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.
Letter to Gage
(Detroit, Aug. 25, 1765)
Campbell, John in: William L.
Clements Library, Gage
Papers, American Series,
Vol. 41, Reel #10.
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Detroit August 25th 1765 |
Sir,
I received your Excellencys letter of the 15th July with an Extract of a letter from Sir William Johnson. Mr. Croghan since His arrival here has had several Meetings with the Different Tribes of Indians now here, and I believe the whole of them will be dismissed from hence, very well pleased & Satisfy'd as also Pondiack, who seems to be very penitent & Sorry for his former folly & bad behaviour, and now promises to remain forever firmly attach'd to the English & never to listen any more to bad Council.
The Engineer informs me that He cannot pay our men employ'd in the Kings works carrying on here; untill a Report of the Same is sent to your Excellency, & approved of. This Method will take so much time (on account of the great distance) before the men can be paid for their labour, that I fear it may occation some defection & disturbance amongst them, as, they are very ready & apt, to Complain on the least Occation ever since the Stoppage for Provision commenced. I shall use My endeavours to explain the reason of it, as fully as I am able, to the troops, in hopes I may prevent any dissatisfaction amongst Tm on that Account. There is one very great inconveniency, attending the mens not being paid duely at this distant Post; viz. as they are constantly employ'd in very laborious hard work, their Cloaths and Necessarys, cannot last but a Short time, and without they are paid duel for their work it will be absolutely impossible for the Commanding officers of Companys to Supply their men wt. Necessarys as all the pay that may be due the Troops of this Garison for work either by the Engineer or Barrack Master, cannot be paid them untill some time next Summer.
As the Barrack Master does not reside here himself, I fear he cannot appoint a proper Deputy, for any allowance he can give for His trouble, he has proposed it to our Qr. Mr. who does not Choose to accept, as he is well convinced it will be attended with a great dale of trouble & fatigue. He had a triel of it last Winter. He has done the Duty of Barrack Master since I commanded at this Post, without the least allowance for his trouble; in case he cannot be prevaild on (page 2) by Mr Farrel to be his deputy, some Sergt. must be appointed, And we have got none here, that is properly Qualify'd for doing the duty of Barrackmaster another Deputy will be necessary at Michlimakinak; so that I fancy His full pay will be little enough allowance for both.
As soon as I can procure a plan of Michilimakinak I shall transmit it to your Excellency which cannot be got untill an Engineer goes there; By Capt Howards last letter to me I am inform'd, that if Barracks are not build at His Post Next Summer, the Garison cannot be lodged, as he sincerely beleaves the Houses that the Troops are now Quartered in, cannot Stand long, at present some of them are supported with props, & notwithstanding some of them are giving way, & cannot Stand the Winter, they are not worth repairing, & if they were, No Materials there to do it with.
By the time I send the Plan of the Fort, I shall Report, any Proposals of Alterations, which may be judged necessary for the better defense of the place, I send herewith the Monthly Returns of this Garison &c. And Returns of Ordnance Stores at Michilimakinak the 22d May
We have been very Sickly at this Post for some time past, but now as the weather begins to be more moderate, I hope the Troops will recover I am Still obliged to give Corple. & Ten men to the Vessel on Lake Huron, for the want of Sailors.
I have the honour to be with the greatest Respect
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Sir, |
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Your most
Obedient and |
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John Campbell |
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