Johnson, William (1715-1774) to Jacob Glen
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC07132 Author/Creator: Johnson, William (1715-1774) Place Written: Oswego, New York Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 24 July 1746 Pagination: 1 p. : address ; 20.8 x 16.4 cm Order a Copy
Written in perceptible haste at the height of King George's War, probably from Fort Oswego. "... there is an Onondaga Indian now come from Canada... says that... there was an Army of the french &ca, ready to march towards these parts, In order he says to cutt of, & destroy the people & settlements of Burnets feild [sic], and also all the Mohawk River down to Schenectady."
This letter was written during King George's War. Sir William Johnson (1715-1774), from Ireland, settled in the Mohawk Valley in 1738 and became a frontier figure of considerable influence with the Iroquois. Johnson was largely responsible for keeping the tribes of the Six Nations allied with the English, and took over the role of intermediary with the native tribes. During the French and Indian War, Johnson commanded British troops and provincial militia, defeated the French at Lake George, where he built Fort William Henry, and subsequently was involved in the capture of Niagara and Montreal. In 1768, Johnson presided over the council which drafted and signed the Treaty of Fort Stanwix, by which the Indians relinquished claims to vast lands in New York, Pennsylvania, and the Ohio Valley.
July 24th 1746
Major Glen
Sr.
This is to acquaint you that there is an Onondaga Indian now come from Canada, In four Days, who travelled Day & Night and says that as he came away, there was an Army of the french &ca, ready to march towards these parts, In order he says to cutt of, & destroy the people & settlements of Burnets feild, and also all the Mohawk River down to Schenectady. There is an Express come from thence wth a string of Wampum. abt. this News wh I believe may be realy true, and soon wherfore I thought proper to acquaint his Excelly thereof: and you likewise being in haste I could add further but that I am wth. all regard Sr
Yr. Very Humble Servt.
Wm. Johnson
[address leaf]
To
Major Jacob Glen
In Schenectady
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