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
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Letter 53: Of the Noquets,
the Malomines, the Poutouatamis
and the Sakis
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Raudot, Antoine Denis, "Memoir Concerning the Different Indian Nations of North America: Translation of Letters 23 to 41 and Letters 45 to 72 inclusive" in Kinietz, W. Vernon, The Indians of the Western Great Lakes: 1615-1700, pp. 381-382. |
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(page 381) of Detroit, as well as all the Hurons who were living at Michilmakina with them. The customs of the latter differ from those of the savages of which I have just told you. Up to now, in spite of being so near to the Outavois and nearly under their domination, they have not changed them.
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I am, sir, etc. |
LETTER 53
Of
the Noquets, the Malomines, the Poutouatamis
and the Sakis
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At Quebec, the 1710 |
Sir,
The Noquets, who are at the most thirty to forty warriors, live sometimes on the shores of Lake Michigan and sometimes on those of Lake Superior, on account of the readiness with which one can cross the strip of land that separates these two lakes and which is not more than twelve to fifteen leagues.
The Malomini or Folles Avoines live on a river bearing their name which flows into Lake Michigan; they could count at the most fifty warriors and live like the Noquets by hunting and fishing.
The Poutouatamis have their village on the islands formerly called Hurons, in the lake which I have just mentioned near the Baye des Puants. There they sow much Indian corn and supply it, if needed, to Michilimakina. They could muster eighty to one hundred warriors. These three nations have the same customs as have the people of the North.
The Sakis live at forty-three degrees thirty-three minutes on the Baye des Puants. There is little snow in this place. They sow Indian corn and are sedentary. Their village could muster only fifty to sixty warriors. They catch ducks with nets spread flat on the water. One must take good care of his merchandise when he goes to trade with this nation, which has a great inclination to steal and never misses a chance for stealing when it can.
These savages have part of the customs of the people of the North and part of those of the people of the prairies.
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I am, sir, etc. |
LETTER 54
Of
the Puants, the Outagamis, the Mascoutins
and the Kicapous
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At Quebec, the 1710 |
Sir,
I have already spoken of two sorts of savages, wandering and sedentary; those of whom I am going to tell you are those of the prairies, which have customs different from the others and which are peculiar to them: I leave them, however, until I shall write you about the Illinois, who are the most numerous of these savages.
One finds above the Sakis on a river that forms the Baye des Puants, the savages of this name, who could muster thirty or forty warriors. They are sedentary.
Several leagues from them live the Outagamis or Renards, who could send out about four hundred men. They surpass the Poutouatamis and the Sakis in theft, and they do not content themselves with using their hands to steal, for they employ also their feet, and it is necessary to be very vigilant and very attentive to keep what one has when one is with these people. These Outagamis as well as the Sakis are so savage that the others cannot stand them, but as they are numerous, mustering nearly five hundred warriors, they fear them and let them make war without interference on the Scioux.
Next to these Renards one finds the Mascoutins or Nation of Fire to whom are joined the Kicapous. These two nations are sedentary and could muster one hundred and fifty warriors.
These Kicapous are almost all crippled with wounds and covered with scars, being always at war.
One could not treat otherwise of the last three nations I
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