tailieunhanh - THE GREAT INDIAN POW-WOW AT FORT HOWE, AND ITS CONSEQUENCES

The establishment of Fort Howe rendered the situation of the people at the mouth of the St. John comparatively secure, but the following summer was a very anxious and trying time to those who lived in the townships up the river. The Indians were restless and dissatisfied. They complained bitterly of being left without a missionary, and it was in vain that Lieut. Gov. Arbuthnot and Colonel Franklin endeavored to keep them in good temper by promising that a missionary would be sent them immediately. Most of the settlers in the townships were natives of New England, and the. | The Great Indian Pow-wow at Fort Howe and its Consequences The establishment of Fort Howe rendered the situation of the people at the mouth of the St. John comparatively secure but the following summer was a very anxious and trying time to those who lived in the townships up the river. The Indians were restless and dissatisfied. They complained bitterly of being left without a missionary and it was in vain that Lieut. Gov. Arbuthnot and Colonel Franklin endeavored to keep them in good temper by promising that a missionary would be sent them immediately. Most of the settlers in the townships were natives of New England and the threatened Indian uprising was particularly terrifying to them on account of their forefathers familiarity with the horrors of savage warfare. The Indians were supposed to be hostile only to those who were in opposition to American Independence but it was felt that they would not be very nice in their distinctions if they once took the war path and that the Whig might fare little better than the Tory. The Indians had probably some grievances but it is evident that the real disturbing influence emanated as usual from Machias. John Allan in his zeal for the conquest of Nova Scotia was determined to make every use of his Indian allies in order if possible to drive all English sympathizers from the St. John river. The formal declaration of war sent to Major Studholme was his composition. It was approved by the Maliseets at Machias and then forwarded to Aukpaque and after approval by the Indians there sent to Studholme at Fort Howe. The document read as follows To the British Commanding Officer at the mouth of the River St. John s The Chiefs Sachems and young men belonging to the River St. John s have duly considered the nature of this Great War between America and Old England. They are unanimous that America is right and Old England is wrong. The River on which you are with your soldiers belongs from the most ancient times to our Ancestors .