OHIO STATEWIDE FILES - Know your Ohio: George Washington's mission to the Ohio [4]
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File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by
Darlene E. Kelley
http://www.genrecords.net/emailregistry/vols/00026.html#0006374
April 6, 2000
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Historical Collections of Ohio
Diaries of S. J. Kelly
Plains Dealer
Know Your Ohio
by Darlene E. Kelley
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Continuation of George Washington's Journel -- Mission to the Ohio-- Pt
4--As printed in the Maryland Gazette-- March 21st and 28th, 1754.

We found the French Colours hoisted at a House which drove Mr.John
Frazier, an English Subject, from; I immediately repaired to it, to know
where the Commander resided. There wre three Officers, one of whom, Capt
Joncaire informed me, that he had the Command of the Ohio, but that
there was a General Officer at the near Fort, which he advised me to for
an answer. He invited us to sup with them, and treated us with the
greatest Complaisance.

The Wine, as they dosed themselves pretty plentifully with it, soon
banished the restraint which at first appeared in their conversation,
and gave a Licence to their tongues to reveal their sentiments more
freely.

They told me. that it was their absolute design to take possession of
the Ohio, and by G----- they would do it; for that they were sensible
the English could raise two Men for their one; yet they knew, their
motions were too slow and dilatory to prevent any undertaking of theirs.
They pretended to have an undoubted right to the River, from a Discovery
made by one LaSalle 60 years ago; an the rise of this expedition is, to
prevent our settling on the River or waters of it, as they have heard of
some Families moving out in Order thereto. From the best intelligence I
could get, there have been 1500 men on this side Ontario Lake, but upon
the death of the General all were recalled to about 6 or 700, who were
left to garrison four Forts.150 or thereabouts in each, the first of
which is on French Creek, near a small lake, about 60 miles from
Venango, near N.N.W., The next lies on Lake Erie, where the greatest
part of their stores are kept, about 15 miles from the other; from that
it is 120 miles to the carrying place, at the Falls of Lake Erie, where
there is a small Fort which they lodge their goods at, in bringing them
in from Montreal, the place that all their stores come from; The next
Fort lies about 20 miles from this, on Ontario Lake; between this Fort
and Montreal there are three others, the first of which is near opposite
to the English Fort Oswego. From the Fort on Lake Erie to Montreal is
about 600 miles, which they say requires no more, if good weather, than
four weeks voyage, if they go in Barks or large Vessels, that they can
cross the Lake; but if they come in canoes it will require 5 or 6 weeks,
for they are oblidged to keep under the shore.

5th-- Rained excessivelly all day, which prevented our traveling. Capt.
Joncaire sent for the Half-King,as he had just heard that he came with
me; He affected to be much concerned that I did not make free to bring
them in before; I excuse it in the best manner I was capable, and told
him I did not think their Company agreeable as I heard him say a good
deal in dispraise of Indians in general; but another motive prevents me
from bringing them into his company; I knew he was Interpreter, and a
person of very great influence among the Indians and had lately used all
possible means to draw them over to their interest; therefore I was
desirous of giving no opportunity that could be avoided.

When they came in, there was a great pleasure expressed at seeing them;
he wondered how they could be so near without coming to visit him, made
several trifling presents and applied liquor so fast, that they were
soon rendered incapable of the business they had come about,
notwithstanding the caution that was given.

6th-- The Half-King came to my tent, quite sober,and insisted very much
that i should sty and hear what he had to say to the French; I would
have prevented his speaking any thing, 
'Til he came to the Commandant, but could not prevail; He told me, that
at this place, a Council Fire was kindled, where all their business with
the people was to be transacted, and that the management of the Indian
Affairs was left solely to Capt. Joncaire. As I was desirous of knowing
the issues of this, I agreed to stay, but sent our horses a little way
up French Creek, to refresh and encamp, which I knew would make it near
night.

About 10 o'clock they met in council; the King sole much the same as he
had before been demanded with the Marks of four Towns on it, which
Monsieur Joncaire refused to receive; but desired him to carry it to the
Fort of the Commander.

7th-- Monsieur La Force. Commissary of the French Stores, and three
other Soldiers, came over to accompany us up. We found it extremely
difficult getting the Indians off today, as every Stratagem had been
used to prevent their going up with me; I had last night left John
Davidson ( the Indian Interpreter that I had brought from the Logg Town
with me) strictly charged not to be out of their company, as I could not
get them over to my Tent ( they having some business with Custaloga, to
know the reason why he did not deliver up the French Belt which he had
in keeping) but was oblidged to send Mr. Gist over today to fetch them,
which he did with great persuasion. 

At 11 o'clock we set out for the Fort, and were prevented from arriving
there till the 11th by excessive rains, snows, and bad travelling,
through mires and swamps, which we were oblidged to pass, to avoid
crossing the Creek, which was impossible, either by fording or rafting,
the water was so high and rapid.

We passed over much good land since we left Venango, and through several
extensive and very rich meadows; one of which I believe was near four
miles in length, and considerably wide in some places.

12th-- I prepared early to wait upon the Commander, and was received and
conducted to him by the second Officer in Command; I acquainted him with
my business, and offered my Commission and Letter, both of which he
desired me to keep till the arrival of Monsieur Riparti, Captain of the
next Fort, who was sent for and expected every hour.

This Commander is a Knight of the MiIitary Order of St. Louis, and named
Legardeur de St.Piere. He is an elderly Gentleman, and has much the Air
of a Soldier; he was sent over to take the Command, immediatelly upon
the Death of the Late General, and arrived here about seven days before
me.

About 2 o'clock the Gentleman that was sent for arrived, when I offered
the Letter, etc., again; which they received and adjourned into a
private apartment for the Captain to translate, who understood a little
English; after he had done it, the Commander desired I would walk in,
and bring my interpreter to peruse and correct it, which I did.

13th-- The Chief Officers retired, to hold Council of War, which gave me
an opportunity of taking the Demensions of the Fort, and making the
Observations I could.

It is situated on the South, or west Fork of French Creek, near the
water, and is almost surrounded by the Creek, and a small branch of it
forms a kind of Island ; four houses compose the sides; the Bastions are
made of piles driven into the ground, and about 12 feet above, and sharp
at the top, with port holes cut for Cannon and loop holes for the small
arms to fire through. There are eight 6 lb. pieces mounted, two in each
Bastion. and one piece of four pound before the gate; in the Bastions
are  guard House, Chapel. Doctor's Lodging. and the Commander's private
store, round which are laid eight Forms for the Cannon and Men to stand
on; there are several barracks withou the Fort, for Soldier's dwelling,
covered with some bark, and some with boards, and made chiefy, such as
stables, Smith's Shop, etc.

I could get no certain account of the number of Men here; but according
to the best judgement I could form, there are an hundred exclusive of
Officers, of which there are many. I also also gave orders to the people
that were with me, to take an exact account of the Canoes that were
hauled up to convey their forces down in the spring, which they did, and
told 50 of witch bark, and 170 of Pine, beside many others that were
blotk'd out in Readiness to make.

14th-- As the snow increased very fast and our horses daily became
weaker, I sent them off unloaded, under care of Barnaby Currin and tw
others to make all convenient dispatch to Venango, and there--- at our
arrival if there was a prospect of the waters freezing, if not, then to
continue down to Shawnee's Town, at the forks of Ohio, and there to wait
'til we came to cross Allegany, intending myself to go down by water as
I had the offer of  canoe or two.

As I found many plots concerted the Indans business, and prevent their
returning with me, I endeavored all that lay in my power to frustrate
their scheme, and hurry them on to execute their intended design; they
accordingly pressed for admittance this evening, which at length was
granted them, privately, with the Commander and one or two other
Officers; The Half-King told me, that he offered the Wampum to the
Commander, who evaded taking it, and made many fair promises of Love and
Friendship; said he wanted to live in peace, and trade amicably with
them, as a Proof of which he would send some goods immediately down to
Loggs Town for them; but I rather think the design of that is , to being
away all our struggling trades they meet with, as I privately understod
they intended to carry an Officer, Etc., with them; and what rather
confirms this opinion, I was inquiring of the Commander, by what
athority he had made Prisioners of several of our English subjects; he
told me that the country belonged to them, that no Englishman had a
right to trade upon those waters; and he had orders to make every person
Prisioner that attempted it on the Ohio, or the waters of it.

I enquired of Capt. Riparti about the boy that was carried by, as it was
done while the Command devolved on him, between the death of the late
General, and the arrival of the present; he acknowledged , that a boy
had been carried past, and that the Indians had two or three white mens
scalps, ( I was told by some of the Indians at Vanango Eight) but
pretended to have forgot the name of the place that the boy came from,
and all the particulars. though he questioned him for hours, as they
were carrying him past; I likewise enquired what they had done wth John
Forster and James MacClachlan, two Pennsylvania Traders, whom they had
taken, with all ther goods. They told me the had been sent to Canada,
but were now returned home.

This evening I received an answer to his Honour the Governor's Letter
from the Commandant.

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To be continud in part 5--