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 to the Minister
(September 16, 1715)
Ramezay and Bgon in: Wisconsin Historical
Collections, XVI, pp. 318-322.
I was informed last April, monseigneur, by a letter written to me by Sieur de Vinsenne, that peace bad been made between the ouyatanons and miamis, and the ilinois. I have the honor of enclosing a Copy, by which you will learn, monseigneur, that in this treaty of peace the nations have agreed to combine unanimously to make war against the reynards. The ouyatanons, did not agree to this until after the arrival of Sieur dupuy, who decided them to do so, according to Copy of enclosed letter which be sent me, and the speeches which he made to those savages and the answer which they made him in regard to the matter. But at the same time I learned that the corn had failed at detroit, which obliged us to have Sieur de Joncquere buy 300 minots among the yrokois, which the Soldiers I have sent to garrison Michilimakinak, the inhabitants, and the resident savages who went up for the reynards' expedition, took in their canoes to deliver to Sieur de Lignery, commanding at that post.
. . .
. . . I have written to the latter, to inform him of the enterprise of the English, so that he may labor on his side, as we shall on ours, to prevent the accomplishment of their designs. They have made liberal presents to the chiefs of those savages; and Monsieur the Intendant has been advised by the Rev. father Mermet, a missionary on the mississipy river, that the governor of carolina had asked the King of England for fifteen hundred men to garrison those forts. That would utterly Ruin this colony, since, if they once set foot among the illinois and Installed themselves with their consent, they would go among all the outaouet nations, and would, in the beginning, offer so great advantages to those savages that they would attach the latter to their interests, both in trade and in war. This has induced me to confer on the subject with Monsieur the Intendant, Monsieur de Longoeuil, and the most Experienced officers of this country. We have agreed that it was necessary, for the service of His Majesty, to send the younger son of Monsieur de Longoeuil and my own eldest son into that country- both to persuade the nations to carry out their plan of making war on the reynards, and to induce them not to receive the English among them. While awaiting your orders, monseigneur, I have told Sieur sabrevois, who is in command at detroit, and my son also, that in case any English come to trade, in our territories, they shall confiscate their merchandise, if they are strong enough to undertake it, and if the savages of this country give Their consent.
I have been informed by Sieur de sabrevois, who commands at fort ponchartrain at detroit, by Sieur dupuy, and by my son that they assembled the savages settled at that post, to hold a council with them. It was there agreed that my son should go to the myamis, the ouyatanons, and the illinois, to assemble all these nations at Chicagou where there is abundant game of all sorts, and where they can easily subsist and make a place of shelter while waiting for the savages from detroit, who are to go to join them at that place.
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