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Story
April 1, 1757
The New Hampshire Gazette
Portsmouth, Rockingham County, New Hampshire
What is this article about?
In December, Catawba warriors en route from Fort Cumberland met Cherokee warriors at Fort Washington, exchanging friendship, speeches on loyalty to the English, and plans for war against enemies like the Shawanese.
Clipping
OCR Quality
95%
Excellent
Full Text
Williamsburgh, (in Virginia) January 21.
On Wednesday arrived in this City from Fort Cumberland, a Party of the Catawba Warriors, who have been some Time with our Forces on the Frontiers.
On the 28th of December on their Way down, they met a Party of Cherokees at Fort Washington, where they received each other with the greatest Marks of Friendship: After smoaking a Pipe round, the Head Warrior of the Cherokees desired the Head Warrior of the Catawbas to give him an Account of their late Route, which being done, they called for Liquor, drank King George's Health, and the Head Warriors of each Nation, and then proceeded to dancing, concluding the whole with a grand War Dance.
About 12 o'Clock next Day, they had a Conference, when the Cherokee Warrior spoke as follows:--'Brothers, the Catawbas, my Heart is glad to see you, and especially for your great Escape: I am heartily concerned for our two Brothers who have been killed by the Shawanese, and for those brave Men of our great Father's, whose Courage you speak of; but I am now going to War, and will revenge their Deaths; our Tomahawks are at present bright and sharp but shall soon be stained with the Blood of our Enemies: I am determined not to return until I get a Scalp, or lose some of my own Men. I would rather never return to my Nation, than to go back with all my Men, and no Scalps. I was sorry to hear you was gone out, as I wanted to see your Men and mine use the Tomahawk together, and fight like true Brothers; however, I hope to see that shortly, for you tell me you are going to my Head Warrior, to let him know how the Catawbas love the English, at the Same Time to present him with a Belt of Wampum, sent by Col. Washington; I am sure he will receive it in his Heart, for he loves the English. You tell me you will be here in six Moons: When you go to my Nation, I beg you will stay somewhat longer than you now intend, as I may have the Pleasure to see you there. I will use all my Endeavours to bring with me a great many Warriors, and will accompany you to the Catawba Nation. I wish you safe Home, and tell your great Warrior, that I hope his Heart, and my great Warrior's Heart, are knit together; and will always continue to love the English.'
The Head Warrior of the Catawbas then replied: Brothers the Cherokees, I am glad to meet you going to War, and wish we could have gone together; as for your Concern for the brave English and Catawbas who have been killed by our Enemy, I do not in the least doubt: I could wish it was another Season of the Year, as you will find the utmost Difficulties and Hardship in marching over the great Mountain in snow, and to attack a fresh Enemy; but I know the Bravery of the Cherokees can support themselves under any Inconveniences. The Cherokees and Catawbas are great Trees, and nourished by the English: The French Indians are small Trees, and nourished by the French, and never will grow if we use the English Hatchet: The French Tomahawk is dull, and cannot cut down a large Tree, it may chop, therefore Brothers let us use this sharp one given us by our Brothers the English, and cut these Trees before they are too large, they are many, but weak; we are few but too strong for them. I will impart whatever you have told me to my great Warrior, and will be glad to hear from, and always love, the Cherokees, especially acting in Conjunction with the English. I wish Success. Brother, and hope to see you at the Catawba Nation.
On Wednesday arrived in this City from Fort Cumberland, a Party of the Catawba Warriors, who have been some Time with our Forces on the Frontiers.
On the 28th of December on their Way down, they met a Party of Cherokees at Fort Washington, where they received each other with the greatest Marks of Friendship: After smoaking a Pipe round, the Head Warrior of the Cherokees desired the Head Warrior of the Catawbas to give him an Account of their late Route, which being done, they called for Liquor, drank King George's Health, and the Head Warriors of each Nation, and then proceeded to dancing, concluding the whole with a grand War Dance.
About 12 o'Clock next Day, they had a Conference, when the Cherokee Warrior spoke as follows:--'Brothers, the Catawbas, my Heart is glad to see you, and especially for your great Escape: I am heartily concerned for our two Brothers who have been killed by the Shawanese, and for those brave Men of our great Father's, whose Courage you speak of; but I am now going to War, and will revenge their Deaths; our Tomahawks are at present bright and sharp but shall soon be stained with the Blood of our Enemies: I am determined not to return until I get a Scalp, or lose some of my own Men. I would rather never return to my Nation, than to go back with all my Men, and no Scalps. I was sorry to hear you was gone out, as I wanted to see your Men and mine use the Tomahawk together, and fight like true Brothers; however, I hope to see that shortly, for you tell me you are going to my Head Warrior, to let him know how the Catawbas love the English, at the Same Time to present him with a Belt of Wampum, sent by Col. Washington; I am sure he will receive it in his Heart, for he loves the English. You tell me you will be here in six Moons: When you go to my Nation, I beg you will stay somewhat longer than you now intend, as I may have the Pleasure to see you there. I will use all my Endeavours to bring with me a great many Warriors, and will accompany you to the Catawba Nation. I wish you safe Home, and tell your great Warrior, that I hope his Heart, and my great Warrior's Heart, are knit together; and will always continue to love the English.'
The Head Warrior of the Catawbas then replied: Brothers the Cherokees, I am glad to meet you going to War, and wish we could have gone together; as for your Concern for the brave English and Catawbas who have been killed by our Enemy, I do not in the least doubt: I could wish it was another Season of the Year, as you will find the utmost Difficulties and Hardship in marching over the great Mountain in snow, and to attack a fresh Enemy; but I know the Bravery of the Cherokees can support themselves under any Inconveniences. The Cherokees and Catawbas are great Trees, and nourished by the English: The French Indians are small Trees, and nourished by the French, and never will grow if we use the English Hatchet: The French Tomahawk is dull, and cannot cut down a large Tree, it may chop, therefore Brothers let us use this sharp one given us by our Brothers the English, and cut these Trees before they are too large, they are many, but weak; we are few but too strong for them. I will impart whatever you have told me to my great Warrior, and will be glad to hear from, and always love, the Cherokees, especially acting in Conjunction with the English. I wish Success. Brother, and hope to see you at the Catawba Nation.
What sub-type of article is it?
Historical Event
Military Action
What themes does it cover?
Bravery Heroism
Revenge
Moral Virtue
What keywords are associated?
Catawba Warriors
Cherokee Warriors
Fort Washington
War Conference
English Alliance
Shawanese Enemies
War Dance
Scalping Revenge
What entities or persons were involved?
Head Warrior Of The Cherokees
Head Warrior Of The Catawbas
Col. Washington
Where did it happen?
Fort Washington
Story Details
Key Persons
Head Warrior Of The Cherokees
Head Warrior Of The Catawbas
Col. Washington
Location
Fort Washington
Event Date
28th Of December
Story Details
Catawba warriors met Cherokee warriors at Fort Washington, shared accounts of battles, performed rituals of friendship including smoking, drinking to King George, dancing, and a war dance; they held a conference where the Cherokee head warrior expressed joy at seeing them, sorrow for losses to Shawanese, determination to revenge by scalping enemies, regret at not fighting together, and hopes for future alliance; the Catawba head warrior reciprocated, wished success despite winter hardships, used metaphor of tribes as trees nourished by English vs French, urged using English hatchet against enemies.