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.
Letter to C. Colden
(Johnson Hall, April 6, 1764)
Johnson, Sir William in: The
Papers
of Sir William Johnson,
vol. 4, pp. 386-388.
FROM JOHN BRADSTREET
A. L. S.1
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Albany 6th, April 1764 |
SIR
General Gage mentions to me that I am to have some Indians with me; if you can inform me of the number & where I am to receive them you will very much oblige
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Sir |
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Your most humble servant |
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JN BRADSTREET |
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SIR WILLIAM JOHNSON Bart
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INDORSED: |
Alby April 6th,
1764 |
TO CADWALLADER COLDEN
A. L. S.2
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Johnson Hall April 6th, 1764 |
DEAR SIR
I have been favoured with your very friendly Letter of the 26th Ulto,3 and I am sincerely obliged to You for the esteem you have shewn for me in ye satisfaction You express at our late successes.- I have the greatest reason to expect a good Account of the Partys now upon Service from their zeal & readiness.- My Son set out with about 200 last Week, and a body of the same Number were gone before him.
Your Observations concerning the Chenussios were verry reasonable, if they neglected to make proper concessions, but on (page 387) the contrary I have the pleasure to acquaint You that they have agreed to the several Terms of which the General approved, they are to deliver up the 2 Murderers of Kanestio, all our People who are among them whether Prisoners, Deserters Negroes &ca & cede to his Majesty all the Lands from Niagara to the Falls on both sides of the Strait, with Several other necessary points,4 they have even desired to be employed against the Shawanese & Delawares, and sent to call away all their People from amongst them, and are to leave three of their Cheif Men Hostages for the performance of the Several Articles of Peace, all which, plainly shews that they repent of their late conduct, & their desire to regain our Esteem.
The rest of the Confederacy are preparing to Accompany the Troops, whose Success will be greatly facilitated from the losses I daily expect to hear the Enemy have Sustained and which will free us from the Delawares & Shawanese the most inveterate Enemys wh the Northeren Colonies have hitherto had to deal with.
I am to meet the Senecas, & Westeren Inds at Niagra the latter End of June, in order to Settle & ratify a general Peace with them, I have reason to expect the Twightwees will support the Shawanese &ca, but I hope this Alliance will enable me to bring them to reason.
I am much oblidged to You for ye desire Yu express to serve Capt Johnson, & am sorry You have been so much troubled on the Subject, as he is unacquainted with the parts of the Country back from the Hudsons River, & ignorant how far the same is pattented, I must once more submit it to you whether there is not vacant Lands at the back of Scochkticoke or Sanckaik Pattents, or any of those on the East Side of Hudsons River, I think a grant was made last Year not far from Saraghtoga to one Mr Campbel, an officer, perhaps this might be granted along side of his, or at the back of it, or of some of the other Pattents in that Quarter.
Now that I am on the Subject of Lands I must request your Advice concerning the Tract given me by the Conajoharees in the Year 1760,5 which by the Present Kings Instructions a Stop was put to it at that time. I have laid aside all thoughts of Tracts for which I have the most fair Title from the Indians, and wh few who had the same pretensions to them would have neglected, but it would be an Injustice to my Family to give up all my pretensions.
Altho this Tract is as a free Gift from the Indians, yet I gave them above 1200 Dollars after Signing & delivering me the Deed which was done in the most public manner by all the Indians, of that Castle, Who from thence forward consider it as my property. I am therefore desireous to take the same up agreable to the last proclamation, as there can be no objection to this at present, after it has passed the forms prescribed, which the Indians are always ready to comply with, I would take the liberty of proposing yr Acceptance of ten thousand Acres therein, on remitting ye Pattent Fees. The Land is verry fine, and capable of making good Settlements, I can therefore recommend it as well worth notice, and as I am resolved on Settleing the Affair as soon as possible, & the readier make this proposal to You, as what I apprehend would answer the conveniency of both.- You will please to favour me with Your Answer hereon, as Lycenses are now unnecessary, I Suppose it is Sufficient to have a Meeting with the Inds previous to taking out the Pattent, for should the former Steps be requisite, I should sooner take other measures for obtaining it than Struggle with an opposition, but as I understand the Proclamation, Affairs of this Nature remain with each governour & consequently can be soon Settled.
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I am with all regard & Esteem |
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Dear Sir |
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Your most sincere Welwisher |
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& verry Humble Servant |
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WM JOHNSON |
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__________________
1 In a private collection.
2 In the New York Historical Society, New York City.
3 See Collections of the New York Historical Society. 1876, Colden Papers, p. 315-16.
4 (1, p. 387) See Doc. Rel. to Col. Hist. N. Y., 7:621-23.
5 (1, p. 388) Volume 3, p. 296-98.
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