52 HISTORY OF CHAPTER lY. Revolution — Early conflicts — Eloquence of Pitt in Parliament — Advo- cates the cause of American rights — His efforts unavailing — Pro- vincial Congress assemble — Eloquent appeal of Patrick Henry — Effect of his speech — Resolution of Continental Congress — George Washington unanimously chosen Commander-in-Chief of the Ame- rican forces — His acceptation — Meetings of the inhabitants to express their sentiments — Vigilant Committees — Organization of, in Tryon County — Influences brought to bear — Sir Wm. Johnson espouses the Royal cause — His sudden death — His successors in office — Patriot- ism of the inhabitants of Harpersfield and Cherry Valley — First open act of hostility — Organization of a Vigilant Committee in Harpersfield — Their service to the American cause — The names of members — The chairman — Col. John Harper despatched by Con- gress on a Mission to the Indians — His apparent success — Reception by the Indians — Great feast and other ceremonies — Harper returns — Intimacy between Brant and Harper — Copy of a letter — Indians prove treacherous — Affidavit of the Rev. "Wm. Johnston — Driven with his family from Sidney Plains — Obituary notice of Capt. Hugh Johnston — Effect of the intelligence communicated by Johnston along the frontiers — Letter from Harpersfield Vigilant Committee — Herkimer's Mission — Singular interview between Gen. Herkimer and Brant — Speech of Brant — Failure of the expedition — Evacua- tion of Harpersfield — John More an early settler — ^Warned of dan- ger — Journey to Catskill — Accident — Enumeration of the inhabit- ants before the war — Scotchmen settle in the Valley of Wright's Brook — Story of the Scotchman and his gold — Capture of a party of Indians by Col. Harper — McDonald, a tory, invades Schoharie — Exposed situation of the settlement — Harper volunteers to go to Albany — Procures a company of Cavalry — Marches to Schoharie — Disperses the enemy — Letter from Harper to Congress. Having rendered a passing notice to the early settlements, within the present limits of the county, we now approach that dark period of warfare, strife, and blood — the Revolutionary
