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.
Governor Dongan to Monsieur de La Barre
(June 24, 1684)
Dongan in: Documents Relative to the Colonial History
of the State of New York, (Lon. Doc: V), v. III, pp. 448-449.
pp. 448, 449.
Sir
Yours dated June the 15th I received the 23d S.V. of this instant and am very sorry I did not know sooner of the misunderstanding between you and the Indians that so I might as I really would, have used all just measures to prevent it.
Those Indyans are under this Government as doth appear by his Royal Highness' pattent from His Majestie the King of England and their submitting themselves to this Governt as is manifest by our Records.
His Royal Highness' territorys reaches as far as the River of Canada, and yet notwithstanding the people of your Governmt come upon the great lake, as also on this side of both lakes, a thing which will scarcely be believed in England, I desire you to hinder them from so doing and will stricktly forbid the people of this province to go on the other side of the lake. This I have hinted that there may be no occasion on your parte as there shall not undoubtedly be on mine to break that desirable and fair correspondence between the two Kings our Masters.
I am so heartily bent to promote the quiet
and tranquility of this country and yours, that I intend forthwith to go
myselfe to Albany on purpose, and there send for the Indyans and require of
them to do what is just in order to a satisfaction to your pretences, if they
will not, I shall (page 449) not unjustly protect
them, but do for your Governmt all that can be reasonably expected
from me and in the mean time for to preserve and continue a good amity between
us I think it convenient, and desire of you that no act of hostility be
committed; such differences are of so weighty a concerne that they are most
proper to be decided at home and not by us.(see fn.
1)
__________________________
"I do assure you Sr that no body liveing hath a greater desire that there should be a strict friendship betwixt the subjects of this Govermt & yours then I have & no body more willing upon Occasions justly to approve my selfe Sr
Yr humble Servt
Tho Dongan--Ed."
Return
to TOC, p. 5
Continue
to next part of Miami Collection
[return to Miami
Collection Menu]
[return to Glenn A. Black
Laboratory of Archaeology List of Publications]
[return to Glenn A. Black
Laboratory of Archaeology Home]
Last updated: 13 January 2001
URL: http://www.gbl.indiana.edu/home.html
Comments: webmaster@www.gbl.indiana.edu
Copyright 1996, Glenn Black Laboratory of Archaeology and The Trustees of Indiana University