The New Hampshire Gazette And Historical Chronicle

FORT PITT, April 26. 1764.

Extracts from the examination of Gershom Hicks (a white man) lately with the Indians, who came in here the 14th instant as a Spy.

That an English army was expected by the Indians down the Ohio this spring. That he left Hockhocking about 30 days ago, in company with 7 Delaware Indians, to go to war on the frontiers. That they came upon Shearman's Valley, murdered and escaped one James and his wife, and took two boys, their children, prisoners. That they came within a few miles of this post, when he was desired to come in here, under pretence he had made his escape from the Indians, and to enquire into the strength of the fort, ammunition, provisions, &c.—and to return to them in two nights. That the night they came here, 8 Shawanese came to their Sleeping place, and had two scalps, which they got between Ligonier and Bedford. That there were 3 parties of Indians then out, consisting of 9, 10, & 13; and one of 20 to set off for this fort a few days after him. That about the latter end of this month 40 Wyandots, and 100 Ottawas were to set out for this post; and way-lay the communication. In May the Wyandots, Ottawas, Delawares, & Shawanese, in all, about 300, were to come and attack this post; and should they fail here, to proceed and attack Ligonier and Bedford, which were not so strong: That last winter two Delaware Chiefs, and White Eyes with them, went down to the large French town fort on the Mississippi, and took three English scalps, and asked assistance from the French to carry on the war against us. They found both French and English in the fort. The commanding officer, a Frenchman, would not hear them, and ordered the scalps to be thrown out of doors; and gave 'em some flints and powder, and order'd them to return. But that they went to some French people, that live along the Mississippi, and are great traders with the Indians of ammunition, &c. one of which had 4 or 500 barrels of powder, and lead in proportion. White Eyes purchased of him 9 horse loads; but in returning, thro' the badness of the weather, they lost great part of it. And that they entered into an agreement with three traders, to send up to Scioto, before the 1st of May, 12 batteaus of powder, lead, &c. and he is of opinion they are there by this time. And that about the latter part of the summer, they are to send the Indians twelve batteaus more.—And they are to pay them with the furs taken from our traders in their towns; but should this fail, they will attack us with bows and arrows.

White Eyes has visited some Indians on the Mississippi, from whom he asked assistance against the English, to which they consented, saying the white men should not live on the Mississippi, and that they would lay on all the narrow passages on the river, & attack our boats and troops as they passed.

Those Indians are very numerous, known by the names of Cattahoos, Cawetoos, & Warhaes. That the Wyandots, Ottawas, & Delawares, intended to come here under pretence of peace, and so get into the fort, and murder every soul. But if they miscarried, they would fight their way to the lakes, and from thence to the Mississippi, and join the above tribes.