But the unsettled condition of the frontier, notwithstanding the peace then just concluded with the Indians, seemed to render it inexpedient, if not hazardous, for those intending to become colonists to venture at that time so far into the wilderness. These dangers being apparently removed, in the year 1762 a body of settlers to the number of about two hundred pushed forward to the valley, so long the object of their keen desire. They planted themselves down upon the margin of the river, a short distance above its intersection by a fine stream of water, called Mill Creek, flowing from the east; and at a sufficient distance from the Indian towns to prevent any immediate collision of their agricultural interests. The greater part of the valley was yet covered with wood, excepting for short distances close around the Delaware and Shawanese towns, where the trees had been cut away in the slender progress of Indian husbandry. But the new colonists set themselves vigorously at work; a sufficient number of log houses and cabins were erected for their accommodation; and before the arrival of winter, extensive fields of wheat had been sown upon lands covered with forest trees in August.

These adventurers had not taken their families with them; and having now made so favourable a beginning, they secured their agricultural implements and returned to Connecticut.* It has been

* Chapman.

asserted that the Indians were opposed to this intrusion of the pale-faces among them, and that their chief, Teedyuscung, strongly remonstrated against it.* This may be true, but if so, it is equally true that they must have soon laid aside. their prejudices, inasmuch as they speedily came to live upon terms of daily intercommunication, and great apparent harmony. But it was not thus with the Pennsylvanians. They looked with displeasure upon such a bold encroachment upon territories claimed as their own, and a series of unheeded proclamations followed the powerless remonstrances of the sheriff and magistracy residing in Northampton county, on the Delaware, to which the valley of Wyoming was held to belong, and the seat of justice of which was at Easton. Nor was this all. In the course of the same year, the Proprietaries of Pennsylvania made a case, and took the opinion of the Attorney General of the crown,† as to the right of Connecticut to the territory she was claiming. That officer was clear in his opinion against Connecticut-holding that, by virtue of her adjustment of boundaries with New-York, she was precluded from advancing a step beyond. But the Susquehanna company likewise made a case, which was presented to the consideration of eminent counsel in England, who came to a directly opposite conclusion. Each party, therefore, felt strengthened by those

* Gordon.

Mr. Pratt-afterward Lord Camden.

conflicting legal opinions, and both became the more resolute in the prosecution of their claims. Meantime fresh scenes were opening in the disputed territory itself, as painful as unexpected. The pioneers who in the summer of 1762 had commenced their operations in Wyoming, returned to the valley to resume their labours, early in the ensuing spring, accompanied by their families, and with augmented numbers of settlers. They were furnished with an adequate supply of provisions, and took with them a quantity of live stock, black cattle, horses, and pigs. Thus provided, and calculating to draw largely from the teeming soil in the course of the season, they resumed their labours with light hearts and vigorous arms. The forests rapidly retreated before their well-directed blows, and in the course of the summer, they commenced bringing the lands into cultivation on the west side of the river. Their advancement was now so rapid, that it is believed the jealousies of the Indians began to be awakened. At least, notwithstanding the claims which the Six Nations had asserted over the territory, by virtue of which they had sold to the Susquehanna Company, Teedyuscung and his people alleged that they ought themselves to receive compensation also.

Thus matters stood until early in October, when an event occurred which broke up the settlement at one fell blow. It has already been seen that at the great council held at Easton, in 1758, the Six Nations had observed with no very cordial feelings,

the important position which Teedyuscung had attained in the opinion of the whites, by the force of his talents and the energy of his character. Long accustomed to view the Delawares and their derivative tribes as their subjects, the haughty Mengwes could not brook this advancement of a supposed inferior, and the reflection had been rankling in their bosoms ever since the meeting of that council, until it was determined to cut off the object of their hate. For this purpose, at the time above mentioned, a party of warriors from the Six Nations came to the valley upon a pretended visit of friendship, and after lingering about for several days, they in the night time treacherously set fire to the house of the unsuspecting chief, which, with the veteran himself, was burnt to ashes. The wickedness of this deed of darkness was heightened by an act of still greater atrocity. They charged the assassination upon the white settlers of Connecticut, and had the address to inspire the Delawares with such a belief. The consequences may readily be anticipated. Teedyuscung was greatly beloved by his people, and their exasperation at "the deep damnation of his taking off," was kindled to a degree of corresponding intensity.

The white settlers, however, being entirely innocent of the transaction,-utterly unconscious that it had been imputed to them, were equally unconscious of the storm that was so suddenly to break upon their heads. Their intercourse with the Indians, during the preceding year, had been so entire

ly friendly, that they had not even provided themselves with weapons for self-defence; and although there had been some slight manifestations of jealousy at their onward progress, among the Indians, yet their pacific relations, thus far, had not been interrupted. But they were now reposing in false security. Stimulated to revenge by the representations of their false and insidious visiters, the Delawares, on the 14th of October, rose upon the settlement, and massacred about thirty of the people, in cold blood, at noonday, while engaged in the labours of the field. Those who escaped ran to the adjacent plantations, to apprize them of what had happened, and were the swift messengers of the painful intelligence to the houses of the settlement, and the families of the slain. It was an hour of sad consternation. Having no arms even for self-defence, the people were compelled at once to seize upon such few of their effects as they could carry upon their shoulders, and flee to the mountains. As they turned back during their ascent to steal an occasional glance at the beautiful valley below, they beheld the savages driving their cattle away to their own towns, and plundering their houses of the goods that had been left. At nightfall the torch was applied, and the darkness that hung over the vale was illuminated by the lurid flames of their own dwellings — the abodes of happiness and peace in the morning. Hapless indeed was the condition of the fugitives. Their number amounted to several hundreds