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 Hay
(Detroit, Sept. 4, 1767)
Van Schaack, Henry et al. in:
The Papers of Sir William
Johnson, vol. 5,
pp. 653-656.
p. 654.
were thus limited the Tradeing people from the Neighbouring Posts have had permission to go out among the very Indians that we have Depended for Trade.
Secondly the annual Remittances of Peltrie from this place, are greatly Lessened by our being confined and restructed here, which will appear very evident if we consider that the French traders from the South side of the Mississipe bring goods all the way up to St. Vincent, the Highlands, Vermillion, Ouya, river languille, Le Cour de Serf, & the Miamie, by this means they get into their hands a valuable branch of the Fur, trade, to the great hurt and Detriment of the Traders here, and which furs are carried to the new Orleans, from thence they are Shipped to France and in return get foreign manufactories, whereas if the Traders from this were permitted to go among those nations of Indians they could afford to undersell the french from the Mississipe (which of course would discourage these adventurers from comeing again) and thereby Engross that Trade into the hands of the British Subjects Only. Hence it appears that the restriction of Confining the Trade here, is not only hurtful to individuals, but very Detrimental to the publick.
Thirdly we cannot forbear Obeserving that the trade being confin'd to the posts is the cause of many complaints from the Indians; for in all there meetings or Counciles, they make it there first Case to request leave for traders to reside among them to Supply them and their families with necessarys otherwise they are frequently under necessity of leaving their hunting and going perhapes two or three hundred miles for a little Powder and Ball or Some other trifles of les Value, but to them absolutely Necessary; by this means the Season for hunting is losst, consequently the Trade lessened, we therefore think that the liberty of wintering among the Indians has a tendency of quieting the minds of those people; of encreasing our commerce, and render the Trade more Benefical to the Publick as well as to individuals.
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