OF NEW-YORK. 77 
having for guides some of the Iroquois, who had been taken captive by the 
southern tribes. It appears evident that this party came up the Mississippi, 
as it has been ascertained that they passed Pittsburgh, and on to Olean Point, 
where leaving their canoes, they travelled by land. They had been inform- 
ed by some of the southern tribes, that there was a lake at the north of 
them, whose bottom was covered with a substance shining and white,* and 
which they took, from the Indians’ description, to be silver ; and it is supposed 
that the idea of enriching themselves on this treasure induced them to under- 
take this long and desperate journey—for silver was the first thing inquired for 
on their arrival, and on being told that none was ever seen, in or about the 
Onondaga lake, they became almost frantic, and seemed bent upon a quarrel 
with the French, and charged them with having bribed the Indians, and even 
those who had been their guides, that they would not tell where the mines might 
be found. Nor dare they, finding the French influence to prevail, venture 
out on a search, fearing lest the Indians might destroy them. A compro- 
mise was however made, and both parties agreed that an equal number of 
each should be sent on an exploring expedition, which was accordingly 
done. But the effect of this upon the minds of the Indians was fatal. Upon 
seeing these strangers prowling the woods with various kinds of instruments, 
they immediately suspected some plan to be in operation to deprive them of 
their country. 
Nor was this jealousy by any means hushed by the Europeans. The 
Spaniards averred to the Indians that the only object of the French was to 
tyrannize over them—and the French, on the other hand, that the Spaniards 
were plotting a scheme to rob them of their lands. 
The Indians by,this time becoming equally jealous of both, determined, in 
private council, to rid theniselves of so troublesome neighbours. For aid in 
this, they sent private invitations to the Oneidas and Cayugas who only 
wanted a watch-word to be found immediately on the ground. The matter 
*It is said that at this time the salt in the Onondaga lake had this appearance, and even crystallizes on 
the grass and weeds. 
11 
