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.
De Ligneris to Vaudreuil
(October 3, 1752)
De Ligneris in: Huntington Library
Mss., Loudoun Coll. 398 and
in Pease and Jenison,
French Series, III,
pp. 730-734.
I did not deceive myself, Monsieur, when I had the honor to tell you last year that we might pay dearly for the two scalps that the party of Nipissing had taken from the Miami of Great Miami River. Shortly after that attack they revenged themselves on two soldiers whom they killed at Kekionga, near the fort where M. de Villiers commands. Shortly after the Piankashaw had struck at the Illinois and at Vincennes, those of the Vermillion, twenty leagues lower than that post, destroyed five Frenchmen who were bringing them the goods they needed. One of these Frenchmen even was married to a woman of their tribe. However I judge, Monsieur, that you have long known all that happened here last (page 731) year up to the beginning of winter. I sent several expresses to M. de Macarty to inform him.
After all these hostilities the Pinakashaw have gone off in the direction of White River, whither they carried with them the greater part of the Wea. I have kept back one band ever since spring, and all summer I sent messages to the others to induce them to abandon our enemies and to return to their village, if they all came back here about the end of August and the first days of September. They made me great protestations of fidelity for the future; but if we delay avenging ourselves for the treacheries of the Piankashaw to us, I do not think there will be much to count on in their fine speeches, in which I think there is little sincerity. I had the Kickapoo who were at Terre Haute return here, and that was for the Wea a guaranty of their respect because they knew the attachment of the Kickapoo to us. However they will (page 732) not take arms against our enemies, at least unless they see us in enough force to do without them. Then their help will be quite useless to us.
Toward the end of May the Chippewa and Ottawa of Mackinac to the number of two hundred men attacked the Miami of great Miami River. This blow was not to great account as they only killed five or six men. But what was better was their killing three English and taking six prisoners after seizing their merchandise. Of the six, the Miami gave up four to them after the action to get back four of their women who had been taken. One of these English was eaten by the Chippewa who had lost men. Some English who were with the Piankashaw toward White River left as soon as they heard this news which disgusted them perhaps with the trade they carry on with the Miami, among whom they (page 734) are no longer safe. I am told the latter all returned to their village, and that they had also pillaged and killed two English who came or were going to the Piankashaw. But I would not venture to certify this last news which I know only from the Indians.
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