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.
George Croghan
to Gov. Morris
(December 2, 1754)
Croghan, George in: Pennsylvania
Archives, first series, Vol. II,
pp. 209-210.
GEO. CROGHAN TO GOV. MORRIS, 1754.
|
Debr 2d, 1754. |
May itt Plese yr Honour,
I wrote you all ye News I had from ye Ohio Leatly by my Man, whome I sent down Express, in that I acquainted yr honour that I intended to Leave this pleace for this Reson, that all the Promises Made those Indians or any Expectations they have of this governments Doing any thing for them, they allways Expect to be fullfilld by Me, and as itt is nott in my Power to Do any thing for them, I think itt proper one of yr Interpreters should be sent hear to take care of them, they Imagine I have Received orders from yr honour to Suply them with such things as they want, and begins to think I intend to Cheet them outt of their Rites or what they Imagin I had orders to give them; or ye other hand, I make no Doubt butt ye Government thinks I run them to an Extravigint Expence as itt is Realy a hevy Expence to the Government; to acquitt My Self from Reflections on boath Sides, I should be glad some other person wold be apointed to provide for them who phaps May Do itt Better then I Can, itt is nott because I Neaver have bean paid any thing for my truble, butt to avoide Sencur tho' I asure yr honour I Neaver Received a farthing for my own time & truble Spent on those ocations in My Life from ye Government, itt is true they allways paid me for ye Services of My horses, butt Neaver Considered Me one farthing for My Truble, tho' I Remember Last Winter when John Paten was Sent out to Ohio with a Letter, the government alowed him 50, I was Sent out att ye same time, and was outt three Months, butt Neaver had ye Least acknolidgement made me, I Dont Menshon this to yr honour by way of Expecting any pay fer My staying hear att this Critecall Juntuer, I will obay yr honours orders with Plesher, and asist any Person yr honour will Send hear.
I think att this time itt is my Duty to acquaint yr honour what I know of ye Indians Sentiments, and what they Expect of this government, which is as folows, the Ohio Indians in Ginrele putts thire hole Depenance on this government in Regards to ye Expedition as Soon as this government Moves, they will unite all thire force and attack ye French, Butt I Blive Nott till then, and the Expect ye Government will Suply them hear with Provisions till Spring, and Cloathing for there famelys till they see what will be Don, ye Dalaways & Shannas are all study frends and I Blive will Remain so notwithstanding ye many afferts made on them by ye French, butt I think they should be Sent fer to Come on this Side ye Alleganie Mountain, if the Government Should think proper to Suport those Indians and Do itt in a ginrous Maner, I think all the Ohio Indians May be Retaind in ye British Interest, Butt if nott Don (page 210) Speedely and with Sprett I think itt is better give them up without any further Expence, those people Expects a Small Stokeado fortt Made fer ye Securety of thire Wifes & Children, as they are afread of ye French Indians Coming to attack them, this is all I know of thire Sentiments or Expections att present, Butt I will Write ye honour all ye News I can hear worth yr honours Notice from time to time, the Shannas that was hear and Went to Verginia is yet, within 50 Miles of this, & I b'live will Continue there till spring.
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