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 Johnson
(New York, Feb. 10, 1766)
Gage, Thomas in: The Papers
of Sir William Johnson,
vol. 12, pp. 15-17.
FROM THOMAS GAGE
Contemporary Copy1
|
New York Febry. 10th. 1766- |
DEAR SIR,
Mr. Croghan has delivered Me your Favour of the 31st. Ulmo.;2 What You propose, relative to the Meeting with Pondiac &ca, at Ontario3 in the Spring seems very proper. I Expect every day to receive the Originals of the Dispatches brought by last Packet, what is become of the Man of War they were Sent by, I can't Conceive. But I perceive by the Duplicates, that there is a Report of the Board of Trade, which I am to Communicate to You, I understand by Mr. Conway's4 Letter that it relates to Meetings with the Indians, that Such proposals Should be always transmitted to them, with an Estimate of the Expence that will probably Attend the Meetings. What You propose now at Ontario, will not Stay for their answer, but You may Acquaint them of it, and Send an Estimate as well as You can Ascertain, when the Report comes to Hand, it shall be transmitted to You: I Shall be glad You would inform Me of the Time You would fix for the Meeting, and the Quantity of Provisions You would require, There is a large Stock at Niagara, rather Stale that might be used on Such an Occasion, and Save a great Expence to the Crown, in transporting More. I can hear no Tidings of the 34th. Regimt. Since they left the Natchis in August last. The last Letters from West Florida, or New Orleans, are Dated in October, arising I conclude from the Difficulties about the Stamp Act, which has Delayed the Sailing of Vessels. The gaining of Pondiac & his Friends is certainly worth our Attention. He has great Influence (page 16) at the Ilinois as well as with his own People; But his power Alone was not Sufficient to gain us possession of Fort Chartres. Capt Stirling5 Says, he should certainly [have] been Opposed, had he not Arrived so Suddenly, upon them, that they had not time to Consult, and in their fright Sent Pipes of Peace; as Soon as they discovered his Numbers, they grew Insolent, but he had gained the Fort. He Says further, that none of the Chiefs of those Villages had been with Mr. Croghan, or attended his Congress. The Parliament probably will have too much other Business on their Hands respecting America, than to Settle Matters concerning your particular Department, but the King & His Ministers will have that Confidence in You, as to Approve of any Steps You take that shall be so highly Conducive to the Service, as You report the Plan to be, Which You make Mention of; and I am of Opinion You may, without more Hesitation put it in Execution; Reporting the Same to the Board of Trade. Very large Sums have indeed been Expended, in getting Possession of the Ilinois, Mr. Croghan's Account alone, with his losses are very Considerable. That Gentleman is certainly better Acquainted with the Indians of the Ohio & Mississippi, than any other Person, and therefore the most proper for that District; He must give in a Memorial concerning his Losses, which must be transmitted to the Treasury.-
I inclose You a Certificate of Lieut McTavish6 being on Half pay, and ma to Acquaint You that they have all been rejected hitherto, unless Personal Application was made, & it will not Answer for Lt. McTavish to come from Scotland to demand his Lands.-
I inclose You the Size of the largest Dye made here for Casting Indian
Medals, in form like those formerly Sent You to Niagara, the Same Device. There
is no person to be met with here, who
____________________
1 In William L. Clements Library.
2 See Johnson to the Lords of Trade, Jan. 31, 1766, Doc. Rel. Col. Hist. N. Y., 7:808-11.
3 Oswego.
4 Henry Seymour Conway, one of his majesty's principal secretaries of state.
5 Captain Thomas Stirling of the 42nd, or Royal Highland regiment.
6 Jon. McTavish of Inverness, Scotland. See Johnson Calendar, p. 277, for his petition for lands.
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