Page:1898 NB Magazine.djvu/162
nothing to do with thee or them or with your storys for we have found you out, and if you persist in tempting us we warn you to take care of yourselves. We shall not come to Machias to do you harm, but beware of Passamaquodie for we forbid you to come there. "We desire you to return into the hands of Mr. White at Menaguashe the pledges belonging to us which were plundered last Fall out of Mr. Hazen's store by A. Greene Crabtree, Captain of one of your Privateers, for if you don't send them we will come for them in a manner you won't like.
"At Menaguashe the 24th September 1778,
"Pierre Thomas, 
Chiefs of the Malecetes
"Francis Xavier, 
and in their behalf.
"Jean Baptiste Arimph, Chief of Richebouctou
and in behalf of the Mickmacks."
This letter naturally enough was not very pleasing to John Allan. However, he did not yet relinquish the struggle, although he found the odds was now against him. To create another diversion he sent Lieut. Gilman from Machias with some Penobscot Indians by way of the Mattawamkeag and Eel rivers to the old Meductic village, 140 miles up the River St. John, and another party by way of the Magaguadavic and Oromocto rivers to a lower point on the St. John. The appearance of these bands had a very disturbing effect upon the settlers and Indians, but nothing really came of it. Allan says, "By this maneuvre I expected to divert the Indians and others on the river and prevent any solid matter being done by the Priest or Mr. Francklin."
When Colonel Francklin was at Fort Howe he, in conjunction with James White selected a site for a trading house to be built for the accommodation of the Indians at the landing place above the Falls. This locality has long been known as Indiantown, the name being derived from the old "Indian House." Main street, Portland, in old plans is called "Road to ye Indian House."
The following letter from Colonel Francklin to James White contains directions for building the Indian House: