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 75<br />
"His Honor likewise desired me <strong>to</strong> apply <strong>to</strong> you for some of your young men <strong>to</strong> conduct and provide<br />
provisions for us on our way, and be a safe-guard against those French Indians who have taken up <strong>the</strong> hatchet<br />
against us. I have spoken thus particularly <strong>to</strong> you, bro<strong>the</strong>rs, because his Honor, our governor, treats you as<br />
good friends and allies, and holds you in great esteem. To confirm what I have said, I give you this string of<br />
wampum."<br />
The sachems listened <strong>to</strong> this speech with profound attention, noting every word; and when Major Washing<strong>to</strong>n<br />
concluded, <strong>the</strong>y conferred <strong>to</strong>ge<strong>the</strong>r for some time, when Tanacharisson arose, and replied:<br />
"Now, my bro<strong>the</strong>r, in regard <strong>to</strong> what my bro<strong>the</strong>r, <strong>the</strong> governor, had desired of me, I return you this answer:<br />
"I rely upon you as a bro<strong>the</strong>r ought <strong>to</strong> do, as you say we are bro<strong>the</strong>rs and one people. We shall put heart in<br />
hand, and speak <strong>to</strong> our fa<strong>the</strong>rs, <strong>the</strong> French, concerning <strong>the</strong> speech <strong>the</strong>y made <strong>to</strong> me; and you may depend that<br />
we will endeavor <strong>to</strong> be your guard.<br />
"Bro<strong>the</strong>r, as you have asked my advice, I hope you will be ruled by it, and stay until I can provide a company<br />
<strong>to</strong> go with you. The French speech belt is not here; I have <strong>to</strong> go for it <strong>to</strong> my hunting cabin. Likewise, <strong>the</strong><br />
people whom I have ordered in are not yet come, and cannot until <strong>the</strong> third night from this; until which time,<br />
bro<strong>the</strong>r, I must beg you <strong>to</strong> stay. I intend <strong>to</strong> send <strong>the</strong> guard of Rincoes, Shannoahs, and Delawares, that our<br />
bro<strong>the</strong>rs may see <strong>the</strong> love and loyalty we bear <strong>the</strong>m."<br />
Washing<strong>to</strong>n replied <strong>to</strong> <strong>the</strong> half-king:<br />
"Bro<strong>the</strong>r, your offer is a very generous one, for which I heartily thank you; but my orders are <strong>to</strong> make all<br />
possible despatch, so that I am obliged <strong>to</strong> leave, much against my inclination. My business requires <strong>the</strong><br />
greatest expedition, and will not admit of so much delay."<br />
"We are sorry for this decision, bro<strong>the</strong>r," continued Tanacharisson; "but we shall not permit you <strong>to</strong> go without<br />
a guard, lest some accident befall you, and, in consequence, reflection be cast upon us. Besides, this is a<br />
matter of no small moment, and must not be entered in<strong>to</strong> without due consideration; for I intend <strong>to</strong> deliver up<br />
<strong>the</strong> French speech belt, and make <strong>the</strong> Shannoahs and Delawares do <strong>the</strong> same."<br />
Accordingly <strong>the</strong> half-king gave orders <strong>to</strong> <strong>the</strong> King Shingiss, who was present, <strong>to</strong> attend on Wednesday night<br />
with <strong>the</strong> wampum, and two men of <strong>the</strong>ir nation <strong>to</strong> be in readiness <strong>to</strong> set out with Washing<strong>to</strong>n and his party in<br />
<strong>the</strong> morning. But Washing<strong>to</strong>n did not leave as he designed, because he found that <strong>the</strong> sachems would be<br />
greatly offended if he did. His journal says: "I found it was impossible <strong>to</strong> go off without offending <strong>the</strong>m in <strong>the</strong><br />
most egregious manner."<br />
The entry in his journal for <strong>the</strong> next day, Nov. 27, is:<br />
"Runners were despatched very early for <strong>the</strong> Shannoah chiefs. The half-king himself set out <strong>to</strong> fetch <strong>the</strong><br />
French speech belt from his hunting cabin."<br />
On <strong>the</strong> following evening, Nov. 28, Tanacharisson returned with <strong>the</strong> French speech belt, and came <strong>to</strong><br />
Washing<strong>to</strong>n's tent in company with Monaca<strong>to</strong>ocha and two o<strong>the</strong>r sachems.<br />
"An Indian from Venango," said Monaca<strong>to</strong>ocha, "has brought news that <strong>the</strong> French have called all <strong>the</strong><br />
Mingoes, Delawares, and several o<strong>the</strong>r tribes <strong>to</strong>ge<strong>the</strong>r, and <strong>to</strong>ld <strong>the</strong>m that <strong>the</strong>y intended <strong>to</strong> have been down <strong>the</strong><br />
river this fall, but <strong>the</strong> waters were growing cold, and <strong>the</strong> winter advancing, which obliged <strong>the</strong>m <strong>to</strong> go in<strong>to</strong><br />
quarters, but that <strong>the</strong>y might assuredly expect <strong>the</strong>m in <strong>the</strong> spring with a far greater number, and requested<br />
<strong>the</strong>m <strong>to</strong> remain passive, and not inter-meddle unless <strong>the</strong>y had a mind <strong>to</strong> draw all <strong>the</strong>ir force upon <strong>the</strong>m, for<br />
that <strong>the</strong>y expected <strong>to</strong> fight <strong>the</strong> English three years, in which time <strong>the</strong>y should conquer; but that if <strong>the</strong>y should