History of Northampton, Massachusetts, from its settlement in 1654;

24 HISTORY OF NORTHAMPTON. [1784.
sion, there were men living within the sound of the guns
that killed their neighbors and friends, so lost to all sense-
of honor and patriotism, as to furnish fire-water to the In-
dians, receiving for it in many instances, the very gifts
which the government had just presented to them. So
pronounced had this evil become that Lieut. Gov. Dummer,
in June, was forced to issue his proclamation against
the nefarious practice. He says : —
"Divers evil minded persons, especially in Hampshire County, for
the sake of lucre, have taken and received arms, aminunition, clothing
and provisions of divers Indians of the 5 nations for strong drink, sold
to them contrary to law," and wai'ns them not to continue the evil
practice.
Aid Solicited from Rumors froui Canada of the departure of
Connecticut. seveu hundred Indians in small squads to
slay and pillage in New England, added
greatly to the alarm in the valley, and upon their confirma-
tion an appeal was made to Connecticut for reinforcements.
Gov. Saltonstall sent up Capt. Goodrich with seventy-five
men, Capt. Walter Butler with thirty men, and a company
of forty-two Indians. The first named company and the
Indians remained only a short time, but Capt, Butler and
his command stayed till October.
Conference with the Col. Stoddard and Col. Scliuylcr, appointed
Five Nations. to treat with the Indians, were in confer-
ence with them for several months. Capt.
Kellogg acted as interpreter, and in company with Capt.
Ebenezer Pomeroy, of Northampton, who had been appointed
one of the commissioners, went to Albany in the
latter part of May. Negotiations were continued during
the month of June, and on the 3"^ of July, a treaty of peace
was concluded with the Canada Indians, and a covenant
made with the Five Nations. The latter undertook to persuade
the eastern Indians to treat for peace, and in case
they refused, agreed to compel them to do so by force of
arms. This arrangement, like so many others entered into
with the red men, was of no especial value. The Five
Nations did not succeed in intimidating the Abenakis, wha
refused to make peace with the English till their lands,
were restored to them and their hostages returned.