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.
Council at Detroit
(Detroit, June 17, 1777)
Hamilton, Henry in: Draper Mss.,
49J13- D. S. and in Thwaites
& Kellogg, Frontier Defense
on the Upper Ohio,
pp. 7-13.
. . . Extract from the Council held at Detroit by the following Nations- Ottawas, Hurons, Chippewas, Pouteouattamis, Miamis, Shawanese, Delawares, Ottawas from Ouashtanoh, Pouteouattamis of St. Joseph &ca.
Detroit 17th June 1777
Governor Hamilton opened the Council in the usual form; and then inform'd the different nations of his (page 8) intent in calling them together; which he sd. was principally to strengthen the alliance he form'd with them last year, to inform them of what had come to his knowledge regarding them, to know their sentiments and lastly to be of any service to them that lay in his power.
The Kings Health was then drank by all present. Then some Belts from the Six Nations address'd to the Western Confederacy were shewn & explained. Chiefly exhortations to their Brethren to fulfil the many promises they had made & the Engagements they had enterd into to support His Majesty & Governments. Govr. Hamilton then gave them an account of the great Success of His Majestys Arms over his rebellious Subjects in many places, & of their obstinate disobedience, of their threats regarding the Indians, & lastly that their Brethren from Michilimackinac, & the Six Nations &c were permitted & had taken up the Hatchet and finish'd by telling them he would next day inform them of his real Sentiments. The Indians thank'd him for what he in- (page 9) formd them of & said when they heard his sentiments next day, he should know theirs.
18 June Being assembled as before, G[overnor] H[amilton] Told the English & french Gentlemen, that he was authorized to put the Hatchet into the Hands of the Indians, and expected an implicit obedience to the orders of His Majesty. He then informd the Indians of what he thought they should do upon the occasion, shewed them the hatchet then Sung the War Song- as did Mr Hay, Deputy agent, the officers of the Garrison, all the Nations present, & some of the French & English. G[overnor] Hamilton then thanked them for their Zeal and Unanimity, & adjourned to the open Field, to a feast prepared for the purpose, and appointed next morning to meet three or four Chiefs of each Nations to meet him at his own House.
19th Being assembled according to adjournment, Govr. Hamilton gave some things & Belts of Wam[pum] to cover & bury in oblivion the Murder of an Ottawa, killd here last winter by a Chippawa, to (page 10) prevent an animosity from existing after they had so unanimously joined to take up the Hatchet. Then informed them of a Message the Chiefs of the Miamees recd. the night before; Shewing the perfidy of the Virginians, & the threats they had made use of against the Indian Nations in general and the Kings Troops at this place ending with a declaration of their not wanting to be at peace with the one or the other. The Miamee Chiefs declared this to be the purport of the Message sent them by their Nation. The Huron Nation was then pitched upon by all the rest to be the guardians of the Hatchet; all declaring they had taken it up with an intent to hold it fast, untill desired to lay it down. Equeshawey then expressed his happiness at seeing all his Brethren the Indians so unanimous- that he had just arrived from the Wabach where he had been to conduct his Father G[overnor] Abbott that he had not seen anything bad on his voy- (page 11) age; on the contrary all the Nations shew'd an inclination to obey the will of their Father. G[overnor] H[amilton] thankd them all & particularly the Hurons as Guardians of the Ax & appointed...
20 G[overnor] H[amilton] told the difft. Nations the Method he thought they should proceed in in making war and informd them of the difft. armeys that were to attack the Rebells this Summer which he desired them to consider of & let him know the Chiefs & Warriors ready to go, & also to name a Chief or two & some young Men to go to Niagara where they would see their Bren. the Six Nations &c. &c. were acting the same part- adjourd. till next day.
21st According to adjournment, the above Nations came & named their War Chief & young men then ready for war, and an ax was presented for each Nation to be delivd. when they all should meet in a day or two. Lt Caldwell was named to accom. the few that (page 12) were going to Niagara. John Hay Dty. [deputy] agent to conduct the whole when they acted in a body, & many others who had offerd to serve his Majesty upon this occasion, to accompany them when in small parties. G[overnor] H[amilton] then as upon several other occasions recommended it to all the Nations to remember they were men, & were desired to make war against men, and not against women or Children, and to forbear to dip their hands in the blood of the two latter- adjourn'd to Monday 23d. but it being bad weather & some other Indians being arrived did not meet till 24th.
G[overnor] H[amilton] Returned thanks to the Chiefs & young men for their orderly behaviour since (page 13) the commencement of the Council- then shewed them English & french Gentlemen who had offered to serve as Officers & private men upon this occasion. Then delivd. a War Hatchet to each Nation which they receivd & Sung the War Song then some Merchandize was shewn them destined to Cover their old men women & Children, & G[overnor] H[amilton] told them they should be furnish'd with ammunition &c. necessary for their Yg. Men. G[overnor] H[amilton] delivered them his thanks for their unanimity & professions of friendship, and as soon as the division of presents was over G[overnor] H[amilton] told them he would give each nation a Bullock to make a feast & would visit them turn about beginning with the Ottawas then closed the Council.
Since the closing the council, I have been at the War feast of each nation, and the greatest decency and alacrity has appeared.
30th. of June most of the Nations had brought in their Sticks for the number of Warriors, and in a Month I dont question one thousand Warriors going against the Frontiers. at the same time I have exhorted them to act vigorously, I have endeavored to teach them spare Old Age Women and Children.
|
Henry Hamilton |
Endorsed: Extract of a Council held at Detroit 17 June 1777.
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