176 ANGER OF THE INDIANS. [1760-1763. 



But what most contributed to the growing dis- 

 content of the tribes was the intrusion of settlers 

 upon their lands, at all times a fruitful source of 

 Indian hostility. Its effects, it is true, could only 

 be felt by those whose country bordered upon the 

 English settlements ; but among these were the 

 most powerful and influential of the tribes. The 

 Delawares and Shawanoes, in particular, had by 

 this time been roused to the highest pitch of exas- 

 peration. Their best lands had been invaded, and 

 all remonstrance had been fruitless. They viewed 

 with wrath and fear the steady progress of the 

 white man, whose settlements had passed the Sus- 

 quehanna, and were fast extending to the Allegha- 

 nies, eating away the forest like a spreading canker. 

 The anger of the Delawares was abundantly shared 

 by their ancient conquerors, the Six Nations. The 

 threatened occupation of Wyoming by settlers from 

 Connecticut gave great umbrage to the confederacy.^ 

 The Senecas were more especially incensed at Eng- 

 lish intrusion, since, from their position, they were 

 farthest removed from the soothing influence of Sir 

 William Johnson, and most exposed to the seduc- 

 tions of the French ; while the Mohawks, another 

 member of the confederacy, were justly alarmed at 

 seeing the better part of their lands patented out 

 without their consent. Some Christian Indians of 

 the Oneida tribe, in the simplicity of their hearts, 

 sent an earnest petition to Sir William Johnson, 

 that the English forts within the limits of the Six 



1 Minutes of Conference with the Six Nations at Hartford, 1763, MS. 

 Letter — Hamilton to Amherst, Maj 10, 1761. 



