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.
Clark to Patrick Henry(?)
(1777)
Clark, George Rogers in: Draper
Mss.,
48J13- Copy and in Illinois
Hist.
Colls., vol. 8, Virginia Series,
vol. 3, pp. 30-32.
as is the case with all now in this County in case the leave the Service be looked upon as deserters. the Commanding officer is desired to advertise all such throughout the Colony as deserters in the most publick manner.
|
G R CLARK Presd |
At a Council held at Harrodsburgh ordered that serjeant Grier [leave] the Country as soon as possible
CLARK TO [PATRICK HENRY?],1 1777.
[Draper MSS, 48]13.- Copy.]
SIR-
According to promise I haste to give you a description of the town of Kuskuskies, and my plan for taking of it. It is situated 30 leagues above the mouth of the Ohio, on a river of its own name, five miles from its mouth and two miles east of the Mississippi. On the west side of the Mississippi 3 miles from Kuskuskies is the village of Mozier [Misere = Ste. Genevieve] belonging to the Spaniards. The town of Kuskuskies contains about one hundred families of French and English and carry on an extensive trade with the Indians; and they have a considerable number of negroes that bear arms and are chiefly employed in managing their farms that lay around the town, and send a considerable quantity of flour and other commodities to New Orleans, [which they barter every year and get the return in goods up the Mississippi].2 The houses are framed and very good, with a small but elegant stone fort situated [but a little distance from] the centre of the town. The Mississippi is undermining a part of Fort Chartres; the garrison was removed to this place, which greatly added to its wealth; but on the commencement of the present war, the troops [were] called off to re-inforce Detroit, (page 31) which is about three hundred miles from it- leaving the fort and all its stores in care of one Roseblack [sic] as comdt of the place, with instructions to influence as many Indians as possible to invade the Colonies; and to supply Detroit with provisions, a considerable quantity of which goes by the way of the Waubash R., and have but a short land carriage to the waters of ye [Miami].
In June last I sent two young men there: They [Rocheblave and the French] seemed to be under no apprehension of danger from the [Americans].3 The fort, which stands a small distance below the town is built of stockading about ten feet high, with blockhouses at each corner, with several pieces of cannon mounted- [10,000 lbs] power, ball and all other necessary stores without [any] guard or a single soldier. Roseblock who acted as Governor, by large presents engaged the Waubash Indians to invade the frontiers of Kentucky; was daily treating with other Nations, giving large presents and offering them great rewards for scalps. The principal inhabitants are entirely against the American cause, and look on us as notorious rebels that ought to be subdued at any rate; but I dont doubt but after being acquainted with the cause they would become good friends to it. The remote situation of this town on the back of several of the Western Nations;' their being well supplied with goods on the Mississippi, enables them [to carry]4 to furnish the different Nations [with goods],4 and by present will keep up a strict friendship[ with the Indians; and undoubtedly will keep all the Nations that lay under their influence at war with us during the present contest, without they are induced to submission; [that being situated above the mouth of the Ohio] they will be able to interrupt any communication that we should want to hold up and down the Mississippi, without a strong guard; having plenty of swivels they might, and I dont doubt but would keep armed boats for the purpose of taking our property. On the contrary, if it was in our possession it would distress the garrison of Detroit for provisions, it would fling the command of the two great rivers into our hands, which would (page 32) enable us to get supplies of goods from the Spaniards, and to carry on a trade with the Indians [line obliterated] them might perhaps with such small presents keep them our friends.
I have always thought the town of Kuskuskies to be a place worthy of our attention, and have been at some pains to make myself acquainted with its force, situation and strength. I cant suppose that they could at any [time] raise more than six [or seven] hundred armed men, the chief of them [are French the British at Detroit being at so great a] distance, so that they [blank in M. S.] more than [blank in MS.].
An expedition against [Kaskaskias would be advantageous] seeing one would be attended with so little expence. The men might be easily raised [blank in MS.] with little inconvenience. Boats and canoes with about forty days provisions would [answer] them: they might in a few days run down the river with certainty [to the] Waubash, when they would only have about five to march to the town with very little danger of being discovered until almost within sight, where they might go in the night; if they got wind [of us they might] make no resistance: if [they did] and were able to beat us in the field, they could by no means defend themselves for if they flew to the fort, they would loose possession of the town, where their provisions lay, and would sooner surrender than to try to beat us out of it with the cannon from the post, as [they] would be sensible that should [we fire] it before we left it, which would reduce them to the certainty of leaving the country or starving with their families, as they could get nothing to eat.
Was I to undertake an expedition of this sort, and had authority from Government to raise my own men, and fit myself out without [much delay] I should make no doubt of being in [full possession of the country] by April next.
I am sensible that the case stands thus- that [we
must] either take the town of Kuskuskies, or in less than a twelve month send
an army against the Indians on Wabash, which will cost ten times as much, and
not be of half the service.
________________________________
1 In a note preceding this letter, Dr. Draper says: "Copy of an old and much decayed letter of Genl. G. R. Clark, written plainly in the summer of fall of 1777, and very likely addressed to Gov. Patrick Henry. It is transcribed as full as could be done- as the original has been wet, and is much worn and faded." Draper has supplied context in brackets.
Clarke communicated his views to Governor Henry relative to an expedition on December 10. See Diary and Memoir. It is probable, therefore, that the contents of this letter formed the foundation for their discussion. The letter has been published by Turner in the Amer. Hist. Rev., VIII., 491 et seq.
2 Draper marks this as "erased."
3 (1, p. 31) For a discussion of the previous relations between the merchants of the Illinois villages and the settlers in Kentucky, consult Alvord, Kaskaskia Records (I. H. C., v.), xvi.
4 (2, p. 31) Draper marks this as "erased."
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