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.
Jonquiere to the Minister
(Quebec, Sept. 20, 1749)
Jonquiere, Marquis de la in: Stevens
and Kent, eds.,
Wilderness Chronicles of Northwestern
Pennsylvania, pp. 26-27.
some Indian Nations who had got embroiled on occasion of the war just concluded, I have been much surprised to find traders belonging to your government in a country to which England never had any pretension. It seems even that they do not think differently in New England, since in several villages I have passed the English who were trading there have for the most part fled. Those whom I have just encountered and through whom I write to you, I have treated with all possible courtesy, thought I had a right to regard them as interlopers and vagabonds, their undertaking being contrary to the preliminaries of the peace signed over fifteen months ago.
I hope, Sir, that you will be so good as to prohibit that trade in the future, as it is contrary to the treaties; and notify your traders that they will expose themselves considerably, should they return to these countries, and that they must impute to nobody but themselves whatever misfortunes will overtake them. I know that our Governor in chief would be very sorry to have recourse to any violence, but his orders are very strict not to suffer any foreign traders within his government.
|
I have the honor to be with respect, |
|
|
|
|
|
Sir, |
|
|
|
|
|
Your most humble and most obedient servant, |
|
|
|
|
|
CELORON |
|
M. DE LA
JONQUIERE66 TO
THE MINISTER OF THE
MARINE
[Margry, Decouvertes des Franais, VI, 727-728]
|
Quebec, September 20, 1749 |
* * * * *
The moment I received the letter that you did me the honor to write on May 4, relating to the tribe of savages who were withdrawing to (page 27) Sonioto,67 I wrote to M. de Vaudreuil, governor of Louisiana,68 to inform him that I would make every effort to reunite these savages with the rest of their tribe and that I would work jointly with him. I left my letter in France and very likely it has been sent out to him. I have transmitted your letter to the Marquis de La Galissoniere;69 he has told me that M. de Celoron's detachment apparently will bring about this reunion, at least for a time, but for something permanent we must establish one or more trading posts on the Belle Rivire or in its vicinity, and especially toward its headwaters. These posts might have the inconvenience of making contraband trade easier; he judges, however, that this ought to be risked, because without it the English would undoubtedly locate there, and through this would be in a position to penetrate to all our trading posts and cut the communication with Louisiana. On the return of Sieur de Celoron, I hope to give a more accurate and extensive account.
* * * * *
MEMOIR OF THE FRENCH COLONIES IN
NORTH
AMERICA BY THE MARQUIS DE LA GALISSONIERE*
[Brodhead, N. Y. Col. Docs., X, 229-230]
|
[December, 1750] |
* * * * *
What has been observed already in the course of their Memoir, when treating
of the utility of Canada in regard to the preservation of Mexico, shows the
absolute necessity of the free and certain communication from Canada to the
Mississippi. This chain, once broken, would leave an opening of which the
English would doubtless take advantage to get nearer the silver mines (la
source de l'argent). Many of their writings are full of this project, which
will never amount to anything but a chimera, if France retain her Canadian
possessions.
________________________
66 Marquis de la Jonquiere was appointed governor general in 1746, but was captured by the English fleet on his voyage to Canada. Marquis de La Galissoniere served as a substitute until his arrival in August, 1747.
67 The village of Sonhioto or Scioto was near the mouth of the Scioto river on the north bank of the Ohio. The tribe of savages was probably the Shawnee.
68 Pierre Franois Rigaud, Marquis de Vaudreuil-Cavagnal, later became the last governor general of New France.
69 He had not yet left for France.
* Some changes in spelling have been made. It is also to be found in Pa. Arch., 2nd series, VI, 109-110.
Return to
TOC, p. 11
Continue
to next part of Miami Collection
[return to Miami
Collection Menu]
[return to Glenn A. Black Laboratory
of Archaeology List of Publications]
[return to Glenn A. Black
Laboratory of Archaeology Home]
Last updated: 27
November 2000
URL: http://www.gbl.indiana.edu/home.html
Comments: webmaster@www.gbl.indiana.edu
Copyright 1996, Glenn Black Laboratory of Archaeology and The Trustees of Indiana University