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
(September 20, 1750)
Hamilton, James in: N. Y.
Colonial
Docs. (London Docs.: XXIX):VI,
pp. 593-596.
The Indians plague me dayly for Smiths to be sent to their Castles and for Powder and Lead &c: which I have ben under a necessity to give them while mine lasted. It is high time now for the Smiths to go to their Castles wherefore I hope the Assembly may make Provision for it, and for all the past services unpaif; The Smiths ought to have about 20, for presents to give the Indians of each castle, where they are quartered. I flatter myself if proper steps are taken, I could bring the five Nations to make a lasting Peace with the Cataabas, and I make bold to affirm, if it be not done now it will hardly be ever done- I am with all respect imaginable.
____________
Governor Hamilton to Governor Clinton.
[New-York Papers, Hh., No. 119.]
New York
a true Copy Exd P.
|
Gw BANYAR Secy |
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Message of Miamis and Hurons to the Governor of Pennsylvania. *
[New-York Papers, Hh., No. 121.]
Copy of a
Message delivered by Andrew Montour Indian
Interpreter at Ohio, to the Governor of Pensylvania
May it please the Governor
The Twightwees who were admitted into the Alliance of the English in a Treaty held at Lancaster two or three years ago sent their Deputys to Allegheny last Winter, with a Message (page 595) addressed to the six Nations, and other Indians living on Ohio and to the several English Provinces accompanied with this string of Wampum.
The Message delivered by the Deputys of the Twightwees was as follows
Brethren of the Six Nations and all the English living on Ohio, and all the English Governors
We, the Twightwees, who are now one with you desire that the Road, which has lately been opened between us, being a new one, and therefore rough blind and not well cleared may now be made plain, and that every thing which may hinder the Passage may be removed out of it, so effectually as not to leave the least obstruction, and we desire this may be done, not only as far as where you live, but beyond you to the places where our brethren the English live, that there Traders whom we desire to see amongst us, and to deal with us for the future, may travel to us securely & with Ease.
Brethren:
We are yet young and unexperienced, you the six Nations, are our elder brothers, and can advise us what to do on all occasions. We therefore put ourselves under your care, and request that you will look upon us as children, and assist us with your Council, and we promise to follow whatever advice you give us; for we are sensible that it will be for our Good. Our Father Onontio has kept us poor & blind, but thro' your means we begin to open our eyes and to see things at a great distance. We assure you by this String of Wampum, that we the Twightwees, have entirely laid Onontio aside, and will no more be governed by his advice nor any longer hearken to what he shall say.
This is our settled Determination, and we give you the strongest Assurances that we shall abide by it, and of this we desire you will inform the Six Nation Indians at Onondago and all the Indians who are in their and your alliance and likewise the Governor of Pensilvania and the other English Governors.
Sir:
I have it further in charge to relate to you the answer which the six Nation Indians at Ohio gave to this Message of the Twightwees
Brethren the Twightwees:
Harken to what we say and consider our answer as the joint answer of all the Nations of the Indians living in these Parts, of our Fathers the Six Nations living at Onondago and of the English Governors all whom we include in this answer.
Brethren of the Twightwee Nation:
You have by your Deputies desired of us, that we would open the new Road between us and you wide and take out of it every thing that can possibly hinder our Travelling safely and pleasantly to one an other, and that the English Traders may come more amongst you. And further that you henceforth put yourselves under our care and desire we will assist you with our Council and that you have entirely laid aside Onontio, and will be no more governed by his Councils.
We declare ourselves well pleased with every part of Your Message and will heartily join with you in making the Road perfectly clear and free from all impediments. We will take you under our care, and assist you on all occasions in the best manner. We trust your Determinations are made with the utmost seriousness and Deliberation, and that you will adhere to what you say- The English & We are firmly united together, We are all one (page 596) people and our hands joined so together, that nothing can separate them. You have joined hands with them & us tis true, but yours are yet like the hands of Infants, they can not take hold of the chain of Friendship with so much strength as those of riper years, but we advise you to take as strong an hold of it as ever you can and to form an union that nothing can break through- If any Tree should fall & block up the Road between us, be sure let us all put our hands to it, and unitedly & amicably, like Brethren, throw it out of the Road- Dont let us act single on any occasion, but altogether, and then shall we have the more strength.
Sir
I am further ordered to tell you that a Message arrived from the Twightwees just before I left Allegheny to acknowledge that they had received the Ohio answer, and returned thanks, and gave further Assurances that they would continue true to their new Engagements & expected to receive the Answer of the English Governors by the first Trader that should come into their parts in the Fall
Sr
I have finished what was given me in charge with respect to the Twightwees, but I have still something to communicate to the Governor of Pensilvania and all the other Governors on the Continent, which was communicated to me by the Owendaets (otherwise called Inontady-Haga Indians) in conjunction with the other Indians settled on Ohio, be pleased therefore to receive a message sent by the Owendaets and the other Indians.
Brethren the Governors of Pensilvania and New York
When you were at war with Onontio, we were perswaded by Corlaer to strike the French, you have since made peace with Onontio, and we expected that we were included in that Treaty, but we dont find it so, for the French are always threatning us, and have put us into so much fear by their menaces, that we dare not suffer our People to go into the hunting places at a distance from us lest we should meet a party of French. This was the case all last summer, and we have received Intelligence from the Six Nations that the French in Canada are now making Military Preperations, and intend to attack us this summer. Brethren you ought to have included us in your Peace, but since you did not, we now request that the English Governors would jointly apply to have us included in the Peace, that we may not be subject to their intimidations and Resentment of the French, but be in quiet as well as you.
Here he finished and gave a String of Wampum-
NB The Owendaets1 lived on the other side of Lake Erie before the Commencemt of the War: but left their Settlements and came on this side the Lake, and committed Hostilities against the French & dare not return to their Towns but remain with the other Indians on Ohio
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The above is a true Copy of an Indian Message delivered by Mr Andrew Montour Indian Interpreter at Ohio, & entered into the Council Books examd by me & Certified this 20 Sep 1750 |
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RICHARD PETERS |
|
|
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Secy of Pensylvania |
New York
a true Copy Exd P.
|
Gw BANYAR Secy |
_____________________________
* With very few changes in the document, mostly Brethren to Sir, capitalization, and comma placement, this is the same document as in Minutes of the Provincial Council of Pennsylvania, pp. 433-435.
1 Hurons.- ED.
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