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 Gladwin
(New York, April 25, 1764)
Gage, Thomas in: Gage Papers,
American Series, William
L. Clements Library.
Sir
I was last night favored with your dispatches, of the 7th 8th 9th January & 24th March address'd to Sir Jeffery Amherst, Colo Amherst and to Me. I hope you will be satisfied to remain in your present situation till relieved by Colo Bradstreet, who will make all possible haste up to you. (I need not say much to you, about the scarcity of the Enemy's ammunition or of the Wiandots and Delawares, having told you my opinion & designs in my letter of the 23d Instt. If you judge it best for Colo Bradstreet to go to you first, before he attempts any thing, that will depend on the situation of affairs, at the time; and he will act agreable to the intelligence you shall give him, And those operations must be settled between you, as it's not possible to send Orders, at such a distance.)
Sir Jeffery Amherst cou'd not mean that you shou'd remove the whole Settlement, but such as were proved highly culpable. The Delinquents shou'd be tried and punished on the spot. I had no other powers at Montreal, but such as you mention to have recieved, and they are sufficient, more particularly in a Country without any Civil Court of Judicature, and in a State of actual War. If it were necessary, you might by the Law of Arms, on a person's being proved a Spy, order him for Execution, by your own authority. When ever you can, you must carry it with a very high hand with the French, or you will lose all authority over them; it is absolutely necessary in our present circumstances, Publick Justice demands, & the Good of the Service, and future peace and tranquility requires, that examples should be made, of the most guilty of those, who have acted traitorously in any shape against their Sovereign, you must bring the most guilty to tryal and execute them if condemned. For this you will take the proper time, of which you will be, the best judge, as also in respect of sending away the Jesuit whose papers, you wou'd do well to examine.-
I before mentioned to you, that Captn Hopkins was reduced, and gone home. By your account of his behavior you ought on your own account, to have kept up a proper authority in your Command, to have put him in Arrest.
I am glad to hear, that the presents I sent you from Montreal are safe at Niagara, I never heard where they had got to. The Outawas of Michillimackinac were well advised most certainly; I have given notice to Gov Burton of their intention to visit him, and their designs in it, they could not want any thing at Detroit, unless to supply our Enemies, and it's very well, they got nothing. Governor Burton has seized all the ammunition at Montreal, and put it into the King's Stores, and will continue the prohibition on the trade. I Suppose you will deal with the priest, as you propose dealing with the Jesuits.
I now come to your Letter to the 24th March, in which you acknowledge mine of the 22d of Decemb and I conclude you had good reasons for not communicating the Contents to the Indians, they may make a handle of that, to excuse the renewal of hostilities. If you inform them we accept their overtures of peace, we can with greater justice, try at every means to extirpate them, shou'd they begin the War again, which you must endeavor to prevent by all means in your power. As you are now weak you must soon know their intentions, and if their scheme is treachery, and the advice you recieved concerning the Designs of the Ottawa Chief proves true, I hope your next will inform me, you have put him, and all his Clan to the Sword It is cruelty to yourself, and your Country , and particularly to every person under your Command, to neglect to punish such an infamous, refined and barbarous piece of treachery, as it deserves, by destroying it, in the very moment, that is to give it birth, and turning the vengeance on the heads of the traitors. It will also strike terror into the rest, and make you more respected and feared by all the Nations.
You don't say, of what nation the Indians were who killed the Cattle. The Indians of the Bay behaved very well to Lieut Gorrell and his party, they may have been gained since, I can't see that it's the interest of the french at present, to set on the Indians, unless some low traders , or such sort of fellows. They are frightened at New Orleans very much at any Indian commotions, and do all they can, to keep them at peace with themselves and Us too.
The 22d Regt went from New Orleans in February, and expect'd to reach the Illinois the beginning of May- If every (page 3) thing succeeds to our Wishes, it's proposed to fix a post at Michllimackinac, and this is necessary for the traders from Canada. Broadstreet will sound Lake St Clair, and endeavor at a good Communication betwixt Michillimackinac and Detroit. I am of your opinion to give them as much Rum, as they can drink, provided they carry it home, and they are not suffered to drink it at the posts-
You should get a list of the Sufferers, and what they lost, and on what account, that I may transmit it home. and if they deserve it, you shou'd recommend them to favor; and I doubt not by these means, that they may be relieved.
I shall be glad of an opportunity to serve Lt Hay, upon your recommendation of him, Lieut Colo Browning I hope, is in a condition to supply all your immediate wants, and that He will do it expeditiously.
As the Six Nations have drove the Delawares from the Susquehanna, they may retire towards the Miamis Country, and be at hand to join the rest in molesting you- I am &ca
Return
to TOC, p. 17
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: 25
January 2001
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