1765.] FEASER'S MISSION. 283 



smoke the pipe of peace.^ In spite of this auspi- 

 cious declaration, and in spite of the chastisement 

 and humiliation of the previous autumn, Croghan 

 was privately informed that a large party among the 

 Indians still remained balanced between their anaer 

 and their fears ; eager to take up the hatchet, yet 

 dreading the consequences which the act might 

 bring. Under this cloudy aspect of affairs, he was 

 doubly gratified when a party of Shawanoe warriors 

 arrived, bringing with them the prisoners whom 

 they had promised Colonel Bouquet to surrender ; 

 and this faithful adherence to their word, contrary 

 alike to Croghan's expectations, and to the proph- 

 ecies of those best versed in Indian character, made 

 it apparent that, w^iatever might be the sentiments 

 of the turbulent among them, the more influential 

 portion were determined on a pacific attitude. 



These councils, and the previous delays, con- 

 sumed so much time, that Croghan became fearful 

 that the tribes of the Illinois mJght, meanwhile, 

 commit themselves by some rash outbreak, w^iich 

 would increase the difficulty of reconciliation. In 

 view of this danger, his colleague. Lieutenant 

 Fraser, volunteered to proceed in advance, leaving 

 Croghan to follow when he had settled affairs 

 at Fort Pitt. Fraser departed, accordingly, with 

 a few attendants. The rigor of the season had 

 now begun to relent, and the ice-locked Ohio was 

 flinging off its wintry fetters. Embarked in a birch 



^ MS. Journal of the Transactions of George Croghan, Esq., deputy agent 

 for Indian affairs, ivith different tribes of Indians, at Fort Pitt, from the 2Sth 

 of February, 1765, to the Vlth of May following. In this journal the prophet's 

 speech is given in full. 



