From Farm House to the White House - 912 Freedom Library

Farm House to the White House, by William M. Thayer 72
Shingiss received Washington in a friendly manner, though with manifest reserve. When he learned what was
the object of his mission, and that an Indian Council was proposed at Logstown, his friendliness grew into
cordiality, and he promised not only to be present at the Council, but to accompany Washington and his party
thither.
They arrived at Logstown on the evening of Nov. 24. Washington inquired for Tanacharisson, the half-king,
and found that he was out at his hunting cabin on Little Beaver Creek, fifteen miles away. Tanacharisson was
called half-king because his authority was subject to that of the Five Nations.
As the half-king was absent, he repaired to Monacatoocha, with John Davidson, his Indian interpreter, and
informed him that he was sent a messenger to the French general, and was ordered to call upon the sachems of
the Six Nations to acquaint them with it.
"I gave him a string of wampum and a twist of tobacco," says Washington in his journal, "and desired him to
send for the half-king, which he promised to do by a 'runner' in the morning, and for other sachems. I invited
him and the other great men present to my tent, where they stayed about an hour, and returned."
At this place Washington met four Frenchmen who had deserted from a company at Kuskuskas, an Indian
town on Big Beaver Creek, Pennsylvania. Through Van Braam, he inquired:
"Where do you hail from now?"
"From New Orleans. We were sent with a hundred men and eight canoe loads of provisions to this place,
where we expected to meet as many more men from the forts on this side of Lake Erie, to convey them and
the stores up."
"What about the French forts near New Orleans?"
"There are four small forts between New Orleans and Twigtwies," one of the Frenchmen said.
"And how many men?" Washington asked.
"About forty, and a few pieces of artillery."
"What is there at New Orleans?"
"A large fort at the mouth of the Mississippi, with thirty-five companies of forty men each."
"How many guns does the fort mount?"
"Eight carriage guns."
"Quite a formidable affair," remarked Washington. "With courage and skill to correspond they can withstand
quite a siege; and what is there at Twigtwies?"
"Several companies, and a fort mounting six guns."
"And is that all?"
"Not exactly. There is a small fort on the Ohio, at the mouth of the Obaish (Wabash), garrisoned by a few
men."