CORRESPONDENCE LAID BEFORE THE COUNCIL.

ARTHUR ST. CLAIR TO GOVERNOUR PENN.

Ligonier, July 22, 1774.

SIR: For some days by past, we had a flying report that some people were killed upon Dunkard Creek, on the 15th instant, but that a story of that kind should come so slowly through a country exceedingly on the alarm, induced me to give no credit to it, and to endeavour to prevent its gaining credit in the country. I considered it as raised on purpose to prevent the execution of Conolly's orders to Cresap, not to annoy the Indians, which I knew had been given, but it was put beyond a doubt yesterday by letters from Mr. Mounby, Mr. Mackay, and the enclosed deposition.

Mr. Mackay writes me the friends of Pennsylvania are determined to abandon Pittsburgh, and to erect a small stockade somewhere lower down the road, (I suppose about Turtle Creek, where he has a fine plantation,) to secure their cattle and effects till they see futher what is to be done.

I had a letter from Conolly yesterday in a style of familiarity I should not have expected, but in itself a very extraordinary one. If you should think it worth while to look over it I have enclosed it, and a copy of my answer.

I am still sanguine enough to hope this Province will escape the mischief of a war, as all the operations of the Indians are evidently aimed at the Virginians, and seem designed to show them how much they despised the notion of their carrying the war into their own country. They have, however, a number of men at Wheeling, and Conolly was to inarch this day to reinforce them. One of his parties who had crossed to the Indian side fell in with the last of our trader's peltry, escorted by some Delawares; they took the trader and the Indians prisoners, and carried them to the mouth of Beaver Creek, where their Captain (Hogeland) lay. He was excessively enraged to see them alive, and they were kept all night in that state of suspense, that every moment would be their last; in the morning, however, they discharged them on the trader's giving a bond of five hundred pounds to satisfy Captain Conolly that the Indians were Delawares. I took the trader's deposition of it when last at Pittsburgh, which I also en close. I was very ill of a bilious fever when I wrote last, but am happily recovering. I cannot well recollect what I wrote as it was not copied, it being Sunday, and my clerk abroad; but unless matters are likely to be soon settled about Pittsburgh, it will be absolutely necessary to erect a town at Kittaning, the trade must else take its course by the Lakes, which will carry it quite away from this Province and the communication with Philadelphia will in time become very easy that way, and may now be done with very little land carriage. There is an old trading path from thence to Frankstown, on the Juniata, and another to the head of the West Branch of Susquehanna. I have distributed the arms all over the country in as equal proportions as possible.

I have the honour to be, sir, your most obedient and most humble servant,

AR. ST. CLAIR.

P.S. Captain Crawford, the President of our Court, seems to be the most active Virginia officer in their service. He is now down the river at the head of a number of men, which is his second expedition. I don't know how gentle men account for these things to themselves.

DEPOSITION OF WILLIAM WILSON.

Personally appeared before me, Arthur St. Clair, one of his Majesty's Justices for Westmoreland County, William Wilson, who, being duly sworn according to law, deposeth and saith, that on the 5th instant the said Wilson was bringing up a quantity of skins to this place, and having some Delaware Indians in company with him, he was met, about four miles beyond Big Beaver Creek, by about twenty men, commanded by Sergeant Steel, who desired to know whether there were any Shawanese in company or not, or if he had not a Shawanese woman with him; to which the said Wilson replied in the negative. Sergeant Steel here said that his orders were to take both white men and Indians, horses and skins, and take all to the mouth of Little Beaver Creek, where the party lay; which the said Wilson objected to, alleging that it was too hard treatment to have his horses and loads taken that way. But Captain Flenegan then appearing, seemed to agree that horses and loads, and the Indians also, might pass on, so that the said Wilson would himself go along with him where the party lay; to which a man, who had the appearance of a Sergeant, most obstinately objected, and said that it was Captain Hogeland's orders not to let any Indians pass, upon which Captain Flenegan agreed to take three of the Indians prisoners and said Wilson to where the party lay, and to let Killbuck and his little son pass on with the horses; said Wilson going along with the party until they came to the mouth of Little Beaver Creek, where the main body lay; although Flenegan said that it was Captain Hogeland's orders that no Indian of any Nation should be spared, and that if any white men should presume to interpose in their behalf they also should share the same fate. On their arrival there they were accosted by Captain Hogeland, who asked what was the reason his orders were disobeyed, and why they did not do as he had desired them to do. Upon which Flenegan replied and told him that the white man now along with them told him they were Delawares. Upon which Hogeland told him that the white man was a liar, and that he should have done as be had desired him, and that if he had been there himself he should not have spared any. After some time they were confined until next morning, and, upon said Wilson giving them his bond for five hundred pounds in security that he would satisfy Captain Conolly that these three men now along with him were Delawares, to which the said Wilson agreed, they were all dismissed.

Sworn at Pittsburgh, in the county aforesaid, before me, July 13, 1774,

AR. ST. CLAIR.

JOHN CONOLLY TO ARTHUR ST. CLAIR.

Fort Dunmore, July 19, 1774.

DEAR SIR: A report which has too generally prevailed in this quarter, of the pacifick disposition of the Indians has unluckily thrown the inhabitants into supineness and neglect, the effects of which have been dismally experienced on the 13th instant, upon Dunkard Creek, where six un fortunate people were murdered by a party of thirty-five Indians, I have also received a letter from Colonel Lewis, acquainting me that the Shawanese had attacked a body of men near his house, and had killed one and wounded another. Whatever may be said of the cause urging the Indians to these steps it will be little to the advantage of the suffering people. Some immediate steps most undoubtedly ought to be pursued to check their insolent impetuosity, or the country in general will be sacrificed to their revenge. The people of the frontiers want nothing but the countenance of Government to execute every desirable purpose, and your Province appearing backward at this critical juncture, will most undoubtedly be highly displeasing to all the Western settlers. I am determined no longer to be a dupe to their amicable professions, but, on the contrary, shall pursue every measure to offend them. Whether I may have the friendly assistance or not of the neighbouring country will, I expect, depend much on your just representation of matters.

I am, dear sir, your most obedient,

JOHN CONOLLY.

ARTHUR ST. CLAIR TO JOHN CONOLLY.

Ligonier, July 22, 1774.

SIR: I received your favour of the 19th, yesterday, by Doctor McKenzie, and am extremely sorry for the misfortunes that have happened upon Dunkard Creek.

It is very true the assigning this or that cause for the inroads the Indians are frequently making, will be of no manner of advantage to the sufferers; but I think the security into which the people had fallen, arose not so much from an idea of the pacifick disposition of the Indians, as that the great armed force sent down the river would effectually cover them. In that expectation they were certainly wrong—it was an effect which could never follow from such a cause. I agree with you something ought to be done to prevent the depredations they may still make