FOUNDERS OF FORT NO. 4, CHARLESTOWN, NH From: Farns10th@aol.com - Janice Farnsworth Subject: Penobscot Indians joined with St. Francis tribe in threat of War over Coos Meadows, CT River Source: History of Charlestown, NH by Rev. H. H. Saund- erson, 1876 p. 54 In August, 1751 news reached Boston, MA, that a number of the tribe of the Penobscot Indians had joined with the St. Francis tribe, with the design of attacking the frontier settlements. Governor Shirley immediately caused the information to be communicated to Colonel Israel Williams and ordered him to apprise the garrison at No. 4 (Charlestown, NH) and others, over which he had command, of the danger. The necessary measures for de- fense were accordingly taken, and in consequence of this vigilant activity, no incursions were made during the summer. A plan was projected about this period, for establishing a military settlement on the rich intervals at Coos; which, on account of the great excitement and irritation it produced on the part of the Indians, contributed, in no small degree, to keep the inhabitants on the frontier on the Connecticut River in an attitude of suspense. The plan was entirely quixotic, and arranged without any due consideration of the state of affairs, or the circum- stances of the situation then existing. The approval of Governor Wentworth was secured for it, although it was afterwards ascertained that he had so little geographical knowledge of the country on the upper Connecticut River that he did not even know where the Coos meadows were. An exploring party was sent in the spring of 1752 for the purpose of making the necessary preliminary arrangements and laying out the projected township. The Indians, getting knowledge of this movement, became greatly ex- cited, as the intervals were claimed by them, and so despatched six of their warriors to No. 4, to enter the protest of the St. Francis tribe against the move- ment. The account of their interview with Captain Stevens will be told best by Captain Israel Williams to whom he related it: p.55 Letter of Capt. Israel Williams relating to the Coos Country, to Lieut. Governor Phips Hatfield, MA - March 19, 1753. "Sir: Captain Stevens of No. 4, was lately at my house and gave me the following acc't, which I thought it my duty to trans- mit to your Honour, it appearing to me to be of importance to the Publick; viz. - That the beginning of Jan'y last, six Indians of the St. Francis tribe came to No 4 Fort under a Flag of Truce; the first thing they asked was, "Whether it was all well?" To which he answered, yes, and asked whether they had not heard of the late Treaty at the eastward. Their answer was no, they knew of no such thing. He told them there was no doubt but some of their tribe was present at the Treaty. They said none of their Chiefs, for if they had any Treaty with the English it would be at Albany or in some of these parts. They further said to the Captain, "you well know what you heard from our chief men last summer at Montreal and what they say is always strong." In the most of the conversa- tion he had with them, he told me they manifested great uneasiness at our people's going to take a view of Coos Meadows last Spring, but never fully declared their minds till the morning they took their departure, when with a great deal of deliberation (as he expressed it), they told him "for the English to settle Coos, was what they could not agree to and as the English had no need of that land, but had enough without it, they must think the English had a mind for War if they should go there, and if you do, we will endeqavor that you shall have a strong war; that they should have the Mohawks, and Ottawawas to help them; that there was four hundred Indians now hunting on this side of the St. Francis River, and that the owners at No. 4 might expect that if the affair of settling Coos went forward, to have all their houses burnt." They told him further, they had no mind for war and desired him to use his interest to prevent the English going to Coos and said again, that if they go, there must be War, and it would be a war of the English's making. Thus I have given the account almost in the words he delivered to me, nothing materially different. Upon the whole it is evident that the Indians are acquainted with the designs and projections of a neighboring Government (New-Hampshire) and it is as evident they dont intend tamely to yield up the possession of that place to the English; but on the contrary, do what they can to hinder the settlement of it; and as they suppose the Land to be theirs; and none without their consent have right to enter upon it; and that they have good right, "vi et armis" to drive any such away, so beyond all dispute the French will encourage and help them, that they may prevent the English being so near neighbors to them. However easy and practicable the settle- ment at Cowoss may appear to some, yet I make no doubt they will meet with a Tartar, and find them- selves miserably dissappointed that they have under- taken it if they proceed. Though there is no rational prospect of success attending the scheme under its present direction, yet, perhaps some rash and inconsiderate attempt may be made by some of the undertakers, that may prove of unhappy consequences to themselves and others unless care be taken. Therefore, for the security and safety of the People of this Province, I cant but think it a point of prudence in this Government to make the Indians sensible we are neither the contrivers nor promoters of the design of which they might be ascertained, in the answer to their message by Captain Stevens, which, he tells me they are expecting with some impatience." (end letter from Capt Israel Williams to Governor Phips) The substance of this letter was laid by Gov. Shirley of Massachusetts before Gov. Wentworth of New-Hampshire and threw such discouragement on the settlement of Coos Meadow that the design, without further endeavors to carry it into effect was wholly relinquished, as under the circumstances, impracticablle. The Indians did not content themselves with remonstating and threatening; but, regardless of its being a time of peace, committed in their roving expeditions several acts of hostility upon the inhabitants of the frontier, which served most effectively to confirm the opinion which many had formed, that the peace of Aix la Chapelle, as well as that with the Indians at Falmouth, was to have no other result than a short cessation of arms; and that the frontiers were soon to be visited again with all the horrors of savage warfare. Before another spring, however, a con- ference being held with the Eastern Indians, by the government of Massachusetts, a present was made to the St. Francis tribe (called by some the Aresaguntacook) for the purpose of bringing about a fuller reconcila- tion than had previously existed. They accepted the present, and declaring that the blood was wiped away, cheerfully ratified, so far as was apparent, the treaty of 1749 which had been made with other tribes. ************************************************* * * * * NOTICE: Printing the files within by non-commercial individuals and libraries is encouraged, as long as all notices and submitter information is included. Any other use, including copying files to other sites requires permission from the submitters PRIOR to uploading to any other sites. 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