 nations returned back, after the taking of Fort Levis, you 
 may with great truth acquaint the general that it was owing 
 to their want of zeal and inclination to serve the English, as 
 you must know, that several of them have particularly distin- 
 guished themselves in your cause, during all the rest of the 
 war. 
 
 " Brother — Here is one of our people present, named Kan- 
 adaeta, who had his hunting house plundered (during the 
 spring, while he was absent hunting) of thirty buckskins, two 
 kettles, a gun, axes and other things, by some of the English, 
 then going to Fort William Augustus. He therefore hopes 
 you will inquire into it and obtain some redress, as he has 
 been greatly reduced thereby, not having wherewithal to pur- 
 chase clothing. 
 
 " Brother — I now speak at the request of the warriors, who 
 came here to see and wish you a good journey, and safe 
 return. And I am, in their names, to let you know how 
 much they are distressed for want of powder for hunting, 
 which renders them unable to obtain skins for trade, and for 
 the maintenance of their families, not being able to procure 
 it, even for their money. They therefore, by this bunch of 
 wampum, desire you to consider their wants, by letting them 
 have a couple of casks of powder, with a proportion of ball, 
 until your return, which they shall look upon as a favor never 
 to be forgotten." 
 
 In reply. Sir William reminded the Onondagas of the several 
 instances of their perfidy, bad faith and fickleness, and deals 
 out in no unmeasured terms, threats and rebukes; but at 
 length assumes an evener tone, and finally threatens punish- 
 ment of the marauders of either party, and grants the wishos 
 of the Onondaga chief, by promising him the powder, balls, 
 &c., on promise of future amendment, which proved very ac- 
 ceptable to the Onondagas. 
 
316 
 
 ONONDAGA. 
 
 Sir William continues his journey, and holds other confer- 
 ences at Niagara and Detroit. 
 
 In September, 1759, the English forces, provincial and re- 
 gular, with a large body of Mohawk and Onondaga Indians, 
 were concentrated at Quebec, under General Wolfe, which even- 
 tuated in the decisive battle on the plains of Abraham, and the 
 surrender of the fortress and city of Quebec. In this im- 
 portant battle, fell the illustrious commanders of both English 
 and French ; General Wolfe and M. de Montcalm. Deaths 
 more glorious, and attended with circumstances more pictu- 
 resque, exhibiting more nobleness of soul and heroic fortitude, 
 can scarcely find parallels in the annals of history. With 
 this event, fell the power of the French in Canada. By the 
 treaty of peace, which succeeded in 1762, the French King 
 ceded to Great Britain, forever, all the territory to which 
 France was entitled, on the eastern bank of the Mississippi, 
 except the Island of New-Orleans. 
 
 The cessation of hostilities between these two great powers 
 gave also rest to the warriors of the Six Nations ; but, not- 
 withstanding their favor was courted by the English, the ser- 
 vices they had rendered to the colonies were of too import- 
 ant a character not to be substantially remembered ; and, even 
 at this late day, it becomes us, not to forget, in our reminis- 
 cences of the past and our felicitations of the present, those 
 distinguished braves who so freely shed their blood for their 
 English allies ; nor feel reluctance in bestowing the due meed 
 of praise to those heroic warriors and brilliant orators, who 
 figured alike conspicuously in our history and their own. 
 The great council fire for the transaction of business between 
 the English and Six Nations had been usually lighted at Al- 
 bany ; while that, for theiv own affairs, shone abroad with un- 
 diminished lustre, from their time honored Onondaga. Had 
 it not been for the long continued friendship of these distin- 
 guished people, and the inestimable services rendered by them 
 in the English wars with the French, it is not at all certain that 
 the English would have been successful ; and it is nossille. if 
 
 not probabl( 
 the French. 
 
 After th( 
 the mother 
 which at fii 
 happiness, i 
 storm gave ■ 
 Lexington, ; 
 at Bunker I 
 came the p 
 possible, of 
 were unsucc 
 neutral part 
 in their cabi 
 part against 
 
 The Onoii 
 war path, ar 
 to the crown 
 treated thoii 
 In the treat_^ 
 there was n( 
 the legislatu 
 them from a 
 but, by the k 
 the rash act 
 the Six Nati( 
 at Fort Sta 
 sented by th 
 part of the 1 
 
 *In 175S, tli( 
 Johnson and otli 
 title of the exten 
 lakes. The com 
 triu't oC upwards 
 Brotherton. Th 
 coininissii)ners, n 
 Raritan. The ex 
 The Mohawks 
 present, to the m 
 
EARLY HISTORY. 
 
 8i*r 
 
 not probable, that the colonics would have been governed by 
 the French.* 
 
 After the conclusion of this war, the difficulties between 
 the mother country and the colonies, thickened. The clouds 
 which at first cast their faint shadows over the sun of our 
 happiness, at length thickened to a tempest, till the awful 
 storm gave warning of its approach, at Boston, Concord and 
 Lexington, and finally burst forth in its most portentous fury 
 at Buiij^er Hill. Foreseeing a long and angry contest, it be- 
 came the policy of the colonies to secure the assistance, if 
 possible, of the Indians occupying the frontier. In this they 
 were unsuccessful, and failed even to engage them to act a 
 neutral part, except the Oneidas, a portion of whom lay idle 
 in their cabins, while the Mohawks bore a most distinguished 
 part against the cause of freedom. 
 
 The Onondagas, Cayugas and Senecas, were often on the 
 war path, and rendered, at different periods, essential service 
 to the crown. After the Avar of the Revolution, the English 
 treated their Indian allies with great indifference and neglect. 
 In the treaty between the United States and Great Britain, 
 there was no stipulation made in behalf of the Indians, and 
 the legislature of Kew-York manifested a disposition to expel 
 them from all their territory, within the bounds of the state ; 
 but, by the kind offices of Generals Washington and Schuyler, 
 the rash act was not consummated. A grand council of all 
 the Six Nations, for the purpose of making a treaty, was called 
 at Fort Stanwix, in 1784. The several nations were repre- 
 sented by the chiefs and warriors. The commissioners on the 
 part of the United States were Oliver Wolcott, Richard But- 
 
 * In 17')S, the governors of Pennaylvania and New-Jersey, with Sir William 
 Johnson and other agents, coacluded a treaty with the Indians, conveying the 
 title of the extensive territory lying between the Apalacliian Mountains and tha 
 lakes. The commissioners, with the eonsent of the Indian attorneys, purciiased a 
 tra(tt of upwards of thirty til lusand acres of land, which received the name of 
 Br.nherton. Tiio dned was taken in tlie name of the Xcw-Tersev gLivernor and 
 commissioners, and their heirs, in trust for tlie natives in New-Jersey, soiith of the 
 Raritan. The council Ijegan on the blh of October and continued to the '^Gth. 
 
 The Mohawks, Oneidas, Onondagas, Cayugas, Senecas, and otiier nations wera 
 present, to the number of (Ive hundred and seven. (Holme's Annals, II. p. 86.) 
 
 lil 
 
 Wti 
 
S18 
 
 ONONDAGA. 
 
 ler and Arthur Lee. A definitive treaty was made, giving 
 to each a suitable reservation of land, except the Mohawks, 
 who had accepted a proposal from General Ilaldimand to sel^ 
 tie in Canada. By this treaty, they were shorn of a goodly 
 portion of their valuable lands, their power was destroyed, 
 and their martial spirit completely broken. The result of this 
 negotiation gave great dissatisfaction to the chiefs and war- 
 riors of the Five Nations. They had fought for their favorite 
 ally and been conquered ; they had severally been assaulted 
 in their own country and been defeated ; they had raised the 
 hatchet in defense of their homes, it had fallen unavenged and 
 harmless to the ground, and they sat down mournfully to 
 brood over their fallen fortunes. The western Indians had 
 shared little in the trials of the confederates ; they continued 
 their murderous incursions on the defenseless inhabitants of 
 Ohio, Pennsylvania and Kentucky. The downfallcn confede- 
 rates, could not but sympathize with them. Brant, the great 
 captain of the Five Nations, the master spirit of their plans, 
 urged them on to war. Bands of Senecas and Onondagas, 
 under taeir favorite chiefs, were present with the MohaAvks, 
 and assisted in the successive defeats of Ilarmcr and St. Clair, 
 and manfully bore arms on the memorable day on which the tide 
 of victory Avas turned in favor of the American arms, wielded 
 by the brave men commanded by the gallant Wayne. Olieknugh 
 and Oundiaga, of the Onondagas were there, the former left 
 his bones to bleach on the plains of the Miamis ; the latter 
 returned with a few of his heroic braves, to tell the tale of 
 their avoc, and to teach a lesson of humiliation and submission, 
 to their surviving brethren, spirit broken and disconsolate. 
 
 After this defeat, the Onondagas saAV clearly the folly of 
 cherishing any longer a hostile disposition towards tlicir im- 
 mediate neighbors. They settled down in quiet, determined 
 to submit with fortitude to their fate. Their numbers had 
 been fatally thinned, they had gained nothing in the late con- 
 test but honor, and even that was forgotten and neglected by 
 their allies. Many had moved westward in disappointment 
 and disgust, and the scattering few who still lingered around 
 
EARLY HISTORY. 
 
 319 
 
 their ancient council-fire, brooded in gloomy despondency over 
 their fallen greatness. By degrees their confidence was re» 
 stored, a season of rest gave them renewed vigor, a new gen- 
 eration brought with it a returning spirit of national pride. 
 The traditions of their ancient grandeur, awakened in the bo- 
 soms of the maturing braves a spirit of martial independence. 
 Again they seemed to be themselves, and when the sound of 
 war's alarms was heard on the frontier of New-York in 1812, 
 the Onondagas were ranged for battle, and gave decisive evi- 
 dence of their prowess, on the plains of Chippewa, and at 
 Lundy's Lane, under the gallant Generals Brown, Scott, Rip- 
 ley and Porter. Their leader was lloh-a-hoa-qua, (La Fort,) 
 father of the late head chief bearing the latter appellation. 
 Ti-ungk-ta-ko-nae, (Capt. George,) was his companion in arms. 
 The former was slain in the battle of Chippewa, on the mem- 
 orable 6th of July, 1814, and his remains were buried with 
 military honors roav fne spot Avhere he closed his earthly ca- 
 reer, and there still remain, in a foreign land, " unwept, un- 
 honored and unsung ;" no marble tells their resting place. 
 At the approach of a contest at arms in 1814, General Por- 
 ter, who had the confidence of the New-York Indians in a re- 
 markable degree, came down to Ononda>i,?. and solicited their 
 cooperation in the war. A council of the nation was held at 
 Cayuga, at which it was resolved to aid the Americans. A 
 subsequent council of all the Six Nations was called at Buffa- 
 lo. The Oneidas, Onondagas, Cayugas and Senecas, were 
 represented, — the Mohawks did not appear, — they had al- 
 ready pledged themselves to their ancient ally, the crown of 
 Great Britain, The Mohawks on all previous occasions had 
 furnished the chief war captain of the confederacy. A grave 
 question tirose in this council, as to which nation should now 
 be entitled to this distinguished honor. Claims were set up 
 by all the nations represented ; debate ran high, none seemed 
 willing to yield the point, till at length Sagoyawatha, (Red 
 Jacket,") with a magnanimity unparalleled, arose in the majes- 
 ty of his might, and eloquently declared his sentiments in fa- 
 vor of the Onondagas. He was seconded by various other 
 
 '• M 
 
 m 
 'II 
 
 Hist 
 
 ■ 5» 
 
 'Kit 
 
 '1-ilPi 
 
 > ! 
 
320 
 
 ONONDAGA. 
 
 chiefs who ha(i not yet spoken, and Iloh-a-hao-qua, was select- 
 ed. He manfully responded to the call, saying, " I am ready 
 to lead the brave men of our nations where duty calls, and if 
 necessary, to shed the last drop of my blood for the good of 
 the cause we have now embraced." Under their newly select- 
 ed leader, the Onondagas and Senecas crossed the lines, pre- 
 pared for battle, and honorably sustained themselves through 
 out the fight. Previous to his death, Hoh-a-hoa-qua had a 
 presentiment of its approach. He said to those around him, 
 " I shall perish here ; this ground will be red with my blood '' 
 a prediction literally fulfilled. ' 
 
 The Onondagas followed the fortune of war, and at Lun- 
 dy's Lane were engaged as scouts, not entering into the hot- 
 test of that sanguinary conflict. These were the last battle- 
 fields on which the Onondagas Avere engaged. Their services 
 on the frontier and in an enemy's country, (they claim) have 
 never been duly appreciated, and the scanty pittance meted 
 for their services, is but a common illustration of the grati- 
 tude and magnanimity of powerful nations towards the weaker. 
 _ By the treaty of Fort Stanwix, held 1784, the several na- 
 tions gave hostages for their good behavior, and were confined 
 and restricted to the lands then actually occupied by thorn re- 
 spectively, being all the country west of the " Old Property 
 Line," except certain reserves at Oswego and along the Nia- 
 gara River. Subsequently in 1788, the Onondagas, by a 
 treaty made at Fort Stanwix, Avith the State of New York, 
 relinquished all title to their lands, except about ten miles' 
 square around their castle and contiguous to it. They also 
 yielded one half of their right to all the salt springs on their 
 reservation, and eventually surrendered the whole. For these 
 benefits, seventeen hundred dollars was paid in hand, and an 
 annuity of five hundred dollars was granted them, which was 
 regularly paid by the State of New- York. By the treaty of 
 Onondaga of 1793, and the treaty of Cayuga Ferry, 1795, 
 and the treaties of Albany of 1817 and 1822, their territory 
 was further reduced to its present limits, about three and a 
 half miles long by two miles broad, for an equivalent by an 
 
 graces which 
 scale of ratio 
 some worthy 
 may be done, 
 they now do, i 
 individual anc 
 
 p 
 
EARL Y HISTORY. 
 
 321 
 
 increased annuity of one thousand dollars. This domain they 
 at present occupy in comparative comfort. Their present an- 
 nuity is twenty-four hundr'ed dollars ; the resident population, 
 three hundred and thirteen ; emigrated to the Alleghany and 
 Cataraugus Reservations, some two hundred. There arc also 
 residing among the Onondagas, of other luitions not entitled 
 to the henefits of the annuity, about fifty. ' 
 
 The general cliaractcr aud condition of the Onondagas as 
 ii body at this day, is not remarkable either for industry, thrift, 
 perseverance, temperance, or any of those higher virtues and 
 graces which tend to exalt and elevate mankind in the great 
 scale of rational being. To this remark, however, there are 
 some worthy exceptions. Much needs to bo done, and much 
 may be done, to enable them to take a much higher rank than 
 they now do, in every thing that leads to human happiness and 
 individual and nationa-l aggrandizement, 
 
 41 
 
 
 ■B^HRfl 
 
 Hiin 
 
 p"™ 
 
 'p 
 
 ■ 
 
822 
 
 ONONDAGA. 
 
 I 
 
 CHAPTER X. 
 
 REMINISCENCES. 
 
 Aboriqinal Names— Expedition ok Gol. Van Schaick against the ONOVDAOig, "'* 
 n79— Revouitionaiiy Incident, 1780— Bioorai'iiical Sketch of Epuraim k 
 
 WeBSTKU— TEKAT1E8 WITH THE OnONDAGAS— MILITARY TbACT, 
 
 Ancient Aboriginal Names, of lakes, streams and locali- 
 ties, in Onondaga county and vicinity :— 
 
 Onondaga— written by the Jesuit Fathers two hundred 
 years ago, Onontae and Onontague, and by early English | 
 writers, Onontago, Onondago, Onondawgu and Onondaugua. : 
 The interpretation of the word Onondaga, has been variously 
 given, as "Under the Hill, at the end of the swamp," "the ; 
 swamp at the foot of the mountain." But from the best in- 
 formation we have obtained, we set it down as the " Residence 
 of the People of the Ililh;' the word swamp having no con- 
 nection with it. By the ancient Fathers and their own most 
 distinguished chiefs, the people of Onondaga were styled 
 "The Iroquois Highlanders," "Men of the Hills," "People 
 of the Mountain," &c. This name included their valley, their 
 hills, and the ancient scat of their council-fire. 
 
 Onondaga Lake— was called by the Jesuits, " Genentaa." 
 It is now called by the natives Oh-nen-ta-ha. Its significa- 
 tion we have boon unable to ascertain. Its very appropriate 
 name, and the one by which it is at present most commonly 
 called by the natives, is Kotchakatoo, or lake surrounded by 
 
 salt springs. ^^ i ? 
 
 Onondaga Creek— is called by the Indians, Kah-yungk- 
 
 wa-tah-toa. < 
 Library, (by '^ 
 daqua." Hec 
 west branch ig 
 through a deej 
 ing from beti 
 creek and ne 
 Oh-na-ta-toom 
 the canal and 
 cuse, it is cal 
 water goes thi 
 
 Outlet op 
 short stream, 
 to the Seneca 
 Rigole," onac 
 (Dr. E. B. 0' 
 
 Onondaga '. 
 es the road. 
 
 Onondaga ' 
 ell's map of tl 
 this range of ] 
 and on an an 
 Mountains." 
 
 Otisco Lak 
 times Otskah. 
 Creek, is call 
 is Kia-heun-ta 
 gives " Ustuka 
 
 Skaneatel] 
 long lake. Tl 
 is called Ilanc 
 or hemlock ere 
 res." Map in 
 eatdie Lake. 
 "Hananto." 
 
 Oneida Lai 
 us by an India 
 
REMINISCENCES. 
 
 828 
 
 English I 
 iaugua. 
 iriously 
 ""the 
 best in- 
 isidence 
 no con- 
 vn most 
 I styled V 
 ' People 
 ay, their 
 
 lentaa." 
 agnifica- |, 
 iropi'iate f- 
 •mnionly 
 ndedby 
 
 wa-tdh-toa. On a map in the New- York Historical Society's 
 Library, (by Mr. Thurber, of Utica,) we find it called, " Kun- 
 daqua." Heckewelder calls it the river " Zinochsaa." The 
 west branch is called by the Indians, Swe-nugh-kee — cutting 
 through a deep gulf. The east branch is called Sta-a-ta — com- 
 ing from between two barren knolls. The estuary of the 
 creek and neighborhood of Syracuse, was formerly called, 
 Oh-na-ta-toonk — among the pines. Since the completion of 
 the canal and the building up of the village and city of Syra- 
 cuse, it is called Kali-ya-hoo-neh — where the ditch full of 
 water goes through. 
 
 Outlet of Onondaga Lake — is called So-hah-hee. This 
 short stream, which issues from the Onondaga Lake and runs 
 to the Seneca River, was anciently called by the French, " La 
 Rigole," on account of its resemblance to a deep cut or trench. 
 (Dr. E. B. O'Callaghan.) 
 
 Onondaga Hollow — Teuaheughwa — where the path cross- 
 es the road. 
 
 Onondaga West BiLL-KaJi-che-qua-ne-tmg-ta. On Mitch- 
 ell's map of the British and French dominions in America, 
 this range of hills is called, " Tegerhunkserode mountains," 
 and on an ancient Dutch map, they are called the " Table 
 Mountains." 
 
 Otisco Lake — is called by the Indians, Kaioongk, some- 
 times Otskah. The outlet of Otisco Lake and Nine Mile 
 Creek, is called Hoh-ste-kah. Its estuary at Onondaga Lake 
 is Kia-heun-ta-ha. Map in the Historical Society's Library 
 gives " Ustuka" for the name of Nine Mile Creek. 
 
 Skaneateles Lake — is called Skehneahties, meaning very 
 long lake. The stream that leads from it to Seneca River, 
 is called Hanauttoo — water running through thick hemlocks, 
 or hemlock creek. Charlevoix' map gives it " Lac Scaneate- 
 res." Map in the Historical Society Library has it Skan- 
 eatdie Lake. The same authority gives for the river or outlet 
 "Hananto." 
 
 Oneida Lake. — Although this body of water is known to 
 us by an Indian name, it is believed the natives never called 
 
324 
 
 ONONDAGA. 
 
 it Oneida. The Onondagas call it Sc-ui/h-kn — i. c, striped 
 witli bluo and wliite linos, separatinrr and coniin;:; ton-ctlior 
 again. In order fully to comprehend this interpretation and 
 Hignification, the person should occupy some one of the hii'ji 
 grounds of Manlius or INnnpcy, where the whole extent ol' 
 this lake may bo distinctly seen some ten or twelve miles dis- 
 tant. At particular times the surface presents white and lihic 
 lines distinctly traceable from its head :o its outlet. At sucli 
 times it is strikingly beautiful, and its Indian name peculiar- 
 ly significant. On the Jesuit maps, published from l(i)U to 
 1693, Avhich have come to the author's notice, this lake is 
 coiled "Lac Techtroguen dos Onneiouts." Charlevoix has it 
 "Lac Techiroguen." Thur])cr's map has it "Kanoaloka 
 Lake." In Capt. Machin's journal, ho calls it, " Onida-ho-fjo 
 Lake." Wentworth Greenhalgh, wdio visited it in 1677, writes 
 it "Tsiroqui Lake." It seems to have been known to the 
 early English writers, as the " Oneidas' Lake," afterwards tlie 
 Oneida Lake, as it is now designated. On an old map in the 
 Secretary of State's office at Albany, it is set down " Ca- 
 hung-hage" Lake. 
 
 Fort Brewerton — Ohaahaunijtah-Scurjh'knh — Literally. 
 where the waters run out of Oneida Lake. Pere le Mcrcier 
 names an Oneida village, near and south of this place, called 
 " Ganayhsaragey," {Canasoraga perhaps,) and an English au- 
 thority (Lon. Docs.) locates an Indian village near the oudct 
 of Oneida Lake, called "■Kaneenda." 
 
 Oneida River — Sah-eli. — Jesuits' map, " Tethiroguen."— 
 Thurber's map, "Taguneda." 
 
 Turee-Rivrr-Poixt — Te-u-unq-hu-lra — meetinsi; of waters 
 or Avhere two rivers meet. 
 
 Cross Lake — Te-^tngi-too — Thurber's map, " Yuneendo:" 
 Schoolcraft, "Teonto" — signification, residence of the vise 
 man. There is a singular tradition alive, amoiig the Ononda- 
 gas, respecting an aged and very wise chief, who lived on tlie 
 eastern shore of this lake many hundred years ago. Ili^ 
 name was Hiawatha. — {Sec his story, page, 21.) 
 
 TuLLY, Fabius, Truxton, &c. — Tc-kanea-ta-lming-ne- 
 
 xigli — Very li 
 water flows in 
 lent hunting 
 
 I'OMl'EY AJ 
 
 much grass — 
 this locality, ; 
 much supersti 
 lilood, or blooi 
 It has been sa 
 They certaiid^ 
 
 LiMKSTUXK 
 
 Tc-a-une-nog} 
 
 wise, a strear 
 
 through whicl: 
 
 BuTTERNU'i 
 
 Ka-soongJc-ta- 
 litcrally, bark 
 after being pe 
 iiier, and thei 
 winter, or tha 
 
 Greex Pon 
 fled with toba 
 
 Deep Spri 
 .spring. Neai 
 tlement of th( 
 ern fort, surrc 
 tioned at this 
 door of the m 
 
 Cicero Sw 
 L'veat swamp, 
 
 Cazenovia 
 iji'-lia-gah, (Oi 
 iish swim, or 3 
 county, and w, 
 Onondagas. 
 uu the site of 
 
 ClIITTENAXi 
 
i 
 
 REMINISCENCES. 
 
 325 
 
 m 
 
 ugh — Very high hills, with many small lakes, from which 
 water flows in contrary directions. It implies, also, an excel- 
 lont hunting ^'rouml. 
 
 J'oMPKY AND La VAYKriii—Otc-tje-f/a-Ja-Jce—a. place of 
 much grass — openings or praiiios. Another name given to 
 this locality, not often repeated, and about which there is 
 much superstitious reserve, is Ote-ipich-snh-he-eh, the field of 
 Mood, or bloody ground — a place where many have been slain. 
 It has been said, that no Indian ever visits this neijibborhood. 
 They certainly very much dislike to converse about it. 
 
 Lr.MKSTONK CiiEiiiK, passing through Manlius — Indian name, 
 Te-a-unc-nogh'hc — the angry stream or Mad Creek ; other- 
 wise, a stream that rises suddenly, overflowing the country 
 through which it passes. 
 
 BuTTKRNUT CUEEK, passing through Do Witt — Indian name 
 Ka-soongh-ta — formerly called by the whites, " Kashunkta;" 
 literally, barks in the Avater, or a place where barks are placed 
 lifter being peeled in spring, that thoy may not curl in sum- 
 mer, and thereby become unfit for covering their cabins for 
 winter, or that they may always be in readiness for use. 
 
 Green Pond, in the town of De Witt — Kai-yah-koo — satis- 
 fied with tobacco. — See Be Witt. 
 
 Deep Spuing — Te-ungh-sat-a-i/af/h — by the fort at the 
 spring. Near this spring was anciently the easternmost set- 
 tlement of the Onondngas. Thoy had at this place an earth- 
 ern fort, surrounded with palisades. There were always sta- 
 tioned at this place a party of warriors, to hold the eastern 
 door of the nation. — Sec Deep Spring, town of Manlius. 
 
 CiCEKO Swamp — Ka-nugh-wa-ka — where the rabits run — 
 L'reat swamp, where is plenty of game. 
 
 Cazenovia Lake — Iloh-wah-gc-neh (Onondaga,) — 0-wah- 
 fli'-Jia-gah, (Oneida,). Literally, the lake where the yellow 
 lish swim, or yellow perch lake. This lake is in Madison 
 county, and w;is anciently a fishing ])laco for the Oneid;is and 
 Onondagas. The Oneidns had a small village on the east side, 
 oil the site of the villa";e of Cazenovia, extendin;' north. 
 
 CliiTTENANUO Creek. — Pcre Ic Mercier, in 11155, calls it 
 
 '11#!M 
 
 M 
 
 
 m 
 
 m^ 
 
826 
 
 ONONDAGA. 
 
 Ooionho. Tho same authority calls a fishing place near Cross 
 Lakk, Kachnawaachftrc^o. 
 
 OswKcjo and outlet of Oawcgo River — called by tho Onon- 
 dagas, Oah-wa-kef. Literally, I see every where — nee noth- 
 ing. Charlevoix calls tho river, " Riviere des Onnoiitagucs." 
 Early English writers call it tho " Onondagoes' river," and 
 eomotimes the outlet, " Sweege." An Indian village, at the 
 Oswego Falls, was called by Mercier, " Quiehook," and the 
 ledge, over which the water falls, he calls, "Kagiiewagrage." 
 
 Ontario Lakk. — Tho Onondaga:: called this lake, and do 
 to this day, (hhivakee. The Mohawks called it Cadaraqui; 
 the Senocas, Ohudeara. Jesuit map, 1H64, it is sot down 
 "Lac Ontario ou dea Iroquois." Jesuit Relation, KiGf), haa 
 it Ondiara. Father Ilenepin, " Lac Skanadario," or beauti- 
 ful lake. Champlain, 1615, calls it tho Lake of the Entou- 
 honorons. 
 
 Teoronto Bay, or Jerundegut — called by the Jesuit Fa- 
 thers, " Audiatarontagat," KJOf). Cheorontok, (Onondaga.) 
 
 SoDUS Bay — Ganatio. Osonodus — Jesuits. 
 
 Cayuga Lake — On Jesuits' map, "Tiohcro lac" — "Geju- 
 goueu" by Charlevoix — " Gwaugweh," Thurber's map. 
 
 Cayuga Marshes — Squagonna. 
 
 Seneca River — Thiohero, or River of Rushes — Jesuits' 
 map and Relation, 16G8-9. Charlevoix, gives the same. The 
 lake bears the same name by the same authority. 
 
 Besides the maps, books, &c, which have been consulted in 
 order to prepare the foregoing list of Indian names of locali- 
 ties, the author acknowledges his indebtedness to the late In- 
 dian chiefs, Capt. Frost and La Fort, for much valuable 
 assistance. 
 
 Many of the foregoing names are given in other places, 
 but for convenience and reference, it has been thought best 
 to give them a place by themselves. 
 
 EXPEDITIOI 
 
 OAS, 177J) :— 
 The shockii 
 and 1778, by 
 savage than I 
 tiers, had irr( 
 dod motivtm o 
 national intei 
 in the VVyom 
 waste, and ilu 
 and their still 
 then hovering 
 Brant, Johnsc 
 on tho watch, 
 nary atrocitie 
 So alarming I 
 apprehended 
 most western 
 Tlio Indian 
 palling a char 
 raander-iu-chi( 
 force than ha( 
 thiit part of t 
 early part of 
 the science o 
 suaded of the 
 sivc frontier o 
 of forts whict 
 country would 
 than defensiv 
 rapid moveme 
 force sufficien 
 towns, provide 
 his making a 
 contingent pa: 
 duction of th< 
 gave them an 
 
 *-m 
 
RKMINISCF.NCES. 
 
 327 
 
 Expedition op Col. "Van Schaick against the Ononda- 
 OAS, 177J) :— 
 
 Tho Hhocking barburitios practicod during tho years 1777 
 and 177H, by tho Indians, united with white men, still more 
 savage than Indians, on tho inhabitants of tho western fron- 
 tiers, had irresistil'iy attracted tho public attenlion, and ad- 
 ded motives of mingled resentment and humanity to those of 
 national interest. The beautiful and thriving settlements 
 in the Wyoming Valley and Cherry Valley, had been laid 
 waste, and tlieir inhabitants massacred by the ruthless savages 
 and their still more ruthless coadjutors, the IJritish and tories, 
 then hovering around our borders, under the direction of 
 Brant, Johnson and tho Sutlers. These leaders, continually 
 on tho watch, were successful in committing tho most sangui- 
 nary atrocities on tho settlements along the Mohawk River. 
 So alarming had these irruptions become, that it was fearfully 
 apprehended that Schenectady would speedily stand as tho 
 most western boundary of the frontier settlements. 
 
 Tho Indian depredations became so frequent, and of so ap- 
 palling a character to the frontier inhabitants, that tho com- 
 mander-in-chief soon found it necessary to employ a larger 
 force than had been heretofore spared, for tho protection of 
 that part of the country. General Washington, v/ho in the 
 early part of his life had received many practical lessons in 
 the science of Indian warfare, had been always firmly per- 
 suaded of tho absolute impossibility of defending our exten- 
 sive frontier on the west from their incursions, by any chain 
 of forts which could bo erected and garrisoned ; and that the 
 country would be much more certainly protected by offensive 
 than defensive operations. Ilis plan was to penetrate by 
 rapid movements into the heart of tho Indian country, with a 
 force sufficient at once to accomplish the destruction of their 
 towns, provided the circumstances of the army would justify 
 ilis making a detachment sufficient for the purpose. As a 
 contingent part of this plan, he had also contemplated the re- 
 duction of the British post at Niagara, the possession of which 
 gave them an almost irresistible influence over the Six Na- 
 
 *. 
 
328 
 
 ONONDAGA, 
 
 tions. This plan constituted one of the various subjects of 
 conference with the committee of Congress in Thiladelphiu, 
 and received the entire approbation of that body. New-Yorlc ' 
 Massachusetts, Pennsylvania and Connecticut respectively 
 applied to Congress for aid, urging the adoption at once of 
 the most vigorous measures. A committee was a])pointed to 
 confer with General Washingtan, and in conformity with their 
 report, Congress resolved, "That the commander-in-chief bo 
 directed to take efTicicnt measures for the protection of the 
 inhabitants and chastisement of the savages," Other reso- 
 lutions were passed at tJie same time for nUsing companies of 
 rangers, for the sole purpose of serving on the western fron- 
 tiers. 
 
 The Indian settlements were extensive throughout the 
 western part of New York, and from their long intercourse 
 with the whites, had made considerable advances in civiliza- 
 tion. In their populous villages were to be seen many com- 
 fortable houses, and their fertile fields and orchards yielded an 
 abundant supply of corn and fruit. So.ne of the Oneidas 
 were attached to tlie United States, but generally, the Six 
 Nations were entirely under British influence, fro'm whose 
 posts m die lakes they received supplies of blankets, rum. 
 arms, and other imported articles. ]\Iany loyalists who had 
 ])een forced to quit their country, had taken refuge among 
 them^ and added to their strength, without diminishing tlirir 
 ferocity. They found an asylum among the Indians^ lived 
 with them in their villages, and urged them on in iheir expe- 
 ditions against the Americans. Against these congregated 
 bands it was determined lo lead a force which jdiould"be''suffi- 
 cient at once to crush any force they could possibly bring into 
 the field, and effectually destroy their ^lllagerf. The comitry 
 was to be entered by three divisions at the same time, the 
 whole to be under the orders of General James Clinton. :riie 
 principal body, to consist of about three thousand men, was 
 to proceed up the Susquehanna, and penetrate the heart of 
 the country occupied by the Senecas. The second, of about 
 one thousand men, was to move up the Mohawk liivcr, and 
 
 men, was to 
 
 towns in thai 
 
 secrecy were 
 
 real destinat 
 
 success woul 
 
 Demonstrati( 
 
 da, while the 
 
 enterprise re 
 
 was greedily 
 
 this time the : 
 
 can army, wl 
 
 the whole pla 
 
 ergies, autho 
 
 and other dis 
 
 been restored 
 
 cation of the 
 
 grand expedii 
 
 though of les 
 
 out with the 
 
 Onondagas, o 
 
 about fift}^ in 
 
 within the re;; 
 
 place. A pla 
 
 approved by 
 
 assisted by I 
 
 marched from 
 
 April, at the 
 
 the mornin<i; ( 
 
 pedition Avas i 
 
 Indians at Fo 
 
 army had pre 
 
 Proceeding wi 
 
 tenor of tluMr 
 
 ter. Colonel '^ 
 
 reached the jd 
 
 Schaick and 
 
REMINISCENCES. 
 
 829 
 
 destroy the Cayugas ; and the third, of about five hundred 
 men, was to move up the Alleghany River and attack the 
 towns in that quarter. In carrying out this plan, address and 
 secrecy were re(iuire(l, iu order to ensure success, for had the- 
 real destination of the expedition been publicly known, its 
 success would have been attended with greater difficulty. 
 Demonstrations were made of a design to march against Cana- 
 da, while the most active preparations were making for the 
 enterprise really contemplated, and every item of information 
 was greedily seized which could facilitate its execution. About 
 this time the most alarming discontents broke out in the Ameri- 
 can army, which very near had the effect to entirely frustrate 
 the whole plan of the expedition. It required the whole en- 
 ergies, authority and reputation of the commander-in-chief, 
 and other distinguished officers, to quiet them. Order having 
 been restored, preparations Avere made for the immediate exe- 
 cution of the plan. But before the troops destined for the 
 grand expedition were put in motion, an important enterprise, 
 though of less extent, was undertaken, and attended through- 
 out with the most complete success. The settlements of the 
 Onondagas, one of the nearest of the hostile nations, lying 
 about fifty miles from Fort Schuyler, were supposed to be 
 within the reach of a detachment from the garrison of that 
 place. A plan ha\ ing been formed by General Schuyler, and 
 approved by the commander-in-chief, Colonel V^an Schaick, 
 assisted by Lieutenant Colonel Willet and Major Cochran,, 
 marched from Fort Schuyler on the morning of the 19th of 
 April, at the head of between five and six hundred men. On 
 the morning of their departure it was announced that the ex- 
 pedition was destined to make an attnck upon Oswego. All 
 Indians at Fort Schuyler were detained tliere, till the little 
 army had proceeded beyond the reach of their espionaf/e. 
 Proceeding with great dispatch and secrecy, according to tlie 
 tenor of thfMr instructions, partly by land and jiartly by wa- 
 ter. Colonel Van Scliaick, on tlie tliird day of his niarch, 
 reached the place of destination. The route of Colonel Van 
 Schaick and his party, was from Fort Schuyler to Wood 
 
 41,' 
 
 ,(:•':* 
 
 
 ■'i' 'i . ' 
 
 J<. —Ml^- 
 
330 
 
 ONONDAGA. 
 
 f 
 
 Creek by land, thence down the creek and Oneida Lake to 
 old Fort Brewerton, v?hich place the party reached on the af- 
 ternoon of the 20th. Opposite to this on the south side of 
 the river, this little army landed, leaving a suitable guard with 
 the boats. Tlie remainder of the party proceeded rapidly 
 across the country, now Cicero and Clay, and the first night 
 encamped about nine miles south of Fort Brewerton, in the 
 'densely tangled forest, in a marshy, unforbidding, uncomfor- 
 table spot. The night was dark, wet, cold and dreary, and 
 fearful their wary enemy might catch a glimpse of their camp- 
 fires if made, those important auxiliaries to a soldier's comfort 
 were dispensed with. For fear of surprise, the soldiers lay 
 upon their arms. The march waa resumed early the next 
 morning ; and the little army, after a march of much suffer- 
 ing and fatigue, soon arrived at the Onondaga Lake, without 
 being discovered. The spot where they first approached the 
 lake was at Green Point. They then proceeded cautiously 
 along the shore of the lake, built a log bridge across Mud 
 Creek, a little north of Salina, the remains of which were 
 in existence in 1794. Near this bridge Mr. Thomas Whee- 
 ler, several years since, found a gun barrel supposed to have 
 been lost by some soldier belonging to the expedition. Their 
 course was then to the mouth of the Onondaga Creek, which 
 stream was not at this season of the jear fordable, and all 
 passed over in single file, on the trunk of a large sycamore 
 tree, which had long been used by the Indians as a foot bridge. 
 Captain Graham, of the advanced guard, here captured one 
 of the warriors of the Onondagas, which was the first Indian 
 seen on their whole route. Here scouts from the Indians ac- 
 cidentally and unexpectedly came upon them, and instantly 
 spread the alarm among the neighboring hamlets. At this 
 time, as on a former occasion, the Indians pursued the retreat- 
 ing policy, and made but a feeble show of resistance. Cap- 
 tain Graham was ordered to advance with all possible rapidity 
 and caution, for the purpose of surrounding the principal vil- 
 lage, and the remainder of the forces were divided into small 
 parties for the purpose of surrounding the other villages, and 
 
 if possible t 
 neous rush ^ 
 of the Onor 
 lets extendii 
 was quite t< 
 The alarm h 
 overtake the 
 
 A skirmis 
 side of the 1 
 swamp east\ 
 only show oi 
 themselves i: 
 the warriors 
 struction of 
 submission, 
 says, " the u 
 of the settle 
 having been 
 and the towi 
 dians escape 
 ty-four, inch 
 though this I 
 have a tradit 
 and that was 
 net, and afte: 
 a tree. The 
 and the hors 
 dred guns w( 
 tlement was 
 and a brass i 
 
 This batth 
 the settlemei 
 steps by rccr 
 upon them a: 
 by Lieutenar 
 The day upo 
 ment was mi 
 
, l{ 
 
 REMINISCENCES. 
 
 381 
 
 if possible to secure the whole at a single dash. A simulta- 
 neous rush was made execute these orders, but the celerity 
 of the Onondaga wai .jrs was too groat. The chain of ham- 
 lets extending from the Onondaga Lake, near ten miles south, 
 was quite too extensive to be surrounded by numbers so small. 
 The alarm had been given ; they had fled, and no foe could 
 overtake them. 
 
 A skirmish was fought near Mickle's Furnace, on the west 
 side of the hollow, and the Onondagas were pursued into the 
 swamp eastward of there, with a trifling .loss. This was the 
 only show of fight made. The women and children secreted 
 themselves in the neighboring forests, and thus escaped, while 
 the warriors hung around and witnessed the burning and de- 
 struction of their villages and property, with the most stoical 
 submission. The official account of Colonel Van Schaick, 
 says, " tiie utmost address was used in surrounding as many 
 of the settlements as possible at t^e same time : but the alarm 
 having been given on the first appearance of the Americans, 
 and the towns being of considerable extent, many of the In- 
 dians escaped into the woods. Twelve were killed, and thir- 
 ty-four, including one white man, were made prisoners." Al- 
 though this statement is undoubtedly correct, yet the Indians 
 have a tradition that the Americans killed only one person, 
 and that was a papoose, which a soldier stabbed with a bayo- 
 net, and after twirling the innocent in the air, dashed it against 
 a tree. The houses and provisions were consumed by fire, 
 and the horses and other stock were killed. About one hun- 
 dred guns were broken or otherwise ruined, and the whole set- 
 tlement was utterly destroyed, Avith a quantity of ammunition 
 and a brass swivel, which was mounted. 
 
 This battle was on the 21st, and after the destruction of 
 the settlement and property, the little army retraced their 
 steps by recrossing the creek. A small party of Indians fired 
 upon them after they had crossed. They were driven back 
 by Lieutenant Evans' rifle corps, with the loss of one killed. 
 The day upon which this attack upon the Onondaga settle- 
 ment was made was cloudy, attended with a drizzling rain. 
 
332 
 
 ONONDAGA, 
 
 on 
 
 The army encamped on the bank of the Onondarra Lake 
 tlie night of the 21st. 
 
 The precise spot where Colonel Van Schaick passed the 
 night, on the shore of the Onondiiga Lake is urilaiowi), hut 
 from the circumstance of there being an old picket work, and 
 an excellent spring of Avater a little below Green l*oint, it is 
 reasonable to suppose that it might have been there ; at all 
 events, it Avas some where on the high ground between Salina 
 and Liverpool. 
 
 On the '2'2d, they marched to Fort Brewerton, and finding 
 their bateaux in good order, proceeded to one of the Islands 
 seven or eight miles from Jin^verton, encamped for the night, 
 and next day proceeded to Wood Creek, and the day follow- 
 ing, the L'4th, entered Fort Schuyler at 12 j\L, after an ab- 
 sence of only five days and a half. 
 
 Thus having completely effected the object of the expedi- 
 tion, the detaehmetit returned to Fort Schuyler without the 
 loss of a single man. For this handsome display of talents 
 as a partizan oiHcor, the thanks of Congress-, were voted to 
 Colonel A^an Schaick, and the ofhcers and soldiers under his 
 command. Althoiigh the exjiedition had been completely suc- 
 cessful, and from it the most propitious results were expected 
 to follow, yet it had not the efieet to conquer the indomita- 
 ble spirit of the Onondag-as. Revenge was a morsel too sweet 
 for these warlike and liaughty people to sacrifice and stifle, 
 for wrongs so boldly inflicted upon them. This malignant 
 passion burned in their bosoms with renewed fervor, and an 
 opportunity was only wanted, to enable them to glut their ven- 
 geance to the utJiiost. it was a matter to tliem, of too seri- 
 ous consequence to be piissed over lightly. Thev were lired 
 with the strongest indignation at the destruction of their vil- 
 lages, and tiie extinguislnnent of the national council-lire, 
 which for untold ages had l)urned upon their sacred hearth. 
 
 An opportunity soon offered itself, and three hundreil braves 
 were upon the Avar-path. Oundiaga is said to have command- 
 ed this party. They proceeded stealthily to the Mohawk Val- 
 ley, and suddenly fell upon a German settlement called Cobles- 
 
 
 kill, defeate 
 the ollicer a; 
 obstinate an 
 the Onondai 
 casion. Tli 
 and tlieir vei 
 icans was ru 
 Avar, renderi 
 ! y avenged t 
 Onondagas. 
 
 An L\cii 
 tionary war, 
 tlie Mohawk 
 tlements, an 
 ants of tiic 
 neighborhoo 
 sociates as ( 
 quently asse 
 place of ren 
 and Oneida 
 scene of the 
 mit, and all 
 ;ind pass ov 
 tlie mischief 
 a safe retrea 
 
 On one of 
 scji and Bra 
 the Island ( 
 men, mostly 
 iceted Avith j 
 thev Avere cc 
 ileeds of the 
 der their res 
 in bateaux t 
 and Oneida 
 stream about 
 

 R E M 1 1\ 1 H (; ]■] N C E S . 
 
 333 
 
 kill, (lofiiiitcd a Cii[)tain's coinniaiid sent against them, killing 
 the oilicer and mast of his uion. The fight was protnicted, 
 ohstinate and bloody, and resulted in a fomplcto triumph of 
 the Onondagas, Avho lost hut two men an tliis memorahle oc- 
 easion. Their (Irooj)ing siiirils were in a measure revived, 
 and their vengeance fully glutted. Their hatred for the Amer- 
 ieans was not diminished, and through the remainder of the 
 war, rendered the British essential serviee. Thus was sirrnal- 
 1 y avenged the expedition of Colonel Van Sehaick against the 
 
 Onondagas. 
 
 An Incident of tjih j{r:voi.iTrox.~J)uring the Revolu- 
 tionary war, at that period when the Johnsons, Hutlers, and 
 the Mohawk chieftain, Bra)it, were rnvaging our frontier set- 
 tlements, and spreading terror and alarm iimong the iidiahit- 
 ants of the Mohawk Valley, Cherry Valley aitd Wyoming 
 neigld)orhoods, the tories and Indians, with such Canadian as-" 
 soeiates as could he suddenly called into serviee, would fre- 
 (|uently assemhle at Niagara, Oswego, or some other convenient 
 place of rendezvoxis, pass up the Oswego and Oneida Ilivers, 
 and r)neida Lake, to a suitahle landing place, as near the 
 scene of their anticipated operations as prmlenee would per- 
 mit, and allow them to escape ol)ser\ation ; then disembark, 
 and pass over land to the Tryon comity settlements, do all 
 the mischief possible, return, hurry into their boats, and effect 
 a safe retreat, by the route over which tlioy had advanced. 
 
 On one of these occasions, in October, 17<S0, Sir John John- 
 so!i and Brant had collected a body of forces at La Chien, on 
 the Island of Montreal, consisting of about twelve hundred 
 men, mostly Canadians and Lidians. These bands were col- 
 lected with great secrecy and the motley materials of which 
 they -were composed, rendered them capable of accomplishing 
 deeds of the darkest die. After their organization, hey, un- 
 der their respective leaders, ascended the River St. Lawrence 
 in bateaux to Lake Ontario, thence to Oswego, up the Oswego 
 and Oneida Rivers, to the Chittenango Creek, ascending that 
 stream about six miles, where they landed on the east bank, at 
 
 Stf 
 
 : ' 
 
 ■^.H 
 
834 
 
 ONONDAGA. 
 
 a short bend, opposite to what is now lot number one hundred 
 township of Cicero. This spot was undoubtedly selected, not 
 only for its contiguity to the scene of their expected operations 
 and for its seclusion, but, was probably as near as they could 
 approach Fort Schuyler, without alarming the garrison there 
 which was at all times extremely watchful of these marauding 
 parties. After landing, they proceeded to put in good repair 
 the palisade enclosure, which had been first erected on some 
 former expedition. A sufficient guard was left to protect the 
 boats, and such stores as were not needed through the remain- 
 der of the expedition, and then the party crossed the country 
 to Schoharie, where they were joined by the tories in that re- 
 gion. This little army was furnished with some pieces of 
 light cannon, which were transported through the country on 
 pack horses, aud were somewhat serviceable in their predatory 
 attacks and rapid advances. After reenforcing their number 
 with as many as eould be induced to join their ranks, they 
 proceeded to the Mohawk valley, where ruin, desolation and 
 death, seemed to mark their progress. Such was the secrecy 
 of their movements, and the suddenness of their approach, 
 that the inhabitants of the country were completely taken by 
 surprise, panic stricken and amazed. After doing immense 
 damage by murder, pillage and fire, the retreat of the hostile 
 party was as hasty and precipitate as their advance had been 
 unexpected and surprising. 
 
 The Americans mustered under General Van Rensselaer, 
 who pursued the enemy as far as Clocksfield ; and in a slight 
 engagement at that place, gained a decided advantage over 
 them ; and, had General Van Rensselaer followed up that ad- 
 vantage with the spirit and energy the circumstances seemed to 
 require, in all probability, the entire force under Johnson and 
 Brant, would have been captured ; but he retreated in the 
 moment of victory. In the meantime, however, General Van 
 Rensselaer, having ascertained where Sir John's boats were 
 concealed, had dispatched a messenger to Fort Schuyler, 
 with a statement of the facts and circumstances relative to the 
 movements of the hostile party. Whereupon Captaiji Vroo- 
 
 man was di 
 hasten on a 
 of landing, 
 his orders, 
 ers, and sin 
 to decamp, 
 Sir John b( 
 of Butler's 
 forward, to 
 By extra e 
 and unawar 
 to depart, a 
 surprised t 
 whole partj 
 were highly 
 of cannon si 
 oners were 
 number fell 
 poor fellow 
 gauntlet. . 
 parallel line 
 them, and i 
 with a deter 
 after which 
 and subseipj 
 literally roa 
 spective lea; 
 great difficu 
 men have I 
 unfortunate 
 and was well 
 Here it ma;) 
 was divided 
 by their res 
 Bear. It is 
 of Mohawks 
 
REMINISCENCES. 
 
 886 
 
 man was dispatched with a strong detachment, and ordered to 
 hasten on and destroy the boats and stores left at the place 
 of landing. Ho lost no time in attempting the execution of 
 his orders, and succeeded so far as to make the guard prison- 
 ers, and sink all their boats except two, in which they intended 
 to decamp, and destroyed all their military stores. It seems 
 Sir John became apprized of Vrooman's movement. A party 
 of Butler's rangers, with some of Brant's Indians, were pushed 
 forward, to intercept, if possible, Vrooman and his little band. 
 By extra exertion and forced marches, they came suddenly 
 and unawares upon Vrooman and his party, who were all ready 
 to depart, and while they were taking their dinner, completely 
 surprised them, and without firing a single gun, made the 
 whole party prisoners of war. The Indians and Canadians 
 were highly exasperated on finding their boats and two pieces 
 of cannon sunk, and their stores rifled and spoiled. Tlie pris- 
 oners were treated with the greatest severity. Three of their 
 number fell immediate victims to their savage cruelty. On© 
 poor fellow was compelled, bound hand and foot, to run the 
 gauntlet. After being forced to take his position between two 
 parallel lines of his foes, he was ordered to run or jump through 
 thera, and if successful, thereby save his life. He started 
 with a determined resolution, and made nine astonishing leaps, 
 after which he was struck down, severely beaten with clubs, 
 and subset^uently, to the groat satisfaction of his tormentors, 
 literally roasted alive. Such was the distance of these re- 
 spective leaps, that a well trained unbound Indian, could with 
 great difficulty and exertion, perform the feat ; several white 
 men have been known to fail. The pine tree to which the 
 unfortunate man Avas tied, was standing not many years since, 
 and was well known in the neighborhood, as tlie " Turtle Tree.'' 
 Here it may be noted, tliat eacli of the original Five Nations 
 was divided into three principal clans or tribes, distin^'uished 
 by their respective emblems, the Tortoise, the WoX'i and tlu' 
 Bear. It is supposed that it was a party of the Tortoise c];!ii 
 of Mohawks who committed this massacre, and they left tln^ 
 image of a large turtle carved on the tree, not only to desi"-- 
 
 ■i, iiS. 
 
 ^' ',1.1 
 
830 
 
 ONONDAGA. 
 
 nate the tree at whicli tlio man was buriiod, but the tribe also 
 Avho perpetrated the aet. At every anniversary of this event 
 Indians revisited this spot, to examine the tree and earefully 
 renew the tracks nia(h' in the sand by the unfortunate man 
 h(dd a sort of pow-wow and war dance around a circular fire 
 and then dis!i[»pear. This practice was continued yearly by 
 the Indians, as late as iSlo. The jA'rouud upon Avhich this 
 event occurred, is about two miles north from ^latthcws' 
 Mills, town of JManlius, on land occupied now or lately by 
 Mr. Ezra Tucker. 
 
 John Adams, Es((., who first surveyed a considerable por- 
 tion of the lands in that re<!;ion, and the late Judge John 
 KaowIcs, who first settled there in ISOa or LSOG, saw the 
 pickets then stiindini;-, and they occasionally found guns, knives, 
 hatchets, bullets, &c. : and at high water, many persons have 
 seen whole boats and fragments of boats, driven up among the 
 lloodwood, with timbei's vorv little if any decayed, leaving 
 more than presumptive testimony in corroboration of the facts 
 before stated, on the authority of the late Mrs. Storms, of 
 Sullivan, who was a prisoner th.ere at the time, and was taken 
 in this expedition of Johnson's and carried into Canada; and 
 of a man who was one of Johnson's party, and known as 
 Tory Foster, Avho, in former years was a resident of the town 
 of Cicero, and a fretiuent visitor to his friends in the town 
 of Manlius. 
 
 It has been reported that Sir John, in his haste to retreat, 
 lost his military chest, containing a considerable amount of 
 specie, in attempting to cross the Canaseraga Creek, and 
 many fruitless attempts have been made to recover it; and 
 whoever passes the Canaser;iga Outlet, may now see a large 
 curb, which has been sunk for that purpose. Several unsuc- 
 cessful attempts have been nnule to discover the cannon also. 
 
 The late William L. Stone, Esq., states this landing to have 
 been on the Onondaga River, (see Stone's Life of Brant) but 
 from the nature of the country, and the minute circumstances 
 here related from sources the most reliable, from persons con- 
 
 versant with i 
 is believed th; 
 This groun( 
 event, which i 
 alive in tho cj 
 truth remain i 
 
 A BlOGRAl 
 
 first white pei 
 
 county of Or 
 
 was one of sir 
 
 our readers wi 
 
 Hempstead, ]t 
 
 moved into the 
 
 River, in Febi 
 
 subject of this 
 
 and served to i 
 
 service. Afte 
 
 toils of agricu] 
 
 nation of Lis 
 
 with a young r 
 
 with the Oneid 
 
 theA\ar, had S( 
 
 stock of goods 
 
 place of destin; 
 
 Leavitt became 
 
 persevered and 
 
 his stock of go( 
 
 to become a si 
 
 knowledge of tl 
 
 and application 
 
 limited, was as i 
 
 have been expei 
 
 He was prose: 
 
 in 1784, at whic 
 
 and the United 
 
 < ^s, Onondagas 
 
REMINISCENCES. 
 
 387 
 
 vcrsant with tho facts, and who coukl not well be miBtaken, it 
 18 behoved that so far, his statement must bo erroneous. 
 
 This ground has evidently been tho scene of many a strange 
 event, which tradition with her illusive conjectures, still keeps 
 ahvo in tho excited imaginations of many, while history and 
 truth remain silent. 
 
 A BioaRAPiiicAL Sketch op Epuraim Webster. The 
 
 first white person who made a permanent settlement in the 
 county of Onondaga, was Ephraim Webster. As his life 
 was one of singularity and adventure, we propose to present 
 our readers with a sketch. He was born 1752, in the town of 
 Hempstead, New-Hampshire. Ilis father, with his family, 
 moved into the State of New-York, somewhere near the North 
 River, in February, 1773. Sometime in the year 1778 the 
 subject of this sketch enlisted in the army of the United States 
 and served to the close of the war, making about three years 
 service. After the war, he returned to his home. But the 
 toils of agriculture, not being exactly agreeable to the incli- 
 nation of his roving disposition, he left home in company 
 with a young man named Leavitt, for the purpose of trading 
 With the Oneida Indians, with whom he had, during part of 
 thcA^ar, had some little intercourse. They laid in a small 
 stock of goods at Schenectady, and proceeded on to their 
 place of destination. During the progress of their journey 
 Leavitt became discouraged and returned home. Webster 
 persevered and finally located at Oriskany, where he exposed 
 his stock of goods for sale. He soon learned that in order 
 to become a successful trader, he must acjuire a thorough 
 knowledge of the Indian language, which by constant practice 
 and application he soon mastered. His trade here, though 
 imitcd, was as successful as could, under the circumstances, 
 nave been expected. 
 
 He was present at the great council, held at Fort Stanwix, 
 m 1784, at which a treaty was made between the Six Nations 
 and tho United States. At this council, the Mohawks, Onei- 
 us, Onondagas, Cayugas and Senecas were represented. 
 
 43 
 
 i!:is 
 
338 
 
 ONONDAGA. 
 
 But the Scnccag were slow in coming forward, und Webster 
 was .lispatchcd for thorn. His moHsaj^o, it is said, ran tlius : 
 "Til ■ great council of the tiiirtcon hres has been a long 
 timo Icindlod— four of tlio great Indian nations, have laid fuel 
 on tl J tire— tiic great pot i* alioady boiling, and the pottago 
 cannot be cooked (business Oiuinot proceed) unless their breth- 
 ren, the Seneca s, are present. They are desired to make 
 
 haste." 
 
 Ho remained two years at Oriskany, and during that time 
 made several excursions with the Indiitp b"- tersto Onondaga. 
 Webster became intimate, and ([uite a favorite with his new 
 neighbors, the Onondagas, who invited him to come out and 
 trade ,vith them. The invitation was cheerfully accepted. 
 Accordingly in the spring of 1780, he came to Onondaga, in 
 compauy^with a Scotchuuin, named Selkirk, with a small 
 bout load of goods, brought from Schenectady by water. 
 They erected a temporary trading house on the east bank of 
 the Onondaga creek, near where it empties into tlie lake, and 
 there exposed their stock of goods for sale. This spot is still 
 pointed out by the Indians as Webster's camp. At the close 
 of the season, they had actiuired a rich pack of furs.* With 
 these, Webster proceeded to New-York. The following spring 
 be came out alone, but was followed by two other tra- 
 ders, whose names were Campbell and Maiboe. They pro- 
 ceeded up the creek, to the Onondaga Hollow. Webster 
 traded at his old location, and all departed again in autiimu 
 to make sale of their furs, lie pursued this euurse for seve- 
 ral years, but from this time made it a point to winter with 
 
 his new friends. 
 
 During the controversy with the western Indians, whicli^so 
 soon followed the revolutionary war, between the years 178H 
 and 1704, he was, on account of his knowledge of Indian 
 mannci ,ind language, employed to gain intelligence in the 
 vicinity of the Miamis. lie was fully successful in his inis- 
 
 # About the time of closing' m[> the fall trade. Selkirk was taken sick, died an.l 
 was buried suiuewhere on ti. bunk of the lake„not far di.laul from the.r trading 
 Jioii!«e. 
 
 sion, report* 
 
 employed, i 
 
 with the On 
 
 by the Driti 
 
 posed to be 
 
 disguised. 
 
 trusted he i 
 
 spy. In ord 
 
 expose hinis( 
 
 liquor, and t 
 
 They awakei 
 
 harly in the 
 
 ignorance ; I 
 
 no advantage 
 
 as Avhen the^ 
 
 During tin 
 
 granted to hi 
 
 of the Hollo 
 
 Uved Avith an 
 
 lot of land, 
 
 finally gruntc 
 
 on the part o 
 
 Legislature ii 
 
 consistini; of 
 
 son aihl Davi 
 
 for, on the p; 
 
 uf New-York 
 
 After [he ( 
 
 after this grai 
 
 name of Dan 
 
 bad a family 
 
 uving ill the ( 
 
 He vas in 
 
 ^^12, with Li 
 
 -ed of lii ^ w 
 
 he held a Ca]- 
 
 New-York, ar 
 
RKMINISCENCES. 
 
 889 
 
 Bion, reported to tlie satisfaction of those by whom ho was 
 employed, and receiv: 1 a suitable reward, lie was often 
 with the Onoiidugua at Uswc^o, while the fort was retained 
 by the Jiriti.sii, and was, by tli.' ollicers of the f^arrison, sup- 
 posed to be a full-))lood Indian, so eomplotely was lie usually 
 dis/,'uised. From some cause or other, at one time they mis- 
 trusted he was a white man, and churned him with being a 
 spy. Ill order to induce him to declare his real character, or to 
 expose hims(lf in some way, they plied him freely with strong 
 liquor, and then used every device to efl'oct their purpose" 
 They awakened him suddeidy from sleep, 8;i luted him fami- 
 liarly in the English language, of which he expressed entire 
 ignorance ; being always guarded and prepared, they gained 
 no advantage over him, and ho left them as much in the dark 
 as Avhen they commonceil. 
 
 During the early part of his sojourn with tho Indians, they 
 granted to him a mile s(iuare of lan<l in the most fertile part 
 of the Hollow, west of the creek, an^l south of tho road. Ho 
 lived with an Indian womm, aftrr the Indian custom. This 
 lot of land, containing six hundred and forty acres, was 
 finally granted to Webster, " as a free and voluntary gift," 
 on the |>;irt of the people of the State of JS'ew-York, by the 
 Legislature in 170.'), and tho commissioners of Indian lands, 
 consisting of Philip Schuyler, John Cantine, John Richard- 
 son and David Brooks, were directed to execute a deed there- 
 for, on the part, and in the name of the people of the State 
 of New- York. 
 
 After the death of .'lis Indian woman, which li-ppenod soon 
 after this grant by tlio State, he married a white woman of tho 
 name of Danks, of very respectable connections, by whom he 
 bad a family of sons and daughters, several of whom are now 
 nving in the Onondaga va^ y. 
 
 He was in the service of the United States, in the \>ar of 
 1^12, with La Fort, an Onondaga chief and some three him- 
 ui-ed of hi'-? warriors, on the Niagara frontier. At that time 
 he held a Captain's commission in th<' militia of the State of 
 New-York, and wielded a salutary inllacnce over the Indians. 
 
 IT ^''- ■ 
 
 tiJt —*»f^. 
 
840 
 
 ONONDAGA, 
 
 Ho was at the battle of Chippewa, and acted aa interpreter in 
 the transmission of orders from (Joncral lirown to lloh-a-ho- 
 a-qua, the (Japtain of the Six Nations, on tliis oocasion. Tiio 
 action commenced on the hank of tlio river, between a party 
 of British Indians and American militia. The British Indians 
 were in full view, and the Onondagaa were ordered to make a 
 circuit through the woods and open a firo upon the Ihitish 
 right Hank. In this they succeeded beyond their expectation. 
 They stole stealthily along the woods and gave the C;inadian 
 Indians a shot, upon which they <lispersed in all directions, and 
 were closely pursued by our Indians. After this there was no 
 such thing as order among the Indians, <iuring the rcniaiuder 
 of the day. If a Canada Indian came in sight, he was im- 
 mediately followed and hunted down. In the early part of the 
 action, Captain Webster gave his gun to an Onondaga, who 
 had none, and during a part of the battle was without one. 
 At length he was supplied, taking one from the hand of a 
 vrounded soldier. 
 
 Hoh-a-ho-: i -qua was mortally wounded, during the iMittest of 
 the fight. Captain Webster went to Ids aid, raised his head 
 in his arms, and asked him if he was badly Avounded. The 
 chief replied, "very bad" — "I die Captain of the Six Na- 
 tions ; I have done my duty ; " and expired without a gi'oan. 
 Towards the close of the action, Capta;n Webster found him- 
 self alone, and passed from the woods to the open field. He 
 soon ;;aw Doxtator, an Oneida chief, pavsued by five or six 
 mounted Wyandots. They passed near him, and knowing 
 well the Indian rules of warfare, he stood erect and firm, look- 
 ing them full in the face ; they passed him unharmed. Doxta- 
 tor was shot just as he leaped a fence near by, upon which 
 the Wyandots wheeled and rode off. In this engagement, the 
 Onondaoias lost six, Ijesides their loader. 
 
 Mr.. Webster was for a great number of years Indian Agent 
 and interpreter for the Onondagas. For several years ho held 
 by lease from the Indians, three hundred acres of land, the 
 title of which was afterwards confirmed to him and Ids heirs 
 by the State Legislature. lie enjoyed the perfect coufidenco 
 
 of the Indi 
 
 men have ^ 
 
 of their esl 
 
 speak of hi 
 
 days of his 
 
 mild in disf 
 
 a very rem! 
 
 Peace and I 
 
 of years ; f 
 
 Onondaga, 
 
 trade with n 
 
 had influenc 
 
 it. Mr. W( 
 
 prepaiiig tl 
 
 to make it s 
 
 of commerc 
 
 the Indians 
 
 from the fre 
 
 of Mr. Web; 
 
 with the On( 
 
 nese origin. 
 
 medicinal pf 
 
 not unlike li 
 
 Panax trifoi 
 
 Mr. Webs 
 
 age of seven 
 
 a large circle 
 
 Many into 
 
 of circumsta 
 
 with the Indi 
 
 Indian chara 
 
 manner the a 
 
 as once undo 
 
 be wholly un 
 
 It sometim 
 
 eied or real 
 
 and even go i 
 
REMINISCENCES. 
 
 841 
 
 of tho Indians an.! whites, and several distinguislifd gentle- 
 men have given him, on different oeeasions, exalted evidences 
 of their esteem and confidence. Ho has been often heard to 
 speak of his wanderings among tho Indians, as tho happiest 
 days of his life. Ho was a man, kind, social and ohligincr, 
 mild in disposition, of excellent character, and on the whole 
 a very remarknhlo man. Ho held the oJlices of Justice of the 
 Peace and Supervisor of tho town of Onondaga for a number 
 of years ; a Justice first in 1805, and tho first Supervisor of 
 Onondaga, 1788. He was largely engaged in tho ginseng 
 trade with a gentleman of Boston, and was the only man who 
 had infiuonco enough with the Indians to engage them to dig 
 It. Mr. Webster had acquired the art of manufacturing or 
 preparng this tuberous root for market, in audi a manner as 
 to make it semi-transparent, and at this time it was an article 
 of commerce, carried on mostly with China. It is called by 
 the Indians garentoquen, which signifies with legs separated, 
 from the frequent divided form of the root. Since the death 
 of Mr. Webster, tho digging and traffic have been discontinued 
 With the Onondagas. The name ginseng is said to bo of Chi- 
 nese origin. With that people it was considered a great 
 medicinal panacea, being of a highly mucilaginous sweetness, 
 not unlike liquorice accompanied with a slight bitterness— the 
 Panax trifoUum of Botanists. 
 
 Mr. Webster died at Tuscarora, in 182.5, at the advanced 
 age of seventy-two years, much lamented by the Indians and 
 a large circle of friends. He was buried at Onondaga. 
 
 Many interesting anecdotes were related by Mr. Webster, 
 of circumstances which occurred during his early intercourse 
 with the Indians, some of which are singularly illustrative of 
 Indian character, and from their exhibiting in an elevated 
 manner the virtues of fortitude, fidelity, gratitude and honor, 
 as once understood and appreciated by the Indians, may not 
 be wholly uninteresting here. 
 
 It sometimes happened that the Indians, either from fan- 
 eied or real wrongs, would become offended with Webster, 
 and even go so far as to threaten his life, and make the most 
 
842 
 
 ONONDAGA. 
 
 alarming demonstrations towards taking it. At one time they 
 tied him to a tree, and there amused themselves by throwing 
 a tomahawk at the tree to which he was tied, to see how near 
 they could come to his head and not hit it. Sometimes the 
 whistling missile would graze his hair. The sport was kept 
 up for more than half an hour, during which Webster neither 
 flinched nor moved a muscle, a circumstance greatly admired 
 by the Indians, Avho usually have a contemptible notion of the 
 white man's fortitude. After they became tired of the sport, 
 they liberated him Avith shouts of exultation. 
 
 In the early part of the intercourse of Mr. Webster with 
 the Onondagas, he had occasion to go on business for the Na- 
 tives to Canada. On his return, he employed a young brave 
 of the Onondagas below Oswego, to pilot him through the 
 woods to Onondaga. While on the route, he observed that 
 the Indian felt sad and gloomy, as if something weighed heavy 
 on his mind. In vain he tried to arouse him from his cold and 
 frigid humor. Webster's faculties of cheering and amuse- 
 ment were exhausted, without a relaxation of gravity or sad- 
 ness on the part of the Indian. At length Webster accosted 
 liim with a tone of anxiety, inquiring what could be the mat- 
 ter. Upon which he answered, "Me going to die." Web- 
 ster thinking it only a whim of the Indian, refrained from 
 further conversation. They trudged silently along and in due 
 time approached the castle. They had arrived there but a 
 short time, when six Indians of the Cayuga nation made their 
 appearance, and without one word, or the least ceremony, one 
 of them Avalked up to the Onondaga and with an axe cleft his 
 skull. In a moment the blow was followed by another of the 
 party, and the youns; man was no more. The Cayugas retired 
 as if nothing had hu.ppcned. The Onondagas lamented their 
 brother, and there were injured ones ready to avenge his death. 
 It seems there had for a long time been a family feud l^etween 
 a portion of the Onondagas and some Cayugas, and this was 
 continued by a succession of murders for several years. This 
 young man, so unceremoniously slain, had been engaged in 
 the murder of a Cayuga, and these Cayugas, on the watch, 
 
REMINISCENCES. 
 
 343 
 
 hutl caught a glimpse of him, and he had seen the track of 
 the Cayugas across his path, which produced the sadness upon 
 his countenance. But to retrace his steps would have betrayed 
 cowardice, a feeling which an Indian in his own free, uncon- 
 taminatcd state, knows nothing of. 
 
 An Indian chief who was known as Capt. John, and who 
 was a man of influence among the Onondagas, who lived to 
 a great age, and who was greatly beloved by the whites, and 
 uniformly tender and kind in his disposition, exhibits an in- 
 stance of the most savage barbarity, illustrating in a remarka- 
 ble manner, the sweetness of revenge to the savage. During 
 the old French war, a French officer wantonly killed a little girl 
 belonging to Ta-whis-kon-ta, (Spring-the-trap, or Capt. John.) 
 The murderer of the innocent child, was discovered by the 
 chief, who instantly set his mark upon him, and for several 
 years visited Canada for the purpose of obtaining revenge. 
 Long and patiently ho waited for an opportunity to avenge 
 the blood of his child, by the blood of its murderer, but no 
 opportunity presented itself in the person of the murderer. 
 At length he caught sight of a child of the Frenchman's 
 who was innocently at play near the house of her parent, 
 rushed upon her, buried his tomahawk in her skull, and drag- 
 ged the body into the woods. Here the monster stripped the 
 corpse of its clothing, divested it of its skin, leaving it to 
 decay, or become a prey to swine or wild beasts. Capt. John 
 kept this skin hung up a long time in his cabin, as a trophy 
 of his vengeance and ferocity, and often feasted his eyes upon 
 it with joy, exulting in the murder of the innocent child as a 
 worthy deed. 
 
 In 1806, was a time of great sickness among the Onondaga 
 Indians. Capt. John, feeling that his end was approaching, 
 strayed to the west side of the lake, nearly opposite to Liver- 
 pool, and died in the bushes. The latter part of summer and 
 autumn of that year was unusually cold. The crops of 
 corn were entirely cut off by early frost. In this dilemma, 
 the Indians called a council to enquire why the Great Spirit 
 Bhould inflict so great a calamity upon them. After due deli- 
 
 !Vi 
 
 ^ilwi) 
 
844 
 
 ONONDAGA. 
 
 beration it was decided, that it was because Capt. John lay 
 colu, and the white people were solicited to turn out and bury 
 him, which they did on the spot Avhere he expired. 
 
 There was a place near the first gate on the plank road, 
 north of Salina, formerly known as Capt. John's bear trap' 
 a spot where he had been accustomed to bait and trap those' 
 animals. 
 
 During tho early sojourn of Mr. Webster among the Indi- 
 ans, he was often in peril of his life, and frequently threaten- 
 ed with immediate death, occasioned by the strange fancies 
 of those by Avhom he was surrounded. But Providence seem- 
 ed always to interpose in his behalf, and upon one occasion 
 in rather a remarkable manner. It seems that for some real 
 or fancied wrong which he had committed, he was judged 
 worthy of death. So determined were the Indians to accom- 
 plish his destruction that he gave up all for lost, and fully 
 made up his mind that his time had come. His grave was dug 
 and he was told to prepare for immediate death. A large 
 ring was formed around him. His executioners, four in num- 
 ber, were appointed, and their positions taken ; four glittering 
 tomahawks gleamed in the sun-light as they leapt from the 
 warriors belts. A sturdy brave was placed at each side firm- 
 ly holdiT.- each hand, stretching his arms in a horizontal man- 
 ner to their utmost extent. The fatal blow was about to be 
 struck. It was asked him (as is the custom) if he had any 
 request to make before he expired. He said he only desired 
 a cooling draught of water. " None, none, none," exclaimed 
 several voices at once. He appealed to them in afi-ecting tones, 
 requesting them in the most supplicating manner not to deny 
 a dying friend this last simple request. The venerable war 
 chief, Oun-di-a-ga, stood forth, while the ready weapons were 
 poised over his naked head. " Hold," said he, " stay your hands, 
 offend not the Great Spirit. Let him drink one cup of water 
 for the last time. " The cup was accordingly presented to him ; 
 one hand was released from the Indian who held it. Webster 
 took the cup, gracefully bowed his head, and most cordially 
 
 drank the h( 
 daga nation, 
 
 This man( 
 with so muc! 
 and with so 
 one voice thi 
 one of us," 
 ed quietly 1 
 after which 
 none molestc 
 
 Soon afte] 
 a young bra^ 
 himself befo 
 while sitting 
 man said, " '. 
 if you will p^ 
 and the hear 
 name is Man 
 whick-do-ta, i 
 sit you down 
 you can hun1 
 path with th( 
 you deserve.' 
 was appareni 
 chase, most £ 
 tween Mantii 
 was formed, 
 his companio: 
 Webster whis 
 the first glim 
 parting glean 
 from both thi 
 his friend on( 
 ley forever, 
 perform. M 
 true. My fr 
 sented. Pre 
 
REMINISCENCES, 
 
 845 
 
 drank the health of the chiefs and brave warriors of the Onon- 
 daga nation. 
 
 This maneuver was so unexpected, so appropriate, and done 
 with so much grace and aboriginal naiveU ; so respectfully, 
 and with so much coolness and gravity of demeanor, that with 
 one voice they shouted, "he is free," "let him go," " he is 
 one of us," and was instantly released. The Indians return- 
 ed quietly to their homes, conducting him with them, ever 
 after which he was treated with the greatest kindness, and 
 none molested him or made him afraid. 
 
 Soon after Mr. Webster had located himself at Onondaga, 
 a young brave of the Cayuga nation, one morning presented 
 himself before the chiefs of the Onondagas and Mr. Webster, 
 while sitting at the door of the council-house. The young 
 man said, " I have come to dwell among you and your people 
 if you will permit. I have left forever the home of my father 
 and the hearth of my mother. I seek a home with you ; my 
 name is Mantinoah, deny me not." The most aged chief, Ka- 
 whick-do-ta, answered him, " Mantinoah, you are welcome here, 
 sit you down with us. Be our son, we will be to you a father ; 
 you can hunt and fish with our young men, and tread the war 
 path with the braves of our nation ; you shall be honored as 
 you deserve." Near two years passed around and Mantinoah 
 was apparently contented and happy, always foremost in the 
 chase, most active in the dance, and loudest in the song. Be- 
 tween Mantinoah and Webster, a bond of firmest friendship 
 was formed. When Webster climbed the hill, Mantinoah was 
 his companion. When Mantinoah watched the midnight moon, 
 Webster whispered friendship in his ear. Their eyes caught 
 the first glimmerings of the rising sun together, and its last 
 parting gleam, as it sunk below the western horizon, departed 
 from both their visions at the same time. Mantinoah said to 
 his friend one morning, " I must soon leave your peaceful val- 
 ley forever. I go towards the setting sun ; I have a vow to 
 perform. My nation and my friends know Mantinoah will be 
 true. My friend, I desire you to go with me. Webster con- 
 sented. Preparation was made for the journey. They left 
 
 44 
 
 ||||#|,1U 
 
 'mn^. 
 
846 
 
 ONONDAGA. 
 
 the Onondaga valley together. Mantinoah looked upon it for 
 the last time. After a Avalk of tlireo or four days, taking 
 their journey leisurely, hunting and fishing by the May, they 
 arrived at an einincnee near Mantinoah's village. " llcro," said 
 Mantinoah, " let us rest — let us here invoke the Great Spirit to 
 grant us strength to pass triumphantly through the scenes of 
 this day. Here," said he, " wewill eat, and here, for the 
 last time, Avill smoke the pijje of peace and friendsliip to"-oth- 
 er." After a repast of broiled venison and bread, the pipe 
 was passed from one to the other in regular succession. " No^y " 
 said Mantinoah to his friend, "a little more than two years have 
 elapsed since in my native village near to us, in a burst of 
 passion, I slew my bosom friend and chosen companion. The 
 chiefs of my nation declared me guilty of my friend's blood 
 and decreed I must suffer dc;ith. It Avas then I sought your 
 nation. It was then I won your friendship. The nearest of 
 kin to him I slew, according to our customs, was to become 
 my executioner. ]\Iy execution was deferred for two full years, 
 during which time I was condemned to banishment from my 
 nation. I vowed to return. 
 
 The term of two full years expires this day, when the 
 setting sun sinks behind the topmost branch of yonder tree. 
 Beneath the broad branches of this veneral)le oak, where 
 we now stand, at the foot of this ancient rock, against which 
 I now lean, I stand prepared to receive my doom. My 
 friend, we have had numy a cheerful sport together; our 
 joys have not been circumscribed ; our griefs have been 
 few ; look not so sad now, but let new joys arouse you to 
 happiness. When you return to the Onondagas, liear wit- 
 ness, that ^Mantinoah died like a true brave of the Cavu- 
 gas ; that he trembled not at the approach of death, like the 
 coward pale-face, nor shed tears like a woman. My friend, 
 take my belt, my knife, ray hunting pouch, my horn and 
 rifle ; accept them as mementos of our friendsliip ; I shall 
 need them no longer ; a few moments and the avenger will be 
 here ; the Great Spirit calls, I am ready ; Mantinoah fears 
 not to die; farewell." Webster firmly remonstrates against 
 
 / 
 ^ 
 
 his determ 
 sequences, 
 tance. M 
 and takes 
 earlyfricm 
 ter mutual 
 ger addres 
 our laws di 
 time is coi 
 steadfast. 
 Upon this 
 carefully 1 
 his manly 1 
 There he 
 as adaman 
 tomahawk 
 edge sank 
 earth dran 
 a groan, a 1 
 magic, a h( 
 reechoed t 
 moved in 
 parted ; tli 
 mured thrc 
 veyed the s 
 the witness 
 The feel 
 easily imai: 
 diately aft( 
 Indians i\v 
 gave him t 
 protection, 
 and when i 
 to his lioin 
 fiction, it if 
 lated by '^ 
 
REMINISCENCES. 
 
 347 
 
 
 hi8 determination. In vain he urges him to escape the con- 
 sequences. A short silence ensues ; a yell is heard in the dis- 
 tance. Mantinoah responds. A single Indian approaches, 
 and takes Miintinoah by the hand. He, too, has been his 
 early friend ; but the laws of the savage cannot be broken. Af- 
 ter mutual salutations and expressions of kindness, the aven- 
 ger addressed him : Mantinoah, you have slain my brother ; 
 our laws declare me his avenger, and your executioner. Your 
 time is come ; death is at hand, prepare to meet him. Be 
 steadfast, ])0 firm ; and may the Great Spirit sustain you. 
 Upon tliis, Mantinoah gracefully elevated his manly form, 
 carefully bared his broad bosom, calmly laid his arms across 
 Ids manly breast ; not a muscle moved, not a breath was heard. 
 There ho stood, ready for the voluntary sacrifice, immovable 
 as adamant. Accompanied by a deafening yell, the bright 
 tomahawk of the avenger glittered in the fading light ; its keen 
 edge sank deep into the brain of the victim. The thirsty 
 earth drank the life blood of Mantinoah, and he sank without 
 a groan, a lifeless corpse before his friend. Instantly, as if by 
 magic, a host of savages appeared, the mournful song of death 
 reechoed through the forest, the gloomy dance for the dead 
 moved in melancholy solemnity around the corse of the de- 
 parted ; the low, guttural moan peculiar to the savage, mur- 
 mured through the trees, and all was still. They silently sm- 
 veyed the scene ; when slowly, in groups, in pairs, and singly, 
 the witnesses of this thrilling sce^^ ") retired. 
 
 The feelings of Mr. Webster on this occasion, may be more 
 easily imagined than they can possibly be described. Imme- 
 diately after the tragic event of which wo have spoken, the 
 Indians most cordially invited Mr. Webster to their village, 
 gave him the most solemn assurances of perfect safety and 
 protection, very hospitably entertained him for a few days 
 and when ready to return, a party of Cayugas conducted him 
 to his home. However much the foregoing may appear like 
 fiction, it is nevertheless true. The facts have often been re- 
 lated hj Mr. Webster while living, to many old inhal^itants 
 
 m 
 
 mi 
 
 M 
 
 illiPt • 
 
 !■ *l 
 
 ■^■^m 
 
 ...— — «o<iMJ»>- 
 
S48 
 
 ONONDAGA. 
 
 and first settlers in the vicinity, who will yet bear witness to 
 its authenticity. 
 
 Treaties. — At a Treaty held at Fort Schuyler, formerly 
 called Fort Stanwix, in the State of New York, by His Excellen- 
 cy, George Clinton, Governor of the said State, and William 
 Floyd, Ezra L. Hommedieu, Richard Varick, Samuel Jones, Eg- 
 bert Benson, and Peter Gansevoort, Junior, Commissioners, 
 authorized for that purpose, by and on behalf of the people of 
 the State of New- York, with the tribe or nation of Indians called 
 the Onondagoes, it is on the twelfth day of September, in the 
 year one thousand seven hundred and eighty-eight, covenanted 
 and concluded as follows : — 
 
 First. The Onondagoes do cede and grant all their lands to 
 the people of the State of New- York forever. Secondly, the 
 Onondagoes shall, of the said ceded lands, hold to themselves 
 and their posterity forever, for their own use and cultivation, 
 but not to be sold, leased, or in any other manner aliened or 
 disposed of to others, all that tract of land beginning at the 
 southerly end of the salt lake, at the place where the river or 
 stream on which the Onondagoes now have their village, emp- 
 ties into the said lake, and runs from the said place of begin- 
 ning east three miles ; thence southerly according to the gen- 
 eral course of the said river, until it shall intersect a line 
 running east and west, at the distance of three miles south 
 from the said village ; thence from the said point of intersec- 
 tion west nine miles ; thence northerly parallel to the second 
 course above mentioned, until an east line will strike the place 
 of beginning ; and thence east to the said place of beginning. 
 Thirdly, the Onondagoes and their posterity forever, shall en- 
 joy the free right of hunting in every part of the said ceded 
 lands, and of wishing in all the waters within the same. Fourth- 
 ly, the salt lake and the lands, for one mile round the same, 
 shall forever remain for the common benefit of the people of 
 the Stai3 of New- York, and of the Onondagoes and their pos- 
 terity for :he purpose of making salt, and shall not be grant- 
 ed or in ai. >' wise disposed of for other purposes. Fifthly, in 
 
 considcrati 
 
 State of IS 
 
 one thousa 
 
 pounds in 
 pie of the 
 and clothir 
 
 r, people of 1 
 Onondagoc 
 June in ev 
 
 dollars in 
 
 ' shall at an 
 
 of the sale 
 
 provisions, 
 ) Governor c 
 
 : of the ann 
 
 }^ provisions, 
 .| and at the 
 
 1 State of N 
 
 if 
 
 ^ people of t 
 ;'■, shall deem 
 
 1 goes from ] 
 ;^ the Onond 
 
 1 cultivation 
 
 the people 
 on the said 
 aforesaid, 1 
 give notice 
 State for tl 
 their postei 
 of the said 
 York, in re 
 only such i 
 may happc 
 such intrud 
 justice. I 
 warriors, ai 
 tribe or nal 
 
REMINISCENCES. 
 
 849 
 
 consideration of the said cession and grant, the people of the 
 State of New York do, at this treaty, pay to the Onondagoes 
 one thousand French crowns in money, and two hundred 
 pounds in clothing, at the price which the same costs the peo- 
 ple of the State of New- York, (the receipt of which money 
 and clothing the Onondagoes do now acknowledge ;) and the 
 people of the State of New York shall annually pay to the 
 Onondagoes and their posterity, forever, on the first day of 
 June in every year, at Fort Schuyler aforesaid, five hundred 
 dollars in silver ; but if the Onondagoes or their posterity, 
 shall at any time hereafter elect that the whole or any part 
 of the said five hundred dollars shall be paid in clothing or 
 provisions, and give six weeks previous notice thereof to the 
 Governor of the said State for the time being, then so much 
 of the annual payment shall for that time be in clothing or 
 provisions, as the Onondagoes or their posterity shall elect, 
 and ut the price which the same shall cost the people of the 
 State of New- York, at Fort Schuyler aforesaid. Sixthly, the 
 people of the State of New- York may, in such manner as they 
 shall deem proper, prevent any persons except the Ononda- 
 goes from residing or settling on the lands so to be held by 
 the Onondagoes and their posterity, for their own use and 
 cultivation ; and if any persons shall, without the consent of 
 the people of the State of New-York, come to reside or settle 
 on the said lands, or on any other of the lands so ceded as 
 aforesaid, the Onondagoes and their posterity shall forthwith 
 give notice of such intrusions to the Goveri'or of the said 
 State for the time being ; and further, the Onondagoes and 
 their posterity forever, shall, at the request of the Governor 
 of the said State, be aiding to the people of the State of New- 
 York, in removing all such intruders, and in apprehending not 
 only such intruders, but also felons and other oifonders who 
 may happen to be on the said ceded lands, to tlio end that 
 such intruders, felons, and other offenders, ma/ bo brought to 
 justice. In testimony whereof, as well the sachems, chief 
 warriors, and others of the said Onondagoes, in bohalf of their 
 tribe or nation, as the said Governor and other commissioners 
 
 ill' 
 
 :,f^^'-^ 
 
860 
 
 ONONDAGA. 
 
 on behalf of the people of the State of New- York, have here- 
 unto interchangeably set their hands and affixed their seals 
 the day and year first above written. 
 
 BEAR. 
 
 Kahiktoton, 
 
 Tehojiskeaiyea, 
 
 Waghselonyahhe, 
 
 by the chief of the clan 
 
 DEER. 
 
 Kanaghssctegea, 
 Agogighkwayewa, 
 
 TURTLE. 
 
 Tehonwaghstoweaghte, 
 
 fehagoyenawaghskwo, 
 
 Kanadaes, 
 
 Sagoeyons, 
 
 Sagosaiewas, 
 
 by the chief of the clan. 
 
 BEAVER. 
 
 by his cousin. Kanadakeawaghte, 
 Adahswoandaahsea, 
 Waghshaine, 
 
 by the chief of the clan. 
 
 WOLF. 
 
 Tehoenagalaongh, 
 
 Skawyadaliyo 
 Kalonghyo, by his brother. 
 
 EEL. 
 
 Agwelondongwas. 
 Thanehaaghkwa, 
 
 by the chief of the clan. Shagohaasscgh, 
 Hyanoenwe, by tlic chief of the clan. 
 
 GOVERNESSES. Onocwileghto, 
 
 Tjeanoenikhe, by the chief of the clan. 
 
 Kaeghhewa. 
 
 Geo. Clinton, Wm. Floyd, Ezra L. Hommediou, Rich'd 
 Varick, Samuel Jones, Egbt. Benson, Peter Gansevoort, Jr. 
 
 Witnesses present. Simeon De Witt, Surveyor General ; 
 Louis Nyadeghhalongweah, of the Oneidas; Chief Govern- 
 ess of the Senecas, Kayendatsyona; Senccas, Shagodyadyes- 
 tha, Hanoweantho, Joayhgwalet, Sheanooewa, Shagokanyos. 
 Cayugas, Kaneongwe, Haghgouthiyo, Sam. Kirkland, Inter- 
 pret; John L. Bleecker, Interpret; P. Pcnet, Sam'l Latham 
 Mitchell, Nicholas Jourdain, Wm. Colbrath, Friedrick Fox, 
 Abr'm Bloodgood.* 
 
 At a treaty held at Onondaga by John Cantine and Simeon 
 Be Witt, two of the agents appointed for that purpose, by and 
 on behalf of the people of the State of New- York, by an act 
 
 * A treaty was held at Fort Stanwix, coniirniing former treaties, 16th of Junej 
 1790. 
 
REMINISCENCES. 
 
 351 
 
 of the Legislature of the said State, entitled " An Act rela- 
 tive to the lands appropriated by this State to the use of the 
 Oneida, Onondaga and Cayuga Indians," passed the 11th day 
 of March, 1703, with the tribe or nation of Indians called 
 the Onondagoes. It is on the eighteenth day of November, in 
 the year one thousand seven hundi'ed and ninety-three, cove- 
 nanted and concluded as follows : — 
 
 First, the Onondagoes do release and quit-claim to the peo- 
 ple of the State of New- York forever, all the rights reserved 
 to the said Onondagoes, in and to, so much of the lands appro- 
 priated to their use by the said State, commonly called the 
 Onondaga Reservation, as is comprehended within the two 
 following tracts of land, (to wit) the first of the said two 
 tracts begins in the east bounds of the said reservation at a cer- 
 tain bass-wood tree, marked for seven miles south, from the 
 north-east corner of the said reservation, and runs from the 
 said place of beginning, west to the river or stream commonly 
 called the Onondago Creek, on which the Onondagoes now have 
 their village, then northerly down along the said river or creek, 
 to the lands appropriated for the common benefit of the peo- 
 ple of the State of New- York, and of the Onondagoes and their 
 posterity, for the purpose of making salt, then easterly and 
 northerly along the said last mentioned lands to the lino run 
 for the north bounds of the said reservation ; then east, along 
 the said line to the north-east corner of the said reservation, 
 and then south, along the east bounds of the said reservation, 
 seven miles to the place of beginning. And the second of 
 the said tracts, begins at a point in the south bounds of the 
 said reservatior , four miles west from the south-east corner 
 thereof, and runs from the said place of beginning, north, so 
 far until an east course will strike the aforesaid bass-wood tree, 
 marked for seven miles south, from the north-east corner of the 
 said reservation, then east, to a point half a mile west from the 
 aforesaid Onondaga Creek, then northerly along straight 
 lines, connecting points successively, at intervals of half a 
 mile northing from each other ; each of which points shall bo 
 half a mile, measured west from the said Onondaga Creek, 
 
 ;li 
 
852 
 
 ONONDAGA. 
 
 to the aforesaid lands appropriated for the common benoat of 
 the people of the Stato of Now- York and of the Ouondagoes 
 and their posterity, for the purpose of making salt, then along 
 the same westerly and northerly to the line run for the north 
 bounds of the said reservation, then along the said line west 
 to the north-west corner of the said reservation, then along the 
 west bounds thereof, suuth to the south-west corner thereof, 
 and then along the south bounds thereof, east, to the place of 
 beginning: Secondly; in consideration of the said release 
 and quit -claim, the people of the State of Mew- York do, at 
 this treaty, pay to the Onondagoes, four hundred and ten dol- 
 lars, the receipt whereof the Onondagoes do hereby acknowl- 
 edge. And the people of the State of New-York, shall pay 
 to the Onondagoes, on the first day of June next, two hundred 
 and eighteen dollars, and on the first day of June, annually, 
 for ever thereafter, four hundred and ten dollars. Tlurdly,' 
 the payments which the Onondagoes nre by virtue of these 
 presents entitled annually to receive, and also those payments 
 which they are by covenants heretofore c-.tcred into' entitled 
 annually to receive from the people of the State of New-York, 
 shall be made and discharged at Onondago, at the village 
 where the said Onondagoes now reside, anything in any former 
 covenants contained to the contrary notwithstanding. Fourth- 
 ly, the people of the State of NcAv-York, shall, from thne to 
 time, and at all times forever hereafter, have full pow r and 
 authority to lay out and open roads through any part of the 
 lands appropriated by the people of the State of New-York 
 to the use of the Onondagoes, and not hereby (, ut-clairaed in 
 the same way and manner, as roads now are, and hereafter 
 may be directed by law to be laid out and made generally in 
 other parts of the State. Fifthly, the several boundaries of 
 the lands herein before described, the rights to which die said 
 Onondagoes have by these presents, released and quit-claimed 
 to the people of the State of New- York, and also the southerly 
 boundaries of the lands appropriated for the common benefit 
 of the people of the State of New-York, and of the Ononda- 
 goes and their posterity, for the purpose of making salt ; shall, 
 
 Si' 
 
 n 
 I' 
 
 afl soon as coi 
 at the expens 
 of New- York, 
 these present! 
 said nation a 
 said nation m 
 running and i 
 said. 
 
 Signed by 
 dagas, aad on 
 tine and Sim( 
 ster, interprel 
 
 At a Treat; 
 
 New York, b^ 
 
 and John Ricl 
 
 and on behalf 
 
 the tribe or n; 
 
 this twenty ei; 
 
 and ninety-fivi 
 
 Whereas there 
 
 articles of a<rr 
 
 Fort Stanwix, 
 
 seven hundred 
 
 articles of ag 
 
 one thousand 5 
 
 said articles, pi 
 
 subsequently t 
 
 and nine^y-thr 
 
 a certain deed 
 
 of New- York, 
 
 the treaties fir; 
 
 the said deed c 
 
 and ninety-thr( 
 
 which said last 
 
 the said Onond 
 
 State, a perpet 
 
 Now know all r 
 
REMINISCENCES. 
 
 358 
 
 
 I 
 
 afl soon jis conveniently may be, be surveyed, run, and marked 
 at the expenao and by the direction o*' the people of the Stat« 
 of New-York, according to the true intent and meaning of 
 these presents, in the presence of such of the Indians of the 
 said nation as choose to attend, and of such persons as the 
 said nation may appoint to attend and inspect the su- eying, 
 running and marking of the said several boundaries as afore- 
 said. 
 
 Signed by twenty-five chiefs and warriors of the Onon- 
 dagas, aad on the part of tlu State of New- York by Jo'm Can- 
 tine and Simeon De Witt. James Dean and Ephraim Web- 
 ster, interpreters. 
 
 At a Treaty hold at the Cayuga Ferry, in the State of 
 New York, by Phillip Schuyler, J ohn Cantine, David Brooks 
 and John Richardson, agents, authorised for that purpose by 
 and on behalf of the People of the State of New- York, with 
 the tribe or nation of Indians called the Onondagoes, it is on 
 this twenty eighth day -of July, one thousand seven hundred 
 and ninety-five, covenanted, concluded and agreed as follows: 
 Whereas there was reserved to the Onondago nation by the 
 articles of a^^reement, made at Fort Schuyler, formerly called 
 Fort Stanwix, ou the twelfth day of September, one thousand 
 seven hundred and eighty-eight, and confirmed by subsequent 
 articles of agreement, made on the sixteenth day of June, 
 one thousand seven hundred and ninety, sundry lands in the 
 said articles, particularly specified i.nd described, and whereas, 
 subsequently thereto, in the year one thousand seven hundred 
 and ninety-three, the said Onoadago notion, did sell, and by 
 a certain deed of cession, convey untc the people of the State 
 of New- York, certain part of the lands reserved to them by 
 the treaties first abc .- mentioned, reference being had :nto 
 the said deed of cession, made in one thousand seven hundred 
 and ninety-three, will therefrom more particularly appear by 
 which said last agreement there wa;? stipulated to be paid to 
 the said Onondago Indians, on the part of the people of this 
 State, a perpetual annuity of four hundred and ten dollars : 
 Now know all men, thai the people of the State o.f New-York, 
 
 45 
 
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 WEBSTER, N.Y. 14580 
 
 (716) 872-4503 
 
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354 
 
 ONONDAGA 
 
 in order to render the situation of the said Onondago Indians 
 more comfortable, have gi-anted, and by these presents do grant 
 and agree, that instead of, and in lieu of the said four hundred 
 and ten dollars, annually to be paid to them, the said Onon- 
 dagoes, they shall be and hereby are declared to be entitled 
 to a perpetual annuity of eight hundred dollars, and they 
 having been already paid in the year one thousand seven hun- 
 dred and ninety-three, four hundred and ten dollars, and the 
 residue for two years being one thousand one hundred and 
 ninety dollars, is now paid them in the presence of the wit- 
 nesses whose names are subscribed to this instrument, and 
 they are hereby declared to be entitled to, ;ind shall bo paid 
 eight hundred dollars on the first day of June next ensuing 
 the date hereof, and annually thereafter, on the first dny of 
 June in each year forever, the like sum of eight hundred dol- 
 lars, in manner hereinafter specified ; and whereas there was 
 also reserved to the said Onondago Indians by the articles of 
 agreement first above mentioned, a common right with the 
 people of this State, to the salt lake, and the lands for one 
 mile around the same, and by the agreement made in the year 
 year cne thousand seven hundred and ninety-three, there was 
 also reserved to the said nation and their posterity forever, 
 all the lands lying on the west side of the creek, running from 
 the northern boundary of the square tract surrounding their 
 village, to the salt lake, an extent of one half mile from the 
 said creek, 
 
 Now know all men further by these presents, that in order 
 to render the said common right, and the said lands adjoining 
 to the creek aforesaid, more productive of an annual income 
 to the said Onondago nation, it is covenanted, stipulated and 
 agreed by the said Onondago nation, that they will sell and 
 they do by these presents sell to the people of the State of 
 New-York, and their successors forever, all and singular, the 
 common right in the said salt lake, and the one mile of land 
 around the same, together with all and singular the lands com- 
 prised within one half mile of the creek between the northern 
 boundary of the land reserved to them by the agreement of 
 
 one thou 
 salt lake 
 State of 
 tion of V 
 granted, 
 that the 
 
 • 
 
 nation, ii 
 
 their nan 
 
 common 
 
 lars for t 
 
 the exten 
 
 do fur the 
 
 the said 
 
 the furthi 
 
 dollars, a 
 
 at the sal 
 
 ing the d 
 
 first day < 
 
 and of tw 
 
 of salt ; { 
 
 the said e 
 
 said sever 
 
 and the si 
 
 them by t 
 
 together t 
 
 annually ] 
 
 county of 
 
 United St 
 
 and in cai: 
 
 the Unitei 
 
 the State 
 
 said agent 
 
 ondago na 
 
 tiie count( 
 
 said Indiii 
 
 dago natic 
 
 pie of the 
 
REMINISCENCES. 
 
 355 
 
 one thousand seven hundred and ninety-three, and the said 
 salt lake, to have and to hold the same to the people of the 
 State of New- York, and their ^'uceessors forever, in considera- 
 tion of Avhich cession and grants it is covenanted, agreed and 
 granted, on the part of the people of the State of New-York, 
 that they shall pay, and do noAv pay to the said Onondago 
 nation, in tho presence of the Avitnesses who have subscribed 
 their names hereunto, the sum of five hundred dollars for the 
 common right aforesaid, and also the sum of two huiulred dol- 
 lars for the one half mile of land adjoining the said creek in 
 the extent aforesaid, and the people of the State of New- York 
 do further promise, covenant and agree that thoy will pay to 
 the said Onondago nation, in manner hereinafter specified, 
 the further sums of five hundred dollars and of two hundred 
 dollars, and also one hundred bushels of salt to be delivered 
 at the salt lake aforesaid, on the first day of June next ensu- 
 ing the date hereof, and annually forever thereafter, on the 
 first day of June in each year, the said sums of five hundred 
 and of two hundred dollars, and the said one hundred bushels 
 of salt ; and it is further covenanted and agreed that as well 
 the said eight hundred dollars herein before mentioned as the 
 said several sums of five hundred and two hundred dollars, 
 and the sum of five hundred dollars stipulated to be paid to 
 them by the treaty at Fort Schuyler first aforesaid, making 
 together the sum of two thousand dollars, shall in future be 
 annually paid them forever hereafter, at Canada ghquc, in the 
 county of Ontario, to the agent for Indian Affairs under the 
 United States for the time being, residing within this State, 
 and in case no such agent shall be appointed on the part of 
 the t'nited States, then by such person as the Governor of 
 the State of Noav York shall thereunto appoint, to be by the 
 said agent or person so to be appointed, paid to the said On- 
 ondago nation, taking their receipt therefor on the back of 
 tiie counterpart of this instrument in the possession of the 
 said Indiiins, in the words following, to wii : ^Ve, tlie Onon- 
 dago nation, do acknowledgi; to have received from tho peo- 
 ple of the State of NewA'ork, the sum., of t^vo thousand dol- 
 
 .11 11 !. 
 
 \Bi 
 
 
 
 
 
 ilil 
 
 I 
 
 
 «1t 
 
 
 ilRII 
 
 
 
 1 
 
 ' 5 
 
 
 i 
 
 
 ! 1 
 
 1 
 
 
 1 n 
 
 1 
 
 • i 
 
 ii I'JI H 
 
 li 
 
 Iff 1 
 
 1 
 
 lij.l i 
 
 
 
 i 
 
356 
 
 ONONDAGA. 
 
 lars in full for the several annuities within mentioned, as 
 
 witness our hands at Canadaghque, this day of -179 - 
 
 which money shall be paid in the presence of at least one of 
 the magistrates of the county of Ontario, and in the presence 
 of at least two more reputable inhabitants of the said county 
 and which magistrate and other persons in whose presence the 
 same shall be paid, shall subscribe their names as witnesses to 
 the said receipt, and the said agent or other person so to be 
 appointed, shall also take a duplicate receipt for the said 
 money witnessed by the said witnesses, and which duplicate 
 shall, as soon as conveniently may be, be acknowledged and 
 recorded in the records of the said county of Ontario, and 
 the original duplicate transmitted to the Governor of this 
 State for the time being. Signed in behalf of the State bv 
 Ph. Schuyler, John Cantine, D. Brooks, John Richardson and 
 eighteen chiefs and warriors of the Onondago nation. 
 
 At a treaty held at Albany, on the 25th of February, 1817, 
 the Onondagas sold and conveyed the following described lands, 
 viz : All that certain tract of the lards reserved to them in 
 former reservations, and known as the Onondaga Residence 
 Reservation. This land lies east of the present reservation, 
 and amounted to twenty-seven lots of from one hundred and 
 fifty to one hundred and sixty acres each, amounting in all to 
 about four thousand acres. One thousand dollars was paid 
 down, with an annuity of four hundred and thirty dollars, and 
 fifty bushels of salt. 
 
 On the 11th of February, 1822, at a treaty held at Alba- 
 ny, they sold eight hundred acres more of their land, from 
 the south end of the Onondaga Residence Reservation, for 
 the sum of seventeen hundred dollars. This, so far, is the last 
 treaty made with the Onondagas for the conveyance of lands. 
 
 Military Tract. — The Military Tract, was originally 
 bounded north by Oneida Lake, Oswego River and Lake On- 
 tario ; west, by a line drawn from the head of Great Sodus 
 Bay to the head of Seneca Lake ; south, by a line drawn from 
 the head of Seneca Lake to the west line of the present county 
 
 of Chemv 
 and Osw 
 the prese 
 land, and 
 and Way 
 The ex 
 of New-1^ 
 able failu 
 taa of tro< 
 cient mea 
 of the in] 
 welfare. 
 
 TheLe 
 
 of this ne 
 
 requisite 1 
 
 cure so d( 
 
 on the 20i 
 
 "two regi 
 
 These re^ 
 
 sisted, anc 
 
 troops wei 
 
 dischargee 
 
 York, was 
 
 the State, 
 
 speedily a 
 
 the States 
 
 they contii 
 
 time they 
 
 vates, or ] 
 
 should res] 
 
 private, fiv 
 
 proportion 
 
 the survey 
 
 acres ; bri^ 
 
 Ueutenant 
 
 and regim( 
 
 acres; ead 
 
REMINISCENCES. 
 
 867 
 
 of Chemung ; east, by the counties of Chenango and Madison, 
 and Oswego River, comprising within its boundaries, all of 
 the present counties of Onondaga, Cayuga, Seneca and Cort- 
 land, and a part of each of the counties of Osw2go, Tompkins 
 and Wayne. 
 
 The exposed situation of the extensive frontier of the State 
 of New- York in the years 1779 and 1780, and the unaccount- 
 able failure of different states to furnish their respective quo- 
 tas of troops for its protection, rendered it necessary that effi- 
 cient measures should be adopted for the protection and safety 
 of the inhabitants of that region, as well as for the general 
 welfare. 
 
 The Legislature of the State of New- York, were well aware 
 of this necessity, and at once proceeded to adopt the means 
 requisite to bring into actual service, a force sufficient to se- 
 cure so desirable an object. Accordingly, a law was passed 
 on the 20th of March, 1781, providing for the enlistment of 
 "two regiments for the defense of the frontier of New- York." 
 These regiments were to be armed, accoutred, clothed, sub- 
 sisted, and paid at the expense of the United States, and the 
 troops were to continue in service three years, unless sooner 
 discharged. The Council of appointment of the St^te of New- 
 York, was to commission the field officers, and the governor of 
 the State, the captains and subalterns, who were to enlist as 
 speedily as possible the aforesaid regiments. The faith of 
 the State was pledged to the officers and privates, that should 
 they continue to serve the full time of three years, or to the 
 time they were respectively discharged, such officers and pri- 
 vates, or in case of their death, their legal representatives 
 should respectively receive, each non-commissioned officer and 
 private, five hundred acres of land, and officers to receive in 
 proportion to their r ., k, after the same had been surveyed by 
 the surveyor general of the State. A major general, 5,500 
 acres ; brigadier general, 4,250 acres ; colonel, 2,500 acres ; 
 Ueutenant colonel, 2,250 acres ; major, 2000 acres ; captain 
 and regimental surgeon, each 1,500 acres; chaplain, 2000 
 acres ; each subaltern and surgeon's mate, 1000 acres. 
 
 B ' 
 
 '! 
 
358 
 
 ONONDAGA. 
 
 A.id this was all the bounty or emolument to be received 
 from the State of New-York. In case these lands were not 
 actually settled witliin three years after the war was closed, 
 they were to be forfeited, and were to revert to tlie State. 
 The forces raised upon these conditions, were to be mustered 
 and commanded by the commander-in-chief of the armies of 
 the United States. The year followin;^^ an act was passed 
 providing for the raising of Col. Lamb's regiment of artillery, 
 Avith the same privileges and bounties, and under the same 
 regulations as the other regiments. 
 
 The Congress of the United States also granted one hun- 
 dred acres of land to each of these soldiers serving as afore- 
 said. To each major general, 1000 acres ; brigadier general, 
 900 acres ; colonel, 500 acres ; lieutenant colonel, 450 acres ; 
 major, 400 acres; captain, 800 acres; lieutenant, 200 acres; 
 ensign, 150 acres. 
 
 This land was located in the State of Ohio. It was after- 
 wards so arranged between the State of Now- York and the 
 United States, that any soldier legally relinciuishing his claim 
 to the one hundred acres in Ohio, should draAV a full right of 
 six hundred acres in New-Y'ork. But failing to relinquish 
 that riglit by neglect or otherwise, the one hundred acres over 
 five hundred reverted to the State of NoAV-York. Hence the 
 origin of the term " State h Hundred," once so much in use on 
 the Military Tract. The first grant of Military Bounty Lands 
 comprehended all that tract of country bounded north by the 
 Oneida Lake, Oneida River and Lake Ontario ; west, by a 
 line drawn from Great Sodus Bay, on Lake Ontario to the 
 foot of Seneca Lake, up Seneca Lake to its head. South by 
 a line drawn eastwardly from tho head of Seneca Lake to the 
 Oneida Reservation ; east, by the Oneida Reservation, and 
 along the Chittenango Creek to its estuary, the place of be- 
 ginning, except certain reserves for the Onondaga and Seneca 
 Indians, and for the State of New-York, in the vicinity of the 
 salt springs. 
 
 In May, 1784, commissioners were appointed to proceed to 
 grnt military bounty lands, and to settle individual claims. 
 
 
REMINISCENCES. 
 
 3r>9 
 
 The commissloncrg for granting bounty lands, &c., by law, 
 consistt'd of tlie (jovernor, the Lieutenant (Jovevnor, the 
 Speaker of the Assembly, the Secretary of the State, the 
 Attorney General, the Treasurer, and Auditor thereof. Any 
 three of whom transacted business, the Governor always being 
 one of them. 
 
 It should bo borne in mind that the Indian title to these 
 military lands had not as yet been extinguished. vVnd there 
 Bcemed to be some doiil)t and uncertainty as to the time when 
 it would be. Some of the claimants became clamorous, con- 
 sequently on the loth of May, 17H({, the Legislature passed 
 an act authorizing the commissioners of the land oflice to or- 
 der the Surveyor General to lay out several townships, Avhere 
 the Indian title had been extinguished, to satisfy the claims 
 of the officers and soldiers of the New- York regiments. 
 
 These laiuls were located in the north part of the State of 
 New-York, and consisted of twelve townships, numbered from 
 south to north and back, two tiers, each toAvnship containing 
 one hundred square miles, being each ten miles square, equal 
 to about seven hundred and sixty-eight thousand acres. Num- 
 bers one, two, eleven, twelve, are noAV in Essex county ; num- 
 bers three, four, five, six, in Clinton county, and seven, eight, 
 nine, ten in Franklin county. This was subsequently called 
 the "Old Military Tract." 
 
 Many of the soldiers' rights had been bought up by specu- 
 lators, and it was soon ascertained by them that these lands 
 were not to be compared to the lands in western New- York 
 for fertility and prospective value. The Legislature was in- 
 duced to defer the final settlement of claims until the Indian 
 title was extinguished to the lands of the Onondagas, Cayu- 
 gas and Senecas. 
 
 By the Treaty of Fort S*anwix, dated 12th September, 
 1788, the Indian title was extinguished, and the several indi- 
 vidual rights were located as was at first intended. 
 
 The Military Tract originally contained about one million 
 eight hundred thousand acres, or about three thousand rights, 
 exclusive of reservations. Deceptions and frauds had already 
 
 '■ 'I,... 
 
 iiiiiiii^ir 
 
360 
 
 ONONDAGA. 
 
 been practiced to a considerable extent, and the settlement of 
 these claims proceeded but very slovrly ; and it was with the 
 greatest difficulty that the commissioners could distinguish be- 
 tween the rightful and fraudulent claimants. In 1789, the 
 commissioners of the land office directed the Surveyor Gene- 
 ral to lay out as many townships as would satisfy the claims 
 of persons entitled to bounty lands. He accordingly laid out 
 twenty-five townships, numbering from one to twenty-five in- 
 clusive. Township number twenty-six was added in 1791. 
 Each township to contain sixty thousand acres of land. These 
 townships were to bo subdivided into lots of six hundred acres 
 each. In 1790, the Surveyor General completed the survey, 
 and fifty acres, to be located in one of the corners of each 
 lot, was suHfct to the payment of forty-eight shillings to the 
 Surveyor General, as a compensation for his services. Hence 
 the origin of the term " Survey Fifty;" and the further sum of 
 eight shillings was charged by the Secretary of State, upon 
 each lot in addition to his customary fees for perfecting con- 
 veyances. 
 
 The Surveyor General, Simeon De Witt, personally laid 
 out the whole Military Tract, by plotting and mapping the 
 boundaries and calculating the whole area. Moses De Witt 
 and Abraham Hardenburgh, were appointed by the Surveyor 
 General, as his assistants, to divide the Military Tract thus 
 laid out, into townships, each to contain one hundred lots. 
 Some of these townships were extremely irregular, and so of 
 many of the lots. But wherever practicable, it was intended 
 to have each township ten miles square, and each lot one 
 mile square. The division of townships into lots was made 
 under the direction and superintendence of Moses De Witt 
 and Abraham Hardenburgh. But the labor was performed 
 by several individuals, among .whom were Benjamin Wright, 
 J. L. Hardenburgh, John Cantine, Josiah Buck, Comfort Ty- 
 ler, Joseph Annin, Benjamin Barton, Jacob Hart, William 
 Ewing, Orris Curtis, Peter G. Cuddeback, Thomas Nicholson, 
 John Konkle, and some others who assisted them, and who 
 aeted as surveyors of townships. 
 
 p The t( 
 
 1 and the 
 
 I be herca 
 
 f terms, oi 
 
 Tract, w 
 
 certain o 
 
 two, thre 
 
 missionei 
 
 Townshij 
 
 a 
 
 « 
 
 <( 
 
 « 
 
 (( 
 
 « 
 
 u 
 
 ^^ 
 
 
 (( 
 
 In our 
 
 townships 
 ships of ] 
 Onondagj 
 Bake of c< 
 different j 
 us, Tully, 
 the towns 
 may be r( 
 tary Trac 
 On the 
 to determi 
 share. I 
 One lot wj 
 of New-Y 
 township 1 
 
REMINISCENCES. 
 
 801 
 
 The terms town and township are frequently confounded, 
 and the one often substituted for the other. That there may 
 be hereafter no misconstruction or misunderstanding of these 
 terms, once for all, we say that a township on the Military 
 Tract, was a particular parcel of land laid out, containing 
 certain one hundred lots. These were at first numbered one, 
 two, three, &c. But afterwards they were named by the com- 
 missioners of the land office, after distinguished men : 
 Township No. 1, Lysander, Township No. 14, Tully, 
 
 ' I 
 
 a 
 u 
 u 
 
 (( 
 (( 
 
 « 
 
 a 
 (( 
 <( 
 
 2, Hannibal, 
 
 3, Cato, 
 
 4, Brutus, 
 
 5, Camillus, 
 
 6, Cicero, 
 
 7, Manlius, 
 
 8, Aurelius, 
 
 9, Marcellus, 
 10, Pompey, 
 
 " 11, Romulus, 
 
 12, Scipio, 
 
 13, Sempronius, 
 
 <( 
 
 u 
 
 (( 
 <( 
 (( 
 (( 
 
 « 
 
 (C 
 
 (( 
 il 
 ii 
 a 
 « 
 
 (( 
 
 15, Fabiua, 
 
 16, Ovid, 
 
 17, Milton, 
 
 18, Locke, 
 
 19, Homer, 
 
 20, Solon, 
 
 21, Hector, 
 
 22, Ulysses, 
 
 23, Dryden, 
 
 24, Virgil, 
 
 25, Cincinnatus, 
 
 26, Junius. 
 
 In our early organization, a town often embraced several 
 townships ; as the town of Pompey at first included the town- 
 ships of Pompey, Fabius and Tully, and a large part of the 
 Onondaga reservation. After settlements increased, for the 
 sake of convenience, the same territory has been divided, at 
 difiFerent periods, into the towns of Pompey, Lafayette, Fabi- 
 us, Tully, Truxton and Preble, including a part of each of 
 the towns of Otisco, Spafford and Onondaga. The same 
 may be remarked of other towns and townships on the Mili- 
 tary Tract. 
 
 On the 1st of January, 1791, the commissioners proceeded 
 to determine these claims, and to ballot for each individual's 
 share. Ninety-four persons drew lots in each township. 
 One lot was drawn for the support of literature in the State 
 of New- York ; one lot was assigned near the centre of each 
 township by the Surveyor General, for the support of the gos- 
 
 46 
 
 ; i 
 
 111 
 
362 
 
 ONONDAfi A. 
 
 pel nn<l common acliools, and tlio romiiinlng four lots wont to 
 satisfy tlic .«iir|(lus wliarcs of the oIIuhts, and to coMipcnHate 
 those who by ehiinco mij^ht draw lots covered with water. If 
 any of the lot.s containotl too small a([iiantity of land, the com- 
 missioners were anthori/,(>d to correct it. The former act re- 
 lative to aetuiil settlement was repealed, and the tiaie for 
 RU'li actual settlement was extended seven 3'ears from 1st 
 of January, 17!*-. In case of faihn-o to settle within that 
 time, then the lands reverted to the State as before. The 
 equitable adjustment of these land claims Avas a. source of 
 continual embarrassment and per})lexity to the commissioners, 
 and to the real owners. 
 
 In Au^^ust, 17!*2, the l^oard of Commissioners, finding it 
 necessary in order to comply with the grants of Ixumty lands, 
 lately directed b^'' law to be made to the Hospital department 
 and others, caused township number twenty-seven, and the 
 lots thereon, respectively to be numbered agreeable to law, and 
 the township to be designated by the name of the township of 
 Galen. 
 
 In January, 1705, there still appeared to bo several unsat- 
 isfied claims for military l)ounty lands, and the twenty-seven 
 townships being already disposed of, the board resolved that 
 the Surveyor (ieneral should lay out one other township, num- 
 bered twenty-eight. This was subsecpiently named Sterlimj ; 
 which satisfied all the remaininji; claims. 
 
 In January, 1704, an act was passed, on account of the 
 many frauds committed respecting the titles to these military 
 bounty lands, by forging and antedating conveyances ; by con- 
 veying the same to dift'erent persons, and by various other de- 
 vices, and to prevent future frauds, the act provided that all 
 deeds and conveyances made and executed ])eforo that time, 
 or pretending to be so, should be deposited Avith the clerk of 
 the county of Albany, for the time being, and all such as 
 were not so deposited, should be considered fraudulent. The 
 names of the claimants were posted up in alphabetical order 
 in the clerk's office at Albany, and also at the clerk's office at 
 Herkimer, for the more full inspection of all persons inter- 
 
rf<:minkscence.s. 
 
 3G3 
 
 cstod. Tht'so dalms were still contostcil, mnl tlio eonrta ovor- 
 llowod with husiiK'SM roliitivo thereto. Sciircu a lot hut hocainc 
 more or loss the sul)ject of liti;^ation. Kven the soldierw 
 thcinsolves, eotniiif^ to take possession of tho lots for Avhieh 
 they had servetl, were ol)lii:;ed to eject some lawless s([uattur 
 at considerahle expense, or (|uictly to yield their hard earned 
 titles. At leii<^th the iidiahitants of the military tract became 
 BO conii>l(!tely W(!!iried with these continued and most vexing 
 contentions, that in 171*7, the residents of the several town- 
 ships on tli(! Military Tract, unanimously and most lu-artily 
 united in petilioniu;^ the State Le;^islature to pass a law au- 
 thori/ing a speedy and e(piitahle n)odo of settling all disputes 
 relativo to those titles. An act was thereupon passed appoint- 
 ing Iloliert Vates, James Kent, and Vincent Ma.thows, Com- 
 missioners, with fidl powers to hear, examine, awai'd and de- 
 termine all disputes respecting the titles to any and all the 
 military bounty lands. The (iiovernor was authorized to fdl 
 all vacancies in this hoard. From the record of the awards 
 made by the Onondaga. Commissioners, the name of James 
 Kent does not at all appear in their transactions. Most of 
 the awards of 17nH-!)l), are signed by Vincent Mathews and 
 James Emmott ; later ones by Vincent Mathews aiul llol)ert 
 Yates, and some of those of 1801 and 1802, by ISIessrs. 
 Mathews and Emmott, and Sanders Livingston. They pro- 
 ceeded to the Avork, and after a laborious investigaiion, the 
 exertions of these gentlemen finally brought these vexing and 
 lingering contentions to a satisfactory close. 
 
 l! 
 
 m 
 
 :l!;; 1 
 
 I 
 
 f 
 If' 
 
~Ouu 
 
 ¥OlSi<v 
 
 COMT 
 
 ticut, on 
 
 broth tn"S 
 
 he ffiiiiu 
 
 to enlist 
 
 of lor 
 
 His torn 
 
 being ra 
 
 West Px 
 
 hawk Hi 
 
 taught a 
 
 gifted m 
 
 than his 
 
 ted fron 
 
 York, a 
 
 prcHmini 
 
 hig land 
 
 make he; 
 
 gaged -t 
 
COUNTY— COMFORT TYLER. 
 
 366 
 
 CHAPT. U XI 
 
 ON'UNPAOA COUNTY. 
 
 CojfFOKT Trim - • Lfsw i 
 
 OltGAKlEAlli i 
 
 OrO A.N i?, A !,■■■> .-.r ■- >i 
 
 Tiii:ASt'K EBU — M KMUtttl: 
 
 FmsT Board** oj Sui'E- 
 vomammth 
 
 ►iRT'' !n 
 
 ■ Co-*. 
 
 'alca«<?»s^ 
 
 
 ITAftT Af- 
 
 At 
 
 Comfort Tyler was born In the town of A shf. ml, Connec- 
 ticut, on the 22d of February, 1764. being the fourth of seven 
 brothers. la the year 17T7, y\hm only thh-teen years of age, 
 
 resolved 
 thr- age 
 ^•05»eat 
 
 f'.'SS of 
 
 ;■ Mo- 
 
 .rvoyor, 
 
 lien of 
 
 ■ u.twlodge 
 
 : -i-\'e emigra- 
 
 H'f.^tern New- 
 
 . ! essary 
 
 he manifested a stro'-'- .l.';nv^> *.. :><.f- >- •^1, 
 to enlist as a soldier 
 of iourti eu, he entered 
 Ilia term of service wa?- of sit. 
 being mostly ooufioed to duty 
 West Point, lu 1783, he went to < 
 hawk liiver, where he entered upon - 
 tauglit a school ; and as is often ti 
 gifted mind.?, he ni:id<; greater advaii •. 
 than his pupils. Among the superior • 
 ted from New-Kngliind to the wilder^ 
 York, a large proportion of them have i 
 prelimini ry to teaeh a sehooT, ai 
 
 ing land, in order to Hcenr(> a suiali iuud and successfully to 
 make headway in the world. Whil '■ '"vlcr was thus en- 
 gaged at f'"M.'-ii...-r.,,.n. n,- .t T, . 1 u ton came ttp th« 
 
Oboa 
 — Oi 
 Teea 
 
 FlRSl 
 POINl 
 
 Com 
 ticut, 
 brothe] 
 he mai 
 to enlii 
 of four 
 His tei 
 being i 
 West I 
 hawk I 
 taught 
 gifted 1 
 than h 
 /\y ^>' <L^ I ted fro 
 
 York, I 
 prelim ii 
 ing Ian 
 make li 
 gaged 1 
 
COUNTY— COMFORT TYLER. 
 
 S66 
 
 CHAPTER XI. 
 
 ONONDAGA COUNTY. 
 
 OOMFORT Ttlee — Lessee Company — Pkoperty Line — Buee Conspieact 
 
 Obganization of Onondaga County — Roads— General View of the County 
 — Oeganization of Courts — Judges— Surrogates— Clerks— Shehiffs— 
 Treasurers- Members ok Congress-Senators— Members of Assembly- 
 First Boards of Supervisors — Valuations — Census — Early Military Ap- 
 pointments. 
 
 Comfort Tyler was born in the town of Ashford, Connec- 
 ticut, on the 22d of February, 1764, being the fourth of seven 
 brothers. In the year 1777, when only thirteen years of age, 
 he manifested a strong desire to enter the army, and resolved 
 to enlist as a soldier in defense of his country. At the age 
 of fourteen, he entered the army with his father's consent. 
 His term of service was of short duration, and his duties light, 
 being mostly confined to duty in and about the fortress of 
 West Point. In 1783, he went to Caughnawaga, on the Mo- 
 hawk River, where he entered upon the business of a surveyor, 
 taught a school ; and as is often the case with young men of 
 gifted minds, he made greater advances in useful knowledge 
 than his pupils. Among the superior men who have emigra- 
 ted from New-England to the wilderness of Western New- 
 York, a large proportion of them have thought it a necessary 
 preliminary to teach a school, and to learn the art of survey- 
 ing land, in order to secure a small fund and successfully to 
 make headway in the world. While Mr, Tyler was thus en- 
 gaged at Caughnawaga, General James Clinton came up the 
 
366 
 
 ONONDAGA, 
 
 I 
 
 Mohawk valley with .i party, for the purpose of establishing 
 the boundary line between New- York and Pennsylvania ; and 
 by him Mr. Tyler was engaged to accompany the expedition. 
 The party transported their bateaux and baggage from the 
 Mohawk River to Otsego Lake, and thence down the Susque- 
 hanna, to the State line, being the same route taken by Gene- 
 ral Clinton, in 1779, in the expedition against the western In- 
 dians. Mr. Tyler continued Avith the party during the season, 
 and then returned to the Mohawk. On this surveying expe- 
 dition, he first made the acquaintance of Moses De Witt, who 
 was about his own age, and with whom he was intimately as- 
 sociated till the time of Mr. De Witt's death. 
 
 The next event of importance which occurred during his 
 residence in the Mohawk valley, grew out of his connection 
 with the celebrated " Lessee Company.'' The constitution of 
 the State forbade the purchase of lands, in fee simple, of the 
 Indians by individuals, reserving to the State alone, the right 
 to make such purchases. An association of men, embracing 
 many of wealth, character and influence, was formed for the 
 purpose of purchasing lease-hold estates of the Indians, for 
 the term of nine hundred and ninety-nine years. On their 
 way up tho Mohawk valley, they met Mr. Tyler, and offered 
 him a participation in the enterprise, which off'er he accept- 
 ed. They proceeded as far as Canandaigua, where a treaty 
 was held with the Indians on the bank of the lake : and, so 
 far as they could judge, theiv object was accomplished. As 
 might have been foreseen, however, the State authorities in- 
 terfered, and the whole affair vanished in smoke. As the his- 
 tory of this company is but little known, we give the follow- 
 ing brief sketch of it. In the winter of 1787-88, Avas formed 
 the memorable '■'■Lessee Compaji//," composed of John Living- 
 ston, Caleb Benton, Peter Kyckman, John Stephenson, Eze- 
 kiel Gilbert, Benjamin Birdsall, and otliers, some eighty-six 
 persons in all.* These gentlemen, entered into an agreement 
 
 
 * For full list, see Greeiileafs Laws, Vol. Ill, p. 3a9, act LTbTjltir the relief of 
 Benjamin BirdsaU and others. 
 
COUNTY— COMFORT TYLER. 
 
 367 
 
 with the chiefs and head men of the Six Nations of Indians, 
 by which, for considerations afterwards mentioned, the said 
 Six Nations leased " all the land oommonli/ known as the 
 lands of the Six Nations, in the State of Neiv- York, and at 
 the time, in the aetual possession of said chiefs and sachems," 
 for the term of nine hundred and ninety-nine years, for an 
 annual rent of two thousand Spanish milled dollars, except 
 some insignificant reserves, and some privileges of hunting, 
 fishing, &c., among which are the following : 
 
 Reservation first. — " A mile square near" the outlet of Cay- 
 uga Lake and Cayuga Salt Springs, Avith one hundred acres 
 of land, to accommodate the same with wooil. 
 
 Reservation second. — One-half of the falls, and convenient 
 places for weirs, for the purpose of catching fish and eels, 
 from Cross Lake to the Three Rivers. 
 
 Reservation third. — Reserving the exclusive ris^ht to one 
 of the salt springs near Onondaga, with fifty or one hundred 
 acres of land around the same, sufficient for fire wood, and 
 other conveniences for boiling salt, together -with an equal 
 right in common, for eeling and fishing as far as Oneida Lake." 
 
 The Indians might reserve any other lands they chose, but 
 the same reverted to the lessees whenever they were abandoned 
 by the Indians. The time for the payment of the rents, was 
 to commence on the 4th of July, 1791. 
 
 The leases were signed on the part of the Mohawks by 
 Joseph Brant, and Hendrick Tekarihogea, by three Oneidas, 
 eight Onondagas, twenty-three Cayugas and twenty-two Sene- 
 cas, among whom were Red Jacket and Little-Beard, and 
 also by ten principal women. Witnesses to the leases, were 
 Samuel Kirkland, James Dean, Jos. Brant, David Smith, 
 Benjamin Barton, M. Ilollenback, Elisha Lee and Ezekiel 
 Scott. Dated 9th of July, 1788. 
 
 One other lease, was witnessed by the same chief. Brant, 
 an Oneida chief, James Dean, Sam'l Kirkland, llczekiah 01- 
 cutt, Jed. Phelps, Nicholas Jourdain and Abram Vim Eps, 
 and signed by ten Senecas, five Tuscaroras, five I J 'uwks, 
 
368 
 
 ONONDAGA, 
 
 seven Oneidas, and ten Onondagas, besides thirty miscella- 
 neous. 
 
 It has been intimated that Brant, Red Jacket and others 
 of the principal chiefs of the Six Nations, were more than 
 liberally paid for their concurrence in these transactions. 
 
 It was thought by many discerning persons, at the time of 
 this transaction, that the leaders in this matter, contemplated 
 nothing loss than the dismemberment of the State of New- 
 York, and the erection of a new one, out of the fertile coun- 
 try of the western part. 
 
 ^ Many of the most prominent citizens in the State Were en- 
 listed in the scheme, and although the laws and constitution 
 expressly forbade the purchase of any lands f^om the Indians, 
 yet by leasing the same, for the term of nine hundred and 
 ninety-nine years, they hoped to evade the law and effectually 
 secure the title. The lease for nine hundred and ninety-nine 
 years, amounted virtually to a sale; although in effect fraudu- 
 lent, still, undoubtedly, many were innocently engaged in the 
 transaction. 
 
 An act was passed, 18th of March, 1789, brought about by the 
 energy of Governor Clinton and Senator Egbert Benson, de- 
 fining the boundaries of the losses, authorizing the Governor to 
 destroy all dwellings, houses, barns or other erections, made 
 on any of the Indian lands, by others than Indians, and if 
 necessary, to call out the militia of the State, to speedily and 
 forcibly eject all tresspassers on Indian lands. 
 
 By these operations, the lessees failed to establish their 
 title to the fertile country of Western New- York, and feeling 
 themselves aggrieved by the interference of the State, peti° 
 tioned the Legislature for relief; and finally on the 4th of 
 February, 1793, was passed an act authorizing the Commis- 
 sioners of the Land Office to direct a quantity of the vacant 
 and unappropriated lands in the State, equal to ten miles 
 square, to be set off for their use and benefit. This land was 
 finally located on township No. 3, of the "Old Military Tract," 
 amounting to about sixty-four thousand acres ; and this was 
 the final compromise of the State, with the ffimons " Lessee 
 
 
COUNTS'— COMFORT TYLER. 
 
 369 
 
 Compawj," who once pretended to own and hold all the lands 
 in Western New- York, west of the " Old Line of Properti/." 
 This Line of Property, often named in the early records of 
 the State Department at Albany, was a line drawn from the 
 north-east corner of the State of Pennsylvania across the 
 State of Now- York, in a direction a little east of North, 
 crossing the Mohawk River, near where the dividing line of 
 the counties of Herkimer and Oneida now crosses the same. 
 By the treaty of 1784, the Six Nations were to occupy all 
 the lands in the State of New- York, west of that line, so 
 distinguished because, beyond that on the wr^t, no white peo- 
 ple had acquired a title, except about six miles square, includ- 
 ing the Fort at Oswego, and a strip about four miles wide 
 along the Niagara River, which by stipulation in the treaty, 
 the United States had reserved. 
 
 The journey of Mr. Tyler to Cayuga was not without bene- 
 fit, for it enabled him to see and appreciate the beautiful and 
 fertile country west of the Mohawk ; and, it was at this time, 
 that he formed the resolution of eventually settling in that 
 portion of the State. 
 
 In the spring of 1788, at the age of twenty-three years, in 
 company with Major Asa Danforth, he pushed into the wil- 
 derness, fifty miles beyond any white inhabitant, and com- 
 menced the permanent settlement of Onondaga county. This 
 was nearly a year before the treaty was held on the bank of 
 the Seneca Lake, between Oliver Phelps and the Indians.* 
 
 After the arrival of Col. Tyler at Onondaga, he enjoyed 
 the distinction of having felled the first tree, and of con- 
 structing the first piece of turnpike road in the State, west 
 of Fort Stanwix, and of assisting in the first manufacture of 
 salt. 
 
 The first individuals who passed the limits of our county to 
 
 * By the way, Oliver Phelps opened the fir,t land office in America, at Canan- 
 da.gua, .n 1789, and for the first time land was conveyed by '- article." This wa. 
 a new device, of American origin, wholly unknown to the English system of 
 grantmg possession without fee. sysiem, ot 
 
 47 
 
 < mh 
 
 i m 
 
870 
 
 ONONDAGA. 
 
 live, were John Harris and James Bennet, who settled at Cayu- 
 ga in 1789. Mr. Tyler obtained his first cow from Judge 
 White, as well as some grain for seed. Having heard that 
 cows might be had at the garrison at Oswego, he went there 
 and purchased two or three more. Like most of the early 
 settlers, Mr. Tyler was obliged to grind his corn in a mortar 
 made in an oak stump. His mill was standing till the year 
 1845, near the barn of Mrs. Thaddeus M. Wood, when it was 
 grubbed out and burned, to add to the ipprovements of the 
 age. It was quite sound. 
 
 Col. Tyler was a favorite with the Indians, who named him 
 " To-whan-ta-qua" — meaning one that is double, or one that 
 is a laboring man and a gentleman at the same time, or can 
 do two things at once. So intimate were the associations of 
 the family with the Indians, that some of the children lisped 
 their first accents in the Indian tongue. 
 
 Mr. Tyler married for his first wife Miss Deborah Wemple, 
 who died a short time after her marriage, leaving one daugh- 
 ter, who afterwards became the wife of Cornelius Longstreet, 
 fatter of Mr. C. T. Longstreet. He afterwards married Miss 
 Betsey Brown. 
 
 His second wife survived him but a few weeks, leaving but 
 one child, Mrs. Mary Olmsted, now of Cohoes Falls. These 
 two daughters were his only children. 
 
 In the summer of 1793, Col. Tyler was severely bitten in 
 the arm by a rabid dog. The wound was instantly done up 
 in salt. He immediately arranged his affairs, bade farcAvell 
 to his friends, and with the most melancholy feelings, and the 
 prospect of a terrible and certain death before him, set out in 
 quest of a celebrated physician, who professed to cure this hor- 
 rible malady. He was successful in finding him, submitted to 
 a severe course of treatment, which entirely eradicated the 
 insidious poison, and in a few weeks came home restored to 
 health and usefulness. This would appear incredible but from 
 the fact that the dog had bitten several swine and cattle in 
 the neighborhood, which died with all the symptoms and hor- 
 
COUNTY— COMFORT TYLER. 
 
 871 
 
 rors of that most dreadful of all maladies. The dog "was 
 killed. 
 
 When the Military Tract was surveyed, he was select- 
 ed to render assistance, and surveyed one of the townships, 
 and subsequently ho surveyed the Cayuga reservation. In all 
 the important improvements of the country he bore a conspicu- 
 ous part, freely appropriating his time and means for the pro- 
 motion of these objects. He was early selected on account 
 of his sterling worth to fill the highest offices of trust. He 
 was appointed a justice of the peace for the town of Manlius 
 in 1794. He was appointed coroner for Onondaga county in 
 1794, with Gilbert Tracy. In 1797 he was appointed sheriflF 
 of the county of Onondaga, and after Cayuga was set off in 
 1799, he was appointed clerk for Onondaga, and held that of- 
 fice till 1802. He was the first supervisor of the town of 
 Manlius in 1794, and held the office four years ; and repre- 
 sented Onondaga in the Legislature in 1798 and 1799. With 
 a physical constitution remarkably capable of undergoing fa- 
 tigue, and all the vicissitudes of climate, Mr. Tyler possessed, 
 in an eminent degree, the qualities of enterprise, sagacity, 
 prudence and fortitude. Among the Indians, his firmness and 
 justice soon produced respect and confidence. With the new 
 settlers, as they gradually followed his lonely path into the 
 woods, his intelligence, sympathy and alacrity in aiding them, 
 produced high esteem and devoted friendship. Many of the 
 first settlers of Onondaga, had their spirits perpetually re- 
 freshed by glowing anticipations of the future. They knew 
 the importance of their exertions. They labored and suffered 
 in perfect assurance that the great results would follow, which 
 we see realized. Full of these assurances, Mr. Tyler was al- 
 ways active and ardent for opening roads, improving streams, 
 establishing schools, and erecting churches. Extensively ac- 
 quainted with the topography of the country, and for a long 
 time knowing personally most of its inhabitants, he labored 
 assiduously on all occasions, and with much effect, in impress- 
 ing upon others the views which he entertained of the real 
 wants and true interests of the new settlements. In addition 
 
372 
 
 0\UM)A(i A 
 
 to the encouragement which he gave by his example, to the 
 ordinary and imlis|»oiisaljlf operations of clearing lands, pro- 
 viding the means of Hulji^i.stcnco, and constructing comfortablo 
 dwellings, from the first his mind was constantly lahorin<T for 
 the means of facilitating intercourse. With a parental soli- 
 citude, he considered the condition of the whole country into 
 which he led the settlers, and comprehended upon the broad- 
 est scale, the means of improving it. J lis zeal for new roads 
 and bridges was deemed romantic. But his knowledge and 
 his perseverance were not to be defeated. As a member of 
 the Legislature, and in all his intercourse with public and pri- 
 vate meetings for the general welfare, no person sustained his 
 part better, or effected more, than he did. These sulyccts 
 ■were the theme of his remarks, and the object he Avas most 
 anxious to promote. To him more than to any other man are 
 we indebted for the Seneca Turnpike Eoad, including the 
 bridge across the Cayuga Lake. This project, which has pro- 
 ved so valuable since its accomplishment, was very much op- 
 posed at its inception. The ignorant, the timid and the indo- 
 lent, thought it impossible to be effected by the feeble means 
 then in the country. It was too gigantic and expensive ; even 
 if it could be constructed, the means would be wasted, and 
 after years of hard labor, and the most liberal appropriations 
 for its completion, its advocates would inevitably incur the 
 loss and mortification of finding it altogether unprofitable. 
 
 In his efforts to bring capital and influence in aid of his 
 undertakings. Col. Tyler made the acquaintance of Aaron 
 Burr — which finally led to his connection with the celebrated 
 southern expedition. The history of that period shows that 
 he entered prominently into the transaction, having spent two 
 years at the south, in arranging plans for the consummation 
 of the project. The minutiie of these operations have not 
 transpired. 
 
 As this affair caused great excitement throughout the coun- 
 try at the time, and as Col. Tyler was a prominent actor in 
 the scene, it may be interesting to some, to give a brief synop- 
 sis 80 far as he and some other citizens of Onondaga were 
 
COUNT Y— C O M F (> R T TYLER. 
 
 878 
 
 concerned. Previous to the cession of Louisiana, to the 
 United States, Baron V. N. Tut. Bastrop, contracted with the 
 Spanish government, for a tract of land exceeding tiiirty miles 
 square near Nachitoches. Subsequently, Col. Charles Lynch 
 made an agreement with Baron Bastrop, for an interest in 
 this purchase. Aaron Burr purchased of Col. Lynch about 
 four hundred thousand acres of tliis land, lying between the 
 Sabine and Nachitoches, and paid for it fifty thousand dollars. 
 
 The grant of Bastrop contained about one million two hun- 
 dred thousand acres, and six-tenths of it was conveyed to 
 Col. Lynch, and Col. Burr became interested in one half of 
 Lynch's share, for the consideration above named. 
 
 This is the commencement of the celebrated Burr conspi- 
 racy. In the spring of 1805, Burr passed through the State 
 of Pennsylvania to the Ohio valley, and down to New Or- 
 leans. It was at this time that ho visited the beautiful Island 
 of Herman Blennerhassct. Whatever scheme of ambition 
 he contemplated, or what mighty project for founding a vast 
 empire in the south-west he had planned, is unknown. There 
 was a profound mystery in his movements, which could not 
 be penetrated. The ostensible object of his operations was 
 the settlement of the lands he had bargained for on the 
 Washita River. Hundreds had been sounded on the subject 
 of the speculation, and had assented to a participation in its 
 profits, without knowing the destiny, or calculating on the 
 event, of what was now in progress. In fact, the unfolding 
 of the plan was not yet, and its result and prospects were 
 perhaps only known to Aaron Burr, the grand projector of 
 the hidden scheme. It has been supposed by many that his 
 final object was the possession of New Orleans, the conquest 
 of all Mexico and the formation of a new Republic. Many 
 of the principal men of New- York and Ohio, were, through 
 the wiles and machinations of this exuberant genius, drawn 
 within the influences of his plans, and without harboring a 
 surmise of evil, joined their fortunes with his. What commu- 
 nication Comfort Tyler had with the grand leader of this 
 project is unknown. He first made the acquaintance of Aaron 
 
874 
 
 ONONDAGA. 
 
 Burr, while they woio nioinbiTS togothor of tlio New- York 
 Legislature, in 17!>H and 171>!». 
 
 The New- York delegation was composed of Aaron Burr 
 Goorgo Clinton, .rolm Swartwout, — (Jutes and others. At 
 this session Col. Tyler procured the charter for building 
 the Cayuga Bridge, and in order to facilitate the >york, Col- 
 Burr, and Gen. John Swartwout, sulmcrihed for, took the 
 ifholo stock, and furnished ihe means for prosecuting the 
 vrork. Israel Smith and Joseph Annin superintended the 
 building of the bridge. Thus commenced, the intercourse of 
 Aaron Burr with the people of Western New- York, many of 
 whom were subsequently drawn into the great south-west ex- 
 pedition. In process of time. Col. Tyler and Israel Smith, 
 both of whom acted prominent parts in the affair, with others 
 from Onondaga and Cayuga counti(!s, proceeded to J?ig liea- 
 vcr, (formerly Fort Mcintosh,) in Pennsylvania, on horseback, 
 ostensibly for the i)urpose of making sale of salt. This arti- 
 cle had begun to be manufactured in considerable quantities at 
 Montezuma and Onondaga, and the sale of it in the west be- 
 came a desirable object. Upon their arrival at Beaver, Messrs. 
 Tyler and Smith entered largely into the purchase of provi- 
 sions, particularly pork and Hour. Having purchased a large 
 number of hogs, they had them packed and taken down the 
 Ohio to Natchcs. This is said to bo the first salted pork ever 
 taken down the Ohio River, and was considered not only some- 
 thing new but wonderful at Natches. Many of the most 
 prominent men in the country courted the society of these 
 gentlemen, and expressed themselves as fervent advocates of 
 the project. As the boats laden with provisions proceeded 
 down the Ohio, they were joined by others who were engaged 
 in the expedition. These operations on the Muskino-um and 
 Ohio Rivers, awakened the vigilance and excited the attention 
 of the government of the United States. 
 
 On the Gth of December, 1805, Col. Tyler landed at Blener- 
 hasset's Island with four boats and about thirty men, some of 
 "whom were armed. These liad been fitted out as before sta- 
 ted, at the towns above on tus Ohio River, and were making 
 
COUNTY— COMFORT TYLER. 
 
 876 
 
 their way down to Now Orleano. I]oat« laden with aimikr 
 freight had previously paHHod, and othorH wore oxpoctod. 
 Upon thoHu domoiiHtrationH of hoHtility, the militia of Ohio 
 wore called out to HUpprcHt) what waH HuppoHcd to amount to 
 an inaurrection. An act of the Ohio LegiHlature, and Trow- 
 dent JcfTcrHon'8 prochunation, againwt thcHo HuapiciouH move- 
 montB, diHaipatod the whole affair, and the oxi)odition, what- 
 ever it was designed to he, exploded upon tho arroat of the 
 principal mover, Aaron IJurr. 
 
 Col. liurr, was arrested on the Tombigheo llivor, MiHsia- 
 eippi; was carried to lMchtu(md Virginia, tried for treason in 
 1807, and ac(iuitted. 
 
 Other arrestH wore nia<le, viz : Generals Adair and Day- 
 ton, IJlenerhuH: (('^ Swartwout, Tyler, Smith, IJollman and Og- 
 den. Burr and Jilenerhassct were the only ones tried. It 
 has been stated that Burr's whole force at no time exceeded 
 one hundred and fifty men. 
 
 The indictments were founded on the allegation, that Col. 
 Tyler, with some thirty men, stopped at JJlonerhassot's Island 
 on their way down the Ohio with a view of taking temporary 
 possession of New Orleans on their way to Now Mexico, such 
 intent being considered treasonable. Process was served on 
 Col. Tyler at Natches. lie came to Washington with Col. 
 Pike, who was afterwards Gen. Pike, and who was killed at 
 Little York, in 1812. 
 
 It has been supposed by some that President Jefferson waa 
 to close his eyes to all these proceedings ; for maps, charts, 
 notes, &c., had been furnished, of the Washita country, oth- 
 erwise called the Baron Bastrop purchase, by his knowledge. 
 It should be borne in mind that Burr's title to that purchase 
 Tvas considered good, and proved to bo so. It is supposed that 
 tho r-rnonstrai ee : f Marshall Turenne, Minister from France, 
 la boualf of Bonaparte, influenced tho mind of the President 
 in his deliberations upon the subject. lie unetjuivocally de- 
 clared that any entry of American citizens upon the territo- 
 ry in question, would amount to a declaration of war, which 
 
876 
 
 ONONDAGA. 
 
 was supposed to have accelerated the President's interfer- 
 ence.* 
 
 This affair greatly impaired Col. Tyler's private fortune, 
 and such was popular prejudice against the participators in 
 this enterprise that it forever destroyed his prospects as a pub- 
 lic man. Whatever may have been Burr's ulterior object, the 
 public will understand bettor when the history of this transac- 
 tion is more full^ developed. That the great number of in- 
 fluential and respectable men connected with it, had no un- 
 worthy motive, but simply sought to take possession of the 
 Bastrop purchase, to which they believed tlicy had a fair and 
 legitimate title, cannot be doubted. Whatever the expecta- 
 tions of these men were, they were sadly disappf)inted, and 
 the result proved that they had been wofully misled. The 
 consequence of this disappointment was.tliat a controversy took 
 place between Col. Burr and Col. Tyler, which resulted in a 
 total estrangement between them, which was never reconciled. 
 
 Besides Comfort Tyler, tliere were some twenty-five others, 
 all young men, who proceeded to Beaver, in Pennsylvania, to 
 take part in the expedition. Some of these were Major Israel 
 Smith, of Cayuga, Samuel Forman, Augustus Hopkins, George 
 Kibbe, John Brackett, — Lamb, — Hathaway, Daniel Hew- 
 lett, Jonathan Thompson, and several others, wlio left Onon- 
 daga on horseback, in full expectation of realizing fortunes 
 without the slightest knowledge of the details of the expe- 
 dition. 
 
 The affair, at this time, created a great sensation among 
 the young men, who were alive to the subject of important 
 speculation. 
 
 In 1811, Col. Tyler removed with his family to Montezuma, 
 where he took a deep interest in the Cayuga lAIanufacturing 
 Company. This company was engaged in making salt, and 
 to extend their business, every thing would be important which 
 could render Montezuma more accessible. With this view, 
 and very much by his advice and personal exertions, the cora- 
 
 * Relation of Israel Smith, Esq., of Albany. 
 
COUNTY— COMFORT TYLER, 
 
 877 
 
 I 
 
 pany built two long bridges acrosa the Sciicca and Clyde Ri- 
 vers, and conHtructed a turnpike, more than three miles in 
 length, over the Cayuga marshes, whore tlie earth was so soft 
 that with one liand a man might thrust a [)ole with ease into 
 it ten or twelve feet ; and yet the experiment succeeded per- 
 fectly, without exorbitant cost. 
 
 Col. Tyler resided some two or three yeai's at lloboken, and 
 superintended the draining of the salt meadows in that vicin- 
 ity. In fact wherever any great work was to be accomplish- 
 ed, he was among the first consulted. Whatever afl'ected the 
 interest of his country, always engaged his solicitude, and in 
 the late war he entered again into its military service, as As- 
 sistant (Commissary (ietieral to the northern army. His ac- 
 tivity, his resources and knowledge of the country, were often 
 called into useful re([uisition. He served in the capacity of 
 Assistant Commissary General, Avith the raidc of Colonel, to 
 the close of the war. 
 
 After the close of the war, the canal policy engaged his 
 most earnest attention. From the beginning, he was among 
 the foremost of the advocates of that work, and he Avas early 
 in the field, side by side Avith -Judge (Jeddes and Ju<lge For- 
 man, in advocating tlie fe.isiljility and policy of the plan. 
 His intimate ac(iuaiiitance Avith the country through Avhich it 
 would pass, and his kiiowledge of the mciuis Avhich might be 
 applied to its accomplishment, convinced him of its practica- 
 bility ; and it had been the peculiar study of his life, to as- 
 certain the advantages Avhieh must How, from opening such a 
 channel of communication. He Avas industrious in supporting 
 the measure by animated conversations, Avhercver he hap- 
 pened to be, and by letters addressed to members of the Le- 
 gislature, in tiie early stages of its iigitation. He lived to 
 rejoice Avith those Avho rejoiced at its completion. 
 
 Few men have lived and died so Avell as Colonel Tyler, and 
 his character may be contemplated witli advantage by all. 
 To him and his influence, the public have been under peculiar 
 obligations. His character stands out in bold relief, and his 
 merits have naturally resulted from his thirst after knowledge ; 
 
 48 
 
f a • 
 
 378 
 
 ONONDAGA. 
 
 his superiority to all the allurements of ease and luxury, his 
 daring enterprise, his comprehensive sagacity, his self reliance, 
 his energetic activity, his constancy in his undertakings, and 
 in his deliberate purpose of doing good. In all the relations 
 of private friendship, Colonel Tyler was uncommonly endear- 
 ing. His ready sympathy, his ingenuous affability, his ani- 
 mation, his originality of remark, his knowledge of human na- 
 ture and of life, and that strong expression of benevolence 
 which beamed from his countenance and issued from his heart 
 made his society always attractive and advantageous, and his 
 house the seat of hospitality. His extraordinary conversa- 
 tional powers wore peculiarly attractive ; no one became weary 
 of his words, they were perfectly fascinating, and endeared 
 him in the hearts of thousands. One who was intimate with 
 him has said, " I never knew his equal in those qualities 
 which constitute a man. He was nature's own nobleman, in 
 person, in speech, in voice, in mind ; in fact, he possessed 
 every attribute of a perfect man." No man more than him- 
 self upon a first acquaintance, impressed upon the mind of an- 
 other, the idea that his soul was filled with manly and generous 
 sentiments, and none more fully confirmed that impression up- 
 on subsequent intnnacy. By those who knew him best, he 
 was most highly esteemed. 
 
 He died at his residence at Montezuma, on the 5th of Au- 
 gust, 1827, sincerely lamented by a large circle of personal 
 friends, and deeply mourned by numerous relatives. 
 
 Samuel, John and William Tyler, came to Onondaga be- 
 tween the years 1790 and 1705. Samuel and William set- 
 tled in Marcellus and died in 1825, within one week of each 
 other. John returned to Connecticut, where he died in 1846. 
 Job Tyler first settled in the town of Bridgewater, Oneida 
 county, in 1794, and removed to Onondaga in 1804, and re- 
 sided in the county of Onondaga, except four or five years, 
 during the latter part of his life, which were spent at Monte- 
 zuma. He died at Onondaga in March, 183G. They were 
 all active industrious men, and it may, without ostentation, be 
 claimed for them, that they deserved, and have left behind 
 
M 
 
 COUNTY. 
 
 379 
 
 i 
 
 tlu'ia, the reputation of valuable citizens, and of upright, hono- 
 rable men. 
 
 Oroanization of Onondaga County. — We have now ar- 
 rived at the period when Onondsiga was organized aa a county, 
 and it seeras rather necessary to go back and follow out the 
 names and organizations through which our county has passed. 
 
 The territory of New Netherlands, (now New-York,) west 
 of Fort Orange, (Albany,) was called by the Dutch in 1638, 
 " Terra Incognita," or unknown land. This appears to be the 
 first distinctive name given to western New- York. In 1683, 
 after the English had succeeded to the government of the 
 Dutch Territories in America, and the English Duke of York 
 had assumed the reins of government, the colony of New- 
 York was divided by the Duke of York's Legislature, into 
 twelve counties, called Albany, Duchess, Kings, New-York, 
 Orange, Queens, Richmond, Suffolk, Ulster, Westchester, 
 Dukes and Cornwall. This organization remained undisturbed 
 till the years 1768 and 1770, when the counties of Cumber- 
 land and Gloucester were added. These two latter, after a 
 long and angry controversy, were yielded to New Hampshire, 
 and subsequently became a part of the State of Vermont, ex- 
 cept a portion north of Albany, which was called Charlotte 
 county. The counties of Dukes and Cornwall were claimed 
 by Massacliusetts, and were finally surrendered in 1693. 
 
 In 1772 the county of Tryon was taken from Albany coun- 
 ty, and embraced all the territory of New- York, west of a line 
 drawn nearly north and south through the present county of 
 Schoharie. Very soon after the close of the revolutionary 
 war, the tide of emigration was directed towards Tryon coun- 
 ty, and in a few years the increase of population made it ne- 
 cessary for convenience, to divide it. In 1784, the name of 
 Montgomery was substituted for Tryon. The tory Governor 
 Tryon, had made interest with the British during the revolu- 
 tion, and it was considered unpatriotic to have a disenthralled 
 territory called any longer by a tory's name. The same year 
 the name of Charlotte was changed to Washington. At the 
 
 H 
 
880 
 
 ONONDAGA. 
 
 time, the name of Tryon was changed to Montgomery, the 
 territory was divided into five districts, called Mohawk, Cana- 
 joharie, Palatine, German Flats and Kingsland, the two latter 
 of which embraced the western part of the State. In 1788 
 the district of German Flats, in the county of Montgomery, 
 was divided, and all that part of the State of New- York ly- 
 ing west of a line drawn north and south across the State, 
 crossing the Mohawk Eiver at " Old Fort Schuyler," (Utica,) 
 was erected into a tovn called Whitestown, in honor of Judge 
 White, who had settled at Sadaquate (Whitesbovo) in 1784. 
 In 1786 the county of Montgomery contained a population 
 of only fifteen thousand and fifty-seven, and the State of New- 
 York only two hundred thirty-eight thousand eight hundred 
 ninety-six inhabitants. At this period, the town of Whites- 
 town contained less than two hundred white persons. The 
 same territory now contains not much less than one million 
 three hundred thousand inhabitants. The wonderful transi- 
 tion, by which in the space of a very few years this immense 
 forest has been converted into fruitful fields, seems like the il- 
 lusions of a dream, to those who have witnessed its progress. 
 We can hardly trust the evidence of our senses, when we look 
 back and see with what rapidity villages and cities have al- 
 most magically sprung up, amidst the native woodlands, and 
 mark the increase of roads and rail-ways over the pathway of 
 the wandering savage. 
 
 The first town meeting for the District of Whitestown, con- 
 vened at the house of Capt. Daniel White, in said District, 
 on Tuesday, the 7th of April, 1789, " agreeable to warning," 
 and adjourned to the barn of Hugh White, Esq., " it being 
 more convenient;" at which time and place they "proceeded 
 as folio weth:" 
 
 " 1st. Chose Col. Jedediah Sanger Supervisor. 2d. Chose 
 Elijah Blodget Town Clerk. 3d. Chose. Amos Wetmore first 
 Assessor. 4th. Chose James Bronson second Assessor. 5th. 
 Chose Ephraim Blackmore third Assessor," &c. 
 
 The second town meeting was held at the barn of Need- 
 ham Maynard, Whitestown, Tuesday, 6th of April, 1790. 
 
# 
 
 COUNTY. 
 
 881 
 
 Col. William Colbraith was chosen Supervisor, and Elijah 
 Blodget, Town Clerk. 
 
 In 1791, Jedediah Sanger was elected Supervisor, and Ash- 
 bel Beach, Town Clerk. Ebonezer Butler, afterwards of Pom- 
 pey, Collector ; James Wadsworth, of Geneseo, True Worthy 
 Cook, of Pompey, Jeremiah Gould, of Salina, Overseers of 
 HighAvays. 
 
 In 1789, the county of Montgomery was divided, and all that 
 part west of a line drawn north and south across the State, 
 through the Seneca Lake, two miles east of Geneva, was call- 
 ed Ontario County, and was extensively known abroad as the 
 " Genesee country." Herkimer County was taken from Mont- 
 gomery, and organized in 1791, and included all the country 
 west of Montgomery, north of Otsego and Tioga, and east of 
 Ontario Counties. The town of Whitestown was divided into 
 three towns. Whitestown came west from its eastern limits as 
 far an the present west line of Madison County. The town of 
 Mexico included the eastern half of the Military Tract, and 
 the town of Peru the western. The town of Mexico was 
 bounded east by the east bounds of the Military Tract, and a 
 line draAvn north, from the mouth of the Chittenango Creek, 
 across the Oneida Lake, to Lake Ontario ; south by Tioga 
 county, west by the west bounds of the townships of Homer, 
 Tully, Camillus, Lysander and Hannibal, of the said Military 
 Tract, and north by Lake Ontario. 
 
 The first town-meeting for the town of Mexico, was directed 
 by law, to be held at the house of Benjamin Morehouse (near 
 Jamesville). The town of Peru, was bounded north by Lake 
 Ontario ; east, by Mexico ; south, by Tioga county ; and west, 
 by Ontario county. The first town-meeting was directed by 
 law to be held at the house of Seth Phelps. We have been 
 unable to find any record of the proceedings of town-meetings 
 of the towns of Mexico and Peru. 
 
 The poll for the first general election for Whitestown, was 
 opened at Cayuga Ferry, then adjourned to the house of Ben- 
 jamin Morehouse, thence to Rome, and finally closed ai 
 Whitestown. 
 
 I 
 
 u 
 
 £ it 
 
 % t^W>.t 
 
382 
 
 ONONDAGA. 
 
 The following extract from Dunlap's Daily Advertiser, 
 printed at Philadelphia, 26th of July, 1792, may not be unin- 
 teresting, as it shows us what was thought of Herkimer county 
 at that period. 
 
 " Gentlemen who reside on the military lands in the county 
 of Herkimer, inform us, that that tract of country contains a 
 very great proportion of rich land, well watered and timbered, 
 that there is already a considerable number of settlers there, 
 and that it bids fair to people as rapidly as any part of America. 
 That sixteen bushels of salt are daily manufactured at Major 
 Danforth's works at the salt springs, and that Mr. Van Vleck, 
 formerly of Kinderhook, is erecting other works, at the same 
 place, for carrying on the like manufactory; that when- 
 ever sufficient works shall be erected at those springs, a thou- 
 sand bushels of salt can be made every day ; that salt now 
 sells there for five shillings per bushel ; that it weighs rbout 
 fifty-six pounds to the bushel, and is equal in quality to that 
 of Turk's Island. That the salmon fishing in that country, 
 must become an object of great improvement, as that fine fish 
 (the salmon) abounds in their rivers and lakes, in spring and 
 fall. That it is not uncommon for a party to spear twenty or 
 fifty in an evening, from fourteen to thirty pounds each. The 
 lands sell in general at from one shilling to three shillings per 
 acre, but some have sold as high as from eight to twelve shil- 
 lings per acre." 
 
 In 1794, the county of Onondaga was erected from the 
 western part of Herkimer, and included all the Military Tract, 
 which now embraces all the counties of Seneca, Cayuga, Cort- 
 land and Onondaga, and all that part of Tompkins county, 
 lying north of a line drawn east from the head of Seneca 
 Lake to the south-west corner of Cortland county, and all 
 that part of Oswego county lying west of the Oswego River. 
 It was finally reduced to its present territorial limits in 1816 ; 
 Cayuga having been set off in 1799, Cortland in 1808, and 
 Oswego in 1816. Wayne was taken from Seneca in 1823, 
 and Tompkins, from Cayuga and Seneca counties in 1817» 
 At the time Onondaga was organized, it was divided into eleven 
 
COUNTY. 
 
 883 
 
 to™ : Homer, Pompoy, Manliua, Lpander, Maroellus, Ulys- 
 ^», M,lton, So,p,„, Ovid, Auroliu,, and Romulus, it the 
 
 TwlTTr '" ''•"■ °"" ^"^"Sa was set off, Ononda- 
 ga was draded mto nme towns, as follows: Solon, Homer, 
 Fabms Onondaga, Pompey, Manilas, Lysander, CamiUus and 
 Mar«ell„s, and contained abont one hundred and twelve thou- 
 sand three hundred and twenty-nine inhabitants. The eensus 
 ^L. I ' ^7Z '"Onondaga eounty, comprising thirteen 
 towns t„nty-flve thousand nine hundred and eighty-seven 
 .nhab^nts; 1825 forty-eight thousand four hufdred and 
 tbrty-five; .a 1830, comprising seventeen towns, fifty-eight 
 housand nme hun red and sevonty-feur ; and so on iLeas- 
 ing at the ratio of about ten thousand in every five or six 
 years. For the early settlement of Onondaga eounty, the 
 reader IS referred to the several towns. 
 
 RoAi,s._The first road attempted to be made through this 
 country was m 1790 or 1791, by a party of emigrants ^7^ 
 the direefon of the late Gen. WaLorth, from th settle- ' 
 
 vr IMe e 'TT '" f "^"'""^"^' ""■- " » •=-" " 
 
 rtfodt ,T1' "'' '"'"^'^ " '"'''™'»'- Af'« this, 
 h old State Koad was cut through, enlarging and following 
 
 the one cut by the emigrants. From the east, it crossed th! 
 
 county hne a little north of the Deep Spring, 'w WeW lilt 
 
 Sayles kept a tavern in 1793. Through Matlius village tha^ 
 
 road was essentially where it is now. After passing More 
 
 houses Fats, it bore south and crossed the BuLrnu^ Creel 
 
 near a mile south of Jamesville; then bearing a little south 
 
 of west entered Onondaga Hollow at Dan fori 's, near a mt 
 
 to Mickes lui-nace, then around the hill, the present road 
 mterseeting it near General Hutchinson's. After this road 
 ™ cut through, the tide of emigration greatly increased 
 Winter was the season usually chosen for emigration from 
 
 ^Z tT\l ""; ""^^'»™i-" '-f'on, as the country wS 
 wholly shaded by dense forests, there was commonly ,„o^ 
 enough for good sleighing through the winter months MosT 
 
 i 
 
 i;Jl 
 
 i!i 
 
884 
 
 ONONDAGA. 
 
 of the settlements from Utica to Canandaigua, along this road, 
 began to attain some consequence, as early as the year 1800. 
 Previous to the laying out of this road, which was somewhat 
 improved by sundry appropriations from the State, the west- 
 ern settlers moved on pack horses through the country, along 
 the Indian paths. One of the most noted of these paths led 
 from Oneida to Chittenango, keeping south of the high land 
 above Mr. Patrick's plaster bed between Canaseraga and 
 Chittenango, coming down the hill obliquely, near where the 
 excavation is made for the Chittenango Rail Road, crossing 
 the Chittenango Creek on a large Sycamore tree, which was 
 lying across the creek as late as 1804, a little above the turn- 
 pike bridge, passing upon the high land above and south of 
 the ravine, through which the present road passes to Col. 
 Sage's farm, where w^ere once the remains of a stockade en- 
 closure, and a large Indian orchard. From this, it passed on, 
 entering Onondaga Hollow at Major Danforth's. 
 
 In 1793, John L. Hardenburgh, Moses De Witt, and John 
 Patterson, were appointed a board of commissioners, for lay- 
 ing out and making public roads, on the Military Tract ; the 
 principal one of which, was that leading from the " Deep 
 Spring" to the " Cayuga Ferry," and others in different parts 
 of the Military Tract. They were to be laid out four rods 
 wide, and the sum of two thousand seven hundred dollars was 
 appropriated for that purpose. 
 
 In 1794 an aci was passed by the Legislature of the State 
 of New- York, appointing Israel Chapin, Michael Myers and 
 Othniel Taylor, commissioners for the purpose of laying out 
 and improving a public highway, from old Fort Schuyler, on 
 the Mohawk River to the Cayuga Ferry, as nearly straight 
 as the situation of the country would allow. Thence from 
 Cayuga Ferry to Canandaigua, and thence to the settlement 
 of Canawagas, on the Genesee River. Road to be six rods 
 wide, and the sum of six hundred pounds was appropriated 
 for the expenses of opening and improving so much of the 
 road as passed through the Military Tract. In 1796 the Sur- 
 veyor General was authorized to sell certain lands on the In- 
 
COUNTY. 
 
 885 
 
 dian reservation, and from the proceeds of the sales, appro- 
 priate five hundred pounds for improving the Great Genesee 
 Road, through the county of Onondaga. 
 
 In 179G, Soth Phelps, William Stevens, and Comfort Ty- 
 ler were appointed commissioners, to make and repair the 
 highways in the county of Onondaga. Four thousand dollars 
 wore appropriated by the State for that purpose, and two 
 thousand dollars were directed to be expended in the improve- 
 ment of the Great Genesee Road, from the eastern to the 
 western boundary of the county. Commissioners were each 
 allowed two dollars per day for superintending the improve- 
 ment of the roads. Subsequently, Amos Hall, Samuel Chip- 
 man and Michael Myers were appointed commissioners to 
 superintend the improvements of the Great Genesee Road. 
 
 In 1797, the Legislature of the State, authorized three 
 Lotteries, for the purpose of raising forty-five thousand dol- 
 lars, for the further improvement of roads. Thirteen thou- 
 sand nine hundred dollars of this was appropriated for open- 
 ing and improving the Great Genesee Road, in all its extent, 
 from old Fort Schuyler to Geneva. 
 
 In 1800, the Seneca Road Company was chartered for the 
 purpose of improving the old State Road from Utica to Can- 
 andaigua. Jedediah Sanger, Benjamin Walker, Cha's Wil- 
 liamson and Israel Chapin, were appointed commissioners to 
 survey and lay out this road ; the capital stock was one hun- 
 dred and ten thousand dollars ; shares fifty dollars each. The 
 charter was amended in 1801, and the commissioners were 
 privileged to deviate from the old road. After the amend- 
 ment of the charter in 1801, and the commissioners had re- 
 solved to improve, alter and straighten the road, as may well 
 be supposed, there was a great deal of anxiety, manifested 
 by inhabitants in various sections of the country, respecting 
 the proper location of it ; every man desiring it should pass 
 his own door. The commissioners had proceeded from Utica 
 west, as far as Chittenango, and established the road, vary- 
 ing in several instances from the old road. They encountered 
 not much opposition, because after leaving Westmoreland, 
 
 49 
 
386 
 
 ONONDAGA. 
 
 thoro wero very few white inhabitants. At Chittenango the 
 commissioners were met by a large delegation of interested 
 individuals, from Onondaga and Manlius. These persons 
 were feariul, lest tlic commissioners would select a more north- 
 ern route, and they had become fixed in their determination 
 to avoid the monstrous Canaseraga Hill, as it was then called, 
 and also the Onondaga Hill. The northern route had few 
 advocates, as the settlers in that direction did not deem the 
 matter of sufficient importance to send delegates to the coiri- 
 missioners. The southern route was finally settled upon, but 
 not without the practice of a most palpable deception on the 
 part of the persons interested. The settlers from Onondaga 
 were the most active in the measure. Being well acquainted 
 with the country, at the same time professing to show and ex- 
 plain the best and most suitable ground for the road, they 
 first led the commissioners up the ravine, north-west of Chit- 
 tenango, passing up that a mile and a half, they found them- 
 selves hemmed in on three sides by a perpendicular ledge of 
 rocks, more than one hundred feet high, with no way of get- 
 ting out, but backing out. The next best supposable route 
 was acted upon, and the commissioners were led across this 
 ravine, along the great hill towards Ilartsville, and into one 
 of the most dismal of all places, then dignified by the very 
 significant name of the Gulf of IMcxico, now called the Ba- 
 sin ; a place where the sun lias never in this latitude, risen 
 high enough to shine upon. In this dilemma, there could be 
 no alternative but to return the way they had advanced. 
 Upon this, the northern route was declared impracticable, and 
 they proceeded to lay out the road through Manlius Square, 
 Sinai (Jamesville) and Onondaga Hollow. 
 
 The company soon learned they had not availed themselves 
 of the most favora))le route, and they solicited an amendment 
 of their charter, which was i2;rantcd in 1806, enablin"- them to 
 build a new road from Sullivan, through the Onondaca Reser- 
 vation near the salt springs, to Cayuga Bridge, and fifty thou- 
 sand dollars was addied to the capital stock. This road was 
 finally completed in 1812, and was styled the north branch 
 
COUNTY. 
 
 387 
 
 of the Seneca Road. It was made through this county by the 
 efforts of James Gcddcs, Squire Munro and Dr. John Frisbie 
 Iho Third Great Western or Clierry Valley Turnpike, as it 
 13 more commonly called, was chartered in ]«02, and was fin- 
 ished m 1807; capital .stock seventy-five thousand dollars, with 
 privilege of increasing thirty thousand dollars more; shares 
 twenty-five dollars each. 
 
 In 1807, John Swift, Grover Smith and John Ellis were ap- 
 pointed commissioners to explore and lay out a public road 
 four rods wide from the village of Salina to the north west 
 corner of the township of Galen. And the same year Moses 
 Carpenter, Medad Curtis and Asa Rico, were appointed com- 
 missioners to explore and Iny out a road six rods wide on the 
 most practicable route from Onondaga Hill to Ox Creek and 
 from thence to the village of Oswego, and another from Ox 
 Creek to the village of Salina. Thus we see that as early as 
 1810 we have all the most prominent and useful public high- 
 ways laid out, and most of them ready for the use of travel- 
 ers. A Mr. Langdon first carried the United States Mail 
 through this county from Wliitestown to Genesee on horse- 
 bake in 1797 or 17D8, and distributed papers and unsealed 
 letters by the way, before intermediate oflices were established. 
 Mr. Lucas succeeded Mr. Langdon in transporting the mail, 
 which, m 1800, had become so heavy, as to reciuire a wagon 
 to transport it. Mr. Lucas established a sort of two horse 
 passenger hack for the conveyance of passengers, and did a 
 brisk and profitable business. The first four horse mail coach 
 was sent through once a week, by Jusou Parker, in 1803 ; and 
 m 1804, commenced running regularly from Utica to Canan- 
 daigua, twice a week, carrying the United States mail and 
 passengers. In 1804, an act was passed, granting to Jason 
 1 arker and Levi Stephens, the exclusive right for seven years, 
 of running a line of stages for the conveyance of passengers,' 
 at least twice a week, along the Genessee lioad or Seneca 
 Turnpike, between the villages of Utica and Canandaigua. 
 They were bound to furnish four good and substantial covered 
 wagons or sleighs, and sufficient horses to run the same; the 
 
888 
 
 ONONDAGA. 
 
 faro not to exceed five cents per milo for each pasaenger, with 
 fourteen pounds of ba^rga/re. Thoy wore l)y law bound to run 
 through in forty-eight iiours, accidents excepted, and not more 
 than seven passengers were allowed in any one carriage, except 
 by the unanimous consent of tho said seven passengers ; and, 
 if four passengers above the seven, applied for passage, they 
 were bound to immediately fit out and start an extra for 
 their accommodation ; or any number less than four should 
 bo accommodated, by paying tho fare of four. 
 
 In 1808, a daily line was established, and afterwards seve- 
 ral others, which Avcre continued until tho completion of the 
 Syracuse and Utica Rail Road. 
 
 From the first, the settlement of Onondaga County has been 
 rapid, and the increase of its population, uniform and perma- 
 nent. Notwithstanding tho many divisions and subdivisions 
 it has experienced, it is now among tho first in point of num- 
 bers. In point of location, the advantages of water commu- 
 nication, and consequent facilities for the choice of markets, 
 Onondaga is exceeded by few counties in the State. In point 
 of internal resources, bringing into view her increasing busi- 
 ness in the manufacture of salt, her inexhaustable beds of 
 plaster, her water lime and limestone quarries, her fertile soil, 
 and the porsevcving industry and intelligence of her citizens, 
 she stands second to none. Her mineral wealth, from its vast 
 extent and its adaptation to the wants of humanity, is of far 
 greater value than tho golden mountains of California and 
 Peru. Being centrally situated in the Empire State, and tra- 
 versed by till the principal roads, and a railway leading from 
 the Atlantic Cities to the Great West, she is ever destined to 
 maintain a high position among the interior counties of the 
 State. 
 
 The Seneca and Oneida Rivers spread over the northern 
 portion of the county, while their tributaries penetrate every 
 part, yielding water power abundant for the necessities of an 
 energetic and persevering people. 
 
 The Erie and Oswego canals unite at the City of Syracuse, 
 the great centre of business and of trade, through which are 
 
COUNTY. 
 
 889 
 
 I 
 I* ■ 
 
 sent the accumulating wcaltli of nations. If the light of 
 heaven shines more benignly on one country than another ; if 
 there be one spot more fuvorod than another, it is centered 
 here. 
 
 In Hhort, it is evident to the most inattentive observer, that 
 the county of Onondaga contains, within itself, all the ele- 
 ments of a numerous, rich and prosperous population. Judg- 
 ing from the past, and from present appearances of the future, 
 her increase in population, resouroos and wealth, Avill exceed 
 the ratio of former years. Healthy and fertile, possessing a 
 choice of markets, there is every probability that in the moral, 
 political and financial concerns of New-York, Onondaga is 
 destined to act an important part, and exert a powerful influ- 
 ence for all time to come. 
 
 The following statistics of Onondnga County have been ta- 
 ken from the census of 1845 : 
 
 Number of inhabitants, 70,175 ; number subject to military 
 duty, 6,857; voters, 15,812; aliens, 2,183; number of child- 
 ren attending common schools, 15,040 ; number of acres of 
 improved land, 811,872 ; grist mills, 58 ; saw mills, 155 ; oil 
 mills, 4 ; fulling mills, 10 ; carding machines, 20 ; cotton fac- 
 tories, 2 ; woolen factories, 12 ; iron works, 11 ; trip ham- 
 mers, 5 ; distilleries, 6 ; asheries, 18 ; clover mills, 8 ; paper 
 mills, 8; tanneries, 17 ; breweries, 3; Churches — Baptist, 20; 
 Episcopalian, 10 ; Presbyterian, 20 ; Congregational, 9 ; Me- 
 thodist, 40 ; Roman Catholic, 4 ; Dutch Reformed, 4 ; Uni- 
 versalists, 2 ; Unitarian, 3 ; Jews, 2 ; Quaker, 1 ; Academies, 
 7 ; Common Schools, 818 ; Select, do. 81 ; taverns, 142 ; 
 wholesale stores, 4; retail do., 207; groceries, 230; farm- 
 ers, 8,190 ; merchants, 284 ; manufacturers, 870 ; mechanics, 
 3,182 ; cli i-gymen, 180 ; physicians, 126 ; lawyers, 87. 
 
 Organization of Courts. — In 1794, after the Military 
 Tract had been set off from Herkimer, and organized as a 
 county by itself. Courts of Common Pleas and General Ses- 
 sions of the Peace, were established by law. These Courts 
 were ordered to be held alternately, on the first Mondays in 
 
 in 
 
 Ml i 
 
 f'i I 
 
 'li 
 
390 
 
 ONONDAGA. 
 
 May and November in each year, at the house of Reuben 
 Pat erson, in the town of Manliu«, and at the house of Seth 
 Phelps, m the town of Scipio, commencing with the first 
 Mr Patterson then kept a tavern at Onondaga IIolh)w, which 
 at that time was inchided in the town of Manlius. The.e 
 terms were to be liold only for the space of one week. " 
 
 Previous to the organization of Onondaga County, Courts, 
 were held for the county of Herkimer in the church at Herkimer 
 Village until other Legislative provision was made in the mat- 
 ter. Ool. Henri Staring was appointed First Judge. He 
 was a man possessed of many excellent qualities, but had ne- 
 ver enjoyed the advantages of an education ; still, he was a 
 man of remarkable honesty and integrity of purpose. Many 
 amusing anecdotes are told of his mode of administering ius- 
 tice some of which, border upon the ludicrous and derisive 
 Michael Myers was one of his associates, and filled many offi- 
 
 CWv"'t It'o.''^^ ''''''''' '''•''' ^- ^ P-^ «f Herkimer 
 County. In 1T93, one term of the Courts for the county of 
 
 Herkimer was directed to be held in Whitestown, at such 
 
 place as the Court should direct. The first Court held under 
 
 this provision was in the late Judge Sanger's barn, Jud^e 
 
 fe aring presiding, assisted by Judge White. The late Jud^e 
 
 gTwiv o T'\'' ''"■'^""- ^"'"^y' -^ *h« Sheriff, 
 Col. William Colbraith, the first Sheriff who ever served pro^ 
 
 sort of '''^^^^^;^^-^- H^ -- ^ Jolly, good humo'red 
 
 sort of man and withal a lover of fun. He had seen some 
 service m the revolution, but had acquired his title as a militia 
 officer since the war. His education had been scanty, and his 
 manners bore unequivocal evidence that they originated more 
 from a native mine of genuine good humor, and a capacious 
 soul rather than from the arbitrary rules of a professor of 
 polite breeding. 
 
 ^ Before a Court House was erected in Onondaga County 
 civil and criminal prisoners were ordered to be confined in the 
 jad of Herkimer County, as heretofore, until a jail could be 
 provided in the county of Onondaga. The first Court held in 
 the county, under the new organization, was in General Dan- 
 
"11 
 
 COUNTY. 
 
 391 
 
 forth's corn house, first Monday in May, 1794. Present, 
 Seth Phelps, First Judge ; John Eichardson, Silas Halsey and 
 William Stevens, Judges. Moses De Witt, Esq., was appoint- 
 ed Judge of Onondaga Common Pleas, not present. 
 
 Thomas R. Gould and Arthur Breeze, were the only lawyers 
 then present, not one at that time having been established in 
 the county. 
 
 The first Court of Oyer and Terminer for the county of 
 Onondaga, was held at the house of Asa Danforth, Esq., (late 
 Reuben Patterson's,) on the 21st of July, 1794. Present, 
 the Hon. Egbert Benson, Esq., one of the Judges of the Su- 
 preme Court of Judicature for the State of New- York, assist- 
 ed by Seth Phelps and Andrew Englis, Justices of Oyer and 
 Terminer and General Jail Delivery for the county of Onon- 
 daga. LaAvycrs were in attendance at this Court from Whites- 
 town and Herkimer. The grand jury were, Walter Wood, 
 Foreman ; Comfort Tyler, Isaac Van Vleck, Elias Fitch, Mo- 
 ses Carpenter, William Ward, Jonathan Wilkinson, Cyrus 
 Kinne, Score Curtis, Victory S. Tousley, Amos Stanton, Hen- 
 ry Moore, James Geddes, Ryal Bingham, Reuben Patterson. 
 "Judge Benson made an eloquent charge to the Grand 
 Jury." The only bill of indictment found was against James 
 Fitzgerald for an assault and battery with intent to rob An- 
 drew McCarthy. 
 
 The Petit Jurors on this first criminal trial, were, John 
 Brown, William Linsley, Thomas Morgan, Henry Watkins, 
 Benjamin De Puy, Nehemiah Smith, Isaac Strong, John A.' 
 Thompson, Noah Olmsted, Isaac Baily, William Stevens, and 
 Thomas Ozman, who found the prisoner guilty. Sentenced 
 by the Court to two months imprisonment in the county jail 
 at Herkimer. The Court fined nineteen Petit Jurors, twenty 
 shillings each, four Grand Jurors and two Constables each the 
 same sum ; John Stowell, William Goodwin, Perry Brownell, 
 Justices of the Peace, were each fined thirty sliillings, for ab- 
 sence. 
 
 The next term of the Circuit Court was held at the house 
 of Seth Phelps, in Scipio, 7th September, 1795. Present, 
 
 M n 
 
 N 1l 
 
392 
 
 ONONDAGA. 
 
 vZ T . ^^?^' ^""^^^ '^ *^^ S"Pr^«^« Court, Seth 
 Phelps, John Richardson, William Stevens, Judges of On n- 
 daga County Commom Pleas. The following absent Justices 
 ot the Peace were severally fined thirty shillings, viz : John 
 A. Sheaffer, William Goodwin, John Stowell, Cyrus KhT 
 Hezehah Olcutt Daniel Keeler, Ryal Bingham and S 
 Burr John A. Sheaffer was indicted for forgery. He for- 
 teited his recognizances and left, (estreated.) 
 
 Hon. Egbert Benson, held the next Circuit at the house of 
 Reuben Patterson 14th June, 1797, assisted by Seth Phelps, 
 Wilham Stevens, Asa Danforth and Comfort Tyler, Judge 
 and Justices of Oyer and Terminer for the county of Onon- 
 daga. Gh^nd Jury-Ozias Burr, Foreman; James Geddes, 
 Ephraim Webster Bethel Cole, Robert Earll, John Curtiss 
 Joseph Leonard, Levi Jerome, David Green, John Lamb, Wil! 
 ham Rice Jonathan Coe, Joseph Cody, Peter Lawrence, Wil- 
 ham Cobb, Irad Smith. Ko Bills of Indictment were found 
 at this term. 
 
 Judge James Kent held the next Circuit at the house of 
 
 Phelps Wilham Stevens, Seth Sherwood, Judges of Common 
 Pleas for Onondaga County. 
 
 Cayuga County was set off from Onondaga, in 1799. The 
 first Court at Onondaga, after this, was held at the house of 
 Reuben Patterson, in June, 1799. Present, William Stevens, 
 first Judge, assisted by Elijah Rust, James Geddes, Orris Cur- 
 tiss, James Keep and Jere. Gould, assistants. Grand Jury, 
 Ozias Burr Foreman; Aaron Wood, James Foster, Ch^^^s 
 Merriman, Darnel Thomas, Franklin Venall, Jonathan Bull, 
 Punderson Avery, Shubel Safford, Thomas Foster, Roswell 
 Barnes Joseph Bartholomew, Hezekiah Weston, Enos Peck 
 Jonas Hinman, Thomas Gaston, John Cole, John Stevens.' 
 JNo Bill found. 
 
 Courts were held at different houses in Onondaga Hollow 
 to wit: Asa Danforth's, Reuben Patterson's, Samuel Tyler's 
 and John Adams', from 1794 to 1805, when the Court House 
 at Onondaga Hill was so far completed as to allow of the 
 
COUNTY. 
 
 393 
 
 Courta being held there, with the legislative pvovision for ad- 
 journing to any other house, if the weather was so inclement 
 as to render it uncomfortable at the Court House. In 1801 
 Elihu Lewis, Jabez Webb and Thaddeus M. Wood, were ap- 
 pointed commissioners for the purpose of erecting a Court 
 House for the county of Onondaga, at the West Hill. The 
 work proceeded very slowly. In 1806, Mr. Wood was super- 
 ceded as a commissioner, by Josiah White, and the same year, 
 the Board of Supervisors were authorizeu by law, to raise by 
 tax on the county, two thousand dollars, for the purpose of 
 completing the Court House and Jail, which was finally done 
 in 1807, and the Courts were held there till the year 1830, 
 when the Court House and Jail were completed at their pre- 
 sent location at Syracuse. In 1807, three terras of the Court 
 of Common Pleas and General Sessions of the Peace were au- 
 thorized by law, to be held in May, January and September. 
 In 1813, an act was passed, authorizing the Board of Su- 
 pervisors of Onondaga County to levy a sum not exceeding 
 one thousand dollars, for the purpose of erecting a fire-proof 
 clerk's office for the county. The office was immediately built, 
 —previously the office had been kept at the Hollow, most of 
 the time in the dwelling house of the clerk. After the Courts 
 were held at Syracuse, a new Clerk's office was there erected, 
 and the Books, Kecords, Papers, &c., removed. 
 
 The following were judicial and executive officers for Her- 
 kimer, from 1791 to 1794, while Oonondaga was a part of Her- 
 kimer : Henri Staring, First Judge and Justice of the Peace • 
 Michael Myers, Hugh White and Abraham Hardenburgh,' 
 Judges and Justices of the Peace; John Bank, Patrick Camp- 
 bell, Jedediah Stinger, Amos Whitmore, William Veeder, Al- 
 exander Parkman and Ephra™ Blackman, Assistant Justices 
 and Justices of the Peace; Seth Phelps, Moses De Witt, Asa 
 Danforth, Edward Payne and others. Justices of the Peace ; 
 William Colbraith, Sheriff; Jonas Piatt, Clerk ; Moses De Witt,' 
 Surrogate ; John Post and Daniel White, Coroners. 
 In 1793, for Herkimer County, were reappointed, Seth 
 
 50 
 
 r >i 
 
 If 
 
 fl 
 
 
 I 
 
S94 
 
 ONONDAGA, 
 
 Phelps, Asa Danforth, Moses Dewitt, J, L. Hardenburgh and 
 Silas Halsey, Assistant Justices and Justices of the Peace. 
 
 Judges of Onondaga County Courts.— Seth Phelps, First 
 Judge ; Silas Halsey, John Richardson and Moses De Witt, 
 Judges and Justices of the Peace, 1794; William Stevens, 
 Judge, 1795 ; Asa Danforth, Judge, 1797 ; William Stevens, 
 First Judge, 1799 ; Elihu Lewis, Ebenezer Butler, Asa Dan- 
 forth, Judges and Justices of the Peace ; Dan Bradley, Judge, 
 1801; John Ballard, Judge, 1802; William J. Vredenburgh, 
 Judge, 1804; Reuben Humphreys, Judge; Reuben Hum- 
 phreys, First Judge ; Dan Bradley, John Ballard and William 
 J. Vredenburgh, Judges and Justices of the Peace, 1805; 
 Dan Bradley, First Judge, 1808 ; Squire Munroe, Roswell 
 Tousley and William J. Vredenburgh, Judges ; Jonathan Stan- 
 ley and Ozias Burr, Judges, 1809 ; Jacob R, De Witt, James 
 Geddes and Sylvanus Tousley, Judges, 1812 ; Joshua Forman, 
 First Judge, 1813 ; Reuben Humphreys, Judge, 1814 ; Jacob 
 R. De Witt, Squire Munroe, Sylvanus Tousley and John Ten- 
 eyck, Judges, 1815 ; James 0. Wattles and Warren Hecox, 
 Judges, 1818 ; Jonathan Stanley, Squire Munroe, Levi Mason, 
 and James Webb, Judges, 1819 ; Nehemiah H. Earll, First 
 Judge; John Mason, George Petit and James Sisson, Jr., 
 Judges, 1823; Nehemiah H. Earll, First Judge, 1828; George 
 Petit, Martin M. Ford, Otis Bigelow and John Smith, Judges, 
 1828 ; .Samuel L. Edwards, First Judge, 1831 ; John Watson, 
 Judge, 1833 ; Otis Bigelow, David Munro, George Petit and 
 James M. Allen, Judges ; Grove Lawrence, First Judge, 1838 ; 
 Nathan Soule, Oliver R. Strong, Lyman H. Mason and John- 
 son Hall, Judges ; Daniel Pratt, First Judge, 1843 ; John L. 
 Stevens, George A. Stansbury, Lyman Kingsley, Amasa H. 
 Jerome, Judges ; James R. Lawrence, Judge, 1847. 
 
 S-URROGATES FOR Onondaga County.— Moscs De Witt, 
 1794; Thomas Mumford, 1795; Thaddeus M. Wood, 1800; 
 George Hall, 1802; Medad Curtis, 1810; George Hall, 1811 ; 
 James Porter, 1821 ; Freeborn G. Jewett, 1824 ; John Flem- 
 
COUNTY. 
 
 
 395 
 
 ing, 1831; Isaac T. Minard, 1840; David D. IliUia, 1844- 
 Isaac T. Minard, 1848. ' 
 
 .d^l ^qI' r ^TT.^ CouNTY.-Benjamin Ledyard, appoint- 
 ed 1794 ; Comfort Tyler, 1799 ; Jasper Hopper, 1802 ; George 
 W. Olmsted, 1810 ; Jasper Hopper, 1811 ; Truman Adams, 
 1818 ; Daniel Moselj, 1823 ; Keuben L. Hess, 182G ; Alanson 
 Edwards, 1835; Elijah llhoades, elected, 1838; Charles T 
 Hicks, 1841 ; Vivus W. Smith, 1847. 
 
 'Sheriffs for Onondaga County.— John Harris 1794 • 
 Abiathar Hull, 1796: Comfort Tyler, 1797 ; Elnathan Beach,' 
 1799 ; Ebenezer 11. Hnwlcy, 1801 ; Elijah Phillips, 1805 : 
 Robert Earn, 1809; Elijah Rust, 1813; Jonas Earll, 1814- 
 Hezekiah L. Granger, 1818 ; Jonas Earll, 1819 ; Luther 
 Marsh, 1823 ; Lewis Smith, 1826 ; John H. Johnson, 1829 • 
 Johnson Hall, 1832 ; Dorastus Lawrence, 1835 ; Elihu L 
 Phillips, 1838 ; Frederick Benson, 1841 ; Heber Wetherby, 
 1844; Joshua C. Cuddeback, 1847. 
 
 Treasurers of Onondaga County, appointed by Board 
 ot Supervisors.— Moses Carpenter, 27th Mav, 1794 • Jacob 
 R. De Witt, 1799; Jacobus De Buy, Oct. 1st, 1805;' Oliver 
 R. Strong, Oct. 5th, 1809— resigned Nov. 11th, 1830; Mo- 
 ses S. Marsh, appointed Nov. 12th, 1830— declined Nov. 13, 
 1830; Hezekiah Strong, appointed Nov. 13, 1830— died 
 1842 ; Benjamin F. Colvin, appointed Nov., 1842 ; George 
 B. Walter, Dec, 1844 ; Phares Gould, Nov., 1845. 
 County Treasurer made elective by the people, 1846. 
 ^ Cornelius M. Brosnan, elected— entered on the duties of 
 his office, 1st of January, 1847, and resigned Dec. 9th 1848 
 Wheeler Truesdell, appointed to fill vacancy, Dec. 9th, 1848* 
 Treasurer by election, Jan. 1st; 1849. ' 
 
 Members of Congress from Onondaga County, and 
 TBE District of which it was a part— The Colonial Con- 
 gress from New- York, consisted of only six delegates. And 
 
 i 1 - 1 
 
 
 III 
 
 ih 
 
396 
 
 ONONDAGA. 
 
 after the adoption of the Constitution, the number of mem- 
 bers entitled to seats from New York was only six, in the first 
 and second Congresses— i. e. 1789 to 1791. In 1792, a new 
 apportionment was made, and ten members were allowed to 
 New-York. 
 
 In 1802, the counties of Onondaga, Chenango and Tioga, 
 constituted one Congressional District, (the ninth,) and were 
 entitled to one member. 
 
 In the 9th Congress, Hon. Uri Tracy was elected a mem- 
 ber, from Chenango, to represent the district. The same 
 Congress, Hon. Silas Halsey, of Cayuga, formerly a Judge 
 of Onondaga County Courts, was also a member. In the 10th 
 Congress, Hon. Reuben Humphreys, of Onondaga, repre- 
 sented the 13th district, and Hon. John Harris, of Cayuga, 
 formerly sheriff of Onondaga County, was a member for the 
 14th district, and Hon. Wm. Kirkpatrick of Salina, Super- 
 intendent of Onondaga Salt Springs, represented the 11th 
 district. Hon. Uri Tracy represented the 16th Congressional 
 district, in the 11th and 12th Congresses— years 1809 to 1813. 
 In 1813-14, in the 13th Congress, Hon. James Geddes repre- 
 sented the new district, composed of the counties of Cortland 
 and Onondaga, called the 19th. 1815-16, 14th Congress, 
 Victory Birdseye ; 15th, James Porter ; 16th, George Hall ; 
 17th and 18th, Elisha Litchfield ; 19th, Luther Badger ; 20th 
 and 21st, Jonas Earll, Jr ; 22d, Freeborn G. Jewett ; 23d, 
 24th and 25th, William Taylor ; 26th, Nehemiah H. Earll ; 
 27th, Victory Birdseye ; 28th and 29th, Horace Wheaton ; 
 30th and 31st, Daniel Gott. 
 
 In 1822, Onondaga was a district alone, till 1832, when it 
 was made a joint district with Madison County, and entitled 
 to two members. In 1842, it was again a single district, as 
 it now stands. 
 
 Senators fok Onondaga County. — At the time of the 
 formation and adoption of the first Constitution of the State 
 of New York in 1777, Tryon County was entitled to six mem- 
 bers of Assembly and the State was divided into four Senate 
 
COUNTY. 
 
 897 
 
 Bistricts. The Western District was composed of the coun- 
 ties of Albany and Tryon, and six senators were annually 
 chosen from the body of the freeholders of the State for the 
 term of four years. As the population of the country in- 
 creased sundry alterations were made and senators were chosen 
 at large for the Western District. But it seems that senators 
 were not over punctual in their attendance from the western 
 part of the State. From the journals of the senate we find 
 the following members in attendance from Onondaga up to 
 1822. Moss Kent, 1799 ; Jedediah Sanger, 1800 ; William 
 Stewart, 1801 ; Josepli Annin, (Cayuga,) 1802 ; Asa Dan- 
 forth, 1803 ; none from Onondaga County in 1806, to 1815. 
 Henry Seymour, 1816, 1817, 1818 and 1819 ; 1821, 1822 
 none. ' 
 
 After the alteration of the Constitution in 1822 the State 
 was divided into eight Senate Districts. The seventh was 
 composed of the Counties of Onondaga, Cayuga, Seneca and 
 Ontario, after which wo have the following Senators from 
 Onondaga County : 
 
 Jonas Earll, Jr., 1823; Victory Birdseye, 1827; Hiram 
 F. Mather, 1829 ; Samuel L. Edwards, 1833 ; Elijah Rhoades, 
 1841 ; II. James Sedgwick, 1845 ; George Geddes, 1848. 
 
 Members op Assembly for OnoxNdaga County.— Previous 
 to the organization of Onondaga County, Michael Myers was 
 elected a member for Herkimer in the year 1792-93. After 
 the erection of Onondaga County, it was a joint district with 
 Herkimer, and Jedediah Sanger, Esq. was elected and repre- 
 sented the two counties in the House of Assembly, years 
 1794-95. There was no return for member of Assembly for 
 either Herkimer or Onondaga, for the years 1796 and 1797. 
 Comfort Tyler and Silas Halsey were members for Onondaga 
 m 1798 and 1799. Cayuga was taken from Onondaga in 
 1799, and Ebenczer Butler, elected member of Assembly for 
 Onondaga County that year. Ebenczer Butler, member 
 of Assembly for 1800 ; Asa Danforth, 1801 and 1802 • John 
 McWhorter and John Lamb, 1803 ; James Geddes and John 
 
 1*3 
 
 Is* 
 
 ::■. 
 
 I 
 
 t ■ « 
 
 ill 
 
 ! i 
 
 
 
 i 
 
 ^V* . 
 
39« 
 
 ONONDAGA. 
 
 McWhorter, 1804 ; Wm. J. Vredenburgh and John Ballard, 
 1805 ; Jasper Hopper and Wm. J. Vredenburgh, 180G ; 
 Ozias Burr and Squire Munro, 1807 ; Joshua Forraan and 
 John McWhorter, 1808 ; Jacobus l)e Pay and Barnet Mooncy, 
 1809; Jacob Do Buy and Barnet Mooncy, 1810; Jasper 
 Hopper and Robert Earll, 1811 ; Jonathan Stanley and 
 Barnet Mooney, 1812 ; Isaac Smith and Moses Nash, 1818; 
 Moses Nash and Barnet Mooney, 1814 ; Hczckiah L. Gran- 
 ger and James Porter, 1815; Truman Adams, Elijah Miles, 
 George Hall and Nathan Williams, 181G ; Gideon Wilcoxon, 
 James Webb, Asa Wells and Elijah Miles, 1817; David Mun- 
 roe, Abijah Earll, Asa Wells and James Webb, 1818 ; David 
 Munroe, Henry Case, Nathan Williams and Elisha Litchfield, 
 1819 ; Lewis Smith, Jonas Earll, Jr., Henry Scymowi a/nd 
 Henry Field, 1820 ; Jona& Earll, Jr., Lewis Smith,- George 
 Petit and Jonathan Doming, 1821 ; James Geddes,. David 
 Munro, Josephus Baker and Sylvester Gardener, 1822 ; Vic- 
 tory Birdseye, Timothy Baker, Samuel L. Edwards, Harold 
 White, 1823 ; '^amuel L. Edwards, Timothy Baker, George 
 Petit, Mathew v an Vleck, 1824 ; James R. Lawrence, Moses 
 Kinne, James Petit, Erastus Baker, 1825 ; John G. Forbes, Da- 
 vi<I Willard, Freeborn G. Jewctt, Chauncey Betts, 1826 ; Dan- 
 iel j\Ioseley, Chauncey Betts, Charles Jackson, Aaron Burt, 
 1827 ; Timothy Barber, Aaron Burt, Daniel Baxter, Gideon 
 Frothingham, 1828 ; Lewis Smith, Samuel R. Mathews, John- 
 son Hall, Herman JenkinSyl829 ; Johnson Hall, Dorastus Law- 
 rence, Thomas J. Gilbert, Timothy Brown, 1830; Thomas J. Gil- 
 bert, Otis Bigelow, Elisha Litchfield, J. H. Parker, 1831 ; Miles 
 W. Bennett, Elisha Litchfiebl, Elijah W. Curtis, Ichabod Moss, 
 1832 ; Asa Eastwood, Elisha Litchfield, Myron L. Mills, Gabriel 
 Tappan, 1833 ; Oliver B. Strong, Horace Wheaton, Javed H. 
 Parker, Squire jNL Brown, 1834 ; George Petit, John Wilkin- 
 son, Sanford C. Parker, David C. Lytic, 1835 ; Sanf'ord C. Par- 
 ter, John W^ilkinson, David Munro, Daniel Dcnnison, 1830; 
 Nathan Soule, William Porter, Jr., George Petit, Daniel Den- 
 nison, 1837 ; Phares Gould, A^'ictory Birdseye, James R. Law- 
 rence, Azariah Smith, 1838; James R. Jjawrence, Azariah 
 
COUNTY. 
 
 899 
 
 Smith, Phares Gould, James L. v^oorhes, 1839 ; Victory Birds- 
 eye, Azariah Smith, James R. Lawrence, Pharos Gould, 1840 ; 
 Moses D. Burnet, David Munro, William Taylor, William' 
 Fuller, 1841; William Taylor, William Fuller, David Munro, 
 John Spencer, 1842; Thomas McCarthy, Charles R. Vary, 
 Benjamin French, Thomas Sherwood, 1843 ; Elisha Litchfield,' 
 Seth Hutchinson, Thomas G. Alvord, Warner Abbott, 1844 ; 
 David Preston, Dennis McCarthy, Julius C. Kinne, Lake I. 
 Teft, 1845; Lake I. Teft, Julius C. Kinne, Alonzo Wood, 
 Ehhu L.. Phillips, 184G ; Manoah Pratt, William Hender- 
 son, John Lakin, Joseph Prindlo, 1847; Curtis J. Ilurd, 
 Thomas Spencer, Horace Hazen, James Little, 1848 ; Joseph 
 J. Glass, Myron Wheaton, Joseph Slocum, Samuel Hart, 1849. 
 
 Deleqates to Convention to Revise Constitutions.— 
 1822 : Victory Birdseye, Parley E. Howe, Amasi Case, Asa 
 Eastwood. 1846 : William Taylor, Elijah Rhoades, Cyrus 
 Kingsley, David Munro. 
 
 First Board, of Supervisors op Onondaga County.— 
 The first meeting of the Board of Supervisors of Onondaga 
 County was held at the house of Asa Dan forth in the Town 
 of Manlius on Wednesday the 27th of May, 1794. The fol- 
 lowing members composed the Board : Silas Halsey of Ovid, 
 Benaijah Boardman of Romulus, Ezokiel Crane of Aurelius, 
 Comfort Tyler of Manlius, John Stoyles of Scipio, Moses 
 De Witt of Pompey ; not present, Wyllys Bishop of Milton, 
 Robert McDowell of Ulysses, William Stevens of Marcellus. 
 The Towns of Homer and Lysander not yet organized. The 
 first valuation of property in the several towns in Onondaga 
 County, was as follows : 
 
 
 III 
 
 H 
 
400 
 
 
 ONONDAGA. 
 
 
 
 
 
 Valuation. 
 
 Proportion of Tax. 
 
 Manlius, 
 
 
 
 X2500 
 
 £31 58. Od. 
 
 Marcellus, 
 
 
 
 1303 4s. 
 
 16 10 1 
 
 Ovid, 
 
 
 
 1881 
 
 23 10 3 
 
 Romulus, 
 
 
 
 2094 
 
 26 3 6 
 
 Scipio, 
 
 
 
 2576 166 
 
 1. 82 4 2J 
 
 Milton, 
 
 
 
 2796 
 
 34 19 
 
 Aurelius, 
 
 
 
 1729 
 
 21 12 3 
 
 Pompey, 
 Ulysses, , 
 Homer, 
 
 2700 
 
 " Estimate mode nt random by J- '^ U 
 Iho Bourd." 500 
 
 33 15 
 
 12 10 
 
 6 5 
 
 Lysander, 
 Add Town ( 
 
 sharges, 
 
 
 400 
 
 5 
 
 28 9 2 
 
 Total valuation, .£19,479 
 
 Total to be raised by Tax, £273 17 3J 
 
 The accounts of the Board were kept in pounds, shillings, 
 pence and farthings till the year 1798, after which they were 
 kept in dollars, cents and mills. Considerable suras were yearly 
 allowed for wolf scalps, varying from five to ton dollars per 
 scalp ; and for fox scalps at fifty cents per scalp ; and an occa- 
 sional panther, at ten dollars per scalp. 
 
 The Board of Supervisors for 1797, gives the following 
 census of the inhabitants in the several towns in the county, 
 and the valuation of property : 
 
 Pompey, 
 
 262 inhabitants. 
 
 valuation. 
 
 $20,327 50 
 
 Milton, 
 
 252 
 
 
 18,392 50 
 
 Marcellus, 
 
 133 
 
 
 10,607 50 
 
 Aurelius, 
 
 248 « 
 
 
 21,687 50 
 
 Scipio 
 
 298 " 
 
 
 24,750 
 
 Ulysses, 
 
 52 « 
 
 
 4,777 
 
 Homer, 
 
 92 " 
 
 
 6,670 
 
 Ovid, 
 
 163 " 
 
 
 10,691 62 
 
 Romulus, 
 
 143 
 
 
 15,572 50 
 
 Manlius, 
 
 116 « 
 
 
 13,203 25 
 
 Lysander, 
 
 not organized, or included. 
 1759 inhabitants. Total valuation, 
 
 
 Total, 
 
 $146,679,37 
 
COUNTY. 
 
 The Legislature in 1708, set off several new towns 
 (luga County, and the supervisors give the following 
 Scipio, 318 inhabitants, valuation, $ 
 
 Solon, 49 
 
 401 
 
 Sempronius, 87 
 
 Homer, 03 
 
 Fabius, 82 
 
 Romulus, 181 
 
 Ovid, 216 
 
 Milton, 849 
 
 Aurelius, 33,5 
 
 Manlius, 131 
 
 Ulysses, 60 
 
 Onondaga, 80 
 
 Porapey, 250 
 
 Marcellus, 159 
 
 Ly Sander, 15 
 
 a 
 n 
 
 U 
 
 (( 
 (( 
 (( 
 (( 
 
 u 
 
 « 
 
 « 
 (( 
 (t 
 u 
 ({ 
 (( 
 
 (( 
 « 
 
 in Onon- 
 
 returns • 
 22,736 
 
 3,605 
 
 4,847 
 
 4,447 
 
 5,342 
 18,759 
 16,041 
 24,871 
 26,166 
 15,503 
 
 5,000 
 
 9,000 
 20,000 
 11,471 
 
 1,500 
 
 Total, 2375 Total valuation, $188,888 
 
 In 1709, after Cayuga was set off, we have the following 
 population of the several towns of Onondaga County : 
 
 Camillus, 
 
 54 inhabitants. 
 
 Pompey, 
 
 309 inhabitants 
 
 Solon, 
 
 62 
 
 a 
 
 Onondaga, 
 
 100 " 
 
 Homer, 
 
 95 
 
 u 
 
 Manlius, 
 
 131 
 
 Fabius, 
 
 117 
 
 a 
 
 Lysander, 
 
 16 « 
 
 Marcellus, 
 
 152 
 
 n 
 
 
 
 Total, 
 
 1036 
 
 '. 
 
 Military Organization for Onondaga County. — On the 
 8th of March, 1791, the following appointments were made 
 for Herkimer, in Major J. L. Hardenburgh's battalion. Gene- 
 ral Volkert Veeder's brigade : Captains, Moses De Witt, 
 Benjamin Dey, Roswell Franklin ; Lieutenants, Jacob Hart, 
 Ilezekiah Olcott, Joshua Patrick, Josiah Buck ; Ensigns, Sam- 
 uel Lackey, Asa Danforth, Jr., Nathan Walker, James Alex- 
 ander; David Holbrook, Surgeon. 
 
 Patrick Campbell, appointed Brigadier General for Herki- 
 
 61 
 
 I i, 
 
402 
 
 ONONDACJ A. 
 
 mer County, Octolxir (Hh, 17!».'{. In 17!».'{, Moses Do Witt 
 was appointed Major; Asa Danforth, Mnjor ; first ci.iiipjuij, 
 Ilezekiah Olcott, Captain; Jeremiah Cioul<i, LitMitonjint; Com- 
 fort Tyler, Ensi;,'n ; second company, Ash Diuiforth, Jr., Cup- 
 tain ; Orris Curtis, Lieutenant ; James Clark, Knsi^^'n. 
 
 In March, 17i*4, the following apfiointmeiits were nindo for 
 Ononda^'a County. Mnjcu- John h. ilanleiihur^^'irs iKittalidi, : 
 Solomon IJuell, Captain light infantry ; Noah Ohnstead, Lieu- 
 tenant ; Jonathan Hrownell, Ensign, fn Mnjors De Witt tiiul 
 Danforth's battalions ; Jeremiah Jackson, Captain light in- 
 fantry; Jonathan Russell, Lieutenant; Sier Curtiss, Ensign. 
 On the 8th of April, 1795, Othniel Taylor, E3(i., was appoi1,t- 
 ed Commandant of a Brigade, comprising the county of Onon- 
 daga and Ontario, with the title of JJrigadier General. A 
 troop of horse was organized in said brigade, 1795, and Wal- 
 ter D. NichoUs appointed Captain. 
 
 In 1706, the Governor organized several new regiments in 
 the counties of Ontario and Onondaira. 
 
 The battalion heretofore commanded by Major Danforth, 
 was made a regiment, comprising the townships of Hannibal, 
 Lysander, Cicero, Manlius, Pompey, Fabius, Solon, Cinci- 
 natus, Tully, Virgil, Camillus, Sempronius, Locke, Drydon, 
 and the Onondaga Reservation. Asa Danforth, Lieutenant 
 Colonel, Commandant; Ilezekiah Olcott, first Major; Josiah 
 Buck, Second Major ; Joshua Wickoff, appointed First Lieu- 
 tenant ; Thaddeus M. Wood, Second Lieutenant; and Colinan 
 Keeler, Cornet in Captain Nicholls' troop of horse, in Gene- 
 ral Taylor's brigade, March, 1707. The following officers 
 were appointed in Lieutenant Colonel Danfoi-th's regiment, 
 viz : Hezekiah Olcott, First Major ; Asa Danforth, Jr., Second 
 Major; John Ellis, Adjutant; Elijah Rust, Paymaster ; Jabez 
 Hull, Quarter Master ; William Needham, Surgeon ; Walter 
 Colton, Surgeon's Mate ; Jesse Butler, Lieutenant ; Comfort 
 Tyler, Captain ; Nehemiah Earll, Lieutenant ; Elijah Phillips, 
 Captain ; Caleb Pratt, Lieutenant ; John Lamb, Captain ; Wil- 
 liam Cook, Lieutenant ; Samuel Jerome, Captain ; David Wil- 
 liams, Captain ; Robert Earll, Captain, &c. &c. 
 
 EXD OF VOL I. 
 
t'S I)c Witt 
 it coinpjuiy, 
 iiimt; (.'(Mil- 
 li, .Jr., Cup. 
 si,i,'n. 
 
 ■(' iiinde for 
 1 ii.'ittalioii : 
 itcad, liicii- 
 )(' Witt tiiul 
 n li^lit iii- 
 
 98, Elisii,'!!. 
 
 ns appoint- 
 y of Onon- 
 :)neral. A 
 , and Wal- 
 
 giraents in 
 
 Danfortli, 
 Hannibal, 
 on, Cinci- 
 , Drjdon, 
 jioutonant 
 ir; Josiah 
 'irst Liou- 
 rid Colniaii 
 , in Cionc- 
 if^ officers 
 roginiont, 
 r., Sfcoiid 
 er ; Jtihcz, 
 i; Walter 
 ; Comfort 
 h Phillips, 
 ain ; AVil- 
 >avid Wil- 
 
 *^»^v