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.
Copy of Intelligence
Brought to Fort Pitt
by Mr. Colhoun
(June 1, 1763)
Colhoun in: [B. M., Add. MSS. 21649,
f. 136, C.] and in Stevens et all. The
Papers of Col. Henry Bouquet,
Series 21649, part I,
1942, pp. 120-122.
King Beaver with Shingas Wheyondohilas, Winginum, Daniels, and William Anderson, Chiefs of the Delawares came and Delivered me the following Intelligence by a string of Wampum.
Brother
Out of Regard to You, and the Friendship that formerly subsisted between our Grandfathers and the English, which has been lately renewd by us. We Come now to Inform you with what News we have heard, which You may depend on is True.
Brother
All the English at Detroit were held Ten Days ago, and not one left alive. At Sandusky all the white People there were kild five days ago, being Nineteen in Number, except the Officer who Commanded is taken prisoner and one Boy who made his Escape which we have not heard of. At the Mouth of the Twightwee River Hugh Crawford with one Boy was taken Prisoner, and Six Men kill'd. At the Salt Like, we heard to Day their was kil'd five white Men, five days ago. We have likewise Seen a number of Tracts On the road between this and Sandusky not far off, which we are sure is a Party coming to Cutt you, and your people off, But we have sent a Man to watch their Motion, and request You may think of Nothing You have Here; but Make the Best of your way to some Place of Safety; as we would not desire to see You kild in our Town. Be Carefull to Avoid the Road, and every Part where Indians Resort. Brother what goods and other Effects you have here, You nede not be uneasy Aboute Them, we Assure you we will take Care and keep them safe for Six Months, Perhaps by that Time we may see You, or send you word what to expect from us further. And we know there is one white Man that belongs to You at Cueyahoeja, do not be Concernd for him, we shall take Care to send him safe Home.
Brother
We desire You to tell George Croghan, and all Your Great Men, that They must not aske us anything aboute this News, or what has happend, as we are not at all Concern'd in it. The Nations that have taken up the Hatchet against you, are the Ottawas and Chepawas. And when You first went to speak with these People, You did not consult us upon it. Therefore desire You may not expect that we are to account any Mischief they do, and what You want to know Aboute this News, you must learn by the same Road you first went. But if you will speak with us, You must send one or two Men only, and we will hear Them.
Brother
We thought Your King had made Peace with us and all the Western Nations of Indians; for our Parts we joyn'd it heartly, And desired to hold it allways Good, and You may Depend upon it we will take Care not to be readily Cheated or drawn into a war again. But as we are Seated on the Road between You and those Nations, who have taken up the Hatchet against you, we desire you will send no Warriors This way till we are Removed from this, which we will do as soon as we Conveniently can, when we shall permit you to Pass without taking Notice, Till then we desire the Warriors may go, by the first road You went
|
Gave a String of Wampum |
The following is what Mr Colhoun learnd on his way to Fort Pitt, from one, of Three Indians, who were sent by the Afore said Chiefs to Conduct him safe Here. (Viz Daniel who is before mentioned as one of the Above Chiefs) That Detroit was not really taken, but had been attack'd by the Indians four days before the Messenger who brought the News left it, which Mr Colhoun immagines must have been from Aboute the 13th to the 17th of May, And that the Indians had not then mett with much Success. But strongly persisted in Carrying on the Attack, and Said they were determined not to give over, til they took it. And that the English had sent out three Belts, and the French two, desiring them to Desist, which they Refused.
Mr Colhoun further says that when him and his Party- 14 in Number- were setting out from Tuskarawas, the Indians refused to let them bring their Arms, telling them that the three Indians that were going along with them, were Sufficient to Conduct Them safe. But that the next day passing Beaver Creek, they were fired upon by a Party of Indians, and their guides immediately disappeared without interfering for them, and he is Convinced that they were led by these guides knowingly to this Party to be Cutt off, from which himselfe with three of his People, have only Escaped.
Having lost his way and faling in upon the Road leading to Venango, aboute 20 miles above this Post, He saw a Number of Indian tracks that had gone that way.
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