394 Transactions of the Canadian Institute. [Vol. VII. 



" After you have very thoroughly completed the destruction of their 

 settlements, if the Indians should show a disposition for peace, I would 

 have you encourage it on condition that they will give you some 

 decisive evidence of their sincerity by delivering up some of the 

 principal instigators of their past hostility. Butler, Brant, the most 

 mischievous of the Tories that have joined them or any others that 

 may be in their power that we are interested to get in ours. They may 

 possibly be engaged by address, secrecy, and stratagem to surprise the 

 garrison of Niagara and the shipping on the lakes and put them in our 

 possession." 



The inroads by Brant upon the Minnesink and by Macdonnell on the 

 west branch of the Susquehanna were mainly designed to divert 

 Sullivan from prosecuting his invasion of the country of the Senecas, 

 but he resolutely refused to detach any portion of his force for the 

 defence of the frontiers. Finally when all his preparations were com- 

 plete he advanced on August nth, to Tioga Point at the confluence 

 of the Tioga with the Susquehanna where he formed a fortified depot 

 for his supplies. About the same time Brant with his party returning 

 from his attack on Minnesink rejoined Colonel Butler at a place called 

 Chuckmet, or New Town, fourteen miles from Sullivan's encampment, 

 where he was endeavouring to assemble the Indians for the defence of 

 the Seneca towns. A letter written by Brant about this time to 

 Colonel Daniel Claus has been preserved. 



Shimong, August 19th, 1779. 



" I am deeply afflicted ; John Tayojaronsere, my trusty chief, is dead. 

 He died eight days after he was wounded. Five met the same fate. I 

 am very much troubled by the event as he was of so much assistance to 

 me. I destroyed Onawatoge a few days after. We were carrying off" 

 two prisoners. We were overtaken and I was wounded in the foot with 

 buckshot but it is of small consequence. I am almost well. 



" We are in daily expectation of a battle which we think will be a 

 severe one. We expect to number about 700 to-day. We do not quite 

 know the number of the Bostonians already stationed about eight miles 

 from here. We think there are 2,000 besides those at Otsego, repre- 

 sented to consist of two regiments. This is why there will be a battle 

 either to-morrow or the day after. Then we shall begin to know what 

 shall become of the people of the Long House. Our minds have not 

 changed. We are determined to fight the Bostonians. Of course their 

 intention is to exterminate the People of the Long House. The Seven 



