Page:Early western travels, 1748-1846 (Vol 1 1904).djvu/215

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1758]
Post's Journals
209

the fort, but my companions, who were about seventy in number.

Shamokin Daniel, who came with me, went over to the fort by himself, (which my companions disapproved of) and counselled with the Governor; who presented him with a laced coat and hat, a blanket, shirts, ribbons, a new gun, powder, lead, &c. When he returned he was quite changed, and said, "See here, you fools, what the French have given me. I was in Philadelphia, and never received a farthing;" and, directing himself to me, he said, "The English are fools, and so are you." In short, he behaved in a very proud, saucy and imperious manner. He further said, "The English never give the Indians any powder, and that the French would have given him a horseload, if he would have taken it; see that young man there, he was in Philadelphia and never got any thing; I will take him over to the French; and get some cloathing for him."

Three Indians informed me, that as soon as the French got over, they called a council, with their own Indians, among whom there happened accidentally to be a Delaware captain, who was privately invited by one of his acquaintances to hear what the French had to say; and when they were assembled, the French spoke, as follows:

"My children, now we are alone, hearken to what I have to say. I perceive the Delawares are wavering; they incline to the English, and will be faithful to us no longer. Now all the chiefs are here, and but a handful, let us cut them off, and then we shall be troubled with them no longer." Then the Tawaas [Ottawas] answered, "No, we cannot do this thing; for though there is but a handful here, the Delawares are a strong people,