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 Johnson
(Detroit, Dec. 18, 1770)
Stevenson, James in: The
Papers of Sir William
Johnson, vol. 7,
pp. 1040-1041.
have receivd all the other Goods by Captains Lansing & John Fryer Safe & in good order which will give me pleasure.- Shoud there be any thing awanting please to let me Know it.- I am with Sincere Regard & Esteem
|
Sir your most Obedient Hble Servant |
|
|
JOHN WETHERHEAD |
|
Please to deliver the Enclosd Letter
to Collo. Claus
FROM JAMES STEVENSON1
A. L. S.2
|
Detroit 18:th December 1770 |
DR SIR
I cannot let the express go without informing you that my children here are all quiet, nor do I in the least doubt but they will remain so provided the French Vagabonds don't again stir them up.-
The Province are very dilatory in arranging the Indian affairs, indeed it is absurd to think they will ever form a rational plan for that purpose, their interest is too divided, nor do they appear from their proceedings to know anything about the matter- their intelligence of the manners & customs of the Savages is generally receiv'd from a parcel of Traders whos Ideas do not extend beyond the Circumference of a Beaver-Skin.
The Waindots complain that the french have incroach'd on their Lands, & I bleive they have some cause of discontent.- I have promis'd them to mention it to you, & it is probable one of them will be sent in the spring to complain to you in form.- I could wish justice might be done them, for take the Indians with all their faults, & I give them infinitely the preference to the Rascally Race of French in the settlement.-
The Indians begin to dislike the French, & if some pains was (page 1041) now taken to drive away the French that are amongst them their influence would be intirely at an end.-
Capt. Brown3 writes me he has four Senecas in the Black-hole; I bleive retaliation on the spot would have been much better than making them Prisoners- for what law will they try them by? & who are to sit as their judges? If they are hang'd the savages will look upon it as murder in cool blood, & revenge will ensue.- But perhaps Capt. Brown's Extraordinary Understanding, Uncommon penetration & amazing command of temper will manage the affair with such address as to do honour to himself & answer the most salutary purposes to the public.- I beg my best respects to Mrs. John & the rest of your family.- I am with real esteem
|
Dr Sir |
|
|
JAs. STEVENSON |
|
P. S.
Several french families have slip'd away to the Miamis under a pretense to trade, but I am inform'd they are prevailing on the Indians to grant them lands, & they propose to make a settlement there.- I have sent them a positive order to desist & acquaint the Gen. of it by this opportunity.- If they are allow'd to go on at this rate our back settlements will feel the effects of it whenever we have a war with France- they begin to be very disobedient & I suspect them much more than I do the Indians.-
|
J. S. |
To
SR. WM.
JOHNSON Bart.
FROM JOHN WETHERHEAD
A. L. S.
|
Newyork the 19 December 1770 |
[ ]
I have now the pleasure of telling you that the Powder & all the other
Goods by the Brittania Captain Munds, are Safely
_____________________________________
1 Captain James Stevenson, of the 60th regiment, in command at Detroit.
2 In the Chicago Historical Society, Chicago, Ill.
3 (1, p. 1041) In command at Niagara.
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