The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1854-06-03

LETTER FROM 0g0RGE wAeHeGroE TO GOVERNOR
DiSwTDDfE, OF VA, (NEvHR BEFORE PUBLI6HKDl
We have the pleasure to lay before our readers to-
DAY heretofore unpublished letter from George
washington. The original MS. remained in house
IN Westchester county during fifty years undiscover
ed, when It came into the possession Of Mr.. II. r.
eil OF the Star Hotel Lspenard street. in this city
washington was at this time but twenty-five years
OF age, but 1t seems that his wisdom was even then
apparent as ne was entrusted with the conducting
OF important negotiations with the Indians. One
sentence shows that his religious principles were
not quite so firmly established as they were when.
later in life, he issued general order against pro
family The letter, it will be seen, Is one bundled
years old to-day
GEORGE WASHINGTON TO GOV. DINwrDDrK
The Half King. with about 2s Family,
contg near SO Persons including women and
me some acct of the Twgtnee's Wyandotts and Sc
veral other Nations Of Indians which have trans
mitted TO your Honour by express as You enquird
circumstantially in your last and was then unable
TO give any acct at all Of them.
The French early in the spring sent speech to
the Wyandotts Twignees, and their Allies and de-
sird them to take up the Hatchet and start to Ohio
and their cut Of the Inhabitants with all the Eng
lish thereon. this the big Kettle acquainted the
Half King with and at the same time ABSURD him
with their good intentions of assisting the Nations
and their Brothers the English agt. the French and
that they only waited to see us begin have encosd
the speech Of the Cheefs to which was added an
other from the Warriors informing that they were
busy in councilling with the Chippcways Ottoways
&c. and striving to bring all into the same mind
with themselves they desire the Nations Virgin
ians and Pennsyvanians not to doubt but that they
shall accomplish their designs in this and when
they do will send word thereof
Monacatoocha was sent by the Half King abt. S
nights ago to the Logs Town with French scalps
two of which was to be sent to the WyandOtts 60
and the other two to the Nations telling them that
the French had tricked them out Of their lands for
which with their Brothers the English who i0yad
hand in hand they had let them feclthe wait Of their
Ratchet which was but triding yet as il only lay
on so for that they intd with their brothers TO drive
the French beyond the Lakes. Monacatoocha has
orders to draw all the Indians from Ohio and then
repair to our Camp
proposed to the Half King sending their women
and children into the Inhabitants for as they must
be supported by MS it may be done at less expense
there than here beside this there may another good
attend it, their children may imbibe the pdnci-
pies of love and friendship in stronger degree
which if taken when young is generally more firm
and lasting-He told me he would consider of il
and give answer when Monacatoocha arrived. I
hope this will be agreeable to your Honour who /
wrote to before on this head, without receiy'g an
answer-we find it very difficult procuring provisions
for them as they equally with our own men which
unavoidable withot turning them adrift entirely
--Montour would be CT singular use to me here
at this present. in conversing with the Indians for
have no Persons that can put any dependence in:
make use Of all the influence can to engage them
warmly on our side, and flatter myself that ann
not unsuccessful, but for want OF better acquaint
ance with their customs am often at loss how to
behave and should be relieved from many anxious
fears Of ofendg them if Montour here to assist
ME and as he is in the g0vernm'nts empl0yt. hope
your Honr. will think with me his services cannot
be appyd to SO Ct advantage as here upon this oc-
casion.
There was French Deserters met few DAYS
Gone an Englishman) at Loyal hennng going to
Nirga. by one Crawford Man Of veracity who was
assured by them that there was two Maylr Traders
confind in Irons at the Font when Sieur, De, Tu-
knoxville was Detach'd and at the same time that
lie departed for this another Party of so was sent
down Ohio to kill or take Prisoners all the English
they'd meet with, They also assure us that Tumon-
ves pas all chosen Men fixed upon for this Enter
prise they likewise confirm the report the Prisoners
gave that 100 men were now in the Fort and Rein
forcets expected. 1e
If the whole Detacht. of the French behave with
no more Resolution than this chosen Party did
fatter myself shall have ct. trouble in driving
them to the d Montreal tho ! took 40 men
under my Com d. when marched out yet the dark
ness Of the night was so great that by wandering
Little from the main body were lost-and but 35
ingag'd there was also but Indians with arms two
OF which were Boys one Dinwiddic VI. Honrs. God
other Indians who served to knock the poor unhap-
ny wounded in the head and bcreiy'd them Of their
scalps-So that we had but 40 Men with which we
tried and took " or men besides others who may
have escaped-one We have certain acct. did.
We have just finish'd small palisadod Fort in
which with my small numbers / shall not fear the
attack of 500 men.
There il three separate strings of Wampum which,
the Half King has desrd me to send one is from
the Wyamdott Chiefs, to confirm what they said
another from the Warriors to confirm theirs and the
other (white) is from Monachatooche and since
writing the above there has arriy'd two Indians
from Moskingam who inform tina. the Wyandotts &C.
are ready to strike SO soon as they hear the Ma
tons and English have.
am 1r. H0nrs. most obi. & most Hub. Ser.
From our Camp &c.. G.: WASHINGTON
June ye sd, 1854.