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 Haldimand
(Johnson Hall, March 19, 1774)
Johnson, Sir William in: The
Papers of Sir William
Johnson, vol. 8,
pp. 1085-1087.
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Johnson Hall |
TO FREDERICK HALDIMAND
A. L. S.1
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Johnson Hall March 19th, 1774 |
DEAR SIR
The last Post but one, brought me your favor of the 24th Ulto., which I was prevented answering sooner, by reason of the Communication between this & Schenectady being stopped, for some days. By the inclosure from the Carolina Gazette I have great reason to apprehend that altho the whole of the Creeks have not declared themselves, it is extremely probable they will be drawn into the measures of the rest, & that the Shawanese who have lately removed to the Southward, and have been always a disaffected people will be inclined to engage in the Quarrel having long sought for Alliances for that purpose. As the Situation of the Creeks &ca. is so verry remote from ye. principal Members of the Northern Confederacy, it will require some time before any measures that may be resolved on with the latter can be carried into execution, and in the interim the Creeks (if so disposed) may have it in their power to do much mischeif, & to strengthen their Alliance by drawing their (page 1086) Neighbors into the dispute, but as Kayaghshota, &ca is dispatched by me by the way of Fort Pitt & Detroit to the Twightwee Confederacy I have reason to hope that the nature of his Messages & Embassy will have a happy operation in checking any Attempts towards a more general Rupture, and producing an Union to the Northward for suppressing the evil designs of these troublesome People, for altho the object of his Journey was to Interest the Nations in checking the Shawanese & Nations about the Wabache &ca., it must have equal effect in case any Nation should (as the Creeks are said to have done) disturb the public tranquility, so that until the return of Kayaghshota which will be about the latter end of May next, little certain can be determined in that way. However as the Six Nations by desire of Government, and my persuasion entered into a Solemn Treaty of Peace and Alliance with the Cherokees a few years ago, and as reciprocal Acts of friendship have occasionally passed between them since, I purpose getting the Six Nations to Join me in Sending Belts (by some of their principal Warriors) to the Cherokees reminding them of the nature & object of the Engagements & promises they then solemnly made here in my presence, and that we expect they will duly observe them at this time, by their firm adherence to our Alliance, & their discountenancing the evil designs of the Creeks or any other neighbouring Nations. These are the first thoughts that occur to me at present in the Matter, but I shall farther digest it, and by sounding some of the Northern Cheifs (whom I daily expect) discover how far it may be expedient to propose that they engage themselves to act in our behalf if thereunto required, which I believe many of them would readily do, altho they have an unlucky aversion to the Chactaws, and would have willingly Joined the Creeks against them last Year, had I not prevented it, at all events, I persuade my self that their interposition will tend to divide the Strength & weaken the Alliances of our Enemies.- I have at present so many Indians here, some of whom are come with Skins to make up the losses of the French Man, whose people (page 1087) were Murdered last year, & also the Cheifs of the Mohawks about a Dispute between them and the Corporation of Albany relative to the Lands on wh. the former live, that I have scarcely leisure to attend to anything else, and shall therefore only add that I am with the greatest Esteem & Sincerity, Dear Sir,
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Your most Obedient, |
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& verry Humble Servant |
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W JOHNSON |
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His Excellency GENRL. HALDIMAND.-
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Sir Wm. Johnson |
FROM JOHN DUNCAN
A. L. S.
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[Hermitage March 20, 1774] |
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I duly received your kind & very [ ] by my Son. This Scheeme of going home I have had long in View, but in Fact, could not think of giveing it any Serious Attention, Untill Submitted to your Consideration, haveing now received your Sentiments thereon, and Your kind Promise of Contributing thereto gives me the Greatest Encouragemt. & hope of Success.
On this Occasion, give me leave to return you my most gratefull thanks, for this fresh Instance of your regard, And beleive me Sir, I am very Sensible of the many past favors I have received at your hands, for which, I Should be happy to have an Oppertunity of giveing A more Sensible Testimony.
Tho I Soon intend doing myself the Honer of waiting on you, yet in the
Meantime, think it right to Acquaint you, that p.haps I may be Able to Embark
Early this Summer, When if any thing can be thought of, wherein I can be of the
least Service at
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1 In British Museum. Additional Manuscripts 21670. fo. 121, London, England.
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