TO THE HONORABLE

STEPHEN VAN RENSSELAER,

OF ALBANY,

THESE volumes are most respectfully inscribed. If the efforts of the writer to illustrate more fully and minutely than has hitherto been done, the most interesting portion of American history, in its immediate connection with the large and populous State of which THE PATROON has so long been one of the most distinguished citizens, shall be so fortunate as to merit the regard, and receive the approbation, of one so excellently qualified to judge of its interest and value, there will be nothing left unsatisfied to the ambition and the hopes of

His friend and servant,

THE AUTHOR.

CONTENTS.

CHAPTER I.

Birth and parentage-Discussion of the doubts cast upon his origin-Visit of Mo-
hawk chiefs to Queen Anne-Evidence of Brant's descent from one of those-
Digression from the main subject, and Extracts from the private and official jour-
nals of Sir William Johnson-Connexion between Sir William and the family of
Brant-Incidental references to the old French war-Illustrations of Indian pro-
ceedings, speeches, &c.-Brant's parentage satisfactorily established-Takes
the field in the Campaign of Lake George (1755.)-Is engaged at the conquest
of Niagara (1759.)—Efforts of Sir William Johnson to civilize the Indians-Brant
13 sent, with other Indian youths, to the Moor Charity School, at Lebanon-Leaves
school-Anecdote-Is engaged on public business by Sir William-As an Inter-
preter for the Missionaries-Again takes the field, in the wars against Pontiac-
Întended massacre at Detroit-Ultimate overthrow of Pontiac-First marriage of
Brant-Entertains the Missionaries--Again employed on public business-Death
of his wife-Engages with Mr. Stewart in translating the Scriptures-Marries
again--Has serious religious impressions-Selects a bosom friend and confidant,
after the Indian custom-Death of his friend-His grief, and refusal to choose
another friend.
Page 1

CHAPTER II.

Early symptoms of disaffection at Boston-Origin of the Revolutionary War-First
blood shed in 1770-Stirring eloquence of Joseph Warren-Feelings of Sir Wil-
liam Johnson-His influence with the Indians and Germans, and his unpleasant
position-Last visit of Sir William to England-His death-Mysterious circum-
stances attending it—Suspicions of suicide unjust—His son, Sir John Johnson,
succeeds to his title and estates-His son-in-law, Col. Guy Johnson, to his office
as Superintendant General of the Indians-Early life of Sir John-Joseph Brant
appointed Secretary to Guy Johnson--Influence of the Johnson family-Revolu-
tionary symptoms in Tryon County, fomented by the proceedings in New Eng-
land-First meeting of Tryon County Whigs-Declaration of Rights--First meet-
ing of Congress--Effect of its proceedings-in England-Tardiness of Provincial
legislature of New-York-Spirit of the people-Notes of preparation in Massachu-
setts, &c.-Overt acts of rebellion in several States-Indians exasperated by the
Virginia borderers in 1774-Melancholy story of Logan-Campaign of Lord Dun-
more and Colonel Lewis-Battle of the Kanhawa-Speech of Logan-Its authen-
ticity questioned-Peace of Chilicothe-Unhappy feeling of the Indians.

CHAPTER III.

29

Unyielding course of the parent Government-Efforts of the Earl of Chatham una-
vailing Address to the Crown from New-York-Leslie's Expedition to Salem-
Affair of Lexington-Unwise movements of Tryon County loyalists-Reaction
-Public meetings-The Sammons family-Interference of the Johnsons-
Quarrel at Caughnawaga-Spirited indications at Cherry Valley-Counteracting
efforts of the Johnsons among their retainers-Intrigues with the Indians-
Massachusetts attempts the same-Correspondence with the Stockbridge Indians
-Letter to Mr. Kirkland-His removal by Guy Johnson-Neutrality of the
Oneidas-Intercepted despatch from Brant to the Oneidas-Apprehensions of
Guy Johnson-Correspondence-Farther precautions of the Committees-Re-
verence for the Laws-Letter of Guy Johnson to the Committees of Albany and
Schenectady-Substance of the reply.

49

CHAPTER IV.

Council of the Mohawk chiefs at Guy Park--A second council called by Johnson
at Cosby's Manor-Proceeds thither with his retinue--First full meeting of Tryon
County Committee-Correspondence with Guy Johnson-No council held-
Johnson proceeds farther West, accompanied by his family and most of the In-
dians-Consequent apprehensions of the people-Communication from Massa-
chusetts Congress-Ticonderoga and Crown Point taken by Ethan Allen-Skenes-
borough and St. Johns surprised-Farther proceedings in Massachusetts-Battle
of Bunker Hill-Death of Warren-Council with the Oneidas and Tuscaroras at
German Flatts-Speech to the Indians-Subsequent council with the Oneidas-
Conduct of the people toward Guy Johnson-Speech to, and reply of Oneidas-
Guy Johnson moves westwardly to Ontario-His letter to the Provincial Congress
of New-York-Holds a great Indian council at the West-Unfavourable influence
upon the dispositions of the Indians-Causes of their partiality for the English—
Great, but groundless alarm of the people-Guy Johnson, with Brant and the
Indian warriors, descends the St. Lawrence to Montreal-Council there-Sir Guy
Carleton and Gen. Haldimand complete the work of winning the Indians over to
the cause of the Crown.

CHAPTER V.

-

Page 71

Meeting of the second Continental Congress-Measures of defence-Declaration-
National fast-Organization of an Indian department-Address to the Six Na-
tions Council called at Albany-Preliminary consultation at German Flatts-
Speeches of the Oneidas and others-Adjourn to Albany-Brief interview with
the commissioners-Conference and interchange of speeches with the Albanians—
Proceedings of the grand council-Speeches of the commissioners-Replies of the
Indians Conclusion of the grand council-Resumption of the conference with
the Albanians-Speech of the Albany Committee Reply of the Indians-Dis-
closures of Guy Johnson's proceedings at Oswego-Close of the proceedings-
Epidemic among the Indians-Small benefit resulting from the council-Proceed-
ings in Tryon County resumed-Doubtful position of New-York-Symptoms of
disaffection to the cause of the people-Sir John Johnson-Sheriff White deposed
by the people-The royal authorities superseded by appointments from the peo-
ple-Affray at Johnstown-First gun fired at Sampson Sammons-White recom-
missioned by Tryon-His flight-Labors of the Committee-Opposition of the
Tories-Designs of Sir John Johnson and Sir Guy Carleton-Letter and depu-
tation to Sir John-Prisoners for political offences sent to gaol-Letter from Pro-
vincial Congress-Mohawks commence fighting at St. Johns-Speech of the Ca-
najoharies in explanation-Indians apply for release of prisoners-Review of the
progress of the Revolution in other parts of the Colonies-Proceedings of Parlia-
ment-Burning of Falmouth-Descent upon Canada-Ethan Allen taken-Ar-
nold's expedition-Siege of Quebec-Fall of Montgomery-Caughnawaga and
Delaware Indians.

CHAPTER VI.

91

Lord Dunmore-Glance at the South-Suspicious conduct of Sir John Johnson-
Conduct of the Tories in Tryon County-Gen. Schuyler directed by Congress
to march into that County and disarm the Tories-Preliminary mission to the
Lower Mohawks-Message to them-Their displeasure and reply-March of
Schuyler-Meets the Indians at Schenectady-Interview and speeches-Advance
of Schuyler-Letter to Sir John Johnson-Interview-Negotiations of capitula-
tion-Terms proposed-Schuyler advances to Caughnawaga-Joined by Tryon
County Militia-Farther correspondence with Sir John-Interview with the In-
dian mediators-Terms of surrender adjusted-Schuyler marches to Johns-
town-Sir John, his household, and the Highlanders, disarmed-Troops scour
the country to bring in the loyalists-Disappointment as to the supposed Tory
Depot of warlike munitions-Return of Schuyler to Albany-Resolution of Con-
gress Additional trouble with Sir John-Preparations for his seizure-Expedi-
tion of Col. Dayton-Flight of the Baronet and his partisans to Canada-Their
sufferings-And subsequent conduct-How the violation of his parole was con-
sidered.

119

CHAPTER VII.

History of Brant resumed-Advanced to the chieftaincy of the Confederacy-Mode
of appointing chiefs and sachems-Embarks for England-Arrives in London-
Received with marked consideration-Becomes acquainted with James Boswell
and others-Agrees to espouse the Royal cause, and returns to America-Steals
through the country to Canada-Curious supposed letter to President Wheelock
-Battle of the Cedars-Cowardice of Major Butterfield-Outrages of the In-
dians-Story of Capt. M'Kinstry, who was saved from the stake by Brant-In-
dignation of Washington, the peopie, and Congress-Resolutions of retaliation
-Mutual complaints of treatment of prisoners-Murder of Gen. Gordon-In-
dignation at the outrage-Indian deputation at Philadelphia--Speech to them-
Congress resolves upon the employment of an Indian force-Schuyler opposed-
Review of the incidents of the war elsewhere-Destitution of the Army-Eva-
cuation of Boston by the English-Disastrous termination of the Canadian cam-
paign-Deplorable condition of the army-Humanity of Sir Guy Carleton-
-Glance at the South-Declaration of Independence-Spirit of Tryon County
-Cherry Valley-Fortifications at Fort Stanwix-American army moves to
New-York-Arrival of the British fleet and army-Battle of Long-Island-
Washington evacuates New-York--Battle of White Plains-Retreats across
New-Jersey-Followed by Cornwallis-Defeat of Arnold on Lake Champlain
-Fall of Rhode Island-Battle of Trenton.

CHAPTER VIII.

Page 147

Continuation of movements in New Jersey-Extinguishment of the council-fire at
Onondaga-Tryon County-Colonel Harper's mission to Oghkwaga-The Har-
per family-Adventure at the Johnstone settlement-Capture of Good Peter and
his party-Thayendanegea crosses from Canada to Oghkwaga-Interview with
the Rev. Mr. Johnstone-Doubtful course of Brant-Feverish situation of the
people--Expedition of General Herkimer to Unadilla-Remarkable meeting be-
tween Herkimer and Brant-Meditated act of treachery-Wariness of the
chief-Meeting abruptly terminated-Ended in a storm-Brant draws off to Os-
wego-Grand council there-The Indians generally join the Royal standard—
Approach of Brant upon Cherry Valley-How defeated-Death of Lieutenant
Wormwood.

CHAPTER IX.

175

British preparations for the prosecution of the war-Indications at the North-Doubt-
ful position and conduct of General Howe-Embarrassing to the Americans-In-
tercepted correspondence-General Howe sails to the Chesapeake-Enters Phila-
delphia in triumph-Burgoyne approaches from the North-Indian policy-Sir
Guy Carleton-False estimates of the strength of Ticonderoga-Burgoyne arrives
at Crown Point-Feasts the Indians-Invests Ticonderoga--Carries the out-
works-Fortifies Sugar Hill-The fortress evacuated by St. Clair-Retreat of the
Americans--Battles near Skenesborough and at Fort Ann--Burgoyne enters the
valley of the Hudson--Schuyler, without means, retreats from Fort Edward-
Terror of the people-Cruelties of the Indians-Story of Miss M'Crea-General
flight of the population-Mrs. Ann Eliza Bleecker--Heroism of Mrs. Schuyler-
Attempted assassination of General Schuyler.

CHAPTER X.

195

Expedition against the Mohawk Valley from Oswego-Despondency of the people
in Tryon County-Letter of John Jay-Arrest of several of the disaffected-
Flight of others to Canada-Schuyler's complaints of the cowardice of the people
-Great discouragements-Proclamation of General Herkimer-Letter from
Thomas Spencer-St. Leger's approach-Caution and plan of his march—Diary
of Lieut. Bird-Fort Stanwix invested-Colonel Gansevoort takes command-Its
deplorable condition-Gansevoort joined by Willett-Story of Captain Gregg-
Situation of the garrison-Arrival of St. Leger-His proclamation-Burgoyne's
affairs becoming critical-Affair of Bennington-General Herkimer, with the
Tryon County militia, advances to the relief of Gansevoort-Battle of Oriskany-
Bloody upon both sides-Unexampled bravery of Captain Gardenier—Major
Watts-Dissatisfaction of the Indians-Sortie and success of Colonel Willett--
Death and character of General Herkimer.

209