honoured.[1] John's heart was quite elated, and in less than ten days he had disposed of all the money, like a true Indian, principally in drink.
My interference in favour of the Indian made me well known, and procured me an introduction to a respectable mercantile house, from which I got credit for the Indian trade. Having arranged my cargo, I proceeded in a vessel to Albany, where I arrived on the 18th of June. {172} At this place I unloaded my goods, and got them conveyed in a waggon to Schenectady, where I purchased two boats. On the 6th of July I proceeded up the Mohawk River, to the German Flats, where I stayed three days; during which time a band of Oneida Indians came and solicited me to winter at their village, which was about ten days march from Fort Stanwix. I complied with their request, and set off with twenty-eight horses to carry my baggage, being obliged to travel through the woods, and sold my boats to satisfy those from whom I hired the horses. I arrived safe at the village with all my goods, but finding the plan was not likely to turn out advantageous, after a residence with them three weeks, I bartered for the few skins they had, and having re-purchased my boats, I left my Indian friends, proceeding immediately to the Jenesee Lake, where I arrived on the 14th of September.
Having landed and secured my goods, I ordered my men to prepare a house. The chiefs, on hearing of my
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- ↑ This incident indicates the low state of the credit of the United States. Congress passed the act for the relief of this Indian, April 8, 1785, as follows: "On report of a committee, consisting of Mr. Howell, Mr. Long, and Mr. Holton, to whom was referred a petition of John Vincent, an Indian of the Huron tribe, Resolved, That in consideration of the faithful services of John Vincent, an Indian of the Huron tribe, in the course of the late war, he be allowed and paid by the commissioners of the treasury, the sum 100 dollars." Journals of Congress (Philadelphia, 1801), x, p. 82.—Ed.
