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 Gage
(Johnson Hall, Sept. 1, 1764)
Johnson, Sir William in: The
Papers of Sir William
Johnson, vol. 4,
pp. 518-520.
TO THOMAS GAGE
Df.1
|
Johnson - hall, Sept r1st, 1764 |
Dear Sir,
Since my last I have been favored with your Letters of the 15th and 16th ulto - and I should have wrote a few lines to Coll. Bradstreet, but that the Express did not call upon me.
The Chenussios had received the Delawares, some days before the return of their Depys from hence last April, they certainly wish them well, and would endeavor to support them but It appears clearly that the Scalp taken on the Carrying place was done by a party of Inds from Scioto who came to watch our Motions.- a Remarkable pewter Axe being found by our Indians with marks which sufficiently shewed to whom it belonged, and this was the only loss sustained from the arrival of the Indians whom I sent to Niagara, to this period. As to their Sincerity I believe it can be relied on whilst its made worth their While, but I will not take upon me to say that a people who have been strongly prejudiced against us will conquer their aversion without we take steps to remove it, & whether this is necessary or not I submit to you. There is the utmost reason to think that the Chenussios intend to deliver up the Two Delaware Chiefs, & prisrs in the possessn of that people otherwise they wo not so readily have given hostages; at all Events we can secure them till its performed, & I can hardly think they wd lose 2 of their people for the Delawares.
I had Deputys at Niagara from all the Western Nations, except the Powtewatamis, they feared to come down & altho the Ottawas, with Pondiac did not attend, there were notwithstanding most of the Chiefs of that Nation, from different Quarters, & from Villages the most numerous of any, many of (page 519) whom undoubtedly were last year against us tho' we could not point them out with any Certainty and I apprehend that Pondiac will follow the Example of the rest, as also all the Shawse & Dels whom I wd rather wish severely punished [wch must prove a disappointment to the Army, if C. Bradstreet is obliged to accept of their submission2] This is the Game they will always play, when they are tired of carrying on the War, & alarmed at the resolutions of the Friend Inds, for they know we can send, but cannot keep a force on the frontiers, and they are too much out of our power to receive a blow of consequence, the farther we push into their Country, the more are we in their power, so that whilst there are Outposts, Convoys, Traders, &ca at such a distance they know we must pay for their security or Expose them to the utmost hazard, and they the readier commit hostilities from the bad character in which we were described to them, the Contrary of which they apprehend has not yet appeared.
I am truly sensible of the reasonableness of your sevl plans, and of the vast trouble you must have to concert measures for effectually checking such a people. It is my constant Study & the utmost of my ambition to contribute thereto. [I am sensible I could preserve peace, but (as yet) uncertain whether my measures for that purpose will prove Agreable to his Majesty.2 ]
From the accts we received at Niagara, Col Bouquets Expedition was not Expected to take place for sometime, for which reason the Ind did not appear desirous to part least they might meet with a long delay, & that I knew did not agree with their disposition. I have sent to the Inds of Susquehannah to Joyn the Army at Fort Pitt & have got a party of Inds from hence to follow them which wth what Collo. Bradstreet has with him will I imagine be full Sufficient [I am now endeavoring all I can to Send a few that way, but I apprehend if it is in Col Bradstreets power to make a motion against them, it will create a (page 520) suffict diversion to answer Col Bouquets purpose, but from all I hear the Shawanese and Delawares appear very desirous of peace, & probably ere now have made some proposals, and 2] I have just received a Letter from Lt Col. Browning acquainting me that some Chipeweighs who had been under Pondiac, arrived at Niagara a few days after I left it, & earnestly requested a peace, of him, on finding they had been too late to attend the Congress.
Lt Col Eyre has made me a Visit, he appears very anxious to go to England for some time, and I believe is unwilling to sollicit you too much upon that head, tho' he hopes you may shortly indulge him with that favor, his Sentiments on Sevl Articles relative to the State of America & on Indian affairs are such as might I imagine be of some Service now at home, and I should referr to him accordingly on some subjects, if he could obtain yr permission- if I was certain he had your permission to go for England.
I herewith Enclose you the acct of Officers pay in my department to the 25th of last March Inclusive many of whose Drafts for Sums on me I have paid [Some Months Ago3] as well as advanced them money for their private occasions.
P.S. I have enclosed the acct
of Mr McGee's pay, & that of
Maynard the Interpreter
with Vouchers for the same.
The acct of Toob, the baker
shall be charged in my Disbursemts.
There are some other accts of Mr McGees for wch
I have not recd Vouchers, & I must deferr them
till Mr Croghans arrival who always settled
the accts in that Quarter, wch occasions my being
a Stranger to most of them.
His Excelly GENL GAGE
________________________
1 In the American Antiquarian Society, Worcester, Mass.; in the handwriting of Guy Johnson.
2 (1, p. 519) Crossed out in the original.
3 (1, p. 520) Crossed out in the original.
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