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.
Jadot to
(Piquote de Belestre?)
(Miamis, June 13, 1760)
Jadot in: B.M., Add. MSS. 21645, f. 139,
A. L. S. and in Stevens, et all., The
Papers of Col. Henry Bouquet,
21645, 1941, pp. 105-108.
I have received the letter you honored me by writing, dated May 31. Mr. de Rocheblave having arrived here, asked for the letter you wrote me. I could not refuse him. He is much troubled at the stand you took of not allowing the merchandise to be seen, which Laurrain must have. He told me that it was not in the storehouses, and to ask for some, seeing that he knew the necessities one should have for the nations. e has spoken to the Miamis for the portage. Seeing that he had no merchandise there he promised to reward them generously if they would wait for their pay. They raised no difficulty and are doing all they can to meet the demands made of them, saying that they knew there was nothing in the storehouses, and when some merchandise arrives they will present their bills. Mr. de Rocheblave has delivered some 27 jugs of brandy which you said to give to the savages. I have received them but they are not to be given to anyone else as long as Mr. de Rocheblave made them a present of them. I informed you in my last letter that the [Miamis] hope soon to have the English trade with them. There are a few, especially those of the River Blanche who reproached the people of the River A La Roche on their silence concerning courage in holding their father's hand; as for their generation, they will not give way and that they will desire to continue as they have begun. This has given courage to the others and they came to see me and to tell me that they regretted having lent themselves to such an affair; that it would never have happened without the consent of the young men. But that will be of no consequence as they cold clearly see that they were wrong to have listened to the English; that in the future they will listen only to what their father Onontio has to say. The shrewd Gist who had been the most persistent (as you surmise) was the first to come to tell me what you have observed before. In your last letters you informed me that the officers who will pass here with provisions will leave some for the subsistence of the fort. But Mr. de Rocheblave was inexorable and referred me to you. I have released twenty minots which you had in the [bin?] knowing the need where you are. I hope the post will not be left in its present bad condition. He has released to me twelve bags of corn for the maintenance of the garrison and for the people who are in the fort, and three sacks of flour for me, of which I have used half during the sojourn of these gentlemen. I beg you, Sir, (page 108) to procure aid for me. It is beyond my power to keep up. The savages have asked for enough seeds to plant. I dare not refuse them. Laurrain must come to Detroit as I believe it necessary that he should take the trip. He will give you an account of everything. I take the liberty to call myself, with profound respect.
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