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.
Chouteau on Indian Affairs
(St. Louis, 21 July, 1816)
Chouteau, August in: National
Archives,
Record Group 75.
NOTES
The Indians of North America having always lived in a state of nature deriving their subsistence from the wild animals of the forest, it follows that as their numbers multiplied and game became more scarce they found it necessary to divide themselves into tribes, and separating themselves from one another to seek new situation more favorable for the supply of their wants. The frequent recurrence of this necessity in a long succession of time has doubtless placed many tribes of the same nation at distances very remote from each other- and the traditions of their ancestors becoming less and less interesting to every new generation have frequently been wholly forgotten, or too imperfectly recollected to furnish any satisfactory account either of their origin, or the various migrations of their nations and although it is not difficult in many cases to distinguish the different tribes of the same nation by a careful examination of their language, and sometimes by their physiognomy, yet after a separation of many year and in the mean time mingling themselves with Strangers, even these characteristic indications may be lost or become too equivocal to be relied on.
* * *
After the tribes of Mascoutins, Miamies, and Peorias had abandoned their residences in the delightful country which they had inhabited, it remained unoccupied by any particular tribe till the year 1743, when a part of the Pottowatimies who resided near Detroit, together with some bands of Ottawas and Chippawas removed to it and settled themselves near Chicago; and on some parts of the Illinois river; and have continued in the uninterrupted possession thereof to the present time. This possession is presumed to have been taken conjointly by those three tribes, in consequence of their having formerly, at Michilimakinac entered into an alliance offensive and defensive, with all the solemnities and ceremonies usual among savages on such occasion; and of their having under that alliance contributed their joint exertions in expelling the Illinois Indians from that country which they now claim by right of conquest. . .
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