After 250 years, John Connolly and his role in western Pennsylvania remain enigmatic. As a key figure in the Pennsylvania-Virginia boundary dispute and the events leading to Dunmore’s War, many historians have speculated on his motives and actions. However, few have ventured further than labeling him as a conniver, traitor or as an incompetent fool. But other than Percy B. Caley, Clarence M. Burton, and perhaps myself (see my article at this link), no one has really dedicated the effort to truly understand the man and his motives. So, in this spirit, let us allow John Connolly to speak for himself.
Below is a transcription of his journal for the events of early 1774. While he originally planned to publish this, the opening of the American Revolution would place a permanent pause on that effort. Where the original draft went from 1774 until it entered a private collection is unknown but it was most likely acquired after Connolly went to London following the conclusion of the American Revolution. I have tried to remain as true to the original as possible. All original spelling has been maintained. The only alterations made were inserting the month in front of each daily entry and joining the text when separated by the original pagination.
Historians of Dunmore’s War, as well as the original participants, have noted the importance of Connolly’s circular letter. This letter has been universally cited as the root of the violence that led to war. While the original has been lost to history, finally, we at least have Connolly’s version of these pivotal events.
Doug MacGregor
Journal of my Proceedings & etc. Commencing from the late Disturbances with the Cherokees upon the Ohio
April 14th 1774
A Canoe of Indian goods with three people going from hence to the Shawanese Towns to trade were fired upon by some Cherokees Indians about forty miles down the river and after they had killed one man and wounded another the canoe and property therein were carried off by the Indian
On the 16th the news came to me, upon which having some Militia embodied, I immediately detach’d an Officer and Party in pursuit of them with orders to bring them back if possible as murderers or otherwise to treat them as open enemies. This party recovered a considerable share of the property and the canoe but could not come up with the Indians. I went today down the river with a party and brought up the wounded man. This accident occasion’d a great deal of confusion and as I imagin’d it woud be improper to allow an act so insolent to pass over unnotic’d, I recommended to the Indian Agent to send down the to the Shawanese to demand the murderers as to their Towns they had fled.
April 20th
From a complaint made to me by Captain White Eyes a Delaware Chief of this being insulted and abused by some of our people on Yellow Creek I sent down the following advertisement by some traders going down the river which I ordered to be posted in the most public Settlements thereon.
“Whereas a complaint has been made to me by some friendly and well disposed Indians that certain imprudent people, inhabitants down this river have very unbecomingly ill-treated said Indians and threatened their lives, these are therefore to caution such persons to avoid a conduct of that Nature for the future and on the contrary to be friendly towards such Natives as may appear peaceable; as thereon depends the Tranquility of this country. Given Under my Hand, &etc.”
I also, upon information from Colonel Croghan That the Shawanese were ill disposed and might possibly do mischief, wrote a Circulatory Letter to the Inhabitants advising them thereof and recommending to them to be on their guard against any Hostile attempts from said People.
April 26th
Two Delaware Indians that were going down the river in company with two White men conveying the Property retaken from the Cherokees into the Indian Country to trade, were fired upon by some of our people and the Two Indians killed and scalp’d as this act was perpetrated by some adventurers from Maryland and the interior parts of Virginia not possess’d of property in the Country they did not stop here but the ensuing 27th they pursued and fell in with a party of Shawanese with which people they had a smart skirmish as the Indians disputed every inch of ground with them. The Indians lost three men and our people had two wounded.
April 28th
One Baker and Greathouse with a company of Ill disposed and factious men assembled opposite Yellow Creek at the plantation of Baker a in a most dastardly & cruel manner fell upon and murdered nine Six Nation Indians and one woman and carried her child, an infant, off prisoner
April 29th
All the settlers fearing the dreadful consequences of such violent treatment of the Indians fled [?] and the panic becoming universal nothing but confusion, distress and flight was conspicuous.
May 1st
Ordered out the militia of this place and as it was impossible to prevent the Inhabitants from giving way and the major part of the Townsmen wanting arms, I thought it my duty to seize upon such arms and ammunition as none were to be found here, which was accordingly done & although there were no arms but rifle guns intended for Indian trade & of considerable value, I had them appraised & distributed to such men as I thought proper; esteeming it my duty to make every provision necessary for the defense that this place and opportunity afforded.
May 2d
Sent off an express to call on Capt White Eyes & Capt Pipe, two Delaware Chiefs to hear what we had to say on the differences which had arisen between us and them.
May 3d
Issued my orders to raise the militia and to draught one third to this place now left the frontiers; in order to [?] and repair this heap of ruins and to impress provisions, horses, tools &etc &etc
Was waited upon by an Indian Chief and presented with a string of wampum & speech, Whereupon I issued the following advertisements “ Whereas given appearances give reason to apprehend immediate danger from the Indians and particularly the Shawanese, and whereas Keyashuta has this day requested of me to give directions to the different Indian Traders to refrain from importing spirituous Liquors into their country until he might have an opportunity of delivering his speeches from the Honorable Sir William Johnson and Whereas the laws of this Colony strictly prohibit any intercourse with an enemy, These are therefore to forbid the conveyance of such commodity amongst our suspected enemies as they shall answer the contrary at their peril, Given under my hand &c &c”
May 4th
This day had a conference in company with the Indian [?] with Keyashuta and some Six Nations chiefs and others and upon their speaking in a most friendly and reasonable manner upon what had happened and promising a continuance and steady adherence to their former professions I published the following advertisement and sent copies into the country – “Whereas matters relative to the unhappy differences between us and the Indians seem yet to admit of a possibility of accommodation; and whereas a conference is expected with some of the chiefs , I do hereby, in His Majesty’s Name, require and command all his subjects of this colony and Dominion of Virginia to desist from further acts of Hostility against any Indians , whatever but to be friendly towards them; particularly such who may come to the fort for business in their usual manner, Given under my hand &c &c”
Stoppe’d every man capable of bearing arms who attempted to fly past here & arm’s them, many of them however deserted this evening; all persons imployed in fortifying the fort.
May 5th
Gott up the two western bastions with pickets and ordered teams to haul in all their [?] timber for that purpose about that the town, having such article first appraised. this evening Captain Pipe and Captain White Eyes came to town with the interpreter agreeable to the message delivered them from us. Had all the inhabitants of the town at work today
May 6th
Had a conference with the Indians (which exclusive of my own speech) was carried on by Colonel Croghan, Mr. McKee and the Indians
A copy of my speech delivered the Six Nations and Delaware Chiefs
Brethren
“I am very sorry to find that a dispute has happened between our people and yours which has been attended with bad consequences to both parties; you must be certain, Brethren, that our wise men had no act or part in what happened and that it was intirly owing to the folly and indiscretion of our young people which you know, like to your own young men are unwilling to listen to good advice. As to the particulars of what was happened, we yet do not know, We are sure however that people are killed on both sides. But we hope as the dispute happen’d only between the young and foolish people, that it will not engage our wise men in a quarrel in which none of us had a part. It is however, Brethren, very unlucky that any difference should have happened between us at this time. As the Great head Men of Virginia and all his wise people are just going to meet together to council about their settling in this country bought from you the Six Nations; and to give orders to their young men who may come who may come to be your neighbors to be kind and friendly towards you and likewise I expect they will buy goods to cloath your old people and children to brighten the chain of friendship between us and to convince you that we will be as friendly towards you as your late neighbors from Pennsylvania were and therefore I desire you, Brethren, not to listen to what some lying people that may tell you to the contrary for although we are always ready to fight our enemies yet we will [shew?] our true & steady friendship upon every occasion when necessary.”
The Indians returned an answer and the brothers of some of the Delawares that had been killed out of the Canoe already mentioned and received a condolence present
Ordered all the masons to work at the breaches made in the Angles of the brickwork and the carpenter at the working of gates for the sally ports &etc. &etc.
Received information that some Indians were seen on the opposite side of the Monongahela looking down upon our people at work
May 7th
Received a letter from Mr. Thomas Lewis, Surveyor of Augusta who had been upon the river in order to survey but who was obliged to fly with the multitude giving me an account that Mr. Michael Crisop had attacked the Shawanese and had killed some and lost some of his people and that the inhabitants fled dreading the consequences would be an open rupture and recommending to me if in my power to fall upon some measure to [succour?] the distressed inhabitants cautioning me to secure the important spot at the confluence of the rivers against any hostile attempts whatsoever. As the inhabitants of this place were fatigued at the works and finding it impossible to drum together any militia from the country owing to the hurry and confusion of the settlements and as I knew not what moment we might be attacked notwithstanding the promises of our Indian friends.
I offered militia commissions to such persons where interest
could bring in volunteers to this place unencumbered with families and to enter
in the pay of government
Captain Crawford and Mr. Nevill came to this place and recommended to me to issue out Blank Warrants to be given to such men as could raise volunteers assuring me that they would ride about the country and use their utmost endeavors to encourage young men to enter into the service.
A Sergeant’s Party arrived with several Hands of arms they had (agreeable to my orders) impressed from such people as insisted upon running away with some provisions
Express arrived again from the militia officers in the country acquainting me that the people were not meditating nothing but flight and their own personal safety. That Capt Penticost agreeable to my orders had sent to stop the Flats on the river Monongahela, but that his parties detached for that purpose were not sufficient to put the orders in execution as the fugitives were determined to proceed
This evening gave orders to cease all firing of guns and to avoid any appearance of disaffection towards the Indians which had ventur’d themselves amongst us on so critical an occasion
This evening had an express acquainting me that one Van Swearingen and thirty men had gone down the river in pursuit of Indians and as Captain Eyes family lay only thirty miles from this place unsuspecting and defenseless and fearing these disorderly people might frustrate our intended amicable adjustments – I dispatched the sheriff in pursuit of them with a small party of militia from this place to order them back and to set up the following advertisements in such places on the frontiers as might afford an opportunity to these lawless people to know my disapprobation of their conduct.
“Whereas there is a great reason to apprehend that matters may yet be amicably settled between us & the Indians notwithstanding the violent and barbarous treatment they have met with from some of our unthinking and lawless people and whereas I have been creditably informed that some rash men have embodied themselves in order to act hostily against any Indians whatsoever to the great prejudice of this promising country. I do hereby publicly discountenance and forbid so unwarrantable a procedure and do also assure whatsoever person or persons that may attempt to behave so contrary to peace and good order of this country. That I shall take every step in my power to bring them to [condign?] punishment, Given under my hand &c”
I sent the interpreter also down on the north side of the river to bring up Captain White Eyes’s family to be under our protection as Captain White Eyes was gone with our messages to the Shawanese
Gave an Ensign’s commission to a person who brought in eighteen volunteers to my assistance. Sent up twenty bushels of corn to the Indians assembled at Colonel Croghans as they were hungry and absent from their respective homes
May 7th
Today a trader came in from the Newcomers Town who was warned by that Headman to fly; as a wounded Shawanese had just arrived who reported that hostilities were commenced and that several of their people were killed by the English. This man left all his property behind him as a party of Shawanese was minutly expected there that threatened his life
This day I had a conference with some of the country people which had retired to a place about twelve miles south distant from hence where they desired to have liberty to make a stockade fort. I represented to them the impropriety of erecting such places of imaginary safety which divided the strength of the country and tended to lull people into supine ness and neglect so that our efforts would prove ineffectual to oppose the enemy and that consequently we must abandon the country or fall sacrifices to the vindictive rage of the savages. I likewise added that if they thought this place would be too much crowded with women and children that I would admit of their building a fort upon the Monongahela above us so as to keep open the water communication with Redstone settlement if they would send a third of their active young men to assist in repairing and defending this important post which if taken would inevitably occasion the whole country west of the Allegheny to be depopulated. They agreed to what I advanced tho I do not expect that their actions will correspond with their words.
May 8th
Turned the people out to work as usual and continued so to do until breakfast, when it began to rain so violently that I suffered them to go into their barracks. As a sentry had fired his piece last night and occasioned a false alarm the traders and people of the town solicited for permission to stockade the town which I assented to disarming all such persons to whom I had given arms on account of government and ordered that they should be supplied with arms from the traders and merchants of the town with which they complied One Drinnen arrived from Great Sandy Creek who reportted that Mr. Michael Crisop had had a small skirmish with a party of Shawanese and contrary to the first accounts I had received that they were prepared to receive him. Today also an Indian runner arrived at Colonel Croghans who reported that the Shawanese were counciling upon hearing of what had happened and were waiting for the arrival of the Hard Man their principal chief as also to hear from our wise people. The works go on very rapidly notwithstanding all the disadvantages we labor under for want of provisions and almost every other necessary.
May 9th
Received a reinforcement from Peters Creek of twenty-four militia together with four Negro men sent by John Nevill Esqr with proper working implements. This gentleman’s example will be of infinite service to me and the country in general as it cannot fail to spirit up others to exert themselves upon this critical occasion. This evening there was an infinite confusion occasioned by some people attempting to take up Drinnen already spoke of for being concerned in killing the Indians: for although the people suffered so remarkably by the imprudence of such men yet they loudly commended them as meritorious.
May 10th
[the below text with line through was crossed out in the original journal]
Went out to Colonel Croghan’s early this morning at his
request where it was judged highly expedient to send off an express immediately
to His Excellency, Lord Dunmore with a speech and belt from the Six Nations and
as it was the particular request of the Chiefs, I thought it my duty to comply
therewith. Today was strengthened by
Captain Crawford and sixty men forty-five of which I detached under the command
of Captain Stephenson to protect the frontier inhabitants to prevent the
hostilities to
Copy of my orders to Captain Stephenson, May 10th
“Sir
As the inhabitants to the westward have fled precipitously and of consequence must have left many of their valuable effects; you are cautiously to proceed with the party under your command and secure such effects for the benefit of the respective owners in the best manner you are capable of. You are likewise, Sir, ordered to encourage all families to return to their different places of abode and to recommend to them putting in crops in the usual manner. You are carefully to avoid committing acts of hostility upon the persons of any friendly Indians which might be found upon the river coming to this place to trade or otherwise engaged in their usual intercourse with us. You are directed hereby to order your marches in such a manner as to be a barrier between our Western settlements and any such Indians that might (in consequence of the losses they have sustained) attempt to molest the inhabitants; and in case Indians are so found offending, you are to use your utmost endeavors to chastise them and to treat them as open and avowed enemies. Whatever provisions may be wanting, you are to take from such settlers as may be esteemed the most able to furnish you with the necessary articles and to have them legally(as far as may be in your power) appraised; you will give the claimant a certificate specifying for what use and upon what service the same commodities were taken. You are also to prevent any number of the people unwarrantedly assembled in arms from attempting to maltreat Indians. In twenty days you are to return here, bringing to this garrison all provisions which you may judge necessary and such may be spared.
Today some refractory people from the frontiers of Pennsylvania came here and after behaving in a very unbecoming and riotous manner
[at this point it appears to be a different hand writing]
May 10th
Today I rode out to Colo Crohan’s at his request where it was judged highly expedient to send an express off immediately to His Excellency Lord Dunmore, with a speech and belt from the Six Nations, which being the particular request of the Chiefs, made me very willingly comply. Today Captain Crawford arrived with about sixty men; forty of which I have detached from hence under the command of Captain Stephenson to protect the frontier inhabitants and to prevent the hostilities to be apprehended from any small parties of Indians which might, contrary to the general opinion of their nation, attempt to disturb the tranquility of the inhabitants returned to their different habitations
May 11th
Today some refractory people from the frontiers of Pennsylvania came here and after behaving in a very unbecoming and riotous manner they were proceeding to murder some of the Indians left at Colo Crohan’s as hostages which obliged me to confine some of the principal aggressors and as they threatened to rescue them I this evening doubled the guard and gave the officers orders to fire upon any persons which should mutinously and in arms attempt to rescue the prisoners and sent two men and the interpreter to guard the Indians at Colo Crohan’s
May 12th
Today as the mutineers had come to better sense of what might be of service to this country I dismissed them on their giving security for their behavior and shortly afterwards was visited by some Indian Chiefs which expressed their astonishment at what had been intended after their amicable intentions and professions were so well known to me in answer I told them that some bad and foolish young men had been ridiculous enough to attempt killing our friends contrary to my knowledge or inclination that I had confined them for their threats and that so far from permitting anything of that nature being done when the honor of government was passed for their security that I would [?] their defense and that therefore they might rest secure from any danger from our people on which they expressed their sense of gratitude and returned home
May 13th
Today the Indian Agents judging it necessary I sent off three Delaware men from hence down the river in a canoe in order to acquaint some of their nation that had been hunting west of us and who might be on their return of what had happened and to advise them to go up Scioto to avoid falling in with any of our ill disposed people and there to remain until matters might be better settled to one of these Indians I thought it necessary to give a gun as his own was in the possession of one of the unfortunate Delawares that was killed by our people in the traders canoe already mentioned and consequently lost to him I likewise gave them a passport and recommended them to all His Majesty’s subjects as friends much attached to the British interest. This day received a very fortunate supply of bacon our provision being almost expended and the people threatening to desert for want of it
May 14th
Sent an Ensign and twenty men to Con’s Fort to protect the
inhabitants in that quarter and to encourage them to plant in their ordinary
manner Stand in great need of pickets to finish the fort the party employed to
furnish them not being as punctual as I could expect. Received a considerable
supply of bacon from Redstone settlement the whole of our
provisions being expended. – 15th This being Sunday morning and some of the men refusing to work at this fortification and occasioned me much trouble as I was obliged to confine several of them; this evening some rafts of pickets came down the river which employed a considerable number of men to get them ashore as the river was rising and expedition necessary to prevent their getting adrift in the night. Received a quantity of Indian meal down the Monongahela. We now seem impatient to hear from the traders at the Shawana towns & fear they may be either confined or murdered. Sent off Captain Graydon to purchase provision in the country for this garrison.
May 16th
Today two young men arrived here informing me that a large body of men had assembled themselves together at Catfish Camp with a view to proceed to the Shawana towns and to fall upon the Indians upon which I wrote a letter to them requesting and ordering them to return to their respective habitations and likewise a letter of orders to Captain Stephenson commanding him to stop any disorderly people from proceeding to acts of violence against Indians without the countenance of government. This evening received His Excellency Lord Dunmore dispatches by express from the Sheriff of Augusta.
May 17th
Today received a message from the Indian agent to attend at a conference with some Delaware Indians which had brought a message from their King Custaloga or [blank space] at Colo Croghan’s. They informed us that they had received our message sent them upon the unfortunate differences which had happened between us and them that they believed what we said and were determined to hold fast by the ancient chain of friendship and hoped we would do the same and that they were determined to take no part with the Shawanese if they continued refractory and that they were planting their corn as usual.
May18th
Today Captain Pipe’s family desired to go home to plant their corn for which purpose they were presented with some hoes and some other little presents. An Indian trader arrived from the Lakes on Sandusky who relates that messages had just arrived amongst the Hurons as he was about leaving that place and that the Shawanese said that they were to look for satisfaction to the southward from the Big Knife as it was by them the injury was done the Indians.
May 19th
Today an Onondaga Indian arrived bringing me an insolent note from six people which had killed the Mingos opposite Yellow Creek acquainting me that I had better order the Indians to remain on their own side of the river or they would kill more of them in consequence of their note I dispatched an officer and six men to apprehend them if he found it convenient and to give them a letter as follows:
Gentlemen
I received your letter by the Indian you were pleased to let pass with life and [?] look upon it be as insolent as concise you desire me or some gentleman in authority to advise the Indians to keep on their own side of the river or otherwise more of them shall be killed. I am to inform you the subscribers to the note I received that you have already committed actions so barbarous in their nature and so evil in tendency to this country in general that you merit the severest punishment from this government because there is an apparent probability of accommodating the difference except our good intention should be prevented by people of your disposition I must acquaint you that if I ever hereafter hear of your killing or attempting any Indians in our friendship that I shall immediately order an officer and a party of men to apprehend you and all your aiders and abettors that you may be brought to exemplary punishment, I am gentlmen &c &c.
The subscribers to the letter mentioned were the very persons which actually murdered the Indians at Yellow Creek viz Danl Greathouse Joseph Swearingen Nathn Tomlinson Joshua Baker J Brown and Gavin Watkins. Copy of my letter to the different cops of militia in the country
Sir
From the different accounts I have just received I think it my duty to prepare against the enemy upon the receipt of these my orders, you are immediately to call forth all the militia your neighborhood and to examine their arms and accoutrements and to equip them in the best manner you are capable. You are also in pursuance of the warrant herein enclosed to impress all necessary provisions salt entrenching tools &c &c and to detach one third of your company under the command of your Lieut with the articles so impressed immediately to my assistance. You are also to stop every person which may attempt to run away and bring them here with their effects. You are to remain in arms with the rest of the militia under your command for the protection of your neighborhood until further orders; as I may judge it necessary to collect our whole force to oppose the enemy at this place where we may expect to feel the first effects of their resentment. I am Sir &c &c.
May 20th
This evening three Delawares arrived here from Newcomers Town bringing letters from the two traders which went in company with Captain White Eyes with our messages to the Shawanese by which we are informed that upon their arrival at Wakatomaka one of the Shawanese towns one of these traders was fired upon by a Shawanese man and very narrowly escaped with his life back to the Delaware town where he writes he is detained by the Head Man until they may hear more particularly from the Shawanese but the Indians promise the traders that they will protect them from the Shawanese and that their lives shall not be taken in their town. The Indian runners also bring intelligence that the Hard Man Chief of the Shawanese says that his heart cannot be good until he has sent one party at least against the Virginians to take satisfaction for what has happened they also informed us that one Jones a trader had just made his escape from some Indians which had pillaged him of all his effects and that he got off with the utmost difficulty
May 21st
Today Captain McKee the Indian Agent and myself went to Colonel Croghans and sent back a message to the Delawares and also wrote the following letter to the traders at their town.
Gentlemen
We received your letter by the young men sent here and are glad to find that you are safe under the protection of our brethren the Delawares although it gives us cause of sorrow to find that Mr. Duncan a public messenger from us should have so narrowly escaped with his life yet as we conceive that the act came from the perpetrator alone without the advice or consent of the Shawanese in general we still hope that matters may be yet accommodated between us and peace restored we are in expectation that their answer will be explicit and satisfactory so that all our people now in [?] may quietly return to their respective occupations. We are gentlemen &c &c.
/s/ Coms Alexander McKee George Croghan
On my return I received a letter from Messrs Enoch Innis and Michael Crisop who were at the head of a number of people collected together in a disorderly manner from different parts acquainting the Indian agents and myself that unless we would become security for the Indians for six months although they acknowledge to have heard of our negotiations they were determined to proceed immediately against the Indians and consequently involve this country in a calamitous war. Copy of this letter:
Gentlemen
Whereas in consequence of a letter from Dr. John Connolly Captain Commandant of the militia in and about the waters of the Monongahela and the Ohio directed to the inhabitants thereof positively telling them that the Shawana Indians were determined to come to an open rupture with them immediately, this with some other circumstances has generally alarmed and put into the greatest confusion and distress the whole inhabitants and that in consequence of such alarm there has a considerable body of men collected themselves together to protect themselves and property and are now on their way to execute the same; but whereas doubts have arisen amongst some people from second reports from said fountain, that the aforesaid inhabitants need not be under any doubt from invasions or further depredations from the savages but that they were so far from having any such intentions, that they were not able nor willing to commence a war, and have nothing but friendly intentions yet they think it necessary for their further safety not to believe common reports and acquiescence under them, but now send this message to demand of Captain Connolly and Mr. McKee such assurances of the truth of the above matter from under their hands in writing that the inhabitants may rest assured that there is no danger to be expected from the Indians for six months and expect the same to meet us at Catfish’s Camp on Monday next at ten o’clock and that unless such assurances be made to us by that time we shall certainly proceed to distress our common enemies aforesaid we are gentlemen for ourselves and others &c &c /s/ Enoch Innis and Michael Crisop May 20th 1774 at Fort Burd NB. Sent by Mr. Basil Brown and Mr. Patrick Mcellroy. Upon the receipt of this very extraordinary epistle, as Mr. McKee was in conference with the Indians at Colonel Croghans, I returned the following answer.
Pittsburgh May 21st 1774.
Gentlemen
I undertake to write to you for Mr. McKee and myself as Mr.
McKee is now busily engaged in conference with some Indian messengers which
arrived last night from Newcomers Town. I cannot however help expressing my
astonishment at the manner in which you convey your sentiments to us upon what
has already happened; and although I shall not at this time attempt to
exculpate myself as the supposed original cause of all this uproar, yet you may
be fully satisfied that I can do so at any time and that I humbly conceive that
the motives for facts heretofore done, might have been sought for, and more
effectually discovered to have had their origin elsewhere. I have to acquaint
Mr. Crisop that in my opinion he is taking the most immediate steps imaginable
to do himself an irreparable injury in idly prosecuting what might otherwise as
to himself been buried in oblivion. I am
not to conclude this letter without giving you to understand that I have a dire
sense of the indignity cast upon the authority of this government by the manner
in which you have illegally assembled yourselves in arms and the absurd and
unbecoming demand you make of our being security for the natives for six months
which directly intimates to us that you are determined to prescribe for the
health and advantage of this country. If
these are your resolutions gentlemen, if you are determined to prosecute every
measure which may be subversive of order and good government, you are to follow
the dictates of your own folly, and abide the consequences. I will not conclude however without
acquainting you that matters relative to our late differences with the natives
appear upon a good footing, and that little danger is to be apprehended from a
general rupture except your imprudence and indiscretion should draw it upon us,
I am gentlemen &c &c. Mr. McKee
returning before I had closed my letter wrote the following postscript. Gentlemen
Being just returned to this place Captain Connolly has showed me your
letter and with respect to the dispositon of the Indians I can only inform you
that such of them as we have had an opportunity of conferring with appears
favorably inclined to accommodate the breach of their friendship. Provided no further hostilities are committed
upon them as to the distant tribes, we daily expect their sentiments as
messages have been dispatched to them for that
purpose. I am gentlemen &c &c. I wrote a friendly letter also desiring Mr. Crisop to discharge his people which he had so imprudently assembled. But apprehensive that possiblly Mr. Crisop might notwithstanding everything done proceed and to render abortive all other attempts at reconciliation as well as conceiving it my duty as a conservator of the peace, I dispatched this evening the 22nd an express to Captain Paul Froman[?] ordering him to assemble his company of militia and to wait my order in readiness with his company properly armed and accoutred at his own house on Wednesday at twelve o’clock at which time I would send another express ordering him either to discharge his company or proceed to join me whence I might think most proper for the good of the service being determined that Mr. Crisop and his associate will not listen to reason and be prevailed upon to desist from their destructive scheme that I would make use of coercive measures to oblige them so to do and to convince them and all others that the authority of government tho distant from the seat thereof should not be trifled with. Today sent of Mr. Innis from hence to meet Mr. Michael Crisop and his party at Catfish’s Camp in order to convince them if possible by argument of the imprudence and evil effects of their intended proceedings and to dissuade them from [?] in a scheme so pernicious to the welfare of this country. Had the party out at work as usual and by an attentive and constant care hurry on the work very fast. Captain Graydon returned this evening having purchased three thousand weight of bacon and four hundred bushels of corn.
May 23d
Captain Stephenson arrived here today with the party under his command with reports that the generality of the inhabitants except such as had fled over the mountain were returned to their plantations and were planting corn which agreeable to my orders he encouraged them in he also informs me that deserted houses have been robbed of everything the owners had left behind in their precipitate flight.
May 24th
Received an account by express that Mr. Crisop had discharged his company and returned homewards upon which I sent off expresses to the different Captains of militia acquainting them that I had no occasion for their services at present as the cause of danger had ceased on the quarter from which I apprehended it; and desiring them at the same time to return my thanks in the warmest manner to such companies as might have assembled themselves agreeable to my orders. This evening Mr. McKee being down the Pennsylvania Road brings intelligence that three laborers at work in a field on the Old Pennsylvania Road were fired upon and one man wounded in the breast and that three other laboring men were missing that had been at work in an adjoining field. Upon having this intelligence I dispatched an officer and fifteen men to examine into the truth of the report, and to reconnoiter the ground in order to discover tracks by which we might form a judgment whether the fire came from Indians or not. Captain White Eyes returned from his embassy also, bringing me a note from two traders at Newcomers Town which acquaints me that there are now eleven white men assembled which have fled from the Shawanas towns and that they are to be safely escorted to this place by a party of their brothers the Delawares. Tomorrow the answer from the Shawanese is to be publicly delivered.
May 25th
This afternoon Captain White Eyes delivered his messages from his own nation and the Shawanese the latter being of the most insolent nature and hearing at the same time that a party of warriors were actually to set out to revenge the death of their people. I dispatched an express to Captain Houglend desiring him to march with the party under his command immediately upon the receipt of my letter to Wheeling; and in case he might discover Indians on our side of the river in arms or their tracks leading into the settlements he was to use his utmost endeavors to come up with them and treat them as enemies. I had some indifferent cabins appraised and thrown down for want of a sufficient quantity of pickets to carry out the work at this garrison. I also this evening ordered Ensign Johnston and Cox to follow after Captain Houglend and to put themselves in parties under his command to answer the design already mentioned, the traders to the number of nine came in escorted by nine Delawares who bring account that those people were obliged to protect them from the fury of the Shawanese and some Mingos living among them, and that notwithstanding all their case, the Mingos had killed and scapled one white man and that they had reason to fear that the whole of the traders at the lower Shawana towns were killed, as a party of Mingos and Shawanese were gone off to the canoe place on Hockochin River for that purpose.
May 26th
The inhabitants from the westward begin to fly into the garrison in great numbers. Captain St. Clair arrived from Ligonier, who informs me that some disorderly people have killed another Delaware Indian who had resided among them for a long time before, and had constantly behaved himself friendly toward us. Today Captain Teagarden arrived expres from His Excellency Lord Dunmore the party of militia which I had detached under the command of an officer to examine what mischiefs had happened in the neighborhood where the person was wounded on the 24th returned, giving me intelligence that they had made a diligent search and that they could discover no sign of Indians and that the three men reported to be missing were safely brought in by them and that they rather apprehend that the man wounded received the injury from some of our own people than any Indians and particularly so as there was a great dispute subsisting about the land, then improving by the wounded party.
May 27th
Some traders men arrived [?] that had ran away and by [?] peltry at Yellow Creek, to the amount of twenty horseload, owing to some Delawares, who had them under care, having derived them to fly for their lives upon seeing some warmarks assuring them that they would not be able to protect them from the enemy. I have received a letter from an unfortunate trader in the woods brought by an Indian who acquainted me that he is under the protection of Montour, a son of Montour the interpreter and is obliged to be constantly concealed as the disaffected Mingos had killed and scalped some white people within four miles of the village where he was. Received intelligence also that some Mingos were laying in ambush on the traders path to kill any which they might find coming in from the town; but that after having lay concealed two days for that purpose,[?] and being disappointed they had gone off, and it was imagined had crossed the Ohio, to fall upon some distressed family. Having a small breach in one of the curtains of this fort and not knowing what moment I might be attacked, I ordered some pickets, which formerly had been in use here and now made into a sloop I [?] to be thrown down and hauled in the [?] the same; notwithstanding the urgent necessity and the [?] value to the proprietor thereof he made great objections and [?] a considerable disturbance. Vast numbers of inhabitants came in today and the south bank of the Monongahela is now lined with [?] fugitives and numberless cattle.
Tomorrow morning the Delawares depart with my speeches to the Shawanese having just now taken their leave and are determined to remain neutral if the Shawanese should continue to insist upon satisfaction for what unfortunately happened [?] them the acknowledgements already made
John Connolly