Letter from Colonel Z. Butler to Roger Sherman

v2:824

Westmoreland, October 1, 1776.

HONOURED SIR: In some of my last letters, you will recollect, I informed you I had sent a messenger among the Indiansupon the head waters of the Susquehannah, and thereby informed them of an assault made upon one of our people, whose testimony has some time since been sent to you. The Indians, you will see by the enclosed messages, are disposed for peace, and think it necessary that this place be appointed to hold their council at, and, as they express it, to have a fire-place here. Their importunity was so pressing on that account, that I promised them to inform the Congress and our Assembly of their request, and would beg the opinion of yourself, and our other Delegates, whether it is best to lay it before the Congress, and that you would be pleased to inform his Honour, our Governour, immediately what you apprehend will be best for the Colony to do, if any thing, in that matter.

The Indians, when they come here, expect presents, or at least to be supported while among us, and no one is appointed to treat with them. They come to me, and I have frequently given them, but find the burthen too great for one man to bear. They also insist upon a new flag, such as is used by the army of the United States. They say their old flag came over the great water, and they now want a new one, as a token of their friendship to the United States.

By the last papers we find that the report of Colonel Butler, etc˙, with Indians and Canadians being at Oswego, is disbelieved. By the accounts we had before received of that matter, some were much agitated here, but seem more easy at present.

I expect to be at the Assembly, and shall gladly receive any information you shall think proper to send me.

I am, sir, your humble servant, Z˙ BUTLER.

To Hon˙ Roger Sherman.

N˙ B˙ The Indians deny having any hand in the attack made upon Wilson, and have engaged to let us know if they make any discovery of that matter.