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.
Report of Speeches
of the Delaware
Indians
(Fort Pitt, June 24, 1763)
McKee, Alexander in: [B. M., Add.
MSS. 21655, f. 216, D.] and in
Stevens et all. The Papers of
Col. Henry Bouquet, Series
21655, 1943,
pp. 208-210.
The Turtle's Hart, a principal Warrior, of the Delaware's, with Maumaidtee a Chief, came Within a small distance of the Fort at 9 oClock this Morning and delivered the following Speech.
Brother the Commanding Officer
Having observed a great number of Indians now round you we are come to Speak with you; & our reason is that we have still a Regard for you. Then Brother you must know that all your Forts, & Strong Places from this backwards, are all burn't and cut off; This is now the only one you have left in our Country: Therefore as we have a regard for you we are come to acquaint you with it & that we have prevail'd with Six different Nations of Indians that are now ready to Attack you; to forbear, till we came & Warn'd you to go Home. And they have further agreed with us, not to Molest you; but permit you, and your People, to Pass safe to the Inhabitants; therefore Brother we desire you may set off Tomorrow; as there is every day great Number's of Indians coming here we request you will loose not time: for we shall not be able to do anything with them; after two day's for you. Your Fort fifty Miles down is likewise destroyed before this- meaning Ligonier.
|
SIMON ECUYER Commandt |
The Commanding Officer sent them the following Answer.
The Commanding Officer, of Fort Pitt, Thanks his Brother's the Delawares for their information; tho' he can't give Credit to it all: But in Answer to their proposal of that this Post is su8fficienlty Provided, & supply'd, with Men, Arms, Amunition & Provisions to defend it, against all Nations of Indians that dare Appear before it; And is resolved to keep it while a White Man lives with in it. He further thinks proper to inform his Brothers the Delawares that he has received an Account from the Commander in Chief, of three Armies being on their March; Viz one of six thousand coming up to this Post, a second of 3,000 Canadians, with English Troops to Strike the Ottawas, & Chipawas in their own Country, a third going through the back parts Virginia with a number of the Southern Indians. therefore he recommends it to his Brothers the Delawares, to take pitty of their Women & Children. and as this is told them out of regard's he hopes they will not acquaint any other Nations with it.
|
S. ECUYER Commandt |
Brother the Commanding Officer
We are obliged to you, for the Answer you have sent us and when we acquaint our chiefs with it, we will return in ye afternoon.
4 oClock in the Afternoon they came to same place.
Brother the Commanding Officer
We have informed our Chiefs with your answer to what we delivered you this Morning, and they have now desired us to acquaint you that they will continue to hold fast the Chain of Friendship till you hear from them again; therefore desire you would give them a Small set of Colours, that may be a signal for them; when they have occasion to Speak with you again.
The Commanding Officer of Fort Pitt, desired Mr McKee will inform his Brethren the Delawares; that it gives him a great deal of Satisfaction to hear they Express themselves still our Friends; in which he hopes they are Sincere (page 210) as to the Colours. they shall be sent to them when made; and they may depend on our paying proper regard to what ever Messengers are sent with them. And that whenever we may observe these Colours, we shall lower our Flag, & hoist it again immediately as a Signal that we see them, then they may approach to the Garrison and will be received as Friends.
Brother the Commanding Officer
We have just received an Account from Legonier, that is was Attacked; for a whole day, but that the Indians had not met with Success; and were come away.
Brother the Commanding Officer
As we now hope you will look on us with the same Friendship as formerly we request you would give us a little Provisions and Liquor, to carry us Home.
The Above provisions was granted to them & they set off Home about 2 oClock that Night.
25th. a Shawanese Indian came across the River; and desired to speak with me up the Alligany. he informed me, that Two day's before he had left a large body of Indians on their way coming to Attack this Post about 60 Miles off; and that he had met the Dilawares that were her Yesterday going, to mett them.
|
ALEXANDER McKEE |
|
Assistant Agent for Indian Affairs |
To George Croghan Esqr Fort Bedford
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