1901-2.] Joseph Brant in the American Revolution. 397 



His forecast proved correct. Foul weather set in and continued 

 until the expedition was abandoned and Brant returned to Niagara on 

 November 15 th. 



Snow fell that winter to an extraordinary depth and many Indian 

 women and children perished miserably from cold and famine mainly 

 in consequence of the devastation of their settlements. The animosity 

 of the Indians against their enemies was thus greatly intensified. 



Guy Johnson arrived at Fort Niagara la-te in the autumn and 

 superseded Butler in control of the Indian Department. About the 

 middle of February Brant was despatched to the frontier with Captain 

 Hendrick Nelles, Lieut. Joseph Clement, twelve white volunteers, 

 and 220 Indians. This was much the largest force he had yet com- 

 manded and he began operations by forming a close blockade of Fort 

 Schuyler, by which the garrison was reduced to great distress. There is 

 no record of his movements for several months, but the following 

 manifesto has been preserved which is dated at the Delaware on 

 April 10, 1780. 



" That your Bostonians {alias Americans) may be certified of my 

 conduct towards all those whom I have captured in these parts know 

 that I have taken off with me but a small number. Many have I 

 released. Neither were the weak and helpless subjected to death, for it 

 is a shame to destroy those who are defenceless. This has been 

 uniformly my conduct during the war. These being my sentiments 

 you have exceedingly angered me by threatening or distressing those 

 who may be considered as prisoners. Ye are (or once were) brave men. 

 I shall certainly destroy without distinction does the like conduct take 

 place in future." 



At the end of April Brant was still out, but had sent in Lieut. 

 Clement for supplies, and he does not seem to have returned to Niagara 

 until the end of June when he reported that the Oneidas were prepared 

 to abandon the rebels on the first favourable opportunity. 



Early in July he marched out again "with a strong party of 

 warriors " with the intention of raiding the {q.v^ remaining settlements in 

 the Mohawk valley. On August 8th Bolton reported his first success. 



" Joseph has paid a visit to the Oneida village which with the fort 

 he set on fire. One hundred of them are now on their way to this post 

 and the rest thought it proper to retire to Fort Stanwix which obliged 

 him and his party of 370 men to march with all expedition possible 



