Benjamin Franklin Papers - From Robert Galbraith et al. (unpublished)

At a meeting of the principal Inhabitants of the Town of Pittsburgh this 29 Day of April, we the subscribers were chosen a Committee to give information to Council of the news of intelligence receiv’d at this Place relative to the Indians, and our own situation.

A few Days ago Captain Armstrong Commanding at this place received a Letter from the Commandant at the Miami informing that people had been killed both above and below that place, and that he was in daily expectation of being besieged.

Yesterday Capt’n Beaty arrived at this place from Mc Intosh and informed the Commanding officer here that reinforcement be immediately sent to the Miami in Compliance with a request from Captain Finney, which will leave but one Company between Mc Intosh and Pittsburgh. Capt’n O’Bail left his two wives and a number of Children in Care of the Commanding officer at this place when he went away to Congress, they remained here perfectly satisfied with the kind treatment they received from Capt’n Armstrong, untill the arrival of about forty seven Indians (Senecas) with a chief called Allface who held Council at this place, and received a quantity of Indian Corn, Potatoes, Hoes, &c. &c., saying they were going to plant Corn and live at French creek. These Indians stayed several Days trading at this place, the greatest number of them frequently Drunk, a chief called Halftown behaved with great propriety and sobriety, these Indians took away with them the family of O’Bail, alias the Cornplanter. Capt’n John Wilkins asked one Capt’n Harris a Warrior, who talked good English, why Allface took away the Cornplanters family, as he the Cornplanter was expected here on his return from Congress. Harris shook his head and laughed, said the Cornplanter was not coming back this way. Immediately upon their return to French Creek, they called upon Colonel Thomas Gibson who kept store at a place called Slippery Rock, about 35 miles distant from Pittsburgh and warned him off from that place. You have his Deposition enclosed for the necessary information. About ten days ago Capt’n Strong was riding a little distance from M’Intosh up to where the officers had erected a Bower, near to a spring that issues froma large Rock upon an Eminence commanding a view of the Fort. He was alarmed by discovering a number of Indians who had been sculking behind the Rocks reconoitering the Fort, they ran a little distance to where there were a number more with their Guns, to the amount of twenty-two he called to them to come and speak with him, but they ran away and would not. The Day after one Indian was seen by Daybreak sculking about the fort, who also ran off when discovered.

Notwithstanding the pompious publication in the Carlisle paper of the great services rendered the States by the treaties; and the peaceful disposition of the Indians, we are well assured it is all a farce, the Indian Chiefs who had a power to treat and give away the lands, did not attend: they told Mr. David Duncan of this place, if it was only land we wanted, they would give us as much as we wanted, when ever they met us, that was our length and breadth which ever way we would fall. From these and a number of other Reports we are well assured that we have every thing to fear from them, the Hostages left at the last treaty, have ran off, the account was brought here yesterday by Capt’n O’Hara, who arrived here from the Miami. There are but twelve soldiers in the Garrison here, the Works out of order; no arms or ammunitions, the Militia Law never executed, no militia officers or Companies formed by the Lieutenant, who ever he is. On behalf of all the Inhabitants on this frontier, and more especially those of this place who request Council to take our situation into their immediate consideration, and, send us some relief of Arms, Ammunition and Men, and such other assistance as to them may appear right. We are Hon’ble Gentlemen, your most obedient Humble Servants,

p.s. As there are large quantities of Flour, Liquors, &c. frequently going from this place to Detroit and the Indian Country, we pray the direction of Council and authority from them, to stop such trade for the present. On the Arrival of Half Town and the Cut Cheek chief at my camp at Sliperey Rock, they informed me that they were now on their way to their Towns the Cataragues with their famileys and Requested me to return home, as it would not be safe for me to Live at that place any Longer, that the British had brought large Supplies to Niagara for them and that they had been Repeatedly invited there, that a party of Warriors would be down and do some harm and that perhaps would make them come home, that they had Received information that Smoke the Chief of the Seneca Indians would Send this party of Warriors. Half Town also informed me that he did not intend to plant any Corn at French Creek and also told me that if any Conference or Treaty Whould be at Pittsburgh, to keep the way open and Send him word, that he Now parted with me in friendship and said he might see me in friendship again and perhaps not.