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.
Croghan to Murray
(Weotonan, July 12, 1765)
Croghan George in: Public Record
Office,
Colonial Office, 5.83, f. 745 and
in Alvord & Carter, British
Series, Vol. II,
pp. 58-59.
Copy of a Letter from Mr Croghan Deputy Agent for Indian Affairs to Captain William Murray of His Majesty's 42d Regiment of Foot Commanding at Fort Pitt- Dated Weotonan, 12th July 1765.
Dr Sir,
You will not doubt have heared; before this reaches You, of my being taken Prisoner and Plundered, by a Party of Eight Indians of the Kickapoo's, Musquetomys Nations, they Killed two of my Men, and three of the Deputies of the Shawnese, that was with me. Their Village is at this Post, where they brought me, and those with me; I got the Stroke of a Hatchet on the Head, but my Scull being pretty thick, the hatchet would not enter, so You may See a thick Scull is of Service on some Occasions.
I won't trouble You with any of my fatigues Since I have been taken, I am very hearty and well; Indeed I at first thought it a very unlucky Accident, which made me very grave, but Since I came here, and has been led a little into the mystery and Policy of the People of this Country, I am Confident it will turn out to be the best thing that could have happened for the English Interest.
You must know that the F---h has been this three Years with great pains & Expense, endeavouring to make a Confederacy of those Nations to oppose the English, and if Possible prevent their taking Possession of this Country, last fall they Effected it, and had got 18 Nations agreed to oppose our, either coming down or up the River; the F---h was cocksure that the Shawnese and Delawares, would never make Peace with us, so that it was to rest there, that the Settling matters, or Reconciling those Nations, depended on Our having Settled a Peace with the Shawnese Delawares and Six Nations on Ohio, which I happily did You Know before I left Fort Pitt, and had their Deputys with me to notify it to all those Nations, this party falling on us, and killing three of the Deputys has entirely broke up and divided this great Confederacy and thrown the F---h into confusion. There is nothing those nations dread more than a War with the Shawnese, Delawares and Six Nations, and which will be the Consequence.
This fear has brought the five Nations settled on this River to reason, more than if I had given them five times the Quantity they robbed me off in Presents; They now come and beg of me to pity them, their Women and Children, and forgive them, and to use my Interest with the Shawnese Delawares and Six Nations, to make up the Affair, they have given me five Pipes of Peace, and offered me their Services to Conduct any Troops from Fort Pitt to the Illinois; And in the most Abject manner declared they would be for ever true & Faithfull Allies to His Majesty & his Subjects.
At the time this happened Mr Sinnott a Deputy of Mr Stuarts & One Mr La Gauterais, a French Gentleman, was at the Illinois with presents to the Indians on the same Business I was Sent on; Mr Sinnott wrote me, that the Indians after he had Spoke to them, took five days to Deliberate, & had made no answer, that everything then was Doubtfull, but Since that I was informed, that two Indians which I has Sent off by Land had arrived there, and informed the Nations that I had Settled matters with the Shawnese, Delawares, and Six Nations, and that their Deputies were coming with me, on which they gave Mr Sinnott a favorable answer, however something has happened since, for it's certain those Gentlemen was obliged to make their Escape in the night from the Illinois. As I have reconciled those Nations here, I go in two days with them to the Illinois, to deliver the Speeches I was charged with from the General, & hopes to be able to reconcile the Nations there, who I hear has only promised to Mr Sinnott, and Mr La Gauterais, to Suffer the English to come there on certain Conditions.
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I am, Sir, &ca- |
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(Signed) GEO: CROGHAN |
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Endorsed: Copy of a Letter from Mr Croghan Depy Agent for Indian Affairs to Capt. Murray of the 42d Regt Commanding at Fort Pitt Dated Weotonan 12th July 1765. In Majr Genl Gage's, of the 23d Sepr 1765. Concerning Indian Affairs on the Illinois Inclosure 3. in No 2 Bundle E.
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