The state governments also took a strong interest in the protection of their western settlements.  Connecticut, New York, and Pennsylvania, applied, severally, to congress, urging the adoption of such vigorous measures as would secure the frontiers against a repetition of the horrors which had been already perpetrated.  These papers were referred to the committee which had been appointed to confer with General Washington, in conformity with whose report it was resolved, “that the Commander-in-chief be directed to take efficient measures for the protection of the inhabitants, and chastisement of the savages.”

The Six Nations had made some advances towards acquiring the comforts of civilized life.  Several comfortable houses were to be seen in their populous villages; and their fertile fields and orchards yielded an abundant supply of corn and fruit.  Some few of their towns were attached to the United States; but, in general, they were under the influence of the British.  Many of the loyalists had taken refuge among them, and had added to their strength without diminishing their ferocity.  It was determined to lead a force into these villages, sufficient to overpower any numbers they could possibly bring into the field, and to destroy the settlements they had made.  To guard against reinforcements from Canada, means were used to inspire that colony with fears for itself.

[Sidenote:  Discontents in a part of the American army.]

As the army destined for this expedition was about to move, alarming symptoms of discontent appeared in a part of it.  The Jersey brigade, which had been stationed during the winter at Elizabethtown, was ordered early in May, to march by regiments.  This order was answered by a letter from General Maxwell, stating that the officers of the first regiment had delivered a remonstrance to their Colonel, addressed to the legislature of the state, declaring that, unless their complaints on the subjects of pay and support should obtain the immediate attention of that body, they were, at the expiration of three days, to be considered as having resigned; and requesting the legislature, in that event, to appoint other officers to succeed them.  They declared, however, their readiness to make every preparation for obeying the orders which had been given, and to continue their attention to the regiment until a reasonable time should elapse for the appointment of their successors.  “This,” added the letter of General Maxwell, “is a step they are extremely unwilling to take, but it is such as I make no doubt they will all take; nothing but necessity—­their not being able to support themselves in time to come, and being loaded with debts contracted in time past, could have induced them to resign at so critical a juncture.”