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.
Gage to Conway
(September 23, 1765)
Gage, Thomas in: Public Record
Office, Colonial Office, 5.83
f. 723 and in Alvord &
Carter, British Series,
Vol. II, pp. 85-87.
I have the Pleasure to acquaint you, that our Differences with the Western Indians begin to subside very fast; and that the last Accounts from the Lakes were favorable. The Trade went on at Michillimakinak without Interruption, and the discontented Nations who had entertained Thoughts of Surprizing that Fort, had been there to desire our Friendship, and make their Peace. Only one small Nation appeared still disatisfied, and it was hoped, they would be very soon reconciled.
The takeing Possession of the Illinois by Treatys, Conferences, and Intrigues with the Savages of that Country, and other Western Tribes, in order to obtain their Consent and approbation to our seating ourselves in that Country, and relieving the French Troops posted there, has been attended with a good deal of Difficulty and very great risk, to the Persons employed in that Business. The French Traders and Inhabitants, found means privately to obstruct our Endeavors, and destroyed in a few Hours, every Advantageous Disposition and Resolve, we could gain of the Indians, by dint of Pres- (page 86) ents fairs speeches and Promises, and the Assistance of some Friendly Nations. I have the honor to transmit you the Accounts which have been received of the several Emissarys, who have been sent up the Mississippi, and down the Ohio, in order to reconcile the Indians to our Measures. Most of them were obliged to fly to save their Lives; and the last, Mr. Croghan, a Deputy of Sir William Johnson, was attacked before he got there. Three Shawnese Chiefs who accompanied him from Fort Pitt, were killed in the Attack; Himself and the rest of the Party taken Prisoners. Tho' this last circumstance should appear as a final Conviction, of the impracticability ever to possess the Ilinois, by any other Means than by force of Arms; it has turned out otherwise in it's Consequences. The Nations concerned in the Attack, dreading an immediate War with the Shawnese and their Allies, on Account of the Murder of the Chiefs; released their Prisoners, and sollicited the Mediation of the English in the most abject Manner, to pacify the offended Nations, and soften their Resentments. Mr Croghan improved the Dilemma they had brought themselves into, to our Advantage, and procured a numerous meeting of the Chiefs of the Ilinois and other Tribes, who had strongly opposed us; wherein they agreed, that the English should take Possession of the French Posts in their Country without opposition; and that the Principal Chiefs should go to Detroit to ratify and confirm this Resolution, in Presence of the Officer Commanding at that Post. Mr Croghan sent an Account of the Success of his Negotiation to Fort Pitt, from whence Captain Stirling, with one Hundred Men of the 42d Regiment was immediately detached down the Ohio, in order to relieve the French Garrisons without Delay; and not to trust to the uncertain, and slow Movements of the 34th Regiment pushing against the rapid Stream of the Mississippi.
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