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Protecting the Frontier
On the 25th of February, 1794, another act was passed which authorized the
Governor "to detach from the several companies of artillery and
infantry raised by the State" for the security of the port of
Philadelphia and the defense of the Western frontier, "as many men as
can be conveniently spared from the specific objects of protection and
defense for which the companies were particularly destined, and to station
the detachment so made at such place or places at or near Presque Isle, on
Lake Erie, as shall in his judgment be best calculated to carry into
effect the act" just quoted. This measure was called forth by the
menaces of the Indians, who had learned of the proposed settlement at
Presque Isle, and knowing that it would cause a break in their
communications between the East and West, were determined to prevent it if
possible. In accordance with its provisions, Gov. Mifflin, on the 1st of
March, 1794, issued a circular to the Brigade Inspectors of Washington,
Westmoreland and Allegheny Counties, requiring them to raise men to serve
eight months, unless sooner discharged, with a stipulation that, if
necessary, they should continue in service till the next meeting of the
Legislature. Each man who took his own rifle was to be allowed $2 for its
use, and to have a reasonable equivalent if it was lost or destroyed in
the public service. Four companies were to be organized within the
district stated, of whom one Captain, one Lieutenant, two Ensigns, six
Corporals and six Sergeants and ninety-five privates were to be detached
for the Presque Isle expedition. The command was given to Capt. Ebenezer
Denny, of Allegheny County, who is presumed to have seen service in border
warfare.
Gen. William Irvine and Andrew Ellicott had been appointed Commissioners
some time before to lay out a road from Reading to Presque Isle. On the
same day the above-mentioned circular was issued they were notified that
Albert Gallatin had been associated in the appointment, and that they
three were to lay out the town contemplated by the act of 1793. The
Governor's instructions desired them to "promote peace, order and
friendship with the peaceable Indians or British garrison, should any
intercourse * * be produced by accident or necessity." Capt. Denny
was required "to comply with every lawful request of the
Commissioners," and was further reminded that the objects of his
appointment were "strictly those of protection and defense."
Occupancy of Fort Le Boeuf
Boats and cones left Pittsburgh on the 16th of April, by way of the
Allegheny River, the stores and provisions having been sent in advance. By
the 25th of April, three officers and seventy-seven men had reached
Franklin, at the mouth of French Creek. On the same date, a report reached
headquarters at Pittsburgh that the Indians, incited by British agents,
were "meditating an opposition to the designs of the Government
respecting Presque Isle," and a week later Denny wrote to the
Governor his apprehensions that "a council holding at the mouth of
Buffalo Creek between the chiefs of the Six Nations and the British may
terminate unfavorably to our establishment." On the 1st of May, a
Maumee Indian was killed at Franklin in a drunken row by a white man named
Robertson. This added greatly to the feeling among the aborigines. The
affair was settled by the party at Franklin raising a purse of $100 and
paying it to the relatives of the dead man, in satisfaction of their
wrong, according to an old custom among the Indians.
The troops took possession of "the forks of French Creek, about two
miles below the old post of LeBoeuf," on or near the 11th of May,
where they built a small block-house, pending the cutting out of the logs
which obstructed the navigation of the stream. From this point, Gen. John
Wilkins, of Pittsburgh, who accompanied the expedition, wrote on the day
of their arrival that "the British are determined to oppose the
progress of the State troops from LeBoeuf to Presque Isle by sending a
number of Indians and English to cut them off." In a few days more
the detachment reached LeBoeuf, where they immediately erected two small
picketed block-houses, which, Wilkins reported, "will make them
sufficiently strong until the re-enforcement arrives under Capt.
Denny." The latter event did not occur until the 24th of June. A
draft of 1,000 militia from the brigades of Westmoreland, Washington,
Allegheny and Fayette Counties was ordered by the Governor in the latter
part of May, to co-operate with Denny's detachment under command of Gen.
Wilkins. On the day the order was issued, the Governor wrote to Wilkins
warning him of "the critical state of our Presque Isle
settlements," which, he added, "calls for an exercise of
judgment, prudence and spirit."
Interference of the General Government
While the events here mentioned were in progress, a letter reached Gen.
Knox, Secretary of War under President Washington, from Gen. Israel
Chapin, the United States Commissioner to the Six Nations, to the effect
that the British "feel very much alarmed at the garrisoning of
Presque Isle. * * If the garrison destined for that place," wrote
Chapin, "is not very strong, it is doubtful whether it will not be
attacked." On the 9th of May, Gen. Knox wrote to Wilkins and Denny,
cautioning them to "proceed with the utmost vigilance and
precaution." The next day, he addressed a communication to Gen.
Mifflin, stating that "affairs are critically circumstanced between
the United States and the Six Nations," and giving it as the opinion
of the President, "on mature reflection, that it is advisable to
suspend for the present the establishment of Presque Isle." On the
very day this epistle was received, the Governor notified the Brigade
Inspectors of the four western counties that he had been induced to
suspend the execution of the act for laying out a town at Presque Isle. He
therefore rescinded all orders for drafting men, directed the
Commissioners, who had not yet left Pittsburgh, to postpone further
proceedings, and commanded Denny's detachment to remain at LeBoeuf,
"unless it should be found necessary to retire from the station in
order to prevent an actual contest with the friendly Indians." The
Commissioners were asked to remain "in such a situation as will
enable them on short notice to resume the execution of their
mission."
Was the Danger Real?
The correspondence that has been preserved on the subject indicates that
the fears of an Indian war were well founded and quite universal among
those who had the best means of information. Gen. Wilkins wrote from
LeBoeuf: "The Indians contrive to make opposition to the
establishment at Presque Isle. The Lieutenant Governor of Upper Canada and
an Indian agent were visiting all the Indian towns westward, exciting the
Indians to oppose the Americans and assuring them of support from the
King. * * * Advices from the Genesee country state that every industry is
being made by the British to put the Indians on us." The chief men of
the Six Nations, he concluded, held a council at Buffalo Creek about the
middle of May. In a letter of June 5, from David Reweck to Gov. Mifflin,
he says of Presque Isle: "I have not doubted but that the British
wish seriously to possess it. * * * It is pretty certainly known that for
a considerable time past no vessel (British) has gone up or down the lake
without instructions to put in at Presque Isle and see whether we were
there or no." About the same time, John Polhemus, commanding at Fort
Franklin, reported: "From the best information that I have received
this day, I have reason to believe the Indians will attempt to make
themselves masters of this post." A week later, he forwarded the
tidings that three men on their way to Pittsburgh from Franklin were
attacked by the savages, two of whom were killed. D. Ransom, a trader wit
the Indians, deposed on the 11th of June that he "had been told by
the Broken Twig that the British and Indians were to land at Presque Isle
and form a junction with Cornplanter on French Creek and were then to
clear it by killing all the white people and taking all the posts on
it."
It is but fair to the Senecas and their chief to state that in a letter
from Capt.Denny, dated at Franklin on the 10th of June, he says: "The
Cornplanter has gone to another council at Buffalo. * * * He is extremely
concerned at the account given of their going to take up the hatchet; says
they are bad men that report it; that it's a lie."
In a communication of the 12th of June from Gen. Chapin to the war
Department, he declares: "I am afraid of the consequences of the
attempt to settle Presque Isle at present. The Indians do no acknowledge
the validity of the Cornplanter's sale to Pennsylvania."
We have gathered the testimony on this point at more length than many seem
necessary, because of it relation to other events that will be detailed in
a subsequent chapter.
A Lengthy Discussion
The people of the western counties were highly indignant at the suspension
of the proceedings for settlement, and without knowing the reason that
prompted Gov. Mifflin, hotly condemned what they called him timidity. The
Governor, however, soon righted himself by spreading the intelligence
abroad that he had acted in pursuance of a special request from President
Washington. He was of the belief, in common with most of the citizens of
the State, that there was more bluster than sincerity in the threats of
the Indians, and that the best way was to go right on, and, if necessary,
whip them into acquiescence. Gen. Irvine wrote from Pittsburgh:
"People here are astonished at the course of the General Government.
I could have taken 500 -- some mounted, some riflemen, of such as would
have effectually awed the savages and British." A long correspondence
took place between Mifflin and the Federal authorities, in which the
Governor argued earnestly in favor of the right of the State to protect
its own territory and endeavored to convince the Cabinet of the folly of
suspending the operations.
An Important Council
The council referred to by Denny was held at the mouth of Buffalo Creek on
the 18th of June. It was attended by Gen. Chapin, as representative of the
United States, who found the Indians "much agitated with regard to
the movements made by the State of Pennsylvania." He left Buffalo on
the 19th, in company with sixteen chiefs and warriors and a British Indian
agent, who acted as interpreter, for Presque Isle, which they reached on
the 24th. Finding no person there, they proceeded to Le Boeuf that
evening, where they met Capt. Denny and Mr. Ellicott, one of the State
Commissioners, who had recently come up from Pittsburgh. In the
consultation which ensued, the Indians objected to the establishment of
garrisons in this quarter in the professed belief that it would involve
them in a war with the Western Indians. They also claimed that the lands
wee not legally purchased from them by Pennsylvania. Ellicott and Denny
replied that the purchase was as openly and fairly made as any that had
ever taken place. The Indians returned to Buffalo, where another council
was held on the 4thof July, at which it was determined to maintain their
rights by force. In a communication of July 17, from the Secretary of War
to the Governor, he reported that Chapin had sent word that, had he not
proceeded to LeBoeuf and the surveyors not suspended operations, blood
would certainly have been shed.
Fort Le Boeuf and Its Garrison
Denny begged of Gen. Gibson on the 27th of June for "a few
militia," on the ground that a number of his men at Le Boeuf were ill
with the flux and others had to be detached. To the Governor he reported
on the 4th of July: -- Have been busy erecting a stockade post. Moved the
detachment in yesterday. Am now beyond the power of any body of hostile
Indians. None have been around since the party on the 24th. Hear firing
almost daily, but whether friends or does is uncertain." Ellicott
wrote on the 1st of August: "The Indians consider themselves as our
enemies and that we are theirs. From this consideration they never come
near the garrison except as spies and then escape as soon as
discovered." Denny notified the Governor on the same date that they
had four block-houses at LeBoeuf, on two of which a six-pounder was
mounted, the others not being calculated for cannon. Over each gate was a
swivel. The officers occupied their tents in the absence of more agreeable
quarters. The situation he regarded as excellent, except that there was a
hollow way parallel with the rear of the works and within gunshot that
would "cover any number of Indians." This was examined every
morning before the gates were thrown open. A few days previous, two or
three Indians were seen "reviewing the plan," who seemed
disappointed when a white flag was hoisted. The troops at the post
numbered one hundred and ten, inclusive of officers. Ellicott regarded the
garrison as being "in excellent order," and that it could,
"if supplied with provisions, safely bid defiance to all the Indians
between the Genesee and Mississippi Rivers."
On the 10th of September, a man named Dickson was fired at by a party of
Indians and wounded in two places, while working in a field within a
hundred and fifty yards of the settlement at Cussewago, below LeBoeuf. The
news of the atrocious act spread like wildfire, and excited a universal
desire among the whites for retaliation.
Denny complained to the Governor, on the 1st of October, that "the
men are very naked; few of them have anything but their summer dress, and
that in rags, and the most of them are barefooted." Again, o the 1st
of November, he sent word: "For want of clothing, particularly shoes,
there are numbers of the men who are almost useless. * * The fellows who
are barefooted suffer with the snow." A letter from Wilkins, of the
10th of October, dave more favorable accounts from LeBoeuf and Franklin.
The British influence over the Six Nations, he stated, had been greatly
affected by the defeat which the Western Indians sustained from Gen.
Wayne's army in August. A number of Six Nation Indians were in the battle
at Maumee, and on getting back to their homes told the most terrifying
stories of Wayne's skill and bravery. Mr. Ellicott set out for the older
sections of the State on the 23d of October, and was in Philadelphia on
the 30th of December. An order was issued by the Governor to Gen. Wilkins
on the 26th of October to raise one hundred and thirty men for six months,
after the expiration of the services of the detachment at LeBoeuf, for the
maintenance of that post and the completion of the Presque Isle
enterprise. Each private was to receive 50 shillings a month, besides the
customary rations. The old detachment was relieved by the new recruits in
the closing part of December.
A Treaty of Peace
By the efforts of Timothy Pickering, representing the United States, a
treaty of peace was concluded with the Six Nations at Canandaigua, N. Y.,
on the 11th of November, in which they unreservedly acknowledged the title
of Pennsylvania to the Triangle, and for themselves and their successors
released all claims upon the lands within its limits. This happy
conclusion was much hastened by the terror of Anthony Wayne's name and
victories. As soon as tidings of the treaty reached Washington, word was
sent by the President to Gov. Mifflin that the temporary obstacles to the
establishment were removed. It being too late in the season when the good
news arrived at Le Boeuf to do any effective work at Presque Isle, the
detachment remained at the former post until early spring. The force there
on the 27th of March, 1795, consisted of nine-nine in all.
While Ellicott was at Le Boeuf, in the summer of 1794, he laid out the
town of Waterford, the plan of which was afterward sanctioned by the
Legislature. An act for laying out towns at Presque Isle, Le Boeuf,
Venango and Conewango (Erie, Waterford, Franklin and Warren) passed that
body in April, 1795, being the second in regard to the first-named place.
This law also repealed the one of April 8, 1793, quoted in the beginning
of this chapter.
Maj. Craig, of the United States Army, stationed at Pittsburgh, reported
to the Secretary of War on the 24th of May, 1795, that "the State
troops at Le Boeuf are nearly all disbanded. Capt. Buchanan," he
says, who commanded at that post (Denny having left), arrived here
yesterday with the greater part of the men under his command, who are all
discharged." In Buchanan's communication to the Governor, of June 19,
he states, however, that Lieut. Mehaffey, with twenty-six men, marched
from Pittsburgh with Commissioners Irvine and Ellicott toward Le Boeuf.
He, Buchanan, expected to start that day with the balance of the escort.
This would imply that a new set of men had been enlisted for the purpose.
In Denny's report of his operations, he thus describes the location at
Presque Isle: "A mile and a half in some directions from the old
French fort the land appears to have been under cultivation, or at least
cleared, but is now grown up thick with young chestnut and linn. The fort
has been a regular pentagon, but the work was very light. The parapet
don't exceed five feet, and the ditch not more. The walls of the magazine,
of stone, are standing, and may be repaired. The well may also be easily
made fit for use." He mentions that "among the stores sent up by
the State" was "a complete set of irons for a saw mill."
Beginning of the Town of Erie
Some two hundred men from Wayne's army landed at Presque Isle early in the
spring of 1795, under command of Capt. Russell Bissell. They set to work
at once, cutting timber for block-houses, of which two were erected on the
bluff overlooking the entrance to the harbor, just east of the mouth of
Mill Creek.1 They also cleared a good
deal of land to raise corn for the use of the garrison. In June, Ellicott
and Irvine, commissioners, arrived, accompanied by a corps of surveyors,
and escorted by State troops under command of Capt. John Grubb, to lay out
the town of Erie as required by the act of Assembly. How long they
remained it is impossible to ascertain. The troops under Bissell built a
saw mill the next season at the mouth of Mill Creek, which was the first
in Erie County, and gave name to the stream. The command would seem to
have been kept up until about 1806, being successively in charge, after
Bissell, who continued until 1799, of Capts. Hamtramck, Lyman and McCall,
and Gen. Callender Irvine, a son of Commissioner Irvine.
The Last Indian Murder
A bloody incident occurred on the 22d of May, 1795, which was afterward
the cause of much discussion and litigation, on account of which we will
give the contemporary statements in regard to it found in the Pennsylvania
Archives. Denny wrote to the Governor from Pittsburgh on the 29th of May:
"Four men were attacked on Saturday last by a party of Indians lying
in wait on the road two miles from Presque Isle. One was found scalped;
the fate of the other three is not known." A letter from the
Secretary of War to Gov. Mifflin, dated the 5th of June, referring to the
occurrence, says: "It is not improbable that the attack was in
retaliation, because a family of friendly Indians on the Allegheny,
returning from their winter hunt, had been fired upon in May be a party of
white men, and two of the Indians badly wounded." The man who was
killed was named Ralph Rutledge, and one of the other three was his son,
who was found scalped but living, and was carried to the fort at Waterford
for medical treatment, where he died shortly after. These were the first
known deaths in the county. The body of the elder Rutledge was found near
the site of the Union depot in Erie, and was buried on the spot where he
died.
1The troops merely
erected quarters that year; the warehouse and stockades were not completed
until the next year, after the new mill was placed in operation. The
supplies for the command were brought by vessel from Detroit. |