HISTORY OF THE NEW YORK IROQUOIS 293 



In January 1750 the French sent several belts to the Iroquois 

 and were very active among the Indians. At this time English 

 traders held Indian children as pledges or pawns ; but Governor 

 Clinton had them sent back. In February Johnson sent a belt 

 through the Six Nations to tell them that the French were mus- 

 tering men, and they had better keep their warriors at home, 

 lest surprise should be attempted. The Shawnees were now 

 moving nearer the Iroquois and brought about two bushels of 

 wampum, which was lodged with Johnson to be divided among 

 the Six Nations. It was a greater quantity than he had ever seen. 



English traders were scattered all over the western country 

 at this time, to the great injury of the French trade. Governor 

 de la Jonquiere thought he would be justified in seizing their 

 goods. He said the English sent messages to the Indians to 

 take the tomahawk against the French, and with these sent " belts 

 of wampum, painted red, the calumet, English flags, &c." Jon- 

 caire went to the Ohio to bring the Indians there to the French 

 interests. If this could be done, they might at least destroy the 

 Six Nations. Father Picquet was trying to have them settle at 

 his mission. In May the Cayugas told the French they would 

 be neutral, but they could not control their emigrants. 



Governor Glen, of South Carolina, complained that the Sen- 

 ecas, there called Nottawagees, also the Five Nations, Delawares 

 and others were likely to destroy the Catawbas, a brave and 

 friendly people. Governor Hamilton, of Pennsylvania, stated 

 that many of the Iroquois had settled on branches of the Missis- 

 sippi and were more numerous there than in New York. The 

 French and the Council at Onondaga were both alarmed at this. 

 He, himself, Avas concerned that the Council at Onondaga could 

 not retain their people. He heard that these Iroquois emigrants, 

 with the Shawnees, Delawares, Owendats, or Hurons, and 

 Twightwees, or Miamis, made a body of 1500 or 2000 men. 



The Miamis and Hurons sent a message to the Six Nations 

 and others living on the Ohio, that they gave up the French and 

 desired alliance with them. They had a favorable answer, which 

 included their fathers, the Grand Council at Onondaga. Jon- 



