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.
Governor Hamilton to
Governor Clinton
(October 2, 1749)
Hamilton, James in: New York
Colonial
Docs. (London Docs.:
XXIX):
VI, pp. 580-581.
they are published Your Lordships will be of Opinion that they ought not to be suffered (even though there were some foundation for them) But when it shall likewise appear that they have no Foundation but only in the wicked malice of the Authors of them, you will hear them with that Detestation they deserve.
The faction in this province could not have arrived to the height of insolence they have, if they had not thought themselves supported by the Power of Chief Justice De Lancey, and their spirits kept up by the expectations they have of his succeeding to the Administration, as Lieut Governour of this province.
I must likewise inform Your Lordships that if I had not received Mr Colden's Assistance I could not have supported the King's Authority, so far as I have done, and on which account only he has exposed himself to all the malice of that Party. I must most earnestly recommend to Your Lordships consideration that if Mr Colden be not supported or his services disregarded, it must absolutely discourage every person in withstanding such like Factions for the Future, & weaken His Majesty's Authority in this Province more than can be well imagined.
If I had received His Majesty's Instructions in the time I expected them the power of the Faction had been broke before now. The delays in sending these Instructions have been of the greatest prejudice to me & His Majesty's service, for thereby the spirit of the Faction has been kept up by the hopes they entertain of Chief Justice De Lancey's Interest.
I must therefore again beg of Your Lordships to send me proper directions for my future conduct without delay, and I shall endeavour to recommend my self to Your Lordships' favor by putting them in execution with that prudence you may expect.
When Mr Shirley was in this Province the summer before last he informed himself minutely of the publick Affairs, & he knew Men as well as things in it, I can with pleasure refer Your Lordships to him both as an indifferent witness & a good Judge.
I have likewise ordered my Secretary Mr Catherwood to take Mr Parris's assistance in giving Your Lordships what further Informations you may want.
I am with the utmost respect,
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My Lords, Your Lordships most obedient |
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humble Servant |
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G. CLINTON |
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To the Right Honourable
The Lords Commissioners
for Trade & Plantations.
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Governor Hamilton to Governor Clinton.
[New York Papers, Rh.(?), No. 78.]
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Philada October 2d 1749 |
Sir
While the Deputys of the Six Nations were lately in the City I made it my business to enquire their sentimts upon the march of such a Body of Frenchmen to Ohio, but found they had no other knowledge of it than what they gained after their coming into this Province, neither upon my own acquainting them with it did it seem to give them any uneasiness.
A few Days ago the Messenger I sent into that Country returned and gave me the following account of His transactions. That upon his Arrival at an Indian town, called Logg's Town,1 on a branch of Ohio, he learnt that about 200 French and thirty Indians were just departed from thence after having summon'd a Council of the Indians & made them a speech the purport whereof, as nearly as he could collect, together with their answer is inclosed. Whereupon the Messenger gathered the Chiefs of the Indians together & acquainted them that he was sent by me to apprize them of a piece of intelligence I had received from Your Excelly & to put them on their guard in case the French might make any attempt upon them, & so repeated the substance of Your letter to me on that Subject. That when he had delivered his message the Indians expressed great thankfulness to their Brothers of New York & Pensylvania for their care in sending them an account of the French coming among them at a time when they did not expect them. That the Indians in Genl were much displeased at the proceedings of the French, & while he was among them held a Council in which it was resolved to fall upon them and cut them off, but that he advised them not to proceed in that manner, until they were more fully convinced than by words, that the French intended by force to gain the Subjection of the Twitchwees & Wayandotts (two nations that live further down the River & who for two or three years past have dealt largely with our Traders). That with a good deal of difficulty he got them disswaded from falling on the French at that time, but that they were still determined to differ with them, if the Twitchwees and Wayandotts who had fortifyed themselves in their towns would begin to quarell, to which purpose he sent Deputys to Council with them, who were not returned when he came away. That in genl he found the Indians in Ohio heartily in the interest of the English, & fully bent to quarell with the French if ever they came again in the same hostile manner.
The French Officer who commanded the party understanding it was chiefly with this Province that those Nations of Indians trafficked put into the hands of some of our traders three Copys of the inclosed Papers to be delivered me, by which you will perceive they have it much at heart to regain that branch of Trade, which was in a manner lost to them during the war, by their Disappointmt of regular Supplys of Goods from France; And at present from the Affection those Nations have entertained of the English on accot of their more friendly and reasonable manner of dealing with them. Upon the receipt of these papers I was apprehensive our traders might for the future be molested in their trade to that Country by Monsieur's carrying his threats into execution, & thought it incumbent on me to apprize them of this piece of Intelligence, that they might take their Measures accordingly, but I found them so satisfyed of the Friendship of the Indians, & so secure of their protection against the French that they are determined to prosecute their Trade among them, which has of late been a very valuable one.
I have sent by a sloop belonging to this City the Guns Your Excelly was so kind to assist this Province with at a time when they stood much in need of them, and am again requested to return you the grateful acknowledgmts of the Gentlemen Associates of so great a favour. I have the honour to be, Sr
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Your most obedt hble Servt |
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His Excelly Govr Clinton. |
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JAMES HAMILTON. |
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1 Loggstown was situate on the East bank of the Ohio, about twenty miles Northwest of Pittsburgh, Pa. P______(illeg. copy) Topographical Description of North America, App., p. 5.- ED.
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