History of Northampton, Massachusetts, from its settlement in 1654;

18 HISTORY OF NORTHAMPTON. [1723.
lish. It was considered of the first importance to conciliate
the Indian nations, and either to secure their alliance or a
pledge from them to observe strict neutrality. Commis-
sioners were sent to negotiate with the Five Nations in
1721, Col. Stoddard being one of them. A proposition
was entertained for a conference with a delegation from the-
Indian nations to be held at Deerfield, but it was not carried
out. Negotiations were resumed in the fall of the following
year, which resulted in an Indian delegation being sent
to Boston in August, 1723. But no arrangement could be
made with the red men. While professing friendship, and
eagerly accepting the presents offered, they were averse to
joining in open hostilities, though permission was granted
to their young men to take service with the English on
their own responsibility. It was feared that the Canada
Indians, piqued by these proceedings on the part of the
white men, would at once swoop down upon the river
settlements.
Gray Lock Appears. Thcsc forcbodiugs wcre iu a mcasurc realized
when Gray Lock, with four companions,
appeared on the northern frontiers about the middle
of August. Two men were killed at Northfield, three at
Rutland, and two others captured. In the latter encounter,
one of the Indians was shot and another wounded.
The marauders fled to Canada with their prisoners, both of
whom were subsequently redeemed. Gray Lock was one
of the chieftains with whom an alliance had been sought.
Cavalry Ordered At tliis time there werc two companies of
on Duty. cavalry in Hampshire County, one under
the command of Capt. Henry Dwight of
Hatfield, and the other commanded by Capt. Adijah Dewey
of Westfield. Capt. Dewey was ordered by Col. Partridge,
on the 30^'' of August, to march to the upper towns with
his company, to serve fourteen days, '' scouting and repairing
to the places of most danger." He was then to be re-
lieved by Capt. Dwight's company, and they were to serve,
relieving each other every two weeks, for a campaign of
eight weeks. Intelligence was received from Albany that
a body of fifty Indians had crossed the lake, September 1^',
with the intention of attacking the frontier towns. On the