Page:History of Delaware County (1856).djvu/46

 22 HISTORY OF Half a day's journey by land and one by water from Onondaga, before we arrive at the river, and then six days' journey from the river. " From Cayuga one day and a half by land and by water, before arriving at the river, and then five days from the river. From Sinnekas' Four Castles three days by land and two days by water ere arriving at the river, and thence five days from the river — in all ten days, which is easy, they conveying their packs in canoes from the river." During this interview, the Indians expressed a strong desire that some traders should come and establish themselves on the Susquehanna, to buy their furs. It being, as they represented, much nearer than Albany, as well as much easier of access — as they might then convey themselves and packs by water — whereas they are now compelled to bring every thing hither upon their backs. About this period, Philadelphia began to attract attention as a trading post. It had been established but the year before (1682,) and now contained one hundred houses, and rapidly growing. The guiding spirit of the miniature colony was the renowned Penn — a Quaker — a man possessing untiring energy j of mind ; of broad and liberal views — he was eminently cal- j culated to ingratiate himself into the favor of the Indian j tribes. To this he paid early attention : he had hardly set I foot on American soil, ere he commenced a friendly intercourse I through the medium of trade, with the Indians in the neigh- t borhood of his settlement; an intercourse which the following j year he attempted to extend to the Iroquois nation, and thereby f divert the Indian trade from Albany. To consummate more ' effectually his intended design, he dispatched a commissioner t combining the necessary requisites of sagacity and address, to i purchase the Susquehanna territory. ! The announcement of Penn's intention, spread the greatest || consternation throughout the northern trading posts, particu- I