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.
Captain Stoddart to
Colonel Johnson
(May 15, 1753)
Stoddart, Benjamin, Captain in: New
York Colonial Docs. (London
Docs.: XXXL): VI,
pp. 779-780.
(page 779) enclosed string of Wampum to acquaint me by order of the five Nations, from whence it came by fresh Posts in less than forty eight hours that some of their young men who were hunting near a place called Swegaachey below Cadaraghqui having seen a great number of French and Indians march well equipped for War to said place, which it seems is their Rendezvous dispatched two brisk young men with the news to Onondaga, the rest remain to watch the French's motion, and to see if they pass the Roads leading to their Castles, if so, then they are certain their design must be against the Ohio Indians, Twighteeys &ca and in order to prevent said Nations being surprized by them they beg your Excellency would as soon as possible send them word of the French's being on the way thither, and that by the way of Philadelphia, as it is by much the nearest. But on the other hand should said army turn towards the five Nations, as they from their fears seem to think they may, there will be an express with a large Belt of Wampum sent to acquaint us of it and desire our assistance both of Men & Ammunition which they earnestly desired I would instantly inform your Excellency of. Nay so intent they were on it that they would not be satisfied until I wrote this, and dispatched it to Albany by one of my own people on Horseback in their presence, so that I hope your Excellency will excuse any blunders I may have made, and believe me with the greatest esteem imaginable
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Your Excellencys |
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most obedient Servant |
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Wm JOHNSON |
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20 April 1753.
P. S.
They judge their number about twelve Hundred, besides the Battoe Men and say that there are a great many officers & young gentlemen by their appearance. New York. A true copy Exd Pr Gw BANYAR D Scry
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Captain Stoddart to Colonel Johnson.
[New-York Papers, Ii., 62.]
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Oswego May 15th 1753 |
Yesterday passed by here thirty odd French Canoes, part of an army going to Belle Riviere, to make good their claim there, and by a Frenchman who passed this also yesterday in his way to Cajocka gives me the following account which he said he learned from common Report in Canada Viz: that the army consisted of six thousand French commanded by Monsr Marin, who is ordered to Ohio to settle the Limitts between us and they, that they lay claim on all the Lands on any of the Rivers or creeks descending or terminating in the great Lake; that if he met with any opposition he is to make good his claim by force of Arms and to build Forts in such places he shall think most convenient to secure their right; that one Fort is to be built at Ka-sa-no-tia-yo-go (a carrying place) and another at Diontarogo; they are also to oblige all the English they meet with, whether Traders or others to evacuate the place, as they look upon all we possess now as their undoubted Right, which they mean to support by force (page 780) of Arms; That this expedition is agreeable to orders received from the Grand Monarque late in the winter, that he particularly orders them that they molest not this Post at any Rate in consideration of Cape Breton but at any other post the English shall presume to approach or settle near where they claim they are to reduce if not quitted immediately after warning given. That the expected a declaration of War by the first Vessells from France, which were not yet arrived, & was surprized when I told him we had as yet no intelligence or probability of a War; He also told me there was about 500 Indians of the Coghnawagees, Scenondidies, Onogonguas, Oroondoks & Chenundies who would not engage to go to war with the English & on Ohio but are employed at so much Pr Month to Hunt for ye army: our five Nations are very uneasy, & many who were the first and principal settlers at Swegatsy are returning to their respective villages and seem to have much the spirit of Resentment in them, that the French should offer, to take possession or settle and build Forts at Ohio, without their consents, as they look upon it as their property, and many of them are now eager to take up the Hatchett and if they were a little spirited and assisted by us would soon with the assistance of their Allies, frustrate the Scheme of the French Politicians, intended settlements which if we tamely suffer, we may bid adieu to all the Indians on the continent as they will be yr masters of them all, and the consequence will be a continual annoyance and encroachment on our Frontiers as there is no doubt but they will extend their Dominions in America as far as possible, and now seems the very Crisis of time to gain the Indians or for ever lose them: If I hear any thing further concerning this army shall not fail to communicate it to you at all apportunitys:
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B. S. |
The preceding is a true copy of a paper sent to his Excellency Govr Clinton by Coll Wm Johnson as a copy of a letter to him from Captn Benjamin Stoddart- Examined by
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GW BANYAR D Scry |
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Lieutenant Holland to Governor Clinton.
[New-York Papers, Ii., No. 68.]
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Oswego May ye 15th 1753. |
Sir
I begg leave to inform your Excellency that yesterday passed this place thirty odd French Canoes, part of an army consisting of six thousand French, besides 500 Indians, commanded by Monsieur Marrin designed for the River Ohio or Belle Riviere, which from what we can learn from a French man who stopped here as well as sundry accounts from the Indians, are to settle the limitts between us and they at Ohio and that they lay claim to all the Lands descending or terminating in the great Lake and that in case of opposition they are to support their Claim by Force of Arms & are to cause all the english whether Traders or others to quit them parts: that the Commandant is invested with power to build Forts, and garrison them in such places, and in such manner he judges most proper to secure their claim
Our five Nations seem very uneasy and much exasperated at this unexpected expedition of the French and say they never will consent the French shall settle or build Forts at Ohio as its their right, and which they will never give over.
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