Collections of the Illinois State Historical Society, vol. 29.
Letter from Vaudreuil to Rouillé
574 |
|
ILLINOIS HISTORICAL COLLECTIONS |
niers du nombre des quils S'est trouves Le nommes Le loup L'un des Chefs du
village des Peanguichias avéc un de Ses guerriers et deux Jllinois
Mr de Macarty arriva heureusemt Le Lendemain de la défaite avec Son Convoy qui rasseura Bien les habitants qui craignoient de cette Entreprise des Suites encore plus facheuses par nombre d'autres partis qui furent decouvêrts et qui Echapperent a la poursuite d'un gros détachement a la faveur d'une nuit obscure qui ne permit pas d'en suivre les pistes
Ce commandant n'a rien negligé pour decouvrir au moïen de ces prisonniers qu'il tient Soigneusement aux férs68 ceux des nations que ont éû part a cette conspiration
Jl S'est trouvé que toutes les nations D'ouabaches, et a L'exception des Kikapoux et Maskoutins y avoient entres et que toutes les dispositions en avoient été faites par la demoiselle L'un des Chéfs des Miamis et L'un des refugies sur la Rivierre a la Roche
[Translation]
prisoners, among whom was the Indian called Le Loup, one of the chiefs of the Piankashaw village, with one of his warriors and two Illinois.
M. de Macarty fortunately arrived the day after the affair with a convoy which much reassured the inhabitants, who feared yet more unfortunate results from this enterprise on account of the number of other parties which were discovered and which escaped from the pursuit of a large detachment, due to a dark night which did not permit it to follow the trail. This commandant has neglected nothing to discover from these prisoners, whom he keeps carefully in irons, which of the tribes took part in this conspiracy. It has been established that all the tribes of the Wabash with the exception of the Kickapoo and Mascoutens had entered into it, and all the arrangements had been made by LaDemoiselle, one of the Miami chiefs and one of the refugees on Great Miami River.
Collections of the Illinois State Historical Society, vol.
29.
Letter from Vaudreuil to Rouillé
|
VAUDREUIL TO ROUILLE, APRIL 8, 1752 |
575 |
Les Jllinois même ont parûs du Complot et n'ont pu disconvenir d'avoir reçû a
cét Egard des coliérs de lá part des Rebelles qui étoient venûs les trouver a
leur hyvernement pour les Engager par priére et par menace a Se renger de leur
côté, Sinon qu'ils commanceroient par frapper Sur eux avant d'en venir aux
mains avéc le françois Sur lequel devoit fondre Sous peu de Lunes un partisant
Anglois a la tête de mil de ces republiquains68v Enfin qu'ils
n'avoient qu'a Se determiner au plûtôt a leur porter des chevelures francoises
Sans quoy ils Seroient traittes a toute rigueur
Jl y a toute apparance que ces Menaces avoient faites impression a ces Jlinois du moins a une grande partie puis qu'il S'est trouvé de leur gens parmy les Peanguichias qui ont frappé comme ils n'ont pu en disconvenir, mais ils ont donnes pour raison de leur action qu'ils avoient remis a Mr Benoist de Ste Clére les coliérs qu'ils avoient reçû des Anglois que du reste
[Translation]
The Illinois even appeared to be in the plot and were not able to deny having received to this end belts sent by the rebels who came in search of them to their winter camp, to engage them by entreaties and by threats to take sides with them; otherwise they would begin by attacking them before coming to hostilities with the French, who within a few moons would be attacked by an English partisan at the head of a thousand of these republicans. In short, the Illinois only had to decide as soon as possible to bring French scalps; otherwise they would be treated with the utmost severity.
There is every appearance that these threats had made an impression on the Illinois, especially on a large part of them since some of their people were found among the Piankashaw who attacked; this they were not able to deny. However they have given as the reason of their action that they had transmitted to M. Benoist de St. Claire the belts which they had received from the English, and that otherwise it was the young men who
Collections of the Illinois State Historical Society, vol.
29.
Letter from Vaudreuil to Rouillé
576 |
|
ILLINOIS HISTORICAL COLLECTIONS |
c'etoit de Jeunes gens qui S'etoient laisser Jntimider et persuader a L'inçû du
Chéf et consideres de leur nation qui en avoient ignorez les desséins Jusqu'a
ce moment.
Mr de Macarty leur fit tous les 69 reproches qu'ils meritoient en conformité des ordres que Je luy avois donnes, Se reservant a leur faire part de mes Jntentions au retour de leur chasse ou il devoit les assemblee avéc toutes les nations D'ouabaches pour Sçavoir leur veritable sentiment a nôtre Egard J'en attend le resultat a la premiere occasion.
Mais quoiqu'il en soit des dispositions de ces Jlinois, Sauvages domicilies de L'endroit, je ne pense pas qu'ils osent d'aventage rien entreprendre contre nous, La garnison que Je me Sçais Bon gres d'y avoir envoyes leur en imposera surtout lors qu'il y aura un fort aux Kaskakias comme J'ay éû L'honneur de vous en prevenir, Monseigneur, par Le Vaisseau du Roy Le Parham, il y á Longtemps que J'en Sens La nécessité mais Je la trouve aujourd'huy Bien plus 69v importante par rapport
[Translation]
had let themselves be intimidated and persuaded without the knowledge of the chief and the chief men of their tribe who had known nothing of the designs up to that moment.
M. de Macarty made them all the reproaches which they merited in conformity with the orders which I had given him, delaying to inform them of my intentions until they returned from their hunt where they were to assemble with all the tribes of the Wabash that we might know their real sentiment toward us. I am awaiting the result by the first messenger.
But whatever may be the disposition of these Illinois, domiciled Indians of this place, I do not think that they dare to undertake anything against us. The garrison which I am very glad to have sent will keep them in order, especially when there shall be a fort at Kaskaskia as I had the honor to inform you, Monseigneur, by the king's ship Le Parham. For a long time I have felt the necessity of it, but I find it today much more important on account of the continual movements of this republic,
AFFAIRS IN THE ILLINOIS COUNTRY,
SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER, 1752
MACARTY TO VAUDREUIL, September 2, 17521
[H M LO 376]
|
AUX CASKAKIAS Le 2 7bre 1752 |
|
Repodu ce 25.Xbre 1752 |
MONSIEUR
Despuis Le deux de Juin que J'ay Eus L'honeur de vous informer Du coup arrivee La veille aux mekchy Et kaos qui avoient Semmée Ensemble dans Laprehensions d'estre frappee des renars En represailles des Sept quils avoient Tuée L'anneé dernierre ce partis Estoit composee de Renards, Sioux, Sakis, poutoutatamis, pians, Et fols avoines, tuerent ou prirent Soixente Et dix personnes tant hommes, femmes, qu'enfants Brulerent dix ou douse cabannes Exposerent des membres des morts de tous cotees J.
[Translation]
|
KASKASKIA, September 2, 1752 |
|
Answered December 25, 1752 |
MONSIEUR:
It was the second of June when I had the
honor to inform you of the attack made the night before on the Michigamea and Cahokia
who had sowed their fields together in the fear of being attacked by the Foxes
in reprisal for the seven they had killed last year. The attacking party,
composed of Foxes, Sioux, Sauk, Potawatomi, Winnebago, and Menominee, killed or
captured seventy people, men, women, and children, burned ten or twelve cabins,
and scattered about the limbs of the dead.
___________
1This was apparently dictated and then corrected by Macarty or by someone with a little sense of spelling.
|
MACARTY TO VAUDREUIL, SEPTEMBER, 1752 |
655 |
J'appris de Mr adanville1 qu'ils L'avoient rejoins ápres Le Coup á trois
Lieux des cahos Le forcerent De metre á terre Pour fumer Et Leurs Donner du
pains, Jls Estoient une Soixente aine de canots Et Beaucoup de monde par terre,
Jls Les Estimoit a quatre ou cinq cent Jl Leurs demenda d'ou Jls Venoient Jls
luy Raconterent Le coup arrivée La Veille qu'ils L'avoient Biens vus mais
qu'ils n'avoient pas Voulus Se faire Decourir ny me venir parler de crainte que
Leurs coup ne menqua ou que Je Les Empêcha De frapper; Jls avoient Trente
chevelures, Jls En avoient Bruler trois ou quatre Et menoient des prisonniers
quils Estoient contens Et venger du coup Des gens quils ávoient perdus. Jls
disent a des voyageurs de ce Biens garder qu'il y auroit des Sioux En parties
cet Estée au Sujet de Leurs grands chefs quils ont perdus á cet affaire
Les Ennemis ont perdus quatres hommes, Jls disent ávoir rencontre En venent Les
douze canots de voyageurs qui Estoient partis pour michelimaquinat qun Leurs
[Translation]
I learned from M. Adamville1 that
they had met him after the attack three leagues from Cahokia. They forced him
to land in order to smoke and to give them bread. They were some sixty canoes
and many people on land. He estimated them at four hundred or five hundred. He
asked them whence they came. They told him of the attack of the night before;
they had seen him, but they had not wished to disclose themselves or come to
speak to me for fear their attack would fail, or I would prevent them from
striking. They had thirty scalps, they had burned three or four persons, and
were taking the prisoners with them; they said they were satisfied and had by
the blow avenged the people they had lost. They told the voyageurs to be
on their guard as there were Sioux war parties out this summer to revenge the
great chiefs whom they lost in the former affair. The attacking party lost four
men. They say they met on their way the twelve canoes of the voyageurs
who had left for Mackinac, who
____________
1See ante, xlviii. The list of officers does not include an "Adanville" or "Adamville." Earlier references in the documents are to "Adam."
656 |
|
ILLINOIS HISTORICAL COLLECTIONS |
avoient donnee une Letre á Remetre quils L'avoient donnee á un français
Efectivement Jay L'ay Reçus Le Cinq;
Le trois du mesme mois ont mavertis qu'il y avoit deux canots Decorsse Entre Le fort de chartre Et icy ont y trouva une tente quelque peau Et arrias de voiage parmy Lesquels ont trouvat une Letre de mr delajonquierre du trois Juillet mil Sept cent cinquente qui Recommendoit Le nommee peuhipaotte chefs á Medaills des Sakis aux français
Le même Jour trois arkansas arriverent des osages furent arretés Par Les illinois Jls les prenoients pour des Renards, Mr monchervaux Les fit relacher Jls Rapportent avoir Estée aux ozages avec Le nommée dulonpree qui abandonna En chasse Son Bourgeois du cotés des nachitoches ayant Rencontree Les Cadaux Et fut avec Eux au ark ou Jl restat un mois a chasser pour Mr dulinot, Et dans une chasse Jl rencontra trois arkansas Et Les Engagea d'aller aux ozages dela Jl furent En guerre avec cette nations aux panis ou Jls ont Estee Sans Riens faire Jls ont Laisseé dulongpree áprés avoir chasser pour quelleque Tems du
[Translation]
had given them a letter to forward which they had given to a Frenchman. Actually I received it the fifth.
The third of the same month I was told that there were two bark canoes between here and Fort de Chartres. A tent with some skins and traveling equipment was found, among it a letter of M. de la Jonquière of July 3, 1750, which recommended the Indian called Peuhipaotte, medal chief of the Sauk, to the French.
The same day three Quapaw arrived from the Osage. They were stopped by the Illinois, who took them for Foxes. M. Montchervaux had them released. They reported that they had been to the Osage with the man called Dulongpree, who had left his master while hunting in the direction of Natchitoches, having met the Caddo; he had stayed with them at the Arkansas, where he remained a month to hunt for M. de Lino. On a hunt he met three Quapaw and induced them to go to the Osage. Thence they went to war with that tribe against the Pawnee, where they remained without doing anything. They left Dulongpree after
|
MACARTY TO VAUDREUIL, SEPTEMBER, 1752 |
657 |
chevereuïlle pour Luy qu'il a traiter pour du drap á des voyageurs aux ozages
Et Sont redessendus icy avec Le nommée Roulier ont Leurs á donnee une partis du
ce qui ces trouvée dans les canots Sakis Et Les aye Envoyee Joindres Mr Ledoux
qui Estoit au Bas de la rivierre Luy Escrivant qu'il me menquoit Le nommée Le
Grand, Le Soir ont avertis qu'il menquoit Le nommee glisette quon crois avoir
vollee une piraugue au Roy au petit portages, Lun de La compagnie de Mr
Monchervau Et Lautre de La Compagnie de La mazellierres; J'envoyay un
detachement apres Jusque dans L'ouabaches. J'apprens de Mr Le doux quils
Les a dans Son convois Je Joins icy Le proces par Contumace qui Est fait dans
Son temps;
Le Sept du mêmes mois Sur Les nouvelles d'un gros partis de Renards qui avoient rencontree celuy qui avoit frapper icy qui dessendoient L'un Et L'autre par Eau Et par terre pour achever de detruire Les illinois tous Les hommes, femmes, Et Enfants des trois Villages arriverent de grand matins ayant marchee toute La nuist avec une pluye continuel, Sur La confirmations d'un
[Translation]
having hunted deer for some time for him which he has traded for cloth with the voyageurs at the Osage; and they have come down here again with the man called Roulier. A part of what was found in the Sauk canoes was given them, and they were sent to join M. Ie Doux, who was at the mouth of the river. I wrote him that the man called Le Grand was missing, and in the evening I wrote him that a man called Glisette was missing, who was thought to have stolen one of the king's pirogues at the little portage. One was of the company of M. Montchervaux, and the other of that of Des Mazellières. I sent a detachment after them to the Wabash. I hear of M. Ie Doux that he has them in his convoy. I annex the proceedings in default which were taken.
The seventh of the same month there was a report that a large party of Foxes had joined the party which had attacked here, and that both of them were coming down by land and water to finish the destruction of the Illinois. All the men, women, and children of the three Illinois villages reached here early in the morning, having walked all night in a continual rain, all on the
658 |
|
ILLINOIS HISTORICAL COLLECTIONS |
nommee Roulier venant des cahos qui disoit avoir Vuë, conter, Et parler a
quatre vingt quatorze hommes, Et Le redit á moy mesme; La terreurs de Ses
illinois Estoit Si grande que Je ne put Les Envoyay Recconnoistre, Jy Envoyay
des français qui ne decouvrirent aucunes vestiges Et Jay puny mesme Le francais
qui men avoit Jnposer, Jls ont restee Jusqu'au le onze Sans oser passer Les
maisons des français quoy quon Les assurat quils ny avoient point d Ennemis;
Jls Sen Sont aller Le onze Et Le douze Et Ensenallant au Vilage des mekchy qui
Est prest l'etablissement Jls urent Encore une forte alerte J'aurois Souhaiter
que ce fut Estée Les renards, J'envoyay Mr de portneuf Et plusieurs autres
personnes Pour voir Si L'on En trouveroit pas quelqun afin dengager Les chefs á
me Venir parler;
Le traise du même mois il nous desertat quatre Soldats De La compagnie De Regiot, huit Esclaves Rouges quatres hommes Et quatres femmes Jenvoyay trois parties aprés, Mr de la mazellierre dans L'ouabaches Jusque Dans La Rivierre des charaquis
[Translation]
assurances of the man called Roulier coming from Cahokia, who said he had seen, counted, and spoken with ninety-four men, and who repeated his story to me. The terror of the Illinois was so great that I could not send them to reconnoiter. I sent French who found no traces, and I punished the Frenchman who had deceived me. The Illinois remained there until the eleventh, not daring to go beyond the houses of the French, although they were assured that there were no enemies to fear. They went away the eleventh, and on the twelfth, while going to the village of the Michigamea, which is near The Settlement, they had another sharp alarm. I could have wished that it was the Foxes; and I sent M. de Portneuf and several other persons to try to find them in order that the chiefs might be induced to come and speak with me.
The thirteenth of the same month four of our soldiers deserted from the company of De Reggio, with eight red slaves, four men and four women. I sent three parties after them, M. des Mazellières on the Wabash as far as the Tennessee River, M.
|
MACARTY TO VAUDREUIL, SEPTEMBER, 1752 |
667 |
Rivierre Et Lon vat dans un Jour par terre de L'un á L'autre Dans Son haut ce
qui donnes a nos Rebelles aisances pour Leurs traiste.
Jl dit que de guire Et prisque ont chasser de Societte Et traiter avec Lenglais, Les irokois, Loups Et chavouanons, chasse pour Les Englais Et vont Jusqu'au dessous de la chute Et dans la confiance que Je luy permeterois d aller En chasse Jl me priat de Les Laisser aller De ce cotee La ou Si Je voulois Luy faire avoir quelques Paquets Jl Seroit Sur De faire un grand coup: devent cet Ennee y a porter pour vingt a vingt cinq mil Livres de traite; Je Luis dis que Jetois Bien aise qu'il reconnut Sa faute jetois fachee de ne pouvoir pas Luy rendre ce Service, ny Le L'aisser aller de ce cotee La que Je Serois charmee d'apprendre ce qui Se passe que S'il vouloit y aller Sans peau Et me Rendre un Bon compte Je Le Recconpenserois; mais Je fus obliger De L'envoyer porter une Letre á Mr de St ange. Le neuf Juilliet trois pianguichias Entrerent avec un pavilions Et une Letre de cet officier Sous pretexte de venir Savoir L'affaires des mekchy Et
[Translation]
course as the Ohio River, and one can go in a day from one to the other on its upper course, which gives our rebels facilities for their trade.
Lalande further said that Deguir and Prisque have hunted in partnership, and have traded with the English; the Iroquois, Delaware, and Shawnee hunt for the English and come below the Falls. In the hope that I would let him go and hunt, he begged me to let him go in that direction, where if I wished to let him have some packets of skins, he would be sure of a great bargain. Before that year he had carried goods for a trade of twenty to twenty-five thousand livres. I told him I was very glad he saw his fault; I was sorry I could not do him this service, or let him go in that direction. I would be glad to learn what was happening there; if he would undertake to go without peltry and bring me back a good account, I would reimburse him; but as it was, I was obliged to send him to carry a letter to M. de St. Ange.
July 9, three Piankashaw came in with a flag and a letter of that officer, under pretext of having come to learn of the affairs
668 |
|
ILLINOIS HISTORICAL COLLECTIONS |
cahos Le porteur S'appelle La petite Bichee Et ayant commencer á aller au
vilages Sauvages Je me mefiois de quelque propos J'en avertis Linterprette qui
mit Le nommee La puce a Sonder pourquoy Jls Estoient venus, La Biche Estant
avec Luy Luy dit L'homme noire nous a dit de nous mefier de toy (cet
homme noire Est un fuyar nos Domicilliés) Jl repondit Jl Est vray qu'autre fois
J'etois atachee au francais nord mais aujourdhuy Je me Rebute La petite Biche
Repondit puisque te voisla comme nous nous talons parler, nous avons Envoyer
chercher Les chefs de votre vilages par un chy' nous avons donnée rendée vous
aux moulins des perres ou tu yras aussy Et Luy dit Enatandent Jl y á Baucoup
Denglais dans La rivierre Blanche qui ont portés deux canons Beaucoup de
fusils, ont menee Trois cent civaux, Les Loups, La moitiee de chavouanons, Les
gens de La demoiselle, une grande parties des ouyatanons, Et des notres y Sont
Jls ont fait deux fort Les Englais ont donnee un grand colier De Deux pieds Et
demy de Long Sur un de lárge, plusieurs petite pour distribuer aux nations, un
homme de chacunes Ses nations ont
[Translation]
of the Cahokia and Michigamea. The bearer of the letter was called La Petite Biche; and as he began to visit the Indian villages, I suspected he had some design. I warned the interpreter who put La Puce to work to fathom why they had come. La Biche being with him, said, "L'Homme Noire told us to beware of you." (This L'Homme Noire is a fugitive from our domiciled Indians.) He answered, "It is true I was formerly attached to the French, but today I reject them." La Petite Biche answered, "Since you are as we, we can talk. We have sent for the chiefs of your villages by a Chickasaw. We have appointed them a meeting at the fathers' mills, where you may come also." He told him meanwhile, "There are many English on White River who have brought two cannons, and many guns. They brought three hundred horses. The Delaware, half the Shawnee, La Demoiselle's people, a great part of the Wea, and our people are there. They have built two forts. The English have given a large belt, two feet and a half long and one wide, and several small belts to distribute to the tribes." A man of each of these tribes had
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