From Farm House to the White House - 912 Freedom Library
From Farm House to the White House - 912 Freedom Library
From Farm House to the White House - 912 Freedom Library
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<strong>Farm</strong> <strong>House</strong> <strong>to</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>White</strong> <strong>House</strong>, by William M. Thayer 73<br />
The information he ga<strong>the</strong>red from <strong>the</strong>se men was valuable <strong>to</strong> him and <strong>the</strong> Virginia authorities.<br />
As soon as <strong>the</strong> half-king returned, Washing<strong>to</strong>n called upon him with his interpreter, making known his<br />
business, and inviting him <strong>to</strong> his own tent. The chief cordially accepted <strong>the</strong> invitation, and he accompanied<br />
him on his return.<br />
"I understand that you have visited <strong>the</strong> French commander, <strong>to</strong> whom I am going," remarked Washing<strong>to</strong>n, "and<br />
perhaps you can give me some information about <strong>the</strong> ways and distance."<br />
"The nearest and levelest way," answered <strong>the</strong> half-king, "is now impassable on account of many deep and<br />
miry savannas."<br />
"Then we must adopt <strong>the</strong> next best way," suggested Washing<strong>to</strong>n.<br />
"Yes; and that is by <strong>the</strong> way of Venango, at <strong>the</strong> confluence of French Creek and <strong>the</strong> Alleghany," said<br />
Tanacharisson.<br />
"How great is <strong>the</strong> distance?"<br />
"You cannot get <strong>to</strong> <strong>the</strong> nearest fort in less than five or six nights' sleep, good travelling."<br />
"How were you received at <strong>the</strong> fort?" continued Washing<strong>to</strong>n, anxious <strong>to</strong> make <strong>the</strong> most of his informant.<br />
"General Pierre Paul was alive <strong>the</strong>n, and he received me sternly," replied <strong>the</strong> chief.<br />
"In what way did he show his sternness?" Washing<strong>to</strong>n asked.<br />
"By his abrupt inquiry, 'What did you come here about?' And he ordered me, in an insolent way, <strong>to</strong> declare my<br />
business."<br />
"And what did you tell him?" urged Washing<strong>to</strong>n.<br />
"I made this speech <strong>to</strong> him," <strong>the</strong> half-king answered with a smile; and he proceeded <strong>to</strong> rehearse his address <strong>to</strong><br />
<strong>the</strong> French commander. As Washing<strong>to</strong>n preserved <strong>the</strong> speech of Tanacharisson, <strong>to</strong>ge<strong>the</strong>r with <strong>the</strong> French<br />
general's reply, we furnish <strong>the</strong> remainder of <strong>the</strong> interview from that valuable document:<br />
"Fa<strong>the</strong>rs, I am come <strong>to</strong> tell you your own speeches, what your own mouths have declared.<br />
"Fa<strong>the</strong>rs, you, in former days, set a silver basin before us, wherein <strong>the</strong>re was <strong>the</strong> leg of a beaver, and desired<br />
all <strong>the</strong> nations <strong>to</strong> come and eat of it,--<strong>to</strong> eat in peace and plenty, and not <strong>to</strong> be churlish <strong>to</strong> one ano<strong>the</strong>r; and that<br />
if any such person should be found <strong>to</strong> be a disturber, I here lay down by <strong>the</strong> edge of <strong>the</strong> dish a rod, which you<br />
must scourge <strong>the</strong>m with; and if your fa<strong>the</strong>r should get foolish, in my old days, I desire you may use it upon me<br />
as well as o<strong>the</strong>rs.<br />
"Now, fa<strong>the</strong>rs, it is you who are <strong>the</strong> disturbers in this land, by coming and building your <strong>to</strong>wns, and taking it<br />
away unknown <strong>to</strong> us, and by force.<br />
"Fa<strong>the</strong>rs, we kindled a fire a long time ago at a place called Montreal, where we desired you <strong>to</strong> stay, and not <strong>to</strong><br />
come and intrude upon our land. I now desire you may dispatch <strong>to</strong> that place; for be it known <strong>to</strong> you, fa<strong>the</strong>rs,<br />
that this is our land, and not yours.<br />
"Fa<strong>the</strong>rs, I desire you may hear me in civilness; if not, we must handle that rod which was laid down for <strong>the</strong>