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.
Capt. Curry: Examination
of John Hudson
(Fort Bedford, June 10, 1763)
Curry, Lewis in: [B. M., Add. MSS.
21655,
f. 208, D. S.], and in Stevens et all. The
Papers of Col. Henry Bouquet,
Series 21655, 1943,
pp. 199-203.
|
[Fort Bedford, June 10, 1763] |
Hudson.
You may remember, that I told you, as soon as you was brought in Prisnor by my order, that I had Seized you and Secured you, Because your Brethren had taken up the Tomhawk against their Brethren the English without giving them previous Notice or assigning any causes for so Treacherous a Proceeding.
I also promised you that I would not hurt you, but that on the contrary, you, and your companions; your Sqwas & your Children should be used well and tenderly; and you know I have kept my word like a true man.
I am still in the same Mind because they way of the English is not to kill or hurt their Prisnors, but to exchange them.
You know that all the last Winter, and this Spring, you and your Brethren Particularly Kickiuskum & their Sqwas have always been well received at my House, and that I was always Glad to see you, and Smoke with you, when you were Sober.
But the kind and Civil Treatment you all received from me was nothing in comparison to the great Indulgence & hospitality shewn to you all by the Buck- George Croghan and his Brother, Major Ward, Price, and Davis were in your Company and Equally carressed.
How far you, and they, and Kickiuskum are concerned in the present Treacherous breach of Friendship & Hospitality is best known to your selves. but it is certain that Gratitude as well as publick Faith should have induced you to have acquainted your Brothers, your Friends, your Benfactors, with such a black and bloody design, that they might have Guarded against it.
And, I expect now from the tenderness with which you and your Families are Still Treated, that you will like a good & true Brother, inform me of what you know of the present design of the Indians, and the cause of their Insurrection that I may write to the great Warrior Amherst, and to Georg Croghan.
And I may venture to assure you that if you prove yourself a true Brother to the English, the great warrior will not hurt a hair of your head. But if on the contrary, you deceive him by lies or by not telling all that you know: I cannot say, in that case what will [be] done with you, and your Families
|
L C |
To which John Hudson answer'd.
I acknowledg all what my Brother says to be true, and ma thankful for the favours received.
What I know I will declare truely. I have always carried Messages for the English, and never told lies.
The Tawichtwis Chipawas Ottawas and Wiandot's have struck this Blow, in revenge for the death of their two Chiefs, killed at the Seige of Niagara. These two Nations have complained that we (the Cayuga's) assisted the English against them, and brought a Tomahawk to our Town, telling us, you five Nations; here is the Hatchet Strike with us. But we answered no, we have the English fast Friends in our Hands.
Q- Did not Kickiuskum know of this?
A- yes and was advising us to make off because he knew that the Tawichtwi's and Wiandot's would strike , and we were between, so he wanted us to get out of the way.
Q- Did you know they were near Striking?
A- I did not know when they would Strike but they have always been threatning (Since their Chiefs were kill'd) and for that reason I would not go to War this Spring, lest I might be suspected of being concerned. Genl Johnson was apprised of their Threatnings.
Q- Did the Indians that passed by here lately for the Southward know any thing of this?
A- I imagine not, or they would have stayed at home for when they hear bad News they generally sit Still at home expecting to be called upon.
Q- Are none of your people concerned?
A- If any of our Tribe were angry that frequent Pittsburg and these Posts, the English would have all been cutt off long ago.
Q- Why can't the Tawichtwi's and Wiandot's cut us off as well as your people.
A- This is a Vast way from their Country.
Q- But they have been at Pittsburg now; and Why might they not come here?
A- Pittsburgh was far as they know. If we would have joined them they would have been here long ago, the Wiandots are a very small Nation the Tawichtwi's very Numerous, but most distant.
Q- Will not those two Nations be very angry with your People for not helping them & piloting them down here?
A- We don't regard them we are not to be bid by them to go to War against any Nation or People. The five Nations are always ready to go where Genl Johnson desires them. The Wiandots were a Nation that had not Land; we pitied them and we gave them Liberty to Settle on our Land; we took them by the Hand and told them to be friends with us and the English. we kindled their Fire, and had them cover their Heads on our Land, and now they have Spilt Blood upon our Land, which was none of theirs. therefore our Councilors and great Men, will call them to an Account for it, and I am sure the Delaware's are not concerned in this Insurection.
Q- Is not the Wolf Son to Kickiuskum? & therefore a Delaware
A- The Wolf is Son to Kickiuskum but born of a Wiandot Woman, and consequently acording to the Custom of the Indians, a Wiandot. Price is a Mohican and Davis also.
Q- Were they not concern'd in this Plot?
A- I do not think they were. I always thought them firm in the English Interest, as they were both always bred with the English at Wioming, which is the reason they talk the English so well
Q- What do you know of Conowagh your fellow Prisnor is he Staunch to the English?
A- He is as a Child to me: he has followed me from his Infancy, and is as I am, and has always follow'd my fortunes and fought by my Side with the white People: he took at Niagara two French men Prisners and delivered them to Genl Johnson. at that time I was at Philadelphia being sent there by the five Nations with a Belt to Confirm to the English that we were Still in their Interest. I was three times in Philadelphia with large Belts of Wampum while we were fighting for the English to the Northward.
The Governor of Philadelphia and several great Men and Quakers went with me to a great man over the Delaware in a great Ship with one Stick only Standing up, to a place called Burlington, where I delivered a large Belt of Wampum to that great man. the writings at Philadelphia can con- (page 203) firm the truth of all what I say, and George Croghan knows it also- and all the great People in Philada and New-Yorke know me very well.
Said John Hudson has a pass Signed by Governor Hamilton y 28th June 1760 certifying that he had brought to him at Philadelphia a Boy that had been three Years Prisnor with ye Delawares.
he has also another Certificate for delivering up Generously to Sir William Johnson one Margaret Wist who had been taken by the Delawares, & given to him in the place of his deceased Mother. this Certificate is Signed by Ferrall Wade, and said Margaret Wist (in) witness of the great humanity with which she was treated.
dated at Fort Johnson the 9th Febr 1756
Witnessed by Geo Croghan the 7th August 1757.
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