THE OHIO VALLEY-GREAT LAKES ETHNOHISTORY
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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
(Johnson Hall, Dec. 8, 1769)
Johnson, Sir William in: The
Papers of Sir William
Johnson, vol. 7,
pp. 294-296.
TO THOMAS GAGE
Contemporary Copy1
|
Copy/ |
Johnson Hall December 8th, 1769. |
DEAR SIR,
Since my last the Cherokees who attended the Treaty with the Six Nations2 are all arrived at my House with several Chiefs of the latter, who have laid before me the whole of their late proceedings, the general purport of which was that the Cherokees came to renew and strengthen the late Treaty of Peace settled here with the Six Nations, and to earnestly desire that the Six Nations and Coghnawageys should (in consequence thereof) unite their Arms against several of the Western and Southern Indian Enemys to both, they spoke on above Thirty Belts and Strings of Wampum, and in particular delivered them a Pipe resembling a Head, to signify that they put their Heads into their Hands, to be directed by them as they thought best. The Agents amongst the Six Nations whom I had previously instructed, as uncertain of the event of the Treaty, having had the Success to prevail in the Council of the Six Nations. The Three Elder Tribes of the latter replied to the Cherokees, after the usual Ceremonies that they thanked them for renewing and strengthening the Treaty, and promised that on their parts it should be strictly observed, that the Nations most obnoxious to them were those towards the Ilinois, particularly the Piankashaws and Wawiaghtenoes, to which the younger Branches of the Confederacy added the Chactaws, and some others, and the whole Confederacy unamimously gave for Answer, that agreable to their former Engagements entered into with me, they would take Care of their Pipes, Belts &ca, and come to me to desire a Publick Meeting with me on the Occasion, (page 295) as they were determined to enter into no Publick Engagements without communicating them first to me, and recieving my Opinion and Approbation.
The Cherokees (after taking Notice in a very
pritty Manner of the Obligations they owed to me for my Endeavors in effecting
the late Peace between them) approved of what the Six Nations had resolved on,
and the whole result was that the Chiefs of the Six Nations Accompanied by the
Cherokees (the latter of whom are to remain here untill Spring) should come
hither to request that I would light the Council Fire and call the Confederacy
and Indians of Canada together this Winter, in Order to give them my Advice as
to the Conduct of the War proposed, and to hear their Sentiments on the
Proposals made to them, in consequence of which several are already here, and
more on their way. This unavoidable and troublesome Circumstance altho' on many
Accounts very agreable is particularly distressing to me at present, from the
scarsity of Provisions, and as there is a Necessity for my Meeting them in
consequence of their late Resolutions, and that as soon as I can, I am entirely
at a loss how to Conduct myself on Account of the Expence which at any rate
will be considerable, and particularly how I shall supply them with Provisions,
the Scarsity and dearness of which renders it impossible for me to get it in
the Country, on these Heads I must request to be favored with your Advice and
Directions, after which there will I expect be Time before they can Assemble
from Canada &ca for determing what Steps will be best to take at the
Congress, which , as I look upon it to be of Consequence and Importance should
be rendered by proper Management, of as much real use to the Publick as
possible, for altho' a War amongst themselves may be thought to effect the
Commerce in that Quarter, yet I have strong reasons to think that unless they
are engaged in something of that kind, many may be drawn in to Plots and
Designs of a more dangerous Tendency, and indeed the Conduct of the Nations
that way, has lately been such, as to obstruct the Trade and Com-
__________________________
1 In Public Record Office, C. O. 5.88. p. 59, London, England.
2 Held March 4-12, 1768.
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