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.
A Court of Enquiry
(Detroit, Feb. 21, 1765)
Rogers, Jonathan in: "A court of
enquiry held
by Order of Lieut. Col. Campbell," (Enclosed
in Campbell to Gage, Feb. 27, 1765,
Re: Messages to western Indians),
William L. Clements Library,
Gage Papers, American
Series, Vol. 31,
Reel #10.
A Court of Enquiry held by Order of
Lieut. Colo Campbell
Detroit February 21st 1765
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Captain Lieut Rogers Presidt |
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Lieut Tew |
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Lieut Abbott |
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Ens Cargill |
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Ens Vander Dussen |
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Alexr Mesonville & James Godfrey
Informed the Court they were order'd by Colonel Bradstreet, to proceed from Detroit to the Illinois Country, & speak to nine Nations, beginning with the Cowkeahs (which were the farthest off) that agreeable to their order they gave the Chiefs of the Cowkeahs Vilages a Belt and invitation to come to Detroit the later end of July next, That they accepted the belt, but had it not in their power to give them a positive Answer till spring, as their War Chiefs were absent, that they wold then meet, and speak on the Subject, they further said they were of opinion the whole would comply.
Then they proceeded to the Chiefs of the Cashcashkie Nation, to whom they gave a belt and the same invitation; their Answer was the same with the before mentioned nation. They likeways gave two Belts to these Chiefs to be given to the Peorias, and the Metchios, and a like invitation, which they promis'd to send them; the remote situation of these people not permitting the Informants themselves to deliver them.
They after came to the Post of St Vincent where they were to speak to the Piankishaws, but as they were then hunting on the Ohio river, they left a belt with Lewis Boyer a French man, who promis'd to deliver it & invitation, at their return in the Spring.- They then came to the large Vilage of the Piankishaws, and spoke with a belt to the black Fly and gave him also the invitations. He told them it gave him great pleasure, and would attend at the time appointed, and as an assurance lighted a pipe which he smoaked out off, and after desired they wold carry it to their Father the Commanding Officer at Detroit, and desire him to keep it ready lighted for him & people that they may smoke with him on their Arrival; At which time they would make a firm Friendship with him. They further assured them they had no hand in the late War, therefore could have no objection to receiving the belt. They after spoke to Washion Chief of the Maskoutang's as they had done to the Black Fly, and he gave them a like answer with a Pipe.
They then went to Fort Ousatanon and were informed the Kikapoos were hunting One hundred & fifty Leagues from thence, but left a belt and invitation with Michael Lorain a french inhabitant to be delivered them on their return.- From thence they went to the Chiefs of the Ousatanons and gave a belt & invitation, who received it with pleasure & made the same answer the Black Fly did, at the same time gave two strings of white Wampum, and desired they may be delivered their Father as a representation of their hearts, and that their bodies would follow in the Spring.
They further say, they were ordered to speak to the French dwelling in these places, and recommended to them to do all in their power to keep the Indians Quiet, & infuse no bad principles in their heads; They answered they were more subject to insults from them than the English, that far from encouraging them in any bad designs, they wold take every step they could to prevent any ill schemes of theirs, and further said it would give them pleasure the English were in possession of the Country to prevent the Outrages the Indians committed on them.
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Jonathan Rogers Presdt |
a true Copy
John Campbell
Lt Colo. 7th Regt.
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