Vol. 19, pp. 47, 308, 309, 310, 595, 596.
SPEECHES-REPLY |
371 |
We past the whole winter on the banks of the Ohio, we met with only two of
Enemy whom we killed.
Our friends the Ouiattanongs have taken a prisoner which they have given up to you.
Father! I have now to recommend to your care the warriours, in short our whole Village who did what I told them, which was no more than your order, they therefore expect to receive your bounty, as they were prevented from hunting and have not wherewith to procure for themselves necessaries-
Major De Peyster then said
Children! I salute you all, the son of the Crooked Legs in particular as he is the first Chief amongst you.
I return you thanks for the prisoners you brought me, which I accept with pleasure. It's not long since you accepted the ax, but for the time, you have had it you have done your duty. You have always acted with humanity towards your prisoners, in so doing, you did as I directed, I told you that the time would come, that it would be of service to you- the time is now come, for all Powers at War have given each other the hand and are at Peace.
You tell me Children! that by assisting your English Father you are in danger of losing your lands, I do not tell you that it is so. I tell you the World is now at Peace and you have saved your Lands, but had you not defended them agreeable to my desire, the Americans would have taken them from you- I only give you this answer to what you have said to me for as yet I have not received the particulars of the Peace- You say that you are almost naked, I am therefore sorry you have not brought wherewith to provide your wants, the reason why I am sorry is because at this time I have not wherewithal to supply you, but ere long I hope to have it in my power to do so- If I receive any-thing for my Children, from below, depend upon it I shall distribute them, if not, they cannot expect anything, as to the Son of the Crooked Legs I here repeat my thanks for the Prisoner and I shall give orders that he be rewarded-
-He then speaks to the Qui, qu abous.
Children! I inform you that the Peace is concluded, the particulars I shall communicate to you as soon as they come to hand and if any Goods arrive, I shall deliver them among my children in general.
Copy from the Book of Minutes
| J. SCHIEFFELIN Secretary |
372 |
INDIAN AFFAIRS. |
Endorsed:- No 30 1783 Substance of an Indian Council held at Detroit 28th June
by Major De Peyster with a Band of Ouiats & Quiquâbous.
[B 123 p 392]
______
MAJOR DE PEYSTER TO GENERAL HALDIMAND.
DETROIT the 28 June 1783 |
SIR, Mr. Cuyler returns to his duty with all the dispatch the nature of his business here would admit of- This gentleman will still be a considerable sufferer, notwithstanding every possible means have been imploy'd to endeavor to bring his affairs to a conclusion.
I have to inform your Excellency that the Indians begin to come in here, from all Quarters- To avoid a too numerous council I invited four of each nation to meet me about the beginning of July, but it seems that whole villages had set out on their journey for that purpose before my strings could reach them. Impatient to know what is to become of them and their lands, and, to request a supply of goods so long promised them. The enclosed will give your Excellency, some information with respect to the Wabash Indians, whom during the council were very impertinent, using expressions not proper to be committed to paper. The Delawares, Shawanese, and Wyandotts keep back 'till they have consulted with the Six Nations, and Cherokees on whose determinations much will depend.
I have repeatedly wrote to the Brigadier and to Sr Johnson representing my situation- The Brigadier acquaints me that he has transmitted my requisitions to your Excellency- I have therefore to hope that orders are on the way directing how I am to act, in what, in all probability will be a most critical situation.
I have the honour to be Sir Your Excellencys
most Huml & most obedt Servt AT. S. DE PEYSTER |
His Excellency The Commr in chief
Endorsed:- From 1783 Major De Peyster 28th June-Rec'd 16th July-Inclosing an
Extract from the New York Gazette and on Indian Council held at Detroit the
28th June.
[B 123 p 390]
CAPTAIN DONALD CAMPBELL TO COL. HENRY BOUQUET |
47 |
Mr. Navarre1 who is a most excellent man has undertaken to furnish
us with twenty thousand weight of flour at least one hundred Bushels of Peas as
much Indian Corn as we shall want we are to pay the same the King of France
used to doe, which comes to fifty shillings sterling the hundred weight of
Flour.
The Indians have undertaken to furnish venison of all kinds at moderate Rates as they are scarce of Ammunition, that will last till March, I hope we shall be able to make it out till spring, they say we could send Batteaux to Presqu' Isle towards the latter end of March if there were Provisions there- It will be necessary to send us a supply of Ammunition from Pittsburgh how soon it can be done- We have only now eight hundred weight of Powder in store after sending off all the Partys. Major Rogers people have great demand for every thing, Indeed they have left me quite bare- The Major2 is sett out for Michillimakinac to bring away the Garrison, in our situation it was impossible to send a Garrison, if he passes the Bay of Saginaw, before the Frost overtakes her he may get there if not he will be obliged to return. The commandant of Michillimackinac they say is gone with his small Garrison to winter with the Indians for want of Provisions, he only has a few soldiers- Lieut. Butler of the Rangers is gone to take off the Garrison of Miamis Oucialanon (Ouiatanon), as Mr. Butler speaks French and seems very Intelligent, he has got orders to maintain the Post of Miamis if it be possible with a few men during the winter. It is of great importance to this place, it is the other head of the Miamis and from that there is a carrying Place of nine miles into the waters of Ouabache and it would prevent a surprize in the Spring. We have given Mr. Butler a good quantity of Ammunition and some Indian goods.
I refer you to Capt. Crochan (Croghan) for our Indian affairs- I shall have a great trouble in that Department. The French have a different manner of treating them from us. The four nations that live in the environs of Detroit are as much under the commandant as the Inhabitants and come for every thing they want. I have told my situation to General Monckton, I have nothing to give them and French left us very little in their Stores only meer trifles indeed they left us five hundred weight of good Powder, which was more than I expected. You should encourage Traders from Pittsburgh as much as possible this winter we cannot persuade the People to go there with their horses, they are only acquainted with travelling in Canoes.
The Fort is very large and in good Repair, there are two Bastions towards the
water, and a large fast Bastion towards the inland the
_______
1See appendix.
2Major Rogers was compelled to return on account of the lateness of the season.
308 |
HALDIMAND PAPERS |
authority for complying with their request, I immediately ordered Twelve
Muskets wch are equal, number of Bayonets to each Vessel & one
Barrel of Powder to be equally divided, likewise some Ball Cartridges &
Flints, which I hope will meet with Yr Excellency's approbation. The
Indians seem to me tolerably quiet, but people that know them, seem, to think
they are plotting something bad; I shall use my best endeavours to watch their
motions & shall give Yr Excellency & Sir William Johnson
such information, as I shall receive by the earliest opportunity, we have not
above sixty serviceable stand, of arms, in our ordnance store & on any
emergency, I imagine with Traders & Militia we would raise, at a short time
above 300 men, that might be entrusted with Arms, I therefore think, with
humble submission, to Your Excellency, that it would not be improper, to send
up some stands of arms, likewise every thing necessary for the defence of the
vessels, I have the honor to be with very great Respect
Yr. Excellency's most obliged & Faithful Humble Servant HEN: BASSET Major to the 10th Regiment |
His Excellency
General Gage }
[B 70, p. 142]
_______
SPEECH IN INDIAN COUNCIL AT DETROIT
MIAMIS 18th August 1773 |
The answer of the Miamis Indians to Sir William Johnson's Speech,
Addressed to them by the Hurons:
Our Elder Brethren, We are well pleased with the message you bring us from, our Governor General Johnson. Lo, this is the first time, that we have the pleasure to know, that our General speaks to us, we see that he takes pity on us by sending us this good speech, and we receive it with both our hands, we will do every thing agreeable to his will when we find the speech comes from himself, and we see now, that it is real, and that it is for good, seeing that the Hurons interfere we have listened to them in all times as we have learned from our ancestors, and we will pay no regard to what we hear from any others, we have always had bad birds fluttering about our heads, who vexed our hearts, so that we could hear nothing right We'll name you these birds they are the Shawanese; who at the same time they talked of peace, told us to keep our axes, always sharp, and ready so soon as the Tawny Ekins (meaning the Indians) were assembled
SPEECH IN INDIAN COUNCIL AT DETROIT |
309 |
together, that they should be all of one people, and strike again all men who
wear hats, (meaning the white people) and these talks came from General
Johnson's favorites, the Six Nations, whom he esteems so much, and who are
always stirring up mischief, For which reason, our Elder Brethren; we would not
listen to them, but always make War against the Flat Heads, now you are come to
tell us that we are all as one people, wherefore we recieve Governor Johnson's
Belt, with both our hands, notwithstanding that we are worthy of compassion,
having ever since the English are in possession of the country, been looked
upon as Bastards; yet our chiefs of the Villages and War Chiefs, will go and
use their utmost endeavours that all may be peaceable, and undisturbed
agreeable to Genl. Johnson's desire, you Hurons, our Elder Brethren, you reproach
us, that you having come to pass, in the road of our former Brethren, have
found it stained with the Blood of our present Brethren the White People, Tis
true it is stained, but we have not stained it; The road was made by our
Ancestors, it now turned aside; we are not the cause of it. Tis true we have
imbrued our hands in the Blood of our Brethren, the White People; but it was
not on the road of our ancestors, it was off from it in the Enemies country our
Tomahawk fell, you reproach us with the blow against Major Cochran, and our
little Brethren the Shawanese, and our having killed them all together, If he
had known the former road that was made, this matter would not have happened he
was found in the path of the Enemy, it was unlucky for, him, and us, when he
came in the road that was traced out by our ancestors, he got to his home, with
the greatest facility, and , we believe he has no reason to complain of our
Miamis, this old road is now opened again and we are going altogether to sweep
it, and make it clean; that agreeable to your demand every one may pass without
molestation, Tho' our chiefs be not here, we imagine he will not be
dissatisfied with what we do now, and we give some branches of Wampum, and a
pipe of peace to confirm what we say the Queen of the Village has given us some
branches of Wampum, thanking us that we have taken pity on the women, and
children; Wherefore they joined alltogether in this speech and are so well
satisfied that they will use their utmost endeavours, to prevent the Chiefs,
their children, from doing contrary to the desire of Governor Johnson, we
kindly thank the Governor of all Nations, that he has taken pity on us, and we
pray the Master of Life to give success to his embassy, We thank our Elder
Brethren the Hurons, for coming personally to bring us the Governors Speech; we
observe they are old men, and that
310 |
HALDIMAND PAPERS |
it is an affair of consequence, and we thank you all for taking pity
CHAPOLONTIA PAKANE JUNR.1 [Signed] NAQUAKOUANDE LE GRIS |
The preceeding Speech was delivered by Baby and several Huron chiefs in council
at Detroit 28th August 1773 to Major Henry Basset
Commander
and translated from the French by
James Sterling.
[B 70, p 188]
________
MAJOR HENRY BASSET TO GEN. FREDERICK HALDIMAND
DETROIT 29th August 1773. |
SIR,
I have the honor to receive Yr. Excellency's Letter of the 15th June, I shall
observe your directions with Respect to the Indians, I only wait for Sr. William
Johnson's Letter, some time since by Sir William's desire, I sent a large Belt
from the Six Nations to the Pouawatamies, of St. Joseph's, with a very spirited
message, from them, the Chief that took it is not yet returned, I have received
an account from the Wabash, that some Indians fell in near the Ohio, with four
English Traders, and fifteen Horses, loaded, that they had scalped the Traders,
& taken the Horses & goods, this is not confirmed tho' the Huron's have
mentioned it to me, Councill, and they are seldom out, I dont think the Indians
at present are, as much to be trusted, they seem very restless, as Yr. Excellency
will perceive, by the enclosed which I received from the Hurons, in Councill
ready, wrote in French & translated by Mr. James Sterling for me, I believe
some French Traders, amongst them help to stir them up, the provision store
is in very bad order, I sent the proceedings of a Court of Enquiry, to His Excellency
General Gage, but have not yet rec'd any orders about Building up the
wall, &c. For want of a Civil Government being established here the commanding
officers is very much employed, with the disputes & difficulties which must
naturally, happen between the Inhabitants I'm so uncomfortable as not to speak
French, or understand it sufficiently without an Interpreter, hitherto I have
been under an obligation to Mr. Sterling, Mercht who has been ready
on all occasions to attend, has wrote & answered all my French Letters without
any gratuity, a French Interpreter where the Inhabitants amount to near 1300
Souls, I should conceive, with submission to your Excellency Government,
_______
1Pacan was head chief of the Miamis for years. He was a British ally and signed the treaty of Greenville and those of 1805, 1814 and 1815. He died on the Wabash about 1815.
SPEECHES |
595 |
if you continue to listen to them you will be miserable. You see that your
wives & your children are in want, you are forced to cover yourselves with
animals skins, we, on the contrary, we are glorious to see, our wives, our
children, our young men, covered with jewelry. You have neither powder nor shot
nor arms, what will you do? What do you think? You see that our father is
always inclined to help you.
This is the last time we will talk to you. If you will not accept the words they are gone to the Poutewatamies to make a solid peace with the Pians. I ask you to profit by this occasion, we speak to you, to all the men of the Wabashe, you see the road which passes through our village, we are anxious to be of use and the doors are always open. You have not done the same you men of the Wabashe, but to prove our friendship we offer you a pass through our village to escape from the misery where you are.
By four strings of black wampum given to the Potawatamies present at the council.
My brothers,
You come to hear the words which we come to say to the Ouiatanons, we invite you to encourage your men to make peace with the Pians. We are not in the humor to make war between us, this is not the intention of our father nor of our friends the brown skins.
Answer of Pacane to the French of Post Vincennes and to the Pians.
By four strings of black wampum attached to a Tomahawk and Pipe painted Red.
You fools who say that the porcelain axes are good for nothing, you do not know the consequence nor the force, since you have none to use, since you believe that they are not strong, good Ouiatanons, take this tomahawk go and try it on the head of the Virginians or the French who are of their party, if it makes a breach our father will take care to heal it or to give it to you to heal.
As for me I look upon the threats of the Indians against us as nothing, they tell us that their axes are dull because they are of wood ; but that of our father is of iron and well sharpened.
By a large knife and a ------ painted red.
My brothers, this is the way in which our young warriors live today after having used the axe, they serve them as knives to make their marks as warriors, is it not shameful for you that the children shew you the knives stained with the blood of the French, which you have brought here to destroy us, pillage and rob us, these are your friends and our enemies.
By a carrot of tobacco painted red.
596 |
HALDIMAND PAPERS |
Good war Chiefs, there is a pipe of tobacco which I give you to smoke, if the
colour is not repugnant: on the contrary it should encourage you and make you
wrath against those who are the authors of all your miseries and all your
misfortunes, that would make you open your eyes and ears; any time that you
have been with your fathers the French, Spaniards, Virginians have you ever had
a bit of powder or shot ? since you have joined them to come to rob us.
By a red cloth blanket. You see our village stained with blood, you can think that we are not going to extend the hand to your friends who are our enemies, you can understand that if we find you with them that we will not make any distinction. You say that I am wanted to go to Post Vincennes that I shall be well received, I should be entirely lost, if I go this is the way in which I shall present myself (he rose and sung the war song and many other Miamis have followed his example.
A true copy. AT. S. DE PEYSTER. |
[B. 101, p. 10]
_______
CAPT. ROBERT MATHEWS TO LT. COL. JOHN CAMPBELL
QUEBEC 8h March 1781 |
SIR,
I am commanded by His Excellency General Haldimand to acquaint you that as there may be occasion to send out small scouts, or Indian messengers from St. francois, and other Little Services occur where gratuities will be expected. He desires that, if there is no provisions for the same at that place you will furnish Mr. Schmid with such small articles as you may think necessary & have been usually given upon the occasions, of which he is to render account to you.
| Lieut Col. Campbell. [B 113, p 127] |
I have the Honor to be [signed] ROBT. MATHEWS |
_______
INDIAN SPEECH AT DETROIT
[Translation]
MIAMIS 9th March 1781 |
Speech addressed to the Commandant of Detroit by the Miamis Chiefs.
By four strings of wampum black, and by four others, addressed to their allies.
54 |
HALDIMAND PAPERS |
50 Beaver Traps
222 Kegs Rum 1 gall ea
222 Kegs do 2 do.
Silver Works
150 Large Arm Bands
100 Small ditto
300 wrist ditto
60 Gorgets
200 Car Wheels
3000 Ear Bobs
10000 Common Broaches
200 Large ditto
200 double Crosses Assorted
150 Boxes
PATT. SINCLAIR Lt. Govr.
[B 112, p 134]
________
MAJOR ARENT S. DE PEYSTER TO BRIG. GEN. H. WATSON POWELL
Copy of a Letter from Major De Peyster to B. Genl. Powell dated
Detroit 3d Sepr 1782 and recd the 10h.
SIR
I have the honor to enclose Letters from Capt Caldwell & Mr McKee, which will give you full information of their late manoeuvres in the Enemy's country. They are now agreeable to my last orders (given in consequence of those received from the Commander in Chief) encamped at Sandusky; where (from the corrobating reports of Prisoners with the Intelligence I lately forwarded) they may soon have another brush without seeking the Enemy in their own country. It appears that Caldwell has mistaken the date of his late action at the blue Lick.
I some time ago had the honor to inform His Excellency the Commander in Chief,
that a large band of Kickapoes, Piankeshaws and other Wabash Indians were here
upon a friendly visit; doubting the sincerity of their protestations, I obliged
them to give a proof of their attachment by sending thirty of their warriors
to join Capt Caldwell; I also fixed that they should bring me early and good
intelligence from Post Vincent as well as guard that pass:- in compliance with
my request, they have stationed proper guards upon the Wabash and have brought
in the commandant of Post Vincent whose commissions & Papers I forward.
Mr Dalton, (Capt. V. T.) was taken in bed, and hurried on to
________
1Fort and village Ouiatanon on Wabash river near Lafayette, Ind.
230 |
HALDIMAND PAPERS |
into the Potewatomie's country informed me their business was to renew the
Friendship subsisting between them and the Lake Indians formerly but I have
employed proper people to watch them and find out what may be their real
business or if anything farther should pass between them. I am informed also
that numbers of the Delawares are about leaving this Country to settle on the
Spanish side of the Mississippi. I am in hopes we shall be always able to
discover in time their General Designs (should there be any against us) in time
to prevent its effects."
I have the honor to be with Respect Dr Sir Yours &cc [signed] A. MCKEE. |
Endorsed: Copy of a Letter from Alex McKee to Sir John Johnson, Baronet, dated
Detroit 2d June 1784.
[B 119, p 267]
_________
MAJOR GEN. KNOX TO GEN. FREDERICK HALDIMAND
NEW YORK 13h June 1784. |
SIR
I am directed by Congress the Sovereign's authority of the United States to write to Your Excellency in order to ascertain the precise time when each of the Posts within the United States, now occupied by the Troops of His Britannic Majesty shall be delivered up, agreeably to the Definitive Treaty of Peace- and to propose as a matter of mutual convenience an exchange of certain Cannon and Stores now at these Posts for others to be delivered at West Point upon Hudson's River, New York, or some other convenient place.
The season of the year being now so far advanced, it is important that this necessary business should be brought to a speedy termination.
To give every facility to the measure, I have directed Lt. Col. Hull, the Bearer, who is fully authorized for the purpose to repair to Canada, to make final arrangements with such persons as your Excellency may please to appoint- So that there may remain no impediment to the march, of the American Troops destined for this Service.
I have the honor &c. &c. J.1 KNOX Major General. |
His Excellency, General Haldimand. [B 175, p 273]
________
1This should be Henry Knox.