[Deposition of Robert Hunter Morris on Indian affairs during his time as governor].

[1758]

INTERNET

1 online resource (4 unnumbered pages)

(NNC-L)LLMC1450508523
(TEMPOCo)1450508523

This piece is closely written and the upper right corners of some sheets are damaged. Robert Hunter Morris [former Lieutenant Governor of Pennsylvania] was sworn before H. Montague on 21st of November, 1758. He was in London, soon to return to America. His term was from May 1754 to August 1756. He had been asked to give his opinion as to why the Delaware and Shawnee had turned against Pennsylvania, especially, had there been any complaints about land fraud during his tenure? He said the French gave presents and the English traders badly cheated the Indians, plus the English did not build forts and trading stations among the Indians in a timely manner. The Indians on the Ohio and those on the upper Susquehanna were each a mixed group and communicated frequently. Those on the Susquehanna were inclined toward the English and those on the Ohio inclined toward the French. At one point, the French told the Susquehanna Indians to either come with them or get out of the way, because fighting would soon begin. Those Indians told the Morris about their predicament. In November 1755, Chief Scarroyaday came to Philadelphia and spoke fervently to the Assembly and as many local government people as Morris could find. With Weiser interpreting, Scarroyaday assured the group that his Indians had not been the ones to commit the recent atrocities and offered his wives and children as hostages so they could believe him. He explained about the threat by the French and said his group could not fight the war alone. If he had young Englishmen together with his warriors, they might prevail. If the English were not willing to join them, he and his people would have to look to their own safety. The Governor then told the Assembly that this was serious business and they should go into session to come up with an answer; there was not a moment to lose. At no point in the proceedings did the Chief ever say anything about land fraud. The deponent said the defection of the Susquehanna Indians could have been prevented, but the Assembly did not take any action. Even during a Council from July 25-31, 1756, no such thing was ever mentioned.

Manuscript.

Online resource; title supplied by cataloger (July 31, 2024).

Remotely Accessible Online Resources
All Resources