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.
Speech, 1758
Ackowanothie in: Pennsylvania
Archives, first series,
Vol. III, pp. 548-550.
An old Indian on the Ohio, in behalf of the Delaware Indians and others living on the Waters thereof.
Brethren the English, you wonder at our joining with the French in this present War. Why can't you get sober and once think Impartially? Does not the law of Nations permit, or rather Command us all, to stand upon our guard, in order to preserve our lives, the lives of our Wives and Children, our Property and Liberty? Let me tell you that this was our war: have a little patience! I will tell you, Brethren, your Nation always shewed an eagerness to settle our Lands, cunning as they were, they always encouraged a number of poor people to settle upon our Lands; we protested against it several times, but without any redress or help. We pitied the poor people; we did not care to make us of force, and indeed some of those people were very good people, and as Hospitable as we Indians, and gave us share of what little they had, and gain'd our affection for the most part; but after all we lost our hunting Ground, for where one of those people settled, like pidgeons, a thousand more would settle, so that we at last offered to sell it, and received some considerations for it; and so it went on 'til we at last jump'd over Allegeny Hills, and settled on the waters of Ohio. Here we tho't ourselves happy! We had plenty of Game, a rich and large Country, and a Country that the Most High had created for the poor Indians, and not for the White People. O how happy did we live here! but alas! not long. O! your covetousness for Land at the risque of so many poor souls, disturb'd our peace again. Who should have thought, that the Great King over the Water, whom you always recommended as a tender Father to his People, I say, who should have thought that the Great King should have given away that Land to a parcel of covetous Gentlemen for Virginia, called the Ohio Company, who came immediately and offered to build Forts among us, no doubt, to make themselves Master of our Lands, and make Slaves of us. To which we could not agree, notwithstanding their fair words. Onontio our Father, heard this with his own ears, went home and prepared, in his turn, to take our Lands from us, as we, or some of us, suspected. He made a Proclamation to us in the following manner: "Children, the King of England has given your Lands on Ohio to a company of wicked Men in Virginia, who, I hear, are preparing to come and take possession with a strong hand; be on your guard, don't let them make the least Settlement on Ohio, they will in a few years settle the whole; they are as numerous as Muskeeto's and Nitts, in the Woods; if they get once a fast hold, it will not be in your power to drive them away again; if you think you can't keep them off, tell me so, and I will keep them off." Brethren, we never liked the French, but some of the Six Nations, in particular some of the Seneca's, came with the French and took possession on the Heads of Ohio; we did (page 549) not like it, and therefore sent several Messages to them, to turn about and go the way they came, to prevent Mischief, but to no purpose. The French being numerous, and supported by the aforesaid Seneca's and other Indians, we were obliged to be still, and by their craftiness and presents, we were brought over to their side of the question; But a great number of us stood Neuter.
Now Brethren, when that great General Braddock landed at Virginia with orders from the King of England, to drive away the French from Ohio, and take possession himself of that fine country for the English; the French did let us know immediately, and told us; Children, now the time is come of which I often told such an Army is coming against you, to take your Lands from you and make Slaves of you. You know the Virginians; they all come with him. If you will stand your ground, I will fight with you for your land, and I don't doubt we will Conquer them. The French General's words, by the assistance of Priests, had great influence with the Indians on the Ohio, brought the Shawanes over in a body to them, they being wrong'd in Carolina, and Imprisoned, and had their Chief hanged or put to death in a cruel manner. These Shawaness brought over the Delawares to their measures; they, the Delawares, were drove from their Lands, it being sold by the Mohocks, &c., to the New England people, and just then some of those Delawares came to Wyomock, much incensed against the English, and were easily brought over to the French and Shawaness.
Now Brethren, all this, with many other abuses we suffered from our Brethren the English, yet our heart is much afflicted; there remains sparks of love in it towards our Brethren the English; were we but sure that you will not take our Lands on the Ohio, or the West side of Allegeny Hills from us; we can drive away the French when we please, they have even promised to go off when we pleased, provided we would not suffer the English to take possession of the Lands, (for as the French says), we can never drive you off, you are such a numerous people; and that makes us afraid of your Army, which should not have come so nigh us, we don't know what to think of it. We sent you Messages of Peace, you received them kingly, and you sent to us Messages of Peace, we received them also kindly, and sent back again more stronger words. Why did not your Army stay at Ray's Town, 'till matters had been settled between us? We still suspect you covet our Lands on the Ohio, for you come against us; but we never heard as yet what you intend to do (after you have drove away the French), with the Forts and Lands on Ohio.
Brethren, one thing more sticks in our Stomach, which is, that we cannot thoroughly believe you that you are in earnest to make Peace with us, for when we lived among you, as sometimes it would happen, that our young men stole a horse, kill'd a hog, or did some other mischief, you resented it very highly, we were Imprisoned &c. Now, we have kill'd and taken so many of your people, will you heartily forgive us and taken no revenge on us.
Now Brethren, consider all things well, and be assured that we, the Indians, are heartily inclined to make a lasting peace with you.
Gave a large String.
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