CESSATION OF HOSTILITIES.
But now, 1764, the inhabitants of the western frontier were to enjoy
a brief respite from savage barbarity, the first since the Anglo-Saxon
had dared to venture west of the mountains. In that year the British
government, anxious to secure an amicable adjustment of the difficulties
growing out of the French and Indian war, resorted to various modes
for effecting so desirable an object. Hoping to conciliate by fair words
and fine promises, one of the first movements was to issue, through
Colonel Boquet, a proclamation in which the desires for peace on the
part of the government were made known. Thirty Indian tribes signified
a willingness to treat for peace. General Bradstreet, accompanied
by Sir William Johnson, repaired to Niagara for the purpose of opening
negotiations with the northern tribes, while Colonel Boquet was sent to
the Muskingum to treat with the Ohio Indians, and there, on the 9th
of November, 1764, he concluded a treaty of peace with the Delawares
and Shawnees, and received from them two hundred and six prisoners,
ninety of whom had been carried away from the frontier of Virginia.
