Croghan's Journal, 1760-61[1]
October 21st 1760.—In pursuance to my Instructions I set of[f] from Fort Pitt to join Major Rogers[2] at Presqu'Isle[3] in order to proceed with the Detachmt of his Majestys Troops under his Command to take possession of Fort D'Troit.
25th.—I joined Capt Campbell at Venango who was
- ↑ The years between the last document (1757) and the commencement of this journey (October 21, 1760) had been eventful ones for the future of American history. The French and Indian War, which until the close of 1757 had resulted only in a series of disasters to the English, was pursued with greater vigor when a change of administration sent able officers and leaders to America. The evacuation of Fort Duquesne (1758), the capture of Niagara and Quebec (1759), and the final capitulation of all Canada at Montreal (1760) gave the mastery of the continent to the English, and opened the portals of the West. Croghan was occupied during these momentous years with Indian negotiations of great importance. As deputy of Sir William Johnson, he endeavored to hold the Six Nations firm in their alliance, to pacify the frontier tribes, and finally to announce to the expectant savages the English victory, and their transfer to British authority. In 1757, he was employed in making peace with the Susquehanna Indians (Pennsylvania Colonial Records, vii, pp. 517-551, 656-714; Pennsylvania Archives, iii, pp. 248, 319; New York Colonial Documents, vii, pp. 321-324); and made a journey to Fort Loudoun, in Tennessee to sound the disposition of the Cherokees—(Pennsylvania Colonial Records vii, pp. 600, 630). His influence was relied upon to pave the way for Forbes's army (1758), and he was present at the important treaty at Easton, in October of this year—(Pennsylvania Archives, iii, p. 429; Pennsylvania Colonial Records, viii, pp. 175-223; Stone, Life of Sir William Johnson, ii, p. 389). Croghan also accompanied Forbes's expedition, and assisted in pacifying the Allegheny Indians. The journal in Pennsylvania Archives, iii, pp. 560-563, designated as Journal of Frederick Post from Pittsburgh, 1758, is really Croghan's journal, as a comparison with Post's journal for these dates will reveal. Early in the next year we find Croghan at Fort Pitt, holding constant conferences with Western Indians (Pennsylvania Colonial Records, viii, pp. 387-391; Pennsylvania Archives, iii, pp. 671, 744), where he remained until ordered to join the expedition sent out under Major Rogers to secure possession of Detroit and other Western posts, included in the capitulation at Montreal. The diary of this journey, which we here publish, is reprinted from Massachusetts Historical Collections, 4th series, ix, pp. 362-379. Other letters of Croghan's are
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