THE OHIO VALLEY-GREAT LAKES ETHNOHISTORY
ARCHIVES: THE MIAMI COLLECTION
It is noted that the following work from the Miami Archives should be read and
considered within the historical context in which it was composed and printed.
The opinions expressed and the language used do not reflect the opinions or
standards of the Glenn A. Black Laboratory of Archaeology, but are, rather,
indicative of thought in that historical moment during which the document was
published.
Macarty to Vaudreuil
(March 27, 1752)
Macarty in: Huntington Library
Mss., Loudoun Coll., 339 and
in Pease and Jenison,
French Series, III,
pp. 536-566.
MONSIEUR
I will continue to acquaint you with what has happened up to today. The twentieth of this month La Puce arrived with a (page 537) letter of M. de St. Ange, who tells me that this same La Puce, while he was on his way here to ask favor for his son who is a prisoner here, met six Piankashaw going with a flag to Vincennes. These six Piankashaw assured him that La Mouche Noire, L'Enfant, and Le Maringouin, not wishing to follow the party of Le Gros Bled, had retired with their band to the Little Wabash, happy to throw themselves into the arms of the French and wishing no part in the affair that was transpiring. These six men had remained four days with the Illinois, with whom they had long conferences; and there was not much to go on, in all that came from this band. If, they said, the Miami were upon the Wabash, it was to attract the Kickapoo and Mascoutens; the Kickapoo of Terre Haute had brought to the Miamis a barrel of brandy from what I had given them from carrying M. de la Jonquiere's letters, bidding them fear nothing for they would not take our side. M. de Ligneris informed M. de St. Ange that he did not think them any more disposed to help us than were the Wea. What we could hope of them was that they were not (page 538) opposed to us. The attack which has been made on Moreau is disclaimed by the Piankashaw. M. de St. Ange reiterates to me the necessity of rebuilding the fort and the buildings, which are in decay.
The twenty-second arrived the Peoria to the number of 102, with 30 Cahokia, a Mascouten, the son of Ouachione, and some Michigamea. They made their compliments, told me that they came at my summons, and asked of me the release of the Illinois prisoner. The Cahokia did not speak of it; next day, the village of Kaskaskia did the same.
The twenty-third the Mascouten told me that his tribe sent him to assure me of their fidelity. Having learned, he said, that the Miami had attacked by treachery, they had retaliated; he brought me the scalps of children that had been given him. But whether he had been deceived or whether he wished to deceive me, he gave me two scalps which looked like children's but which I discovered were taken from the head of a buffalo. They were (page 539) well made but a little wool had been left. He gave them to me in private lest the Illinois should know, promising to have me secretly informed of parties that might come against us. He also told me that the Foxes had gone to the Mascoutens to invite them to attack the French. They answered that they did not wish to dip their hands in French blood. He also told me that the Peoria had been won over by the Miami as well as the other villages, and that they came here the better to deceive me.
The twenty-fourth I spoke to the Peoria first:
When you left here you promised me to give me proofs of your attachment of which I do not yet see the effects. Once more, with pleasure I see you of the same opinion, giving the example to the other villages of your tribes whom you urge to be united to us. I am told that you come here only the better to deceive me, and that you have been to the Miami solely to ally yourselves with them against me, instead of to attack them. Of this I do not believe a word. To indicate my confidence in you, I am making a present to your village of the goods you see before (page 540) you. I shall take care of those with whom I am satisfied who give me proofs of their attachment and who bring me the scalps of my enemies. Your warriors took the tomahawk, not, I hope, in vain. I have learned La Mouche Noire, L'Enfant, and Le Maringouin have returned to their village, hoping to throw themselves into the arms of the French. If they be sincere, let them give me evident marks of their repentance. They know their father's good heart who pardons when that is done and the scalps of his enemies are brought him. Beware, Peoria, of frequenting our enemies lest you be caught among them. Keep them away from your lands, and to avoid some ill enterprise, exhort your young men and warriors to undertake one which will prove their attachment to me.
They replied that hunters did not bring back game every time they hunted; that they clearly saw they had enemies who spoke ill of them, but that they would never let go the hand of the French and would give us proofs of it.
They again asked when I would give them a French chief and who it would be. I replied, "In a little while when the tribes are calm."
I spoke the same day to the Kaskaskia, Cahokia, and Michigamea:
My heart weeps when I think of you. Of what do you think, oh Illinois, when you ally yourself with the Miami. You are small, and your tribe few in number. Up to now the Frenchman has sustained you. The Foxes, Sauk, Potawatomi, Sioux, and many others ask to eat you up. You have no pity on your wives and children. You do not think. You say the French maltreat you; I punish you as I do my children when they are foolish. I chastise them, and when they are repentant I pardon them. You, chiefs, chastise your fools. I will watch it done and will say that you have good sense. You say you are not obeyed; that is why I wish to help you give wisdom to your fools. The Michigamea, the Cahokia, the Peoria stay quiet; you alone, you Kaskaskia, you lose your wits. You let yourself be led by silly old men and you won't listen to those who are wise. That is (page 542) what comes of your trade with the English. You say, 'I go to get goods,' and you have bargained for folly. MM. de Bertet and Benoist have instructed you and have not won you. I instruct you in my turn; will you despise my words? What will Onontio, what will M. de Vaudreuil your father down at New Orleans think? Hasten to change your ways. Tell me of your repentance so that I may write it for you. They will in the end be consoled if they see that their children reflect.
Warrior, I do not ask you to make war against your wish. In no wise do I say to you, 'Help me.' But remember that the Frenchman has preserved you as long as you can remember, that he has saved your lives, that he has redeemed you from the house of your enemies, that he has held them back from you, that he has chastised the Foxes and Iroquois who were killing you. Once again I do not say to you, 'Help me in your turn.' If you have a heart you will let it appear, and I will understand you. I only bid you keep our enemies off your lands, don't receive them in your village, don't go with them, lest I may have to strike my children along with them.
If you have a Miami heart, say so. Go with them. Make war on me openly. Bring me your fagots. I fear you not. If I die I shall find an avenger of my death; and you, you will inevitably perish. Where are the tribes who have made war on the French? There are some who have surprised me by treachery. What has become of them? The French have sat on their mats for two thousand years; they have had many enemies; foreigners are all leagued against them from jealousy; but they have not yet lost an inch of land. The Frenchman is always strongest. He strikes his enemies; he pardons them when they repent. While the Frenchman prays sincerely he will in no wise be destroyed. You have spoken, Kaskaskia. While you prayed, while you did not listen to the fools, you have lived on good terms with the French. You and I have had but one heart. The Frenchman supplied your wants. He loved you. The stranger dared not to attack you. You have abandoned wisdom in no longer listening to your chiefs. You wish to let go the hand of the Frenchman; are you not worthy of pity and compassion? You say that it was Onontio who was the first to embroil the land; there La (page 544) Demoiselle speaks through your mouth. It is five years since that wicked man pillaged the Frenchman in the Miamis fort, and carried him away from his fort which he burned, and since he wished him eaten by strangers. That is what he has done; are you ignorant of it? They have told you that it is the Frenchman who has struck first. Onontio has long put off acting. He had pity on his children; he thought they would repent; he had them spoken to; he sent them chiefs to give them wisdom; he was refused. Finally he chastised them lightly, but La Demoiselle has won over the Miamis; he wished to win over the Illinois and will cause them to die with him.
Open thy eyes, my child, hear my word and be calm. What I say is only for your instruction. Give me proofs of your attachment, and I will let you perceive that I am a true father.
The chiefs rose and thanked me for my instruction and for the reproaches I had made them. They had brought some salted sides and oil, saying that they brought me something to eat and that the whole village asked the freedom of the Illinois prisoners. (page 545) Le Vieux Boeuf took up the word and said the same thing. Jasscinoueta, speaking for the warriors, presented a little wampum belt and did the same. Dacouarens spoke with more force saying, "It is today that the warriors wish to see the prisoners." Several others asked them with force and directness. I then spoke:
It is you Patissier, who have killed your brother-in-law and your son, you who induced them to follow the Miamis who passed your winter camp. You sent a blanket into the Mississippi region to seduce my children; you have dipped your hand in my blood which the Miami brought to console you. Be discouraged. I know your heart. It reproaches you for your folly and your crime. The day you sent to ask a refuge of the Peoria, they told me. Your brother-in-law and your son are worthy of death. It is God's will that the murderer die.
But what am I to do? Am I to kill my children? Have not the French and the Illinois the same father? Shall I not remember, you, Thomas and Rouensa, you who had compassion (page 546) on the Frenchman caught in the ice, slain by the enemy, you who gave him to eat and have brought him back here to me? Shall I be sensible of the proofs you have given me of your good heart? Hear me; I speak the truth to you; I show you my heart. When you brought my children back from your winter camp, I thought, I wish to do more than they have done. I will give them those who have killed me. I will say to Thomas and Rouensa, 'It is you who give their lives to the two Illinois prisoners.' I will say to those chiefs, 'Instruct them, give them sense.' That is what I wished to do. But the evil spirit tied my tongue and restrained my heart. I had joy in the thought that I would console my children on their return form their winter camp. But I learn that several of them speak ill. L'ours qui se cache has sent a peace pipe to the Miamis, whom he summons; he wished to distinguish himself for folly. I learn that day before yesterday in the evening in a great gathering it was publicly said, 'Let us give it up; we will not go to see our father. Let us go to our village and let him think what he will of us.' It was the Peoria who opposed that folly. I perceive that the chiefs are no (page 547) longer heard or obeyed.
My heart is sick. I cannot yet carry out my thought. When you are tranquil in your village, I will do it, and I will show my heart.
L'Homme Noir of the Michigamea and another arose, told the Kaskaskia the pleasure they had in hearing me and seeing me, and thanked me for my instruction.
Le Vieux Boeuf arose again and said, "The reproach that was made them concerns me. I was present when he sent the peace pipe to Miami. But it was not in order to join them that we sent it. It was to draw them here and engage them to repent, to come and ask pardon for their fault. We addressed the peace pipe to La Puce and to Patissier and their bands. They have given notice of it, and it did not go to the Miami. La Puce was not at this assembly nor any of his band nor of those who spoke ill. Their warriors say, 'Nothing is impossible to us, but we will not of ourselves take up the hatchet. It is our father who governs us; let him speak and he will be obeyed.'
I ended the sitting by this answer:
The anxiety which you show for the delivery of your prisoners seems to me a desire to have it by force. Why do you press me? Have I not already declared my thought? I will abide by it; when the village is quiet, my heart will be also. You may come to seek me, and I will tell you my sentiments when you have gathered there. Hold fast to what I have just told you. I will send in search of the chiefs, and I will speak to them. Be strong Rouensa, Thomas, La Puce, chiefs, and warriors who have good sense. I do not wish to destroy your flesh and blood. I do not change. I hold you fast. Fight against folly; change the hearts of those who are fools; I will sustain you. Your enemies shall be mine. While you hear my word, I will hear yours.
All applauded and withdrew after a session of more than three hours.
The quietness of the Miami, joined to the fact that the Illinois have not ceased to try to exculpate Le Loup, makes me infer that they are planning to ask for peace, which is very necessary for the good of this country and of the colony. I will spin matters out in the present emergency while awaiting your orders (page 555) and those of M. de la Jonquiere and keeping on the defensive; I am convinced that our greatest enemies are the mutineers of the Kaskaskia village who have been the cause of all our troubles in this region by the journeys which they have made to La Demoiselle's village, whence they have merchandise for no price at all; and where they have allied themselves with the Miamis.
Return
to TOC, p. 12
Continue to
next part of Miami Collection
[return to Miami
Collection Menu]
[return to Glenn A. Black
Laboratory of Archaeology List of Publications]
[return to Glenn A. Black
Laboratory of Archaeology Home]
Last updated: 01
December 2000
URL: http://www.gbl.indiana.edu/home.html
Comments: webmaster@www.gbl.indiana.edu
Copyright 1996, Glenn Black Laboratory of Archaeology and The Trustees of Indiana University