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 Gage
(Detroit, Oct. 19, 1766)
Turnbull, George in: William L.
Clements Library, Gage
Papers, American Series.
Sir
I had the Honor to write you the 6th of Last moneth and notwithstanding the change of Weather which is now very cool our Sick Recover but slowly and the duty is so hard that the men mount guard With one night in bed.
We are under a Necessity of forming two Hospitals and there is not a Stick of wood allow'd for either, and every officer of this Garrison Will be at Least Twenty Dollars out of Pocket for Extraordinary wood during the winter and the Men When they are Pinched Will Steal, or burn Perhaps that which is intended for other uses.
The Islands from whence the Garrison has always been supply'd formerly with wood, is now so thin that we can Scarcely make out Two Hundred cord from them since our arrivall. The Sides of the River is clear to an Immense Distance, and if the Troops are still to Continue to Provide the wood, there Will be a necessity of the Inhabitants either Carting or slaeing it.
There has been Severall People With me for Leave to Take Possession of Farms that the Indians had given them I should be Glad to have your Instructions on that head.
By Letters from Major Rogers and Cap. Spicemacker of the 17th and 24th of Sept. they Complain much of the Sicklyness of their Garrison, insomuch that Rogers mentions His being oblidged to Employ the Traders men to assist in cutting wood. He Likewise mentions His having found out severall War Belts amongst His neighbours which had come from the Mississippi. That one Monsr. Chevallier at St. Joseph had wrote Him that the Potowatemies who Lived there Were in bad humour, that there are War Belts going about amongst them Trumping up the Old Story of an army of French and Spaniards that are to come up the Mississippi. He Likewise makes a merit of having kept them from Striking at Detroit this summer. By what I can Learn of Mr. Chevalliers Character He is more capable of Being an instigator than a Peace maker, and very Possibly He has made this story, in order to be Well Received, and perhaps be allow'd to Purchase some supply of goods.
Pondiac is now at the Miamis. He sent us a Message a few weeks ago, that He had Refused Two War Belts, one from (page 2) the Arkansaws a Nation of Indians on the Mississippi and one from the French, that He Treated them With great Disdain, its greatly against our Interest that these French fugitives are allowd to Remain at these Back Posts, who miss no Opportunity of stirring up mischief. The Traders here are Grumbling much Because they are not allowd to go and Winter amongst the Indians Rogers Says the People at Michilmakinac were all gone a wintering before His arrivall. He is of Opinion that the Confining the Trade to the Garrisond Posts Will not answer, very Likely from the Causes which I had the Honor to Represent to you in some of my former Letters.- I Take this opportunity of Sending you a Return of Provisions in Store at this Place and Michilmakinac. We are a Little uneasy to hear of the Vessel upon Lake Erie She Left this the 27th of August, and we have acounts from Fort Erie of Her being Ready to Sail a month ago. Give me Leave to offer my Best Compts. to Mrs. Gage. I am With the Greatest Respect
|
Sir |
|
|
your most Obedient and |
|
|
|
|
|
Geo: Turnbull |
|
Detroit 19th Octr. 1766
Octr. 20th I have just now Received a Letter from Capt. Spicemacker all was well at Michilmakinac the 4th Instant
|
G: T: |
To
The Honble. Major General Gage
Return
to TOC, p. 19
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: 12
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