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.
William Shirley
to Richard Peters
(Fort Cumberland, May 21, 1755)
Shirley, William in: Pennsylvania
Archives, first series, Vol. II,
pp. 321-322.
. . . Croghan tells me he has yet had no Answer from ye Twightwees, &c, but is in daily expectation of it; I dare say your Conjectures with regard to the Conduct they will observe are not mistakes. We were made to believe at Williamsburg that ye Catawbees would certainly be with us; but I am afraid we have been deceived. Croghan recd three days ago a Belt of Wampum & Speech from Col. Johnson for ye Six Nations & their Allies in these parts, wch we hope may have good effects. Upon our Arrival at this Fort, we found Indian Affairs so ignorantly conducted by Col. Innes, to whom they were (page 322) committed, that, Novices as we were, we have taken 'em into our Managemt. . .
. . . It is not for me to remark what might or what ought to have been done for ye Security of ye Genls Success, or for his Ease in conducting ye present Expedition, (as it is call'd) in ye most effectual manner for ye Purposes intended by it. Here we are & I imagine shall move from heare in abt a fortnight. The Difficulties wch have unavoidably attended our Motions, & such as have been occasioned thro' Ignorance in some & Insolence in others are innumerable; with ye Assistance we have had from Mr. Franklin, who is almost ye only Person to whom ye Genl is indebted for either Waggons or Horses, we hope to get over ye Mountains, and, I think with you, are not to expect much Opposition from ye French on ye other side of 'em. I shall be impatient to learn ye Event of ye several Northern Attempts, particularly agt Niagara; They must, I imagine, be look'd upon as of ye greatest Importance, and if they succeed, will put it in ye Power of ye Govmts here properly supported from home, effectually to curb ye growing Power of ye French upon this Continent. Govt. Morris has taken very sensible & proper Notice of Sr. J. St. Clair's Behavior to him in his Letter to ye Genl. Sr. John begins to find that he has mistaken himself, & to draw in his Horns.
I shall be much oblig'd to you for ye Correspondence you promise me, particularly for Information with regard to ye progress or Event of Affairs to ye Northward, and am,
|
Sir, |
|
|
Your most Humble |
|
|
and Obedt Servant, |
|
|
W. SHIRLEY. |
|
Fort Cumberland, May 21, 1755.
Direction-
To Richard Peters, Esqr.,
Secretary of the Province of Pensilvania.
Return
to TOC, p. 13
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: 07
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