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.
Vaudreuil to Macarty
(April 28, 1752)
Vaudreuil in: Huntington Library
Mss., Loudoun Coll., 365 and
in Pease and Jenison,
French Series, III,
pp. 615-626.
To M. de Macarty, major commandant at the post of the Illinois, April 28, 1752.
I received, Monsieur, by M. Benoist the letters you did me the honor to write me March 18 and 27 last by which I perceive all that has happened since your previous letters among the tribes of your command, who appear to have been moderately quiet since their former movements. I do not too well know what augury to draw from this, inasmuch as they have not yet taken steps which may sufficiently assure us of their repentance or of their willingness to reconcile themselves with us by acts of hostility on their part against those who incited them to attack us.
However it may be, I think it prudent not to set their prisoners free until they have given satisfaction for their attempt (page 616) or at least have done something to merit their pardon and assure us of their sincere repentance.
It is proper, Monsieur, henceforth until they are in this situation to make them no presents and to profit by all occasions to mortify them and make them perceive their fault. Perhaps this course will lead them to reflections which will engage them to return to their duty.
To that end you have the Cahokia, the Peoria, and the Osage, who have assured you of their fidelity. It is essential to humor these Indians and to treat them well. Thus you will dispose them to serve you usefully in present circumstances, especially with respect to the Kaskaskia and Piankashaw, including those of the Vermilion. If they will not depart from the seditious conduct of which we are aware, and answer more favorable to our interests, it would, in that case, be better to regard them as declared enemies and to act accordingly; and to treat them with all the rigors of war as soon as you shall be assured of the (page 617) Cahokia, Peoria, Great and Little Osages, as well as the tribes of the Missouri who could also be induced to act.
I think this is the only course left for us to take, and the most efficacious, Monsieur, that you can follow to make them return to their duty, if they absolutely do not wish of their own accord to listen to reason; for it is all the same for us to have them declared our secret enemies. You will in this act as things develop, that is to say according to the means you have to insure success.
I have thought best, Monsieur, in order to put you in a better position for laying down the law to your domiciled Indians, to send you a reinforcement of fifty soldiers, including the sick you have left in the posts, the remainder being recruits to replace those who have died, and the deserters; all this is expectation of the reinforcement I count on sending you in the course of next summer.
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