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.
La Chauvignerie to Contrecoeur
(Chiningu, March 11, 1754)
La Chauvignerie in: Contrecoeur Papers,
Fonds Viger-Verreau 1:77 1/2, Archives
du Seminaire de Quebec.
Copy of a letter written from Chiningue, dated March 11, 1754, which I received from M. De La Chauvignerie through La Force.
Sir
I have received the help which you were pleased to send me through M. De St. Blin, Bayouville and La Force who arrived at my post the 4th of the current month at six in the morning. You will see from the day they left your place, Sir, the speedy trip they made.
On the sixth I detached the above Sieurs De St. Blin and La Force to the mouth of the River Thya8indoguin to make a thorough visit to the settlement which the English are making there, on their way to the village of the Cha8anons. They took with them the two Baby's who are well-known in this country, this in order to facilitate their reconnaissance by pretending to have some trading business.
On the 7th they arrived at the village of the Loups which they found abandoned. Without further hope of finding a means of crossing the river, they made a canoe to cross to an island which is opposite the settlement where they found out a great deal about their works. They noticed a building there which was almost finished and which is to serve as a warehouse.
Having seen this, they recrossed the river and descended as far as the place they call Le Rocher which is about a league away, where there is a traders' house. They called to this house so that they might be taken across to it in order to find out more special information. Three Englishmen embarked and came to get them. One of these three is a deserter from the Illinois, who has been on this river for three years and who was very surprised to see Frenchmen arriving among the English at this present juncture. He assured our gentlemen that the tribes who live in these parts had accepted the hatchet which they are to use the first day possible to strike against us. That is what I am expecting at any moment.
The five tribes who have accepted the hatchet are the Hurons, the Miamis, the Five Nations, the Loups and the Cha8anons. The thing is so true that I would have been slaughtered recently through the betrayal of the fellow named Le Collier pendu, if I had said one word more according to the order which I had received from M. de Joncaire about him.
The assurance which I have that everything that I have the honor of pointing out to you is true obliges me to beg you to send me help promptly, and a definite order, since I cannot endure the insults and threats which I receive daily from these tribes. I beg you again to pay attention to these things unsparingly.
You can count on my employing all my knowledge for the good of the service, but I need troops. M. De La Force will give you ample particulars on that subject. I am sending him back to you with an trustworthy Indian and I am Keeping M. de St. Blin for the good of the service until a new order arrives. I am very much obliged that you sent M. De Bayouville who is a great help to me and on whom I am counting completely. I have nothing but good reasons to praise his conduct and his zeal for all that concerns the matters of the moment in which we are involved.
I had the honor of outlining in my last letter all that I absolutely need. Here is the list: a surgeon, medicine, increased supplies for the detachment I am expecting, some brandy, since mine has been almost consumed during the daily war councils which I am obliged to hear, which is the usual way of arranging matters with that kind of people.
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I remain impatient to receive your orders promptly |
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Sir |
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for copy LA CHAUVIGNERIE |
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Chiningue, March 11, 1754
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