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.
Johnson to Col.
Henry Bouquet
(German Flats, June 18, 1764)
Johnson, Sir William in: [B. M., Add.
MSS, 21650, f. 270, L. S.] and
in Stevens, et all., The Papers
of Col. Henry Bouquet,
Series 21650, part I
(1942), pp. 182-184.
I am of opinion that 1000 Men will be the smallest number you can think of to answer the purposes of your Expedition, it is not probable that the Enemy you have to encounter can collect an Equal Number in one body, but then it must be considered that Experience, Activity, and a perfect knowledge of the Country will give a much small body of Indians great advantage over us; that they can make an attack without much loss, and retreat when they fail of success without the risque to which we should be exposed in the same situation.
The delays which attended the raising men for the Service has given our Enemys great consequence as well as retarded your design, the reasons therefore you assign against an Expedition by Water appear very material to me; Altho' I am informed by the Indians that they pass up and down the Muskingum and Scioto at all Seasons, but whether the Size and figure of your Boats will permit you to run that hazard is difficult to determine, and I am sensible a retreat against the Stream of Ohio will greatly expose you if drove to that necessity; otherwise I shod think that an Expedition up the Muskingam, & from thence by Land along a good road to Scioto would appear the best.
Your account of the openness of the Woods and Description of the Country over the Ohio agrees with mine and I should think the same practicable with Troops, hardy, active & Experienced in the Woods; to get the Generality of men so qualified is very difficult, & without such no Expedition can be carried on thro' the interior parts of America with any prospect of success.
I have conferred with Colonel Bradstreet concerning his Expedition and I am of opinion that his making some attempt by way of Sandosky would greatly contribute to your Success, if you were at the same time ready to cooperate with him, but that I fear is now too late to Expect; At all Events there are many Villages at present about the Muskingam and I dare say your first attempt will be there to prevent their obstructing your retreat.
Many of the Indians about Ohio may probably have changed their scituation very lately, I know their attention at present is to our attempts by the Lakes, but on my arrival at Niagara which will be in about 10 or 12 days I shall be enable to know farther concerning the designs and Scituation of the Enemy, and also do all in my power to send you a body of Indians under proper Officers byway of Presqu' Isle to Fort Pitt; with regard to provisions I am sensible of the difficultys you will have in transporting them at the same time I know that the Indians will not be content with it according to any certain allowance, but will require it as often as hungry.
As I have presents and Cloathing with me, I shall supply them at Niagara, least it could not be purchased and got up in sufficient time to Fort Pitt.
I have this moment received a Letter from Niagara acquainting me that about a Week ago a party of 30 Friend Indians who were coming in to joyn the rest I sent there, on passing an Outpost sang their Song and discharged their pieces as is always customary; but the Serjeant who commanded mistaking them for an Enemy fired upon them and dangerously wounded three of the Indians: this is very unlucky and I fear from the natural Jealousy of the Indians I shall have enough to do to convince them it was a mistake.
On my arrival at Niagara I shall speak to the Indians that good party may proceed to you, but as the certainty of their Rout, Numbers, and other particulars will depend on many circumstances, I must deferr anything more on that head until my arrival there, when I shall acquaint you with everything necessary for your information as well as do all in my power for promoting the success of your Expedition.
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