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.
Anonymous Diary of a Trip
from Detroit to the
Ohio River
(May 22 - August 24, 1745)
In: Archives of the Seminary of
Quebec,
ASQ V-V 17:1 (Translation), Papiers
Contrecoeur, pp. 1-10.
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The 22nd of May we left Detroit to go to the Ohio River. While going down the Detroit [River] we met with a Poute8atamis in a canoe, who asked us where we were going. We answered him that we were going hunting. From there we reached la Pointe au Roche where we were forced to encamp because of an offshore wind.
The 23rd, we left la Pointe au Roche before sunrise with a wind behind us. We could not pass la Riviere au Raisin because of an offshore wind.
The 24th, we spent all day at la Riviere au Raisin without being able to leave it because of the offshore wind. About four o'clock in the afternoon the pirogues of the ___________* went by.
The 25th, we left la Riviere au Raisin. Going out of that river we found two Huron canoes which were going to Sandacquier. That day we did only four leagues after which we camped at la Pointe au Seidre where we found a Huront who was fishing, and who came to us and asked us where we were going. We answered him that we were going to Saguin's. There arrived an Ottawa canoe from the cabins of Sundaquier. An hour later the two Huron canoes which we . . . at the mouth of the Riviere au Raisin, arrived and informed us about the route that we were to follow and that the road in the back of their village was the shortest.
The 26th, we left la Pointe au Seidre at sunrise, the wind behind us carrying us to the village of Sandokier. Upon arriving at that village we were lodged at the home of the great Sonontoin.
The 27th, we remained all day preparing for our journey. The Huronts urged us to return by their village.
The 28th, we left before sunrise. We took the route behind the village. We walked all day without stopping. We did about twelve leagues after which we were forced to encamp because of the rain which made us lose two hours' time. We began to keep a watch the first night that we slept in the woods.
The 29th, we traveled all day and camped at the first branch of the Riviere Sohiotos. We did ten to twelve leagues.
The 30th, we left the branch of the said river at sunrise and traveled all day without being able to stumble on the main branch. We were able to do ten leagues at least, and camped on the meadow.
The 31st, we left the meadow at sunrise, and we camped at the Riviere Soniotos. We worked to begin our canoe. We could not finish it. We did four or five leagues at the most.
June 1st, we finished our canoe about two o'clock in the afternoon. We traveled the rest of the day.
The 2nd, we found shallow water. We could do only seven or eight leagues.
The 3rd, we did not find the water any better than the day before, and the river is nothing but rapids. We could do only four leagues, after which we encamped to go hunting.
The 4th, we arrived at the main branch about two o'clock in the afternoon. It rained, which made us set up camp.
The 5th, we left at sunrise. We did not get very far because our canoe could not carry all of us and it was necessary to make another. We did eight leagues and camped.
The 6th, we began a canoe and finished it about three o'clock in the afternoon. One hour after we had set out we met a Sonontoin who was going to Detroit to trade. He told us that the Cha8anont were going to make a clearing a little below their village, after which he asked us if only we whom he saw were to get the English prisoners. We answered that there were more than a hundred Indians who were going by land. He left us and continued on his way.
The 7th, we left at sunrise. About three o'clock in the afternoon we met an Hirocois who was hunting. We asked him if the Cha8anont had arrived and if it was far. He answered that it would take us three days. We ended up by traveling all day and set up came after having done twelve leagues.
The 8th, we left at sunrise. About two o'clock in the afternoon we began to see the mountains of the Belle Riviere.
The 9th , we left after sunrise. We did four leagues and then encamped because of the rain which lasted all day.
The 10th, we traveled until 2 o'clock in the afternoon. We arrived at the lower part of the Riviere Soniotos where we found the Cha8anont who greeted us and told us how glad they were to see us. They had not spoken to a Frenchman for a week. They were set up their village on the Riviere Soniotos but our arrival changed everything.
The 11th, they held a council to deliberate whether they would leave, and to
hear the reading of M. Longuieille's letter. After this Chartiers took the flag
and planted it in front of one of the big chiefs of the village, saying to
them: This is what yours sends you to continue to [do] the bidding of the
general (page 4) while [. . .]**
of the letter they all took up arms, saying [. . .]**
they have gone to see their father Ononthio, have [. . .]**
even two hours later they have [. . .] us [. . .]**
at the council they all took back their [. . .]**
by chanting the war song after which they [. . .]**
that no [. . .] had come [. . .]**
that they ought not to have taken [. . .]**
had made the Hirocois hear [. . .]**
began to shout in a terrifying way. They would have nothing to do with it. They
needed them every day; if the French could bring them back or if their father
had noticed them, it was only to make slaves of them; they tell them that for
the sole reason of discouraging them from continuing their journey; but
Chartiers told them that he would not listen to them, that he would travel
until he had reached his destination.
The 12th, we remained all day at the mouth of the Riviere Soniotos. In the afternoon the Cha8enont held council among themselves to see if they would leave, after which Chartieres told us we would leave in five days because of the feast of the dead. Chartiers is still urging the Cha8enont not to give up their undertaking. HE is very favorable to the French, it appears.
The 13th, we remained all day at the same place. Toward evening Chartier came to tell us that we would not leave until the end of the moon, because of the big chief who had not yet come, but that if he was not back by the end of the moon, he would no longer delay.
The 14th, the Indians began the dance of the dead which lasted from two in the afternoon to eleven o'clock at night.
The 15th, we remained all day to watch them tir Les Saut Du Festin.1 An hour later, they gave us the babich atire,2 after (page 5) which they gathered Indian corn in the village to give us.
The 16th the Cha8enont again held council among themselves. Chartier is just
about to make them a present of a barrel of powder since they are [. . .]**
they are going to go away to make their clearing with [. . .]**
Chartiers told them that their father [. . .]**
glad about that.
The 17th, they discussed the same subject. Chartiers again told them that since the big chief was to come, there was reason to leave ten men to wait for him, and that they would march by short stages while waiting for them. They did not want to answer him. However, more than a half of the Cha8enons remained, who stayed to grind the corn.
The 18th, thee arrived some hunters who reported that they had seen some human tracks. They held council.
The 19th, Chartiers' band called to the Cha8enont who went up the Riviere Soniotos that since they were establishing themselves there, they must not become separated as [. . .]** as they were doing. Four men left to go to the village of the Teste Platte. We do not know what they are going to do.
The 20th, the Cha8enont worked making canoes in spite of the rain which lasted all day.
The 21st, we had rain all day. The Cha8enont found a micouens. They came to ask if the Outa8ois had done the same, after which they held council all night and kept a good watch.
The 22nd, they got their equipment ready to leave.
The 23rd, they loaded their boats at daybreak, after which they held a short council among themselves.
The 24th we left the Rivire Soniotos about nine in the morning, after a farewell to all who remained. They told us: "My Huront fathers, we are going to see you soon. We are going to see at the village of the Hirocois if they accepted the tomahawks to strike the English." From there they are to go among the Loups to see if they cannot find some Englishmen. They say they do not want to go and see their father without presenting some of this meat to him.
The 25th, we left about nine in the morning. We did only five leagues in all, and we camped at the salt lick about eleven o'clock. They all went hunting at four in the afternoon. We had (?) which lasted all the rest of the day.
The 26th, they all left to go hunting to kill some buffalo and to go see what these man-made tracks they had seen the day before could be. An Abenaquie died at daybreak. We buried him to show the Indians that we do not abandon our people.
The 27th, we remained all day. About 11 o'clock six Cha8enont arrived from the river.
The 28th, one hour before daybreak we had a storm that lasted two hours at the most. The Cha8enont [held] a council. They reported that the city of Quebec was taken and that the French were waiting for them at the mouth of the Wabash. It is the Hirocois who told them. Chartiers' band replied to them that since it was the wish of their father, they should fear nothing. They finished their council very late at night, after which they danced to show that they had no regrets about abandoning their village.
The 29th, we remained all day waiting for a Cha8enont who had strayed.
The 30th, we were stopped by rain. However, the Indians who had come to entice the other Cha8enont away, left to return to their village. At sundown we had. . .
July 1st, we were forced to remain all day because of the rain. Poudrette said he did not care about your order; that he would not give up the English; that it was the Indians who had given them to him; that he wished to take them himself to the general.
The 2nd, we left the salt lick about ten o'clock in the morning. The Cha8enont who are on the Soniotos river, there came four men to tell us that the nation was waiting for them to destroy them, that it was the Outa8ois who had warned them about that.
The 3rd, we left about nine o'clock. we did about six leagues and then set up camp because the horses cannot keep up with the canoes.
The 4th, we remained all day to make a canoe and to let the horses rest.
The 5th, we left about nine o'clock in the morning and we traveled about three hours.
The 6th, the Cha8enont held council, in which they told us that we should not leave except at the lower 8abache; that, since it was their father who had made them leave, it was only right that we should accompany them, that we were the children of the general.
The 7th, we remained all day making canoes. After sunset we had an alarm. The savages saw a man who tried to take on of their canoes.
The 8th, we left at noon, and set up camp at there in the afternoon. There were two men missing; that is what caused us to leave so late.
The 9th, we left at sunrise and set up camp at eight in the evening. They held council among themselves about some tracks which an Indian had seen; they asked us if we wanted to go with them. One Frenchman went.
The 10th, they left to go scouting. There were one Frenchman and one Hirocois with the Cha8enont; they saw nothing and came back only an hour before sunset.
The 11th, we left about ten in the morning, and camped at two in the afternoon.
The 12th, there arrived a Teste Platte slave who came to rejoin Chartier's band.
The 13th, we left at nine o'clock, and camped about three in the afternoon.
The 14th, we waited all day for the hunters and the scouts who had remained behind. We had rain a good part of the night.
The 15th, we left the river which goes to Filadelphis where we found a tree on which there was English writing.
The 16th, we left the aforementioned river at ten o'clock in the morning and camped at three quarters of a league because a man was ill.
The 17th, we remained all day to hunt to get food for their children.
The 189th, we left and encamped about two acres away because of three canoes which arrived singing; they were Cha8anont singing the pipe song. An hour later there came two Miamis to see what we had. They saw the Cha8enont, their brothers. They were well received.
The 19th, we left to go to the Riviere de Miamis.
[The 20th, we stayed all day to talk with the Cha8enont. They were very]
The 20th, we remained all day to [go] speak to the Miamis. The Cha8enont asked them if they had accepted the tomahawk. The Mis answered that no one had spoken to them about it.
The 21st, we left the Riviere des Mis about eight in the morning. We did about six or seven leagues after which we camped.
The 22nd, we left an hour after sunrise and we camped at half a league from the Grande Glaise where the elephants are.
The 23rd, we arrived at the Glaise one hour after sunrise and we stayed all day hunting to allow their animals to rest.
The 24th, we had to stay to make saddles.
The 25th, we remained all day. About nine o'clock a canoe of Miamis arrived on their way to go on the warpath in the Chicachiu country. They stayed all day to rest.
The 26th, we left the Grand Saline about eight o'clock, and camped at the last point before reaching the falls.
The 27th, we remained all day. We asked for English prisoners. We were told that we should not get any, that they did not want to give them up.
The 28th, we stayed all day to make a pirogue. We could not finish it.
The 29th, we finished the pirogue at sunrise. We left as soon as it was in the water, and made four leagues.
The 30th, we remained all day to go hunting and to make canoes for the savages.
The 31st, we stayed to make canoes and to go hunting, and our young men went up the Rivire de la Saline where we found a party of Outa8ois who were returning from war. We joined with them.
August 1st, we remained all day. Chartier took an Outa8ois to guide him to a salt lick.
The 2nd, we still remained at the Point de la Saline.
The 3rd, we left an hour after sunrise, and camped one or two hours before sunset.
The 4th, we walked until 4 in the afternoon and camped because of the rain which lasted the rest of the day.
The 5th, we reached Rivire des Miamis which empties into the Belle Rivire. We had rain about four o'clock in the afternoon.
The 6th, we left an hour after sunrise, and walked all day. At one o'clock in the afternoon we crossed a river with the water up to our necks.
The 7th, we left before sunrise, and camped an hour before sunset.
The 8th, we left at the same hour. About four o'clock in the afternoon the Indians heard two gun shots.
The 9th, we left an hour after sunrise without having breakfast. At ten o'clock we found a band of does in the water, and killed six.
The 10th, we left at sunrise. About eleven o'clock in the morning we crossed the Rivire des Mis, and we camped one hour before sundown, so that the savages could go hunting.
The 11th, we took the route to the village of the Miamis because we were hungry and the road was short.
The 12th, we crossed the Riviere des Mis, and camped six leagues from there.
The 13th, we could not get to the post of the Mis because of the rain and the ravines.
The 14th, we left before sunrise and camped at a cabin of Miamis who gave us something to eat. We had not eaten for twenty-four hours.
The 14th, we could only reach the Riviere des Miamis. We traveled all day.
The 16th, we left the Riviere des Mis which passes behind the village, and reached the fort at three o'clock in the afternoon.
The 17th, we stayed all day to make all our preparations.
The 18th, we left the fort at ten, and went and camped at the bend which is four leagues from the fort.
The 19th, we left before sunrise and camped at noon. Because of the rain we did only eight or nine leagues.
The 20th, we left before sunrise. We traveled all day. About 4 in the afternoon we found three Outa8ois who had left us at the Riviere au Roche and we camped at the Glaise.
The 21st, we [left] early. We could only get halfway through the slack water because of the great number of rapids and because the water is so low there.
The 22nd, we left at sunrise, and camped a league and a half from la Roche Debout (Standing Stone).
The 23rd, we left at sunrise and camped at sunset below the rapids.
The 24th, we left the place below the rapids as
the sun was rising. We reached the bay (. . .). After having prepared food, we
left for an all-night journey. We arrived at daybreak at Point au Roche. We set
sail the 25th. We entered the straits, and arrived at the fort about 11 o'clock
in the evening.
______________________
* Here there is a gap in the text. Perhaps it should read: "pirogues of the Poute8atamis" or "Hurons."
** torn page
1. Various translations are possible; "go through their formal leaps," "gather up the bones of the feast," or "draw the waters of the feast," depending on whether "Les Saut" means "les Sauts," "les os," or "les eaux."
2. Probably, stretched rawhide.
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