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.
Letter from Vaudreuil
(October 12, 1717)
Vaudreuil, "On the Savages of Detroit" in:
Michigan Historical Collections,
XXXIII, pp. 590-593.
(page 592) cheap, and that I would let them take some brandy, I induced the merchants to give them good bargains, and they were well pleased with them. I also allowed them to buy two or three pots of brandy a piece to take to their village, and appointed a reliable person to see it distributed to them, so that they should not take more. I could not avoid letting them have some, for they demanded it urgently, and if I had refused them they would have resorted to going to the English for it. I found myself obliged to do the same for six other boats of savages from the Bay,- Sakis, Folles Avoines, and Nokes,- who came to Montreal this summer. I put the quantity I allow them to have very low: this small quantity contents them, and keeps them from going to the English for it, who would supply them abundantly. Moreover, they do not drink it at Montreal, nor on their journey; they keep it to make a feast with it in their villages, and brandy is a drink which the savages are so passionately fond of that it is impossible to keep it from them altogether; for, if they don't get it from the French they will from the English: and, as it is extremely important that the savages of the upper country should not trade with them (for if they once began to do so, the profit they would find would induce them to continue it, which would absolutely ruin the trade of the Colony) I have reason to believe that the Council
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Approved, provided he continues to take precautionary measures. |
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will not disapprove of what I have done, nor of my continuing to take the same course, according to circumstances; for I have no other object in doing so save to avoid alienating our savages. |
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Considered, 8th. of Jan. 1718, La Chapelle |
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The Sr. de Tonty, who arrived at Detroit on the 3rd of July, spoke to the tribes settled there in my name that their chiefs might come to Montreal to be witnesses of what took place regarding |
the Fox Indians; but they excused themselves on the ground of a disturbance which occurred a short time ago, which prevented them from leaving their villages, saying that they would go down next year without fail. They went on to complain that for some years the prices of the goods sold to them had been too dear; observing however, that they hoped that the change of commandants would be to their advantage and the Sr. de Tonty would let everything be given to them cheaper. But they declared that, if the price of goods were not reduced, they would all go to the English for what they required next spring.
The Sr. de Tonty thereupon called all the French people together and, after he had conferred with them, a price was agreed upon for certain goods with which the savages testified that they were well pleased.
The trouble which prevented the principal chiefs of the Detroit tribes from coming, to Montreal, was created by an Outaouac of that post and four others from Saguinan. These five men pretended they were going to war against the Flatheads; they proceeded to the river of the Miamis and there slew an Iroquois and his wife, who was a Miami woman, and two children. This wrongful attack concerns the Iroquois because the (page 593) man who was killed was of their tribe. It also concerns the Miamis, for the man was married and living with them. This matter must be settled, and the Iroquois and Miamis must be prevented from taking vengeance on the Outavois and the other tribes of Detroit.
The Sr. de Tonty has already begun, for his part, to take action with the Miamis through the Sr. de Vincennes to dissuade them from their intention of avenging themselves and to remove every pretext for their pursuing this course which would give rise to a war between them and the people at Detroit and Saguinan, which it would be difficult to stop. He has induced the tribes of Detroit to join him in sending to Saguinan to seize these murderers and deliver them up to the Miamis.
The Outaouacs and Poutouatamis each sent a boat of their men, to which the Sr. de Tonty added a boat of Frenchmen under the command of the Sr. de Bragelongue, a Lieutenant, who brought back the three murderers to Detroit where the Sr. de Tonty had them under guard until he received news from the Miamis, to whom he had taken care, to make known the amends, which it was proposed to make to them. He hopes that they will be satisfied with this action and will accept as a complete reparation the presents which the tribes of Detroit, and the French also, are preparing to make them, and that this disturbance may be suppressed by this means. I hope so, too; but I shall not be able to get any news about it until next spring.
As regards the Iroquois, if they move in this matter, I shall find means to settle it with them, as they will not fail to bring their complaints to me before taking any action.
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[Signed] Vaudreuil. |
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____________
TONTY PREVENTS THE SAVAGES FROM TRADING WITH THE
ENGLISH.
Endorsed- Annexed to the letter of MM. de Vaudreuil and Begon of the 8th November, 1718- No. 2.
Canada. Colonies.
Statement of the expenses incurred by Monsieur de Tonty in order to stop seventeen boats of Outavois and Poutouatamis whom he met on Lake Ontario, who were going to the English.
To wit
For seven boats belonging to him, at the rate of forty livres per boat as paid by the chief man of each boat for his part and share 280#
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