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.
Beauharnois to the Minister
(September 17, 1741)
Beauharnois, Marquis de in: Michigan
Pioneer and Historical Collection,
vol. 34, pp. 207-208.
pp. 207, 208.
It is indispensable that they should be assisted, as otherwise they would settle at the Grand Traverse, where they have already begun to make a few clearings, a place twenty-five leagues away from here, and therefore inconvenient for trading.
As they did not like Poutchita8y, L'arbre Croche, nor l'amitab point, I thought I could not do better than to induce them to settle in lands adjoining their own, which will not remove them more than two leagues from the French fort. I will leave nothing undone, Sir, to get them to comply fully with what you wish them to do. The interests of the service, and my respect for the commands which you lay upon me will make me use every endeavor to succeed according to your wishes.
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I have the honor to be, with very deep respect, |
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Sir, |
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Your most humble and most obedient Servant |
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(Signed) Celoron |
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BEAUHARNOIS REPORT ON THE INDIAN TRIBES.
Endorsed Canada. The Marquis de Beauharnois. 17th of Sept. 1741, Savages.
Monseigneur,
I saw from the King's memorandum and from your despatch of the 16th of May last, that it was His Majesty's will that I should do myself the honor of reporting to you on the subject of the migration of the Cha8anous to Detroit, and that of the Hurons near to Montreal. I am about to inform you, Monseigneur, of everything that has taken place as to this matter since the spring, and to annex the papers relating to the affair of the Hurons, and the steps I have taken to have them removed from Detroit in accordance with the repeated requests which they have made, and caused to be made, to me to do so.
As regards the Cha8anous, they came down to Montreal towards the end of August; I spoke to them in public and in private in my study. They told me their intention and that of all their village, namely, that hey have never thought of going to settle at Detroit because formerly some of them were burnt there, and they wish to keep away from a land where their blood has been shed. As I had received information that they desired to go and light their (camp) fire at the Maskoutins' prairie, (page 208) 20 leagues from the foot of the Peauguichias, I asked them whether they wished to make their residence at that place. They assured me that that was the feeling of the whole village, but that they could not decide anything; that they will come next spring in large numbers to give me an answer. I left nothing undone to make them understand that it was my wish that they should leave La Belle River, because they were in great danger there being upon a war route; they told me that that was the intention of their chiefs. I gave them a belt secretly, and forbade them to communicate anything to the man Chartier, who had not kept faith with me; they promised me that.
I consider, Monseigneur, after I had endeavored to get them to settle at Detroit, that it would be much more advantageous for them to be near the Onyatanous, one of the most turbulent tribes, in order to restrain them, as the Kikapoos and Maskoutins now do, whom I gathered together there. Moreover, if they were at Detroit they would go to La Belle River to hunt, take their furs to Choughen, and continue their trade with the English; whereas, being at this place, they would entirely lose their custom of trading with that nation.
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I am with very deep respect. |
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Monseigneur |
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Your most humble and most obedient Servant |
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Beauharnois |
Quebec, the 17th of September, 1741.
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INDIANS FROM DETROIT VISIT QUEBEC.
Endorsed Canada. The Marquis de Beauharnois 30th of Septr. 1741. Matters concerning the savages. Extract.
Monseigneur:
I had the honor of sending you word, by the first ship which left here, that I had received a letter from my nephew, coming from Detroit; he arrived this morning at four o'clock with three chiefs, one of each group. They paid their respects to me, with many thanks, and told me that they would speak with me at an early date. I do not yet know the course they will adopt, as their warriors had not returned when they left. All that my nephew could tell me about it, Monseigneur, was
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