3l6 NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM 



All agreed to go against the French as an atonement for the 

 murder. This would be an effective plaster for the wound. The 

 Onondagas then made a feast of a roasted ox, presented by John- 

 son, and the war dance was shared by some of every nation. 

 From the Susquehanna 50 more Indians arrived. He told them 

 that at the Easton treaty the Pennsylvania people gave up all 

 the land claimed on the Ohio, which had been sold them in 1754. 

 The deed of surrender would be kept in the council house at 

 Onondaga. 



After telling them of General Amherst's appointment, Sir Wil- 

 liam threw the war belt, which was taken up by a Mohawk, who 

 danced with it, followed by others. A few warriors had gone 

 with Johnson before ; all would go now. Two oxen were boiled 

 in five large kettles and laid out in large pieces in Indian style, 

 the chiefs and warriors being seated in two lines opposite the 

 fires in the center. 



The Old Belt, a great Seneca chief, said that the Genesee 

 Indians heartily joined the English, and that 26 of their warriors 

 would follow Johnson to war before they went home. They 

 now gave up Fort Niagara to be destroyed. He then began the 

 war dance, which was kept up all night by others. Three chiefs 

 of each nation came to Johnson to ask him to send an army at 

 once against Niagara. " The sooner the thing is done the bet- 

 ter," they said, and gave a belt with the figure of Niagara at one 

 end and his name at the other. 



The Oswegatchies sent him a message, thanking him and say- 

 ing they would keep out of the way of the English and not join 

 the French. They wished to return to their native land, and 

 their priest sent a message of peace, having no interest in the war. 

 His town was but a religious school. The Caughnawagas and 

 others would act no more with the French. Johnson was pleased 

 and promised to equip the Indians and provide for their families. 



That year the Royal Blockhouse was built at the head of 

 Oneida lake and Fort Brewerton at the foot. A fort was also 

 built at Oswego Falls on the east side. Johnson and Prideaux 

 soon Keftjo^ Niagara, embarking on Oneida lake June 21, passing 



