HISTORY OF BELMONT AND JEFFERSON COUNTIES, OHIO - 25 The Indian was brave so long as he had a shelter, from which he might attack his foe, but that courage offered a very marked diminution, when he was compelled to meet his enemies, as white men do, on the open field, and without cover, and it is an undisputable fact that in all the fights between French and English in America, where Indian allies were engaged on one side or the other (often on both) these red warriors, who were so ready and apt, in using steel in the form of tomahawk, or scalping-knife, always blenched before the gleam of the bayonet. There has never been a single instance where any incentive of pride—of which the Indian was supposed to possess so much, or of savage vindictiveness, which we know was their most marked characteristic, was found sufficient to hold them stead- fast in the face of an advancing line of glistening steel. And so it has always been in the science (if it may be so called) of woodcraft. Keen and cunning as they were in following their enemy's trail by the upturning of a leaf, or the bending of a twig or blade of grass, guiding their way in starless night, through the depths of trackless forests, by the sense of touch upon the trunks of trees ; detecting the proximity of a foe by a knowledge apparently as keen as a bloodhound's scent, and falling upon that foe with steps as noiseless as the passage of disembodied spirits ; in all these the white man, whenever he made these things his study, rivalled and surpassed the savage. All know the story of that subtlest of Indian haters, Lewis Wetzel, the scout of Ohio, and also the narrative of Simon Kenton, Samuel Brady, and others ; how they swore to be revenged for the destruction of their houses and the slaying of their families by savages, and how, single-handed and alone, for months and years they shadowed the red murderers through the dim woods and along the darkly gliding streams, until their grudge had been glutted a hundred fold ; though during that time, whole tribes had bent all their energies and all their cunning to surprise and capture them ; but in vain, for the white man was their superior. His eye was keener, his tread lighter, his senses more acute, his rifle more unerring. Indian legend represents the manner in which the warrior met his death at the stake. No refinement or duration of torture could extort from him a groan. The faith of the Christian martyr supports him in the hour of trial ; but the Indian excels him in defying his tormentors, with only his dauntless spirit to sustain him ; he will die, too, rather than surrender, though he knows he will fall into the hands of those who, looking upon him as a fallen foe, will be merciful. In the quality of fortitude alone, the Indian seems to haves been the superior of the white man. In enduring pain with stoical indifference, he. stood pre-eminent. To die, without betraying weakness or fear, was one of the highest virtues in his eye, and was early inculcated in the minds of the children. Many a savage, whom no sentiment of courage, or pride, or shame, could have induced to face the terror of the bayonet on an open field,. has chanted his death song with unquivering voice, while enduring tortures which would have wrung shrieks of agony from the sternest grenadier who preferred deathto surrender, upon the field of Waterloo. In their councils they observed the utmost gravity and decorum. While the Indian orator addressed his audience, there was no interruption on their part, excepting from time to time, a guttural sound, something like "hoogh," expressing satisfaction at points in the speech, and, although antagonistic views might be held on subjects under discussion, yet the most respectful attention was given to the words of the speaker during his oration, and neither his partisans nor opponents showed the least disposition toward that levity which, it is to be regretted, forms a very marked feature of the deliberative assemblies of the white race, even in our own houses of Congress at Washington. At the deliberations of the "Long House" of the Iroquois league, the oratory and eloquence were of a high order for an untutored and savage people, who had no written language, and -no written literature. Their speakers' gestures were animated, and their speeches delivered in a loud voice. The effect upon an observer of an erect figure, naked arm, and rude, though not ungraceful attire of the orator, is described as very impressive. By the authority of William Penn himself, we are told that they speak little, but fervently and with eloquence. I have never seen more natural sagacity, considering them without the he (I was going to say the spoil) of tradition." * * * * The matter of their discourse is found, in all the speeches which have been transmitted to us, to have been well adapted to the subject, their style varied, appropriate to the effect 4 - B. & J. COS. intended, and we often find passages which embody the soul of eloquence. In the impassioned utterance of Logan, we find an impressive and effective style that excites the liveliest admiration, and in the annals of eloquence, more fervid oratory is rarely found. Perhaps in the councils of the "Long House" of the Iroquois, oratory received greater opportunities for development, but all the tribes and nations contributed to the list of Indian orators. Among the Iroquois, the names of Logan, Red Jacket, Corn-planter, Great-Tree, Half-Town, and Farmer's Brother, were all distinguished for their eloquence. Among the Shawanese, Cornstalk and Tecumseh furnish examples of great native talent for oratory among that nation. It is related of Cornstalk, who occupied, in 1774, the distinction of King of the Northern Confederacy of Indian tribes, that at the treaty with Lord Dunmore, he was the chief speaker on the part of the several nations. It is said that he spoke in the most vehement and denunciatory style, and with a loud voice, distinctly heard throughout the camp, he openly charged the whites with being the sole cause of the preceding war, enumerating the many provocations which the Indians had received, and dwelling with great force and emphasis upon the diabolical murder of Logan's family. His manner is thus described by Col. Wilson, who was present at the interview between the chief and Lord Dunmore : " When he arose he was in no wise confused or daunted, but spoke in a distinct and audible voice, without stammering or repetition, and with peculiar emphasis. His looks while addressing Dunmore were truly grand and majestic, yet graceful and attractive. I have heard the first orators in Virginia, Patrick Henry and Richard Henry Lee, but never have I heard one whose powers of delivery surpassed those of Cornstalk." The celebrated speech of Logan, first printed in Mr. Jefferson's notes on Virginia, and rendered immortal by being declaimed in every school house in the land, will be found in the chapter relating the life of the great " Mingo Chief." The address delivered to General Washington, in Philadelphia, 1790, in the names of Cornplanter, Great-Tree, and Half-Town, while not so declamatory as the ordinary Indian style, is closely logical, and ranks as a rare specimen of effective oratory. To illustrate, we will give in this connection an extract from the speech referred to : "FATHER—When you kindled your thirteen fires separately the wise men assembled at them told us that you were all brothers ; the children of one Great Father, who regarded the red people as his children. They called us brothers, and invited us to his protection. They told us he resided beyond the great waters where the sun first rises; and he was a king whose power no people could resist, and that his goodness was as bright as the sun. What they said went to our hearts. We accepted the invitation, and promised to obey him. What the Seneca nation promises they faithfully perform. When you refused obedience to that king, he commanded us to assist his beloved men in making you sober. In obeying him we did no more than yourselves had bid us to promise. We were deceived; but your people, teaching us to confide in that king, had helped to deceive us, and we now appeal to your breast. Is all the blame ours? "You told us you could crush us to nothing ; and you demanded from us a great country, as the price of that peace, which you had offered us, as if our want of strength had destroyed our rights." Red Jacket, upon one occasion, thus pathetically broke forth in an enumeration of the woes which his tribe had sustained at the hands of the pale faces : " We stand on a small island, in the bosom of the great waters. We are encircled, we are encompassed. The Evil Spirit rides upon the blast, and the waters are disturbed. They rise, they press upon us, and the waters once settled over us, we disappear forever. Who, then, lives to mourn us? None! What marks our extinction? Nothing I We are mingled with the common elements." Tecumseh made the following speech at a conference with General Harrison, at Vincennes, in 1810: "It is true I am a Shawanee. My forefathers were warriors. Their son is a warrior. From them I only take my existence; from my tribe, I take nothing. I am the maker of my own fortune; and oh! that I could make that of my red people, and of my country, as great as the conceptions of my mind, when I think of the Spirit that rules the universe. I would not then come to Gov. Harrison, to ask him to tear the treaty, and to obliterate the landmark; but I would say to him, sir, you have liberty to return to your own country. The being within, communicating with past ages, tells me, that once, nor until 26 - HISTORY OF BELMONT AND JEFFERSON COUNTIES, OHIO. lately, there was no white man on this continent. That it then all belonged to red men, children of the same parents, placed on it by the Great Spirit that made them, to keep it, to traverse it, to enjoy its productions, and to fill it with the same race; since made miserable by the white people, who are never contented, but always encroaching. The way, and the only way, to check and to stop this evil, is, for all the red men to unite in claiming a common and equal right in the land, as it was at first, and should be yet ; for it was never divided, but belongs to all, for the use of each. That no part has a right to sell, even to each other, much less to strangers; those who want all, and will not do with less. The white people have no right to take the land from the Indians, because they had it first; it is theirs. They may sell, but all must join. Any sale not made by all, is not valid. The late sale is bad. It was made by a part only. Part do not know how to sell. It requires all to make a bargain for all. All red men have equal rights to the unoccupied land. The right of occupancy is as good in one place as in another. There cannot be two occupations in the same place. The first excludes all others. It is not so in hunting or traveling; for there the same ground will serve many, as they may follow each other all day; but the camp is stationary, and that is occupancy. It belongs to the first who sits down on his blanket or skins, which he has thrown upon the ground, and till he leaves it, no other has a right." After Tecumseh had delivered this speech, he was about to seat himself in a chair, when he observed that none had been placed for him. One was immediately ordered by the Governor for him, but was indignantly rejected by the chief. The interpreter said to him, " Your father requests you to take a chair." "My father?" says Tecumseh, "the sun is my father, and the earth is my mother, and on her bosom I will repose," and immediately seated himself, in the Indian manner, upon the ground. Another specimen of Indian eloquence, of a high order, is recorded by the veteran missionary, Heckwelder, as having come under his own personal observation. It was the speech of Pipe, a Delaware chief, addressed to the British commandant at Detroit. The chief and his men, at the time, were allies of the British, but it is represented that they were tired of the alliance and only continued in it under compulsion. This may or may not have been a mistake on the part of the good missionary whose recorded statements concerning the Indians, and particularly the Delawares, although always conscientiously made, and intended to be strictly truthful, are always strongly, and oftentimes ridiculously, biased in favor of the red men. But this is the account which he gives of the speech, and he vouches for the correctness of his rendition. Alluding to the chief, he says: "He was now reluctantly compelled to go out against the Americans with the men under his command. On his return from one of these expeditions, he went to make his report to the British commandant, at Detroit, by whom he was received in state, at the council house, in presence of a great number of Indians, British officers and others. "There were several missionaries present, among which I was. The chief was seated in front of his Indians,. facing the commandant. He held in his left hand a human scalp, tied to a short stick. After a pause of some minutes he rose, and, addressing the governor, delivered the following speech: "'FATHER!' (Here the orator stopped and turning round to the audience with a face full of meaning, and a sarcastic look, which I should in vain attempt to describe, he went on in a lower tone of voice, as addressing himself to them.) have said father, although, indeed, I do not know why I am to call him so, having never known any other father than the French, and consider the English as only brothers. But as this name is also imposed upon us, I shall make use of it and say,—(here he fixed his eyes on the commandant—' FATHER! some time ago, you put a war-hatchet in my hands, saying: Take this weapon and try it upon the heads of my enemies, the long-knives, and let me afterwards know if it was sharp and good. " FATHER ! at the time when you gave me this weapon, I had neither cause nor inclination to go to war against a people who had done me no injury; yet, in obedience to you, who say you are my father, and call me your child, I received the hatchet, well knowing that if I did not obey, you would withhold from me the necessaries of life, without which I could not subsist, and which are not elsewhere to be procured but at the house of my father. " FATHER ! many lives have already been lost on your account. Nations have suffered and been weakened. Children have lost parents, brothers, and relatives. Wives have lost husbands. It is not known how many more may perish before your war will be at an end. " 'FATHER ! you say you love your children, the Indians. This you have often told them; and, indeed, it is for your interest to say so to them that you may have them at your service. " But, FATHER ! who of us can believe that you can love a people of a different color from your own, better than those who have a white skin like yourselves ? " 'FATHER ! pay attention to what I am going to say. While you, Father, are setting me on your enemy, much in the same manner as a hunter sets his dog on the game, while I am in the act of rushing on that enemy of yours with the bloody destruc tive weapon you gave me, I may perchance happen to look back to the place from whence you started me, and what shall I see ? Perhaps I shall see my father shaking hands with the long knives; yes, with those very people whom he now calls his enemies." I may then see him laugh at my folly for having obeyed his orders, and yet I am now risking my life at his command. Father ! keep what I have said in remembrance. "'Now, FATHER ! this is what has been done with the hatchet you gave me (handing the stick with the scalp); I have done with the hatchet what you ordered me to do., and have found it sharp. Nevertheless, I did not do all that I might have done. No, I did not; my heart failed within me, I felt compassion for your enemy. Innocence had no part in your quarrels, therefore I distinguished—I spared—I took some live flesh,* which, while I was bringing to you, I spied one of your large canoes, on which I put it for you. In a few days you will receive this, and will find that the skin is of the same color as your own: FATHER ! I hope you will not destroy what I have saved. You, Father, have the means of preserving, what with me would perish for want. The warrior is poor and his cabin is always empty, but your house, Father, is always full.' " The venerable missionary adds: "Here we see boldness, frankness, dignity, and humanity, happily blended together, and most eloquently displayed. * * * * I wish I could convey to the reader's mind only a small part of the impression which this speech made on me, and on all present, when it was delivered." Taciturn and dignified as was the Indian, however, he not unfrequently showed a considerable disposition to be facetious and witty. It is related of Tadeuskund, the principal chief, (and sometimes spoken of as "king ") of the Delawares, that being seen one day sitting on the pavement in Market street, Philadelphia, in a state of intoxication (for he dearly loved the fiery rum), he was accosted by a Quaker who knew him. " Ah, chief, how is this; I thought thee was turned a good Moravian?" The fuddled " king " replied, " Ugh, chief no Moravian now, chief turned Quaker yesterday." And upon another occasion, being met by a Scotchman, a worthless fellow, who hailed him with, " well, cousin, how do you do?" the, proud red man responded, "cousin, cousin, how do you make that out?" "Oh," said the Scot, " we are all cousins from Adam." " Ah, then," said the chief, "I am very glad it is no nearer." † Concerning this trait, --Heckwelder says: "They are ingenious in making satirical observations which, though they create laughter, do not, or but seldom give offence. For instance, seeing a bad hunter going out into the woods with his gun, they will ask him if he is going out for meat ? or say to one another, now we shall have meat, for such a one has 'gone a hunting' (not believing any such thing.) Or, if they see a coward joining a war party, they will ask him ironically at what time he intends to come back again (knowing that he will return before he has met the enemy), or, they will say to one another, will he return this way with his scalps?' " LEGEND OF CORNSTALK AT GNADENHUTTEN. Early in 1777 the celebrated Shawanee chief, Cornstalk, with one hundred warriors, appeared in the neighborhood of Gnadenhutten and camped. Rev. Smick was in charge of the mission, but was absent at the time. Mrs. Smick, not knowing the intention of the chief, consulted the leading Christian Indians as to what should be done in the emergency. The advice was to invite the chief to the mission house, and send provisions to his warriors, as a sure way of averting their hostile intentions, if any were entertained. Accordingly the great chief was soon invited and escorted to the house of the missionary, but his caution against being surprised and captured by an enemy induced him to take with him a guard of warriors, who were pro- * Women and children prisoners.  † Stone's History of Wyoming. HISTORY OF BELMONT AND JEFFERSON COUNTIES, OHIO - 27 vided for near the house, while Cornstalk became the guest of the lady. His commanding and noble appearance at once made an impression on her, while her womanly person fascinated the chief. He was versed sufficiently in English to talk with her, and, after a repast, he whiled the time away in recounting to her some of his adventures in life, until time to go to his warriors, when he departed shaking hands and making a kingly bow. She pressed him diplomatically to call again. On the day following Mr. Cornstalk was up early, and repeated his visit about daybreak. The lady was not up, but that made no difference to him. He had called to tell her that a party of Wyandots and Monceys were on the war-path, and were accompanied by a white man, and that they were after Glikhican, the Delaware, who they claimed was in the town secreted, and must have him or his scalp. Mrs. Smick, somewhat used to the rough edge of border life, arose, took Cornstalk into another room and showed him Glikhican, whom she had been hiding from his enemies for some days, and her husband intended to send him to Fort Pitt as a place of safety, but all the paths were filled with hostile Indian bands going to and returning from war, and hence he had to be hid. Cornstalk, who was an old acquaintance of the Delaware, after some talk, told her he would see the chief safely on his way. So, taking a woman's gown and bonnet of that day, he gave them to Glikhican, told him to put them on and follow. He shook the lady by the hand and left. That evening he abruptly appeared again, and told her he had sent Glikhican out of danger by a guard of his own warriors, and now, haying saved his life, and perhaps hers, he affectionately asked her to leave the mission and go with him to his town on the Scioto and become his wife, as he had but little doubt but that her husband was captured or killed. The woman arose within her, and yet artfully concealing her indignation, she begged a short time to make up her mind, and with a little flirtation on her part to please the chief, left him alone ; in a few moments he was asleep from the fatigues of the day. But not her. She dispatched a runner to Salem, where Smickhad gone for a three days' visit, telling him to hasten and bring back her husband, or Cornstalk would take her off— being then in their house. Smick set out and reached his home before Cornstalk awoke that night. As soon as the great chief became aware of his return he became much dejected, but frankly told the missionary of his new born love for the white woman, and then in a manly way disavowed any intention of offense in proposing to her to become the wife of a chief. Smick, in a true Christian spirit, took him by the hand and leading him to her presence, Cornstalk made the same disavowal to her, and taking from his plume an eagle featherp laced it on her head, declaring that he now adopted Mr. Smick into his nation as a brother, and Mrs. Smick as a sister. He then hastily bid them adieu, and was soon off with his warriors on their journey. He was killed the same summer, as elsewhere related, but before going to the fatal Point Pleasant, he had again visited sister Snuck and her husband at Gnadenhutten. A LEGEND OF SLAUGHTER AT THE SENECA CAPITAL, IN TUSCARAWAS COUNTY, OHIO. A legend exists of a fearful fight that took place between the Senecas and Wyandots, on their return from Braddock's defeat, in 1755. They had fought side by side against the English army, but no sooner had they dispersed towards their homes, than the old unsettled feud between them was renewed. The Senecas took the trail by Beaver, Mingo Bottom, and west to Tuscarawas. The Wyandots took the upper trail, striking the ridge between the heads of the Elk Eye creek (Muskingum), and the Hiogo (Cuyahoga), where they camped. It was but a day's journey across the present Stark county, to reach their enemies at the Seneca capital. The warriors there suspected their design, and sent out Ogista, an old sachem, who met, the Wyandots on the war-path, stealthily approaching the capital. He sent back a runner to give warning of their coming, and, trusting to his age for protection, boldly penetrated into the midst of the enemy as a peacemaker. The Senecas, upon being apprised of their proximity, sallied out to fight, but stopped by Ogista, who was returning with an agreement, made by the opposing chief, to the effect that each tribe should pick twenty warriors, willing to suffer death by single combat. When all were slain, they were to be covered, hatchet in hand, in one grave, and henceforth neither Seneca nor Wyandot were ever again to raise a bloody hand against. the other. Forty braves were soon selected, and each twenty being sur- rounded, the tribal war-dances were danced, and. the death lamentations sung, when the way being cleared, the carnage commenced, which ended as night intervened, there being one martyr left, with none to strike him down. He was the son of Ogista, who had proposed the sacrifice. The aged man received his weapon, and with it cleaved off the head of his offspring, when the bands gathered the dead into a heap, laying their forty hatchets by their sides, and having raised a mound of earth over them, all repaired to the Seneca capital, closing the fearful scene with a feast, in memorium of the compact thus sealed with blood, that the hatchet was then forever buried between the Wyandots and Senecas. Twenty-four years afterward, Fort Laurens was erected in sight of the mound. A friendly Delaware, at the fort, was asked by the commander to explain its origin. He related the above legend. In January, 1779, the fort was invested by one hundred and eighty Wyandots, Mingoes (Senecas), and Monceys, led by John Montour. Under the impression that the Indians had moved off, a squad of seventeen soldiers went out behind the mound to catch the horses and gather wood. They never returned to the fort—having been ambushed and killed by a party of Wyandot and Seneca warriors, who were worshipping the Great Spirit at the grave of their ancestors and relatives. CHAPTER V. INDIAN RESPECT FOR THE AGED-ADOPTION OF CHILDREN- REVERENCE FOR THE DEAD. "THEY are remarkable for the particular respect which they pay to old age.* In all their meetings, whether public or private, they pay the greatest attention to the observations and advice of the aged. No one will attempt to contradict them, nor to interfere in any manner, or even speak, unless he is especially called upon. 'The aged,' they say, 'have lived through the whole period of our lives, and long before we were born. They have not only all the knowledge which we possess, but a great deal more. We, therefore, must submit our limited views to their experience.' " In traveling, one of the eldest will always take the lead, unless another is especially appointed for that purpose. If such a one stops to hunt, or in order to stay and encamp.at the place for some time, all halt together, all are pleased with the spot, and declare it to be judiciously chosen. "On every occasion, and in every situation through life, age takes the lead among the Indians. Even little boys, when going on parties of pleasure, were it only to catch butterflies, strictly adhere to this rule, and submit to the direction of the oldest in their company, who is their chief, leader and spokesman. If they are accosted on the way by any person, and asked whither they are going, or any other question, no one will presume to answer but their speaker. The same rule is observed when they are grown up, and in no case whatever will one of a party, club, or meeting, attempt to assume authority over the leader, or even to set him right if he should mistake the road, or take a wrong course, much less will any one contradict what he says, unless his opinion should be particularly asked. In such a case, and in no other, he will give his advice, but with great modesty and diffidence. "Indeed, I have had sufficient reason to be convinced that this principle, excellent as it is in itself, is sometimes even carried too far by the Indians, and that not a little inconvenience is occasioned by it. A few instances will make this better understood than any explanation I could give. "In the year 1765, `the great body of Christian Indians, after having remained sixteen months at and near Philadelphia, were permitted to return to their own country, peace having been concluded with the Indian nations who still continued at war, notwithstanding the pacification between the European powers. " They resolved to open a path through the wilderness, from the frontier settlements beyond the Blue Mountains, directly to Wyoming, on the Susquehanna. This path they laid off and cut, as they proceeded, two, three., or four miles at a time, according to the nature of the ground and the convenience of water, bringing up their baggage by making two or more trips, as they had no horses to carry it. Having arrived at the Great Pine Swamp, then supposed to be about fourteen miles wide, it was found very difficult to cut a passage, on account of the * Heckwelder. 28 - HISTORY OF BELMONT AND JEFFERSON COUNTIES, OHIO. thicket's and of the great number of fallen trees which encumbered it; they were, besides, unacquainted with that part of the country. Several old men, however, took the lead and undertook to be their guides. After a tedious march of near two weeks, attended with much labor, they brought the party across the swamp to the large creek which borders it upon the opposite side. There they found a very steep mountain, through which no passage could be found, either above or below. " Discouraged at the prospect before them, they saw now no alternative but to return by the same way they had come, and take. the route by Fort Allen to Nescopeck, and so up the Susquehanna to Wyoming, a distance of nearly one hundred miles round. In this difficulty it fortunately struck their missionary, Mr. Zeisberger, that a certain Indian named David, who was one of their party, and had followed them all the way, was acquainted with that part of the country, and might, perhaps, be able to point out to them some better and shorter road. He soon found that he was not mistaken, David was perfectly acquainted with the country and knew a good road through which the party might easily pass; but not having been questioned on the subject, had hitherto kept silence, and followed with the rest, though he knew all the while they were going wrong. "A dialogue then took place between him and the missionary. " ZEISBERGER.-‘ David, you are acquainted with this country, perhaps you know a better road and a shorter one than that which we are going to take ? ' " DAVID.--- ' Yes, I do; there is such a course which we may easily get through, and have a much shorter distance to travel.' "Z.—' What, David; we are all going wrong, and yet you are with us?' "D.—' Yes, it is so.' "Z.—' And yet you said nothing, and followed with the rest, as if all had been right?' "D.—' Yes, the guides are older than I, they took the lead, and never asked me whether I had any knowledge of the country. If they had inquired, I would have told them.' Z.—' Will you now tell them ?' D.—` No, indeed; unless they ask me. It does not become an Indian to instruct his elders. '" "At the instigation of Mr. Zeisberger, the question was then asked him, when he immediately told them they must all return to a certain spot, six miles back, and then direct their course more to the northeast, which would bring them to a gap in the mountain, where they could pass through with great ease. They did so, and he followed them, and being now desired to take the lead, he did it, and brought them to the very spot he had described, and from thence led them all the way to Wyoming. This difficult part of the road in the swamp has been since called David's Path, and the state road now passes through it." This anecdote was told me by Mr. Zeisberger himself, whom I have never known to say anything which was not strictly true. I, therefore, give it full credit, the more so, as I have myself witnessed two similar instances. "The first happened in the year 1791. I had parted by accident from the company I was with, and lost my way in the woods. I had with me an Indian lad about twelve or thirteen years of age, and wished him to take the lead, to which, however, he would not consent. We were at last found by our party, who had gone in search of us. I complained to them of the boy for not doing what I had bidden him ; but they answered that he had done right, and 'that it did not become a boy to walk before a man, and be his leader.' " The second occurrence of the like kind took place in the year 1798. I was on a journey with two young Indians round the head of Lake Erie. Neither of these Indians having ever been in the country we were going to, they received their instructions of others before their departure. The leader, however, having once mistaken a path, we traveled several miles in a wrong direction, until at last I discovered the mistake by our having Owl creek on our left, when we ought to have had it to our right. I observed this to Christian, the young Indian in the rear, who coinciding with me in opinion, I desired him to run forward to the leader, who was far ahead of us, and to bring him back; but the lad answered that he could not do it. I asked him the reason. 'It is,' said he 'because I am younger than he is.' Will you then,' replied I, 'take my message to him, and tell him that I desire him to return to this place, where I will wait for him ?' The young man immediately consented, went forward to the leader and brought him back, upon which he took an eastward course through the woods to Owl creek, and after crossing it fell into our right path." * * Extract from "History, Manners and Customs of the Indian Nations." The same venerable writer also speaks of filial affection and respect among the Indian tribes (and having particular reference to those of Lenni Lenape), as follows: "It is a sacred principle among the Indians, and one of those moral and religious truths which they always have before their eyes, that the Great Spirit, who created them and provided for them so, abundantly with the means of subsistence, made it the duty of parents to maintain and take care of their children until they should be able to provide for themselves, and that having, while weak and helpless, received the benefits of maintenance and protection, they are bound to repay them by a similar care of those who are laboring under the infirmities of old age, and are no longer able to supply their own wants. "Thus a strong feeling of gratitude towards their elders, inculcated and cherished from their earliest infancy, is the solid foundation on which rests that respect for old age for which Indians are so remarkable, and it is further supported by the well-founded hope of receiving the like succors and attentions, in their turn, when the heavy hand of time shall have reduced them to the same helpless condition which they now commiserate in others, and seek, by every means in their power, to render more tolerable. Hence, they do not confine themselves to acts of absolute necessity; it is not enough for them that the old are not suffered to starve with hunger or perish with cold, but they must be made, as much as possible, to share in the pleasure and comforts of life. It is, indeed, a moving spectacle to see the tender and delicate attentions which, on every occasion, they lavish upon aged and decrepit persons. When going out hunting, they will put them on a horse or in a canoe, and take them into the woods to their hunting ground, in order to revive their spirits by making them enjoy the sights of a sport in which they can no longer participate. They place them in particular situations where they are sure that the game they are in pursuit of will pass by, taking proper measures, at the same time, to prevent its escape, so that their aged parents and friends may, at last, as our sportsmen 'call it, be in at the death. Nor is this all; the hoary veterans must all enjoy the honors of the chase. When the animal thus surrounded is come within the reach of their guns, when every possibility of escape is precluded by the woods all around being set on fire, they all, young and old, fire together, so that it is difficult to say whose ball it was that brought the animal to the ground. But they are never at a loss to decide, and always give it in favor of the oldest man in the party. So, when the young people have discovered a place where the bears have their haunts, or have resorted to for the winter, they frequently take with them, to the spot, such of the old men as are yet able to walk or ride, where they not only have an opportunity of witnessing the sport, but receive their full share of the meat and the oil. "At home the old are as well treated and taken care of as if they were favorite children. They are cherished and even caressed; indulged in health and nursed in sickness; and all their wishes and wants are anticipated. Their company is sought by the young, to whom their conversation is considered an honor. Their advice is asked on all occasions: their words are listened to as oracles, and their occasional garrulity, nay, even the second childhood, often attendant on extreme old age, is never, with Indians, a subject of ridicule or laughter. Respect, gratitude, and love, are too predominant in their minds to permit any degrading idea to mix itself with these truly honorable and generous feelings. " And yet there have been travelers who have ventured to assert that old people, among the Indians, are not only neglected and suffered to perish for want, but that they are even, when no longer able to take care of themselves, put out of the way of all trouble. I am free to declare that among all the Indian nations that I have become acquainted with, if any one should kill an old man or woman, for no other cause than that of having become burdensome to society, it would be considered as an unpardonable crime; the general indignation would be excited, and the murderer instantly put to death. I cannot conceive any act that would produce such an universal horror and detestation. Such is the veneration which is everywhere felt for old age." Among the customs, or indeed common laws of the Indians, one of the most remarkable and interesting was the adoption of prisoners. This right belonged more particularly to the females than to the warriors of the tribes. It was common for a mother to claim, from among the captives, one whose life should be spared, and who should, by adoption, fill in her household, the place of her son who had fallen in battle. It was well for the unfortunate prisoners, that this election HISTORY OF BELMONT AND JEFFERSON COUNTIES, OHIO - 29 depended more on the voice of the mother than on that of the father, as innumerable lives were thus spared, of those whom the warriors, if left to their own desires, would have immolated. When once adopted, if the captives assumed a cheerful aspect, entered into their mode of life, learned their language, and, in brief, acted as if they actually felt themselves adopted, all hardship was removed, except such as was inseparable to the Indian mode of life. Although the right was most frequently exercised by mothers to fill the places of their sons who had been slain, yet the privilege of adoption was often extended to female prisoners. In their intercourse with the Indians, the white people were thoughtlessly trampling upon their religion, and their sacred rights. They were expected to look meekly on while the grave was robbed of its treasures, and the bones of their fathers were left to bleach upon the field. When exasperated by the cruel disrespect of their conquerors, and driven to deeds of vengeance, there was little appreciation of the motives which influenced them. It was the Indian custom to bury with the dead their best clothing, and the various implements they had been in the habit of using whilst living. If it was a warrior, they placed his tomahawk by his side, and his knife in his shield; with the hunter, his bow and arrow, and implements for cooking his food; with the women, their kettles and cooking apparatus, and also food for all. Tobacco was deposited in every grave, for to smoke was an Indian's idea of felicity in the body and out of it, and in this there was not so much difference as there might be, between them and gentlemen of paler hue. Among the Iroquois, and many other Indian nations, it was the custom to place the dead upon scaffolds built for this purpose, from tree to tree, or within a temporary enclosure, and underneath, a fire was kept burning for several days. They had probably known instances of persons reviving after they were supposed to be dead; and this led to the conclusion, that the spirit sometimes returned to animate the body, after it had once fled. If there were no signs of life for ten days, the fire was extinguished, and the body left unmolested, till decomposition had begun to take place, when the remains were buried. In later years they allowed ten days for the flight of the spirit. Their period of mourning continued while the spirit was wandering; as soon as they believed it entered heaven, they commenced rejoicing, that it had reached where happiness dwelt forever. Sometimes a piteous wailing was kept up for a long time, but it was only their own bereavement that they bewailed, as they had no fear about the fate of those who died. Not until they had heard of Purgatory from the Jesuits, or endless woe from the Protestants, did they look upon death with terror, or life as anything but a blessing. In regard to their burial rites, the words of the poet who has given metrical beauty to their legends, and added his own to their lofty enthusiasm, will suffice : "Poet and historian have lavished their descriptive skill on the burial rites of Alaric, whose bones repose in the sandy bed of the Busentinus, but not less imposing was the funeral of Blackbird, the Ohama Chief, who was inhumed bestriding his war-horse in a hill sepulchre that overlooks the Missouri." A tribe has been known to visit the spot which had been, in former times, the burial place of their people, though long deserted, and spend hours in silent meditation; and not till every hope had apparently died in their bosoms, did they leave the sod which covered the dust of any of their kindred, to the footsteps of the stranger. CHAPTER VI. INDIAN SUPERSTITION. THE Indians were superstitious in the extreme—believers in dreams and observers of omens. No enterprise was inaugurated, nor journey commenced by them, without consultation of signs and portents, and in the most ordinary operations of life—the planting of their maize, or erection of their rude wigwams—critical attention was had. to weather sign, and to the position and supposed influence of the moon. In this last named peculiarity, however, they did not materially differ from many of the most substantial farmers in Pennsylvania at the present day. Of the incredible folly and weakness which, in this direction, were universally exhibited by the otherwise self-reliant aborigines, the gentle Heck welder thus discourses : "Great and powerful as the Indian conceives himself to be, firm and undaunted as he really is, braving all seasons and weathers, careless of dangers, patient of hunger, thirst, and cold, and fond of displaying the native energy of his character, even in the midst of tortures, at the very thought of which our own puny nature revolts and shudders ; this lord of the creation, whose life is spent in a state of constant warfare against the wild beasts of the forest and the savages of the wilderness, he who, proud of his independent existence, strikes his breast with exultation and exclaims, I am a man !'—the American Indian has one weak side which sinks him down to the level of the most fearful and timid being ; a childish apprehension of an occult and unknown power which, unless he can summon sufficient fortitude to conquer it, changes at once the hero into a coward. "It is incredible to what a degree the Indians' superstitious belief in witchcraft operates upon their minds. The moment that their imagination is struck with the idea that they are bewitched, they are no longer themselves; their fancy is constantly at work creating the most horrid and distressing images. They see themselves falling a sacrifice to the wicked arts of a vile unknown hand, of one who would not have dared to face in a fair combat, dying a miserable ignominous death, a death to which they would a thousand times prefer the stake with all its horrors. No tale, no tradition, no memorial of their courage or heroic fortitude, will go down with it to posterity; it will be thought that they were not deserving of a better fate. And (0 ! dreadful thought to an Indian mind) that death is to remain forever unrevenged ; their friends, their relations, the men of their own tribe will seek the murderer in vain, they will seek him while perhaps he is in the midst of them unnoticed and unknown, smiling at their impotent rage, and calmly selecting some new victim to his infernal art. "Of this extraordinary supposed power of their conjurers, of the causes which produce it, and the manner in which it is acquired, the Indians, as may well be supposed, have not a very definite idea. All they can say is, that the sorcerer makes use of a 'deadening substance,' which he discharges and conveys to the person whom he means to `strike' through the air by means of the wind, or of his own breath, or throws at him in a manner which they can neither understand nor describe. The person thus stricken is immediately seized with an unaccountable terror, his spirits sink, his appetite fails, he is disturbed in his sleep, he pines and wastes away, or a sickness seizes him, and he dies at last a miserable victim to the workings of his own imagination. "Such are their ideas and the melancholy effects of the dread they feel, of that supernatural power which they vainly fancy to exist among them. That they can destroy one another by means of poisonous roots and plants is certainly true, but in this there is no witchcraft. This prejudice which they labor under can be described to no other than their excessive ignorance and credulity. I was once acquainted with a white man, a shrewd and correct observer, who had lived long among the Indians, and being himself related to an Indian family, had the best opportunities of obtaining accurate information on this subject. He told me that he had found the means of. getting into the confidence of one Of their most noted sorcerers, who had frankly confessed to him that his secret consisted in exciting fear and suspicion, and creating in the multitude a strong belief in his magical powers. For, said he, such is the credulity of many, that if I pick a little wool from my blanket and roll it between my fingers into a small round ball, not larger than a bean, I am by that alone believed to be deeply skilled in the magic art, and it is immediately supposed that I am preparing the deadly substance with which I mean to strike some person or other, although I hardly know myself at the time what my fingers are doing; and if at that moment I happen to cast my eyes on a particular man, or even to cast a side glance at him, it is enough to make him consider himself as the intended victim ; he is from that moment effectually struck, and if he is not possessed of great fortitude, so as to be able to repel the thought and divert his mind from it, or to persuade himself that it is nothing but the work of a disturbed imagination, he will sink under the terror thus created, and at last perish a victim, not indeed to witchcraft, but to his own credulity and folly.' "But men of such strong minds are not often to be found; so deeply rooted is the belief of the Indians in those fancied supernatural powers. It is vain to endeavor to convince them 30 - HISTORY OF BELMONT AND JEFFERSON COUNTIES, OHIO. by argument, that they are entirely founded in delusion and have no real existence. The attempt has been frequently made by sensible white men, but always without success." More than a hundred years ago, while the Delawares still occupied portions of Pennsylvania, there was a Quaker named John Anderson, a traveling merchant among the Indians, known far and wide by them as "the honest Quaker trader." This man, knowing the almost unlimited confidence which the natives reposed in him, endeavored to convince them of the utter fallacy of their foolish superstition; but finding argument vain, at last requested that their most powerful sorcerers might be produced, and in presence of the tribe and the chiefs and the old men, might exercise on him the most potent spells of their magic, and if they should succeed in working harm upon him, never in so slight a degree, then he would not only acknowledge their supernatural power, but would pay a goodly amount of merchandise, of such kinds as Indians most covet, in forfeit for his discomfiture. His only stipulation was that the conjuror should be unarmed, and, to guard against the possibility of poison, that he should not attempt to approach nearer than a specified distance of about twelve feet. The first magician, to whom this opportunity was offered, utterly refused to injure so good a man; one whom the Indians all loved for his uprightness; No! the Great Spirit forbid that he should turn the terrible glance of the evil eye on the honest Quaker I This most considerate and conscientious course was greeted with the warmest admiration and applause by the assembled Delawares, and caused them to regard the conjuror with more reverence than ever. But another was found who was less conscientious, and who boasted that neither the distance of twelve feet, nor yet of twelve miles, could in the least interfere with the certain effect of his deadly spells. So honest John Anderson brought out the enticing goods which he was to forfeit, and then stood firm and serene before the fearful man who claimed such wonderful powers. He was dressed and tricked out in a manner most infernal ; covered from head to toe with a bear skin, black as jet, and closed together just as it grew upon the animal. In addition to this were a pair of satanic horns upon the head, all intended to strike the victim dumb by its terrible appearance. But it had no such effect upon the shad-bellied Ajax. The spectators had implored him to desist from his fool-hardiness, as they thought it to be, and when he persisted they looked, upon him with the profoundest pity, and some covered their eyes with their blankets to shut out the fearful sight, for they loved this man of integrity with a surpassing affection, and they would not that he should incur a fate so dreadful. It is barely possible that at this time, with all this commiseration, there may have floated through the red man's mind some consolatory visions of the delights of an Indian administration upon the personal effects of the upright Quaker, who so persistently courted his own doom, but, however that may have been, John Anderson boldly faced the diabolical antics and gesticulations of the horned wizard, and never blenched through an interminable half-hour of wool-picking and contortions ; at the end of which the red trickster suddenly ceased his incantations, announcing that the pale face was impervious to them on account of having been accustomed to living on salted provisons, the salt having a repellant effect on that invisible substance, which was always so fatal in its effects when directed against Indians. But though the chiefs and sachems and warriors saw with their own eyes the discomfiture of their sorceror, and the triumph of the good Quaker—congratulated him on his miraculous escape, and gazing pensively upon the bright-colored merchandise as it now disappeared from their sight and was returned to the packages; yet their superstitious belief in the power of the conjuror had not diminished one iota. Even in the administering of medicines to the sick, we are told by an old Moravian chronicler that these preparations were "mixed with superstitious practices, calculated to guard against the powers of witchcraft, in which, unfortunately, they have a strong fixed belief. Indeed, they are too apt to attribute the most natural deaths to the arts and incantations of sorcerers, and their medicine is, in most cases, as much directed against those as against the disease itself. * * * * * * There is a superstitious notion, in which all their physicians participate, which is, that when an emetic is to be administered, the water in which the potion is mixed must be drawn up a stream, and if for a cathartic, downward. This is, at least, innocent, and not more whimsical perhaps, nor more calculated to excite a smile than some theories of grave and learned men in civilized countries." CHAPTER VII. EARLY SETTLEMENTS AND EXPLORATIONS BY THE FRENCH-THE JESUIT MISSIONS-MARQUETTE, LA SALLE AND OTHERS-FRENCH MOVEMENTS ON THE LAKES AND THE OHIO-VIRGINIA'S JEALOUSY OF FRENCH DESIGNS-ENGLISH EFFORTS TO EXPLORE AND SETTLE THE OHIO VALLEY-THE OHIO COMPANY -CONTINUATION OF THE FRENCH DESIGNS. THE French were the first Europeans to make settlements on the St. Lawrence river and along the great lakes. Quebec was founded by Sir Samuel Champlain in 1608, and in 1609, when Sir Henry Hudson was exploring the noble river which bears his name, Champlain ascended the Sorelle River, and discovered, embosomed between the Green Mountains, or "Verdmont," as the chivalrous and poetic Frenchman called them, and the Adirondacks, the beautiful sheet of water to which his name is indissolubly attached. In 1613 he founded Montreal. During the period elapsing between the years 1607 and 1664, the English, Dutch, and Swedes alternately held possession of portions of the Atlantic coast, jealously watching one another and often involved in bitter controversy, and not seldom in open battle, until, in the latter year, the English became the sole rulers, and maintained their rights until the era of the Revolution, when they in turn were compelled to yield to the growing power of their colonies and retire from the field. The French movements, from the first settlement at Quebec, and thence westward, were led by the Catholic missionaries. Le Caron, a Franciscan friar, who had been the companion and friend of Champlain, was the first to penetrate the western wilds, which he did in 1616, in a birch canoe, exploring Lake Huron and its tributaries. Under the patronage of Louis XIII. the Jesuits took the advance, and began vigorously the work of Christianizing the savages in 1632. Inspired with a lofty and intense zeal for their religion, they boldly took their lives in their hands, and rushed into the unknown wilderness, bearing aloft the Cross, even to the western extremity of Lake Superior. In 1634, three Jesuit missionaries, Brebeuf, Daniel, and Lallemand, planted a mission on the shores of the lake of the Iroquois (probably the modern Lake Simcoe), and also established others along the eastern border of Lake Huron. From a map published in 1660, it would appear that the French had, at that date, become quite familiar with the region. from Niagara to the head of Lake Superior, including considerable portions of Lake Michigan. In 1641, Fathers Jogues and Raymbault embarked on the Penetanguishine Bay for the Sault St. Marie, where they arrived after a passage of seventeen days. A crowd of two thousand natives met them, and a great council was held. At this meeting the French first heard of many nations dwelling beyond the great lakes. Father Raymbault died in the wilderness in 1642, while enthusiastically pursuing his discoveries. The same year, Jogues and Bressani were captured by the Indians and tor-, tured, and in 1648 the mission which had been founded at St. Joseph was taken and destroyed, and Father Daniel slain. In 1649, the missions St. Louis and St. Ignatius were also destroyed,, and Fathers Brebeuf and Lallemand barbarously tortured by the same terrible and unrelenting enemy. Literally did those zealous missionaries of the Romish Church "take their lives in their hands," and lay them a willing sacrifice on the alter of their faith. It is stated by some writers that, in 1654, two fur-traders accompanied a band of Ottawas on a journey of five hundred leagues to the west. They were absent two years, and on their return brought with them fifty canoes and two hundred and fifty Indians to the French trading posts. They related wonderful tales of the countries they had seen, and the various red nations they had visited, and described the lofty mountains and mighty rivers in glowing terms. A new impulse was given to the spirit of adventure, and scouts and traders swarmed the frontiers and explored the great lakes and adjacent country, and a party wintered in 1659-60 on the south shore of Lake Superior. In 1660, Father Mesnard was sent out by the Bishop of Quebec, and visited Lake Superior in October of that year. While crossing the Keeweenaw Point he was lost in the wilderness and never afterwards heard from, though his cassock and breviary were found long afterwards among the Sioux. HISTORY OF BELMONT AND JEFFERSON COUNTIES, OHIO - 31 A change was made in the government of New France in 1665. The Company of the Hundred Associates, who had ruled it since 1632, resigned its charter. Tracy was made Viceroy, Courcelles Governor, and Talon Intendent.* This was called the Government of the West Indies. The Jesuit missions were taken under the care of the new government, and thenceforward became the leaders in the movement to Christianize the savages. In the same year (1665), Pierre Claude Allouez was sent out by way of the Ottawa river to the far west, via the Sault St. Marie and the south shore of Lake Superior, where he landed at the bay of Chegoimegon. Here he found the chief village of the Chippewas, and established a missioh. He also made an alliance with them and the Sacs, Foxes, and Illinois, against the formidable Iroquois. Allouez, the next year (1666), visited the western end of the great lake, where he met the Sioux, and from them first learned of the Mississippi River, which they called "Messipi." From thence he returned to Quebec. In 1668, Claude Dablon and Jacques Marquette established the Mission at the Sault called St. Marie, and during the next five years Allouez, Dablon, and Marquette explored the region of Lake Superior on the south shore, and extending to Lake Michigan. They also established the missions of Chegoimegon, St. Marie, Mackinaw, and Green Bay. The plan of exploring the Mississippi probably originated with Marquette. It was at once sanctioned by the Intendent, Talon, who was ambitious to extend the dominion of France over the whole West. In 1670, Nicholas Perot was sent to the West to propose a congress of all the nations and tribes living in the vicinity of the lakes; and, in 1671, a great council was held at Sault St. Marie, at which .the Cross was set up, and the nations of the great Northwest were taken into an alliance with much pomp and ceremony. Various opinions were used regarding the course of the Mississippi. One was that it ran to the southeast in the Atlantic below Virginia, another that it flowed into the Gulf of Mexico, and the third that it discharged its mighty waters into the Gulf of California. On the 13th of May, 1673, Marquette, Joliet, and five voyagers embarked in two birch 'canoes at Mackinaw and entered Lake Michigan. The first nation they visited was the " Avoines," or nation of Wild Oats, since known as the Menomonies, living around the "Baie des Puans," or Green Bay. These people, with whom Marquette was somewhat acquainted, endeavored to persuade the adventurers, from visiting the Mississippi. They represented the Indians on the great river as being bloodthirsty and savage in the extreme, and the river itself as being inhabited by monsters which would devour them and their canoes together. † Marquette thanked them for their advice but declined to be guided by it. Passing through Green Bay, they ascended Fox river, dragging their canoes over the strong rapids, and visited the village, where they found living in harmony together tribes of the Miamis, Mascoutens, ‡ and Kikabeux, or Kickapoos. Leaving this point on the 10th of June, they made the portage to the " Ouisconsin," and descended that stream to the Mississippi, which they entered on the 17th with a joy, as Marquette says, "which he could not express." § Sailing down the Mississippi, the party reached the Des Moines river, and, according to some, visited, an Indian village some two leagues up the stream. Here the people again tried to persuade them from prosecuting their voyage down the river. After a great feast and a dance, and a night passed with this hospitable people, they proceeded on their way, escorted by six hundred persons to their canoes. These people called themselves Illinois, or Illini. The name of their tribe was Peruaca, and their language a dialect of the Algonquin. Leaving these savages, they proceeded down the river. Passing the wonderful rocks, which still excite the admiration of the traveler, they arrived at the mouth of another great river,' the Pekitanoni, or Missouri of the present day. They noted the condition of its waters, which they described as "muddy, rushing and noisy." Passing a great rock, ¶ they came to the Ouabouskigon, or Ohio. Marquet shows this river to be very small as compared with the Illinois. From the Ohio, they passed as far down as the *The duties of Intendent included a supervision of the policy, justice, and finance of the province. † See legend of the great bird, the terrible " Piasa," that devoured men, and was only overcome by the sacrifice of a brave young chief. The rocks above Alton, Illinois, have some rude representations of this monster. ‡ Prairie Indians.   § Marquette's journal,  ¶ The grand tower. Akamsca, or Arkansas, where they came very near being destroyed by the natives; but they finally pacified them, and, on the 17th of July, they commenced their return voyage. The party reached Green Bay in September without loss or injury, and reported their discoveries, which were among the most important of that age. Marquette afterwards returned to Illinois and preached to the natives until 1675. On the 18th of May of that year, while cruising up the eastern coast of Lake Michigan with a party of boatmen, he landed at the mouth of a stream putting into the lake from the east, since known as the river Marquette. He performed mass, and went .a little apart to pray, and being gone longer than his companions deemed necessary, they went in search of him, and found him dead where he had knelt. They buried him in the sand. While this distinguished adventurer was pursuing his labors, two other men, of a different stamp, were preparing to follow in his footsteps and make still further explorations, and, if possible, more important discoveries. These were the Chevalier Robert de la Salle and Louis Hennepin. La Salle was a native of Rouen, in Normandy, where he was born about the year 1635. He renounced his inheritance by entering a seminary of the Jesuits, and was educated for the ministry. Obtaining his discharge, he embarked for Canada in 1667, to seek wealth by commerce, or fame by new discoveries in America. Like many intelligent men of his day, he became intensely interested in further discoveries in the new world, cherished a project of seeking by way of Canada a passage to China, and conceived the idea of exploring the passage to the great South Sea, which by many was then believed to exist. He communicated his ideas to the Governor-General, Count Frontenac, and desired his co-operation. The Governor at once fell in with his views, which were immensely strengthened by the reports brought .back by Marquette and Joliet, and advised La Salle to apply to the king of France in person; and gave him letters of introduction to the great Colbert, then Minister of Finance and Marine. Accordingly, in 1675, he returned to France, where he was warmly received by the king and nobility, and his ideas were at once listened to and every possible favor shown him. He was made a Chevalier, and invested with the seigniory of Fort Catarocouy, or Frontenac (now known as Kingston), upon condition that he would rebuild it, as he proposed, of stone. Returning to Canada, he wrought diligently upon the fort until 1677, when he again visited France to report progress. He was received, as before, with favor, and at the instance of Colbert and his son, the king granted him new letters patent and new privileges. On the 14th of July, 1678, he sailed from Rochelle, accompanied by thirty men, and with Tonti, an Italian, for his lieutenant. They arrived at Quebec on the 13th of September, and after a few days delay, proceeded to Fort Frontenac. Father Louis Hennepin, a Franciscan friar, of the Recollect variety, was quietly working in Canada on La Salle's arrival. This remakable man was born at Ath, Belgium, about the year 1640. After his entrance into the Franciscan order, his roving disposition was gratified by several tours through Europe, and in 1675 was sent to Canada. He preached for a while at Quebec, but his love of adventure seems to have greatly exceeded his taste for the ministry. In 1676 he went to the Indian mission at Fort Frontenac, when he started on a tour among the Five Nations. During this visit among the Iroquois he traveled extensively among the different tribes, both to obtain their favor and gain information of the unknown country. He traveled over portions of the headwaters of the "la Belle Riviere," as the French called the Allegheny and Ohio, and stopped at several Indian villages. His solitary presence in this valley was about the year 1677, a little over two hundred years ago. He returned to Quebec early in 1678, and being a man of great ambition, much interested in the discoveries of the day, he was appointed by his religious superiors to accompany the expedition fitting out for La Salle. Sending agents forward to prepare the Indians for his coming, and to open trade with them, La Salle himself embarked on the 18th of November, in a little brigatine of ten tons, to cross Lake Ontario. This was the first ship of European build that ever sailed upon this fresh-water sea. Contrary winds made the voyage long and troublesome, and a month was consumed in beating up the lake to the Niagara river. Near the mouth of the river the Iroquois had a village, and here La Salle constructed the first fortification, which afterwards grew into the famous Fort Niagara. On the 26th of January, 1679, the keel of the first vessel built on Lake Erie was laid at the 32 - HISTORY OF BELMONT AND JEFFERSON COUNTIES, OHIO. mouth of Cayuga creek, on the American side, about six miles above the falls: In the mean time La Salle had returned to Fort Frontenac, to forward supplies for his forthcoming vessel. The little barque on Lake Ontario was wrecked by carelessness, and a, large amount of the supplies she carried was lost. On the 7th of August the new vessel was launched amid great rejoicings, and made ready to sail. She was of about seventy tons burden. La Salle christened his vessel the "Griffin," in honor of the arms of Count Frontenac. Passing across Lake Erie, and into the small lake, which they named St. Clair, they entered the broad waters of Lake Huron. Here they encountered 'heavy storms, as dreadful as those upon the ocean, and after a most tempestuous passage they took refuge in the roadstead of Michilimackinac (Mackinaw), on the 27th of August. La Salle remained at this point until the middle of September, busy in founding a fort and constructing a trading-house, when he went forward upon the deep waters of Lake Michigan, and soon after cast anchor in Green Bay. Finding here a large quantity of furs and peltries, he determined to load his vessel and send her back to Niagara. On the 18th of September she was sent under charge of a pilot, while La Salle himself with fourteen men, proceeded up Lake Michigan, leisurely examining its shores, and noting everything of interest. Tonti, who had been sent to look after stragglers, was to join him at the head of the lake. From the 19th of September, to the 1st of November, the time was occupied in the voyage up this inland sea. On the last named day, La Salle arrived at the mouth of the river Miamis, now St. Joseph. Here he constructed a fort, and remained nearly a month waiting for tidings of his vessel; but, hearing nothing, he determined to push on before the winter should prevent him. On the 3d of December, leaving ten men to garrison the fort, he started overland towards the headwaters of the Illinois, accompanied by three monks and twenty men. Ascending the St. Joseph river, he crossed a short portage and reached the The-a-ki-ki, since corrupted into Kankakee. Embarking on this sluggish stream, they came shortly to the Illinois, and soon after found a village of the Illinois Indians, probably in the vicinity of the rocky bluffs, a few miles above the present city of La Salle, Illinois. They found it deserted, but the Indians had quite a quantity of maize stored here, and La Salle, being short of provisions, helped himself to what he required. Passing down the stream, the party on the 4th of January came to a lake, probably the Lake Peoria, as there is no other upon this stream. Here they found a great number of natives, who were gentle and kind, and La Salle determined to construct a fort. It stood on a rise of ground near the river, and was named Creve-Coeur* (broken heart), most probably on account of the low spirits of the commander, from anxiety for his vessel and the uncertainty of the future. Possibly he had heard of the loss of the "Griffin," which had occurred on her downward trip from Green Bay ; most probably on Lake Huron. He remained at the Lake Peoria through the winter, but no good tidings came, and no supplies. His men were discontented, but the brave adventurer never gave up hope. He resolved to send a party on a voyage of exploration up the Mississippi, under the lead of Father Hennepin, and he himself would proceed on foot to Niagara and Frontenac to raise more means and enlist new men ; while Tonti, his lieutenant, should stay at the fort, which they were to strengthen in the mean time, and extend their intercourse with the Indians. Hennepin started on his voyage on the last day of February, 1680, and La Salle soon after, with a few attendants, started on his perilous journey of twelve hundred miles by the way of the Illinois River, the Miami, and Lakes Erie and Ontario, to Frontenac, which he finally reached in safety. He found his worst fears realized. The "Griffin " was lost, his agents had taken advantage of his absence, and his creditors had seized his goods. But he knew no such word as fail, and by the middle of summer he was again on his way with men and supplies for his band in Illinois. A sad disappointment awaited him. He found his fort deserted, and no tidings of Tonti and his men. During La Salle's absence the Indians had become jealous of the French, and they had been attacked and harassed even by the Iroquois, who came the long distance between the shores of Lake Ontario and the Illinois River to make war upon the more peaceable tribes dwelling on the prairies. Uncertain of any assistance from La Salle, and apprehensive of a general war with the savages, Tonti, in September, 1680, abandoned his position, and returned to the shores of the lakes. La. Salle * The site of the work is at present unknown. reached the post on the Illinois in December, 1680, or January, 1681. Again and bitterly disappointed, La Salle did not succumb, but resolved to return to Canada and start anew. This he did, and in June met his lieutenant, Tonti, at Mackinaw. Hennepin, in the meanwhile, had met with strange adventures. After leaving Creve-Coeur, he reached the Mississippi in seven days but his way was so obstructed by ice that he was until the 11th of April reaching the Wisconsin line. Here he was taken prisoner by some northern Indians, who, however, treated him kindly and took him and his companions to the falls of St. Anthony, which they reached on the first of May. These falls Hennepin named in honor of his patron saint. Taking to the land, they traveled to the northwest, an estimated distance of two hundred miles, to the villages of the Sioux. Hennepin and his companions remained here for three months, treated very kindly by their captors. At the end of this time they met with a band of French, led by one Sieur de Luth,* who, in pursuit of game and trade, had. penetrated to this country by way of Lake Superior. With his band Hennepin and his companions returned to the borders of civilized life in November, 1680, just after La Salle had gone back to the wilderness. Hennepin returned to France, where, in 1684, he published a narrative of his wonderful adventures. In August, 1681, La Salle was again on his way up the lakes, and on the 3d of November we find him at the mouth of the St. Joseph, as confident as ever. Here he remained until the middle of December, getting ready for the trip down the Illinois. Instead of following his former route by way of the Kankakee, he took a new route by way of the Chicago river. The party consisted of twenty-three Frenchmen, eighteen eastern Indians, ten Indian women, and three children, and traveled on foot, conveying their baggage on sledges. They left the present site of the great city of Chicago about the 5th of January, 1682, and on the 6th of February reached the Mississippi. On the 13th they proceeded on their voyage, and, after various adventures, reached' the mouth of the. Mississippi upon the 6th of April, 1682. They examined the three great channels by which the river reaches the sea, and on the 9th of April erected a column, surmounted by a cross, and affixed the arms of France, with this inscription : " LOUIS THE GREAT, KING OF FRANCE AND NAVARRE, REIGNING APRIL 9, 1682. At this ceremony formal possession was taken of the great river and all the countries bordering upon it or its trbutaries in the name of the King ; the whole concluded with salutes and cries of Vive le Roy. La Salle and his party now retraced their steps towards the north. They met with no serious trouble until they reached the Chickasaw Bluffs, where they had erected a fort on their downward voyage, and named it Prudhomme. Here La Salle was taken violently sick. Unable to proceed, he sent forward Tonti to communicate with Count Frontenac. La Salle himself reached the mouth of the St. Joseph the latter part of September. From that point he sent Father Zenobe with his dispatches to represent him at court, while he turned his attention to the fur trade and to the project of completing a fort, which he named St. Louis, upon the Illinois river. The precise location of this work is not known. It was said to be upon a rocky bluff, two hundred and fifty feet high, and only accessible upon one side. There are no bluffs of such a height on the Illinois river answering the description. It may have been on the rocky bluff above La Salle, where the rocks are perhaps one hundred feet in height. Upon the completion of this work La Salle again sailed for France, which he reached on the 13th of December, 1683. A new man, LaBarre, had now succeeded Frontenac as Governor of Canada. This man was unfriendly toward La Salle, and this, with other untoward circumstances, no doubt led him to attempt the colonization of the Mississippi country by way of the mouth of the river. Notwithstanding many obstacles were in his path, he succeeded in obtaining the grant of a fleet from the King, and on the 24th of July, 1684, a fleet of twenty-four vessels sailed from Rochelle to America, four of which were destined for Louisiana, and carried a body of two hundred and eighty people, including the crews. Discord soon broke out between M. de Beaujeu and La Salle, and grew from bad to worse. On the 20th of September they reached the island of St. Domingo. During their. stay here the fearful Southern * From this man undoubtedly comes the name of Duluth. HISTORY OF BELMONT AND JEFFERSON COUNTIES, OHIO - 33 fever broke out, and La Salle himself was at the brink of death. When he recovered he learned that the ship containing his supplies had been taken by the Spaniards. But the Chevalier bestirred himself and procured new supplies, and on the 20th of November the first of the fleet set sail for Louisiana, bearing La Salle and Joutel, the historian of the voyage. For a month they were knocking about in the gulf, and when they finally approached the main land they found they had missed the river. altogether. Getting out of patience, La Salle determined to land some of his men and search along the shore for the river. Joutel was sent out with his party, which left on the 4th of February, and traveled eastward three days, when they came to a great stream which they could not cross. Here they made signals by building great fires, and on the 13th two of the vessels came in sight. The stream was sounded and the vessels were anchored under shelter. But again misfortune overtook La Salle, and the vessel which carried his provisions was wrecked by negligence, or purposely, and the bulk of the supplies was lost. At this juncture, M. de Beaujeu, his second in command, set sail and returned to France. La Salle now constructed a rude shelter from the timbers of his wrecked vessel, placed his people inside of it, and set out to explore the surrounding country in hope of finding the Mississippi. He was, of course, disappointed ; but found on a stream, which he named the Vaches, a good site for a fort. He at once removed his camp, and, after incredible exertions, constructed a fortification sufficient to protect them from the Indians. This fort was situated at Matagorda Bay, within the present limits of Texas, and was called by La Salle, Fort St. Louis. Leaving Joutel to complete the work, with one hundred men, La Salle took the remainder of the company and embarked on the river, with the intention of proceeding as far up as he could. The savages soon became troublesome, and on the 14th of July, La Salle ordered Joutel tojoin him with his whole force. They had already lost several of their best men, and dangers threatened them on every side. It would seem. from the historian's account of the expedition that La Salle began to erect another fort, and also that he became morose and severe in his dicipline, so much so as to get the ill will of many of his people. He 'finally resolved to advance into the country, but whether with a view of .returning to Canada by way of Illinois, or only for the purpose of making further discoveries, Joutel leaves in doubt. Giving his last instructions, he left the fort on the 12th day of January, 1687, with a company of about a dozen men, including his brother, two nephews, Father Anastasius, a Franciscan friar, Joutel, and others, and moved northeastward, as is supposed, until the 17th of March, when some of his men, who had been cherishing revengeful feelings for some time, waylaid the Chevalier and shot him dead. They also slew one of his nephews and two of his servants. This terrible deed occurred on the 20th of March, 1687, on a stream called the Cenis. The murderers quarreled among themselves and several of them were killed, and the whole expedition was eventually cut to pieces and dispersed by the savages; a few being taken prisoners and returned to their friends through the Spaniards, and by other means, in the course of several years afterwards. In 1687, France was involved in a long and bloody war. The league of Augsburg was formed by the princes of the Empire against Louis XIV., and England, Spain, Holland, Denmark, Sweden, and Savoy took up arms, and Louis found himself battling with nearly the whole of Europe, and only Turkey for an ally. This war ended with .the peace of Ryswick in 1697. No material change took place in America, but the colonists were harassed and many of their people killed or carried captives to the Canadas. In 1688, the French possessions in North America included nearly the whole of the continent north of the St. Lawrence, and the entire valley of the Mississippi ; and they had begun to establish a line of fortifications extending from Quebec to the mouth of the Mississippi, between which points they had three great lines of communication, to wit : by way of Mackinaw, Green Bay, and the Wisconsin river; by way of Lake Michigan, the Kankakee and Illinois rivers ; and by way of Lake Erie, the Maumee and Wabash rivers, and were preparing to explore the Ohio as a fourth route. At this time a census of New France showed a total population of eleven thousand two hundred and forty-nine Europeans. War again broke out in 1701, and extended over a period of twelve years, ending with the treaty of Utrecht in 1713. This also extended to the American Colonies, and its 5—B. & J. COS. close left everything as before, with the exception that Nova Scotia was captured in 1710. The boundaries between the French possessions and the English colonies were left as unsettled as ever, and no definite or settled condition of affairs was arrived at until another generation had passed over the stage. MOVEMENTS OF THE FRENCH ON THE LAKES AND THE OHIO. The French began to visit the headwaters of the Ohio probably as early as 1739. Detroit was founded by them in 1700-1, and a great military road was constructed from that point to the Ohio in 1739. They called the river "La Belle Riviere," and it was known among some of the Indian tribes as Ouabous-ki-gou. French voyageurs and explorers had undoubtedly been familiar with Lake Erie since the early discoveries of La Salle, and probably had established trading-houses and erected fortificatiohs at various points, from Niagara to their settlements on Lake St. Clair and the Detroit river. As early as 1690 they had a trading-post at the head of Lake Erie, on the Maumee, called by them "River a la Roche." The "Post Vincennes," on the Wabash, about forty miles above its mouth, was founded very early, 1711-12,—and minor stations were located at various points on those streams. Fort Niagara was permanently built in 1726, and it is claimed by some writers that La Salle erected a stockade at the foot of the big island in the Maumee about 1680. As early as 1719, the French began actively to erect a line of forts for the purpose of connecting Canada with the valley of the Mississippi, at both extremities of which they had extensive settlements, and continued their efforts until they succeeded in erecting forts at the most important points. Fully to effect their purposes, and previous to thoroughly exploring the country along the Ohio, they sent out missionaries or agents to conciliate the Shawanese, Delaware, and other Indians. Their design was to secure, as far as possible, an Indian alliance against the English. Most of the tribes were pretty easily won over. The Senecas, and others of the Iroquois which were more friendly to the English, were not so easily secured, but were finally induced to occupy a somewhat neutral position. Some of the Shawanese chiefs had been taken to the French Governor, at Montreal, with whom, at their return, they seemed highly pleased, and various methods were adopted to secure their friendship. According to colonial records, the French had established trading-houses on the Ohio, against the remonstrances of some of the Indians, as early as 1730-32. This statement was also attested by the Six Nations at a conference with the English at Philadelphia, in 1732. In 1743, Pierre Chartierre (generally written Peter Chartier), a half-breed trader, and French spy, who had made Philadel- phia his chief residence, endeavored to engage the Shawanese in a war with the Six Nations. Being suspected, he fled to the Shawanese, persuaded them to declare for the French, was recompensed with a French commission, and committed numerous depredations. At the head of four hundred warriors, he waylaid and seized two provincial traders on the Allegheny river, with goods valued at sixteen hundred pounds. The war which began in 1744 between France and England was felt throughout the colonies. VIRGINIA JEALOUS OF FRENCH DESIGNS-ENGLISH EFFORTS TO EXPLORE AND SETTLE THE OHIO VALLEY. Considerable difficulty was experienced in maintaining amicable relations with the Indians, owing to French influences. Minor skirmishes and petty collisions frequently occurred on the border. The French were extremely busy in their designs, actively working for their own interests, and a war with the savages was imminent. By careful handling, however, and friendly assistance from the Six Nations, they were persuaded to attend a general council at Lancaster, Pa., held in 1744. This conference with the Indians was attended by agents of the colonies of Pennsylvania, Virginia, and Maryland, and all matters of dispute were, for a time, settled. A sum amounting to six hundred pounds was raised and presented to them by these colonies. But the same year, the Shawanese, on the Ohio, began to show symptoms of disaffection to the English, subserviency to the French, and soon after openly assumed a hostile character. Great Britain rested her claim to the valley of the Ohio upon the treaties with the Six Nations, who claimed to have conquered the whole country from the Atlantic to the Mississippi, and 34 - HISTORY OF BELMONT AND JEFFERSON COUNTIES, OHIO. from the lakes to Carolina. Prominent among these treaties was this one made at Lancaster, in June, 1744, by which a territory of undefined extent was ceded. It seems to be very certain, from the declarations of the Indians at subsequent treaties, that they had been deceived in some way at Lancaster, and that they did not intend to cede any lands west of the mountains. But farseeing men among the colonists, at this early period realized the importance of this vast region, and Virginia, basing her claim to the Great Northwest Territory by right of her charter, soon became jealous of the designs of France. Governor Spottswood, of Virgihia, is said to have become alarmed by the extent of French claims as early as 1716, and aimed to interrupt the chain of communication between the French possessions in Canada and Louisiana, by extending the line of Virginia settlements westward. He caused the passes in the mountains to be examined; desired to promote settlements west of them, and sought to collect friendly Indians within the province. He also planned the incorporation of a Virginia Indian Company, which, from the profits of the monopoly of the traffic, might support forts at eligible points. He was, however, opposed by the people, and accomplished nothing. Subsequently other efforts were made to arouse the British cabinet against the ambitious designs of France, but nothing was done, and in this way the French were permitted, for a time, to extend their efforts to establish themselves from the lakes to the head of the Ohio. But as the subjects of the governments approached more closely to each other, jealousies would grow stronger and collisions become more probable. In 1747, the Indians on the borders of the Ohio, connected with the Iroquois, visited Philadelphia, to tender their homage and to invite the province to send commissioners to a council fire, at which the neighboring nations were present. The council invited the governments of Maryland and Virginia to send their agents, and to unite in preparing a suitable present. Goods were provided and Conrad Weiser was selected as envoy on the part of Pennsylvania. Strong efforts were made by both contending parties to enlist the services of the Six Nations, but, while they listened respectfully and accepted presents, they politely declined all overtures. On the 7th of October, 1748, a definite treaty of peace was concluded between England and France at Aix La Chappelle. This terminated the war, which had given no substantial advantage to either power, but did not arrest the movements of either nation to strengthen themselves on the Ohio. Peace was of short duration—both parties became active in their efforts to possess the coveted region, and soon the two nations were plunged in another costly and bloody war. The movements of both nations at this period are important points in the history of the Ohio valley and the great Northwest Territory. In the sixth note to the second volume of Sparks' writings of Washington, we have the following account of the first movement toward making a settlement on the Ohio. THE OHIO COMPANY. In the year 1748, Thomas Lee, one of His Majesty's council in Virginia, formed the design of effecting settlements on the wild lands west of the Allegheny mountains, through the agency of an association of gentlemen. Before this date there were no English residents in those regions. A few traders wandered from tribe to tribe, and dwelt among the Indians, but they neither cultivated nor occupied the lands. With the view of carrying his plan into operation, Mr. Lee associated himself with twelve other persons in Virginia and Maryland, and with Mr. Hanbury, a merchant in London, who formed what they called "The Ohio Company." Lawrence Washington and his brother Augustine Washington (two brothers of George Washington) were among the first who engaged in this scheme. A petition was presented to the king in behalf of the company, which was approved, and five hundred thousand acres of land were granted almost in the terms requested by the company. The object of the company was to settle the lands and to carry on the Indian trade upon a large scale. Hitherto the trade with the western Indians had been mostly in the hands of the Pennsylvanians. The company conceived that they might derive an important advantage over their competitors in this trade from the water communication of the Potomac and the eastern branches of the Ohio, whose headwaters approximated each other. The lands were to be chiefly taken on the south side of the Ohio, between the Monongahela and Kanawha rivers, and west of the Alleghenies. The privilege was reserved, however, by the company of embracing a portion of the lands on the north side of the river, if it should be deemed expedient. Two hundred thousand acres were to be selected immediately, and to be held for ten years free from quit-rent or any tax to the king, on condition that the company should at their own expense seat one hundred families on the lands within seven years, and build a fort and maintain a garrison sufficient to protect the settlement. The first steps taken by the company were to order Mr. Hanbury, their agent in London to send over for their use two cargoes of goods suited to the Indian trade, amounting in the whole to four thousand pounds sterling : one cargo to arrive in November, 1749 ; the other in March following. They resolved, also, that such roads should be made and houses built, as would facilitate the communication from the head of navigation on the Potomac river across the mountains to some point on the Monongahela. And as no attempt at establishing settlements could safely be made without some previous arrangements with the Indians, the company petitioned the government of Virginia to invite them to a treaty. As a preliminary to other proceedings, the company also sent out Mr. Christopher Gist with instructions to explore the country, examine the quality of the lands, keep a journal of his adventures, draw as accurate a plan of the country as his observations would permit, and report the same to the board. On his first tour he was absent nearly seven months, penetrated the country for several hundred miles north of the Ohio, visited the Twightwee* Indians, and proceeded as far south as the falls of that river. In November following, (1751,) he passed down the south side of the river, as far as the Great Kanawha, and spent the winter in exploring the lands on that route. Meantime the Indians had failed to assemble at Logstown, where they had been invited by the governor of Virginia to hold a treaty. It was natural that the traders, who had already got possession of the ground, should endeavor to bias the Indians, and throw obstacles in the way of any interference from another quarter. The French were likewise tampering with them, and from political motives were using means to withdraw them from every kind of alliance or intimacy with the English. The company found that it would be in vain to expect much progress in their designs, till measures had been adopted for winning over the Indians ; and accordingly the proposed treaty of Logstown took place the next year, when Mr. Gist attended as their agent, to look to the interests of any settlement that might be made on the southeast side of the Ohio. This treaty was concluded June 13th, 1752. Colonel Fry, and two other commissioners, were present on the part of Virginia. It is remarkable, that, in the debates attending the negotiation of this treaty, the Indians took care to disclaim a recognition of the English title to any of these lands. In a speech to the commissioners, one of the old chiefs said : " You acquainted us yesterday with the king's right to all the lands in Virginia, as far as it is settled, and back from thence to the sun setting, whenever he shall think fit to extend his settlements. You produced also a copy of his deed from the Onondago Council at the treaty of Lancaster, (1744,) and desired that your brethren of the Ohio might likewise confirm the deed. We are well acquainted that our Chief Council at the treaty of Lancaster confirmed a deed to you for a quantity of land in Virginia which you have a right to; but we never understood before you told us yesterday, that the lands then sold were to extend farther to the sun-setting, than the hill on the other side of the Allegheny hill, so that we can give you no farther answer." † Hence it appears that the Indians west of the Ohio, who inhabited the lands, had never consented to any treaty ceding them to the English, nor understood that this cession extended beyond the Allegheny mountains. When the company was first instituted, Mr. Lee, its pro- jector, was its principal organ and most efficient member. He died soon afterwards, and then the chief management fell on Lawrence Washington, who had engaged in the enterprise with an enthusiasm and energy peculiar to his character. His agency was short, however, as his rapidly declining health soon terminated in his death. Several of the company's shares changed hands. Governor Dinwiddie and George Mason became proprietors. There were originally but' twenty shares, and the company never consisted of more than that number of members. Mr. Lawrence Washington had a project for inducing Ger- * Miamis.  † MSS. Journal of the Commissioners. HISTORY OF BELMONT AND JEFFERSON COUNTIES, OHIO - 35 man settlers to take up the lands. He wrote to Mr. Hanbury as follows : " Whilst the unhappy state of my health called me back to our springs (at Bath, in Virginia,) I conversed with all the Pennsylvania Dutch (Germans) whom I met, either there or elsewhere, and much recommended their settling in Ohio. The chief reason against it was the paying of an English clergyman, whom few understood, and none made use of him. It has been my opinion, and I hope ever will be, that restraints on conscience are cruel, in regard to those on whom they are imposed, and injurious to the country imposing them. England, Holland, and Prussia, I may quote as examples, and much more Pennsylvania, which has flourished under that delightful liberty, so as to become the admiration of every man, who considers the short time it has been settled. As the ministry have thus far shown the true spirit of patriotism, by encouraging the extending of our dominions in America, I doubt not by an application they would still go farther and complete what they have began, by procuring some kind of charter to prevent the residents on the Ohio and its branches, from being subject to parish taxes. They all assured me, that they might have from Germany any number of settlers, could they but obtain their favorite exemption. I have promised to endeavor for it, and now do my utmost by this letter. I am well assured we shall never obtain it by a 4w here. This colony was greatly settled in the latter part of Charles the First's time, and during the usurpation, by the zealous churchmen ; and that spirit, which was then brought in has ever since continued, so that, except a few Quakers, we hare no dissenters. But what has been the consequence ? We have increased by slow degrees, except negroes and convicts, whilst our neighboring colonies, whose natural advantages are greatly inferior to ours, have become populous." A proposition was made by several Germans in Pennsylvania, that, if they could have the above exemption, they would take fifty thousand acres of the company's land, and settle it with two hundred families. Mr. Washington wrote likewise on the subject, to Governor Dinwiddie, then in England, who replied : It gave me pleasure, that the Dutch (Germans,) wanted fifty thousand acres of land granted to the Ohio company, and I observe what you write about their own clergymen, and your endeavor to have them freed from paying the church of England. I fear this will be a difficult task to get Over; and at present, the Parliament is so busy with public affairs, and the ministry of course engaged, that we must wait some time before we can reply ; but be assured of my utmost endeavors therein." No proof exists that any other steps were taken in the affair. Soon after the treaty at Logstown, Mr. Gist was appointed the company's surveyor, and instructed to lay off a town and fort at Chartiers creek a little below the present site of Pittsburgh, and on the east side of the Ohio. The company assessed on themselves four hundred pounds towards constructing the the meantime. Mr. Gist, had fixed his residence on the other side of the Alleghenies, in the valley of the Monongahela, and induced eleven families to settle around him on lands, which it was presumed would be within the company's grant. The goods had come over from England, but had never been taken farther into the interior than Will's creek, where they were sold to traders and Indians, who received them at that post. Some progress had been made in constucting a road to the Monongahela, but the temper of the Indians was such as to discourage an attempt to send the goods at the company's risk to a more remote point. Things were in this state when the troubles on the frontiers broke out between the French and English, involving on one side or the other the various Indian tribes. All further operations were suspended till towards the close of the war, when hostilities had nearly ceased on the Virginia frontier from the capture. of Fort Duquesne, and weakened the efforts of the French. In 1760 a statement of the company's case was drawn up by Mr. John Mercer, Secretary to the Board, and forwarded to Mr. Charlton Palmer, a solicitor in London, who was em- ployed by the company to apply to the king for such further orders and instructions to the government in Virginia as might enable the company to carry their grant into execution. The business was kept in a state of suspense for three years, when the company resolved to send out an agent, with full powers to bring it as speedily as possible to a close. Col. George Mercer was selected for this commission, and instructed to procure leave for the company to take up their lands according to the conditions of the original grant, or to obtain a reimbursement of the money which had been paid on the faith of that grant. He repaired to London accordingly, and entered upon his charge. But at this time the counteracting interest of private individuals in Virginia, the claims of the officers and soldiers under Dinwiddie's proclamation, which extended to lands within the Ohio company's grant ; and moreover, the schemes and application of the proprietors of Walpole's Grant were obstacles not to be overcome. Col. Mercer remained six years in London, without making any apparent progress in the object of his mission, and at last he agreed to merge the interests of the Ohio company into those of Walpole's, or the Grand company, as it was called, on condition of securing to the former two shares in the latter, amounting to one thirty-sixth part of the whole. These terms were not approved by the members of the Ohio company in Virginia, nor was it dear that Col. Mercer's instructions authorized him to conclude such an arrangement. While the subject was still in agitation the Revolutionary War came on and put an end, not only to the controversy, but to the existence of the two companies. Thus the Ohio company was in action only about four years, having never in reality revived after its first check, at the commencement of hostilities with the French and Indians on the frontiers. All persons concerned were losers to a considerable amount, though at its outset the scheme promised important advantages both to individuals and the country at large. In 1748 the company sent out as an agent Conrad Weiser, of Pennsylvania, who had been the envoy the year previous, to visit.the Indians and obtain their consent to the occupation of the lands, in order to prevent the French from occupying the Ohio. Preparations were made the same year to survey and colonize the lands, and a cargo of goods for the use of the settlers and for traffic with the Indians was purchased in London, to arrive the following spring (1749). Other companies were also formed for similar purposes. In June, 1749, a grant of eight hundred thousand acres, from the Canada line on the northwest, was made to the Loyal Company, and upon the 29th of October, 1751, another grant of one hundred thousand acres was made to the Greenbriar Company. CONTINUATION OF THE FRENCH DESIGNS. In the meantime the French were neither idle nor blind. Foreseeing at once The result of the occupation of this region by Great Britain, they prepared for prompt and vigorous action, and entered upon actual explorations of the regions about the Allegheny and Ohio. They ascertained the geography of the country, and the proximity of English settlements on the south side of the Allegheny mountains. They took active measures to extend their trade among the Indians, well aware that in case of a rupture, the savages would prove useful auxiliaries, or dangerous enemies.* They did all they could to counteract the influence of the Ohio company among the Indians, by trading with them. The Marquis de la Gallissoniere was now Governor-General. of New France, (as they called all the country on the western continent claimed by them,) having succeeded Admiral de la Jonquiere early in the year 1749. He was an able man, possessing great sagacity, and well calculated to advance the designs of France in laying claim to this new territory. During the summer of that year he organized and fitted out an extensive expedition under the command of Captain Louis Celoron de Bienville, and numbering about three hundred men, French soldiers, Canadians and friendly Indians. The expedition started from Canada in July, 1749, and proceeded from the south shore of Lake Erie to the headwaters of the Allegheny. They were provided with a number of leaden plates, which they buried at different points along the Allegheny and Ohio, and which was a part of the method or ceremony, in claiming the territory in the name of the King of France. These leaden plates contained inscriptions, and are fully described in the "One of the first symptoms of an approaching war between France and England was a dispute about boundaries, as early as 1747. The English extended their claims to the river St. Lawrence, while the French on their part contended for all the country to the westward of the Apalachian mountains. It was not believed at that time that. either intended to insist on the extent of its claims ; but it will appear in the sequel that France was extravagant in her pretensions. Perhaps the proximity of settlement, and the reciprocal attempts to corrupt the Indians, and to precipitate them into hostilities with the times, served to inflame the gathering storm, and to hasten its approach. After the peace of Aix-la-Chapelle, in 1748, the French ministry more attentively examined the strength and resources of Canada and Louisiana. The position of these colonies, stretching from the mouth of the St. Lawrence to that of the Mississippi, with an almost uninterrupted inland water communication between the extremities of both seemed to unfold the means of subduing the English power in America. 36 - HISTORY OF BELMONT AND JEFFERSON COUNTIES, OHIO. succeeding chapter, giving a full account of Cenolor's expedition, to which we devote considerable space in this work for the reason that one of the plates was buried at the mouth of Wheeling creek. CHAPTER VIII. DE CELORON'S EXPEDITION TO THE OHIO IN 1749—BURIAL OF THE LEADEN PLATES-THE INSCRIPTION-ONE OF THE PLATES DEPOSITED WITH CEREMONIES AT THE MOUTH OF WHEELING CREEK-THE ANCIENT NAME OF THIS STREAM. THE extensive territory lying between the Ohio river and Lake Erie has been the theatre of many remarkable historical changes. Its earliest inhabitants left no record of their origin or history, save in the numerious tumuli which are scattered over its surface, bearing trees of the largest growth, not distinguishable from the adjacent forest. Measured by the extent and character of those vast structures, the race that built them must have been intelligent and populous. When and how they disappeared, we know not. Whether they were directly succeeded by the present race of Indians, or by an intermediate people, are questions to which history gives no answer. When La Salle discovered the Ohio he found it in the occupation of the red man, who claimed possession and ownership over the territory comprised within the limits of Western Pennsylvania, Ohio and Indiana, until the close of the last century. His villages were on every stream, and his hunting grounds embraced every hill and valley. The attractions of the fur trade stimulated Eastern adventurers to penetrate, from time to time, the forest recesses of the West, and glowing descriptions were reported of the fertile soil, mineral wealth, and the abundance of the fur-bearing animals. It was not until England and France, the two great rival Pow- ers of Europe, became impressed with the prospective growth and value of the territory, and each prepared to grasp the coveted prize, that the native owners of the soil began to take serious alarm. On the one side, England claimed to the northern lakes, while France asserted ownership not only. as far south as the Ohio, but over all the lands drained by its extensive tributaries. The treaty of Aix-la-Chapelle, to which both of those powers were parties, while it terminated a long and sanguinary war in Europe, left many subjects of controversy still unsettled. Among them were the boundaries between the French and English in America. At the conclusion of that treaty England lost no time in initiating measures for the occupation and colonization of the disputed territory, and encouraged the formation of the Ohio Company as one of the efficient means for accomplishing that purpose. Half a million of acres were granted by the Crown to that association, to be selected mainly on the south side of the Ohio, between the Monongahela and the Kanawha rivers. This was coupled with the condition that settlements, protected by suitable forts, should be established on the grant. The French were equally alive on the subject, and the demonstrations of the English aroused the attention of the Marquis de la Galissoniere, a man of eminent ability and forethought, who was then Governor of Canada. In order to counteract the designs of the English, he dispatched Captain Bienville de Celoron,* a chevalier of the order of St. Louis, in command of a detachment, composed of eight subaltern Officers, six cadets, an armorer, twenty soldiers, one hundred and eighty Canadians, thirty Iroquois and twenty-five Abenakis, with orders to descend the Ohio, and take possession of the country in the name of the King. The principal officers under him were de Contrecoeur, who had been in command of Fort Niagara, and Coulon de Villiers, one of seven brothers, six of whom lost their lives in the Canadian wars. Contrecoeur was subsequently in command of Fort du Quesne, at or immediately after the defeat of Braddock. The present chapter is to give an account of that expedition, to trace its route and to identify as far as possible the geographical points which it visited. Only brief notices of the undertaking have heretofore been given to the public. The discovery of some of the leaden plates buried by its officers off the * This name is usually spelled Celeron, but incorrectly. M. Freland, in his Cours d'Histoire du Canada, vol. ii. p. 493, calls him Celoron de Blainville. banks of the Ohio, have from time to time awakened public interest and curiosity, which the meagre accounts already published have failed to satisfy. Craig, Hildreth, De Hass, and other authors and compilers of works pertaining to the history of the Ohio valley, have given descriptions of the plates that were found at the mouths of the Muskingum and Kanawha, but they possessed no knowledge of the other plates deposited by the expedition. As the ceremony of depositing one of these plates was performed by the commander and his officers on the banks of Wheeling creek, at its entrance into the Ohio, and as an ancient name designating the stream, formerly unknown, is herewith presented, an interest will attach to the full details of the expedition in the minds of readers of history in this vicinity that would otherwise not be awakened. While examining the archives of the Department de la Marine, in Paris, in the summer of 1877, the writer met with the original manuscript journal kept by de Celoron during his entire voyage. He also found in the Grandes Archives of the Depot de la Marine, No. 17 rue de l'Universite, a manuscript diary of Father Bonnecamps, who styles himself "Jesuitte Mathematicien," and who seems to have been the chaplain, as well as a kind of sailing master of the expedition, keeping a daily record of the courses and distances they traveled, the latitudes and longitudes of the principal geographical points, with occasional brief notes of the most important occurrences. In another department, called the Bibliotheque du depot de la Marine, there was found a large MS. map, 314 by 344 inches square, representing the country through which the expedition passed, including the St. Lawrence westward of Montreal, Lakes Erie and Ontario, the territory south of those lakes as far as the Ohio, and the whole course of that river from the source of the Allegheny to the mouth of the Great Miami. This map forms an important illustration of the expedition. On it are delineated by appropriate characters, the points where leaden plates were deposited, where the latitudes and longitudes were observed, and the localities of the Indian villages visited on the route. The journals of de Celoron and Father Bonnecamps, and the map of the latter, have furnished the ground-work of the narrative. Explanatory and historical notes, drawn from other sources, have occasionally been added. As the effort of France to establish a great empire in America, after a most determined struggle; resulted in a disastrous failure, and the loss of much of her former prestige throughout the world, these documents, and many others, were never published, but have been securely kept on file, obscured among the musty archives of the Government departments. The first of the leaden plates was brought to the attention of the public in a letter addressed by Governor George Clinton to the Lords of Trade in London, dated New York, December 19th, 1750, in which he states that he "would send to their Lordships in two or three weeks a plate of lead, full of writing, which some of the upper nations of Indians stole from Jean Coeur, † the French interpreter at Niagara, on his way to the river Ohio, which river, and all the lands thereabouts, the French claim, as will appear by said writing." He further states "that the lead plate gave the Indians so much uneasiness that they immediately dispatched some of the Cayuga chiefs to him with it, saying that their only reliance was on him, and earnestly begged he would, communicate the contents thereof to them, which he had done, much to their satisfaction and the interests of the English." The Governor concludes by saying that "the contents may be of great importance in clearing up the encroachments which the French have made on the British Empire in America."* The plate was delivered to Colonel, afterwards Sir William Johnson, on the 4th of December, 1750, at his residence on the Mohawk, by a Cayuga Sachem, who accompanied it by the following speech : "Brother Corlear and War-ragh-i-ya-ghey : ‡ I am sent here by the Five Nations with a piece of writing, which the Senecas, our brethren, got by some artifice from Jean Coeur, earnestly beseeching you will let us know what it means, and as we put all our confidence in you, our brother, we hope you will explain it ingeniously to us." Colonel Johnson replied to the Sachem, and through him to the Five Nations, returning a belt of wampum, and explaining the inscription on the plate. He told them that "it was a matter of the greatest consequence, involving the possession of their lands and hunting grounds, and that Jean Coeur and the French ought immediately to be expelled from the Ohio and Niagara." In reply, the Sachem said that † Joncaire. * N. Y. Colonial Documents, vi., p. 601. ‡ The Indian name of Sir William Johnson. It signifies "Superintendent of Affairs." HISTORY OF BELMONT AND JEFFERSON COUNTIES, OHIO - 37 "he had heard with great attention and surprise the substance of the `Devilish writing' he had brought," and that Colonel Johnson's remarks "were fully approved." He promised that belts from each of the Five Nations should be sent from the Senecas' Castle to the Indians at the Ohio, to warn and strengthen them against the French encroachments in that direction. The following is a literal copy of the inscription in question. It was sent by Governor Clinton to the Lords of Trade on the 17th of January, 1751: "L'AN 1749 DV REGNE DE LOVIS XV ROY DE FRANCE, Novs CELORON, COMMANDANT D'VN DETACTHIMENT ENVOIE PAR MONSIEVR LE MIS. DE LA GALLISSONIERE, COMMANDANT GENERAL DE LA NOUVELLE FRANCE POVR RETABLIR LA TRANQUILLITE DANS QUELQUES VILLAGES SAUVAGES DE CES CANTONS, AVONS ENTERRE CETTE PLAQUE AU CONFLUENT DE L' OHIO ET DE TCHADAKION CE 29 JVILLET, PRES DE LA RIVIERE OYO AUTREMENT BELLE RIVIERE POUR MONUMENT DU RENOUNELLEMENT DE POSSESSION QUE NOUS AVONS PRIS DE LA DITTE RIVIERE OYO, ET DE TOUTES CELLES QUI Y TOMBENT, ET DE TOUTES LES TERRES DES DEUX COTES JVSQVE AVX SOURCES DES DITTES RIVERES AINSI QV'EN ONT JOVI OU DV JOVIR LES PRECEDENTS ROIS DE FRANCE, ET QU'ILS S'Y SONT MAINTENVS PAR LES ARMES ET PAR LES TRAITTES, SPECIALEMENT PAR CEVX DE RISWICK, D'VTRECHT ET D'AIX LA CHAPELLE." The above is certified to be a "true copy" by "Peter De Jon-court, interpreter." TRANSLATION. "In the year 1749, of the reign of Louis the 15th, King of France, we Celoron, commander of a detachment sent by Monsieur the Marquis de la Galissoniere, Governor General of New France, to re-establish tranquility in some Indian villages of these cantons, have buried this plate of lead at the confluence of the Ohio and the Chatauqua, this 29th day of July, near the river Ohio, otherwise Belle Riviere, as a monument of the renewal of the possession we have taken of the said river Ohio, and of all those which empty into it, and of all the lands on both sides as far as the sources of the said rivers, as enjoyed, or ought to have been enjoyed by the kings of France preceding, as they have there maintained themselves by arms and by treaties, especially those of Ryswick, Utrecht, and Aix la Chapelle." On the 29th of January, 1751, Governor Clinton sent a copy of the above inscription to Governor Hamilton, of Pennsylvania, informing him that it was "taken from a plate stolen from Joncaire some months since in the Seneca country as he was going to the river Ohio."* The expedition was provided with a number of leaden plates, about eleven inches long, seven and a half inches. wide, and one-eighth of an inch thick, on each of which an inscription in French, similar to the one above given, was engraved or stamped in capital letters, with blanks left for the insertion of the names of rivers, at the confluence of which with the Ohio they should be deposited, and the dates of their deposit. The name of the artist, Paul de Brosse, was engraved on the reverse of each. Thus provided, the expedition left La Chine on the 15th of June, 1749, and ascended the St. Lawrence to Fort Frontenac. From thence, coasting along the eastern and southern shore of Lake Ontario, they arrived at Fort Niagara on the 6th of July. They reached the portage at Lewiston on the 7th and ascended the Niagara into. Lake Erie. On the 14th, after advancing a few miles up the lake, they were compelled by a strong wind to encamp on the south shore. They embarked early on the morning of the 15th, hoping to reach- the portage of "Chatakouin" the same day, but an adverse wind again forced them to land. The southern shore of the lake at this point is described as "extremely shallow, with no shelter from the force of winds, involving great risk of shipwreck in landing, which is increased by large rocks, extending more than three-fourths of a mile from the shore." Celoron's canoe struck on one. and he would inevitably have been drowned, with all on board, had not prompt assistance been rendered. On the 16th, at noon, they arrived at Chatakouin portage. This was an open roadstead, where the United States government, many years ago, attempted unsuccessfully to construct a safe harbor. It is now known as Barcelona or Portland. As soon as all preparations were made for the overland passage, and the canoes all loaded, Mm. de Villiers and le Borgue were dispatched with fifty men to clear the way, while Celoron examined the situation of the place, in order to ascertain its fitness for the establishment of a post. He *V Penn. Col. Records, p. 508. says: "I found it ill-adapted for such a purpose, as well from its position as from its relation to the navigation of the lake. The water is so shallow that barks standing in cannot approach within a league of the portage. There being no island or harbor to which they could resort for shelter, they would be under the necessity of riding at anchor and discharging their loading by batteaux. The frequency of squalls would render it a place of danger. Besides, there are no Indian villages in the vicinity. In fact, they are quite distant, none being nearer than Canaougon and Paille Coupee. In the evening Mm. de Villiers and le Borgue returned to lodge at the camp, having cleared the way for about three-quarters of a league." Up to this time, the usual route of the French to the Mississippi had been by the way of Detroit, Green bay, the Wisconsin, Lake Michigan, and the Illinois river. They had five villages on the Mississippi, near the mouth of the Illinois, as early as 1749. "On the 17th," continues the Journal, "at break of day, we began the portage, the prosecution of which was vigorously maintained. All the canoes, provisions, munitions of war, and merchandise intended as presents to the Indians bordering on the Ohio, were carried over the three-quarters of a league which had been rendered passable the day previous. The route was exceedingly difficult, owing to the numerous hills and mountains which we encountered. All my men were very much fatigued. We established a strong guard, which was continued during the entire campaign, not only for the purpose of security, but for teaching the Canadians a discipline which they greatly needed. We continued our advance on the 14th, but bad weather prevented our making as much progress as on the preceding day. I consoled myself for the delay, as it was caused by a rain which I greatly desired, as it would raise the water in the river sufficient to float our loaded canoes. On the 19th, the rain having ceased, we accomplished half a league. On the 20th and 21st we continued our route with great diligence, and arrived at the end of our portage on the banks of Lake Chatacoin on the 22d. The whole distance may be estimated at four leagues. Here I repaired my canoes and recruited my men. It is a little over eight mtres, in a direct line, from the mouth of Chautauqua creek, on Lake Erie, to the head of Chautauqua Lake. The route taken by the expedition would of course be more, and probably equal to the four leagues, or ten miles, stated by Celoron. The difficulties they encountered must have been exceedingly formidable. Chautauqua lake is 726 feet above Lake Erie, and in order to reach the water-shed between the two lakes, an ascent of at least one thousand feet had to be overcome. Although at that early day, when the forests were yet undisturbed, the Chautauqua creek flowed with fuller banks than now, yet even then but little use could be made of it by loaded canoes, except near its mouth. The portage could only be accomplished for the greater part of the way by carrying the canoes, baggage, provisions, and supplies, on the shoulders of the men up the steep mountain sides to the summit, from which the waters flowed southward into Chautauqua Lake. Looking back from this elevation, a magnificent panorama must have presented itself to Celoron and his companions. Lake Erie lay at their feet, with the Canada shore, forty miles distant, in plain sight, while the extremities of that great inland sea, extending east and west, were lost below the horizon. The expedition did not loiter long on the banks of Chautauqua Lake. On the 23d they launched their. bark flotilla on its clear, cool waters, and paddling south-eastward through the lake, passed the Narrows at what are now known as Long and Bemus Points. The shape of the lake is quite peculiar. Its northwestern and southeastern extremities, which are nearly equal, and comprise the greater part of the lake, are connected by two short, irregular straits, between which nestles a small, beautiful bay. The singular configuration of the whole gives plausibility to the interpretation of the Indian name, Chautauqua, which is said to signify "a sack tied in the middle." On the evening of the 23d of July the expedition encamped on shore within three miles of the outlet. The lake is stated by Celoron to be "nine leagues," or about twenty-two miles long. The actual length is less than sixteen. Distances are almost always overstated by the early French voyagers in America. In the evening a party of Indians, who had been engaged during the day in fishing in the lake, reported they had seen the enemy watching them from the adjacent forest. They had fled as soon as discovered. Early on the morning of the 24th the expedition entered the outlet, a narrow stream, winding through a deep morass, bordered by a tall forest, which, over-arching the way, almost shut out the light of day. The water being found quite low, in order to lighten the canoes, 38 - HISTORY OF BELMONT AND JEFFERSON COUNTIES, OHIO. they sent the greater part of their loading about three-quarters of a league by land, over a path pointed out by the Sieur de Saussaye, who was acquainted with the country.* The distance they accomplished this day by water did not exceed half a league. It probably carried them through the swamp as far as the highland in the neighborhood of the present village of Jamestown. The next day, before resuming their march, Celoron deemed it expedient to convene a council to consider what should be done in view of the evident signs of an enemy in the vicinity, who, on being discovered, had abandoned their canoes and effects and fled, carrying the alarm to the adjacent village of Paille Coupee. The council decided to dispatch Lieutenant Joncaire, some Abenakis, and three Iroquois, with three belts, to assure the fugitives of the friendly object of the expedition. After the departure of the embassy the march was resumed over the rapids, with which the outlet abounded. " We proceeded," says the Journal, "about a league with great difficulty. In many places I was obliged to assign forty men to each canoe to facilitate their passage. On the 26th and 27th we continued our voyage, not without many obstacles; notwithstanding all our precautions to guard our canoes, they often sustained great injury by reason of the shallow water. On the 29th, at noon, I entered the 'La Belle Riviere.' I buried a plate of lead at the foot of a red oak on the south bank of the river Oyo (Ohio) and of. the Chanougon, not far from the village of Kanaouagon, in latitude 42̊ 5' 23"." † It is unnecessary to give a copy of the inscription on the above plate, as it is similar to the one which was sent to Governor Clinton, as before related, except slight variations in the spelling, accents, and arrangement of lines. The three plates which thus far have been discovered present the same differences. The places and dates of deposit are coarsely engraved, evidently with a knife. In the one just described the blanks were filled with the words: "Au confluent de l'Ohio et Kanaaiagon, le 29. Juillet." " At the confluence of the Ohio and Kanaaiagon, the 29th of July." The river, spelled "Kanaaiagon" on the plate, "Chanougon" by Celoron in his Journal, and "Kananouangon," on Bonne-camps' map, is a considerable stream that rises in western New York, and after receiving the Chautauqua outlet as a tributary, empties into the Allegheny just above the village of Warren. It is now known as the Conewango. On the site of Warren, at the northwesterly angle of the two rivers, there was, at the time of Celoron's visit, an Indian village, composed principally of Senecas, with a few Loups, bearing the name of Kanaouagon. It was opposite the mouth of the Conewango, on the south bank of the Allegheny, that the leaden plate was buried. The following is Father Bonnecamps' entry in his diary: " L'on a enterre une lame de plomp, avec une inscription, sur la rive meridonale de cette riviere, et vis-a-vis le confluent des deux rivieres." "We buried a leaden plate, bearing an inscription, on the south bank of this river, and opposite the confluence of the two rivers." The place of deposit is a little differently described in the Proces Verbal drawn up on the occasion. Au pied d'un chene rouge, sur la rive meridionale de la riviere Ohio, et vis-a-vis la points d'une ilette, ou se joignet lee deux rivieres Ohio et Kanaaugon." " At the foot of a red oak, on the south bank of the Ohio river, and opposite the point of a small island, at the confluence of the two rivers Ohio and Kanaugon." It will be noticed that the inscription on the plate recites that it was buried on the south side of the Ohio, opposite the mouth of the "Chanougon" (Conewango). This presents a discrepancy between the inscriptions as given in the journals of Celoron and Bonnecamps, and the one on the plate forwarded by Colonel Johnson to Governor Clinton in 1751, as above described. The latter states it to have been buried "at the confluence of the Ohio and Tchadakoin.' The solution of the difficulty seems to be that the latter plate was never buried or used, but was abstracted by the Iroquois friendly to the English, and another plate, having a correct inscription, was substituted by the French. The inscription on the one sent to Governor Clinton, was undoubtedly prepared on the supposition that the Chautauqua outlet emptied into the Ohio. But when that outlet was found to be a tributary of the Conewango, and that the latter emptied into the Ohio, a corrected plate, containing the name of the Conewango instead of the Chautau- * N. Y. Col. Doc., ix, p. 1097. † This observation, like most of those taken by Father Bonnecamps, is incorrect. Either his instruments were imperfect or his methods of computation erroneous. The true latitude of the mouth of the Conewango is less than 41̊ 50,", as it is about twelve miles south of the boundary line between New York and Pennsylvania. qua, was substituted and buried, as stated in Celoron'sjournal.* The latter plate has never been found. This solution is strengthened by the fact that none of the accounts of the plate sent to Governor Clinton state that it had been buried, or had been (lug up. The Cayuga Sachem, in his speech quoted in Colonel Johnson's letter of December 4th, 1750, states that "the Senecas got it by some artifice from Jean Coeur." Governor Clinton, in his letter to the Lords of Trade, states that some of the upper nations, -which include the Senecas, " stole it from Jean Coeur, the French interpreter at Niagara, on his way to the river Ohio." The governor states the same in substance in his letter to Governor Hamilton, of Pennsylvania. The theft must therefore have occurred while the expedition was on its way to the Ohio, and before any of the plates were buried. The original plate was probably soon after carried to England by Governor Clinton. The names " Chatacoin " and " Chatakouin," as spelled by Celoron in his journal, and " Tchadakoin," as inscribed on the plate, and " Tjadakoin," as spelled by Bonnecamps on his map, are all variations of the modern name Chautauqua. It will be found differently written by several early authors. Pouchot writes it "Shatacoin ;" Lewis Evans, 1758, "Jadachque ;" Sir William Johnson, "Ja- daghque ;" Mitchell, 1755, "Chadocoin ;" Alden as pronounced by Cornplanter, "Chaud-dauk-wa." It is a Seneca name, and the orthography of that nation, according to the system of the late Reverend Asher Wright, long a missionary among them, and a fluent speaker of their language, it would be written "Jah-dah-gwah," the first two vowels being long and the last short. Different significations have been ascribed to the word. It is said to mean "the place where a child was swept away by the waves." The late Dr. Peter Wilson, an educated Seneca, and a graduate of Geneva Medical College, told the writer that it signified literally, "where the fish were taken out." He related an Indian tradition connected with its origin. A party of Senecas were returning from. the Ohio to Lake Erie. While paddling through Chuatauqua Lake, one of them caught a strange fish and tossed it into his canoe. After passing the portage into Lake Erie, they found the fish still alive, and threw it in the water. From that time the species became abundant in Lake Erie, where one was never known before. Hence, they called the place where it was caught "Jah-dahgwah," the elements of which are Ga-joh, "fish," and Ga-dahgwah, "taken out." By dropping the prefixes, according to Seneca custom, the compound. name "Jah-dah-gwah" was formed. Among other significations which have been assigned to the word, but without any authority, may be mentioned. "the elevated place," and "the foggy place," in allusion, probably, to the situation of the lake, and the mists which prevail on its surface at certain seasons. It will be noticed the Allegheny is called by Celeron the Ohio, or " La Belle Riviere." This is in accordance with the usage of all early French writers since the discovery of the river by La Salle. The same custom prevailed among the Senecas. They have always considered the Allegheny as the Ohio proper. If you ask a Seneca his name for that river, he will answer O-hee-yuh. If you ask him its meaning, he will .give it as "Beautiful river." Mr. Heckwelder, the Moravian missionary, supposing the word. to be of Delaware origin, endeavors to trace its etymology from several words, signifying in that language, the white foaming river." The late Judge Hall, of Cincinnati, adopted the same derivation. Neither of them seem to have been aware that it is a genuine Seneca word, derived from that nation by the French, and by the latter written "Ohio." Its pronunciation by a Frenchman would exactly represent the word as spoken by a Seneca, the letter "i" being sounded like "e". The name "Ohio" was, therefore, correctly inserted on the plates buried on the banks of the Allegheny, above its junction with the Monongahela at Pittsburgh. At the time the plate was interred opposite the mouth of the Conewango, as already narrated, all the officers and men of the expedition being drawn up in battle array, the chief in command proclaimed in a loud voice " Vive le Roi" and that possession was now taken of the country in the name of the king. The royal arms were affixed to a neighboring tree, and a Proces Verbal was drawn up and signed as a memorial of the ceremony. The same formality was adopted at the burial of each succeeding plate. This proces verbal was in the following form, and in each instance was signed and witnessed by the officers present : " L'an, 1749, nous Celeron, Chevalier de 51 ordre * On Crevecoeur's Map of 1758, Depots des Cartes. Ministerie de la Guerre, Paris, the Conewango is called the " Chatacounin" as far down as its junction with the Allegheny. HISTORY OF BELMONT AND JEFFERSON COUNTIES, OHIO - 39 Royal et militaire de St. Louis, Capitaine Commandant un detachement envoye par lee ordres de M. le Marquis de Gallissonniere, Commandant General en Canada, dans la Belle Riviere accompagne des principaux officers de notre detachement, avons enterre (here was inserted the place of deposit,) une plaque de plomb, et fait attacker dans le meme lieu, a un arbre, les Armes du Roi. En fay de quoi, nous axons dresse et sign, avec M. M. les officiers, le present Proces verbal a notre camp, le (day of the month) 1749." In the year 1749, we, Celoron. Chevalier of the Royal and military order of St. Louis, commander of a detachment sent by order of the Marquis of Gallissoniere, Governor General of Canada, to the Ohio, in presence of the principal officers of our detachment, have buried (here was inserted the place of deposit) a leaden plate, and in the same place have affixed to a tree the arms of the king. In testimony whereof we have drawn up and signed, with the officers, the present Proces verbal,' at our camp, the (day of month) 1749." This method of asserting sovereignty over new territory is peculiar to the French, and was often adopted by them. La Salle, at the mouth of the Mississippi in 1682, thus proclaimed the dominion of Louis de Grand, and more recently the some formality was observed when a French squadron took possession of some islands in the Pacific ocean. A few miles from Kanaouagon, on the right bank of the Allegheny, just below its junction with the Brokenstraw creek, was the Indian village of "Paille Coupe," or Cut Straw, the name being given by Celoron, as Kachuiodagon, occupied principally by Senecas. The .English name " Broken Straw," and the French name, Coupee, were both probably derived from the Seneca name, which is De-ga-syo-noh-dyah-goh, which signifies literally, broken straw. Kachuiodagon, as given by Celoron, and Koshenunteagunk, as given on the Historical Map of Pennsylvania, and the Seneca name, are all three the same word in different orthography, the variation in the first two being occasioned by the difference between the French and English mode of spelling the same Indian word. Father Bonnecamps states the village to be in latitude 41̊ 54' 5" and longitude 79̊ 13' west of Paris. While the expedition was resting in the vicinity of these two Indian villages, a council was held with the inhabitants, conducted by Joncaire, whom Celoron states had been adopted by the Senecas, and possessed great influence and power over them. They addressed him in the council as "our child Jon- caire." He was probably the person of that name met by W_ ashington at Venango four years afterwards,* and a son of the Joncaire mentioned by Charlesvoix as living at Lewiston on the Niagara in 1721, " who possessed the wit of a Frenchman and the sublime eloquence of an Iroquois." The father, who was a captive, died in 1740, leaving two half-breed sons, who seem to have inherited his influence and distinction. Their names were Chabert Joncaire, Junior, and Philip Clauzonne de Joncaire. Both were in the French service, and brought reinforcements from the west to Fort Niagara at the time it was besieged by Sir William Johnson .in 1759. Their names are affixed to the capitulation which took place a few days later. The former was in command of Fort Schlosser, his brother, who was a captain in the marine, being with him. They were both in the expedition of Celoron. The result of the council held by Joncaire was not satisfactory to the French. It was very evident there was a strong feeling among the Indians on the Allegheny in favor of the English. It did not, however, prevent the French from de scending the river. After pledging the Senecas in a cup of "Onontios milk " (brandy), the expedition left the villages of Kannouagon and Paille Coupee on the first day of August, and after proceeding about four leagues below the latter, reached a village of Loups and Renards, composed of ten cabins. The Loupst were a branch of the Delawares, called by the English Munceys. Four or five leagues farther down they passed another small village, consisting of six cabins, and on the third of August another of ten cabins. The next was a village on the "Riviere aux Boefs." According to Father Bonnecamps, they passed between Paille Coupee and Riviere aux Boeufs one village on the left and four on the right, the latitude of the third on the right being 41̊ 30' 30", and the longitude 79̊ 21' west of Paris. The Riviere aux Boeufs is now known as French creek, it having been so called by Washington on his visit there in 1753. The English named it Venango. A fort was built by the French in 1753-4, on its western bank, sixty rods below its junction with the Allegheny, called Fort Machault. *Governor Clinton, in his address before the New York Historical Society in 1811, inquires if the Joncaire met by Charlevoix and Washington were the same. They could not have been, for the one mentioned by Charlevoix died in 1740. *Pronounced Loos. In 1760, when the English took possession, they built another, forty rods higher up, and nearer the mouth of French creek, which they called Fort Venango. In 1787 the United States Government sent a force to protect the settlers, and built a fort on the south side of the creek, half a mile above its mouth, which was called Fort Franklin. From all of which it appears that this was at an early day an important point on the river. It is now the site of the flourishing village of Franklin. At the time of Celoron's visit, the Indian village numbered about ten cabins. After passing the Riviere aux Boeufs and another on the left, the expedition reached on the same day a bend in the river about nine miles below, on the left or eastern bank of which. lay a large boulder, nearly twenty-two feet in length by fourteen in breadth, on the inclined face of which were rude inscriptions, evidently of Indian workmanship, representing by various symbols the triumphs of the race in war and in the chase. It was regarded by the natives attached to the expedition as an " Indian God," and held in superstitious reverence. It was a well-known landmark, and did not fail to arrest the attention -of the French. Celoron deemed it a favorable point at which to bury his second leaden plate. This was done with due form and ceremony, the plate bearing an inscription similar to that on the first, differing only in date and designation of the place of deposit. Celoron's record is as follows: "Aout 3me, 1749. Enterre une plaque de plomp sur la rive meridionale de la riviere Oyo, a 4 lieues, au dessous de la riviere aux boeufs, vis-a-vis une montagne pelle, et aupres d'une grow pierre, sur laquelle on volt plusieurs figures assez grossierement gravees." "Buried a leaden plate on the south bank of the Ohio river, four leagues below the river Aux Boeufs, opposite a bald mountain, and near a large stone, on which are many figures rudely engraved." Father Bonnecamps states the deposit to have been made under a large rock. An excellent view of the rock in question, with a facsimile of the hieroglyphics on its face, may be found in Schoolcraft's work on the Indian Tribes in the United States," Vol. vi. pp. 172. It was drawn by Captain Eastman of the U. S. Army, while standing waist deep in the river, its banks being then nearly full. At the time of the spring and fall freshets the rock is entirely submerged. The abrasion of its exposed surface by ice and flood-wood in winter has almost obliterated the rude carvings. At the time of Celoron's visit it was entirely uncovered. It is called "Hart's rock" on Hutchings' Topographical Map of Virginia. The distance of "four leagues" from the mouth of the river Aux Boeufs, or French Creek, to the rock, as given by Celoron, is, as usual, a little exaggerated. The actual distance by the windings of the river is about nine miles. The league as used by Celoron may be estimated as containing about two miles and a half. The leaden plate deposited at this point has never been found, and some zealous antiquarian living in the vicinity might, from the record now given, be able to restore it to light, after a repose of more than a century and a quarter. From this station Celoron sent Joncaire forward to Attigue the next day, to announce the approach of the expedition, it being an Indian settlement of some importance on the left bank of the river, between eight and nine leagues further down, containing twenty-two cabins. Before reaching Attigue they passed a river three or four leagues from the Aux Boeufs, the confluence of which with the Allegheny is described as "very beautiful," and a league farther down another, having on its upper waters some villages of Loups and Iroquois. Attigue was probably on or near the Kiskiminitas river, which falls into the south side of the Allegheny about twenty-five miles above Pittsburgh? It is called the river d'Attigue by Montcalm, in 'a letter dated it 1758.* There were several Indian villages on its banks at that date. They reached Attigue on the sixth, where they found Joncaire waiting. Embarking together they passed on the right an old "Chaouanons" (Shawnees) village. It had not been occupied by the Indians since the removal of Chartier and his band to the river Vermillion in the Wabash country in 1745, by order of the Marquis de Beauharnois. Leaving Attigue the next day, they passed a village of Loups, all the inhabitants of which, except three Iroquois, and an old woman who was regarded as Queen, and devoted to the English, had fled in alarm to Chiningue. This village of the Loups Celoron declares to be the finest he saw on the river. It must have been situated at or near the present site of Pittsburgh. The description of the place, like many given by Celoron, is so vague that it is impossible to identify it with any certainty. The clear, bright current of the Alle- † N. Y. Col. Doc., IX, 1025 ; X, ib., 901. 40 - HISTORY OF BELMONT AND JEFFERSON COUNTIES, OHIO. gheny, and the sluggish, turbid stream of the Monongahela, flowing together to form the broad Ohio, their banks clothed in luxuriant summer foliage, must have presented to the voyagers a scene strikingly picturesque, one which would hardly have escaped the notice of the chief of the expedition. If, therefore, the allusion to "the finest place on the river" has no reference to the site of Pittsburgh, then no mention is made of it whatever. On landing three leagues further down, they were told by some of their Indians that they had passed a rock on which were some inscriptions. Father Bonnecamps and Joncaire, who were sent to examine it, reported nothing but some English names written in charcoal. This was near the second entrepot of the English. Their camp being only two leagues above Chiningue, they were enabled to reach the latter the next day. They found the village one of the largest on the river, consisting of fifty cabins of Iroquois, Shawanese and Loups; also Iroquois from the Sault St. Louis and Lake of the Two Mountains, with some Nippissingues, Abenakis and Ottawas. Bonnecamps estimated the number of camps at eighty, and says, " we called it Chiningue, from its vicinity to a river of that name." He records its latitude as 40̊ 35' 10" which is nearly correct, and longitude as 80̊ 19'. The place was subsequently known as "Logstown," a large and flourishing village which figures prominently in Indian history for many years after this period. Colonel Croghan, who was sent to the Ohio Indians by Governor Hamilton, of Pennsylvania, in August 1749, mentions in his journal that "Monsieur Calaroon with two hundred French soldiers, had passed through Logstown just before his arrival."* Croghan inquired of the inhabitants the object of the expedition, and wag told by them that "it was to drive the English away, and by burying iron plates, with inscriptions on them at the mouth of each remarkable creek, to steal away their country." On reaching Chiningue Celoron found several English traders established there, whom he compelled to leave. He wrote by them to Governor Hamilton, under date of August 6th, 1749, that he was surprised to find English traders on French territory, it being in contravention of solemn treaties, and hoped the Governor would forbid their trespassing in the future. De Celoron also made a speech, in which he informed the Indians that "he was on his way down the Ohio to whip home the Twightwees and Wyandots for trading with the English." They treated his speech with contempt, insisting that "to separate them from the English would be like cutting a man into halves and expecting him to live." † The Indians were found so unfriendly to the French, and suspicious of the objects of the expedition, as to embarrass the movements of de Celoron. His Iroquois and Abenaki allies refused to accompany him farther than Chiningue. They destroyed the plates which, bearing the arms of the French King, had been affixed to trees as memorials of his sovereignty. A PLATE DEPOSITED AT THE MOUTH OF WHEELING CREEK. After leaving Chiningue, they passed two rivers, one on either side, and crossing the present boundary line between Pennsylvania and Ohio, reached what they designate as the rive/" Kanououara" early on the 13th. This is the stream that is now known as Wheeling creek. Here they interred the third leaden plate. On the spot where Wheeling now stands, the officers and men of the command were drawn up with the usual pomp to perform the ceremony. These were doubtless the first Europeans who actually set foot upon the soil of the busy Nail City. The dense forest was a silent witness, and the towering hills echoed the voice of the commander as he again shouted Vive le Roi," and proclaimed in loud tones that possession of the country was taken in the name of the king. The blank in the plate was filled as usual, and the inscription of the relic that lies hidden at the mouth of Wheeling creek, beyond all hope of recovery, was made to read as follows : " L'AN 1749, DV REGNE DE LOVIS XV ROY DE FRANCE, Novs CELORON, COMMANDANT D'VN DETACTHIMENT ENVOIE PAR MONSIEVR LE MIS. DE LA GALLISSONIERE, COMMANDANT GENERAL DE LA NOUVELLE FRANCE POVR RETABLIR LA TRANQUILLITE DANS QUELQUES VILLAGES SAUSAGES DE CES CANTONS, AVONS ENTERRE CETTE PLAQUE A L' ENTREE DE LA RIVIERE, ET SUR RIVE SEPTEN TRIONALE DE KANOUOUARA, QUI SE DECHARGE A LEST DE LA RIVIERE OYO, AUTREMENT BELLE RIVIERE, CE 13 AOUT, POUR MONUMENT DU RENOUNELLEMENT DE POSSESSION QUE NOUS AVONS PRIS DE LA DITTE * N. Y. Col. Doe. VII p. 267.  † N. Y. Col. Doc. VI. pp 532-8. RIVIERE OYO, ET DE TOUTES CELLES QUI Y TOMBENT, ET DE TOUTES LES TERRES DES DEUX COTES JVSQVE AVX SOURCES DES DITTES RIVERES AINSI QV'EN ONT JOVI OU DV JOVIR LES PRECEDENTS ROIS DE FRANCE, ET QU'ILS S'Y SONT MAINTENVS PAR LES ARMES LT PAR LES TRAITTES, SPECIALEMENT PAR CEVX DE RISWICK, D'VTRECHT ET D'AIX LA CHAPELLE." TRANSLATION. "In the year 1749, of the reign of Louis the 15th king of France, we Celoron, commander of a detachment sent by Monseur the Marquis ale la Gallisoniere, Governor General of New France, to re-establish tranquility in some Indian villages of these cantons, have buried this Plate of Lead at the mouth and on the north bank of the river Kanououara, which empties into the easterly side of the Ohio river, otherwise Belle Riviera, this 13th day of August, as a monument of the renewal of the possession we have taken of the said river Ohio, and of all those which empty into it, and of all the lands on both sides as far s the sources of the said rivers, as enjoyed, or ought to have been enjoyed by the kings of France preceding, as they have there maintained themselves by arms and by treaties, especially those of Ryswick, Utrecht, and Aix la Chapelle." The royal arms were fixed, as usual, to a neighboring tree, and the memorial of the ceremony— the "Proces Verbal "—was duly drawn up and signed by the officers of the command in formal manner. After the performance of the ceremony, the expedition encamped for the night and remained until the next day. Owing to the great changes of time and the extensive filling of earth on the banks of the river and creek, it would be impossible at this day to definitely describe the exact resting place of this hidden treasure, but it is fair to presume that it lies somewhere under the Baltimore & Ohio rail road depot, where once stood the "old barracks." The ruins of the old barracks are within the recollection of many old citizens of Wheeling, and the ground on which it stood, at the time of the expedition, was a feasible spot to bury one of the plates. A fac simile of the plate deposited at the mouth of Wheeling creek, will be found at the commencement of this chapter. ORIGINAL NAME OF WHEELING CREEK. All lovers of history and antiquity will appreciate the development of the fact that the distinguishing word Kanououara, (pronounced Kan-a-wa'-ra,) was used to designate Wheeling creek, long before the stream received its present name. Kanououara was the name which the French found applied to the stream by the Indians, and the orthography represents their usual style of expressing Indian words. While it is evident that this is the original Indian name of the stream, we have not been able to determine to what tribe or nation the word belongs. CONTINUATION OF THE EXPEDITION. The expedition resumed its voyage on the 14th, passing the mouths of three streams, two on the left and one on the right. Deer abounded along the banks. Two of the rivers are stated to be strikingly beautiful at their junction with the Ohio. On the 15th they arrived at the mouth of the Muskingum,, called by Father Bonnecamps, Yenanguakonan, and encamped on the shore. Here the fourth leaden plate was buried on the right bank of that river, at its junction with the Ohio. Celoron describes the place of deposit as 'follows : "Enterre au pied d'um erable, qui forme trepied avec une chene rouge et un orme, a l' entree de la riviere Yenanguakonan, sur la rive occidentale de cette riviere." "Buried at the foot of a maple, which forms a triangle with a red oak and elm, at the mouth of the river Yenanguakonan, and on its western bank." In 1798, half a century later, some boys, who were bathing at the mouth of the Muskingum, discovered something projecting from the perpendicular face of the river bank, three or four feet below the surface. With the aid of a pole they loosened it from its bed, and found it to be a leaden plate, stamped with letters in an unknown language. Unaware of its historic value, and being in want of lead, then a scarce article in the new country, they carried it home and cast a part of it into bullets. News of the discovery of so curious a relic having reached the ears of a resident of Marietta, he obtained possession of it, and found the inscription to be in French. The boys had cut off quite a large part of the inscription, but enough remained to indicate its character. It subsequently passed into the hands of Caleb Atwater, the historian, who sent it to Governor De HISTORY OF BELMONT AND JEFFERSON COUNTIES, OHIO - 41 Witt Clinton. The latter presented it to the Antiquarian Society of Massachusetts, in the library of which it is now deposited. A poor facsimile of the fragment is given in Hildreth's Pioneer History of the Ohio Valley, on page 20. It appears to have been substantially the same as the other plates which have been discovered, with the exception of a different arrangement of the lines. The place of deposit is given as "riviere Yenangue" on the part of the plate which was rescued from the boys. Mr. Atwater, Gov. Clinton, and several historians, misled by the similarity between the names "Yenangue" and "Venango," supposed that it had originally been deposited at Venango, an old Indian town at the mouth of French Creek in Pennsylvania, one hundred and thirty miles above the mouth A the Muskingum, and had been carried down by a freshet, or removed by some party to the place where it was discovered. The Journal of de Celoron removes all doubt on the subject, and conclusively establishes the fact that the plate was originally deposited where it was found, on the site where old Fort Harmer was subsequently built, and opposite the point where the city of Marietta is now situated. After the deposit of the fourth plate was completed, the expedition broke up their forest camp, embarked in their canoes, and resumed the descent of the river. About three-fourths of a mile below the Muskingum, Father Bonnecamps took some observations, and found the latitude to be 39̊ 36' and the longitude 81̊ 20' west of Paris. They accomplished twelve leagues on the 16th, and on the 17th, embarking early, they passed two .fine rivers, one on each side, the names of which are not given. On the 18th, after an early start, they were arrested by the rain at the Mouth of the Great Kanawha, which is called by Father Bonnecamps "Chinodaichta." The bank of this large stream, flowing from the southeast, and draining an extensive territory, was chosen for the deposit of the fifth plate. Only a brief record of the ceremony is given. A copy of the inscription is omitted by Celoron, but his record of the interment of the plate is as follows: "Enterree au pied d'un orme, sur la rive meridionale de 1' Oyo, et la rive orientate de Chinondaista, le 18 Aout, 1749." "Buried at the foot of an elm, on the south bank of the Ohio, and on the east bank of the Chinondaista, the 18th day of August, 1749." Fortunately the discovery of the plate in March. 1846, leaves no doubt of the inscription. It was found by a boy while playing on the margin of the Kanawha river. Like that at the mouth of the Muskingum, it was projecting from the river bank, a few feet .below the surface. Since the time it was buried, an accumulation of soil had been deposited above it by the annual river freshets for nearly one hundred years. The day of the deposit, as recorded on the plate, corresponds precisely with the one stated by de Celoron. The spelling of the Indian name of the river differs slightly from the Journal, that on the plate being "Chinodahichetha." Kanawha, the Indian name of the river in another dialect, is said to signify " the river of the woods." The place selected by Celoron for the interment of thep late must' ave been one of surpassing beauty. The native forest untouched by the pioneer, and crowned with the luxuriant foliage of Northern Kentucky, covered the banks of both rivers, and the picturesque scenery justified the name of "Point Pleasant," which was afterwards bestowed by the early settlers. On the 16th day of October, 1774, it became the scene of a bloody battle between .an army of Virginians, commanded by Colonel Lewis, and a large force of western Indians, under the leadership of the celebrated Cornstalk, Logan and others, in which the latter were defeated." The expedition was detained at this point by rain. It re-embarked on the 20th, and when they had proceeded about three leagues, Father Bonnecamps took the latitude and longitude, which he records at 38̊ 39' 57" for the former, and 82̊ 01' for the latter. Joncaire was sent forward the next day with two chiefs from the Sault St. Louis, and two Abenakis to propitiate the inhabitants of "St. Yotoc," a village they were now approaching. They embarked early on the morning of the 22d, and reached St. Yotoc the same day. This village was composed of Shawanese, Iroquois, Loups, and Miamis, and Indians from the Sault St. Louis, Lake of the Two Mountains, as well as representatives from nearly all the nations of the "upper country." The name " St. Yotoc" seems to be neither French nor Indian. It is probably a corruption of Scioto. Father Bonnecamps calls it " Sinhioto" on his map. He records the latitude of the south bank of the Ohio, opposite its mouth, at 38̊ 50' 24", and the longitude 82̊ 22'. Pouchot, in his Memoires Bur la derniere guerre," French edition, vol. III, page 182, calls the river "Sonhioto." This village of St. Yotoc, or Scioto, was probably on the north bank of the Ohio, a little 6—B. & J. COS. below the mouth of the Scioto, now the site of Alexandria. Its principal inhabitants were Shawanese. The expedition remained here until the 26th of August. On the 27th they proceeded as far as the riviere La Blanche, or White river, which they reached at ten at night. On the bank of the Ohio, opposite the mouth of this river, Bonnecamps found the latitude to be 39̊ 1'2' 011 and the longitude 83̊ 31'. Embarking on the 30th, they passed the great north bend of the Ohio, and reached the riviere a la Roche, now known as the Great Miami. Here their voyage on the Ohio ended, and they turned their little fleet of bark gondolas northward into the channel of its great tributary. The sixth and last of the leaden plates was buried at this place. The text of Celoron's journal reads as follows : " Enterree sun la Pointe formee par la rive droite de l' Ohio, et la rive gauche de la riviere a la Roche, Aout 31, 1749." "Buried on the point formed by the intersection of the right bank of the Ohio, with the left bank of the Rock river, August 31, 1749." So far as known this plate has never been discovered. Celoron calls the Great Miami the Riviere a la Roche, and Pouchot, quoted above, and other French ,writers give it the same name. The expedition left its encampment at the mouth of this river on the first day of September, and began the toilsome ascent of the stream, now greatly diminished by the summer drought. On .the 13th they arrived at " Demoiselles," which Father Bonnecamps, with his constant companion, the Astro- labe, found to be in latitude 40̊ 23' 12", and longitude 83̊ 29'. This was the residence of LaDemoiselle, a chief of a portion of the Miamis who were allies of the English.* The fort and village of La Demoiselle were mentioned by M. de Longueil in 1752. It was probably situated on what was afterwards known as Laramie's creek, the earliest point of English settlement in Ohio. It became quite noted in the subsequent history of the Indian, wars, and was destroyed by General Clark in his expedition of 1782. A fort was built on the site several years afterwards by General Wayne, which he named Fort Laramie. Here the French remained a week to recruit, and prepare for the portage to the Maumee. Having burned their canoes, and obtained some ponies, they set out on their overland journey. In arranging for the march, M. de Celoron took command of the right, and M. de Contrecoeur of the left. The distance was estimated by Celoron as fifty leagues; and five a half days were allotted for its accomplishment. † They completed the portage on the 25th, and arrived at Kiskakon. This appears to be the Indian name for the site of Fort Wayne, which was built there in 1794. Celoron found it a French post, under the command of M. de Raymond. It undoubtedly took the name of Kiskakon, from a branch of Ottawas that removed to this place from Missillimackinac, where they had resided as late as 1682. It was here that de Celoron provided pirogues and provisions for the descent of the Maumee to Lake Erie. The Miami Chief " Pied Froid," or Coldfoot resided in that village. He appears not to have been very constant in his allegiance either to the French or the English. Leaving Kiskakon on the 27th of September, a part of the expedition went overland to Detroit, and the remainder descended the river by canoe. The latter landed near Detroit on the 6th of October. Having renewed his supplies and canoes for the transportation of his detachment, Celoron prepared for the return to Montreal by way of Lake Erie. His Indian allies, as usual, occasioned some delay. They had stopped at the mouth of the Maumee, and were overcome by a drunken debauch on the white man's fire-water. It was not until the 8th of October that the party finally launched their canoes, and descended the river into Lake Erie. Their first night was spent on its northern shore at Point Pollee. Nothing worthy of note occurred during their traverse of the lake. They reached Fort Niagara on the 19th, where they remained three days. Leaving there on the 22d, they coasted the south shore of Lake Ontario, and arrived at Fort Frontenac on the 6th of November, their canoes badly shattered by the autumnal gales, and their men greatly fatigued with the hardships of the voyage. They pushed .on, however, with as little delay as possible, to Montreal, which they reached on the 10th of November, having, according to the estimate of both de Celoron and Father Bonne-camps, traveled at least twelve hundred leagues. Allusion has been made to the changes which toqk place in the Ohio valley prior to the expedition of de Celoron. Those which have since occurred are no less remarkable. Both the *N. Y. Col. Doe., X. pp. 189, 142, 245 and 247. † Major Long, of the United States Army, in his second expedition to the St. Peter's River, in 1828, traveled over the same route. 42 - HISTORY OF BELMONT AND JEFFERSON COUNTIES, OHIO. French and the English continued equally determined to possess the country north of the Ohio. The former stretched a chain of posts from Niagara to the Mississippi, as a barrier against English encroachments, and to exclude the Indians from their influence and control. To counteract these demonstrations, Gist was sent by the Ohio Company, in 1750, to survey its lands preliminary to their occupation and settlement. In 1753 Washington was dispatched, by Governor Dinwiddie, to Venango and Le Boeuf on what proved to be a fruitless mission. A post was established the same year by the English at Pittsburgh, which was captured the next by the French, and called after the Marquis. du Quesne. It was occupied by the latter until retaken by General Forbes in 1756. This was followed, the next year, by an expedition under Washington, who, at the age of twenty-two, drew his maiden sword at the Great Meadows in an encounter with a detachment of French under Jumonville, which resulted in the death of the latter. Washington pushed on farther west, but the advance of the enemy with strong reinforcements compelled him to fall back to the Great Meadows, which he strengthened and fortified, under the significant name of Fort Necessity. Here he was attacked by the French under Coulon de Villiers, a brother of Jumonville, with a vigor inspired by the desire of avenging his brother's death. Washington was compelled to capitulate. The French were thus enabled to acquire complete control for the time being over the disputed territory. Thus was the opening scene in the great drama of the "Old French War" enacted. The disastrous defeat of Braddock followed the next year, and exposed the whole frontier to the hostile incursions of the French and Indians. In 1759 the grand scheme for the conquest of Canada, conceived by the illustrious Pitt, was carried into execution. The expeditions of Amherst against Ticonderoga, Wolfe against Quebec, and Prideaux against Niagara, resulted in the fall of those important fortresses. Major Rogers was sent to the Northwest in 1760 to receive possession of the French posts, which had been surrendered to the English by the capitulation of Quebec. He was met at Cuyahoga by Pontiac, the Ottawa, who forbade his further progress. " I stand," says he, "in your path; you can march no further without my permission." A friend to the French, a leader in the attack on Braddock, ambitious and vindictive, Pontiac was a chief of commanding intellect and well qualified for bold enterprises and strategic combinations. These qualities were indicated in his great conspiracy for the simultaneous capture of the ten principal posts in the Northwest, and the massacre of the English trading in their vicinity. Eight of those posts, embracing Sandusky, St. Joseph, Miami, Ouatanon, Mackinaw, Presque Isle, Le Boeuf and Venango successively fell before the deep laid plans of the wily chieftain. Forts Pitt and Detroit successfully withstood the most vigorous assaults, and the latter a protracted siege, conducted by Pontiac himself. Now, war in all its horrors raged with savage intensity along the entire frontier. The unprotected settlers, men, women and children, were massacred and scalped, or, if spared, borne away into hopeless captivity. The English colonists were aroused to meet the emergency, and Colonel Bouquet was sent, in 1763, with a large force into the Indian territory to relieve the western posts, but was compelled to halt at Pittsburgh. The succeeding spring found the Indians again on the warpath, and Detroit was invested for the second time by Pontiac. An expedition was sent to the northwestern posts under Bradstreet, and another, under Bouquet, penetrated the' interior of Ohio. Bradstreet was duped by his crafty adversaries into a peace not intended to be kept, but Bouquet, undeceived by similar artifices, pushed on to the heart of the Indian country. At the junction of, the White Woman and Tuscarawas rivers he dictated a peace by his bold and energetic movements, which, with the exception of occasional outbreaks, was destined to last until the commencement of the great contest between the colonists and the mother country. The treaty of 1783 left the western tribes without an ally, and the United States became free to extend the arts of peace over their new territory. The pioneers shouldered the axe and marching westward in solid column, invaded the land. The frail canoe and sluggish batteau, which had so long and wearily contended with the adverse currents of the Ohio, were soon re- placed by the power of steam. The dense forests, that for a thousand miles had fringed both borders of the river were opened to the sunlight, and thriving cities and smiling villages arose on the ruins of the mound builders. The narrow trails of the Indian, deep worn for centuries by the tread of hunter and warrior, were now superseded by the iron rail and broad highway. The hardy emigrants and their descendants subdued the wilderness, and with the church, the school-house, the factory and the plough, planted a civilization on the ruins of a fallen barbarism. The dominion and power of France had disappeared, and no traces of her lost sovereignty exist, save in the few names she has left on the prominent streams and landmarks of the country, and in the leaden plates which, inscribed in her language, and asserting her claims, still lie buried on the banks of the "Beautiful River." CHAPTER IX. COUNTER EFFORTS OF THE FRENCH AND ENGLISH TO ESTABLISH CLAIM TO THE REGION OF THE OHIO VALLEY, 1749 TO 1760 -EXPLORATIONS BY THE OHIO COMPANY-FRENCH ERECT A CHAIN OF FORTS FROM THE LAKES TO THE OHIO-APPROACH OF THE FRENCH AND INDIAN WAR-WASHINGTON SENT ON A MISSION TO THE FRENCH POSTS-ALARM AT THE FRENCH MOVEMENTS-PROMPT ACTION AND LEADING PART OF VIRGINIA IN THE STRUGGLE-WASHINGTON'S FIRST CAMPAIGN-CHRISTOPHER GIST-BRADDOCK'S DEFEAT-CONTINUATION OF THE STRUGGLE AND FINAL DEFEAT OF TILE FRENCH. WHILE de Celoron was engaged in the expedition, described in the preceding chapter, he sent the following letter to the Governor of Pennsylvania: TRANSLATION. " From our camp on the Beautiful River (Ohio), at an ancient village of the Chouanons, 6th of August, 1749. " SIR,—Having been sent with a detachment into these quarters by M. the Marquis de la Gallissoniere, Commandant-General of New France, to reconcile among themselves certain savage nations, who are ever at variance on account of the war just terminated, I have been much surprised to find some traders of your government in a country to which England never had any pretensions. It even appears that the same opinion is entertained in New England, since in many of the villages which I have passed through, the English who were trading there, have mostly taken flight. " Those I have fallen in with, and by whom I wrote you, were treated with all the mildness possible, although I would have been justified in treating them as interlopers, and men without design, their enterprise being contrary to the preliminaries of peace, signed five months ago. " I hope, sir, you will carefully piohibit for the future this trade, which is contrary to treaties ; and I give notice to your traders that they will expose themselves to great risks in returning to these countries, and they must impute only to themselves the misfortunes they may meet with. " I know that our Commandant-General would be very sorry to resort to violence ; but he has orders not to permit foreign traders in his government. " I have the honor to be, with great respect, sir, your humble servant, " CELORON." The French based their claims to all the countries situated on the Mississippi and all its tributaries on the original discoveries of Marquette and La Salle, together with their construction of the treaties of Ryswick, Utrecht, and Aix la Chapelle. As early as the beginning of the eighteenth century, Bancroft tells us that, ' Not a fountain bubbled on the west of the Allegheny, but was claimed as belonging to the French Empire." Later they seem to have claimed all west of the Allegheny Mountains. To make good their title to the lands which they had claimed in this manner, the French were most active and enterprising. They not only made vigorous efforts to occupy the territory, but proceeded with great energy to construct a line of forts from the lakes to the Ohio. The English claimed the same region, or portions of it, by virtue of the grant of King James the First to sundry of his subjects,, which covered all the territory between the thirty-fourth and forty-eighth parallels of latitude, and thence to the Great South Sea. They also claimed the country on the head- HISTORY OF BELMONT AND JEFFERSON COUNTIES, OHIO - 43 waters of the Ohio, by virtue of the treaty of Lancaster with the Six Nations though the latter denied having sold any lands west of the mountains. In the spring or summer of 1749, the Assembly of Pennsylvania received intelligence that a force of one thousand French was preparing to leave Canada for the Ohio. Startled by these rumors, they sent an agent, Mr. George Croghan, to the Ohio, for the purpose of gaining all possible intelligence of the movements of the French. On his arrival at Logstown, an Indian village on the right bank of the Ohio, about twenty-two miles below the forks, he learned that a French officer, named Jean Cceur, or Joncaire, was on the Allegheny, about one hundred and fifty miles above, with a strong party, for the purpose of erecting trading posts and fortifications. This party was either Celoron's expedition or a part of it, as Joncaire, with a portion of the force, was frequently sent in advance to make overtures to the Indians along the river. EXPLORATIONS BY THE OHIO COMPANY. The next year the situation of the issue between the French and English plainly indicated that no compromise was possible. An appeal to arms was imminent—both sought rather to fortify their interests and conciliate and secure the aid of the Indians. In the fall of 1750 the Ohio Company employed Christopher Gist, a surveyor and an experienced woodsman, to proceed to the Ohio, for the purpose of examining their lands, to select suitable locations for settlements and fortifications, and to conciliate the friendship of the Indians. Mr. Gist had a settlement on the Yadkin river, in North Carolina. He is said to have understood several Indian dialects. Leaving Cumberland, Md., on the last of October, he proceeded by way of the Susquehanna and Juniata rivers to the headwaters of the latter stream, where he crossed the mountains to the Kiskeminetas, which he descended to the Allegheny. This was no doubt a. well known route, as the portage from the Juniata was a short one, giving the trappers and- pioneers an easy route, mostly by water, from the seaboard to the western waters. No mention is made of the route subsequently pursued by the Ohio company, and by Washington and Braddock, though it was undoubtedly a well known and prominent one. Continuing down the left bank of the Allegheny, Gist crossed at a point a few miles above its junction with the Mononga- hela, which latter stream he makes no mention of, probably because he passed to the right of the "Hog-back Hill," in Allegheny, which would effectually hide the mouth of the Monongahela from his view. He visited Logstown, where Tannacharison, a chief of the Mingoes, and who was called a half-king of the Six Nations, had his home. He was received apparently with distrust, and gained very little information here. Passing west, he next visited the Ottawa and Wyandot villages on the Muskingum river. The Ottawas were friendly to the French, and the Wyandots were somewhat divided. At this point Gist found George Croghan, the agent of Pennsylvania, and the two held a council with the chiefs. They then visited the Shawanese, on the Scioto river, and went as far as the Miami valley. Crossing the Great Miami on a raft of logs they visited Piqua, the chief town of the Pickawillanies, where they made a treaty with the last named tribe, and representatives of the Weas and Piankeshaws living on the Wabash. From this place Croghan returned, but Gist followed the Miami to its mouth, and went down the Ohio to within fifteen miles of the great falls at Louisville, returning by way of the Kentucky river, and thence over the Cumberland mountains to Virginia, in May, 1751 ; having during his journeyings, visited the Mingoes,, Delawares, Wyandots, Shawanese, and Miamis, and appointed general council, to be held at Logstown, for the purpose of forming an alliance between the Indians and the colony of Virginia. In the mean time some traders from Pennsylvania had opened a trading house at some point, not certainly known, but within the limits of the state of Ohio, and certainly within the region claimed by the French. The latter, accompanied by a band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians, demanded the traders of the Miamis, who refused to surrender them; whereupon a battle ensued in which fourteen of the Miamis were slain, and the traders taken to Canada, where some accounts say they were burned. The English now determined to purchase the disputed territory, from the Indians, and accordingly Messrs. Fry, Lomax, and Patton were dispatched by Virginia to meet them in council, which was held at Logstown on the 9th of June, 1752. Gist attended this council as agent for the Ohio Company. The Lancaster treaty of 1744 was produced, but the Indians insisted that "they had not heard of any sale of lands west of the 'Warrior's Road," which ran at the foot of the mountains (Allegheny Ridge). The commissioners endeavored to get the assent of the Indians to the treaty of Lancaster, by offers of goods, and mentioned the proposed settlement by the Ohio Company at the forks. The Indians recognized the treaty, and the authority of the Six Nations for making it, but insisted that no western lands were conveyed by it, and declined having anything to do with it. They were willing, however, to have the Company construct a fort at the forks of the Ohio. This did not satisfy the commissioners, and they persuaded the Indians, through Montour, the interpreter, to recognize the Lancaster treaty in its broadest sense, which they finally did, and the tribes united in signing a deed confirming it on the 13th of June. The determination with which the French prepared to make good their claims is shown by the following letter from Joncaire to Governor Hamilton, of Pennsylvania: "DECHINIQUE,* June 6th, 1751. "SIR :—Monsieur the Marquis de la Gallissoniere, Governor of the whole of New France, having honored me with his orders to watch that the English should make no treaty in the country of the Ohio, I have directed the traders of your government to withdraw. " You cannot be ignorant, sir, that all the lands of this region have always belonged to the king of France, and that the English have no right to come there to trade. My superior has commanded me to apprise you of what I have done, in order that you may not affect ignorance of the reasons of it ; and he has given me this order with so much the greater reason, because it is now two years since Monsieur Celoron, by order of Monsieur de la Gallissoniere, then Commandant-General, warned many English, who were trading with the Indians along the Ohio, against so doing, and they promised him not to return to trade on the lands, as Monsieur Celoron wrote you. "I have the honor to be, with great respect, " Sir, your very humble and obedient servant, " JONCAIRE, "Lieutenant of a detachment of the Navy." It. would seem from very competent authority that Gist had recommended the point at the mouth of Chartier's creek as the proper place for a settlement, and it is stated that in the latter part of the year 1752 he was actually at work laying out a town and fort there. If he was ignorant of the locality at the forks and had no knowledge of the mouth of the Monongahela, his selection of the point before mentioned may be readily accounted for. It was at the mouth of a considerable stream, and near the Indian village (Logstown), and had also as good a site as any in the neighborhood, being, no doubt, as favorably located for defense as the fork itself. Soon after the Logstown treaty, Gist, no doubt thinking the Indians were permanently pacified, and that there was no more danger to be feared from their incursions into the interior of the state, on account of the protection soon to be afforded by the Ohio Company, and having had his property destroyed and his family scattered by an Indian raid, concluded to abandon his settlement on the Yadkin and make a new home in Pennsylvania on the great route of travel adopted by the Ohio Company. He accordingly selected a location a few miles west of the Laurel Ridge, and near the present town of Uniontown, in Fayette county. Here, some time in 1752, in company with eleven other families, he began his new settlement. If a town was ever laid out or a fort commenced at Chartier's creek, they were certainly abandoned, for Washington makes no mention of them in his journal of the next year (1753), when visiting this region. THE FRENCH FORTS. In the spring of 1753 the French began the erection of their chain of forts from Lake Erie to the Ohio, beginning at Presq' Isle *In other historical works the opinion is given that this name is intended for Chenango or Venango, but it is made plain in Chapter VIII, that the place is what was afterwards known as Logstown. 44 - HISTORY OF BELMONT AND JEFFERSON COUNTIES, OHIO. (now Erie). One was located at Le Boeuf (now Waterford), another at Venango (now Franklin), and they no doubt 'intended to add a fourth at the forks of the Ohio, had not the Ohio Company anticipated them. The effort of the Ohio Company as developed by the trip of Mr. Gist into this region, and get a foot hold west of the Ohio, aroused the French to increased activity in the erection of these forts. The Marquis de la Jonquiere, Governor-General of Canada, died in Quebec May 17, 1752, and was succeeded by the Marquis de Duquesne de Menneville, one of the ablest statesmen and soldiers which France ever sent to America. He was a grandson of the famous Admiral Abraham Duquesne. He was recalled, at his own request, in 1754, to re-enter the navy. The first fort was erected at Pittsburgh by the French commander, Contrecoeur. Under Duquesne's administration the French became exceedingly active, and proceeded to occupy and fortify the whole western country. APPROACH OF THE FRENCH AND INDIAN WAR. Thus we find, in the spring of 1753, the two great powers of Europe, standing face to face, both equally determined to occupy and possess this valley of the Allegheny, with no solution possible but the arbitrament of the sword.: England powerfully intrenched behind her hardy colonies, and France advancing to the encounter with all the hereditary chivalry of "La Grande Nation," well officered, and backed by the great bulk of the most powerful Indian tribes. The first blood shed in this great contest, drawn by the hand of Washington himself, shook the monarchies of Europe to their foundations, and changed the destinies of Christendom. During this year the conflict began for the control of the territory embraced within the limits of the great Ohio valley—now one of the great manufacturing, agricultural and commercial centers of the globe—which eventually. enveloped America, Europe and Asia in the sulphury clouds of war, precipitated the American Revolution, and, finally, broke up the ancient feudalism of Europe. The trumpet-blast of battle sounded. The scarlet ranks of England, the bonny Highland plume and tartan plaid, the shamrock and the green, and the veteran legions of the Gaul and the hard-won Fontenoy and many another bloody field came pouring o'er the restless sea, "and swiftly forming in the ranks of war," prepared, each man, to do his best devoir for king and fatherland.. And, side by side with t urope's veterans, hardy and unflinching as a Spartan band, came the gallant sons of noble sires from all the hills and valleys of the land. And that nothing might be wanting to give effect to all this grand array of war, the dusky sons of the forest, in eagle plumes and gaudy paint, swarmed by thousands through the dim old forest aisles, eager for the fray. As the curtain arose upon the opening scene, the grandest character in this great drama was far in the background of the glittering throng of crowned and jeweled monarchs and princes, and famous commanders who crowded to the front. This was the plain, unpretending lieutenant-colonel of colonial militia. When, after years of strife, the vapors 'lifted from the "rent and trodden field," lo, and behold! a nation had been born, baptized in blood, and taken its place among the peoples of the world ! And at its head, honored and beloved like none before him, the plain Virginia colonel of the border fray ! WASHINGTON SENT ON A MISSION TO THE FRENCH POSTS. Robert Dinwiddie, a native of Scotland, had been appointed Lieutenant-Governor of the Virginia colony in 1752. Upon a careful investigation of the situation, he recommended to the Board of Trade in England that a series of fortifications be constructed in the west, for the better protection of the settlers and traders . Captain William Trent was sent, early in the season of 1753, on a mission to the French and Indians but he seems not to have been the proper person for the position, and, after proceeding as far west as the Piqua towns, he became discouraged at the aspect of affairs and returned without accomplishing anything. The governor having learned that the French intended to extend their fortified posts south of Venango and French creek, resolved to send a messenger immediately to learn their move- ments, and remonstrate against their designs. He experienced considerable difficulty to find .a proper man who was willing to undertake the enterprise but after careful consideration, and upon learning that Major George Washington would, probably accept the position, the governor concluded to appont him. Washington was then just past twenty-one, and the bluff Scotchman, to whom he was not unknown, said to him, "Faith, you are a brave lad, and if you play your cards well you shall have no cause to repent of your bargain." This appointment was certainly a high compliment to a young man who had just attained his majority, and could only have resulted from great confidence in his judgment and ability. WASHINGTON'S COMMISSION. " To George Washington, Esq. one of the Adjutant-Generals of the troops and forces in de Coat* of Virginia : " I, reposing especial trust and confidence in the ability, conduct, and fidelity of you, the said George Washington, have appointed you my express messenger ; and you are hereby authorized and empowered to proceed hence, with all convenient and possible dispatch, to the post or place, on the river Ohio, where the French have lately erected a fort or forts, or where the commandant of the French forces resides, in order to deliver my letter and message to him ; and after waiting not exceeding one week for an answer, you are to take your leave and return immediately back. " To this commission I have set my hand, and caused the great seal of this Dominion to be affixed, at the city of Williamsburg, the seat of my government, this thirteenth day of October, in the twenty-seventh year of the 'reign of his Majesty George the Second, King of Great Britain, etc., etc. " Annoque Domini, 1753. "ROBERT DINWIDDIE.” " To all whom these presents may come or concern, greeting : Whereas, I have appointed George Washington, Esquire, by commission under the great seal, my express messenger to the Commandant of the French forces on the river Ohio ; and as he is charged with business of great importance to his Majesty's subjects, and particularly require all in alliance and amity. with the Crown of Great Britain, and all others to whom this passport may come, agreeably to the law of nations, to be aiding and assisting as a safeguard to the said George Wash- ington and his attendants in his present passage to and from the river Ohio as aforesaid. " ROBERT DINWIDDIE." INSTRUCTIONS FOR GEORGE WASHINGTON. " Whereas, I have received information of a body of French forces being assembled in a hostile manner on the river Ohio, intending by force of arms to erect certain forts on the said river within this territory, and contrary to the dignity and peace of our sovereign, the King of Great Britain : These are, therefore, to require and direct you, the said George Washington, forthwith to repair to Logstown, on the said river Ohio, and, having there informed yourself where the said French forces have posted themselves, thereupon to proceed to such place ; and, being there arrived, to present your credentials, together with my letter. to the chief commanding officer, and in the name of his Brittanic Majesty to demand an answer thereto. " On your arrival at Logstown you are to address yourself to the Half-King, to Monacatoocha, and the other Sachems of the Six Nation, acquainting them with your orders to visit and deliver my letter to the French commanding officer, and desiring the said chiefs to appoint you a sufficient number of their warriors to be your safeguard, as near the French as you may desire, and to wait your further direction. " You are diligently to inquire into the numbers and force of, the French on the Ohio and in the west ; how they are likely to be assisted from Canada, and what are the difficulties and conveniences of that communication, and the time required for it. "You are to take care to be truly informed what forts the French have erected and where; how they are garrisoned and appointed, and what is their distance from each other and from Logstown; and, from the best intelligence you can procure, you are to learn what gave occasion to this expedition of the French, how they are likely to be supported, and what their pretensions are. " When the French Commandant has given you tee required and necessary dispatches, you are to desire of him a proper guard to protect you as far on your return as you may judge for your safety against any straggling Indians or hunters that may be ignorant of your character and molest you. HISTORY OF BELMONT AND JEFFERSON COUNTIES, OHIO - 45 "Wishing you good success -in your negotiations,, and safe and speedy return, "I am, etc.,             "ROBERT DINWIDDIE. WILLIAMSBURG, 30th Oct., 1753." Preceding the date of Washington's mission, the Half-King, Tanacharison,* hearing of the movements of the French, made a journey to their posts on Lake Erie to expostulate in person against their contemplated encroachments on the Ohio. His mission was fruitless, the French treating him with extreme hauteur; and the chief returned, disappointed, to Logstown. About this time, according to one author, a trading-house, said to have been erected by the Ohio Company at Logstown, was surprised by a detachment of French, the traders killed, and their goods, to the value of twenty thousand pounds, seized and carried away. † This account is evidently a great exaggeration, and most probably entirely fictitious. As Washington followed the route (marked or proposed) of the Ohio Company, a few words regarding it may not be amiss. Before the Company adopted this route it was well known by the name of Nemacolin's Path, from the fact that the company employed Colonel Thomas Cresap, of Old Town, Maryland, to mark the road, and the Colonel hired a well-known Delaware Indian, named Nemacolin, who resided at the mouth of what is now Dunlap's Creek, to select the best route. It was known to the Indians many years before, and used by the Indian traders as early, probably, as 1740. It led from the mouth of Will's Creek (Cumberland, Maryland,) to the "forks of the Ohio," (Pittsburgh). The Ohio Company first marked this road in 1750, by blazing the trees and cutting away the underbrush and removing the old dead and fallen timber. In 1753 they improved and enlarged it at considerable expense. Washington took the same route in his campaign of 1754, improving and extending the road; and Braddock, also, in the following year, completed it in good condition as far as the mouth of Turtle Creek, within ten miles of Fort Duquesne. Since that unfortunate campaign of 1755 it has been known as "Braddock's Road." Washington had engaged as his principal assistants Christopher Gist, who had been sent out, as already stated, by the Ohio Company; Jacob Van Braam, a French interpreter, and John Davidson, Indian interpreter. He also engaged four others, named Henry Steward, William Jenkins, Barnaby Currien, and John McQuire—the two latter being Indian traders. After arriving at the "forks of the Ohio," he met the Indian chiefs at Logstown, and remained a few days to conciliate their friendship, information, and gain their assistance in proceeding upon his journey. The party set out, accompanied by Tanacharison, the "Half-King of the Six Nations," two other chiefs and an Indian hunter. WASHINGTON AND GIST'S JOURNEY ON FOOT. Washington took Mr. Gist with him as a companion, and journeyed on foot to and from Fort. La Bouef, (now Waterford, Pa.,) and in his journal, he says : " I took my necessary papers, pulled off my clothes, and tied myself up in a watch-coat. Then I took my gun in hand, and pack on my back, in which. were my papers and provisions. I set out with Mr. Gist, fitted in the same manner, on Wednesday, the 26th of December. The day following, just after we had passed a place called Murdering Town, we fell in with a party of French Indians who had lain in wait for us. One of them fired at Mr. Gist or me, not fifteen steps off, but missed. We took the fellow into custody and kept him until about nine o'clock at night, then let him go, and walked on the remaining part of the night, without making any stops, that we might get the start so far as to be out of reach of their pursuit next day, since we were well assured they would follow our track as soon as it was light. We continued traveling the next day until quite dark, and got to the river, which we expected to have found frozen, but it was not ; the ice I suppose had broken up above, for it was driving in vast quantities. There was no way for getting over but on a raft, which we set about building with but one poor hatchet, and finished just before sun-setting. This was a whole day's work ; we next got it launched, then went aboard and set off, but before we were half over we were jammed in the ice in such a manner that we expected every moment our raft to sink, and ourselves to perish. I put out my setting pole to try to stop *This name is spelled in a variety of ways. † Patterson, history of the backwoods. the raft, when the rapidity of the stream threw it with so much violence against the pole that it jerked me out into ten feet. of water, but I saved myself by catching hold of one of the raft logs. Notwithstanding all our efforts we could not get to shore, but were obliged, as we were near an island, to quit our raft and make for it. The cold was so severe that Mr. Gist had all his fingers and some of his toes frozen, and the water was so shut up that we found no difficulty in getting off the island in the morning, and went to Mr. Frazier's. As we intended to take horses, and it taking some time to find them, I went up to the mouth of the Youghiogheny to visit Queen Aliquippa. I made her a present of a watch-coat and a bottle of rum, the latter of which she thought the better. present of the two. Tuesday, January 1st, left Frazier's and arrived at Mr. Gist's house at Monongahela. The 6th we met seventeen pack-horses with materials and stores for the fort at the forks of the Ohio (now Pittsburgh). The day after we met some families going out to settle, and this day arrived at Wlils' creek (now Cumberland). History records how .successfully Washington performed his mission to the French posts, and how valuable were his services to the colonists and the English government. He met the shrewd French officers, obtained all the secrets of their intentions and designs, possessed himself of their plans, and safely conveyed the valuable information to Governor Dinwiddie. This was the first achievement of his eventful life, for it was accomplished after many difficulties, as is shown by the journals kept by himself and Gist, of the daily events of the hazardous mission. THE ALARM AT THE FRENCH MOVEMENTS-PROMPT ACTION OF VIRGINIA AND HER PROMINENT PART IN THE STRUGGLE. No doubt longer remained of the intention of the French in their movements. Washington's journal was ordered to be published, to arouse the people of the different colonies- and excite their indignation. It was reprinted in nearly all the newspapers of the colonies, republished in London, and extensively read. Governor Dinwiddie wrote to the Board of Trade, stating that the French were building another fort at Venango, Pa., and that in March twelve or fifteen hundred men would be ready to descend the river with their Indian allies. He also sent expresses to the governors of Pennsylvania and New York, calling upon them for assistance and prepare for the impending crisis. Governor Hamilton, of Pennsylvania, was energetically laboring with the Assembly to induce them to make the necessary laws and appropriations against the threatened dangers in the north and west. But the Assembly, after a session in which nothing was accomplished, adjourned on the 10th of April until the 13th of May. The province. of New York, though perhaps much less interested than Pennsylvania, did a little better by appropriating five thousand pounds to aid Virginia. The "Old Dominion" was, however, alive to its intersts. Ten thousand pounds were voted by the Assembly for the purpose of raising volunteers. Six companies were raised, at whose head was placed Colonel Joshua Fry, with Washington as lieutenant-colonel. Two batteries of five guns each were sent forward; stores of all kinds of military supplies were prepared and sent on to the frontier. Thirty guns and eighty barrels of gunpowder had been forwarded from England, and these were distributed in the best manner for the interests of the service. Recruiting was rapidly going on under the promise of liberal grants of land to volunteers, and everything indicated a warm campaign preparing for the French and their dusky allies. Early in the season Captain William Trent had been pushed forward with one company to put the road in order, and, if possible, to proceed to the forks of the Ohio and construct a fortification. To this end Ensign Ward was hurried forward as early as January, with an advance party carrying intrenching tools and materials for the contemplated work; and we have already seen that Washington and Gist met this party on their return from the French forts on the 6th of January. The works at the forks must have been commenced during the same month, but with only about forty men it would necessarily move slowly, so that in the month of April following, when the French appeared before the place, it was not yet defensible. On the 16th of April, 1754, while Ensign Ward's party was busily engaged upon their rising fortification, at the junction of the rivers which form the Ohio, they were suddenly surpris- 46 - HISTORY OF BELMONT AND JEFFERSON COUNTIES, OHIO. ed by the appearance of a powerful force of French and Indians, in sixty batteaux, and three hundred canoes, with a formidable train of artillery, descending the Allegheny river. The French commander, Contrecoeur, immediately sent a summons to surrender. Resistance by this feeble band, behind unfinished works, against a thousand men, was useless; Ensign Ward surrendered his works the next day, and passed up the Monongahela, on his way to meet Washington. This affair may be called the first overt act in the long and exhausting war which followed, at the beginning of which France had control over immense regions in Asia, Africa, and America, but at whose close she came out shorn of her fairest and wealthiest colonial possessions. Col. Washington had marched from Alexandria on the 2d day of April, with two companies of troops, and arrived at Will's Creek, where Cumberland now stands, on the 17th of April. He had been joined on his route by a company under Captain Stephens, and was preparing to resume his march when the news reached him of the surrender of the Forks to the French. A consultation with his officers was held, and expresses were sent to Pennsylvania, Virginia, and Maryland, to ask for reinforcements. Washington advanced with his small force with the intention of reaching the mouth of Redstone, and there await the arrival of reinforcements. The skirmish with the French in which M. de Jumonville was killed, and the battle and capitulation of Washington and the Great Meadows, followed. During this year the French constructed Fort Duquesne, and made vigorous efforts to strengthen their positions on the Ohio. WASHINGTON'S CAMPAIGN-1754. On the 9th of May, Washington arrived at the Little Meadows, where he received information that Fort Duquesne had been reinforced with eight hundred men. On the 18th, he reached the Youghiogheny, where he was delayed to construct a bridge. While here, he was told by the Indians and some traders that the river was practicable for boats from this point to the Monongahela, with the exception of one rapid. Anxious for positive information, Washington embarked in a canoe with five men on a voyage of discovery, leaving the troops under the command of a subordinate officer. The party descended the stream for a distance of thirty miles, when, in the midst of a mountain defile, they were stopped by a fall, which was impassable. Returning to his men, Washington found a messenger from his old friend Tanacharison, stating that a detachment of French had left the fort and were on their way to attack the first English they met. This was on the 24th* of May. Aware that he was in no condition to encounter a strong force, he determined to erect a hasty fortification, and accordingly proceeded to a place called the Great Meadows, where he threw up an intrenchment, cleared away the underbrush, and prepared what he is said to have called "a charming field for an encounter." M. La Force, the French emissary, was prowling in the forest with a few Indians as a spy upon the English, and on the 27th Mr. Gist arrived in camp with information that he had seen M. La Force with fifty men the day before near his place, and had also seen their tracks within five miles of Washingtoh's camp. The same night (27th) the half-king, with Monacatootha, and some, of his people were encamped some six miles from the Meadows, and sent Washington an express informing him that he had tracked the French party to their hiding-place, about a half-mile from the road, in an obscure and rocky retreat. Captain Adam Stephens had been detached with seventy-five men in the morning to look after this party, and now Washington determined to surprise them under cover of darkness, and accordingly, setting out with about forty men he joined the half-king, and about dawn on the morning of the 28th came suddenly upon the enemy. Both parties discovered each other at the same instant, and the French flew to their arms, and, according to Washington, commenced firing. After a short and sharp conflict, in which ten of the French were killed, besides the commander, M. Jumonville, the remainder surrendered. Among the prisoners were M. La Force, M. Drouillon, and two cadets. The total casualties to the French were ten † killed and twenty-two taken prisoners. A Canadian escaped and carried the news to Fort Duquesne. Of Washington's force one was killed and three wounded. The Indians escaped unhurt. *Monongahela of Old. Lossing says the 23d, and Mr. N. B. Craig says on the 27th. † Other accounts say eleven killed. The controversy which grew out of this affair, regarding the objects of M. Jumonville and his death, is familiar to all students of history. It is only necessary here to say that, after a careful investigation of all the facts and documents bearing upon the subject, the character of Washington remains unsullied. This was Washington's first battle-ground, and not Fort Necessity, as is generally stated., This occurred on the 28th of May, nearly six weeks prior to the encounter with M. de Villiers, which occurred on the 3d of July following. The news of this encounter was carried to Contrecoeur, at Fort Duquesne, and immediate preparations were made to take summary vengeance on Washington and his troops. The Indians friendly to the English forsaw at once that they were involved by the action of the Half-King in taking part in the surprise of Jumonville, and they immediately began to flock with their families to Washington, who at once proceeded to strengthen and enlarge his fort at the Great Meadows. About this time news was received of the death of Col. Fry at Will's Creek, which event left Washington chief in command of the expedition. Expresses were sent back to hurry up the artillery and reinforcements, and every preparation made for a vigorous defense. On the 9th of June, Major Muse arrived with the remainder of the Virginia regiment and the swivels and ammunition. The two New York companies, and one from North Carolina, failed to arrive ; and on- account of the action of the Assembly of Pennsylvania, nothing whatever was done by that Province. Washington used every exertion to prepare for the crisis; he sent Gist out to try and get the artillery hauled forward by Pennsylvania teams, but only ten of the small guns (four-pounders) in use in those days got as far as Will's Creek. On the 10th of June he was joined by Captain Mackay with the South Carolina company, whom he put in command of his fort, and with his Virginia troops, the swivels, a few wagons, and stores, set out on the 16th for Redstone. On the 27th of June a party of seventy men was sent forward under Captain Lewis to endeavor to cut a road from Gist's to the mouth of Redstone ; and Captain Polson was sent with his company to reconnoitre. Meanwhile, Washington advanced to Gist's settlement with his headquarters. Scouts were kept continually in advance, and they frequently reached the vicinity of Fort Duquesne itself, so that Washington was fully informed of all the enemy's movements. These brought information that on the 28th of June a strong French force, accompanied by a considerable number of Indians, in all amounting to from eight hundred to one thousand men, had left the fort for the purpose of attacking Washington, under the command of M. Coulon de Villiers, half-brother of Jumonville, killed in the skirmish .of May 28. They went up the Monongahela in pirogues (big canoes), and on the 30th came to the Hangard, at the mouth of Redstone, and encamped on rising ground, about two musket-shots from it. This Hangard (built the last winter by Captain Trent as a store-house for the Ohio Company) is described by M. de Villiers as a " sort of fort built of logs, one upon another, well notched in, about thirty feet long and twenty feet wide."* At this juncture a council of war was held in the camp of Washington at which it was resolved to fall back to the Great Meadows, and if possible to continue their retreat 'over the mountains. But on their arrival at the Meadows it was found that the number and condition of the horses would make it impossible, and they concluded to make a stand and fight it out in the best manner possible. Hearing that Washington was intrenching himself, M. de Villiers left his stores, pirogues, and heavy baggage at the Hangard, and made a rapid night-march with the expectation of surprising the young " buckskin colonel." The French commander had been told that Washington was fortifying at Gist's; but on his arrival there, on the morning of the 2d, the gray dawn revealed only the half-finished fort. The disappointed Villiers, supposing Washington to be on a rapid retreat, was about to return to Fort Duquesne, when a cowardly deserter from the Great Meadows came in and informed him of Washington's condition. Putting the traitor under guard, with a promise of death or reward, as his story should prove true or false, De Villiers pushed on in pursuit. On the morning of July 3d, the French appeared and opened fire at long range upon the work, which had been put in as good state of defense as the time would allow. Washington at first formed his men outside the works, as if to offer the enemy *Monongahela of old. HISTORY OF BELMONT AND JEFFERSON COUNTIES, OHIO - 47 battle; but failing to draw them from the timber, he withdrew into the fort. The defenders were now in a desperate situation. With only a few worn-out horses, and provisions for but four or five days, surrounded by a numerous and confident enemy, their condition was discouraging in the extreme. A desultory warfare ensued and continued during the day. The enemy poured in a galling fire from the covert of the woods, to which the garrison responded as best they could, but with very little effect. The rain fell in torrents' during the entire day; but an irregular fire was kept up until dark, soon after which (about eight o'clock) the French requested a parley; but Washington, fearing it might be some artifice for the purpose of examining the fort, declined, when the request was repeated, with the desire that an officer might be sent to them, under an engagement of his safety by M. de Villiers. Upon this Washington dispatched Captain -Van Braam, who returned twice with inadmissible conditions; but the third time brought terms which were accepted. According to this agreement, the garrison was to march out of the fort on the following morning with the honors of war, drums beating and colors flying, taking everything they possessed., except their artillery, and to retire without molestation from the French or Indians to the inhabited parts of Virginia. Completely worn down and exhausted, the sorry command of Washington filed out of the works on the morning of the Fourth of July, 1754, and, carrying their wounded, made the best of their way to Will's Creek, the nearest point where they could obtain supplies. Some writers state that a body of Indians fell upon them soon after leaving the fort and commenced plundering their baggage, whereupon Washington ordered everything which they could not carry upon their backs to be destroyed. The French destroyed the works and commenced their return march to Fort Duquesne. At Gist's, on the 5th, they destroyed everything and burned the Hangard at Redstone on the 6th, and reached Fort Duquesne on the 7th, having, as De Villiers says in his Journal, "destroyed all the settlements they found." CHRISTOPHER GIST. From a speech delivered .by Hon. James Veech, at' Mount Braddock, at a railroad celebration, July 4, 1859, we take a few extracts relating to Christopher Gist, one of the most noted pioneers that appeared on the stage during the troublous times from 1750 to 1783: "He (Gist) was a native of England, and there is some evidence that he had been educated for priest's orders in the English Episcopal Church. He was certainly a woodsman of the highest order, hardy and fearless, a good judge of land, a good surveyor, and well versed in Indian management and diplomacy." Speaking of the Ohio Company's route, he says, "By this route, in 1752, doubtless came Gist and the Virginia Commissioners to the Logstown treaty; and on his return therefrom, believing that success was going to attend the Company's scheme, he selected yonder slope, southeast of the Mount Braddock Mansion, as his future residence. It was a princely site, and would be a convenient station for the Company. After the termination of Washington's unfortunate campaign of 1754, it appears that the French broke up Gist's settlement and destroyed all his improvements. No doubt the settlers fled toward the older settlements farther east. It would seem, however, that Gist was not discouraged, for we find him again at his chosen location upon the advance of Braddock's army the next year. In speaking of Washington's sickness and his journey to rejoin Braddock, Judge Veech says, "Doubtless Washington, with that convoy, encamped at Gist's on the night of July 4, 1755." On the 10th of July, the next day after the battle, the struggling remnants of that proud army, encumbered with wounded and all the debris of a defeated and terribly decimated band, bivouacked at Gist's. Probably Gist again broke up his settlement and retired from the border. The Judge closes his account of him as follows: "While the French and Indians ruled here—from the repulse of Braddock until Pontiac's great conspiracy was quelled, and Bouquet had, at Bushy Run and the Muskingum, taught the savages submission—Gist was busied elsewhere. He became captain of a company of scouts on the Potomac frontier in 1756, aid soon after was made Deputy Indian Agent in the Southern Department,—' a service for which,' said Colonel Washington, know of no person so well qualified. In that station he continued during the war. "It is believed that he returned here for a short period about 1766, but only to seat his family, and return to die in the sunny South,—but where and when are unknown." BRADDOCK'S DEFEAT-1755. War had not yet been declared by the two nations; the conflict had thus far been carried on by the colonies; but the British government, perceiving that a contest, more severe than had yet been seen, must soon take place in America, at once took measures to prosecute the conflict. Edward Braddock, an officer of distinction, arrived in Chesapeake bay, with two regiments on the 20th of February, 1755. He had been appointed commander-in-chief of all the British and provincial forces in America. At his request the colonial governors met him in council at Alexandria, and planned three separate expeditions against the French. The western expedition was to be led by Braddock, but was delayed in getting started on account of the difficulty in obtaining provisions and supplies. He finally began his march from Will's creek (Cumberland) on the 10th of June 1755, with about two thousand men, British and provincials. Anxious to reach Fort Duquesne before the garrison should receive reinforcements, he made forced marches with twelve hundred men, leaving Colonel Dunbar, his second in command, to follow with the remainder, and the wagons. Colonel Washington had consented to act as Braddock's aid, and to him was given the command of the provincials. Knowing, far better than Braddock, the perils of their march and the kind of warfare they might expect, he ventured, modestly, to give advice, founded upon his experience. But the haughty general would listen to no suggestions, especially from a provincial subordinate. This obstinacy resulted in his ruin. When within ten miles of Fort Duquesne, and while marching at noon-day, on the 9th of July, in fancied security, on the south side of the Monongahela, a volley of bullets and a cloud of arrows assailed the advanced guard, under Lieutenant-Colonel Gage. They came from a thicket and ravine close by, where a thousand dusky warriors lay in ambush. Again Washington asked permission to fight according to the provincial custom, but was refused. Braddock must manoeuver according to European tactics, or not at all. For three hours, deadly volley after volley fell upon the British columns, while Braddock attempted to maintain order, where all was confusion. The slain soon covered the ground. Every mounted officer but Washington was killed or maimed, and finally the really brave Braddock himself, after having several horses shot under him, was mortally wounded.* Washington remained unhurt. Under his direction the provincials rallied, while the regulars, seeing their General fall, were fleeing in great confusion. The provincials covered their retreat so gallantly that the enemy did not follow. A week afterward Washington read the impressive funeral service of the Anglican Church over the corpse of Braddock, by torch light, July 15, 1755; and he was buried, where his grave may now be seen, near the National Road, between the fifty-third and fifty-fourth mile from Cumberland, in Maryland. Colonel Dunbar received the flying troops, and marched to Philadelphia in August with the broken companies. Washington, with the provincials, went back to Virginia. Thus ended Braddock's expedition of 1755. The unfortunate campaign and defeat of Braddock left the French in complete possession of the Ohio Valley and the entire northwestern country. CONTINUATION OF THE STRUGGLE—FINAL DEFEAT OF THE FRENCH. During 1756 a successful expedition was made by Col. Armstrong against the hostile Indians at Kittanning, which materially checked their ravages against the settlement. Aside from the success of Col. Armstrong at Kittanning during the years 1755, 1756 and 1757, the English suffered a series of defeats, following each other in regular succession, until despondency had seized upon the public mind throughout the colonies. The changes in the British cabinet in 1757 brought forward the great William Pitt as prime minister, and his vigorous policy and zeal in behalf of the colonies changed the aspect of * Braddock was shot by Thomas Faucett, one of the provincial soldiers. His plea was self—preservation. Braddock had issued a positive order, that none of the English should protect themselves behind trees, as the French and Indians did. Faucett's brother had taken such position, and when Braddock perceived it, he struck him to the earth with his sword. Thomas on seeing his brother fall, shot Braddock in the back, and then the provincials, fighting as they pleased, were saved from utter destruction—Leasing. 48 - HISTORY OF BELMONT AND JEFFERSON COUNTIES, OHIO: the war in America. Early in the spring of 1758, a formidable English 'fleet of one hundred and fifty sail, and twelve thousand troops, arrived at Halifax, under command of Gen. Amherst, who was second in command to Gen. Abercrombie. Animated by hope, and cheered by the liberal policy of the new ministry, the colonies took active measures to raise men and money. The result was, an army amounting to fifty thousand men was collected, the greatest that had ever been seen in the new world, and of whom over twenty thousand were provincials. The plan of the campaign embraced three expeditions. The first against Louisburg, in the Island of Cape Breton; the second against Ticonderoga and Crown Point; and the third against Fort Duquesne. The first of these expeditions, under Gen. Amherst, was successful, and the impregnable fortress of Louisburg was captured. The second, under Gen. Abercrombie in person, was repulsed in the first engagement with a loss of two thousand men, killed and wounded; but subsequently a detachment from his army captured Fort Frontenac, Canada, (where Kingston now stands) with a large quantity of cannon, small arms, provisions and military. stores. The third expedition, against Duquesne and the relief of the frontier of western Pennsylvania, was entrusted to the command of General Forbes. For this expedition, a large portion of the army was collected together at Philadelphia. The total force under Forbes was something over seven thousand men. Washington was ordered to join the army in July with his Virginia regiment. Major Halket, son of Sir Peter, killed at Monongahela, and Sir John St. Clair were on the General's staff, the latter as Quartermaster-General. It was late in the season when the army of General Forbes got started upon the march. They left Carlisle about the middle of July, and moved to Raystown, where Col. Boquet was posted with the advance. A new route being selected, which had to be constructed as the army advanced, it was late in the fall before the main body reached the scene of action. History records the memorable events of this expedition much more fully than we are enabled to give in this connection. The advance, under Major Grant, which had been recklessly pushed forward and attacked the fort, was a repetition of the defeat of Braddock and the misfortune of the Great Meadows. But as the main army of General Forbes advanced in its close approach upon Fort Duquesne, the Indians who had watched its progress reported to the French that " they were as numerous as the trees of the woods." This so terrified the French, that they set fire to their magazines, barracks, &c., and pushed off in their boats, " some up the Allegheny and some down the Ohio." Washington, at the head of his command, took possession of the abandoned Fort Duquesne on the 25th of November, 1758. Being mostly destroyed, a new fortification was thrown up on the bank of the Monongahela, named Fort Pitt, in honor of the great minister, and a garrison stationed there under the Command of Colonel Hugh Mercer of Virginia. That portion of the French who retreated up the Allegheny remained at Venango until the following summer, when the fall of Niagara compelled them to hastily evacuate, and forever abandon all claim to the Ohio valley. In July, 1759, about the time of the departure of the French from Venango, General Stanwix arrived at the forks of the Ohio, and proceeded to construct a larger and more permanent fortification, which, we have before stated, was named in honor of the " great Commoner," Fort Pitt. With the fall of Duquesne, the capture of Niagara, and the abandonment of Venango, La Boeuf and Presque Isle, all direct contest between the English and French in the west was at an end. With the defeat of the French the hostility of the Indians abated, and comparative peace was restored to the western frontier. Thus were the French compelled to yield to the inevitable; their dream of extended empire was dispelled, and they were forced to abandon their claim, never again to assert power in these hills and valleys. The wilderness that had been so suddenly transformed into the pomp and parade of a European camp, no longer resounded with the echoes and shouts of French soldiers, but resumed its normal condition after their retreating footsteps, and knew them no more forever. In 1760, General Moncton visited Fort Pitt and held a treaty with the Indians, by which he obtained their consent for the English to build posts within the wild lands. CHAPTER X. INDIAN OUTBREAK OF 1763—PONTIAC'S CONSPIRACY-BOQUET'S. EXPEDITION-HIS TREATY WITH THE INDIANS IN 1764—JOURNAL OF GEORGE CROGHAN, WHO WAS SENT TO EXPLORE THE OHIO VALLEY IN 1765—WASHINGTON'S JOURNAL OF HIS TOUR TO THE OHIO IN 1770. THE fierce scenes which took place for the mastery and possession of the Ohio valley during the period of the Seven Years' War had barely subsided, when smothered murmers of discontent began to be audible among the Indian tribes. During that period the Delawares and Shawanese, once the faithful allies of William Penn, had been effectually seduced by French blandishments; and the Iroquois had ben greatly alienated from their former friendship for the English, and well nigh taken part against the colonists. The remote nations of the west had also joined in the war, descending in their canoes for hundreds of miles, to fight against the enemies of France. All these tribes entertained against the English that rancorous enmity which an Indian always feels against those to whom he has been opposed in war. Under these circumstances, it behooved the English to use the utmost care in their conduct towards the Indian tribes. During the conflict with France, the Indian policy of the English was one of comparative indifference, and when the war had ceased the friendship of the tribes seemed a matter of no consequence. They were not only treated with neglect, but the intentions of the English soon became apparent to the aboriginal mind. The presents, which it had always been customary to give them at stated intervals, were in a great measure withheld, and many of the agents and officers of the government frequently appropriated the presents to themselves, and afterwards sold them to the Indians at exorbitant prices. When the French were in possession, they supplied the surrounding Indians with guns, ammunition, and clothing with a shrewd liberality. This occurred to such an extent as to cultivate among the tribes a taste for European goods, cause them to forget the garments and the use of the weapons of their forefathers, and to depend in a great degree on the whites for support. All along the Ohio to the Mississippi, they had become dependent upon the French posts for their arms and clothing. When these supplies were withheld a calamity overtook them for which they were illy prepared, and want, suffering and . death followed as a natural consequence. To this grievance was added the general conduct of the English fur-traders, many of whom, with their employes, were men of the coarsest stamp, and guilty of numerous acts of rapacity, violence, and unscrupulous conduct. They cheated, cursed, and plundered the the Indians, outraged their families, and when compared with the French traders, whose conduct was more politic, they presented a most unfavorable example of the character of their nation. But a still greater cause for the growing discontent of the tribes was the intrusion of settlers upon their lands, which was constantly producing and renewing Indian jealousy and hostility. The Delawares and Shawanese became aroused to the highest pitch of desperation. Their best lands had been invaded, and all remonstrances had been fruitless. They viewed with wrath and fear the steady progress of the white man, whose settlements had passed the Susquehanna, and were fast extending to the Alleghenies, eating away the forest like a spreading canker. The Senecas were likewise especially incensed at English intrusion, and by their contract with the French they were greatly stimulated in their prejudice and animosity. PONTIAC'S CONSPIRACY. Early in the spring of 1763, it appears to have been announced to the tribes, that by the terms of peace between the two nations, the King of France had ceded all their country to the King of England, without even asking their consent or permission. This greatly increased their enmity, and at once excited a ferment of indignation among them. Within a few weeks a plot was matured, such as was never, before or since, conceived or executed by a North American Indian. The grand scheme was to attack all the forts upon the same day; then, having destroyed their garrisons, to turn upon the defenceless frontier, and ravage and lay waste the settlement, until, as many of the Indians fondly believed, the. English should all be HISTORY OF BELMONT AND JEFFERSON COUNTIES, OHIO - 49 driven into the sea, and the country restored to its primitive owners. It was difficult to determine which tribe was first to raise the cry of war; all the savages of the backwoods were ripe for an outbreak, and the movements seemed almost simultaneous. Pontiac, the great chief of the Ottawas, is credited as the author of the great plan of the simultaneous attack along the entire border, by which all the posts and garrisons were to be captured on the same day. Pontiac was one of the most famous chiefs known in Indian annals, and was pre-eminently endowed with all the attributes for a great leader among the tribes. He began preparing for his conspiracy before the close of 1762, and he sent messengers to the different nations for the purpose of concentrating all the western tribes in one great effort to drive out the English. The scheme had been arranged with accuracy to strike every English post at the same moment, giving no time for one to assist another, which was to be followed by a rapid and relentless war throughout the settlements. He reserved for himself the attack on Detroit, and made a regular siege of the place. He neglected no expedient that savage warfare could invent, and obtained food for his warriors from the Canadians by issuing promissory notes drawn upon birch bark and signed with the ,figure of an otter, which were all redeemed. Though the attack on Detroit resulted in a failure, by the garrison being apprised of the approaching. danger, the plot was generally successful, along the border. The storm fell nearly simultaneously, like the simoon of the Sahara, upon all the English fortifications. Mackinaw, La Bay, and St. Joseph, on or near Lake Michigan; Miami, on the Maumee ; Ouiatenon, on the Wabash; Sandusky, Presq Isle, Le Boeuf, and Venango, all fell into the hands of the savages. Only Detroit, Fort Pitt, and Niagara escaped. Niagara was deemed too strong, and was not molested. Detroit very nearly fell by treachery, but an Indian girl revealed to Major Gladwin the plan of Pontiac and the fort was saved. Foiled in his at: tempt, Pontiac sat down before the place and deliberately besieged it for many months, and had it not been for its water communications, it would undoubtedly have fallen. The Ottawas, Hurons, and Pottawattomies took the lead in the northwest, and the Delawares, Shawanese, Senecas and others, bore the brunt in the region of the Ohio valley. On the 27th of May bands of Indians, flushed with their victories appeared before Fort Pitt, but failing to deceive the commandant and gain possession by treachery they postponed their attack until late in July, when they made a furious assault with a large force. They crawled along the banks of the rivers, and dug the holds with their knives in th bank, to shelter themselves from the fire of the garrison. From these a constant fire was poured upon the fort for many days. But the brave garrison ably defended the fort and about August first a rumor reached the Indians that army was coming to their relief, to the east; assailants abandoned the siege and penetrated farther On receipt of the first rumors of the impending Indian outbreak, Sir Jeffrey Amherst, the English Commander-in-chief, was stationed at New York, and Colonel Henry Boquet, a brave and talented officer, then in Philadelphia, prepared to leave with an army and march to the relief of Fort Pitt. Col. Boquet started from Philadelphia with a force of about five hundred men and reached Carlisle on the first of July, where he found the whole settlement in a panic, the country deserted, and the wretched and famishing people crowded into the town for protection. Here he rested for a number of days to gather supplies, and again resumed his march. He encountered the Indians in the hotly contested battle of Bushy Run, where, under the lead of the Seneca chief, Guyasutha, they fought with a desperation seldom equaled in the annals of savage warfare. After a struggle which lasted nearly two days, Colonel Boquet's genius and the superior discipline of veteran soldiers prevailed, and his command finally reached Fort Pitt in August of that year. The campaign against the Indians terminated successfully at the end of 1763. The signal victory gained over them by Col. Boquet, at Bushy Run. had so dismayed them that they not not only ceased their attacks upon the settlements, but withdrew from the frontiers, retreating far beyond the Ohio, and not returning to this region until after the treaties of peace of the following year, made by him with them on the Muskingum. Col. Boquet remained at Fort Pitt until October 3d,. 1764, when he marched into the territory of Ohio to the forks of the Muskingum with fifteen hundred men, regulars and provincials, to further punish the Delawares, Shawanese and other tribes. The order of march was as follows: A corps of Virginia vol- 7—B. & J. COS. unteers advanced in front, detaching three scouting parties, one of them preceded by a guide, marched in the center path which the army was to follow. The other two extended themselves in a line abreast, on the right and left, to scour the woods on the flanks. Under cover of this advance guard the axmen and two companies of infantry followed in three divisions to clear the sidepaths and cut a road in which the main army and the convoy marched as follows: The front face of the square, composed of parts of two regiments, marched in. single file in the right-hand path, and a Pennsylvania regiment marched in the same manner in the left-hand path. A reserve corps of grenadiers followed in the paths and they likewise by a second battalion of infantry, All these troops covered the convoy which marched between them in the center path or main road. A company of horsemen and a corps of Virginia volunteers followed, forming the rear guard. The Pennsylvania volunteers in single file, flanked the side paths opposite the convoy. The ammunition and tools were placed in the rear of the first column, which were followed by the baggage and tents. The cattle and sheep came after the baggage in the center road, properly guarded. The provisions came next on pack-horses. The troops were ordered to observe the most profound silence, and the men to march at two yards distance from each other. By marching in this order, if attacked, the whole force could be easily thrown into a hollow square, with the baggage, provisions, &c., in the center. From the day of starting to the 9th was occupied in reaching camp number seven, by way of Logstown, Big Beaver and Little Beaver. Col. Boquet's journal proceeds as follows : “Tuesday, October 9th. In this day's march, the path divided into two branches, that to the southwest leading to the lower towns upon the Muskingum. In the forks of the path stand, several trees painted by the Indians in a hieroglyphic manner, denoting the number of wars in which they have been engaged, and the particulars of their success in prisoners and scalps. The camp No. 8 lies on a run, and level piece of ground, with Yellow creek close on the left, and a rising ground near the rear of the right face. The path, after the army left the forks, was so brushy and entangled that they were obliged to cut all the way before them, and also to lay several bridges, in order to make it passable for the horses; so that this day they proceeded only five miles, three quarters and seventy perches. " Wednesday, 10th. Marched one mile, with Yellow creek on the left at a small distance all the way, and crossed at a good ford fifty feet wide ; proceeding through an alternate succession of small hills and rich vales, finely watered with rivulets, to camp No. 9, seventy miles and sixty perches in the whole. " Thursday, 11th. Crossed a branch of Muskingum river about fifty feet wide, the country much the same as that described above, discovering a good deal of free-stone. The camp No. 10, had this branch of the river parallel to its left face, and lies ten miles one-quarter and forty perches from the former encampment. " Friday, 12th. Keeping the aforesaid creek on their left, they marched through much fine land, watered with small rivers and springs; proceeding likewise through several savannahs or cleared spots, which are by nature extremely beautiful; the second which they passed, being in particular, one continued plain of near two miles, with a fine rising ground forming a semicircle round the right hand side, and a pleasant stream of water at about a quarter of a mile distant on the left. The camp No. 11, has the above mentioned branch of the Muskingum on the left, and is distant ten miles and three quarters from the last encampment. "Saturday, 13th. Crossed Nemenshelas creek, about fifty feet wide, a little above where it empties itself into the aforesaid branch of Muskingum, having in their way a pleasant prospect over a large plain, for near two miles on the left. A little further, they came to another small river, which they crossed about fifty perches above where it empties into the said branch of Muskingum. Here a high ridge on the right, and the creek close on the left, form a narrow defile about seventy perches long. Passing afterwards over a very rich bottom, they came to the main branch of Muskingum, about seventy yards wide, with a good ford. A little below and above the forks of this river is Tuscarawas, a place exceedingly beautiful by situation, the lands rich on both sides of the river ; the country on the northwest side being an entire level place, upwards of five miles in circumference. From the ruined houses appearing here, the Indians who inhabited the place and are now with the Delawares, are .supposed to have had about one hundred and