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.
Lieut. Hutchins: Journal
(April 4, 1762 - Sept. 24, 1762)
Hutchins, Thomas in: B. M., Add.
MSS.,
21655, f. 181-186, D. S., and in
Stevens, et all., The Papers of
Col. Henry Bouquet, Series
21655, 1943,
pp. 167-174.
. . . The 7th Assembled the Poutawautamies and made them acquainted with my Instructions and gave them a Belt of Wampum.
The 8th They expressed great uneasiness that Rum was not Allowed them as usual and desired that as their whole Nation was afflicted with Sickness which Rendered them uncapable of hunting that Sir William Johnson wou'd send them some few Presents to keep their Women and Children from the Cold. And further said they were greatly Surprised that I had not a Present for them
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They gave a String of Wampum |
The 9th Set out for the Fort at the Miamie where I arrived the 12
The 13th had a Meeting with the Mineamie Indians and acquainted them with my Business
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Gave them a Belt of Wampum |
I then told them I had some Business at the Ouiatanon & on my Return wou'd hear what they had to say.
The 14th Set out for the Ouiatanon and arrived there the 18th.
The 19th had a meeting with the following Indians Vizt Ouiatanons, Kickaupooze, Musquetons, and Pyankishaws who I made acquainted with my Instructions and gave each Nation a Belt of Wampum.
They then desired I wou'd here them to morrow.
The 20th the above Indians met and the Ouitanon Chief spoke in behalf of his and the Kickaupoo Nations as follows
Brother,
We are very thankful to Sir William Johnson for sending you to enquire into the State of the Indians. We assure you we are Rendered very miserable at Present on Account of a Severe Sickness that has Seiz'd almost all our People many of which have died lately and many more likely to Die, however this we don't grumble at it was God that put us upon the Earth and when he pleases to take us away we must be Satisfy'd; but what we think hardest of is that the English have never so much as given us the least Present or even allowed a smith to be at the Post to mend our Gunns &c We know very well that other Indian Nations have had Presents given them at two or three different times and a smith allowed to mend their Guns; what those Indians have done to get themselves in so great favour with the English we have never heard; but this we are sure of that we are ready on all Occasions to serve our Brethren the English and will advise our Young Men to behave well.
If we were to go to the french at the Ilonois they wou'd give us some Ammunition at least, but our Brother hear has Desired us to have as little dealings with them as Possible, you see we mind what he says as none of our People has offered to go near the french since the English came here.
We desire you will acquaint Sir William Johnson with all we have said to you and we hope he will allow a smith at this Post and also send some Presents for our Women and Children.
As for English Prisoners We have not any remaining amongst our Nations, And to assure you all I have said is true I give you this Wampum & Council Pipe.
The 21st Detain'd here on account of my Horse being Stole by the Indians.
The 22nd Sit out for the Mineamie and arrived there the 26th
The 27th the Mineamie Indians Assembled and desired that I would request of Mr Croghan to send them a Smith to mend their Guns and Tomhawks and also to allow them some presents as their People were mostly Sick
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Gave a String of Wampum |
The Officer at the Post assured me that it was almost impossible to keep friendship with the Indians without allowing them some Presents, and that they were Extreamly uneasy that a Smith was not allowed them.
The 28th & 29th detained here on Account of wet Weather the 30th Set out for the Lower shawneese Town and arriv'd their the 8th of September in the afternoon. I could not have a Meeting with the Shawneese untill the 12th as their People were Sick and are Dying every day.
The 12th I made them Acquainted with my Instructions and gave them a Belt of Wampum.
They gave me for answer that as their Chiefs were gone to a Councill with the English, they could not Transact any Business in their Absence, that they expected them to arrive in a few days and a s soon as they came they would send an Answer to my Speech to Mr Croghan
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Gave some Wampum |
The 13th Set out for Fort Pitt and arrived there the 24th of Septr 1762.
Sir.[. . .......] [ .......] Relating to what has Pass'd between the Indians Inhabiting near the D'Troit Posts and me, and notwithstanding the Manner they have expres'd themselves.[. . .] I found in private Conversation with them that hey were not so well [pleased] as I could have wished as they were dissappointed in their Expectations of my having Presents for them, and as the french had always Accustomed themselves both in time of Peace and during the Late War to make these People great Presents three or four times a Year and always allowed them a Sufficient Quantity of Ammunition at the Posts they think it very strange that this Custom should be so immediately broke off by the English and the Traders not allowed even to take so much Ammunition with them as to enable those Indians to Kill game Sufficient for the support of their families.
[. . . . . . . . . . . .] Officers of the Different Posts has been obliged to give those Indians some Presents as it wou'd be impossible to keep friendship with them without; they never the less look on those Presents as mere trifles, and are in great Expectations of having Presents for them from Sir William Johnson [. . .] And I see it is with the greatest Difficulty [at this] place to keep them in good [spirits]
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[. . . . . .] |
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Sir |
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[Your] |
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Humble Servt |
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THOs HUTCHINS |
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To Geo. Croghan Esqr
(drawing of hand) The Chief of the Musquetons spoke in behalf of their and the Pyankishaws Nation to the same Effect that the Ouiatanons had done Confirming what they said by giving [some] Wampum & a Council Pipe
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