Vol. 10, pp. 378, 379, 448, 449, 472.
LETTERS FROM LIEUT. GOV. HAMILTON. |
465 |
declared their resolution to act against the Rebels, & but a few days since
one of their parties which had been at
war brought in fifteen scalps to this place.
Many of the War Parties bring in Prisoners, and have strewn a humanity hitherto unpracticed among them, they never fail of a gratuity on every proof of obedience they shew, in sparing the lives of such as are incapable defending themselves.
A Prisoner brought in here by the Shawanese lately, who was taken near one of the Forts on the River Kentuke, tells me the Rebels were lately reinforced with three Companies each of 70 men.
There are three different forts on that river & a forth has been begun lately at its conflux with the Ohio.
The Shawanese who are very Jealous of such incroachments, have drawn together
a considerable number of Warriors with design to attack them, by the last accounts
their numbers amount to upwards of 400. Monsieur de Quindre a Lieutenant of
the Indian Department who went to carry them ammunition & took ten white
men with
him, writes me word that a deserter from the Virginians declares that the
Rebels have lately been vanquished in every quarter by the King's Troops, that
they are in the utmost distress for cloathing and other necessaries & that
they are wearied out & unable to support the war any longer.
A letter sent by Major De Peyster from Michilimackinac confirms the account of the Rebels having taken possession of Cascaskias & Cahokia on the Mississippi.
As to the Spaniards, however willing to take a part against the English, I apprehend the depredations of the Rebels in their neighbourhood may make them backward in encouraging them, for I hear that some Spaniards were at a conference between some of the Indians from St. Joseph and the Rebels at Kaskaskias, that they listened to what passed without saying a word till the Rebel speakers went away, when they told the Indians not to listen to those people, for that they were unable to perform the promises they had made them.
For the French Inhabitants, at all the out Posts, I firmly believe there is not one in twenty, whose oath of allegiance would have force enough to bind him to his duty, added to this that the greatest part of the traders among them who are called English, are rebels in their hearts.
Mr. de Rocheblave having fallen into the hands of the Rebels, is an unfortunate
circumstance for his Majesty's interest in those parts, his understanding, experience
and authority over a troublesome set of people, render'd him thoroughly capable
of managing such subjects. No Intelligence from the
59
LETTERS FROM LIEUT. GOV. HAMILTON. |
475 |
TO GEN. HALDIMAND.
DETROIT 16th Sept'r 1778. |
SIR- Your Excellency's letter of the 26th & 27th August were delivered to me last night by Captain Betton who has had a remarkable quick passage in the Dunmore.
I have the honor to assure Your Excellency that every means in my power shall be used to second your intentions with regard to the Indians of the Ouabash & the Invaders at the Illinois, & Post Vincennes (for intelligence is arrived from the Miamis, the Rebels had sent three Persons to that place & have nominated three Frenchmen of that settlement to act for them & Mayette as Commandant, Baron as Major & Monbrun as Lieutenant.)
I have this account from Monsieur de Celoron whose letter I shall send for Your Excellency's perusal keeping a Copy.
As to the Savages of the Ouabash, it must be supposed they cannot relish the invasion of the Virginians, as the purchase from the Piankashaws gave a general disgust & I hear they now reproach the Piankashaws with having enticed the Virginians into the country.
Mr. Charles Baubin employed for His Majesty at the Miamis writes that the Savages at St. Vincennes will not take the Rebels by the hand, that the Delawares, Illinois, Outawas & Chaonanoes were determined to strike the Rebels, but the Piankashaws interfered the latter want to know the determination of the Quiquaboes & Ouiattanons, he adds that the French are said to be in the interest of the Rebels.
25th August a party of 15 Miamis went to war towards the Ohio, 5 Sep'r another of a chief & 30 men, the 6th Baubin himself with five Chippawas & 15 Miamis for Post Vincennes.
Captain Lernoult has promised me every aid in his power & as I purpose going with the Indians, I hope to be able to keep up their good disposition. I rely much on the experience & zeal of the gentleman who has been deputy agent here & is well regarded by them.
I have an account that the Shawanese with Mr. DeQuindre to the amount of 300 had divided into two parties for the purpose of attacking two rebel forts on the Kentucke. He is expected in about 14 days at this place.
This day I have written to Major de Peyster acquainting him that I should set off in about 12 days & requesting him to engage his Indians to cooperate by the way of the Illinois River I shall send a message to St. Joseph to the same effect.
17th Sep'r. The water of the Miamis is reported to be extraordinary low, but the weather having lately changed it may be expected to rise, and by the
580 |
THE HALDIMAND PAPERS. |
LETTERS OF SINCLAIR, DE PEYSTER, AND OTHERS.
______
DE PEYSTER TO SINCLAIR.
DETROIT 12th March 1780. |
DEAR SIR- I am favoured with your letters of 15th Feb'y. Missabogs arrived on the 7th Inst. with Thebault. I have detained him whilst I could dispatch an express to Niagara, in hopes also that my express might return from thence in time to send with him, but I have given over hopes therefore least Assin grow impatient, I now dispatch your Courier.
If it was in my power to send or encourage Artificers to go to Michilimackinac, I would readily do it, but I am at a loss for a number sufficient to carry on the necessary works here. I have passed the word for Cannon & ammunition & Capt. Grant has forwarded your letter to Lt. Col. Bolton, and to the Commissioner without whose order, nothing more than a supply of Pitch, Oakum & such trifles, for the repairing Batteaus, or the vessels stationed at your Post, can be sent.
When I Commanded I was never able until the last year to obtain wherewith to repair a Batteau, I wish you better luck.
I am sorry to hear that the Wiandot has not yet arrived at Michilimackinac, should she still make her appearance, you will then have more than your Proportion of Rum, but should she be lost on short notice you shall have some sent to you.
Your movements down the ------- shall be seconded from this place, by my sending a part of the Garrison with some small Ordnance. All the Indian officers, & as many volunteers as can be got, Joined by a very considerable body of Indians.
Their Route shall be to the Ohio, which they shall cross & attack some of the Forts, which surround the Indian Hunting ground in Kentuck. I have had the Wabash Indians here by invitation, they have promised to keep Clarke at the Falls, about sixty of the Michilimackinac Indians have been here upon a visit, some of them have engaged to join the Wabash Indians. It would be therefore wrong in me to send any message to La Fourch. As I am convinced you will see more of them in the Spring than can possibly
378 |
EVACUATION OF THE ILLINOIS COUNTRY |
I will be glad to see you to morrow morning when we can speak more fully upon
this Subject.
I am Sir Your Most humble & obedt Servt
| A. S. DE PEYSTER.
|
To Capt McKee.
Indian Affairs M. G. III.
______
LIEUT. GOV. SINCLAIR TO SECRETARY MATTHEWS
ISLAND OF MICHILIMACKINAC 24th Feby. 1780
|
SIR, I enclose you a List of Medicines which are greatly wanted at this Post, for Artificers, Laborers, & others.
I am Sir your most obedt & Humble Servt
PATT SINCLAIR Lt Govr
|
Captain Mathews Secy.
[B97-2 p 292]
______
MAJOR DE PEYSTER TO GENERAL HALDIMAND
DETROIT the 8 March 1780. |
SIR, I think it necessary to send the Express by Land, to acquaint your Excellency with my having received a Letter, from Mons Louis Chevallier of St Joseph's (brought by his son Aimable) acquainting me with the Rebels having totally evacuated the Illinois country. Thirty Indians also arrived from the Omat, and Post Vincent, in consequence of my Invitation, they are now on their way back, having promised that the Rebels shall not recross the Wabash.
Lieut Caldwell of the King's Regt Capt McKee, Mr Elliot, the three Girtys, & about fifty Indians, consisting of the principal chiefs of the Mingoes, Shawnese & Delawares are also arrived, who reports that the Rebels failed in their attempt to establish a Fort at Cooshocking, but that they had quite surrounded the Indian Hunting ground of Kintuck, by having built small Forts at two days journey from each other as will appear by the Indian Map of that country.
The Indians further say that the rebels intend to cross the ohio in the spring, & build a fort at two days journey from their principal Village on the Little Miami. They therefore require of their Father to fulfill the promise
DEMANDS OF THE INDIANS |
379 |
made by former Commandants who assured him that when the Enemy should approach
their Villages, Troops should be sent to their assistance, they produced Lt.
Governor Hamilton's Belt and other strings to this effect, as a proof of their
assertion, saying that it was now time to fulfill the promise, or they would be
shortly under the disagreeable necessity of falling back and thereby become a
burden to their father or else quit their ground & go to the Southward.
The principal Chiefs of the Hurons. Pottawatamies, Chippawas, Ottawas, Ouiattons, Miamis, Ouiats and the Pirorias, with the Keekapoos, being present in Council declared, that if I would send a few Soldiers, 'till a larger body could be spared, they would all rise & assist their elder brothers, and act in conjunction in future for the good of the King's Service. I see the necessity of sending some soldiers & I therefore propose to send one Capt. one Lieut. & about fifty men with two small pieces of ordnance to help them to knock down the Pickets of the first Fort.
To this party I shall add all the Indian officers and as many volunteers as may offer from the Settlement- this may for a while keep up the spirits of the Indians, 'till you Excellency's pleasure is further known.
Their route shall be up the Glise and down the Great Miamis to the Ohio. I flatter myself that this early movement, if accompanied by the great number of savages I expect, will facilitate Lt. Gov'r Sinclair's partys in their enterprises down the Mississippi, divert the attention of many from Niagara & be of some use to B. Gen. Campbell, if he has not already taken New Orleans.
The Wabash Indians & some from Michilimakinac have promised to amuse Mr. Clark at the falls. I wait 'till the mouth of the Miami is clear from ice to send of this Party.
An Express is arrived from Michilimackinac, which I have the honour to forward.
I am Sir, with great respect
Your Excellency's most humble & obed't Serv't At. S. DE PEYSTER |
To His Excellency the Comm'd in Chief.
endorsed:- A 1780. From Major De Peyster 8th March Rec'd 17th May By Express
[B 122 p 467]
______
MAJOR DE PEYSTER TO GENERAL HALDIMAND
DETROIT the 10 March 1780. |
SIR, By the last Express I acquainted you that, Capt McKee was desirous of going to Europe when he could obtain your Excelly's permission. Seeing
448 |
MOVEMENTS OF THE ENEMY |
Gratiot in Lieu of the goods intrusted to his Care, as aforesaid, & your
Memorialists will as in Duty bound ever pray.
DAVID McCRAE, for self & JOHN KAY. |
Quebec 13th Novr. 1780.
[B 97-2 p 533]
______
MAJOR DE PEYSTER TO GENERAL HALDIMAND]
DETROIT the 16th Novr. 1780. |
SIR, I have the honour to acquaint your excellency that a body of Canadians, commanded by Colonel La Balm,* were defeated on the 5th inst, by the Miamie Indians near their village. The Colonel and between thirty and forty of his men were killed, and Monsr. Rhy who stiles himself Aid-de-Camp taken Prisoner- He relates that they left the Cahokias on the 3rd Octr. with 41 men. That a larger body were to follow them to the Ouia, from whence Colonel La Balm proceeded to the Miamie with one hundred & three men, & some Indians without waiting for the Junction of the Troops expected, leaving orders for them to follow as well as those he expected from Post Vincent.
His design was to attempt a coup de main upon Detroit, but finding his troops which were to consist of 400 Canadians & some Indians did not arrive, after waiting twelve days, they plundered the place & were on their way back, when the Indians assembled & attacked them.
I have sent the Colonel's Commissions Papers & a Volume of his Works to Brigadr General Powell, There are many other Papers which might have been of consequence but they are quite defaced by water &c.
Those I have sent will sufficiently serve to show your Excellency the dispositions of the Canadians.
Had this little army arrived here compleat, & Joined by so many more, they would under such an enterprising officer, have given us a deal of trouble.
As the enemy came from the Ouia in four days, on horseback, it will account
for the Miamie Indians being surprised to see them at their village before they
had any accounts of their coming, and, it so happened that my scouts were just
returned from that Country. But what astonished me was, that they were near
twelve days at the Miamie, before we got the accounts of it here.
_______________
*See appendix
INFLUENCE ON THE INDIANS |
449 |
The Indians say that the few then at the village were surrounded, and did not
dare stir till the Enemy retreated, at which lucky period war parties arrived,
which gave them heart & strength to follow them.
Upon the whole I believe it was the thoughts that I would allow no more goods amongst them- if they did not defend those they had- be it as it will, the Chiefs make a merit of being faithful allies, and I must improve the lucky moment, therefore, least the Party expected should endeavour to revenge the affront, I sent off the Rangers to take post at the Miamie Town to act in concert with that Nation, which now is fairly entered.
Your Excellency will see the necessity of continuing them a Trader, who I propose shall be Monsr. Beaubin (whom the people of Post Vincent wish to hang) ordering all others in to Detroit.
It will also be necessary to make those Indians a handsome present for this signal mark of their loyalty.
I have the honour to be with the greatest respect, Sir,
Your Excellency's most huml & obedt. servt.
AT. S. DE. PEYSTER. |
P. S. I send down the Colonel's Aid-de-Camp who is a very intelligent young
Gentleman. I forgot to observe that the Indians retook great part of the Goods,
& lodged in Monsr Beaubins store again.
His Excelly. Genl. Haldimand.
Endorsed:- No 5 enter'd. From Major De Peyster 16th Novr. Recd 2nd Decr.
Copy in Book B No 3 Page 11.
[B 122 p 569]
______
FROM GENERAL HALDIMAND UNADDRESSED
QUEBEC 3rd December, 1780. |
My Lord,
I retarded the Sailing of the last Vessel from this Post in Hopes of the arrival of an Express from Halifax with the dispatches which were on Board the Garland Frigate for me, and with a view to give your Lordship accounts as late as possible from this Country.
The Vessel would have sailed Yesterday had it not been aground from want of
precaution of the Master in not bringing it to the proper Wharf. The Weather
has Set in so very Cold, and the Ice forms so fast that there is a Risk of the
Vessel not getting away, however its Stay has given me Time to Receive this
day Letters from Detroit & Niagara, which confirm the Loss of the Armed
Ship, the Ontario, upon the Lake of the same name; Inclosed is a Return of the
Officers and others who perished on that occasion. I like-
57
472 |
COUNCIL - PERSONS PRESENT |
INDIAN COUNCIL
At a Council held at Detroit the 26th April 1781, by Major de Peyster Commanding Detroit and its Dependencies, with the several nations.
Present.
Major De Peyster Commanding Detroit &c
Major Gamble Commandg the Detacht 47th Regt
Alexander McKee Esqr Depy Agent
Captain Bird ----
Lieut Bennet
Lieut Mercer }King's
(or 8th) Regt
Lieut Pepyat
Lieut Saumarez
Ens Frey -----
Lieut Du Vernett- Royal Artillery
Lieut Hamilton- 47th Regt
Duperon Baby for the Shawanese
Isidore Chesne " Ottawas &c }Sworn
Interpreters.
Pierre Druillard " Hurons
Wm. Tucker " Chippaweys
INDIAN CHIEFS.
| Six Nations. Ca, ya, Shu ta, Captain Brandt Alias The, yain, de, ne, ga |
Hurons
Andesherry Sunhusagaya Mandoron Sundinon Shugenesse The na towat |
Ottawas Chaminatawa Wiwishgay Nianega Kewitchiwini Egonshewey Nitanweykisik Nigick Chimanduck Attawackey |
| Chippoweys Quokock Mishiash Wiannockeum Tuckaweygassi Soushgoyné Shabokgoy Washemang Muckey dewassen |
Potewatamies
Pemomoketack Chibins |