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 Stuart
(Johnson Hall, Sept. 17, 1765)
Johnson, Sir William in: The
Papers of Sir William
Johnson, vol. 4,
pp. 847-849.
But a few days ago we Received Lettres of one our people who Tells us of having applyd for a Permitt to go to Wintre, Like many others but was Refused, there fore we hope and from your known Charrcter, that youll Grant this our Request.
We beg Leave to assure you that we are
|
Your most Obt & Most Huml Servts. |
|
|
LAWRENCE ERMATINGER |
|
|
INDORSED: |
|
Montreal 17th of
Septr 1765 |
To JOHN STUART
Contemporary Copy1
|
Johnson Hall Septr. 17 th1765 |
SIR
I have not had the Pleasure of hearing from you for some time, owing I presume to your Late journeys & Negotiations on the Success of which I heartily Congratulate you.
You will have heard that my Deputy Mr. Croghan who was sent to the Illinois was attacked on the Ohio near the Oubache in june Last by the Mascoutens & Kickapous who killed 3 Shawnese Chiefs, & wounded & made Prisoners of himself & all the Rest who accompanied him carrying them to Ouiatonon, where they were well Received.
The Consequence of the Death of the Indian Chiefs has produced a happy Turn in our Affairs in that Quarter, the Indians sensible it might bring on the Resentment of the Northern Nations, have begged his interposition, Expressing the utmost Concern for what has pass'd which in a manner disolvd the (page 848) Confederacy formed by the French. As soon as Mr. Croghan was able to Proceed the Twightwees &c. accompanied him for the Illinois, but by the way were mett by the Messengers he had Sent before him, together with Pondiac and the Chiefs of the Tribes in the Neighbourhood of the Ilinois who agreed to everything he Proposed in Consequence of which he is returned with them to Detroit where he has held a Meeting with Several Nations and a Captain. Three Subalterns, & 100 Men of the 42 Regiment are marched from Fort Pitt for the Illinois where they are I presume arrived before this Time.
This is agreeable Intelligence but we must Advantage ourselves of it, & by the Appointment of the Commissaries & other Officers at the different Posts keep up the Pacifick disposition the Indians now manifest. Otherwise all will Come to Nothing. The Variety of Affairs in which the Parliament has been engaged has prevented I presume prevented me from hearing farther on the Plan, but unless I do shortly it will be impossible to preserve the Attachment of a People, out of our Power to punish Effectually fond of the french & daily sett up by their Traders & other interested Persons, perhaps excited by private Orders from France, who would probably give us all the Disturbance in their Power. The Lieut. Governor of Virgina has lately wrote to me requesting I would endeavour to bring About a Peace between the Six Nations &c and the Cherokees at the Earnest Request of the Latter. I am sensible that provided it did not hurt any of our Southern Colonies it would be our Interest to permitt this War, which keeps many Turbulent Spirits particularly to the Northward employed, at the same time I know it will be a difficult task to perswade them to give over a War of Long Standing with a people to whom they Bear so much Enmity. And Altho I once (Many Years ago) prevailed upon them to agree thereto yet I observed it was done with great Reluctance, & Shortly after the War was Renewed in which all the Nations except the Mohocks are engaged & they are Chiefly withheld by being few in Number at present, (page 849) & immediately under my own Eye. I shall however lay the Matter before the Several Nations, and recommend it to them to Receive the Southern deputys & enter into a Treaty with them.
The Tuscororas who (as mentioned in a former Letter) are very desireous to bring away their People from the Southward would no Longer be Put off, and are Sett out about a fortnight Ago for that purpose. I have furnishd them with a pass & hope they will not meet with any ill treatment from the indiscretion of the Back Settlers who have for some Time acted with great Imprudence towards all Indians which may if Continued Produce a fresh Rupture & oversett all our Proceedings.
|
I am |
with great Esteem |
|
|
|
|
Your sincere
Wellwisher |
|
|
|
|
(Sign'd) |
Wm. Johnson |
|
|
INDORSED: |
|
Copy |
TO WILLIAM O BRIEN ETC.
In the Johnson Calendar, p. 284-86, are listed the
following papers which were destroyed by fire: a letter of September 17th to Mr
OBrien about the land enterprise represented by OBrien, Johnson's grant, the
Kayaderosseras and the consequences of public disturbance and the propagation
of "Independent Sentiments"; one of the 18th from Captain Daniel
Claus, Montreal, sending news of Pondiac's submission, the anger of a Chippeway
chief at an affront from Captain Sinclair, dissatisfaction of traders with
Captain Howard (at Michilimackinac), smallpox at Caneghsadagey, also a report
that Sir William will be made Lord Mount Johnson and Governor of Canada; one of
the 18th from Lieutenant B. Roberts, Ontario, sending melon seeds saved from fruit
grown at Niagara, the seeds of which were brought from the Havanna, and
expressing pleasure that Johnson's son has gone to England with Lord Adam
(Gordon); one of the 18th from Dr. Richard Shuckburgh, Detroit, on Croghan's
success and diplomatic qualities and the chances of selling his surgeon's
commission; one of the 18th to (Hugh) Wallace on Croghan's success in getting
control of the Illinois and bringing Pondiac to Detroit,
____________________________
1 In Public Record Office, C. O. 323.23, p. 621, London, England; inclosed in a letter of July 10, 1766, from Stuart to the Lords of Trade.
Return
to TOC, p. 18
Continue to
next part of Miami Collection
[return to Miami
Collection Menu]
[return to Glenn A. Black
Laboratory of Archaeology List of Publications]
[return to Glenn A. Black
Laboratory of Archaeology Home]
Last updated: 02
February 2001
URL: http://www.gbl.indiana.edu/home.html
Comments: webmaster@www.gbl.indiana.edu
Copyright 1996, Glenn Black Laboratory of Archaeology and The Trustees of Indiana University