George Bancroft, History of the United States from the Discovery of the American Continent, Vol. 4, 15th edition.

[95] Indians, leaving thirty Frenchmen as a reserve, sud-

chap. IV.} 1752.

denly appeared before the town of Picqua, when most of the people were absent, hunting, and demanded the surrender of the English traders and their effects. The king of the Piankeshaws replied: ‘They are here at our invitation; we will not do so base a thing as to deliver them up.’ The French party made an assault on the fort; the Piankeshaws bravely defended themselves and their guests, till they were overwhelmed by numbers. One white man was killed, and five were taken prisoners; of the Miamis, fourteen were killed; the king of the Piankeshaws, the great chief of the whole confederacy, was taken captive, and, after the manner of savages, was sacrificed and eaten.¹

When William Trent, the messenger of Virginia, proceeded from the council-fires at Logstown to the village of Picqua, he found it deserted, and the French colors flying over the ruins.² Having substituted the English flag, he returned to the Shawnee town, at the mouth of the Scioto, where the messengers of the allied tribes met for condolence and concert in revenge.

‘Brothers,’ said the Delawares to the Miamis, ‘we desire the English and the Six Nations to put their hands upon your heads, and keep the French from hurting you. Stand fast in the chain of friendship with the government of Virginia.’ ‘Brothers,’ said the Miamis to the English, ‘your country is smooth; your hearts are good; the dwellings ’