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.
Extract of the Official
Yearly Report
(October 14, 1733)
Beauharnois and Hocquart to the French Minister in
"1733: Indians of the Upper Country; Foxes;
Shawnee; Illinois" : Wisconsin Historical
Collections, XVII, pp. 184-187.
(page 185) the necessary precautions, by means of the Nations that are faithful to us, to bring the remnant of the Renards to Montreal, or to destroy them if they refuse to submit to it. The decision taken by the Sieur de Beauharnois in this Regard is not based upon any anxiety that the few remaining Renards may cause; but as they are all assembled at la Baye and so slight a matter occupies the attention of all the nations which are desirous of Exterminating the race, the Sieur de Beauharnois has thought that it could easily be effected through the Sieur de Villiers; all the more so that the Nations up there can be more usefully employed in attacking the Chicachas, without Allowing them to prolong a war against the Renards, of which there will probably no longer be any question, and which might have lasted a long time had the task of putting an end to it Been left to the savages. The Sieur de Beauharnois ventures to hope that His Majesty will be pleased to approve of his conduct and that He will be no less satisfied with what he will do Regarding the Chicachas.
He has the honor to call your attention, Monseigneur, to what is pointed out to him by the King's memorial Respecting the Chawanons. He Was greatly flattered on learning that His Majesty Was satisfied with the accord that reigned between this Nation, the hurons, the Miamis, and the Ouiatanons. He has the honor to communicate to you, Monseigneur, the reasons that compelled him to send the Sieur Desnoyelles to the Miamis- a party of whom had Established themselves at the Rivire blanche and two others; one on the upper part of the Kipigon River and the other between the River St Joseph and the Miamis- to bring them back to their Village,1 and to Induce the Chawanons to kindle their fire there in accordance with the (page 186) request made by the Miamis to the Sieur de Beauharnois. There is Reason to believe that the union of these two Nations will Thwart the intentions that the English might have of Establishing posts for the purpose of attracting them; and there is every reason to believe also that the Chawanons will accept the Miamis' proposal, for they informed the Sieur de Beauharnois of their desire to form but one Village with their brothers. The Sieur Desnoyelles has orders to get the Wiatanons to join him in inducing the Miamis to return to their Village which they have abandoned solely in consequence of the ravages of small-pox; at least that is the pretext they have alleged.
* * * * * * * *
The Sieurs de Beauharnois and hocquart have observed, Monseigneur, what is written to them regarding the dependence of the Jllinois country which his Majesty has been pleased to include in the Government of Louisiana. They are not aware of the reasons that have induced His Majesty to do this. The request made by these savages to the Sieur de Beauharnois to be dependents of this Government, owing to the difficulty they would have in supplying their needs from the Mississipi, seemed to be worthy of some consideration with regard to Them. In any case, the Sieur de Beauharnois will continue to devote all the attention in his power to that post and to send the necessary orders to it.
The Sieur de Beauharnois has the honor of communicating to you, Monseigneur, those notices that he has given to all the posts to Induce the Nations to attack the Chicachas, and to the Governor of Louisiana to have them harassed on his side. The means that he has taken to create a diversion among all the Nations which are in a position to molest them seem the surest and the most suitable for their subjugation; all the more so that he War with the Renards in which the savages Were engaged is ended, and larger bands will be available for attacking the Chicachas; and there is reason to believe that we shall be able to destroy them in a short time.
* * * * * * * *
__________________________
1 This village of the Miami was situated upon the Maumee River, and known by the name of Kekionga. "Rivire blanche" was a title bestowed by the French upon several clear rivers. This was either the Sandusky, or the Little Miami, both of which are called by this name on early maps; more probably, it was the former. The Kiepigon was probably the present White River, of Indiana; on the earliest edition of Franquelin's map, this is named "Orapigianing;" later it was known as River St. Anne.- ED.
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