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.
Message to Chiefs
(Fort Pitt, Oct. 1, 1777)
|
Hand, Edward in: "Message to Capt. White Eyes, John Kilbuck &C., Delaware Chiefs at Coochocking &C.," Draper Manuscripts, Frontier Wars Transcripts, Vol. 1U, 1U103-1U103(2). |
Brothers, Capt. White Eyes, John Kilbuck &Ca. Delaware Chiefs at Coochocking &Ca.
|
Fort Pitt Octr. 1st, 1777. |
Brothers.
The Arrival of your People here Yesterday with my Messengers made my Heart glad, and our Women and Children rejoice. The Cloud will now soon disperse and the Day appear bright & Clear.
I thank you for the News you send me. I shall in long be ready to speak to the Mingoes & Wiandots, as I promised you I would & they will soon be ashamed of what they have done.
Brothers.
You may depend that my Soldiers shall not hurt your Women or Children.- They shall go the Road you have pointed out, & you Shall have Notice when I move, agreeable to my Promise. I am determined to do every thing that is proper to convince you, that you have made a proper [Illeg.] Choice of your Friends, and if any Nation strikes you on our Account, I desire you will call on me & you shall be supported with as much Power as you wish for, & if you think it necessary I will build a fort & Garrison it either at your Town or at any other Place near to it that you think proper and when Peace shall be restored the fort shall be burned & our People shall all come out of your Country.-
Brothers,
I make this offer to you to convince you of my Sincerity and that I am determined to promote an everlasting friendship between the Delawares & the United States. I say Brothers if any Nation strikes you on our Account, I will consider your Quarrel as our own.
Brothers,
Two of your Messengers conclude to stay here some little Time longer for News. I now send the other two Back with this. They carry a Flag to make Use of when you send Messengers in future to this Place.
Brothers,
Col. Morgan will continue to Superintend Indian Affairs so long as he can render Service & I rejoice that his Conduct has been so agreeable to you. He sets out for Philada. to Morrow and carries all your good News to Congress.- And you may expect to hear from him in thirty Days or perhaps thirty five Days. They will rejoice to See your good Words & the Sentiments of your Hearts.- You may depend we do not listen to what bad People say but we are determined to hold fast to our Agreements, and I desire you will not fail to speak to Colerqua & the Shawanese whose Hearts continue to be good.
Brothers,
If you can send Messengers to the Mingoes up the Allegany, whose Hearts are yet good, I desire you will do it & desire them to continue to sit still untill the Clouds disperse.- I hope they will continue wise & not join the foolish People.
Brothers.
The English landed lately in Maryland & endeavoured to march their whole Army to Philada. but our Army went to meet them halfway where a Battle ensued. We lost six hundred Men & killed eighteen hundred of the Enemy. this happened at Shades ford on Brandywine Creek. The two Armies now lye in sight of each other both preparing for another grand Battle which you shall have News of so soon as it arrives.
Brothers
You may depend the English will soon be ashamed of their foolish Conduct. All the united States keep fast hold of the friendship of the Delawares & Yesterday Col. Morgan reced. a Message for you from the Governor of Virginia which he now sends to you.
Brothers.
Let us be strong in our Promises and keep true to our Agreements as you may depend I will.
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