Author
Avery, David
Date10 October, 1768
ms number768560.1
abstractAvery writes from the congress at Fort Stanwix. He reports that Sir
William Johnson may not be as friendly to the design as he appears, that the
Indians are
in danger of selling their lands for trinkets and blankets, and that efforts
are being
made to get them to prize their lands more dearly.
handwritingHandwriting is slightly uneven, yet formal and clear. The
trailer is in an unknown hand.
paperLarge sheet folded in half to make four pages, plus smaller
single sheet, have been reinforced, which makes it difficult to gauge condition
of
the paper; it appears to be in good-to-fair condition, with light-to-moderate
staining, creasing and wear.
inkBrown-black ink is faded, heavily in spots.
signatureThe document is signed in full after the body of the letter,
and initialed after the postscript.
noteworthyAn editor, likely 19th-century, has added the note "Ind.
Miſ." to three verso. This note has not been included in the
transcription.
Modernized Version
Deletions removed; additions added in;
modern spelling and capitalization added; unfamiliar abbreviations expanded.
We came to this place last
friday — waited on His Excellency Sir
William Johnson
saturday — treated us
with a good deal of
freedom and
pleasantry — but as to his real
friendship
and regard for the cause,
doubtless, there is much reason to
suspect — we understand the busi‐
ness of the present
Congress is to
run a Line betwixt the
King
and
Indians — which Line is to extend
as far west as the Indians will
sell — they talk of bounding up‐
on
Oneida Lake — and run down
to the western part of
Pennsylvania
— which, if obtained will take in the Indian
Land almost as far as to the
Onondagas — again we have heard the Gentlemen de‐
sign to get within a Day's March of
Os‐wago — which will cut off the
Onondagas from chief of their Inheritance —
Some of the
Oneida's that heard of this ex‐
tensive
design were a good deal troubled —
If upon the whole
they cannot obtain
so far
— they design to get as far as they
can —
Thomas
fears and
trembles!
has laboured
very much to attach the
Indians to their own interest and hold
their Lands as they would their Lives.
several seem to stand
firm — but the
poor creatures are too easily deluded by
gaudy, trifling Gewgaws — they think
if they sell
here, they have Lands enough
farther North — which extend as far
Oswegatchie — what Steps we have ta‐
‐ken
taken
Joseph will be able to inform
the
Doctor — it appears, eminently
to be a time of
Danger — it seems
as if things are brought to a
Crisis they are sensible of the growing
state of the
Doctor's
School, and that
by and
by the Indians will be too
knowing and
industrious to barter
and fool away their Lands for a
gill of rum or a
blanket —
But what their Views are — let the
Dr. and his counsel Friends guess —
Here seems to be a Volume opened
in which may be learnt
many
things — and the Solution of many
mysterious
Philosop
[illegible]ima —
There is
one ground of
Comfort God is stronger and wiser than
Man
In conversation
Sir William
asked
if we had heard what for an answer
the
Onondagas gave to
Mr. Chamberlain when
he made application to them? told him
the
sum of their answer which was favoura‐
‐ble — Then
His Excellency was pleased to
mention
what the
Onondagas told him
soon after this application was made
—
That the
Mohawks have had the Gospel
among them many years as well as the
Oneidas — and they observed no reformati
‐on — they would get drunk stab and kill as
before etc.
etc. — and they were resolved not
receive the Gospel among them until they
saw it had some good Effect upon their
Neighbour Brethren. the
Mohawks
and
Oneidas
etc. — moreover
His Excellency said he has taken
a vast deal of Pains to persuade the Indians
to receive the Gospel
and mind what the mi‐
nisters said to them — as it would be for
their Temporal, and Spiritual Good —
But answered — If it would increase their Chil
‐dren and Hunting they
would do it etc.
From what was observable were
ready to conclude there is little
or No prospect of an answer from
the
Onondagas — The Gentlemen
of these parts seem to be well turned
to build up
Kingdoms —
we design to wait upon the Congress
until it shall be over — and do what
ever may appear best — —
This morning
Thomas told me (when
I went to consult with him about af‐
fairs) that the Indians all joined their
desires to see
Mr. Kirtland
once
more if he is well enough this fall to
make them a
visit —
Joseph Brant sends Love and Duty — Please
to accept much Duty from,
P.S. If any should come upon this
emer‐gence — several pounds sterling of Money will be want[gap: worn_edge][guess: ed]
As concerning the
bearer — shall inform
the Doctor when I return — which
account
will be
very disagreeable — He knows no‐
one of the most
special
reasons of his
emission — ! Hope the
Dr. may have Divine Support — —
David Avery