general, and his desire that they should alter their mind, in insisting upon the general's going back; but the Indians had no inclination to alter their mind. In the afternoon some provision was sent over, but a small allowance. When I came over to the fort, the council with the Indians was almost at an end. I had a discourse with Colonel Bouquet about the affairs, disposition and resolution of the Indians.
I drew provision for our journey to fort Ligonier, and baked bread for our whole company: towards noon the Indians met together in a conference. First king Beaver addressed himself to the Mohocks, desiring them to give their brethren an answer about settling at Pittsburg. The Mohocks said, "They lived at such a distance, that they could not defend the English there, if any accident should befal them; but you, cousins, who live close here, must think what to do." Then Beaver said by a string:
"What this messenger has brought is very agreeable to us; and as our uncles have made peace with you, the English, and many others nation, so we likewise join, and accept of the peace offered to us; and we have already answered by your messenger, what we have to say to the general, that he should go back over the mountains; we have nothing to say to the contrary."
Neither Mr. Croghn nor Andrew Montour would tell
Colonel Bouquet the Indians' answer. Then Mr. Croghn,
————
the troops in the southern British colonies of America. He died at Pensacola, February, 1766, at the early age of forty-seven. He was not only a soldier of ability and vigor, but a man of most attractive and charming character, beloved by superiors and subordinates. The collection of his letters in the British Museum is a chief source for the history of the West during this period. See calendar in Canadian Archives, 1889; extracts in Michigan Pioneer and Historical Collections, xix, pp. 27-295; also Bouquet's Expedition against the Ohio Indians (Cincinnati, 1868).—Ed.
