Page:Early western travels, 1748-1846 (Vol 1 1904).djvu/278

272 explained him the whole again. There arrived a messenger from Sawcung, and informed us that four of their people were gone to our camp, to see what the English were about; and that one of them climbing upon a tree was discovered by falling down; and then our people spoke to them; three resolved to go to the other side, and one came back and brought the news, which pleased the company. Some of the captains and counsellors were together; they said, that the French would build a strong fort, at the lower Shawanese town. I answered them, "Brethren, if you suffer the French to build a fort there, you must suffer likewise the English to come and destroy the place; English will follow the French, and pursue them, let it cost whatever it will; and wherever the French settle, the English will follow and destroy them."

They said, "We think the same, and would endeavour to prevent it, if the English only would go back, after having drove away the French, and not settle there." I said, "I can tell you no certainty in this affair; it is best for you to go with us to the general, and speak with him. So much I know, that they only want to establish a trade with you; and you know yourselves that you cannot do without being supplied with such goods as you stand in need of; but, brethren, be assured you must entirely quit the French, and have no communication with them, else they will always breed disturbance and confusion amongst you, and persuade your young people to go to war against our brethren, the English."

I spoke with them further about Venango, and said, "I believed the English would go there, if they suffered the French longer to live there. This speech had much influence on them, and they said; "We are convinced of all that you have said; it will be so." I found them in-