King Beaver, Shingas, and Delaware George, spoke as follows:
“Brother, we alone cannot make a peace; it would be of no significance; for, as all the Indians, from the sunrise to the sunset, are united in a body, it is necessary that the whole should join in the peace, or it can be no peace; and we can assure you, all the Indians, a great way from this, even beyond the lakes, are desirous of, and wish for a peace with the English, and have desired us, as we are the nearest of kin, if we see the English incline a peace, to hold it fast.”
On the 19th, all the people gathered together, men, women, and children; and king Beaver desired me to read to them the news I had brought, and told me that all the able men would go with me to the other town. I complied with his desire, and they appeared very much pleased at every thing, till I came to that part respecting the prisoners. This they disliked; for, they say, it appears very odd and unreasonable that we should demand prisoners before there is an established peace; such an unreasonable demand makes us appear as if we wanted brains.
20th.—We set out from Kushkushkee, for Sankonk; my company consisted of twenty-five horsemen and fifteen foot. We arrived at Sankonk, in the afternoon. The people of the town were much disturbed at my coming, and received me in a very rough manner. They surrounded me with drawn knives in their hands, in such a manner, that I could hardly get along; running up against me, with their breasts open, as if they wanted some pretence to kill me. I saw by their countenances they sought my death. Their faces were quite distorted with rage, and they went so far as to say, I should not live long; but some Indians, with whom I was formerly acquainted, coming up, and saluting me in a friendly manner, their behaviour to me was quickly changed.
On the 21st, they sent Messengers to Fort Duquesne, to let them know I was there, and invited them to their fire. In the afternoon, I read them all my message, the French captain being present; for he still continued with us: upon which they were more kind to me. In the evening, fifteen more arrived here from Kushkushkee. The men here now [were] about one hundred and twenty.
22d.—Arrived about twenty Shawanese and Mingos. I read to them the message; at which they seemed well pleased. Then the two kings came to me, and spoke in the following manner:
“Brother, we, the Shawanese and Mingos, have heard your message; the messenger we sent to Fort Duquesne, is returned, and tells us, there are eight different nations there, who want to hear your message; we will conduct you there, and let both the Indians and French hear what our brothers, the English, have to say.”
I protested against going to Fort Duquesne, but all in vain; for they insisted on my going, and said that I need not fear the French, for they would carry me in their bosoms, i. e. engage for my safety.
23d.—We set off for Fort Duquesne, and went no farther this night than Log’s town, where I met with four Shawanese, who lived in Wyoming when I did. They received me very kindly, and called the prisoners to shake hands with me, as their countryman, and gave me leave to go into every house to see them, which was done in no other town besides.