HISTORY OF THE NEW YORK IROQUOIS 321 



for 36 days, by from 500 to 1600 Ottawas, Ojibwas and Dela- 

 wares. They feared the advancing power of the English ; but 

 Johnson thought he had removed all difficulties at his Detroit 

 conference in 1761. Dissatisfaction increased because presents 

 were not continued to western Indians. The Mississagas and 

 Ojibwas now blockaded Detroit and totally defeated 100 men 

 sent to its relief. The Six Nations said they rejected this wes- 

 tern alliance, but he feared the Senecas might fall away. The 

 Mohawks had not been well used, yet were doing much for the 

 English. Though few, they were still considered the head of the 

 Six Nations by the rest. The Onondagas also showed a strong 

 attachment. He ordered an interpreter to stay at Oswego to 

 save trouble with Indians there. 



The western Indians captured a fort at Venango Pa., and a 

 blockhouse at Presque Isle. The post at Leboeufif w^as aban- 

 doned. Onondaga messengers said that Venango was treach- 

 erously taken by some Geneseo Indians living near by. At a 

 meeting at Onondaga the Senecas spoke with three belts, saying 

 they had loosed their warriors against the English and wished 

 the rest to do the same. This was rejected by all; and the 

 Onondagas sent a large belt to the Senecas, desiring them to 

 stop at once. All but the Senecas agreed to attend a council 

 at German Flats. This was afterward changed to Johnson Hall 

 on account of Johnson's indisposition. 



Since the conquest of Canada the western nations and Iro- 

 quois had warred with the Cherokees, and parties often passed 

 through the western parts of the colonies, keeping up a warlike 

 spirit. The Geneseo Senecas, the hostile party, now sent bands 

 to Irondequoit and Sodus to waylay passing boats. Johnson 

 advised an expedition against the Ohio Indians, the Senecas, 

 Delawares and Shawnees, the real authors of the present trouble. 

 There was an engagement in August near Fort Pitt, between 

 Colonel Bouquet and a large Indian force, the latter being 

 defeated. The three murderers, authors of the trouble, were 

 reported killed. That the Indians had serious grounds for com- 

 plaint is not doubted, but some were due to themselves and of 



