ABOUT Thirty Tradesmen, and myself, ar­rived at Captain Williams's Fort (at the Car­rying-Place) in our Way to Oswego, the 26th of March, 1756; who informed me, that he was like to be cumbered in the Fort, and therefore ad­vised us to take the Indian-House for our Lodging. A­bout Ten o'Clock next Day, a Negro Man came run­ning down the Road, and reported, That our Slaymen were all taken by the Enemy; Captain Williams on hearing this, sent a Serjeant, and about 12 Men, to see if it was true; I being at the Indian House, and not thinking myself safe there, in Case of an Attack, and being also sincerely willing to serve my King and Country, in the best Manner I could in my present Circumstances, asked him if he would take Company? He replied, with all his Heart! Hereupon, I fell into the Rear, with my Arms, and marched after them; when we had advanced about a Quarter of a Mile, we heard a Shot, followed with doleful Cries of a dying Man, which excited me to advance, in order to discover the Enemy, who I soon per­ceived were prepared to receive us: In this difficult Situ­ation, seeing a large Pine-Tree near, I repaired to it for [Page 6] Shelter; and while the Enemy were viewing our Party, I having a good Chance of killing two at a Shot, quickly discharged at them, but could not certainly know what Execution was done 'till some Time after; our Compa­ny likewise discharged and retreated: Seeing myself in Danger of being surrounded, I was obliged to Retreat a different Course, and to my great Surprize, fell into a deep Mire, which the Enemy, by following my Track in a light Snow, soon discovered, and obliged me to Surren­der, to prevent a cruel Death. (They stood ready to drive their Darts into my Body, in case I refused to deli­ver up my Arms.) Presently after I was taken▪ I was sur­rounded by a great Number, who stripped me of my Cloathing, Hatt, and Neckcloth (so that I had nothing left but a Flannel Vest, without Sleeves) put a Rope on my Neck, bound my Arms fast behind me, put a long Band round my Body, and a large Pack on my Back, struck me on the Head (a severe Blow) and drove me through the Woods before them: It is not easy to con­ceive, how distressing such a Condition is! In the mean Time, I endeavoured with all my little remaining Strength, to lift up my Eyes to God, from whom alone I could with Reason expect Relief!

SEVENTEEN or Eighteen Prisoners, were soon added to our Number, one of which informed me, that the In­dians were angry with me, and reported to some of their Chiefs, that I had fired on them, wounded one, and kil­led another; for which he doubted they would kill me. Hereupon I considered that the Hearts of all Men are in the Hand of God, and that one Hair of our Head cannot fall to the Ground without his Permission: I had not as yet learned what Numbers the Enemy's Parties consisted of; there being only about 100 Indians who had lain in Ambush on the Road, to kill or take into Captivity all [Page 7] that passed between the two Forts. Here an Interpreter came to me, to enquire what Strength Capt. Williams had to defend his Fort? After a short Pause, I gave such a discouraging Answer (yet consistent with Truth) as pre­vented their attacking it, and of Consequence the Effusi­on of much Blood; a gracious Providence, which I desire ever to retain a grateful Sense of; for hereby it evidently appeared, that I was suffered to fall into the Hands of the Enemy, to promote the Good of my Countrymen, to better Purpose that I could, by continuing with them; verily the Almighty is wise in Council, and wonderful in Working.

IN the mean Time, the Enemy determined to destroy Bull's Fort (at the Head of Wood Creek) which they soon effected, all being put to the Sword, except five Per­sons. the Fort burnt, the Provision and Powder destroyed (saving only a little for their own Use) then they retired to the Woods, and joined their main Body, which inclu­sive, consisted of 400 French, and 300 Indians, command­ed by one of the principal Gentlemen of Quebec; as soon as they got together (having a Priest with them) they fell on their Knees, and returned Thanks for their Victory; an Example this, worthy of Imitation! an Example which may make prophane pretended Protestants blush (if they are not lost to all Sense of Shame) who instead of acknowledging a God, or Providence, in their military Undertakings, are continually reproaching him with Oaths and Curses; is it any Wonder, that the Attempts of such are blasted with Disappointment and Disgrace!

THE Enemy had several wounded Men both French and Indians among them, which they carried on their Backs; besides which, about Fifteen of their Number were killed, and of us about Forty: It being by this Time near dark, and some Indians drunk, they only [Page 8] marched about 4 Miles and encamped; the Indians un­tied my Arms, cut Hemlock Bowes, and strewed round the Fire, tied my Band to two Trees, with my Back on the green Bowes (by the Fire) covered me with an old Blanket, and lay down across my Band, on each Side, to prevent my Escape, while they slept.

SUNDAY the 28th, rose early, the Commander ordered a hasty Retreat towards Canada, for fear of General Iohnson; in the mean Time, one of our Men said, he understood the French and Indians designed to join a strong Party, and fall on Oswego, before our Forces there, could get any Provision or Succours; having, as they thought, put a stop to our relieving them for a Time: When encamped in the Evening, the Commanding-Officer ordered the Indians to bring me to his Tent, and asked me, by an Interpreter, If I thought General Iohnson would follow them, I told him I judged not, but rather thought he would proceed to Oswego (which was indeed my Sentiment, grounded upon prior Information, and then expressed to prevent the Execution of their Design.) He farther inquired, what was my Trade? I told him that of a Smith; he then perswaded me, when I got to Canada, to send for my Wife, `for said he, you can get a rich Living there;' but when he saw that he could not prevail, he asked no more Questions, but commanded me to my Indian Master: Having this Opportunity of Con­versation, I informed the General, that his Indian War­riors had stripped me of my Cloathing, and would be glad he would be good enough to order me some Relief; to which he replied, that I should get Cloaths when I came to Canada, which was cold Comfort to one almost fro­zen! On my return, the Indians perceiving I was unwell, and could not eat their coarse Food, ordered some Cho­colate (which they had brought from the Carrying-Place) [Page 9] to be boiled for me, and seeing me eat that, appeared pleased. A strong Guard was kept every Night; one of our Men being weakened by his Wounds, and rendered unable to keep Pace with them, was killed and scalped on the Road!—I was all this Time almost naked, travel­ing through deep Snow, and wading through Rivers cold as Ice!

AFTER Seven Days March, we arrived at Lake Onta­rio, where I eat some Horse Flesh, which tasted very a­greably, for to the hungry Man, as Solomon observes▪ every bitter Thing is sweet ^a. The French carried several of their wounded Men all the Way upon their Backs; many of them wore no Breeches in their Travels in this cold Season, being strong, hardy Men. The In­dians had three of their Party wounded, which they like­wise carried on their Backs, I wish there was more of this Hardness, so necessary for War, in our Nation, which would open a more encouraging Scene than appears at present! The Prisoners were so divided, that but few could Converse together on our March, and (which was still more disagreeable and distressing) an Indian, who had a large Bunch of green Scalps, taken off our Men's Heads, marched before me, and another with a sharp Spear behind, to drive me after him; by which Means [Page 10] the Scalps were often close to my Face, and as we mar­ched, they frequently every Day gave the dead Shout, which was repeated as many Times as there were Cap­tives and Scalps taken! In the midst of this gloomy Scene, when I considered how many poor Souls were hurried into a vast Eternity, with Doubts of their Unfit­ness for such a Change, it made me lament and expostu­late in the Manner following; O Sin what hast thou done! what Desolation hast thou brought into this mise­rable World? What am I, that I should be thus spared? My Afflictions are certainly far less than my Sins deserve! Through the exceeding Riches of divine Goodness and Grace▪ I was in this distressing Situation supported and comforted, by these Passages of sacred Scripture, viz. That our light Afflictions, which last but for a Moment, shall work for us a far more exceeding and eternal Weight of Glory. And that, though no Afflictions are for the pre­sent joyous, but grievous; yet nevertheless, they after­wards yield the peaceable Fruits of Righteousness, to them who are exercised thereby. And farther, that all Things shall work together for Good, to them that love God; to them who are the Called, according to his Pur­pose. But to return,

I MAY, with Justice and Truth observe, That our Enemies leave no Stone unturned to compass our ruin; they pray, work, and travel to bring it about, and are un­wearied in the Pursuit; while many among us sleep in a Storm, that has laid a good Part of our Country desolate, and threatens the Whole with Destruction: O that we may be of good Courage, and play the Man, for our Peo­ple, and the Cities of our God! But alas, I am obliged to turn my Face towards cold Canada, among inveterate Enemies, and innumberable Dangers! O Lord, I pray thee, be my Safe-guard; thou hast already covered me [Page 11] in the Hollow of thy Hand; when Death cast Darts all around me, and many fell on every Side, I beheld thy Salvation!

April 4th, SEVERAL French Battoes met us, and brought a large Supply of Provision; the Sight of which caused great Joy, for we were in great Want; then a Place was soon erected to celebrate Mass in, which being ended, we all went over the Mouth of a River, where it empties itself into the East-End of Lake Ontario, a great Part of our Company set off on Foot towards Oswegotchy; while the rest were ordered into Battoes, and carried to­wards the Entrance of St. Lawrence (where that River takes its Beginning) but by reason of bad Weather, Wind, Rain, and Snow, whereby the Waters of the Lake were troubled, we were obliged to lie-by, and hall our Battoes on Shore; here I lay on the cold Shore two Days. Tues­day set off, and entered the Head of St. Lawrence, in the Afternoon; came too late at Night, made Fires, but did not lie down to sleep; embarked long before Day, and after some Miles Progress down the River, we saw many Fires on our Right-Hand, which were made by the Men who left us, and went by Land, with them we staid till Day, and then again embarked in our Battoes, the Wea­ther was very bad (it snowed fast all Day) near Night arrived at Oswegotchy; I was almost starved to Death, but hoped to stay in this Indian Town till warm Weather▪ slept in an Indian Wigwam, rose early in the Morning (being Thursday) and soon to my Grief discovered my Disappointment! Several of the Prisoners had leave to tarry here, but I must go 200 Miles farther down Stream▪ to another Indian Town; the Morning being extreamly cold, I applied to a French Merchant (or Trader) for some old Rags of Cloathing, for I was almost naked, but to no Purpose!

[Page 12]ABOUT Ten o'Clock, was ordered into a Battoe, on our Way down the River, with 8 or 9 Indians, one of which was the Man wounded in the Skirmish before mentioned; at Night we went on Shore, the Snow being much deeper than before, we cleared it away, and made a large Fire; here, when the wounded Indian cast his Eyes upon me, his old Grudge revived, took my Blan­ket from me, and commanded me to dance round the Fire Bare-foot, and sing the Prisoners Song, which I utterly refused; this surprized one of my fellow Prisoners, who told me they would put me to Death (for he understood what they said) he therefore tried to persuade me to comply, But I desired him to let me alone, and was through great Mercy, enabled to reject his Importunity with Abhorrence! The Indian also continued urging, saying, you shall dance and sing; but apprehending my Compliance sinful, I determined to persist in declining it at all Adventures, and to leave the Issue to the divine Disposal! The Indian perceiving his Orders disobeyed, was fired with Indignation, and endeavoured to push me into the Fire, which I leapt over, and he being weak with his Wounds, and not being assisted by any of his Brethren, was obliged to desist: For this gracious Inter­posure of Providence, in preserving me both from Sin and Danger, I desire to bless God while I live!

FRIDAY Morning, was almost perished with Cold. Saturday, proceeded on our Way and soon came in Sight of the upper Part of the Inhabitants of Canada; here I was in great Hopes of some Relief, not knowing the Manner of the Indians, who do not make many Stops among the French, in their Return from War, till they get Home: However when they came near some rapid Falls of Water, one of my fellow Prisoners, and several Indians, together with myself, were put on Shore, to tra­vel [Page 13] by Land, which pleased me well, it being much war­mer running on the Snow, than lying still in the Battoe; we past by several French Houses, but stopt at none; the Vessel going down a rapid Stream, it required haste to keep Pace with her, we crossed over a Point of Land, and found the Battoe waiting for us, as near the Shore as the Ice would permit: Here we left St. Lawrence, and turned up Conasadauga River ^b, but it being frozen up, we hauled our Battoe on Shore, and each of us took our▪ Share of her Loading on our Backs, and marched towards Conasadauga an Indian Town, which was our designed Port, but, could not reach it that Night: Came to a French House, cold, weary, and hungry; here my old Friend, the wounded Indian, again appeared, and related to the Frenchman, the Affair of my refusing to dance, who immediately assisted the Indian to strip me of my [Page 14] Flannel Vest, before mentioned, which was my All: Now they were resolved to compel me to dance and sing! The Frenchman was as violent as the Indian, in promoting this Imposition; but the Women belonging to the House, seeing the rough Usage I had, took pity on me, and res­cued me out of their Hands, till their Heat was over, and prevailed with the Indian to excuse me from Danc­ing; but he insisted that I must be shaved, and then he would let me alone (I had at that Time a long Beard, which the Indians hate) with this Motion I readily com­plied, and then the Indians seemed content.

SUNDAY, April 11th, Set off towards Conasadauga, traveled about two Hours, and then saw the Town over a great River, which was still frozen; the Indians stop­ped, and we were soon joined with a Number of our own Company, which we had not seen for several Days: The Prisoners, in Number Eight, were ordered to lay down our Packs, and be painted; the wounded Indian paint­ed me, and put a Belt of Wampum round my Neck, in­stead of the Rope which I had wore 400 Miles. Then set off towards the Town on the Ice, which was four Miles over; our Heads were not allowed to be covered, left our fine Paint should be hid, the Weather in the mean Time very cold, like to freeze our Ears; after we had advanced nearer to the Town, the Indian Women came out to meet us, and relieved their Husbands of their Packs.

AS soon as we landed at Conasadauga, a large Body of Indians came and incompassed us round, and ordered the Prisoners to dance and sing the Prisoners Song, (which I was still enabled to decline) at the Conclusion of which, the Indians gave a Shout, and opened the Ring to let us run, and then fell on us with their Fists, and knocked se­veral down; in the mean Time, one ran before to direct [Page 15] us to an Indian House, which was open, and as soon as we got in, we were beat no more; my Head was sore with beating, and pained me several Days. The Squaws were kind to us, gave us boiled Corn and Beans to eat, and Fire to warm us, which was a great Mercy, for I was both cold and hungry: This Town lies about 30 Miles North-West from Montreal, I staid here till the Ice was gone, which was about Ten Days, and then was sent to Cohnewago, in Company with some Indians, who when they came within Hearing, gave Notice by their Way of Shouting, that they had a Prisoner, on which the whole Town rose to welcome me, which was the more distressing, as there was no other Prisoner in their Hands; when we came near Shore, a stout Indian took hold of me, and hauled me into the Water, which was Knee deep, and very cold: As soon as I got a-shore, the Indians gathered round me, and ordered me to dance and sing, now when I was stiff with Cold and Wet, and lying long in the Cannoe; here I only stamped to prepare for my Race, and was in­compassed with about 500 Indians, who danced and sung, and at last gave a Shout, and opened the Circle; about 150 young Lads made ready to Pelt me with Dirt and gravel Stones, and on my setting off gave me a smart Vol­ley, without my suffering great Hurt; but an Indian seeing me run, met me, and held me fast, till the Boys had stored themselves again with Dirt and small Stones, and let me run; but then I fared much worse than before, for a small Stone among the Mud hit my Right-Eye, and my Head and Face were so covered with the Dirt, that I could scarce see my Way; but discovering the Door of an Indian House standing open, I run in: From this Re­treat I was soon hauled, in order to be pelted more; but the Indian Women being more merciful interposed, took me into a House, brought me Water to wash, and gave me [Page 16] boiled Corn and Beans to eat. The next Day, I was brought to the Center of the Town, and cried according to the Indian Custom, in order to be sent to a Family of Indians, 200 Miles up Stream, at Oswegotchy, and there to be adopted, and abused no more: To this End, I was delivered to three young Men, who said I was their Bro­ther, and set forward on our Way to the aforesaid Town, with about 20 more Indians, but by reason of bad Wea­ther, we were obliged to encamp on a cold, stony Shore, three Days, and then proceeded on; called at Conasadau­ga, staid there about a Week, in which Time, I went and viewed four Houses, at a distance from the Town, about a Quarter of a Mile from each other; in which, are re­presented in large Paint-Work, the Sufferings of our Saviour, with Design to draw the Indians to the Papist's Religion; the Work is curiously done: A little farther stands three Houses near together, on a high Hill, which they call Mount Calvary, with three large Crosses be­fore them, which compleats the whole Representation: To all these Houses, the Priests and Indians repair, in performing their grand Processions, which takes up much Time ^*.

[Page 17]SET off on our Iourney for Oswegotchy, against a ra­pid Stream, and being long in it, and our Provision grow­ing short, the Indians put to Shore a little before Night; my Lot was to get Wood, others were ordered to get Fires and some to Hunt; our Kettle was put over the Fire with some pounded Indian Corn, and after it had boiled about two Hours, my oldest Indian Brother, re­turned with a She-Beaver, big with Young, which he soon cut to Pieces, and threw into the Kettle, together with the Guts, and took the four young Beavers, whole as they came out of the Dam, and put them likewise into the Kettle, and when all was well boiled, gave each one of us a large Dishful of the Broth, of which we eat freely, and then Part of the old Beaver, the Tail of which was divided equally among us, there being eight at our Fire; the Four young Beavers were cut in the Middle, and each of us got Half a Beaver; I watched an Opportunity to hide my Share (having satisfied myself before that tender Dish came to Hand) which if they had seen, would have much displeased them. The other Indians catched young Mush-Rats, run a Stick through their Bodies, and roasted, without being skinned or gutted, and so eat them. Next Morning hastened on our Journey, which continued se­veral Days, till we came near Oswegotchy, where we land­ed about three Miles from the Town, on the contrary Side of the River; here I was to be adopted, my Father and Mother that I had never seen before were waiting, and ordered me into an Indian House, where we were directed to sit down silent for a considerable Time, the Indians appeared very sad, and my Mother began to cry, and continued crying aloud for some Time, and then [Page 18] dried up her Tears, and received me for her Son, and took me over the River to the Indian Town; the next Day I was ordered to go to Mass with them, but I re­fused once and again, yet they continued their Importu­nity several Days, saying it was good to go to Mass, but I still refused; and seeing they could not prevail with me, they seemed much displeased with their new Son ^d. I was then sent over the River, to be employed in hard Labour, as a Punishment for not going to Mass, and not allowed a Sight of, or any Conversation with my Fellow-Prisoners; the old Indian Man that I was ordered to work with, had a Wife, and some Children, he took me into the Woods with him, and made Signs that I must chop, giving me an Ax, the Indian soon saw that I could handle the Ax: Here I tried to reconcile myself to this Employ, that they might have no Occasion against me, except concerning the Law of my God; the old Man began to appear kind, and his Wife gave me Milk and Bread when we came Home, and when she got Fish, gave me the Gills to eat, out of real Kindness; but perceiv­ing I did not like them, gave me my own choice, and be­haved lovingly! Here I saw that God could make Friends of cruel Enemies, as he once turned the Heart of angry Esau into Love and Tenderness; when we had finished [Page 19] our Fence, which had employed us about a Week, I shewed the old Squaw my Shirt (having worn it from the Time I was first taken Prisoner, which was about se­ven Weeks) all in Rags, Dirt, and Lice; she said it was not good, and brought me a new one, with ruffled Sleeves (saying that is good) which I thankfully accepted. The next Day they carried me back to the Indian Town, and admitted me to converse with my Fellow-Prisoners, who told me we were all to be sent to Montreal, which accordingly came to pass.

MONTREAL, at our Arrival here, we had our Lodg­ing first in the Iesuit's Convent, where I saw a great Num­ber of Priests, and People that came to Confession; after some stay, we were ordered to attend, with the Indians, at a grand Council, held before the head General Vau­driel; we Prisoners sat in our Rank (surrounded with our Fathers and Brethren) but were asked no Questions: The General had a Number of Officers to attend him in Council, where a noted Priest, called Picket, sat at his Right-Hand, who understands the Indian Tongue well, and does more Hurt to the English, than any other of his Order in Canada, (his Dwelling is at Oswegotchy). Here I was informed that some Measures were concerted to de­stroy Oswego, which they had been long preparing to execute; we in our Journey met many Battoes going up Stream, with Provision and Men for an Attack on our Frontiers, which confirmed the Report: The Council adjourned to another Day, and then broke up. My In­dian Father and Mother took me with them to several of their old Acquaintance, who were French, to shew them their lately adopted Son; these Persons had been concerned with my Father and other Indians, in destroying many English Families in their younger Days; and (a one standing by who understood their Language, said▪ [Page 20] were boasting of their former Murders! After some Days the Council was again called, before which, several of the Oneida Chiefs appeared, and offered some Com­plaints against the French's attacking our Carrying-Place, it being their Land; but the General laboured to make them easy and gave them sundry Presents of Value, which they accepted ^e: After which, I knowing these Indians were acquainted with Captain Williams, at the Carrying-Place sent a Letter by them, to let my Family and Friends know that I was yet alive, and longed for Redemption; but it never come to Hand. The Treaty being ended, the General sent about ten Gallons of red Wine to the Indians, which they divided among us; [Page 21] after came the Presents, consisting of Coats, Blankets, Shirts, Skins (to make Indian Shoes) Cloth (to make Stockings) Powder, Lead Shot, and to each a Bag of Paint for their own Use, &c. After we Prisoners had our Share, my Mother came to me with an Interpreter, and told me I might stay in the Town▪ at a Place she had found for me, if I pleased (this was doubtless the Consequence of my declining to obey her Orders, in some Instances that affected my Conscience) this Proposal I almost agreed to; but one of my fellow Prisoners, with whom I had before some Discourse about making our Escape, from the Indian Town, opposed the Motion▪ and said, ‘pray do not stay, for if you do, we shall not be able to form a Plan for our Deliverance;’ on which I told her I chose to go Home with her, and soon set off by Land in our Way thither, to Lascheen, distant from Montreal about 9 Miles, where we left our Can­noes, and then proceeded, without Delay, on our Jour­ney; in which I saw to my Sorrow, great Numbers of Soldiers, and much Provisions, in Motion towards Lake Ontario.

AFTER a painful and distressing Journey, we arrived at Oswegotchy, where we likewise saw many Battoes, with Provisions and Soldiers, daily passing by in their Way to Frontenac, which greatly distressed me for Oswego! Hence I resolved, if possible, to give our People Notice of their Danger: To this End, I told two of my Fellow-Prisoners, that it was not a Time to sleep, and asked if they would go with me, to this they heartily agreed; but we had no Provision, were closely eyed by the Enemy, and could not lay up a Stock out of our Allowance: However, at this Time, Mr. Picket (before mentioned) had concluded to dig a large Trench round the Town; I therefore went to a Negro, the principal Manager of [Page 22] this Work (who could speak English, French, and Indian, well) and asked him, if he could get Employ for two o­thers, and myself, which he soon did; for which we were to have Meat and Wages. Here we had a Pros­pect of procuring Provision for our Flight; this, I in some Time effected for myself, and then asked my Bre­thren if they were ready, who replied they were not yet, but said, Ann Bowman, our fellow Prisoner, had brought 130 Dollars from Bull's Fort, and would give them all they had Need of, I told them it was not safe to disclose such a Secret to her, but they blamed me for my Fears, and applied to her for Provision, letting her know our Intention, who immediately informed the Priest of it: on which we were apprehended, the Indians apprised of our Design, and a Court called; by Order of which, four of us were confined in a Room under a strong Guard within the Fort, for several Days.

FROM hence, another and myself were sent to Cohne­wago, under a strong Guard of 60 Indians, to prevent my plotting any more against the French, and banish all Hope of any Escape! However, when we arrived at this Place, it pleased God, who has the Hearts of all Crea­tures in his Hand, to incline the Captain of the Guard, to shew me great Kindness, in giving me Liberty to walk or work where I pleased, within any small Distance; on which I went to work with a French Smith, for six Livers and five Souse per Week; which the Captain let me have to myself, and farther favoured me with the Priviledge of Lodging at his Mother's House, an English Woman (na­med Mary Harris, taken Captive when a Child, from Deerfield, in New-England) who told me she was my Grand-mother, and was kind; but the Wages being small, and not sufficient to procure such Cloathing as I was in Want of, I proceeded no farther with the French Smith, [Page 23] but went to my Uncle Peter, and told him I wanted Cloaths, and that it would be better to let me go to Montreal, and work there, where I could Cloath myself better, than by staying with him, and that without any Charge to him, who after some Reasoning consented.

SET off on my Journey to Montreal, and on my en­tring the City met an English Smith, who took me to work with him; after some Time, we settled to work in a Shop, opposite to the General's Door, where we had the Opportunity of seeing a great Part of the Forces of Canada (both Soldiers and Indians) who were common­ly brought there, before their going out to War; and likewise all Prisoners, by which Means we got Intelli­gence how our People were preparing for Defence; but no good News from Oswego, which made me fear, know­ing that great Numbers of French were gone against it, and hearing of but few to defend it. Prayers were put up in all the Churches of Canada, and great Processions made, in order to procure Success to their Arms, against poor Oswego; but our People knew little of their Dan­ger, till it was too late: Certainly, if more frequent and earnest Application (both in private and public) was made to the God of Battle, we might with greater Probability suspect, Success would crown our military Attempts! To our Surprize, the dismal News came, that the French had taken one of the Oswego Forts: In a few Hours, in Confirmation of this, I saw the English ▪ Standards (the melancholy Trophy of Victory) and the French rejoicing at our Downfall, and mocking us poor Prisoners, in our Exile and Extremity, which was no great Argument either of Humanity, or true Greatness of Mind; great Joy ap­peared in all their Faces, which they expressed by loud Shouts, firing of Cannon, and returning Thanks in their Churches; but our Faces were covered with Shame, and [Page 32] our Hearts filled with Grief!—Soon after, I saw several of the Officers brought in Prisoners in small Parties, and the Soldiers in the same Manner, and confined within the Walls, in a starving Condition, in order to make them Work, which some complied with, but others bravely re­fused; and last of all came the Tradesmen, among whom was my Son who looking round saw his Father, who he thought had long been dead; this joyful Sight so affect­ed him, that he wept!—nor could I, in seeing my Son, remain unconcerned!—no; the Tenderness of a Father's Bowels, upon so Extraordinary an Occasion, I am not a­ble to express, and therefore must cover it with a Vail of Silence!—But he, with all my Philadelphia Friends, being guarded by Soldiers, with fixed Bayonets, we could not come near each other, they were sent to the common Pound; but I hastened to the Interpreter, to try if I could get my Child at Liberty, which was soon effected! When we had the Happiness of an Interview, he gave me some Information of the State of our Family, and told me, as soon as the News were sent home, that I was killed, or taken, his Mother was not allowed any more Support from my Wages, which grieved me much, and added to my other Afflictions ^f!

[Page 25]WHEN the People taken at Oswego, were setting out on their Way to Quebec, I made Application for Liberty to go with them; but the Interpreter replied, that I was an Indian Prisoner, and the General would not suffer it, till the Indians were satisfied; and as they lived Two Hundred Miles from Montreal, it could not be done at that Time: Finding that all Arguments, farther on that Head, would not avail, because I was not included in the Capitulation; I told the Interpreter, my Son must go [Page 26] and leave me! in order to be ready at Quebec to go Home, when the Oswego People went, which probably would be soon; he replied, ‘It would be better to keep him with me, for he might be a Mean to get me clear much sooner.’

THE Officers belonging to Oswego, would gladly have had me with them, but found it impracticable; this is an Instance of Kindness and Condescension, for which I am obliged! Captain Bradley, gave me a good Coat, Vest, and Shirt; and a young Gentleman, who formerly lived in Philadelphia, gave Four Pistoles (his Name is Iames Stone, he was Doctor at Oswego.) These generous Ex­pressions of Kindness and Humanity, I am under great Obligations to remember with affectionate Gratitude, and if ever it be in the Compass of my Power, to requite: This Money, together with what my Son brought, I was in Hopes would go far towards procuring my Release▪ from my Indian Masters; but seeing a Number of Pri­soners in sore Distress, among which were the Captains Grant and Shepherd, and about Seven more in Company, I thought it my Duty to relieve them, and commit my Release to the Disposal of Providence! Nor was this suffered to turn to my Disadvantage in the Issue, for my Deliverance was brought about in due Time, in another, and unexpected Way▪ This Company informed me of their Intention to Escape, accordingly I gave them all the Help in my Power, saw them clear of the Town, on a Saturday Evening, before the Centries were set at the Gates, and advised them not to part from each other, and delivered to Captain Shepard two Pocket Compasses; but they contrary to this Counsel parted, and saw each other no more: By their separating, Captain Grant, and Ser­jeant Newel, were deprived of the Benefit of a Compass; the other Part got safe to Fort William Henry, as I was informed by Serjeant Henry, who was brought in Prisoner, [Page 27] being taken in a Battle, when the gallant, indefatigable Captain Rogers made a brave Stand, against more than twice his Number! But I have not heard any Account of Captain Grant! Was enabled, through much Mercy, to continue communicating some Relief to other Prison­ers, out of the Wages I received for my Labour, which was 40 Livers per Month!

IN the latter Part of the Winter, Coal and Iron were so scarce, that it was difficult to get any more Work; I then offered to Work for my Diet and Lodging, rather than be thrust into a stinking Dungeon, or sent among the Indians: The Interpreter took some Pains (which I thankfully acknowledge) but without Success; howe­ver, as I offered to work without Wages, a Frenchman took me and my Son in upon these Terms, till a better Birth presented; here we staid one Week, but heard of no other Place, then he offered me and my Son, 30 Li­vers per Month, to strike and blow the Bellows, which I did for about two Months, and then was discharged, and travelled about from Place to Place, having no fixed A­bode, and was obliged to lay out the small Remains of my Cash, in buying a little Victuals, and took a Hay-Loft for my Lodging: I then made my Case known to the kind Interpreter, and requested him to consider of some Means for my Relief, who replied he would; in the mean Time, as I was taking a Walk in the City, I met an Indian Prisoner, that belonged to the Town where my Father lived, who reported, that a great Part of the Indians there, were just come, with a Resolution to carry me back with them; and knowing him to be a very ho­nest Fellow, I believed the Truth of it, and fled from the Town to be concealed from the Indians; in the mean while, Schemes were formed for an Escape, and [Page 28] well prosecuted: The Issue of which was fortunate. General Vaudriel, gave me and my Son, Liberty (under his Hand) to go to Quebec, and work there at our Plea­sure, without Confinement, as Prisoners of War; by which Means, I was freed from paying a Ransom!

The Commissary Monsieur Partwe, being about to set off for Quebec, my Son informed me that I must come to Town in the Evening, a Passage being provided for us; I waited till near Dark, and then entered the Town, with great Care to escape the Indians, who kept watch for me (and had done so for some Time) which made it very difficult and dangerous to move; however as they had no Knowledge of my Son, he could watch their Mo­tions, without their Suspicion (the Providence of GOD is a great Deep, this Help was provided for my Extre­mity, not only beyond my Expectation, but contrary to my Design.) In the Morning, upon seeing an Indian set to watch for me, over against the House I was in, I quickly made my Escape, through the back Part of the House, over some high Pickets, and out of the City, to the River Side, and fled! A Friend knowing my Scheme for Deliverence, kindly assisted me to conceal myself: The Commissary had by this Time got ready for his Voyage, of which my Son giving me Notice, I imme­diately, with no lingering Motion, repaired to the Boat, was received on board, set quite off undiscovered, and saw the Indians no more! A very narrow and surprizing Escape, from a violent Death! For they had determined to kill me, in case I ever attempted to leave them, which lays me under the strongest Obligations, to improve a Life rescued from the Jaws of so many Deaths, to the Honour of my gracious Benefactor!—But to return, the [Page 29] Commissary upon seeing the Dismission I had from the General, treated us courteously! ^g

ARRIVED at Quebec, May 1st, The Honorable Co­lonel PETER SCHUYLER, hearing of my coming there, kindly sent for me, and after enquiries about my Welfare, &c. generously told me I should be supplied, and need not trouble myself for Support! This public-spirited Gentleman, who is indeed an Honour to his Country, did in like Manner, nobly relieve many other poor Pri­soners at Quebec!—Here I had full Liberty to walk where I pleased, and view the City, which is well situa­ted for Strength, but far from being impregnable.

HERE, I hope, it will not be judged improper, to give a short Hint of the French Governor's Conduct; even in Time of Peace, he gives the Indians great Encourage­ment to Murder and Captivate the poor Inhabitants on our Frontiers; an honest good Man, named William Ross, was taken Prisoner twice in the Time of Peace; when he was first taken, he learned a little of the French Lan­guage, was after some Time redeemed, and got to his Place of Abode: Yet some Years after, he, with two Sons, was again taken, and brought to Quebec; the Go­vernor seeing the poor Man was Lame, and one of his Legs smaller than the other, reproved the Indians for not [Page 30] killing him, asking, ‘what they brought a lame Man there for, who could do nothing but eat! you should, said he, have brought his Scalp!’ However, another of his Countrymen, more merciful than his Excellency, knowing the poor Prisoner to be a quiet, hard-working Man, re­deemed him from the Indians; and two other French­men bought his two Sons: Here they had been Slaves more than three Years, when I first arrived at Quebec; this Account I had from Mr. Rost himself, who farther added, that the Governor gave the Indians Presents, to encourage them to proceed, in that kind of World, which is a Scandal to any civilized Nation, and what many Pa­gans would abhor! Here also, I saw one Mr. Iohnson, who was taken in a Time of Peace, with his Wife and three small Children (his Wife was big with Child of a Fourth, and delivered on the Road to Canada, which she called Captive) all which had been Prisoners between three and four Years, several young Men, and his Wife's Sister, were likewise taken Captive with them, and made Slaves!

OUR Cartel being ready, I obtained Liberty to go to England in her; we set Sail the 23d of Iuly, 1757, in the Morning, and discharged our Pilot about 4 o'Clock in the Afternoon; after which we neither cast Anchor or Lead, till we got clear of the great River St. Lawrence from which I conclude, the Navigation is much safer then the French have reported; in 28 Days we arrived at Ply­mouth, which occasioned great Joy, for we were ragged, lowsy, sick, and in a Manner, starved; and many of the Prisoners, who in all were about 300 in Number, were sick of the Small-Pox: My Son and Self, having each a Blanket Coat (which we bought in Canada to keep us warm) and now expecting Relief, gave them to two poor sick Men, almost naked! But as we were not allowed to [Page 31] go on Shore, but removed to a King's Ship, and sent to Portsmouth, where we were still confined on board, near two Weeks, and then removed to the Mermaid, to be sent to Boston; we now repented our well meant, though rash Charity, in giving our Coats away, as we were not to get any more, all Application to the Captain for any Kind of Covering being in vain; our Joy was turned in­to Sorrow, at the Prospect of coming on a cold Coast, in the Beginning of Winter, almost naked, which was not a little increased, by a near View of our Mother Country, the Soil and Comforts of which, we were not suffered to touch or taste ^h.

September the 6th, SET Sail for Boston, with a Fleet in Convoy, at which we arrived on the Seventh of No­vember, in the Evening, it being Dark, and we Strangers, [Page 32] and poor, it was difficult to get a Lodging (I had no Shoes, and but Pieces of Stockings, and the Weather in the mean Time very Cold) we were indeed directed to a Tavern, but found cold Entertainment there, the Master of the House seeing a ragged and lowsy Company, tur­ned us out to Wander in the Dark; he was suspicious of us, and feared we came from Halifax, where the Small-Pox then was, and told us, he was ordered not to receive such as came from thence: We soon met a young Man, who said he could find a Lodging for us, but still detain­ed us by asking many Questions; on which I told him we were in no Condition to answer, till we came to a proper Place, which he quickly found, where we were used well; but as we were lowsy, could not expect Beds.

The next Morning, we made Application for Cloath­ing; Mr. Erving, Son-in-Law to the late General Shir­ley, gave us Relief, not only in respect of Apparel, but also Three Dollars per Man, to bear our Charges to Newport: When I put on fresh Cloaths, I was seized with a cold Fit, which was followed by a high Fever, and in that Condition obliged to travel on Foot, as far as Pro­vidence, in our Way to Rhode-Island (our Money not be­ing sufficient to hire any Carriage, and find us what was needful for Support:) In this Journey, I was exceedingly distressed! Our Comforts in this Life, are often allayed with Miseries which are doubtless great Mercies when they are suitably improved; at Newport, we met with Captain Gibbs, and agreed with him for our Passage to New-York, where we arrived, November 21st, met with many Friends, who expressed much Satisfaction at our Return, and treated us kindly, particularly Messirs. Livingston, and Waldron.

November 26th, 1757. ARRIVED at Philadelphia, to the great Joy of all my Friends, and particularly of [Page 33] my poor afflicted Wife and Family, who thought they should never see me again, till we met beyond the Grave; being returned, sick and weak in Body, and empty han­ded, not having any Thing for my Family's and my own Support, several humane and generous Persons, of differ­ent Denominations, in this City (without any Application of mine, directly or indirectly) have freely given seasona­ble Relief; for which, may God grant them Blessings in this World, and in the World to come everlasting Life, for Christ's Sake!

NOW GOD in his great Mercy, hath granted me a temporal Salvation, and what is a Thousand Times bet­ter, he hath given me with it, a Soul satisfying Evi­dence of an eternal one in the World to come!

AND now, what shall I render to the Lord for all his Benefits, alas I am nonplust! O that Saints and An­gels might praise thee, for I am not worthy to take thy Name into my Mouth! Yet notwithstanding, thou art pleased to accept poor Endeavours, because JESUS CHRIST has opened the Door, whereby we may come boldly to the Throne of thy Grace, praised be the Lord God Iehovah, by Men and Angels, throughout all Eternity!

BUT to hasten to the Conclusion, suffer me with Humility and Sorrow to observe, that our Enemies seem to make a better Use of a bad Religion, than we of a good One; they rise up long before Day in Win­ter, and go through the Snow in the coldest Seasons, to perform their Devotions in the Churches: which when over, they return to be ready for their Work as soon as Day Light appears: The Indians are as zealous in Religion, as the French, they oblige their Children to pray Morning and Evening particularly at Conasadau­ga; are punctual in performing their stated Acts of [Page 34] Devotion themselves, are still and peaceable in their own Families, and among each other as Neighbours!

WHEN I compared our Manner of Living with theirs, I it made me fear that the righteous GOD (who is wont to, make Judgment begin at his own House first) was about to deliver us into their Hands, to be severely punished for our Departure from him; how loeg has he waited for our Return, O that we may therefore turn to him, before his Anger break out into a Flame, and there be no Remedy.

OUR Case appears to me indeed very Gloomy! not­withstanding our Enemies are inconsiderable in Num­ber, compared with us; yet they are united as one Man, while we may justly be compared to a House divided against itself, and therefore cannot stand long, in our present Situation.

MAY Almighty GOD, graciously incline us to look to him for Deliverance, to repent of our Sins, reform our Lives, and unite in the vigorous and manly Use of all proper Means to this End. AMEN.