Michigan historical collections. [Vol. 17]

QUAKERS WAIT AT DETROIT, JULY.

603

Fort Erie, in hopes of hearing from home; in which I was disappointed.
I found eighteen Oneida Indians on board, with whom I had some
conversation. The captain informed me he had put sixty on shore at
the mouth of the Miami, on their way to the Rapids, where, we are
informed, twelve hundred Indians are assembled. This day we
received a letter from colonel McKee, containing friendly sentiments,
and an assuran-.e that we should have timely notice of the opening
of the treaty. We also received one from a young man on board
the Chipaway, informing that colonel Butler, who was passenger
with his Indians on board capt. Cowan's vessel, came on board
their vessel, and in conversation in a select company where he had
no suspicion, expressed, that if the commissioners should proplose,
or even hint any other terms than what were concluded upon by
the Indians, he would not think it strange if every person from
the colonies, commissioners, Quakers, and all, should be sacrificed on
the spot; for they know no distinction, but their own people. This,
the young man communicated to us out of pure friendship, having
heard it himself: which we treasured up at present. But truly, the
pressure of murdering, dark, blood-thirsty spirits, from day to day,
is exceeding heavy; always requiring us to watch and pray, that
we may be furnished with the whole armour of light.
3rd. Col. England came to visit us. We went to see his garden
-in the interview he showed every mark of respect to Friends.
and desired us as often as we wished to retire into his arbours in
the heat of the day. We acknowledged his kindness, and went to
our lodgings to dine, where we had the company of a young Shawnese chief. He was neatly dressed in Indian style. I computed he
had, at least, one thousand silver broaches stuck on a new silk
hunting shirt. He behaved at table with great gentility.
4th. Fourteen Indians came to see us. They appeared friendly.
The weather exceeding warm. Although we are well supplied with
provisions, yet, the water being all brought from the river, and
standing in a tierce in the sunshine, makes our drink disagreeable.
This, with a host of flies by day, and fleas and bugs by night,
added to our state of suspense, required some fortitude and patience
to keep our post without looking back, or meditating an escape.
5th. Had some conversation with an intelligent woman who had been
taken prisoner in Kentucky, and separated from her husband and nine
children. All had been favoured to meet again except one, which she
says is now in Kentucky. She says, three hundred and ninety-five
p'ersons were taken, and scattered through the wilderness at the time