manded by Captain Joseph Morris, and the other by Captain John Dick. They were to march to the scene of action by different routes, and at different times. But, as before, great difficulty was experienced in raising the men; and Captain Dick, who was to march first, was compelled to advance with only thirty-six men, encumbered by packhorses and provisions not only for the whole division, but also for the relief of the besieged. The Connecticut forces, however, although maintaining the siege closely, were too vigilant to be taken by surprise. They had become aware of Ogden's escape and movements, and were apprised of the advance of Captain Dick, for whose reception every needful preparation was made. Suddenly, therefore, on approaching the fort he was to relieve, he found himself in the midst of an ambuscade. the first fire his men ran to the fort for protection, but sixteen of them together with the entire stock of provisions, fell into the hands of the Connecticut forces. Ogden was of the number who succeeded in entering the fort, as also did Colonel Clayton. This affair happened on the 30th of July. Elated by their success, the assailants now pressed the siege more closely than before, until the 10th of August, keeping up a daily fire whenever any persons of the garrison appeared in view. At On the 11th Captain Butler sent a flag, demanding a surrender; but as the besieged had contrived to despatch another messenger to Phila delphia, with an account of Dick's misfortune, and praying for farther assistance, and as the government was endeavouring to raise and send forward another body of one hundred men, they refused the summons, and the firing was resumed. Butler had no artillery, and a wooden cannon was constructed from a gnarled log of pepperidge, by a colonist named Carey, and mounted upon his battery. But it burst asunder at the second discharge. Still, the contest was closely maintained until the 14th, when, having been long upon short allowance, disappointed in not receiving the promised reinforcements, and their provisions being entirely exhausted, the garrison surrendered. The articles of capitulation were signed by Zebulon Butler, Lazarus Stewart and John Smith, on the part of the besiegers, and by Colonel Asher Clayton, Joseph Morris and John Dick, in behalf of the Proprietaries. The stipulations were, "that twentythree men might leave the fort armed, and with the remainder unarmed, might proceed unmolested to their respective habitations; that the men having families might abide on the debateable land for two weeks, and might remove their effects without interruption; and that the sick and wounded might retain their nurses, and have leave to send for a physician.”* It afterward appeared that at the time of the surrender, a detachment of sixty men had arrived * Gordon. within ten miles of the fort, commanded by Captain Ledlie; but having heard of the surrender, the Captain wisely concluded to make a different disposition of his company. Numbers of the garrison were wounded during the siege, among whom was Amos Ogden, severely. While he was leaning upon the arm of one of his subalterns, William Ridyard, the latter was struck by a ball, and killed instantly. The loss of the Connecticut forces, in killed and wounded, was a matter which appears not to have been divulged. By the terms of the capitulation, Ogden and his party were all to remove from Wyoming.* In the month of September following, Mr. Hamilton gave a detailed account of these proceedings to the legislature-informing that body that the intruders had burnt the block-house, and were fortifying themselves upon a more advantageous position. It was determined by the council that a correspondence should be opened with the Governor of Connecticut upon the subject, which was accordingly done. The President informed Governor Trumbull that the intruders had assumed to act under the authority of the state of Connecticut. The latter replied cautiously, denying that the Connecticut people were acting under any directions from him, or from the General Assembly — *Gordon asserts that during this siege, Butler proposed to Colonel Clayton that the rights of the respective claimants should be determined by combat, between thirty men to be chosen from each side. But the proposition was rejected. neither of whom would countenance any acts of violence for the maintenance of any supposed rights of the Susquehanna Company. Thus closed the operations of the respective parties for the year 1771. The Connecticut colonists increased so rapidly, and prepared themselves so amply for defence, that the Pennsylvania forces were all withdrawn, and the Susquehanna Company left in the quiet possession of the valley. -- CHAPTER VI. Government of Wyoming - Thoroughly democratic,- Attempted mediation with the Pennsylvanians - Failure Opinions of English counsel, - Connecticut asserts jurisdiction, Opposition of Governor Penn, - Proclamations, Season of repose,- Another Civil War, - Destruction of the Con necticut settlement on the West Branch, - Interposition of Congress, — Not heeded, Expedition and repulse of Colonel Plunkett,- Relinquishment of the contest, War of the Revolution, Letting loose of the Indians, Defenceless situation of Wyoming, — Invasion by the tories and Indians, — Hasty preparations for defence, -The colonists resolve to attack, - The Battle and Massacre, - The Capitulation, — Ravaging of the valley, — Vindication of Brant, -Cruelties of the tories, Flight of the people, — Vindication of Colonel Zebulon Butler,- His character, -Vindication of CoSecond invasion, — Affair of Colonel Powell, Sullivan's Expedition,- Subsequent battles and skirmishes with the Indians. Ionel Dennison, -Captain Spalding, THUS far the government of the Connecticut settlers that is to say, all the government that was exercised, had been of a voluntary and military character. But the cessation of all opposition to the proceedings of the Susquehanna Company, for the time, on the part of Pennsylvania, rendered the longer continuance of martial law inexpedient, while by the rapid increase of the population it became necessary that some form of civil government should be adopted. The increasing irritation existing between the parent government and the colonies, already foreshadowing an approaching |