ted, by the
House of Burgesses, in 1775, to go among the several tribes of Western
Indians and invite them to a treaty at Fort Pitt. He set out on his
errand June 25, 1775, and was gone two months. He "underwent the
greatest fatigues, difficulties and dangers." He was ordered paid L250
for "the great service he hath done to this colony, by his diligent and
faithful execution of the commission with which he was intrusted."

The meeting of the Indians, which is referred to in the Narrative, took
place at Fort Pitt in October, 1775. One of the Indian chiefs who was
present on the occasion, was Shegenaba, the son of the famous Pontiac.
His father had recently been killed in a war between the Indians, and he
refers to this event in his speech, a part of which is as follows:

Fathers: From the information I have had of the commandant of
Detroit, with distrust I accepted your invitation, and measured my
way to the council fire with trembling feet. Your reception of me
convinces me of his falsehood, and the groundlessness of my fears.
Truth and he has long been enemies. My father, and many of my
chiefs, have lately tasted death. The remembrance of that misfortune
almost unmans me, and fills my eyes with tears.

The following is another letter by Dodge:

Fort Pitt Decr 13th 1781.

Sir

I think it my indispencible duty to Lay before your Excellency a
State of the Western Islianoy Country which may Probably throw Some
light on the Various Reports which may have Reached you through
Channels not so well acquainted with it as I am--Since Col George
Rogers Clark took Possion of that Country by order of the State of
Virginia the inhabitants have been obliged to furnish The means of
Subsistance for a number of troops stationed Thare--Received bills
for payment but the Greatest part of them protested and Still
Remains unpaid which have Not only impoverished the Country to a
Great Degree but Numbers have Joynd the Spanish Settlements on the
Same Account and indeed the Greatest part are determined to Follow
them if their Grievances are Not Remedied in Consequence the
enormous Expence the State of Virginia has Been at in that quarter
will be but of little advantage To the united States if the
inhabitants all leave that Country and Join the Spanish Settlements
who are Making use of Every means and giving Every incouragement In
their power Ev