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.
Capt. Croghan's Journal to
Presque Isle and Intelligence
Received Lately
(Aug. 1, 1760 - Aug. 31, 1760)
Croghan, George in: Aspinwall Papers,
Coll. of the Mass. Hist. Soc.,
vol. IX, 4th series,
pp. 283-289.
level Woods, then entered amongst a Number of Fallen Trees, blown down by a Hurricane across the Path for Six Miles in length, level Country with Timber and good Soil to Sandy Creek, the going down to which is very steep and long, after crossing the Creek, passed through a fine level Bottom about half a Mile long, then ascended a hill which continued Stony near four Miles where we had a steep descent to Venango. Venango is situate in a large fine Bottom, on the bank of the Ohio, the food all Clover & Wild Timothy, the works are all destroyed except the Saw mill which is standing, but that appears as if it would be attended with as much trouble to repair it as to build a new one.
The 13th I set off before the Troops with Custologa and the Indians to his Town, in Order to Collect the Indians that live near that place to hold a Conference with them, soon after we set out Crossed French Creek a little above the Mouth, and Marched through a pleasant country, of good Land, well Timbered and Watered, Sixteen Miles to Custologa's Town, which is situate near French Creek in a Pleasant Savanna, fine Land all about it, well Timbered and Watered. The Indians with me fired off their Guns, upon which we were immediately saluted from the Town with the Firing of their Guns three several times. In this Town is about 40 Houses, and when all are at home, there is about 120 fighting Men.
The 14th Colonel Bouquet and the Troops Marched by the Town, with whom I went up the Creek about two Miles to a Six Nation Village and Returned at Night, but the Troops Marched on with whom I sent Mr Hutchins.
The 15th the Indians were all assembled in Council at Custologa's Town when I made them the following Speech-
BRETHREN,
His Majesty's General now at Pittsburgh has sent me to acquaint you, that it is necessary for his Majesty's Service (page 286) to open the Communication from Pittsburgh to Presqu'Isle and establish a Post there, and desire that you and your Brethren here may be assisting to any Troops that may at any time, be passing by your Settlements, that way, and he assures all Nations of Indians by their Belt of Wampum, that they will have his Majesty's Protection as long as they behave well to us, and you may be assured that the General will render any of your People any Services in his Power for the Establishing a lasting Peace and Friendship with all Nations.
|
A BELT. |
BRETHREN,
By this Belt I have the Generals Orders to Invite all Nations of Indians to come to Pittsburgh to the intended Conference to renew and brighten the Chain of Friendship, and Receive a Present sent him by the King of Great Britain for all Nations of Indians to the Sun setting.
|
A BELT. |
The Indians made the following Answer.
BRETHREN,
We have heard the Messages you have delivered us from the General, and you may Assure him that we will acquaint all Nations of it, and meet him at Pittsburgh to renew our Ancient Friendship, and render you all the services we can, in keeping the Road safe for our Brethren to Travel through our Country.
|
A STRING. |
Then I delivered the Goods sent by the General to Clothe the Women and Children at that Place, which was equally distributed, and when all was Clothed, they came and Returned thanks in a Formal manner.
Immediately after the Conference, Colonel Mercer came there, when I Joined him and Marched Two Miles to a Six Nation Village where we Encamped.
The 16th Decamped early and passed by another Six Na- (page 287) tion Village and from thence through a tolerable good Country, Seventeen Miles, to where we crossed French Creek.
The 17th Decamped early and Marched through a Swampy Country and a Bad Road, to Le Beauf, Thirteen Miles.
The 18th Decamped early and at Ten o'clock arrived at Presque'Isle, being fourteen Miles, most of the way is a Chesnut Swamp part of which is laid with Loggs, but much out of Repair.
The 19th early in the morning I sent two Indians out to Reconnoitre the Adjacent Woods and about seven o'clock one of them Returned, and told me that he had seen four Indians and spoke to them, (two Wyandotts and two Chepeways) they told him there were Twenty of their Party, that they were employed by the French at Detroit to come there as Spys and to bring an English Prisoner with them, but that their Nations had determined not to Commit any Hostilities against the English, and desired he might assure me, that they would Return without doing any Mischief. I sent him back to invite them into Camp, but when he had got to where their Canoes were, part of them were set off, so the Rest did not chuse to come without the whole Party. They told this Indian, that they would not have come at the desire of the French, but that their own Nations were afraid that we were going to Destroy Detroit without giving them Notice.
The 20th Returned from Presqu'Isle to a Mingoe House three Miles from Le Beauf.
The 21st Marched to some Mingoe Cabins two Miles from Custologa's Town.
The 22nd Received the following Intelligence from the Twightwee Country by two Indians, viz.-
That they set off from their Town 19 Days ago, the day before they left home Twenty Eight Battoes with Provisions passed by up the Creek to a Carrying place on their way to Detroit; with those Battoes there were no Soldiers, but (page 288) about One Hundred Country People. They told the Indians there that 200 Men with up Battoes and Twelve Pieces of Cannon were coming after them, and would be there soon, and after them One Hundred Men with a great Number of Battoes, all from New Orleans, that when they go to Detroit they were to go to Niagara to meet an Army from Montreal to take that place, and then to come back and drive the English from Pittsburgh over the great Mountain. The Indians did not believe what they told them but made them this answer, Father be Strong, we have made Peace with our Brethren the English, and you must fight your own Battles.
Those two Indians were sent by an Indian Spy, who I have had in that Twightwee Town all this Spring, he told them that he would stay there a month longer to see if any more French passed by that way, as they could go no other way to Detroit, and then set off for this place.
The 25th arrived at Fort Pitt.
The 29th A Six Nation Indian came here and says he was sent from their Country, to acquaint the General, and Indians here, that none of the Six Nation Deputies would be at the intended Conference to be held here as was expected, but they intend to send here in about three Months. The Reason of their not coming was occasioned by some Deputies of the Wyandotts who came to their Country from over the Lakes, with Ten Calomets of Peace, and several Belts of Wampum, from Ten different Tribes of Indians, to Renew their Ancient Friendship with the Six Nations, which they did, and says that the Six Nations delivered a large Belt to them, desiring all Nations to the Westward to Cultivate a lasting Friendship with their Brethren the English, and deliver up all the English Prisoners as soon as possible, as that was demanded of them, and without they did it, they were well satisfied, the English would not be pleased.
The 30th an Indian arrived here from the Salt Licks, and informed me, that the Twightwees (i.e. Miamis) Otta-
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