Note 423 — Chapter XXVII · 1764. BOUQUET FORCES THE DELAWARES AND SHAWANOES TO SUE FOR PEACE.
Reading edition
Gordon, Hist. Penn. 625. Robison, Narrative.
Extract from a MS. Letter—Sir W. Johnson to Governor Penn:—
“Burnetsfield, June 18th, 1764.
“David Owens was a Corporal in Capt. McClean’s Compy., and lay once in Garrison at my House. He deserted several times, as I am informed, & went to live among the Delaware & Shawanese, with whose language he was acquainted. His Father having been long a trader amongst them.
“The circumstances relating to his leaving the Indians have been told me by several Indians. That he went out a hunting with his Indian Wife and several of her relations, most of whom, with his Wife, he killed and scalped as they slept. As he was always much attached to Indians, I fancy he began to fear he was unsafe amongst them, & killed them rather to make his peace with the English, than from any dislike either to them or their principles.”