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This day Mr. Lassell sent of[f] a messenger to the Grie desiring his presence
at this place immediately. This has been a very curious matter altogether-
However Mr. Leith and myself are of opinion that one Persons name has been
taken for the other. There is one Fouché a french man, who has no doubt acted
exactly in this manner as Mr. Lassell was Represented to us to have acted, on
the 1st. Instance. Mr. Lassell nor does any of us believe that The Grie had
anything to do with it, quite the contrarie, we are of opinion its some other
Indians who has an antipathy against Mr. Lassell & who changed the name of
Fouché to his, purposily to hurt him, and that those Indians made use of the
Gries name in hopes of carrying on the matter to their wish.
A great thaugh this day-
14th. Thursday. Very fine day- a little frost last night; In consequence of the great thaugh we had yesterday the snow has melted off the Ice & the Water coming over it froze so hard last night, that it afforded me the pleasure of Skating upon the River this morning- Turned out a very warm beautiful day- Thaw's a good deal and I'm afraide will carry off the Ice.- Wrote the Major49 this day an account of Mr. Lassells arrival at this place and every thing respecting his affairs as mentioned in this Journal yesterday.
>15th. Friday. Rain'd very hard most part of the night, Very high wind, &c. A very disagreeable day- a little frost this morning which makes it very slippery. I never experienced such an Evening as this at this time of the year- It began to Thunder & Lightening about 6 o'clock, Then it began to Blow & Raine as if heaven and earth was coming together which lasted till about 11 o'clock.
49Major Murray, commandant at Detroit.
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16th. Played cards last night at Mr. Dufrenes in Company with all the principal
People of the Village, did not come home untill this morning about 4 o'clock
rather Drunkish- Froze hard about day breake- Rather an obscure day, not very
cold.-
This day the Grie arrived about 2 o'clock. This Evening Mrs. Adamher and Mrs. Ranjard made a Bouquet which we all Presented to Mr. Dufresne in Honor of St. Antoine, he bearing that name- It was then carried from that to Mr. Adamher, Mr. Rivarre, Mr. Barthelmies, Mr. Selerons & then back again to Mr. Dufresne we danced in each house, the ladies being with us.
I7th. Froze hard last night- Most beautifull day.- This evening we had a Dance at Mr. Dufrenes by Mr. Anto'n Lassells invitation were all the Descent Ladies of this place were Present.- Signified to the Canadians this day my wish for them to fire three Vollies to morrow in consequence of its being Her Majesties Birth Day, which they unanimously assented to, to my utmost expectations.
18th. Jan'y. Her Majestys Birth Day.50 God Bless her- We accordingly
fired three Vollies as was proposed yesterday.
I gave them the word of Command myself- Posted Mr. Adamher as an Officer on the
Right & Mr. de Seleron on the left- Gave the young fellows a Gallon of Rum-
a bottle to the Grie at his own Request- The Snake51 & some of
the Principal Shawanies are here- I made them & the Grie acquainted with
the Reason of the Rejoicing.
50The birthday of Queen Charlotte of England was May 19. I am unable to suggest an explanation of Hay's apparent error in this respect.
51The Snake was chief of a band of Shawnee whose village in 1792
was in the vicinity of Grand Glaize. O. M. Spencer, who saw him on the occasion
of a visit to Blue Jacket, describes him as "a plain, grave chief, of sage
appearance."
op. cit., 29.
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About 2 o'clock this afternoon I was apprized by Mr. J. B. Lassell that the
young Canadian Volunteers intended to come & thank me & give me a
Vollie in the front of the House- I immediately went home & they appeared
in about a 1/4 of an hour to my great surprise with a Drum & the fiddle we
had in the morning; they were headed by one of the Serjeants I made in the
morning.- After they had fired their Volley, they begged I would head them
& march to the Houses of Mr. Adamher Mr. Seleron & Mr. Leith to pay them
the same compliment which I did.- I proposed to Mr. Leith that he and I should
give dance this Evening which he consented to, consequently Mr. Ironside &
myself immediately went round to all the Ladies & Gentlemen of the place
and invited them.
19th Sunday. I never enjoyed myself at a Dance better than I did last night. The Gentlemen & Ladies all appeared dressed in their best bibs & Tuckers, & behaved very descently not one of the men the least in Liquor, & which is mostly the case in this place when they collect together- As Mr. Leith never walks a minuet I opened the Ball with Mr. Adamher- When Mrs. A.- entered the room I desired the fiddler to play, God save the King. I made Tangrie for the Ladies, and Grogg for the Gentlemen. Between 10 & 11 o'clock we gave them Coffee, which Mrs. Adamher was so good as to make for us.- We danced some Dance Ronby, one particularly a very curious one- It was sung by Mrs. Rangard, the chorus was rather Bawdie- that is a good double intendre which was- Avee sons grand viesous viesous, avec sons grandpasse partous- at the end of the first chorus; the plant a foot, the 2d two feet- the 3d a knee the 4 both knees, 5th and elbow, 6th bothe, 7th your head and 8th your bomb- so that the last summons the whole up- your right foot plant, then left, 1 knee, 2d knee, 1 elbow, 2d elbow, your head & your bombe.
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As this is three nights now that I have danced, I find myself very tired this
morning, my feet much swelled- And what with dancing, catching cold & given
the word of Command yesterday I am quite hoarse. I forgot to mention that
yesterday was rather a disagreeable day- very muddy, misty, & now &
then a little rain- began to Snow last night about 11 o'clock.- This is a very
mild day.- Rather cloudy & Thick.- Mr. Lassell sett off this morning for
Little Piconno, The Grie & Blue Jackett also for their different wintering
Camps.
One Robidos a french man which Mr. Lassell sends express to Detroit, is likewise sett off this day.
Mr. Adamher & Mr. De Seleron made their appearance at the Ball with very fine fur caps on their heads, adorned with a quantity of Black Ostridge Feathers- Cockades made with white tinsell Ribbon, amasingly large- As their was a great deal of Mudd- Mrs. Payette who is an extraordinary large woman was sent for in a Carte, accompanied by her Husband & Daughter- Began to Snow again about 10 o'clock.- & Continued till the evening. Spent this Evening at Mrs. Cicotts in Company with Mrs. and Miss Payette.
20th Wednesday. Began to blow excessively hard last night about 11 or 12 o'clock- froze very hard: this is the coldest day we have had yett. Payed a few visits this morning and Dined sans ceremonie, with Mr. Dufresne.- Went and drank coffee about 4 o'clock this afternoon with Mrs. Adamher: The cold seem to increase as the sun setts.
21 Thursday.Froze very hard & excessively cold all night. Something milder this morning- The Suns out which makes the weather very fine over head.- It became rather cloudy & thick about 10 o'clock, & in the evening a very large ring round the moon- however about 8 o'clock it cleared up &
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began to freeze pretty smart but not so cold as yesterday-night.
22 Friday. Very fine day, not the least cold. It Thaws a good deal.- Young Mr. Lassell caught a Rabbit this morning in one of the snares he had laide for the purpose.
Several Putewatomies arrived this afternoon with Peltry & a great quantity of meat- viz. Venison, Rackoons, Porcupine, Bare & Turkeys &c. the most of which Mr. Abbott bought; the Blanket its what the Indians want most at present & no one else except Mr. Dufresne has any at this Post but Mr. Abbott.-Beautiful Evening, not the least cold.
23 Saturday. Most beautifull day, quite warme- Scated about 1/2 an hour this morning on the River. Thaws a good deal which will soon carry off what little snow we have on the ground.
The Grie & Son arrived this afternoon from his wintering camps- He immediately sent for Mr. Ironside & me; when we went to him, he addressed himself to me- Son says he, here is my Son your Brother who has brought you a little meat to make you some broth which he beggs you will accept, I should not says he have come myself, but my Son who is very bashfull asked me to come with him.
24th Sunday. Very fine day, quite warm but dirty under foot owing to the great thawings.
We played cards & supped at Mr. Adamher last night, there was a good many Gentlemen their. The Gries Son's present consisted of four Turkeys, two leggs and two sides of Venison exceedingly fatt. Sent a Turkey in a present to Mrs. Adamher- The Grie & Son breakfasted with us this morning according to invitation.
25th Monday. Very fine day- Froze hard last night. Spent the last Evening at Mrs. Scicotts- Mrs. Payett & Daughter
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were their- Mr. B. Lassell, Francis Lassell52 & Mr. J. B.
Richerville & myself went together- the fiddler came in about 7 o'clock and
we danced 'till about 1/2 past 9 o'clock, then we broke up- took Mrs. Payett
home & played her the Cuckold March. Frome that we adjourned to Mr. J. B.
Lassells with the fiddler, w[h]ere we drank Grogg, & from that we went and
Serenaded the young girls & women of the Village.
Turned out cloudy & Gloomy about 12 o'clock and continued so 'till the Evening & most part of the night-
26th. No frost last night. This morning early it began to blow very hard & Snowed a little- Played cards last night at Mrs. Cicotts & serenaded the women again about 11 o'clock. Mr. Adamher informed me this [day] that a letter came to him yesterday directed to the Grie and to the Pishew (this last is Mr. J. B. Richerville) from the Porcupine & Soldier Chief of La Riviere a Languielle, telling them to have an eye over their young men & not to believe any false reports that goes about the county, that everything with respect to Lassell was totally false, & for the future not to believe those false reports, that they may depend upon it when ever any thing occurs they would send notice of it themselves, and never to hearken to any thing any one says except when it comes from people of character and chiefs who may be depended upon- for they cannot tell a Lye-
The Grie breakfasted with us this morning & went off immediately after
for his wintering camp. Begins to freeze about
2 o'clock. a very fine Evening.
52Francis Lasselle was a nephew of Antoine: his father, Jacques
Lasselle was Indian agent at Miamitown from 1776
until 1780. When La Balme attacked the place in the latter year he fled by boat
down the Maumee River with his family.
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was with him were five days feeding on acorns on their return home. The fifth
day in the Evening he sent the Indian on the look-out for Indian hutts to
purchase meat, who fell in with a large Rackoon Tree which he cutt down &
found five in it, which was a great resource; nothing extraordinary in the
Indian Country.
29th. Friday. Exceedingly cold all night, rather cloudy & thick this morning, about 10 'Clock began to snow.- Messrs. Adamher, Dufresne & La Fontenne played cards here last night- Turned out rather milder this afternoon; about 8 o'clock this Evening it began to blow & Snow very hard- The snow drifted a good deal- The wind did not continue long.
30th. Saturday. Very fine day over head- a great deal of Snow fell this last night- Not quite so cold as yesterday morning- Began to freeze about 5 o'clock this evening- very clear sky.
31st. Sunday. Mild snowy morning, took a ride on a carriolle this day with Mr. J. B. Richerville, as far as Mr. James Girtys House which is about two miles- Several Indians arrived this day from different places with peltry- This afternoon about 4 or 5 o'clock arrived here Mr. George Girty from his wintering camp with two loaded horses of Peltry. Brought with him his wife & two sisters in law (Indians)- He confirms the intention of Delawares going to the Spaniards in the spring, but says not many of them. Snowed the whole blessed day & part of the Evening.
1st February. Monday. Snowy morning & very mild. Mr. G. Girty returned this day to his camp; Mr. Ironside accompanied him & returned in the evening with his horses loaded with Peltry.- The Snow did not continue- very gloomy day
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here- He returned to his Camp this afternoon.- As we began some few days ago to
establish a society, call'd the Most Light Honorable Society of the Monks, we
have this Evening compleated it- Mr. Leith is appointed Grand Master and
Commissary- Hay Secretary, J. B. Richerville, J. B. Lassell, Francis Lassell,
Geo. Ironside & J. Kinzie, La Chambre, Musician to the Society. Rules are
to be drawn out for which hereafter no one will be allowed to be a member
without he gives his Honor that he will truely & voluntarily stick by them,
and support them with all his might &c &c &c.
5th. Friday. Little snow this morning early. Rather thick over head. The weather much milder; but still pretty cold- Saw Mr. Cicott yesterday- nothing in that part of the Indian Country that he's been in.- Turned faire about 1/2 past ten o Clock. The sun out.- Mr. Ironside & James Girty are gone down this afternoon to the Shawanees village about 3 miles from here to try & get their peltry.
Turned exceedingly cold about 12 o'clock- Very high wind- N. W. Mr. J. B. Richervilles mother arrived this day from her wintering camp- Went & paid her a visit about 1 OClock- She has been a handsome woman-
6th. Saturday. Supped last night with J. B. Lassell, Kinzie, Richerville & F. Lassell were there- we played cards till 1/2 past 1 oClock- Froze much harder & the cold much keener this last night than it has been this winter. Very beautifull Sun Shiny day & quite calme. Very mild Evening.
7th. Sunday. A Little Snow this morning- High wind- S. Quite mild- It Thaws. Snow & very high wind this Evening
8th. Monday. C old morning- Froze very hard most part of the night. The Rules of our Community (which is now call'd the Friars of St. Andrew) are drawn out by the Grand Master
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and this day to be copied and translated into French by the Secretary. This
Evening Mr. Leith collected the Friars of St. Andrew and made them acquainted
with the articles they are to abide by, after which each member got a copy of
them.
9th Tuesday. Froze very hard all night & exceedingly cold- It continues very cold- altho' the Sun is out. Wind W. and very Strong all day, this day is absolutely the Coldest we have had this winter as far as this, & its the opinion of every one as well as myself.
10th. Wednesday. Froze hard last night; Very fine clear day over head, but still very cold. Wind W. but not so strong as yesterday. Not quite so cold this Evening as the last.
11th. Thursday. Much milder than yesterday; Rather Clowdy & Thicker over head.- It was an excessive cold night notwith-standing. Visited Mrs. Adamher this afternoon- Copy'd off the two french songs that she made; respecting her Stolen Pigg,- And the Miamies Recollects.
12th. Friday. Very fine day over head, Rather colder than yesterday, Not very cold this last night: it began to freeze hard about day breake. This afternoon arrived here one Clairemont from the Petit Piconno, says Mr. Lassell arrived theire about 15 days ago. Nothing extraordinary in that part of the Country- was 8 days on his way here.
13th Saturday.- very beautifull day, not the least cold.- Some Indians have lately been near the Ohio- on this side of it it seems they fell in with a Party of Americans, killed some of them & stole their horses, and took a negro Prisoner, one of those Indians a Shawanee who goes by the name of the Horse Jockey was wounded in the breast & hand by his own Tomahawk which the American had wrested from him. The
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Indian however got the better & killed him. The above account we got
several days ago.
This morning about 1/2 past 10 oClock a Party of warriors of the Shawanies Nation brought in a Prisoner- They took him on this side of the Ohio at the mouthe of Kentuck.
The Party that took him were out hunting last Spring, during which time some Miamis went to war and returned a different road they went & passed by this hunting party, the Americans pursued them & fell in with the Hunters & killed several of them women & Children &c. one Joseph Sovereigns who had been a Prisoner from his infancy was killed at that place;- These People went out last fall to revenge themselves & took this Prisoner who was out hunting much about the same place w[h]ere their own people were killed. Mess. Leith, Ironside & myself went down to the Chilicothe village of Shawaneses57- They were then in council- that is the young man who took the Prisoner was given a very minute Report of all what passed- which they are obliged to do- This party is not of this village, they belong to the Messessinoue58 Village. The Reason for bringing him here is, that he's given to a man of this village.
Little Raine & Sleete this afternoon, turned out Snow this Evening.
14th. Sunday. Very disagreeable day. It thaws very much.- The Prisoner will not be hurt- Black Bairde Chiefe of the Chilicothe Village is not at home; Theire will be a ceremony whe[n] he arrives to adopt this Prisoner- I forgot to mention that when they came in with him yesterday, he held in his hand
57Two miles below Miamitown.
58The modern Mississinewa. The Miami name of the stream is Na-ma-tei-sin-wi, meaning 'it slants," i. e., there is much fall in the river.