Michigan historical collections. [Vol. 17]

608

EXPEDITION TO DETROIT, 1793.

the conversation, I felt some zeal for the testimony to arise; under
which I spoke plainly to divers points, and some persons present urged
the necessity of whipping, or further chastising the Indians, and the
impossibility of effecting their reformation without it.
12th. Went down the river four miles, and paid three or four little
visits to some friendly people. This afternoon, a vessel arrived from
Fort Erie, brin*ging accounts that the Indian deputation had arrived
there, and the commissioners were returned to Niagara. Which
accounts, with no way opening as yet to see the Indians at the Rapids,.
and no letters from Philadelphia, make our situation here singularly
trying.
13th. A small vessel arrived from Fort Erie, which brought letters
from my wife, M. Miller, brother J. L. and Jonathan and Rumford
Dawes, all frought with love, and instructive communication. This was
a joyous feast to my mind, and as marrow to my bones, ministering
much consolation and encouragement, and animating with increasing
fervency and dedication to encounter the difficulties of our wilderness
journey, with the varied conflicts and perils attendant thereon. We
also received three general epistles, one from James Pemberton, one
from John Pemberton, and one from Henry Drinker, all dated about
6th of 6th mo. 1793, which were mutually comforting and strengtheninog to our little band. To find and feel the help, sympathy, and
travail of the spirits of our friends at home, was like the consecrating
oil to each of us. This vessel also brought a letter to us from col.
Pickering, announcing the arrival of the Indian deputation, just as they
were about to embrrk, and the commissioners were requested to return to
Navy Hall, to have a short speech in the audience of gov. Simcoe.
As it was to be a short conference, they desired our further patience,
and hoped to see us in a few days. This intelligence, after five weeks
suspense, was not very pleasant.
14th. First of the week. Held a public meeting for worship in the
ship-yard, which was attended by a large number of people, divers of
of whom are nearly attached to us. It was a solid, quiet season. But
through ignorance of the divine principle, or through their inattention
to it, and want of faith in it, trlth, in this Babylonish land, does not
rise into that dominion, as I have felt it in some other places.
I had an opportunity of conversing with Simon Girty's wife, who
seems an inoffensive woman. She had been long a prisoner amongst
the Indians. She gave d1n account of many of their methods of torture
on their enemies. She fsays they used frequently to speak of the
Quakers in the nations, as a people that did not go to war. Capt.