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.
Testimony
(Sandusky, Oct. 3, 1764)
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King, Thomas, in: "A Court of Enquiry held at the Carrying Place of Sandusky Camp", (Sandusky Oct. 3, 1764), (Enclosed in Bradstreet to Gage, Oct. 5, 1764), Gage Papers, American Series, William L. Clements Library and in: The Papers of Sir William Johnson, vol. 4, pp. 552-555. |
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[] in The Papers of Sir William Johnson filled in below from the other source for this document, the Gage Papers.
TESTIMONY OF THOMAS KING
Contemporary Copy
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[Sandusky, October 3, 1764] |
[A Court of Enquiry held at the Carrying Place of Sandusky Camp at Sandusky Octor 3d 1764.]
[Upon] an Examination of [Thomas King an Oneyda Chief with regard to Captain] Morris of the 17ths treatm[ent on the River Miames by the Indians there,] [Inter]preted by Messieurs Bleiker Montour Joh[nson & des Grois Indian Offic]ers and Interpreters.
Vizt.
After rowing up the River [(Maumee?) Miamis Eighteen Miles they] Disembarked & marched by La[nd three Miles to an Indian Castle] & were met with by about 200 Warriors [of different Nations,] who attempted to Seperate him (Captain Morris) [from his] own Indians, however the whole arrived at three [Castles] and begged of the Indians that they wold perm[it them] to bring up their Ammunition, Provisions &ca which [they] chose to undertake themselves, and plundered the par[ty of the] whole; upon which Thomas King proposed to Captain Morris to return, which he declined. Pondiac seemed to be very [Glad] to see the Chiefs from the Six Nations, as he understood that [they] were the occasion of the War, having received Belts from the Seneca[s] for carrying on the War, during the Congress held at Niagara. The reason he had Struck was owing to his having thought the Six Nations had combined in carrying on the War, from the Belts he had received from Jennesu, sent him by the Senecas, and that he should take care for the future how he should be so deceived. That he should set off to the next Castle about eight Miles, where he would Settle every thing against their arrival. From thence he sent a very large Belt to 210 Castles, to make the Road clear, that nothing should molest them, and gave it to St Vincent a French (Free?) Trader to deliver it, that Pondiac had received a (page 553) Letter from the King of France with an Account that he had been dead and risen again, and that he should send directly 60 Sail of Vessels up the River Mississippi with every Necessary to Supply them for carrying on the War.
That in five days the whole arrived at the Miamis Fort, where they were met by a Number of Indians with Spears &ca Equiped [in a warlike manner; who received them with whoops, & Hollows; and by the behaviour of the Indians Suspected they had some bad Intentions, more particularly as they had forceibly taken Captain Morris from them,] and that Thomas [King presently after heard that he Capt]ain Morris, was Naked and [bound, and an] Indian prepared with his Tomahawk ready [to dispatch] him when Pondiac's Nephew ran to his relief [cutting him loose, s]aying, will this one English Man attone for all [my] brethren now exposed at Detroit. about Sunset Pondiac's Nephew told Thomas King, that he had saved his Chief, that the Twightwees what we call Miamis were a bad Tribe, that he was Surprised at their Assureance during the Time Pondiac was making Peace; St: Vincent coming into the Room when Captain Morris was releasing and told them he was Astonished at their behaviour while Pondiac was making Peace, the Indian made Answer had you delivered us this Belt before their Arrival, this would never have happened. A Meeting of the Twightwees was held this Evening, welcoming the Six Nations and Caenawagas, saying whatever they had to say they might deliver it next day. Accordingly Thomas King spoke, Giving them a Belt, saying that he was sent by Colonel Bradstreet and the Chiefs of the Six Nations in Order to make Peace with them, if they were inclinable to it, that if they have any thing to say, the Road should be open from the Illinois to the Onondaga.
The Twightwees produced 15 Belts and 5 Strings of Wampum & spoke as follows. These 15 Belts and 5 Strings arrived Three days ago from the Senecas, in the Name of the Six Nations, who exhort us by the first Belt to give attention to what concerns our mutual Interest, and to be united to them, in Friendship, and upon no Account to suffer that friendship to be dissolved.
The 2d Belt has on it Six human figures, five of which are represented with two hearts, the Sixth with one, by this Belt the Senecas represent the other Five Nations as [false and deceitfull and they themselves alone to have Integrity of heart, that the English were leading the other five Nations blindfold, we now tell you that by and by the English will this Road along with the five Nations, and we] desire that [you will Stop them & not suffer them to pass. [Twi]ghtwees Chief [then observed that he was convinced of the] Sincerity & honesty of the [Senecas, as the arrival of the five] Nations Chiefs together with the [English was a confirmation] of the truth of what they had said, [we now see plainly that the] five Nations Cachawagas and Canada [Indians are Brothers] to the English, had we put the English to Death [who are now] here, we should not be to blame, for it was the request [of you the] Six Nations yourselves. It is [now] our Inclination [that you] return back, for if you proceed, you must expect to die, for persisting in it, doing what you your selves the Six Nations by your Belts prohibited, the Senecas further declare that a Door is opened between their Country & that of the Twightwees, through which they might certainly see what4ever Schemes the English were contriving against them, at least if they did not, it should not be the fault of the Senecas, when the Senecas had finished, they told us, we are now returning home, and in a Months time we will return with a large Ax, which will be carried by two Senecas Two Shawnese & Two Delawares that the Senecas said it; giving the Ax to the Miamis, that they must Kill the English on their arrival and they themselves would barr the Roads till such time as they could put a better instrument into their hands. The Twightwees told Thomas King from the Senecas that it was their own faults, having agreed never to make peace with the English.
Fourth and fifth to the same purpose as before.
Sixth Belt: Explanation, you see the English are the Authors of this Disturbance, wanting to encroach on our Lands, and that we ought to be strong, and support one another; These Six Belts I have explained to you; as to the rest you are privy to them; (page 555) Eight [Belts I shall send forward to the Illinois.
The Speaker gave Thomas King four Strings of Wampum saying he was very glad to see the Cacnawagas, with the five Nations and that he would keep nothing conciled in his heart from them as you are] unexpected here, [and being Surrounded] (by?) with the English.
Brothers, I would not deceive you, you must not [proceed any] further, for you'll be killed, you having killed some of the Ind[ians of] the Nations thro' which your path lies, at Niagara so you must return back. I Suppose you expected if you were to succeed that you should Live deliciously at the Illinois, and get fine presen[ts] by Order of the General, that sent you, we find you are not your own Masters. Brother what can your Errand be to go so far as the Illinois leaving your Wives and Children at home behind, who may be killed by the English. have you the Vanity to think that the English are your Brothers, when at the same time they are not to be depended upon, as what they deliver to you comes not from their hearts.
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Thomas King
Answered |
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(Sign'd) |
PETER DALY Major |
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INDORSED: |
Copy / Thos: Kings |
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Examination |
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Entd. in Indn. Recds. Vol. 9- P 220. |
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1764 |
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FROM WILLIAM DARLINGTON ETC.
In the Johnson Calendar, p. 239, are listed the following papers, of October
8th, which were destroyed by fire: a letter from William Darlington, New York,
concerning letters, goods, tiles and slates, and Madeira which soured on the
journey to Niagara; one from Abram Mortier, New
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1 Richard Montgomery, the General Montgomery who fell at Quebec on December 31st, 1775, was commissioned a captain in the 17th British regiment on May 4th, 1762.
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