520 NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM 



Chapter 20 



Connecticut people at Wyoming. Indians wish forts destroyed. Western 

 scalp belt. Pontiac's war. Forts taken. Hostile Senecas. Indian complaints. 

 Soldiers destroyed near Niagara. Iroquois land claims. Mohawk prayer 

 book. Report on Indians. Six Nations join English against Ottawas. 

 Indians on the Susquehanna. Conestogas killed. Towns burned on the 

 Chemung. Peace with the Senecas. Niagara council. Education. Kirkland. 

 Council with Delawares. English occupy Illinois. Pontiac at Oswego. 



In May 1763 four Iroquois deputies came to Johnson's house, 

 having a message and several belts for the governor of Connec- 

 ticut, desiring him to stop his people from settling on the Sus- 

 quehanna. There had been trouble there before. They wanted 

 some Mohawks to go with them and a deputy from Sir William 

 to care for them on the road and prevent imposition. Lieutenant 

 Johnson and an interpreter were sent. 



May 21 there arrived 139 sachems and warriors, and the desired 

 council was opened with the usual ceremonies and belts. On the 

 26th 45 Geneseos came ; and then the Onondaga speaker spoke 

 for all, repeating the old agreements and relating later history. 

 Now that the French were dead, the building of more forts made 

 them uneasy. They feared that western traders might have 

 trouble and advised that trade should be limited to Oswego, 

 Niagara and Detroit. The Senecas had been persuaded to 

 arrange about the murder. The Senecas then spoke, saying they 

 would not rest till they brought a plaster for that wound. 



After the council an Indian came to say that the French had 

 ascended the Mississippi and invested some English forts west- 

 ward. A large belt, with English scalps, had been sent by them 

 to the Six Nations, asking their aid, which was refused. The 

 Indians were positive, but Johnson thought it an old belt, sending 

 to Onondaga and elsewhere to learn more. In June the Onon- 

 dagas sent wampum to the Indians on the Susquehanna, saying: 



This String of Wampum comes to let you know that the French 

 that was killed is come alive again, and that there is seven of 

 your out Posts taken and all the People killed by the French, 

 and a number of wild Indians that have tails like Bears. 



An express arrived in June to report the investment of Detroit 



