Journals of Conrad Weiser (1748), George Croghan (1750-1765), Christian Frederick Post (1758), and Thomas Morris (1764)Croghan, George
History
Journals of Conrad Weiser (1748), George Croghan (1750-1765), Christian Frederick Post (1758), and Thomas Morris (1764)
Croghan, George
Mississippi River Valley -- Description and travel; United States -- Description and travel; West (U.S.) -- Description and travel
“Hearken, my brethren at _Allegheny_. When we began to make peace with
the _Delawares_, twelve months ago, in behalf of ten other nations,
we opened a road, and cleared the bushes from the blood, and gathered
all the bones, on both sides, together; and when we had brought them
together, in one heap, we could find no place to bury them: we would not
bury them as our grandfathers did. They buried them under ground, where
they may be found again. We prayed to God, that he would have mercy on
us, and take all these bones away from us, and hide them, that they might
never be found any more; and take from both sides all the remembrance
of them out of our heart and mind. And we have a firm confidence, that
God will be pleased to take all the bones and hide them from us, that
they may never be remembered by us, while we live, nor our children, nor
grand children, hereafter. The hatchet was buried on both sides, and
large belts of peace exchanged. Since we have cleared every thing from
the heart, and taken every thing out of our way; now, my brethren at
_Allegheny_, every one that hears me, if you will join with us, in that
brotherly love and friendship, which our grandfathers had, we assure you,
that all past offences shall be forgotten, and never more talked of, by
us, our children and grand children hereafter. This belt assures you of
our sincerity, and honest and upright heart towards you.” A belt of seven
rows.
“Hearken, brethren at _Allegheny_. I have told you that we really made
peace with part of your nation, twelve months past; I now by this
belt open the road from _Allegheny_ to our council fire, where your
grandfathers kept good councils with us, that all may pass without
molestation or danger. You must be sensible, that unless a road be
kept open, people at variance can never come together to make up their
differences. Messengers are free in all nations throughout the world,
by a particular token. Now, brethren at _Allegheny_, I desire you will
join with me in keeping the road open, and let us know in what manner we
may come free to you, and what the token shall be. I join both my hands
to yours, and will do all in my power to keep the road open.” A belt of
seven rows.
“Now, brethren at _Allegheny_, Hear what I say. Every one that lays hold
of this belt of peace, I proclaim peace to them from the _English_
nation, and let you know that the great king of _England_ does not
incline to have war with the _Indians_; but he wants to live in peace
and love with them, if they will lay down the hatchet, and leave off war
against him.”
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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