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.
Dumas to Macarty
(November 10, 1755)
Dumas, M. in: AC., C13, 39:172
and inWisconsin Historical
Collections, XVIII,
pp. 161-164.
Copy of the letter written to M. de Makarty, Commandant at the Illinois, on the 10th of 9ber 1755, by M. Dumas, Commandant of Fort Du Quesne.
[1756. Fort Duquesne] We have now on the Continent [in this region] one thousand French, seven hundred Delawares and Chouanons, besides a number of Illinois, as many as three hundred French and Indians, under the care of Sieur de Villiers, about 250 Miamis and Outagnons, under M. de Belestre, 300 from Detroit and 700 from Michilimakinac, commanded by Chevalier de Repentigny, d'Anglade and Hebert, Junior, amounting in all to 3,250 men. [We are] expecting to hear whether M. Beaubassin, Commandant at the Point, will have brought the Sauteurs belonging to his post;5 we shall soon learn the exploits of these Nations.
[Aug. 8, 1756.] M. Dumas has likewise caused peace to be concluded between the Illinois, the Nations of the Bay, the Saulteux and Pouteouamis.
* * * * * * * *
Although the greatest portion of the Upper Nations have returned, through fear of the smallpox that prevailed at Niagara and subsequently at Presqu'Isle, which they have been equally apprehensive of catching at Fort Duquesne, M. Dumas' force consists nevertheless, of 810 men.
[Aug. 30, 1756] The Indians of the Upper Countries
appear glad that Chouaguen has fallen, but, at the bottom of their hearts, they
are not satisfied.6 It was a place where they found as much Rum as they pleased,
goods much cheaper than with us, and I am persuaded that the high prices of our
merchandise will drive them to Orange to trade their peltries, which is a
serious injury to the trade of this Colony. It would be an advantage necessary
for one reason, were the Indians supplied with our goods at the same price as
they are supplied by the English.
____________________
5 "Hebert Junior" is probably a misprint for "Herbin Junior," for whom see ante, p. 137, note 81.
Pierre Joseph Hertel, Sieur de Beaubassin, belonged to a prominent Canadian family who had estates in Acadia. Born in 1715, he became ensign (1748). Having been very successful during King George's War in raiding in the neighborhood of Albany, he was sent by the governor of New France to arrange with the governor of New York for an exchange of prisoners. The latter remonstrated with La Jonquire for sending one known to have "committed cruel barbarities in the last war." His negotiations were, however, successful and he received a gratuity for his "zeal and industry," besides promotion in the army. In 1752 he married Catherine Jarret de Verchres, who became an especial friend of the Marquis de Montcalm. In 1756 he was made lieutenant, being stationed at La Pointe de Chequamegon, Wisconsin. In 1759, he came to Quebec, apparently from the eastward, bringing with him a detachment of Abenaki Indians. His services were in demand during the siege, and he likewise took part in the campaign of 1760, at its close retiring to France.- ED.
6 On the other hand, not the following testimony on the effect in the upper country of the fall of Oswego (Chouaguen). The journal of Montcalm in Casgrain, Lvis Manuscripts (Quebec, 1895), vii, p. 121, notes under date of Nov. 21, 1756; "Monsieur Dumuys [commandant of Detroit] ensign of the colony, arrived the 21, and confirms the great effect that the taking of Chouaguen has had on the disposition of the savages of the Upper Country. It has animated the courage of those belonging to us, and lowered that of those, who were like the Huron of Detroit in the depth of their hearts on the side of the English.- ED.
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