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.
Report of Le Pian
(May, 1750)
In: "Reports to Raymond," Archives
Nationales,
Ministere des Colonies, C11A 95:392 and in
Illinois Historical Collections,
French Series, vol. III,
pp. 197-200.
Report of Le Pian
Le Pian is of La Demoiselle's band. He says he has separated from it; nevertheless he lives at Great Miami River. He came here to see one of his comrades who is truly attached to the French, a Delaware.
My father, I beg you to be assured of my fidelity and that I will come to warn you of everything, which I learn is contrived against Onontio and his French; I will hide nothing from you.
My father, the Wea have assured the English and La Demoiselle that before the summer is over they will strike the French in good fashion; they have been faithful to them up to (page 198) now, but have been rebuffed at being ill received by Monsieur the general, who scarcely looked at them, and let them depart without having given them anything save a trifle which was not worth leaving their village for; it cost no more with the French to be a rascal than to be an honest man; it was to those who were worst and who had killed the French that M. the general made the most presents.
The Iroquois have come to Great Miami River and said to La Demoiselle, "My brothers, you may expect that the French will come to give you a shaking next summer." The young men answered, reproaching them, "It is you who are the cause of our misfortune and of the loss of our wives and children." The Iroquois told them, "That is true, but you see your brother the English gives you all for nothing, and that the French were hard on you and sold you everything very dear. Since it is we who have caused our brothers to come here, you must sustain them and die for them and be with them. My brothers, be not angry with us. (page 199) Be assured that if the French come this year to these regions, we will go to meet them, and when they have passed we shall be the first to strike them. You have only to come to meet them. We, as the tribes we are in these parts, will all join together and not a Frenchman shall escape." The Shawnee have said the same to the English and to La Demoiselle, who said he would rather have his head cut off than ever go back to the French.
The Ottawa and the Chippewa of Saginaw have asked permission of La Demoiselle and the English to settle among them. Their request has been accorded them, and they are all to winter on the upper Grand Glaize, and when spring had come they will make their village at Great Miami River.
A great council is shortly to be held with the English and La Demoiselle; at it all the tribes are to be present, and nothing good for the French will transpire. As soon as it is over, I will come, my father, to tell you all that has happened. You may count on it also that I shall conceal nothing from you.
I do not guarantee that this Indian will keep his word, or report to me faithfully what is decided in the council. Everything that comes to me from that side is suspect to me. I made him a present of a pot of brandy and a little tobacco to engage him to warn me of the doings of the English and of La Demoiselle.
I shall send you by the interpreter the two strings of wampum and the beaver robe that the widow of Le Jarret and mother of Le Gris gave me. It is her son who sends you this message.
The Potawatomi chiefs of St. Joseph have sent here three of their people to bring me six strings of wampum to clear themselves from the accusations that had been made to me against them, which I have already reported to you. At the same time they offer their services to me. I do not go bail for the sincerity of their offers of service nor for their fidelity.
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