Daily stories of Pennsylvania : $b prepared for publication in the leading daily newspapers of the state...Godcharles, Frederic Antes
History
Daily stories of Pennsylvania : $b prepared for publication in the leading daily newspapers of the state...
Godcharles, Frederic Antes
Pennsylvania -- Biography; Pennsylvania -- History
Such was the situation when the great council was called at Easton,
July, 1756, at which Tedyuskung appeared as the champion of the
Delaware. Governor Morris opened the council with a speech, in which he
warmly welcomed the chief. Tedyuskung replied: “The Delaware are no
longer the slaves of the Six Nations. I, Tedyuskung, have been appointed
King over the Five United Nations. What I do here will be approved by
all. This is a good day. I wish the same good that possessed the good
old man, William Penn, who was a friend of the Indian, may inspire the
people of the Province at this time.”
The first session was followed by a grand feast and reception, during
which King Tedyuskung and Chief Newcastle were sent to give the “big
peace halloo” to the Indians and invite them to a larger conference,
which was held at a later time.
Tedyuskung left Easton, but loitered about Fort Allen, where he became
drunk and disorderly, and so incensed Lieutenant Miller that the whole
outcome of the peace conference was, for a time, endangered.
During this drunken spree Tedyuskung was blamed for having dealings with
the French, but no evidence was produced to prove the charges; yet
Governor Morris dispatched Chief Newcastle to Sir William Johnson to
learn if the Iroquois had deputized Tedyuskung to act for them. This
they denied.
Then followed endless discussions in Provincial Council. Governor Morris
had been succeeded by Governor Denny, who went to the council at Easton,
July, 1757, under a heavy guard. Tedyuskung, in his opening speech,
said: “I am sorry for what our people have done. I have gone among our
people pleading for peace. If it cost me my life I would do it.”
Tedyuskung demanded a clerk at this Easton Council on threat of leaving,
and he was assigned such official. While Tedyuskung was drunk each
night, he appeared at council each morning with a clear head and was the
equal of any in debate.
This second Easton council determined upon a general peace and
Tedyuskung promised to see that their white prisoners were all returned.
He then went to Fort Allen, where he and his warriors had a drunken
frolic. Conrad Weiser says of him at this time: “Though he is a drunkard
and a very irregular man, yet he is a man that can think well, and I
believe him to be sincere in what he said.”
A fourth council was held at Easton in October, 1758, when Post had
returned from his Western mission. Land disputes again became a
principal topic, and Tedyuskung was discredited by the Iroquois, who
attempted to destroy his influence with the Provincial Government. They
even left the council when he spoke, but the old King won out and the
council finally ended in a treaty of peace.
In 1762 the Governor offered Tedyuskung £400 as a present if he would
withdraw his charges of fraud in the “Walking Purchase,” and he accepted
the bribe.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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