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.
Minutes of the Provincial
Council of Pennsylvania
(December 5, 1753)
In: Minutes of the Provincial Council
of Pennsylvania, Colonial
Records, Vol. V,
pp. 707-708.
At a Council held at Philadelphia Wed. the 5th of December, 1753.
The Instructions of the
Honourable JAMES HAMILTON, Esquire,
Governor of Pennsylvania, to Mr. John Patten.
You are to read carefully over my Message to the Chiefs of the Six Nations at Ohio, the Principal of which are the half King Scarrooyady, and Cayanquiloquoa, and to make yourself perfectly Master of the Contents thereof, so that they may be truly and clearly explained to them in Council; and that they may conform exactly thereto I have sent therewith two Strings of Wampum, one for those Chiefs the other for the Shawonese.
You are to call at Mr. George Croghan's at Aucquick, and consult with him in what manner to deliver the said Message, and if Andrew Montour goes to Ohio, you are to go with him, and he is to be the Interpreter; if he should be gone before you reach Mr. Croghan's, You are to follow him, and if You find him at Ohio, You are to get him to interpret the Message.
You are to make all the Enquiry possible of what the French are doing or propose to do next Summer- what numbers of French there are and under whose Command, and whether at Weningo or in that Neighbourhood- What Forts the French have built or intend to build, and in what Places, and learn the Situation of such Places and their Distance from Shanoppin.
You are likewise to take a particular Account of the Road from Carlisle, so as to know how far Westward Shanoppin is from thence, and whether to the Northward and how much so, and how far the French forts are from Lake Erie or from the Straits of Niagara.
You are to learn the Numbers of the Indians, as well Six Nations, Delawares, Shawonese, Owendats, and Twightwees, and how many of them encline to the French and how many to the English, that it may be known who are to be depended on and who not.
You are to learn the Names of those who carry the Whiskey among these Indians, and in what Quantities.
You are to learn what Quantity of Arms and Ammunition have been sent to the Ohio Indians by the Government of Virginia, and what Use has been made thereof, and whether the Indians have held any general Councils, and whether any Measures have been or are to be concerted for their Defence against the French next Summer.
What the Indians expect the English will do for them, whether they expect English Men to head them, and whether if they do the Indians will be brought under any Command or Discipline.
You are to learn what Number of Twightwees have declared for the English and whether they will oppose the French, and if those Twightwees who went in the Summer to Canada are returned and what they did there.
On your Return from Ohio You are to call on Mr. Croghan and desire his Letters to the Governor; and You may prudently examine where the Goods are which were left by the Commissioners in the Hands of Mr. Croghan and what he proposes to do with them, and whether any Orders have come from Virginia for the Delivery of the Goods left with Messrs. Guest, Trent, and Monteur.
You are not to let it be known that You have any other Instructions than to deliver the Shawonese, and that the Message sent with them be well interpreted and conformed to by the Indians.
If you apprehend any Danger, or are taken sick, You are to destroy these Instructions.
You are to keep a Diary or Day Book and set down in it every thing that occurs worthy of your Notice, which is likewise to be destroyed in case of Danger or Sickness.
|
JAMES HAMILTON. |
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