Now Logstown was of several minds again. Old King Shingis was satisfied.
“The English are being driven out,” he said. “That is good. The French speak fair words, and we shall see whether they lie or not. If they think to settle here, we will drive them out, too, for this is Indian land. Then we will be rid of all whites.”
George Croghan, who was a great trader from Pennsylvania and had a store-house in Logstown, came to Tanacharison and said:
“Listen, brother. This is the country of your father Onas.” Onas was the name for the governor of Pennsylvania. “Pay no attention to the twitters of the French, for we pay no attention to them. The French are far, but Onas is near. He it is who sends us over the mountains to trade with you, and our goods are cheap. But these Virginia men plan to settle upon your country and you should watch them, or they will try to buy you with their goods.”
Everybody knew that there was rivalry between the Pennsylvania traders and the Virginia traders. The traders of Onas claimed the right to trade, for they said that the Forks of the Ohio and the country near were Pennsylvania. The Virginians said it all was Virginia.
So Tanacharison went to John Davidson, of the Virginia traders, and said:
“Is it true that Assaragoa (which was the name for the Governor of Virginia) plans to build houses and settle the Indian country?”
John Davidson replied:
“It is true that Assaragoa governs all this country from the mountains to the river, and his traders have the right to trade with you. I think the men from Onas have been talking to you. It is true, too, that your Virginia father is going to send men in to clear land and build a house on this side of the mountains, near the Ohio, and keep the French out. Then the Indians may live in peace.”
“Who will bring these men in?” asked Tanacharison.