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



For some time Brant had received pay as commanding officer of a 

 corps known as " Captain Brant's Volunteers," composed partly of white 

 men and partly of Indians, but soon found that this station impaired 

 his influence among his own people. 



Brigadier General Watson Powell, who succeeded Colonel Bolton in 

 command at Fort Niagara, wrote to General Haldimand on May 

 15th, 1781 : — 



" I do not think Captain Brant is quite pleased with his situation, as 

 he told me the day before he went off that he wished to give up his 

 company. I believe he would be happier and have more influence with 

 the Indians which he in some measure forfeits by their knowing that he 

 receives pay." 



He added that Brant was very anxious to go to Oswego, where a 

 British post had lately been established and make it his base of 

 operations as soon as he returned. 



Brant and his party sailed for Detroit in one of the armed vessels on 

 Lake Erie about the middle of April, and on the 26th of that month 

 Major De Peyster, attended by the officers of the garrison, held a council 

 with a number of the chiefs and warriors of the Hurons, Ottawas, 

 Pottawatonies, and Miamis at which they declared their firm deter- 

 mination to support the Shawanese who were believed to be the first 

 object of the enemy's attack. 



Brant's speech at this council is thus reported: — 



"The-ya-en-dinega {alias) Capt. Brandt addressed himself to the 

 several Indian nations and said : — 



" I am pleased to find that you are ready to assist your brethren the 

 Shawanese. You see me here. I am sent upon business of importance 

 to your several nations. I shall follow you and your father to the camp 

 that is to be formed at Sandusky at which place I shall deliver to you 

 the speeches of the Six Nations in presence of the Ohio Confederacy 

 who will be there. I hope when you are acquainted with the contents of 

 my embassy, it may furnish means to unite you more strongly in the 

 cause we are mutually engaged, and continue our friendly intercourse as 

 the meeting will be general." (Haldimand Papers, B 123, p. 27). 



Scarcely had the council dissolved when a messenger arrived from 

 Sandusky with the alarming report that a strong body of the enemy, 

 under Colonel Brodhead, had surprised and destroyed the Delaware 

 village of Cooshocking and had then divided into two parties which 



