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.
Minutes of the Provincial
Council of Pennsylvania
(March 19, 1759)
In: Pennsylvania Colonial
Documents, vol. 8,
pp. 292-293.
pp. 292-293.
At a Council held at Philadelphia, Monday the 19th of March, 1759, P. M.
. . .
A Letter to Governor Denny from Colonel Mercer.
|
Pittsburg, 8th January 1759. |
Sir:
When my Battalion marched from Fort Ligonier to be disbanded at the End of the Campaign, I did myself the honour of writing you by Ensign Warmsdarff.
Soon after this General Forbes thought Proper to appoint me to take the Command of what Troops were left on the Ohio. What discoveries of the Enemies' Designs and Temper of the Indians this Station afford me, I shall think it my Duty to communicate to your Honour.
The Intelligence I have from every Quarter makes it Evident that the French have not yet lost hopes of securing a Post here. They are extremely Busy in Collecting their Over Lake Indians and propose assembling them near to Kuskusky. For this Purpose they are now forming a Magazine of Arms and provisions near that place.
They have yet many friends among the Delawares and Shawanees, as appears by our not receiving the least Information of this Design, tho' it is formed in the Heart of the Delaware Country, and these Scoundrels come in Shoals every Day, to live upon us, pretending the utmost Friendship. They have indeed alarmed us with an Account of a Formidable Body of French being at Venango, and making preparations to fall down from thence upon us. This we find to be false, as the Deputies of the Six Nations, who are just come from thence, saw but a very inconsiderable Garrison there.
The minutes of some Conferences held with these Deputies, I have enclosed for your Honour's perusal. The Chiefs of the Six Nations come here to Supplicate a powerful Aid from the English. They appear to be under the greatest Anxiety least we shoud abandon this country, for a very powerful Confederacy of the Over Lake Indians are set on by the French to cut them off as allies to the English, and should the Delawares and Shawanese join in this Confederacy, as the Six Nations apprehend, their Ruin would soon be compleated. Two of their Chiefs go from hence to wait on the General, in hopes he will immediately enter upon the most Vigorous Measures for driving the Enemy intirely off from this country.
There is a great Demand for Indian Goods. I have refused great Quantities of Skins and Furs; a fair Trade cannot be too soon begun. The General has, on my Remonstrances, ordered up a Reinforcement of Men to secure this Post, so that what Goods may be sent will be in no danger of falling into the Enemy's Hands.
This Garrison consists of Two Hundred and Eighty; the Works are now capable of some Defence, tho' huddled up in a very hasty manner, the Weather being Extremely Severe.
|
I am, Sir, Your Honour's most Obedt. Hume. Servt., |
|
|
HUGH MERCER. |
|
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