Legends, Traditions, and Laws of the Iroquois, or Six Nations, and History of the Tuscarora IndiansJohnson, Elias
History
Legends, Traditions, and Laws of the Iroquois, or Six Nations, and History of the Tuscarora Indians
Johnson, Elias
Iroquois Indians; Tuscarora Indians
After the massacre, and the Tuscaroras heard it reported that they were
charged with being the author of the disaster, they immediately sent
messengers and denied the charge of having officially taken any part in
the disorder, but acknowledged that a few of the reckless and lawless
warriors did take part against their admonitions, but they were willing
to make all the restoration that was in their power to do, and would
fight for them if necessary. At different times they petitioned,
remonstrated and supplicated for peace, which was slighted and
disregarded, and only produced more violence and insult.
Notice what Governor Spotswood, of Virginia, said concerning the
Tuscaroras, to wit:
"On the first of the disaster I sent a detachment of the militia to the
tributary Indians of this province to prevent them from joining in the
war, and understanding that the Indians in some of the Tuscarora towns
had refused to march against the whites, sent a messenger to invite them,
with the rest of the friendly tribes, to a conference at the Nottoway
line, on the southern border of Virginia, where he met them on the 7th of
November."
"The Governor, after entering into some conversation with the Chiefs, had
the pleasure of finding the report which his messengers had made, from
their observations while in the Tuscarora towns, that they were very
desirous of continuing in peace, and were greatly concerned that any of
their nation should have joined in the massacre."
The Chiefs, after accounting for the delay that occurred, expressed the
desire of the Indians of their towns to continue in strict friendship
with the whites, and assist them in chastising the authors of the late
disorder.
"But now an unfortunate difference arose between the Governor and the
burgesses, the latter insisting on the passage of a bill for raising an
army in Virginia, without trusting to the sincerity of the profession of
the Tuscarora Chiefs. The Governor refusing to accede to this
proposition, and declining to co-operate in their plans, the dispute
ended by a dissolution of the assembly."
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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