Header img
Beyond Penn's Treaty

Jacob Lindley’s Account

Page out of 108

We also had a visit to-day from several Shawnese.
One of them was a middle-aged man, the most solid
countenanced I had seen amongst them. We spoke
to him by an interpreter, and let him know who
we were, and what our views were in coming; and
also our apprehensions of the sincerity of the go-
vernment, in the present embassy. With which he
appeared pleased, and said, he heartily wished we
might get through with the work of peace, that the
young and active part of the Indian nations might
know what to do, as it concerned them most, as the
old ones had not long to live. He said he had heard
of our people, that we did justly, and did not fight,
and that he was glad to be with us. After drinking
a glass or two of wine, he wished us well, and de-
parted.

In my interview with Col. England, I was pre-
sented with a sketch of the great falls, curiously ta-
ken by Capt. Steel, who is an artist at such designs.
I also had an account to-day, from a man employed
at the Grand Portage. It is nine miles over, and
three bundles of seventy pounds each, is the stipula-
ted burden for each man to carry that distance. But
some will carry more, and ascend and descend two
mountains on the way. Two men carry the canoe
on their shoulders, until the blood will run down
on green hands; but at length, the skin becomes
hard as a bullock's neck, accustomed to the yoke.

Thus they carry and row, over ninety carrying
places, and as many creeks, puddles, little lakes,
and rivers, for more than one thousand miles be-
yond the Grand Portage.

10th.

Capt. Blue Jacket came to see us. We had
a friendly interview with him. He is married to a