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 Chartres, July 18, 1768)
Forbes, Gordon in: William L.
Clements Library, Gage
Papers, American
Series, vol. 79.
|
Fort Chartres Illinois 18 July 1768 |
Sir
I did myself the honor to write your Excellency by way of New Orleans 23d June, so that I have little to say at present worthy your notice, but I think it my duty to write your Excellency by every opportunity that offers. The Potowatamies have been here and brought me the two prisoners they took from this the fifth May. They begged forgiveness and peace in a most Submissive and pitiful manner. I sent them out of my Fort three different times before I would consent to give them my hand, and they as often begged admittance and peace, which I at last granted them till your Excellency's pleasure was known, telling them that I imagined you might look over this fault, but took upon me to assure them it would be the last time.
I have had a Letter from the Commandant of Detroit in which he acquaints me of Major Rogers's plot, it alarms me a little as I think there is reason to imagine my Neighbours the French & Spanish Commandants have been consulted on the affair, this I cannot say from any knowledge I have of the matter. Those Gentlemen have endeavoured to keep a good understanding between the different Nations of Indians and even sent belts of peace to them when they heard of their intending to make War upon one another, and when any Indian proposed coming to see the English at Fort Chartres, they absolutely forbid them telling them they could not have two Fathers, and that if they were determined to call the English their Fathers they must not look upon themselves the Children of the French; 'tho' perhaps this might have no tendency to the affair in Question, but I thought it a duty incumbent upon me to acquaint your Excellency with every thing that passes in this distant part of the World, particularly as the conduct of the two Nations in Louisiana and the Illinois is so very extraordinary, or which I had the honor of acquainting your Excellency in my last.
I must at the same time observe to your Excellency that they upon all occasions desire to live upon a good understanding with the English in this part of the World.
It will be absolutely necessary to have a Fort at the mouth of the Illinois River, provided your Excellency think proper that the Subjects should open an extensive trade with the Savages. I take every method in my power to prevent the French from carrying on the illicit Trade upon the Ohio and Illinois (page 2) River which they have been so long accustomed to, but an effectual Stop cannot be put to it till such time as your Excellency gives orders for a Post, either at the Ouabache or St. Vincent where there is now above three hundred men able to bear Arms, and that place is able with the Inhabitants that are now settled there to supply a Detachment both there and at the Ouabache with provisions at a cheaper rate than what we pay for them now at the Illinois.
If the Indians remain quiet and I have the honor of Commanding in this Country during the season that the Boats arrive from Orleans to hunt upon the Ohio, & transport goods to St. Vincents, I shall send an Officer and twenty men to intercept their boats and make prizes of them; If your Excellency thought good of it I am humbly of opinion that the Officers & Soldiers employed upon this Service should have some extraordinary allowance.
The contract that was made with Mr. Blowin for supplying this Garrison with provisions is now expired, and I can assure your Excellency that the Troops will be much better supplied by the Inhabitants having liberty to send such Species of provisions as they can conveniently afford, and the Subjects reap more advantage, and if any future contract should be made I find by experience that both the Inhabitants and Troops must be Sufferers.
I have ordered the Deputy Commissary of Provisions to receive small Quantity of Buffalo meat from Mr Morgan, and should it be damaged by the heat of the season it is to be returned at his loss and expence, so that by this the Crown cannot be at such an expence by condemned provisions as it has been at this post ever since we have been here. Some of the Beef received into Store by Colol. Reed in consequence of the contract has been surveyed and destroyed at the King's loss.
Notwithstanding I have taken every method in my power to lessen the expences in the Indian Department it must still amount to a considerable Sum 'tho' farr short of what has been done hitherto, and I cannot see nay way it can be brought lower till such time as the posts are extablished unless the Indian Commissary purchased French manufactures of the Inhabitants in general, by which means they can be got at least 30 per Cent: cheaper than at present which I would have given orders for his so doing, had I been sure of its meeting with your Excellency's approbation; or the goods may be transported from Fort Pitt at (page 3) the expence of the King; and upon its arrival here delivered over to the Commanding Officer, and to be given out by his order to the Commissary, till some method of this kind be taken your Excellency may be well assured the Expences must be very considerable.
I am this moment informed that two English Boats, that went from this about six weeks ago to hunt, have been attacked by a party of Indians, and they killed about Twenty of the English, one of them that made his escape is now with me, and says he left his Camp about 7 o'Clock in the morning, and in about an hour afterwards, he heard a firing at the Camp but imagining it was his companions killing Buffalo he soon made towards them and to his great surprize saw one of the Boats making down the Shawanoe River as hard as they could pull. They immediately fired upon him, but did not hit him; after which four of them followed him into the Woods above four hours he Lurked about 'till Evening, then went to the place where he left his Companions where he saw several dead Bodies; it is not known what Nation they were of but this man imagines they live upon Wabash, but I have reason to believe they were the Indians about St Joseph.
I continue employing the Men in fortifying the Bank of the Mississippi opposite the Fort which has hitherto had the desired effect as I have not lost a foot of ground since this work was begun, notwithstanding the overflowing of the Waters and the rapidity of the current.
|
I have the honour to be with the greatest respect |
|
|
Your Excellency's most obedient, and most humble Servant. |
|
|
Gordon Forbes Captn 34th Regt |
|
Return
to TOC, p. 20
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: 19
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