In the evening arrived a message, with a string of wampum, to a noted Indian, Ketiuscund, to come to Wenango, to meet the Unami chief, Quitahicung there; he said that a French Mohock had killed a Delaware Indian; and when he was asked why he did it? He said the French bid him do it.
2d.—Early before we set out, I gave 300 wampums to the Cayugas, to buy some corn for their horses; they agreed that I should go before to the general, to acquaint him of their coming. The Beaver creek being very high, it was almost two o’clock in the afternoon, before we came over the creek; this land seems to be very rich. I, with my companion, Kekiuscund’s son, came to Log’s-town, situated on a hill. On the east end is a great piece of low land, where the old Logs-town used to stand. In the new Logs-town the French have built about thirty houses for the Indians. They have a large corn field on the south side, where the corn stands ungathered. Then we went further through a large tract of fine land, along the river side. We came within eight miles of Pittsburg,[107] where we lodged on a hill, in the open air. It was a cold night; and I had forgot my blanket, being packed upon Mr. Hays’s horse. Between Saccung and Pittsburg, all the Shawanos towns are empty of people.
3d.—We started early, and came to the river by Pittsburg; we called that they should come over and fetch us; but their boats having gone adrift, they made a raft of black oak pallisadoes, which sunk as soon as it came into the water. We were very hungry, and staid on that island, where I had kept council with the Indians, in the month of August last; for all I had nothing to live on, I thought myself a great deal better off now, than at that time, having now liberty to walk upon the island according to pleasure; and it seemed as if the dark clouds were dispersed.
While I waited here, I saw the general march off from Pittsburg; which made me sorry, that I could not have the pleasure of speaking with him. Towards evening our whole party arrived: upon which they fired from the fort with twelve great guns; and our Indians saluted again three times round with their small arms. By accident some of the Indians found a raft hid in the bushes, and Mr. Hays, coming last, went over first with two Indians. They sent us but a small allowance; so that it would not serve each round. I tied my belt a little closer, being very hungry, and nothing to eat.[108] It snowed, and we were obliged to sleep without any shelter. In the evening they threw light balls from the fort; at which the Indians started, thinking they would fire at them; but seeing it was not aimed at them, they rejoiced to see them fly so high.
4th.—We got up early, and cleared a place from the snow, cut some fire wood, and hallooed till we were tired. Towards noon Mr. Hays came with a raft, and the Indian chiefs went over: he informed me of Colonel Bouquet’s[109] displeasure with the Indians’ answer to the general, and his desire that they should alter their mind, in insisting upon the general’s going back; but the Indians had no inclination to alter their mind. In the afternoon some provision was sent over, but a small allowance. When I came over to the fort, the council with the Indians was almost at an end. I had a discourse with Colonel Bouquet about the affairs, disposition and resolution of the Indians.
I drew provision for our journey to fort Ligonier, and baked bread for our whole company: towards noon the Indians met together in a conference. First king Beaver addressed himself to the Mohocks, desiring them to give their brethren an answer about settling at Pittsburg. The Mohocks said, “They lived at such a distance, that they could not defend the English there, if any accident should befal them; but you, cousins, who live close here, must think what to do.” Then Beaver said by a string:
“What this messenger has brought is very agreeable to us; and as our uncles have made peace with you, the English, and many other nations, so we likewise join, and accept of the peace offered to us; and we have already answered by your messenger, what we have to say to the general, that he should go back over the mountains; we have nothing to say to the contrary.”
Neither Mr. Croghn nor Andrew Montour would tell Colonel Bouquet the Indians’ answer. Then Mr. Croghn, Colonel Armstrong and Colonel Bouquet went into the tent by themselves, and I went upon my business. What they have further agreed I do not know; but when they had done, I called king Beaver, Shingas, and Kekeuscund, and said,
“Brethren, if you have any alteration to make, in the answer to the general, concerning leaving this place, you will be pleased to let me know.” They said, they would alter nothing, “We have told them three times to leave the place and go back; but they insist upon staying here; if, therefore, they will be destroyed by the French and the Indians, we cannot help them.”
Colonel Bouquet set out for Loyalhannon: The Indians got some liquor between ten and eleven o’clock. One Mohock died; the others fired guns three times over him; at the last firing one had accidentally loaded his gun with a double charge: this gun burst to pieces, and broke his hand clean off; he also got a hard knock on his breast; and in the morning at nine o’clock he died, and they buried them in that place, both in one hole.