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.
Memorandum:
Col. Mercer to Gov. Denny
(Aug. 29, 1759)
Mercer, Hugh in: "Memorandum,
Pennsylvania Colonial Docs.,
vol. 8, pp. 382-393.
A Letter to Governor Denny from Colonel Mercer.
Pittsburg, the 6th of August, 1759.
Sir:
My last letter to your enclosed Minutes of Conferences held here upon Ratifying the Peace with several Nations of Indians, (page 392) upon signifying what was transacted here to the Indians collected by the French at Venango, they readily consented to what was agreed on by their Deputies; only two Delawares, a Brother of Teedyuscung and a Nephew of Cutfinger Peter, apposed their Measures of Leaving the Enemy and coming here immediately to signify their Peaceable intentions. These assured the others that no Peace was intended by us, neither had any Indians joined in sending the Messages, which were contrived only to deceive and lull asleep the Indians till we had Cut their Throats.
The settling this affair has kept a number of Indians still about us, for all the Wyondotts have come here from Venango, to hold a Conference with the Chiefs of the Delawares, who are assembled to satisfy the Western Tribes, & to take the Hatchet out of their Hands.
We hear of a Number of the Distant Tribes being at Hand, upon their first Visit, so that there is no appearance of our being able to avoid a vast expence of Provisions; this lays the General under great difficulties in supplying us, and throwing in a sufficient stock for the Support of his arms.
I have been obliged to reduce the Garrison to Three Hundred and Fifty, and even with this Number, can scarcely save an ounce between the Convoys.
We are likely to have little Trouble from the Enemy this Way, for their Indians have dropt off to a very few, who, in small parties lye about Legonier, and this Place, serving as spys, and now and then, taking a Scalp or prisoner. I inclose the Intelligence we have received lately from Presque Isle; how far it may be depended upon, I will not pretend to say; we expect further Accounts every Minute.
Some Taway Indians, that had been entertained here some Days, and met with equally kind Treatment of others, took off two Highlanders, One of them a Centinel from his Post, and we find, since killed them both, and were seen proceeding to Venango with their Scalps.
Captain Gordon, Chief Engineer, is arrived, with most of the Artificers, but does not fix on a Spot for Constructing the Fort, 'till the General comes up. We are preparing the Materials for Building, with what expedition so few Men are capable of.
|
I am, Sir, your Honour's most Obedt. Hume. Servt., |
|
|
HUGH MERCER. |
|
_____________
Intelligence enclosed in the foregoing Letter.
Pittsburgh, August 4th, 1759.
By two of my Spies, who returned this Day from Venango, I am informed that the French at Venango are the utmost Confu- (page 393) sion, on account brought by some Indians, of the news from Niagara, who say the English landed in sight of the Fort, without much interruption, intrenched themselves, and raised Batteries; that the French and Indians made a Sally, and were repulsed, with the Loss of Twenty-Eight Officers killed and taken; a great number of Soldiers killed and taken, and twelve Indians killed. Amongst the Prisoners is Mr. Delinery, who Commanded at this Place, shot through the thick of the Thygh. What Number of the English and Six Nations were killed, they could not tell; that the place had not surrendered when they came away; but it is the Opinion of all the Indians, that the English are in Possession of it by this, as the Commanding Officer of Niagara sent Letters by these Indians, to the Commanding Officer at Presque Isle, to acquaint him that he should be obliged to deliver up the place in a few Days, and as Sir William Johnson threatened to cross the Lakes with the Six Nations, and cut off the Settlements at Detroit, desired him to forward an Express to Detroit, with orders for all the Women and Children, with their Effects, to be removed to the Head of Scioto, that they might be ready, upon the first Notice of the Six Nations crossing the Lakes, to remove to their Settlements down the Mississippi.
Forty- five Indians arrived here this day amongst which were two Delawares sent from Tuskerawas to acquaint me that there was forty Indians of the Twightwees and Kushkuskee Nations, on their way here, sent by their Chiefs to know in what manner the Peace was settled between us and the Western Indians, that they might know how to act. The two Messengers tell me that I may expect them here in two Days.
The 5th. Two Shawanese came here from Presque Isle, and Confirm the Intelligence brought by my two Spies yesterday, with the Addition that the Indians who brought the Intelligence from Niagara to Presque Isle say the French attempted several times to drive our People out of their Trenches; that great Numbers were killed on both Sides, but most of them French; that most of the French Officers that were on this river were killed or taken, particularly the blind Captain (called so by the Indians by his being blind with one Eye), who Commanded at Venango, killed, one Neverville, a great Partisan, who used to go frequently with the Indians from this Place, against the Frontier Settlements of Pennsylvania, Maryland, and Virginia killed; that when they left Presque Isle the French every moment expected to hear of the Surrender of Niagara to the English.
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