FRIENDS' MISCELLANY.

No. 7.}

SECOND MONTH, 1835.

[VOL. VI.

JOSEPH MOORE'S JOURNAL

Of a tour to Detroit, in order to attend a Treaty, proposed to be held with the Indians at Sandusky.

In the second volume of Friends' Miscellany, was published, Jacob Lindley's Account of a Journey to attend this Treaty, with preliminary remarks and a brief history of the circumstances which led to this measure. The following Journal, while it corroborates Jacob Lindley's account, presents a view of divers interesting incidents and occurrences, not noted in that narrative. Joseph Moore was a valuable friend and minister belonging to Kingwood monthly meeting, New Jersey. The place of his residence was near Flemington.

On the 17th of 4th mo. 1793, I set out for Philadelphia, and attended the meeting for sufferings, where were divers Friends who had given up to attend the Indian treaty proposed to be held at Sandusky, on the waters of Lake Erie-having previously obtained certificates from our several monthly meetings for that purpose. The commissioners appointed by government are, general Lincoln, colonel Pickering, and Beverly Randolph. Lincoln goes by water to Albany, &c.; William Savery, Jacob Lindley, and William Hartshorne, go with him: and John Parrish, John Elliott, and myself, with Timothy Pickering and Beverly Randolph, go through the country by land. I have some days past, been very poorly with the ague; but am now bravely.

30th. In the afternoon set out in company with VOL. VI.-25

Beverly Randolph, John Parrish, John Elliott, and Henry Cornplanter, or Obeal-got that evening to Norristown, where colonel Pickering met us. Next day we proceeded to Reading-thence to Harrisburgh and over the Broad Mountain, Mackinoy, and Tuscarora, to Sunbury-thence crossed the Susquehanna at Northumberland, a town standing in the point where the east and west branches come together. Here, leaving the commissioners behind, we, in company with Josiah Haines, proceeded to William Ellis's, and attended Muncy meeting of Friends. After which, went to Samuel Wallace's, where we met the commissioners, and were liberally and friendly entertained.

5th mo. 6th. The forepart of this day, we passed a rapid stream, called the Loyalsock-and in the afternoon we crossed another large stream, called Lycoming, seven times-lodged at James Kyle's. Next day rode forty-three miles without any entertainment on the way, except what we had with us. Where we put up, there was no hay to be had for our horses, so we fed them with oats, and tied them up for the night- went to bed, or rather lay on the floor with our own blankets, in a very small house; but rested well. In the morning, the weather was fine and pleasant-rode to major Samuel Lindley's, crossed the Tioga twice, and the Cownisky; then to the Painted Post, crossing the Cohocton at David Fuller's. On our way here, we swam our horses over the Tioga, and went ourselves in a canoe. The country from Northumberland to this place, abounds with large streams of water, and abundance of flat land on their banks, exceedingly rich. We observed in many places, old Indian fields, with signs of the

old corn hills. On each side of these creeks and flats, are ridges of mountains. We have now travelled according to the several distances from place to place, two hundred and forty-seven miles.

9th. Rode about thirty miles, and a little before night, got to an old Indian cabin, with fire in the middle, where we lodged. We let our horses browse awhile in the woods, then fed them with oats we had with us, and tied them up for the night.This cabin stands on the bank of the Cohocton. The roads here are new, and of course rough, which is trying to the poor horses that are rid hard all day, and at night tied to a tree. Next day, rode thirtysix miles to Williamsburgh. Some parts of the road very rough. We passed over some of the steepest hills I ever saw travelled. But the country is new -and I have no doubt in a few years, the roads will be much improved, as there is abundance of excellent land that is settling fast in some places. Stayed this night at captain Charles Williamson's, where we were kindly entertained.

11th. This morning the commissioners despatched a messenger to Canandaigua for an interpreter; so we rested here and were finely refreshed. Set out again next day, and rode to Gilbert Berry's, on the bank of the Genesee river. Here we found about fifty Indians collected, amongst whom were some of their chiefs; Farmer's Brother, Red Jacket, Little Billy, and others, to all of whom a dinner was given by the commissioners. They expressed their gladness in seeing us, and we also in seeing them. In the evening we had some weighty conversation together, wherein the commissioners imparted a little of their business concerning the treaty;

which appeared to give general satisfaction. After which, the Indians gave our friend John Parrish a new name, which they in their language call Suttekutte, and signifies plain or level. This name was given by Farmer's Brother, at which there was a small shout, in their way, and they would have given us a song on the occasion; but understanding we were a plain people, not accustomed to singing, it was omitted, and nothing further followed than a little pleasantry. Near ten o'clock we all retired and rested bravely.

In the morning the Indians showed no inclination to depart while the commissioners were here. Red Jacket, at the close of one of his speeches last evening, signified, that when he was in Philadelphia, the white people had proposed a method for them to turn buffaloes into cows, deer into sheep, and bears into hogs; he thought it now a fit time for the commissioners to show them a piece of their skill; as they were now on their way to Canandaigua for some clothing, &c., and that a good buffalo would be very agreeable for provision on the way. The commissioners used some endeavours to obtain a fat cow; but as there was none to be had here, they gave them a quantity of salt beef, pork, and corn, at which they appeared satisfied.

14th. We prepared to move forward; divers other people fell in company with us from Schenectady and other places, who were going into Upper Canada. We swam our horses over the Genesee river with some difficulty, and we, with our baggage, crossed in a canoe. In the evening we put up in the woods by the side of Tonnewanta creek, where we sheltered for the night with a good fire, and tied up

our horses as before. The following day we travelled hard, being very desirous to reach some house to lodge in. According to the account given us, we rode about fifty miles, and truly we thought them long enough. Arrived at Buffalo creek about sun set, and put up at landlord Winney's; most of us lodged on the floor and slept well; also, had plenty of grass for the horses. The country we have passed through the last two days, is Indian lands, and one continued wilderness. Much of the land appears very good, with a variety of timber, such as oak, hickory, sugar maple, elm, ash, beech, linn, pine, cherry, butternut, &c.

16th. Rode about three miles to the ferry, nearly opposite Fort Erie, most of the way along the beach of Lake Erie. Here we crossed over the outlet of the lake, a large and strong current, landed in the British dominions, and rode down the banks of the river to Charles Willson's near the great falls. The whole distance to this place is four hundred and twenty-seven miles. In the evening, walked to the brow of the bank to view the mighty cataract. Next morning went again, descended a very steep hill and walked to the rock over which the water falls, which appears tremendous indeed. There are rapids above the cataract that fall, it is said, fifty feet (and it looks likely to be so) within the distance of little more than half a mile. After satisfying our curiosity here, the commissioners went on to governor Simcoe's, at Navy Hall, sixteen miles. This is nearly opposite the garrison, which stands on a point of land in the United States. John Parrish, John Elliott, and myself, went about two miles to our