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
B. Franklin
(December 12, 1765)
Croghan, George in: Public Record
Office, Colonial Office, 5.66 f.
165 and in Vol. II,
pp. 60-64.
In my public and private conferences with the Shawanese, Delwares and Weyondotts, and the Several other tribes, who had robbed and murdered our Traders, I very frequently represented to them, their unparalleled breach of Public faith, & that it, almost, compeled us to think them, unworthy of the least degree, of future confidence.
They as often expressed their sinsibility & Sorrow for it, and say'd, they were not only very willing but anxious, to make a reparation to the representatives of the unhappy Sufferers- Yet constantly urged, that they had no ways of doing it, except by a Surrender of a part of their Country, which they would most chearfully do, and especially of that part, which lies on this side of the River Ohio (on the back part of Virginia) as it was now, of no use to them, for Hunting Ground.
In my return to New York, I called at Sir William Johnson's, where I was informed by him,- that when he settled the preliminaries of peace last Spring, with the Deputys, of the above Tribes,- he had also described to them, their faithless conduct towards the poor traders, and insisted, as one of the preliminary conditions of a pacification, that they should make them a restitution- to which, they as fully and chearfully consented, as they had before, done to me.- But alledged, at the same time, that they had no other manner of doing it, except by requesting the representatives of the Murdered Traders, to accept from them, a part of their Country, on this side of the River Ohio. In compassion and in Justice, to the Creditors of the Traders, I think it my duty to give yu this informan- You will be best able (page 63) Sir, to determine, whether his Majesty's Minister's, will judge it proper, to confirm to them, this Cession, of the Indians.
In point of policy, I wod most earnestly recommend, that it might be done, as it will be establishing, one of the very best Securities, for our future trade and of course, fixing a precedent, that will be of inexpressible importance to the Nation.- Indeed! from my knowledge of Indian Affairs, I am thoroughly convinced (as I can assure you, Sir William Johnson is) that no event could have happened, that will more effectually consolidate the Strengthen our Alliance, than the Completion of this.- As they will ever hereafter, dread a declaration of War against us, from a Conviction, that no peace will be made with them, untill they Surrender, a part of their Country, as a consideration for their perfidy.
From the best observations, I was able to make in my progress thro' the Indian Country, I am fully of opinion, that they have the sincerest disposition to establish a permanent peace, with us. The effect of which, if properly improved, by us, will be a most extensive and profitable Fur trade, far exceeding, what I had any Idea of, before my excursion into the Ilinois Country.
It therefore highly behoves the British Nation, immediately to put the Indian department, upon such a footing, as that the utmost attention may be paid to it, otherwise as the French are forming an establishment, on the West Side of the Missisipi, about Sixty Miles from Fort Chartres; they will again engross all the Traffic, with the numerous Nations to the Westward of us and thereby deprive us, of the present us of our Canada conquest.
The principal objection, to the proper Regulation of the Indian department, is, I am told, the Expence.- You will therefore, I am convinced Sir, pardon me, for a moment, whilst I mention to you- that a Duty of Five Cent, upon the trade, would raise more, than wou'd defray the whole disbursments, incurr'd by maintaining peace with the Natives, and regulating their commerce- This Tax Indeed!- would be none to the Merchants, for they would necessarily, add it to the price of their Goods, and therefore, of consequence, the Indians themselves, wou'd pay the whole expence, of our negociations (page 64) with them and also of our superintending and regulating their Trade- of this, the Merchts here, are so fully sensible, that they have not, I assure you, the least Objection to it, as they thereby flatter themselves, a safe and advantageous commerce, will be secured them.
Upon reference to my Journal, you will find, that a party of Keekapoo Indians, attacked me on the 8th of June, in which Affair, I was so unfortunate as to loose about 1500, Currency, great part of which, was is [sic] Specie, that I was under an unavoidable necessity, of taking with me, in order to carry on my negociations, with the Indians, at the French Villages.
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