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.
Council of the Cha8ouanons of
Sonioto held July 17, 1754
Council of the Cha8ouanons. . . July 17, 1754
(no place- with Duquesne at Montreal?)
in: Contrecoeur Papers,
pp. 216-217.
COUNCIL OF THE CHA8OUANONS OF SONIOTO
(ASQ V-V 3:217)
|
Council of the Cha8ouanons of Sonioto |
|
held July 17, 1754 |
By three strings of wampum
My children, I invite you by these belts to listen carefully to my speech, for it is the word of your Father Onontio.
I had resolved not to speak to you until after the arrival of your brothers, the Loups, but since I do not see them coming, I have decided to do it today in the presence of the nations who are here and who are your brothers since they are Onontio's children.
By a belt of wampum
I invite you, my children, to move your fire and come closer to me, for here I occupy the place of your Father Onontio. That is his wish. It is equally nice for you, my children, between Chilingue and here, and the lands there are good. I cannot tell you anything different on this subject from what I told your brothers of that river, that the closer you are to me, the more I shall be able to help you, your wives and your children, and work together on good things, since you came only for that. I shall always have a blacksmith and an armorer to repair your weapons.
Since I have learned that your enemies are planning to give you trouble, you can be sure of finding at my place all the help I can give you in order to defend you.
By a belt of wampum
I assure you by this belt of wampum that I am not willing to suffer any English on this river, since that is the King's wish.
The assassination they committed on us causes me to be more opposed to (page 217) their presence than ever. You know, my children the Cha8ouanons, that you were our friends when M. de LaSalle took possession of it, and that you were then at war with the Iroquois.
By this same belt of wampum, I assure you that you will be able to live more peacefully than ever on your Lands, since you will be nearer your Father Onontio. Here, my children, is what I give in his name to you who are present here, and here is what you will take in his name to the warriors, women and children of your village. I am eager to see them near me so that I may shake hands with them and put them under my wing.
Since I have never stopped giving to all your brothers of this river, I am no longer able to give you as much as I should like, because I want to keep enough to reward those who behave as real children of Onontio, who listen only to his word and who reject that of the English. Before long, my children, you will have traders who will supply your needs.
By two strings of wampum
I shall say nothing, my children, about the advantages you will derive from being associated with your Father Onontio. Your brothers who are here have undoubtedly told you about it and about how much they like being under his wing. I invite you to follow their example. Since they are going to leave, give me your answer while they are here so that they can tell it to your Father.
By a belt of wampum
My children, I bind you by this belt of wampum to become one at heart with me so that we can be of a single mind. Do not listen to any bad discourse, and if any is spoken to you, come find me. You have only to speak frankly to me, and I shall not keep anything hidden from you.
By two strings of wampum to two Miamis
And you, my children the Miamis, I am delighted that you are here to hear my manner of speaking to your brothers, the Cha8ouanons. I am profiting by it to give to each one enough to cover you. I give you these two strings of wampum for repeating my speech well in all your villages and for being careful not to change anything.
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