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.
Copy of a Letter to Beauharnois
(August 22, 1730)
Deschaillons, Commandant at Detroit,
in: Michigan Pioneer and Historical
Collections, Vol. 34, pp. 67-69.
WAR BETWEEN THE FOX AND ILLINOIS INDIANS.
Endorsed Canada.
Copy of a letter written to the Marquis de Beauharnois by the Commandant of Detroit on the 22nd of August, 1730.
Sir,
I have the honor to inform you that a savage who has just arrived from the
St. Joseph River1 reports that, two days
before he left, two Mascoutin2 runners arrived who
had come in haste to ask Monsieur de Villiers3 for
help and powder; that they had only taken two days in coming from their place.
This is the news which the savage who has come here told me, that the Mascoutin
runners brought to the St. Joseph River; namely, Sir, that the Fox Indians were
fighting with the Illinois4 between Le Rocher and
the Oniatanous,5 that, when the Poux,6
Mascoutins, and Quiquapous7 learnt this, they went
there; and as they were going slowly- having a wounded man with them whom they
were obliged to carry- a couple of young men went on in front, but when they
had gone a short distance these two young men saw the Fox Indians in a plain
engaged with the Illinois; that they immediately came and warned (page
68) the main body of their troops, who fell upon
the Fox Indians, who found themselves in this onset shut in on one side by the
Illinois and on the other by the Poux, Quiquapoux, and Mascoutins; but scarcely
had the latter tribes attacked the Fox Indians, counting on the Illinois facing
them on the other side, when the Illinois on the contrary took to flight. In
this first attack there were seven Poux wounded, one of whom is dead, two
Quiquapoux from the St. Joseph River killed who were settled among the Sasquis.8 That will produce a very good effect; for, according
to what is said, the Sasquis are incensed against the Fox Indians, and they
were far from being so before. There were also several Fox Indians wounded
also; it is believed there were also some killed. The Fox Indians shouted to
the Quiquapous and Mascoutins that they would make their supper off them; but
Maudoch, the great chief of the Poux, replied that it was they who would make
food of for all the tribes. Sometime after the Fox Indians called out that they
were not far from the Oniatanous, but they would be dead men before they got
there, for they had just seen some people on horseback coming; it is believed
that it was Monsieur de Vincenne9 with his men. The
French people of Cahosquia also told the Illinois not to go on the war path
because they did not know how to fight, and were women; but that they were
going to set out with their negroes to aid their people who were attacked and
to defeat the Fox Indians. They already form a rather large party, for the
Illinois who had fled have returned and joined the Poux, Quiquapous and
Mascoutins. They have made holes in the ground, to place themselves under
cover; and Fox Indians are on a wooded Islet, but if they remain there, there
is every likelihood that they may be destroyed, for the savage who has arrived
from the St. Joseph River says that Monsieur de Villiers is going to set out
with all his people, who seems this time to be sufficiently well disposed. He
also adds that Monsieur de Villiers has done me the honor to write to me to ask
for the assistance of our savages; but those letters have not come yet, and our
savages will not set out until they do arrive, rather doubting this news.
Father de Richardy told me, however, that (page 69)
he received a letter yesterday evening from Father Messager,10 the missionary at the St. Joseph River, who sends
him the same news as that which this savage told me except for a few incidents,
which gives ground for thinking that the thing is true. The Poux here seem
quite determined to go there, and so do some of the Outaouas;11
but there are but few Hurons because 80 of them remained out of the party that
proceeded this spring. However, five of them arrived a week ago bringing a
scalp of the Chicachias; but it is hoped that the others will be able to rejoin
the army, because they are now counted on with the Oniatanous, in accordance
with the course which they said they would take; that would be a good
reinforcement and a certain one. The Fox Indians also said that they were
expecting a large party of Iroquois in a short time, which was to come and join
them in order to help them through to withdraw to their homes. They may have
said that, perhaps, in order to frighten the other tribes; but it is quite
certain, Sir, that the Iroquois who are great scoundrels and are always
disseminating belts among all the tribes, are instigated by the English and are
very injurious to us. If our people go, I shall be obliged to give them powder
and bullets, according to what they have already said to me; but I will do so
with all possible discretion. If the news turns out to be true, and any
important engagements take place, I will take the liberty of making an
opportunity of sending you news about it; for I believe that will be the last
news that will leave this place this year.
___________________________
1 St. Joseph River is to the south of Lake Michigan, and with the Kankakee, reached by a portage of from 3 to 5 miles at the present South Bend, Ind., made the best route from Detroit to Chicago, from which it is about 70 miles distant.
2 Mascoutins were of the Algonquian tribe, and were allies of the Sacs and Foxes. They were of the Fire Nation, being given this name on account of using fire to smelt copper. Some, with the Kickapous, lived on the bank of a river about 100 miles from Chicago. They greatly resemble the Foxes in manner and language. They were very fleet of foot, frequently running down a stag, and expert with bows and arrows. They warred on Detroit. They were land Indians, and finally became absorbed by the Foxes.
3 See Appendix, Vol. 33.
4 Illinois, meaning the Lake of Men, resided both sides of the Illinois river. In 1670 they numbered 1670, and had 60 towns in 1700. They dressed in deer skin, or buffalo, wild cat, beaver or otter. They used a different language from the most of the Indians, but one understood by the Pottawattomies. They tattoed their bodies, and were very fine workmen, using figures to adorn their garters, belts and powder horns.
5 Also called Weas; one of the Miami tribe.
6 Poux is another name for Pottawattomies. In 1671 they were located on Noquet Island, in Lake Michigan. In 1681 they were at Chicago. They spoke the Algonquin language, but a much harder dialect than the Ottawas. Their country was around Lake Michigan. They were very war-like, and subsisted by fishing and hunting, but raised some Indian corn. They were idolaters, and practiced polygamy. They were very docile and very friendly to the French, aiding them in the war at Detroit, where many of them settled. For savages they were very polite. They were enemies of the Iroquois.
7 Kickapous, or Quikuapous, live near the Maumee river, and were scattered over southern Michigan, and on the Fox river, and in Illinois. They were allies of the Foxes and hostile to the Sioux. Some of them settled at Detroit.
8 (1, p. 68) The Sacs, Sauke, Sakis or Saquis, united with the Fox before 1805. They resided mostly in Illinois and on the Mississippi. They had a settlement in Michigan on the Tittibawassee river, which was called Saki country. This tribe were divided into two factions, one joining the Foxes, the other the Pottawattomies, from whom they afterwards separated as neither would be subordinate. They had little intelligence, were brutal and unruly. They were unusually strong and good looking. They were thieves and liars, great talkers, good hunters, and no boatmen. They had no fixed abode, and in times of war were cannibals. Sakis is said to mean entrance of the river. They were enemies of the Iroquois.
9 (2, p. 68) See Appendix, Vol. 33.
10 (1, p. 69) Charles Michel Mesaiger (Messager) came to Canada in 1722, where he remained twenty-seven years, returning to France in 1749. Little is known of his labors, save that in 1731 he was at Michilimackinac and there went with La Verendrye on his explorations in the wilderness west of Lake Superior, having spent two years thus, he returned to Montreal on account of poor health. Wis. His. Coll. Vol. XVI, p. 446.
11 (2, p. 69) In 1670 the Ottawas removed from Lake Superior to Mackinaw. In 1820 they numbered 2,300; located in upper lake country, St. Ignace, Montreal and Detroit. They are often called "Nez-Percez," or pierced noses from having an ornament hung form the nose. Some say it is a charm against evil. Their food was Indian corn, fish and squash. They wore short hair but left a lock on top of the head. They attacked Detroit, but were usually allies of the French.
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