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
(Fort Pitt, June 3, 1767)
Croghan, George in: Peckham,
Croghan's Journal. . .1767,
pp. 15-18 and in The
Papers of Sir William
Johnson, vol. 5,
pp. 560-562.
FROM GEORGE CROGHAN
L. S.
|
[Fort Pitt, June 3, 1767] |
[* SIR
I arrived here the 24th May, where I found a number of Six Nation Indians (who live in this Neighbourhood) Delawares and1] Shawanese, with two partys of [Seneca Warriors, who had] just returned from War against [their natural Enemies the southern] Indians.
Captain Murray and Mr [McKee (the commissary for Indian Affairs) informed me of several urgent complaints [made by the] Delawares and Six nation Warriors, of repeated [ill treatment they] had received, in their passage to, and from War- [from persons] settled on the frontiers of Virginia- wherefore [I instantly called] a meeting of all the Indians, at that Post, and [made a] strict [and] Minute enquiry into the matter.
They earnestly remonstrated to me- That the country westward of the Allegany Mountains, was their property- That they had never ceded it, either to their Father the King of Great Britain, or to his Subjects- That the white people contrary to solemn engagements and in [in viola]tion of Peace- had settled on it and drove the wild Game out of that part of their country- which is their antient War path; and therefore they thought, They ought to be supplied with Provisions, whenever they pass and repass to, and from War.- They likewise strongly represented to me- That the White People who are settled on their Lands assured them, They had the King's orders for making settlements there, and that they would not suffer any Indians whatever to Pass over or hunt on them.-
Hence great dissatisfaction prevails- and Several Indians of [different parys, have this spring been killed & wounded and also some white men. In short, the Indians appear to me, to be very sulky and much disturbed,- and in a very singular manner, desired to be informed, whether the King contrary to the Faith of repeated Treaties with their several Nations-1] [had given liberty to his subjects to settle their country, and] at the same time plainly told me [They were of opinion, there] was some truth in what the Englishmen [had acquainted them-] "as we know," they said,- You have Laws [to govern your] people by wch (sic? [and]) could if you had a sincere (page 561) inclination [prevent their] settling on our country- at least until we had sold [it to our] Father the King of great Britain, which we expected would [have been done] before now, as our nations have some time ago agreed to a boundary with Sir William Johnson.
After this interview, Captain Murray and I had several others with them- in order to remove their prejudices and endeavour to convince them, that neither His Majesty nor any of his Officers, had given the least encouragement to those people to settle on their Lands- But on the contrary had taken great pains to remove them- we also used every Argument in our Power, to explain the difficulties attending the removing such a considerable number of Persons settled at such a distance from the seat of Government, and assured them, that speedy Methods should be made use of, to procure them proper satisfaction- for such Hostillities, as on enquiry, had been unjustly committed on them; and concluded with insisting, as a proof of their desire for [peace, That they should return to their villages, and there remain quiet and satisfied until they heard fully from Sir William Johnson and his Excellency General Gage, on the subject of their complaints.]
[On the first of June, the Indians called Captain Muray and myself to a meeting and when the usual ceremonies1] [on tho]se occasions were over, [They informed us,- "We have taken] "two days to consider on what you [have said to us at the several] Meetings we have had with you [ ] been spilt, by your people- in our own country [yet once more] to convince you, of our Love of Peace and d[esire to live in] friendship with our Father, the King of England, [and] his [subjects] We have agreed in council, to follow you[r advice] and [wait] Untill we hear from Sir William Johnson, and the King['s General,] We desire however that you will as soon as possible pl[ainly] make them acquainted with all we have told you, for [we] shall immediately return to our Villages and keep things quiet there, untill we hear again from you."
Whilst I was at Fort pitt, I received a Letter from one Maisonville- a french-man, who lives at Wiotanan, informing me that the Indians at the Illinois & on the Wabache, were (page 562) peace[ably] disposed, and had began to trade with the English,- he likewise informs [or informed?]me, that great Numbers of distant Tribes were preparing to visit the commanding Officer at Fort Chartres, and bega[i?]n to traffic with the [or our?] Traders.
I [ ] [ ]
|
GEO. CROG[ ] |
TO BENJAMIN KISSAM ETC.
In the Johnson Calendar, p. 360, are entered two letters which were destroyed by fire: one of June 4th to Benj. Kissam, stating the result of a conference with the Mohawks held for the settlement of the Kayaderosseras dispute, and one of the 6th to Sir Henry Moore, giving proofs of the irregular and fraudulent character of the deed obtained by Maybe from the Conajohareas.
TO FREDERIC HALDIMAND
L. S.2
|
Johnson Hall June 6th, 1767 |
DEAR SIR
I embrace this opertunity by Lt.
George Phyn an Acquaintance of Mine, & a deserving Young Gentleman (now
going to
________________________
1 Several lines missing.
2 In British Museum, Additional Manuscripts 21670, p. 15, London, England.
* Ed. note: [ ] in The Papers of Sir William Johnson filled in with the corresponding text from Peckham, Croghan's Journal . . . 1767.
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