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.
Gage to Shelburne
(August 24, 1767)
Gage, Thomas in: P. R. O., C. O.,
5.85, f. 309 and in Alvord &
Carter, British Series,
Vol. II, Ill. Hist.
Coll., Vol. 11,
pp. 591-596.
Number of Indians of different Nations have again been to Fort-Pitt, with Complaints of repeated ill Treatment which they meet with, in their Passage to and from War with the Southern Indians, from the People settled on the Frontiers of Virginia; And of the Settlements made by the Virginians upon their Lands. They set forth, That the Country Westward of the Allegany Mountains was their Property, that they had never ceded it to the King, to any of his Subjects, but that the white People had Settled there, contrary to Solemn Engagements and in Violation of the Peace, that they knew (page 595) we had Laws to govern our People by, And that we could, if sincerely inclined to it, prevent them settling in their Country. As to the first Complaint, Endeavors were used to pacify them, and shew them that they were themselves partly the Agressors, which it seems some of them were, by committing Disturbances upon the Frontiers, and quarrelling with the People and they were advised hereafter to avoid the Frontiers of Virginia in their way to War, which would prevent future Quarrells. With respect to the Second Complaint, Orders arrived very opportunely to the Officer Commanding at Fort Pitt, to remove the Settlers. To this End he Marched with a Detachment from the Garrison, accompanied with some Indian Chiefs; And having assembled the Settlers, who came to him upon a Summons, to the Number of about 100 Men, he told them, that as they had remained upon the Indian's Land, notwithstanding the Proclamations issued for their Removal, he was ordered there to send them away, and that they must go off directly. The Indian Chiefs then represented to them, the Danger of remaining where they were, that it had been with the utmost Difficulty they had been able to restrain their young Men from falling upon them, and they could not answer any longer for their Safety. The People promised to remove immediately. And the Officer in his way back to Fort-Pitt sent Partys to destroy as Many Hutts as they could find, to prevent more People being tempted to seat themselves upon those Lands. I have acquainted your Lordship that I had some time since wrote to Lieutenant Governor Fauquiere upon the Subject of the Removal of these Settlers, but I have not as yet received any Answer.
The Indians near the Lakes have brought very considerable Quantitys of Peltry to Detroit, and the Trade has been at that Place this Spring, much larger than has been known for many years. Some French People, it is supposed employed by the Spaniards, have sent Belts amongst the Western Indians, one of which as been given up to the Indian Commissary at the Detroit, but the Purport of these Belts or Messages has not been made known. Some of the most troublesome Tribes in that Country are grown Jealous of each other, and are quarrelling amongst themselves, which may induce them to be more desirous of our Friendship; but the Peace has been a little disturbed by two Chippewa Indians, who have killed an Officers Servant, and Attempted to Murther his wife, but prevented by timely Assistance. The Affair is related to have happened without any (page 596) Provocation on the part of the Deceased, and the two Indians were secured and sent from the Detroit to take their Tryal. The rest of the Nation declare their Concern for what has happened, disavowing the Action, and Sir William Johnson disapproves of the Prisoners being sent down the Country, as he forsees that a war with this Nation, and perhaps with some others, must be the Consequence of such Proceeding. I have therefore left this Matter to his Management, desiring however that he will insist upon Satisfaction.
All Accounts from Missilimakinac agree, that the Savages were never more Peaceable than at present, or to Appearance more disposed to remain so. The same good Accounts are transmitted from Niagara and the other Forts.
I have received Letters from the Illinois, which contain nothing more remarkable, than that a Nation of Indians called the Meeches or Mitchagamis, who had left their Habitations on the Arrival of the English in that Country, and settled with the French on the opposite Side of the River, had returned again to their old Town: and that the Indians in general were quiet.
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