286 NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM 



eloquence in persuading these savages to take part in the war, yet 

 the characteristic cunning of that people was proof against all 

 these arts. 



Three white men wintered at Onondaga about this time, and 

 a fatal epidemic troubled the Senecas. The Abbe Picquet and 

 his warriors were at the attack on Fort Saratoga, which was 

 destroyed in November. 



Governor de Beauharnois held a council with the Iroquois in 

 July and was told that they carried the French flag past 

 Oswego on their return and would remain neutral. It was hard 

 for all to do this, with their opportunities, for the regular offer 

 was £io for scalps of males over i6 years old, £5 for those under 

 that, and double these rates for prisoners. So some went to war, 

 and the Mississagas joined the Six Nations in this. 



During the war, in 1746, the French Indians often came near 

 and even into Albany. Pennsylvania and Connecticut refused 

 to help procure Iroquois aid. All was gloomy, but a new light 

 appeared. William Johnson had been made colonel of the Mo- ^ 

 hawks and made himself felt. Colden said of him : 



Mr William Johnson was indefatigable among the Mohawks; 

 he dressed himself after the Indian Manner, and made frequent 1 

 Dances, according to their Custom when ' they excite to War, 

 and used all the Means he could think of, at a considerable 

 Expence. . . in order to engage them heartily in the War 

 against Canada. 



Some of the chiefs would not join, as the war was not in their 

 interests, and the other nations agreed with them. The young- 

 Mohawks favored war. Governor Clinton called a- council in 

 August, and the difference of opinion was curiously marked. 

 Colden said : 



These Disputes, however, continued so far, that the Mohawk- 

 and the other Five Nations, could not go in Company to Albany 

 the Mohawks marched on one side of the River, while the othei 

 Nations went on the other side. [There are two Roads from tlu 

 Mohawks Castle to Schenectada, one on each side of the Mohawl 

 River.] When the Indians came near the Town of Albany, 01 

 the 8th of August, Mr Johnson ])ut himself at the Head of th^ 

 Mohawks, dressed and painted after the Manner of an Indiai 

 War-Captain ; and the Indians who followed him, were likewise 



