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.
Forbes to Pitt
(Fort Loudoun, Sept. 6, 1758)
Forbes, General John in: Kimball,
Correspondence of William
Pitt, pp. 338-343.
power to give them any Assistance, without disobeying His Majesty's positive Orders in regard to the Subjects of Spain; One of the many Letters I have received from the Bay-men, is here forwarded to you together with the Order sent to them by Don Melchior de Navarete Governor of Campeachy.1 As so considerable a branch of trade as that of the Logwood depends entirely on the Inhabitants of the Bay being properly supported, I have taken the earliest Opportunity to lay their Situation before you, that His Majesty's resolution [?] may be known upon it. I am Sir
|
Your most Obedient and Humble Servant |
|
|
|
|
H. MOORE. |
|
GENERAL FORBES TO PITT2
|
FORT LOUDOUN, the 6th September, 1758. |
Sir
In my last letter I had the honour to acquaint you, of my proceedings in the new road across the Alleganey Mountains, and over Laurell Hill,3 (leaving the Rivers Yohiegany and Monongahola to my left hand) strait to the Ohio, by which I have saved a great deal of way, and prevented the misfortunes that the overflowing of those rivers might occasion. I acquainted you likewise of the suspicions I had of the small trust I could repose in the Pennsylvanians in assisting of me with any one necessary, or any help in furthering the Service that they did not think themselves compelled to do by the words of your letter to them.
As likewise of almost the total defection and desertion of the Southern Indians (except 80) who after the receiving of their presents &c, have all returned home not without committing egregious outrages upon the scattered Inhabitants of the Northwest parts of Virginia in their return.4
I thought fit to recapitulate this least my letters dont come to hand regularly as there is no post in those parts, nor any regular one anywhere except from Philadelphia, By New York, to Boston; and even there one may be three Months in receiving a Letter, that ought to be delivered in ten days, besides my letters must now go by Mercht Ships, which makes the delivery very precarious. I hinted to you in my former, of my endeavouring to bring about a Treaty betwixt the Delaware Indians &ca, neighbours to those Provinces, but of late drove into the Arms of French and removed to the Ohio, as the Indians demands were but few, and to me seeming not unreasonable, I thought the reclaiming of those Tribes would be of very great Service to the Publick in weakening of the French Interest by setting a good example to other Western Tribes of Indians, who it is said have all the Inclination to be well with us, wanting only an Opportunity, and an Assurance of protection to declare themselves for us, or at least to remain neutralls.
This is almost brought to a Crisis, their Chief Men being hourly expected at East-town upon the Delaware, where the Governr of Pennsylvania and Jersey are to meet them and settle Preliminaries;5 I wish it could have been done sooner, and that they could have had time to remove, because now my scene of offensive Operations must immediately be put in Execution, when it will be hard for me to distinguish betwixt our friendly disposed Indians, and our real Enemies.
My advanced post consisting of 1500 Men, are now in possession of a strong post 9 Miles on the other side of Laurell Hill,6 and about 40 from Fort Du Quesne, nor had the Enemy every suspected my attempting such a road till very lately, they having been all along securing the strong passes, and fords of the rivers, upon General Braddock's route.
My greatest distress and what may be a real hindrance to (page 340) me for some days is the provisions, which altho' every care imaginable has been taken by contracting for great Numbers of Waggons and Baggage horses at very great Expence. Yet all has not been able, to supply the present consumption, and the maintaining of three Month's Provisions in store to carry along with us- This I early foresaw and acquainted the Governr, and the Assembly Commissioners of my Doubts, arising from the villiany of the Inhabitants in furnishing their worst Horses at so critical a juncture,- By contract they being obliged to carry 2000lb wt per Waggon, such a length of road in such a specified time, but cannot carry above 1400 at most and take up four and twenty days in place of twelve to execute it in.
I have wrote the Governr in very strong Terms upon this head, begging he would shew it to their Assembly now sitting, in order that they may fall upon Methods of sending from Philadelphia, and parts adjacent, three Months provisions at once, they having Carriages in abundance, and I promising to pay so much p. hund wt for everything delivered into our Generall store at Raestown Camp7- This I hope is so reasonable that they will comply with it, altho' sad experience makes me dread that their dilatory Measures, and contrary factions, will so retard, so absolutely necessary a transport as to throw me, and the little Army I have the honour to command, into very great distress.8
I was greatly afraid that the unfortunate stop Genll
Abercrombie met with, might have enabled the French to strengthen themselves
with regulars in those parts, but from every Intelligence I can possibly get,
any reinforcements that have joined, or are likely to join them, are the West
Country Indians, who returned from Ticonderoga, who likewise may tire at Fort
Du Quesne, but of this I hope to be better informed, when still a little nigher
them, by the Means of deserters of whom as yet we have not had one come in, and
___________________________
1 The province next north of Guatemala.
2 A. and W. I., vol. 87.
3 See note to letter of August 27, 1758.
4 See Sharpe's letter of August 27, and note. These outrages led to retaliations on the part of the frontiersmen, of which the "Cherokee War" was the eventual outcome.
5 This conference was held at Easton from October 8 to 26. See Col. Rec. of Penn., VIII, 275 et seq.
6 See note to letter of August 27, 1758.
7 See note to letter of August 27, 1758.
8 A letter of Forbes to Governor Denny, of September 9, is printed in Col. Rec. of Penn., VIII, 167.
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: 08
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