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.
Correspondence
(Nov. 26, 1777 - June 18, 1777)
|
Cruzat and Rocheblave in: General Archives of the Indians, Papers proceedings from the Island of Cuba, Seville and in Houck, Louis, The Spanish Regime in Missouri, in two volumes, Chicago 1909, vol. 1, pp. 134-137. |
LETTER OF CRUZAT TO GALVEZ EXPLAINING
WHY HE SENT A MESSENGER
TO THE SAC AND RENARD INDIANS IN THE ENGLISH ILLINOIS DISTRICT,
DATED NOVEMBER 26, 1777.
General Archives of the Indians - Seville - Papers proceeding from the Island of Cuba
On the 16th of the month of last August, the above-mentioned man arrived at this village on his return, together with the four trappers with five slaves whom they had ransomed, four of whom belonged to the Pioria tribe, which has been settled there since this last spring in the village of Oca in the English district. I immediately sent them to the special lieutenant, Don Francisco Valle, in order that he might send them back to said tribe. He has informed me that he had done so. The four from said Misuris were given to three savages who were then in this village. They immediately departed for their destination, and I have heard that they arrived very happily. In what regards the remainder, the two chiefs of the Sacs and Arnez [Renards] send to tell me that they did not give them up, because the said Misuris and Little Osages wished to go to get them, in order that they might thus be more certain of the peace which they had made by means of the peace pipe and collar which I had given them. I believe they will execute that this winter, and I advise Your Lordship thereof, so that you may be advised thereof.
May god preserve Your Lordship many years. San Luis de Ylinoeses, November 26, 1777. Your most affectionate servant kisses Your Lordship's hands.
|
FRANCISCO CRUZAT (rubric). |
Addressed: "Don Bernardo de Galvez."
Letter to Monsieur de Rocheblave,
Commandant of the English District,
referred to by Don Francisco Cruzat.
Sir:
The general welfare which I believe will result from having peace made between the tribes of the little Osages and the Misuris of the dependency of my government and the Sacs and Renards who are located in your district, compels me to give you advice that I am disposed to send an express messenger to these latter tribes to obtain and get from them ten Misuris whom they made prisoners last spring, if you find no obstacle therein for this purpose. I beg you to please participate in the views of pacification which cause me to act by sending me a letter for the English merchants who may be among those tribes, so that on receiving your letter, they will allow my envoy to have access to the chiefs, to whom I address it in order that I may obtain the end which I have proposed. I desire, sir, that the merchants may be present at the words which he will speak to them in my name, in order to remove all suspicion, as I have for my principal object naught else than that of proving to you that I shall seek on every occasion the true means of observing and causing to be observed by the one to whom I shall commit it, the concord which my prince desires to exist between these subjects and those of the king of Great Britain. It is with such sentiments that I ask you to send me the letter in question and a permit for my envoy, so that there might not be any obstacle which will destroy the results which I expect from my wish of seeing the tribes at peace.
I have the honor to be, with the greatest respect, etc., San Luis, June 12, 1777.
Reply of the Commandant of the
English District,
Monsieur de Rocheblave, to the preceding.
Sir:
Your purpose is too praiseworthy not to concur in it, at latest with approval while waiting until circumstances permit us to really do (page 137) it, which all others or we ourselves shall try to effect this autumn or, at the latest, next spring, if he descends from the Sacs or Renards. While awaiting you will find enclosed here the letter and passport of which you did me the honor to speak to me in your last letter. I desire that it be at your will and you may be assured that I shall second with all my efforts so praiseworthy views.
It is with regret that I agree to the article of your letter, by which you ask for the presence of the merchants of the place in order to remove all suspicion. Your sentiments are too well known to me to act from motives so little worthy of you and of me. But since I have to manage a bold, and consequently, suspicious people, I believed it right to require it, rather because of the very different characters that compose the society of these places, than because of a motive of mistrust which would be greatly out of place. You will always find me ready to second and even to anticipate your views in the desire that not only peace and tranquillity reign between the subjects of the two monarchs, but also as much as it depends upon me among the indpendent beings who inhabit the vast forests of the two half nations and are only occupied in the chase, which is the sole employ which humanity ought to avow at the tribunal of conscience.
I have the honor to be with the greatest respect, sir, your most humble and obedient servant.
|
ROCHEBLAVE |
Have the goodness not to seal the letter in case of meeting nearer.
Fort Gage, June 18, 1777.
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