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 Johnson
(New York, Aug. 15, 1764)
Gage, Thomas in: The Papers of
Sir William Johnson, vol. 4.,
pp. 508-510.
[ ] got up and took [ ] [ ] saying they were glad, they were come to [ ] See us and hoped they wou'd continue so. If they [ ] the first breach of the Above peace, they were [ ] to their Concluding, they wou'd immediately mak[e a]gainst them
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INDORSED: |
Augt
12th 1764 |
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Entd
in Indn Recds Vol. 9- |
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FROM THOMAS GAGE
A. L. S.1
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New York August 15th: 1764 |
DEAR SIR,
I am this Day favored with your Letter of the 5th Inst: from Niagara. It's unlucky that the Troops were so long detained upon the Carrying Place, on Account of the Chenussies; and the Numerous Tribes of Savages who were there; and to whose Fidelity it was not safe to trust a small Body of Troops. The Conduct of the Chenussies by no Means Surprizes me; Their Reception of the Delawares, who were drove from the Susquehanna was a plain Indication of their Insincerity. And no Doubt, that the Partys who have annoyed the Carrying Place came from that Quarter. Had they been from any other, The Indians with us would not, perhaps, have let them go off so often unpunished. I wish they may be yet sincere, when the Rod is removed; and should be glad to hear that they had delivered (page 509) up the Murderers agreeable to their Treaty; and to see the King of the Delawares, as He is called, and the Head Warrior of that Nation, lodged in our Hands. Till then, we ought to be upon our Guard, and put No Faith in their Speeches and Declarations.
None of the Deputys at the Congress from the Western Nations belonged to any of the Tribes who took up Arms, except the Hurons And perhaps some of the Chippewas. I understand these last were from the Falls of St: Mary, who disapproved at the Beginning of the Surprize of Michillimakinak. I don't find that either of the Ottawas of Detroit, Pouteatamis or Wiandots, or Chippewas of the Bay of Saginam have sent their Deputys, and these were the Actors in, and Contrivers of the Tragedy. Major Gladwin in a Letter to Colonel Bradstreet of the 12th of July says, that the Wiandots of Sandusky had sued for Peace, and sent in five Prisoners, and in another Letter of the 28th of the same month, says in the Postcript; that He was just informed, that the Ottawas from the Miami River, were comeing in with three Prisoners; This is all I have heared of the Intentions of those Nations and Colonel Bradstreet gives this for Reason of his not attacking them. Colonel Bradstreet is probably before this Time at Detroit,2 as I understand He intended to go thither directly, without Making any Attempt against the Shawnese and Delawares, either by way of the Cayohoga Creek or the Sandusky River, agreeable to his Orders. For He tells me, that from very good Information He finds it impossible to get to the Scioto River by Water but from Presqu Isle or Shataqua and so round by Fort Pitt.
It is certainly Necessary to secure the Duration of a Peace by every prudent Measure, as soon as ever a general Peace shall be made. But I fear we shall have no general Peace with the Savages, unless the Shawnese and Delawares who have been the Promoters of the War, and still seem to set us at Defiance, receive a Blow. And unless that is done the over- (page 510) tures made by others and the bringing in of a few Prisoners are only to amuse us whilst the storm theatens them. I wish at least that we may not find it so.
Colonel Bouquet is at Carlisle, and part of his Army in motion from Fort Loudoun. I hope you will be able to supply Him with a Number of such Indians as He can confide in, by the Time He mentioned to you.
I send an Express with this Letter, and other Dispatches for Colonel Bradstreet, hoping they may get up with Him, before He leaves the Detroit. I am with great Regard,
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Dear Sir, |
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your most obedient |
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humble Servant, |
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THOs GAGE |
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P: S:
I shall have the Pleasure to write
to you again by the Post, which will I hope
meet you safe in your own House.
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T: G: |
SIR WM JOHNSON Bart:
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INDORSED: |
N York Aug. 15th
1764 |
FROM DANIEL CLAUS ETC.
In the Johnson Calendar, p. 232-33, are listed the
following papers which with the exception of Duncan & Phyn's bill were
destroyed by fire: a letter of August 15th from De Couagne, Niagara, repeating
request of Chipewa deputies for free trade, and informing of Colonel Browning's
order for inspection of venison and his statement that there are no more
provisions to be dealt out to the Six Nations; Thomas Lottridge's draft, the
156th, Niagara, on Sir William Johnson for 200, 10s, 7 1/2d in favor of Thomas Walker
indorsed by Walker to the order of Welles & Wade; Sir William Johnson's
account of the 156th with Duncan & Phyn- 3316, 11s, 7 1/2d; Duncan &
Phyn's bill for rum delivered at Niagara; a letter of the 16th from S. B.
Hertel, Montreal, expressing thankfulness on account of a place given to his
son and congratulating on the conclusion of peace. (In French); one of the 16th
from Daniel Claus
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1 In the Harvard College Library, Cambridge, Mass.
2 (1, p. 509) Bradstreet reached Detroit on August 26th.
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