Glenn

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.

 

St. Blin to Contrecoeur

(Chiningu, March 11, 1754)


St. Blin in: Contrecoeur Papers, Fonds
Viger-Verreau 1:77 1/2, Archives du
Seminaire de Quebec.

[Chiningu, March 11, 1754]

Copy of a letter dated March 11, 1754 written from Chiningu by M. de St. Blin, which I have received.

Sir

I went as quickly as possible to Chiningu, according to your order.

The 4th of the month I reached M. de la Chauvignerie's place at six in the morning, where I found matters which concern the good of the service very upset and looking very bad for us, if a large group of French do not appear on Belle Riviere immediately.

M. de la Chauvignerie gave me orders to reconnoiter the settlements which the English are making at the mouth of Theyaondeoguin. The Loup village where I was counting on getting a canoe to cross over is abandoned. It is the same village from which you received the wampum which M. de Joncaire had sent you recently through Sieur La Force. But they have gone the way of the English. Finding myself without any means of crossing the river, I had a canoe made to cross to the island which is opposite the place where the English are working. I noticed a building well-along in construction, but, because of the distance, I could not know in what manner they were constructing their fort since it was still only marked out according to the reports of the savages.

After this inspection, I crossed to the mainland and came to the rocks where there is a trader's house. I called to have a canoe brought to me so that I could get news from those people. Three men came to get us, of whom one was a deserter from the Illinois. He assured us that five different tribes had accepted the hatchet against us. They are the Iroquois, the Loups, the Cha8onons, the Hurons and the Miamis. We are expecting at any moment to receive first blows which we shall return sharply.

We also learned from this Frenchman that at ten leagues along the same river, where they made a warehouse, there have arrived six cannons loaded with six and eight [pound] balls which are to be sent immediately to the house they are working on at present. They are also going to set up an outpost on the same island where I went scouting, in order to bar the river completely. We had taken care to spend the night ahead of them without which precaution we would have been arrested or shot. A dark night facilitated our passage, along with a terrible rain which we had to endure during all the particular night, which, however, did not delay our march.

M. De La Chauvignerie has judged it proper to keep me until he receives new orders.

I have nothing but praise for the zeal of Sieur La Force for the good of the service. He takes all possible pains.

As for M. De Bayeville, I am leaving it to M. De La Chauvignerie to speak about him, so that he can make you understand better than I can of what he is capable. One cannot say enough good to you about him. I am counting before long on having the honor, Sir, of giving you an account by word of mouth.

I have the honor of being, with deep respect,

 

 

Sir

 

St. Blin

 

for copy [La Chauvil]1

 

Chiningue, March 11, 1754
________________________

1 Stricken out


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