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's Journal
(May 15, 1765 - Oct. 8, 1765)
(Due to length divided here into two parts)
Croghan, George in: Hutchins
Papers 3, Penn. Hist. Soc.
and in Alvord & Carter,
British Series, Vol. II,
pp. 23-52.
taken us live nigh the Fort on the Same Side of the River where they have two Villages and the Cuatanons have a Village on the South Side of the River; At our Arrival at this Post several of the Wawcotanans (or Cuiatanons) with whome I Had been formerly acquainted came to Visit me and seemed greatly concerned at what had happened they went immediately to the Kicapoos and Musquatimes and Charged them to take the greatest Care of us till their Chiefs should arrive from the Illionois where they were gone to meet me some time ago and who were intirely ignorant of this affair and said the French had spirited up this Party to go and Strike us: The French have a very great Influence over these Indians and seldom fail of telling them many lies to the Prejudice of His Majestys Interest by making the English Nation odious and hateful to them. I had the greatest Difficulties in removing these Prejudices as these Indians are a weak foolish and credulous People they are easily imposed on by a desining People who have led them hitherto as they pleased. The French told them that as the Southern Indians had for two Years past made was upon them it must have been at the Instigation of the English who are a bad People. However I have been fortunate enough to remove their Prejudice and in a great Measure their suspicions against the English: The Country hereabouts is exceedingly Pleasant being open and clear for many Miles the Soil very rich and well watered. all Plants have a quick vegetation and the Climate very temperate thro' the Winter: This Post has always been a very considerable Trading place. the Great Plinto of T[sic] taken in this Country induced the French to establish this Post which was the First of the Cuabache and by a very advantageous Trade they have been richly recompensed for their Labour.
On the South Side of the Cuabache runs a High Bank in which are Several fine Coal Mines and behind this Bank is a very Fine Meadow clear for several Miles. It is surprising what False information we have respecting this Country. some mention this Spacious and Beautiful Meadows as large and Barren Savannahs. I apprehend it has been the Artifice of the French to Keep us ignorant of the Country (page 35) These Meadows bear fine Wild Grass and wild Hemp 10 or 12 Feet High which if properly Manufactured would prove as good and answer the Same purpose of the Hemp we cultivate.
July 25th We sett out from this Place (after settling all Matters happily with the Natives) for the Miames and travelled the Whole way thro a fine rich Bottom over grown with Wild Hemp along side the Cuabache till we came to the Eel River where we arrived the 27. about 6 Miles up this River is a Small Village of the Twighteves Situated on a very Delightful Spot of Ground on the Bank of the River. The Eel River Meads near St Josephs and runs nearly parralel to The Miames and at some few Miles distant from it thro a fine pleasant Country and after a Course of about 180 Miles empties itselfe into the Cuabache.
28th, 29th, 30th & 31st We travelled still along side the Eel River passing thro fine clear Woods and some good Meadows tho not so large as those we passed some Days before. The Country is more overgrown with Woods. the soil is sufficiently rich and well watered with Springs.
August 1st We Arrived at the Carrying Place between the River Maimes & the Cuabache which is about nine Miles long in dry seasons but not above halfe that Length in Freshes. The Head of the Cuabache is about forty Miles from this Place and after a Course of about 70 Miles from its head Spring thro one the Finest Countrys in the World it empties itselfe into the Ohio. The Navigation from hence to Ouiatanon is very dificult in low water on account of the many rapids and rifts, but in Freshes which generally happen [in] Spring and Fall Batteaux or Cannoes will pass without difficulty from here to Ouiatanon in three Days which is about 240 Miles and by land about 210 Miles. From Ouiatanon to Post Vincent and then to the Ohio Batteaux and Cannoes may go at any season of the Year: throughout the Whole Course of the Pubache [sic] the Banks are pretty, and in the River are a great many Islands: many Shrubs and Trees are found here not Known to us: within a Mile of the Twigtwee (page 36) Village I was met by the Chiefs of that Nation who received us very kindly. the most Part of these Indians Knew me and conducted us to their Village where they immediately hoisted an English Flag which I had formerly given them at Fort Pitt: The Next Day they held a Council after which they gave me up all the English Prisoners they had then made Several speeches in all which they exprest the great pleasure it gave them to see the unhappy Difference which embroiled the several Nations in A war with their Brethren the English, was now so near a happy Conclusion, and that Peace was Established in their Country.
The Twightwee Village is situated on both Sides of a River called St. Josephs. this River where it falls inton [sic] the Miame about a /4 of a Mile from this Place is one hundred Yards wide on the East Side of which Stands a Stuckados Fort somewhat ruinous. The Indian Village Consists of about 40 or 50 Cabins besides nine or ten French Houses a Runaway Colony from De Troit during the Late Indian War, they were concerned in it and Being affraid of Punishment came to this Post where ever since they have Spirited up the Indians against the English. all the French residing here are a lazy indolent People fond of Breeding Mischief and Spiriting up the Indians against the English and Should by no Means be suffered to remain here. the Country is pleasant the Soil rich and well watered. After several Conferences with these Indians and their delivering up all the English Prisoners they had on the 7th of August we set out for De Troit down the Miames River in a Cannoe. This River Heads about 10 Miles from hence the River is not Navigable till you come to the Place where the River St Joseph it [sic] and makes a considerable Large Stream. nevertheless we found a great deal of difficulty in getting our Cannoes over Shoals as the Water at this Season were very low. The Banks of the River are High and the Country overgrown with lofty Timber of various Kinds the Lands level and the woods clear about 90 Miles from the Miames or Twightwee we came to where a Large River that Heads in a Large Lick falls into the Miames River. this they call the Forks (?). the Ottawas claim this Country and hunt here were [sic] Game is very Plenty. From hence we pro- (page 37) ceeded to the Ottawa Village. This Nation formerly lived at De Troit but now settled here on account of the Richness of the Country where Game is always to be found in Plenty. here we were oblidged to get out of our Cannoes and drag them 18 Miles on Account of the Rifts that interrupt the Navigation. at the End of theses Rifts we came to a Village of the Weyondotts who received us very kindly and from thence we proceeded to the Mouth of this River where it falls into Lake Erie. From the Miames to the Lake is computed 180 Miles and from the Entrance of the River into the Lake is computed 180 Miles and and from the Entrance of the River into the Lake to De Troit is 60 Miles that is 42 Miles upon the Lake and 18 Miles up the De Troit River to the Garrison of that Name. The Land on the Lake Side is low & Flat. we passed several large rivers and Bays and on the
16th of August in the afternoon we arrived at De Troit River the Country here is much higher than on the Lake Side. the River is about 900 yards Wide and the Currant runs very Strong. there are several large and fine Islands in this Rive one of which is nine Miles long its Banks High and the Soil very good.
17th In the Morning we arrived at the Fort which is a large Struckadoe inclosing about 80 Houses. it Stands Closs [sic] on the North Side of the River on a high Bank commands a very pleasant Prospect. for 9 Miles above and 9 Miles below the Fort the Country is thick Settled with French. their Plantations are laid out 3 or 4 Acres in depth. The Soil is good producing Plenty of Grain. all the People here are generally poor Wretches and consist of three or four Hundred Families a lazy idle people depending chiefly on the Savages for their Maintenance. Tho the Land with little Labour produces plenty of Grain they Scarcely raiss [sic] as much as supply their wants. in imatation of the Indians whose Manners and Customs they have intirely adopted and cannot Subject without them the Men woman and Children Speak the Indian Tongue perfectly well in the last Indian War the most Part of the French were concerned in it altho the Whole Settlement had taken the Oath of Allegiance to his Britannic Majesty. they have therefore great Reason to bee thankfull to the English Clemency in not bringing them to deserved Punishment: Before the late Indian War there (page 38) resided three Nations of Indians at this Place. the Puttawattimes whose Village was on the West Side of the River about one Miles below the Fort the Ottawas on the East Side about three Miles above the Fort and the Wayondetts whose Village lays on the East Side about 2 Miles below the Fort. the Former two Nations have removed to a Considerable Distance off and the latter still remain where they were and are remarkable for their good Sense and Hospitality. they have a particular Attachment to the Roman Catholic Religion the French by their Priest having taken uncommon Pains to instruct them. During my stay here I Held frequent Conferences with the different Nations of Indians assembled at this Place with whom I settled Matters to their general Satisfaction.
Septr 26th We set out from De Troit for Niagair passed Lake Erie along the North Shore in Birch Cannoe and arrived the
8th of October at Niagair. The Naviagation of the Lake is dangerous for Batteaux or Cannoes by reason the Lake is very Shallow for a Considerable Distance from the Shore. the Bank for several Miles High and steep and affords a Harbour for a Single Batteaux. The Lands in general between De Troit and Niagai are High and the Soil Good with Several fine Rivers falling into the Lake.
The Distance from De Troit to Niagair is computed 300 Miles.
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