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.
Extracts of Letters,
Declarations, Etc.
(June 1763 - June 1764)
(Due to length divided here into four parts)
In: Historical Collections, Michigan
Pioneer
and Historical Society, Vol. 27,
1897, pp. 631-670.
EXTRACTS OF LETTERS, DECLARATIONS, ETC.
EXTRACTS FROM A LETTER FROM CAPT.
GEORGE ETHERINGTON, COMMANDANT OF
MICHILIMACKINAC, DATED MICHILIMAIKIMAKIMAC, JUNE 12,1763.
Sir: - Notwithstanding what I wrote you in my last, that all the savages were arrived, & that everything seemed in perfect tranquility; yet on the second instant the Chippewas who live in a plain near this fort, assembled to play ball, as they had done almost every day since their arrival; They play'd from morning till noon, then throwing their ball close to the gate, and observing Lieut. Leslie and me a few paces out of it, they came behind us, seized, and carried us into the woods. In the meantime the rest rushed into the fort, where they found their squaws, whom they had previously planted there, with their hatchets hid under their blankets, which they took and in an instant killed Lieut. Gamet and fifteen rank and file, and a trader named Tracy; they wounded two and took the rest of the garrison prisoners, five of which they have since killed.
They made prisoners of all the English traders, and robb'd them of everything they had; but offered no violence to any of the persons and properties of the Frenchmen.
When this massacre was over Messrs. Langlad and Farti, the interpreter came down to the place where Lieut. Leslie and me were prisoners, and on their giving themselves as security to return us when demanded, they obtained leave for us to go to the fort under a guard of savages, which gave time by the assistance of the above mentioned gentlemen to send for the Oatewas, who came down on the first notice and were very much displeased at what the Chippewas had done.
Since the arrival of the Oatawas they have done everything in their power to serve us, and with what prisoners the Chippewas have given them and what they have bought, I have now with me Lieut. Leslie and eleven privates, & the other four of the garrison who are yet living remain in the hands of the Chippewas.
The Chipewas, who are superior in numbers to the Outawas, have declared in council to them that if they do not remove us out of the fort, that they will cutt off all communication to this post; by which means all the convoys of merchants from Montreal, Labay, St. Joseph & the upper posts would perish; but if the news of your posts being attack'd (which they say was the reason they took up the hatchet here) be false, and you can send up a strong reinforcement with provisions, etc., accompany'd by some of your savages, I believe the post might be re-established again. Since this affair happened, two cannoes arrived from Montreal which put (page 632) it in my power to make a present to the Outawa nation, who very well deserve anything that can be done for them.
I have been very much obliged to Messrs. Langlad and Farti, the interpreter, as likewise the Jesuit for the many good offices they have done us on this occasion; the priest seems inclinable to go down to your post for a day or two, which I am very glad of, as he, is a very good man and has a great deal to say with the savages hereabout, who will believe everything he tells them on his, return, which I hope will be soon.
The Outawas say they will take Lieut. Leslie, me and the eleven men which I mentioned before was in their hands, up to their village & there keep us till they hear what is done it your post, they having sent this canoe for that purpose. I refer you to the priest for the particulars of this melancholy affair, and am,
|
Dear Sir, Yours very sincerely, |
|
|
( Signed ) |
GEO. ETHERINGTON. |
To Major Henry Gladwin, Commandant of Detroit.
P. S.- The Indians that are to carry the priest to Detroit, will not undertake to land him at the fort, but at some of the Indian villages near it, so that you must not take it amiss that he does not pay you the first visit, and I once more beg that nothing may stop your sending him back the next day after his arrival, if possible, as we shall be at a great loss for the want of him, and I make no doubt that you will do all in your Power to make peace, as you see the situation we are in, and send up provisions as soon as possible and ammunition, as what we had was plundered by the savages. Adiew. G. E.
EXTRACT OF A DECLARATION MADE TO
CAESAR CORMICK AND THE THEREIN NAMED
WITNESSES, AT DETROlT, 11 JUNE, 1761.
We undermentioned James Sterling, merchant, and Samson Fleming, deputy commissary of this place, being call'd by Caesar Cormick, also merchant here, Do Certify to have heared the intelligence of a person whom we contrast, as being well informed by said person hitherto, of all the conspiracies made against His Brittanick Majesty's subjects since they came to Detroit to the satisfaction of the commanding officer particularly since the present siege. The said person has declared before us, that Miny Chain, Jacque Godfrey, & Messrs. Beauban, Chavin and Labadee went from here the 12th or 13th ultimo, being the third or fourth day of the siege, publickly as they pretended for an officer from the Illinois to disperse the Nations, and in this way they met John Welch, Merchant from Miamis in the Mouth of the Miamis River with two Pettiagus loaded with peltry bound for this Place: The said five Frenchmen ordered a band of Indians who were with them to hide themselves in the wood close by, untill they would entice the English ashore; then hailing (page 633) them to come and smoke a pipe and get the news, they came ashore and sate down; the said French then seised and tole them they were their prisoners and calling up the Indians they divided the prisoners and peltry betwixt them, then the said Chain & Godfrey detached the other three companions back to Detroit, with their share of the booty, & Mr. Welch prisoner; who came and lodged the same in the House of the abovesaid Miny Chain next in the settlement to the Potewatamis Village, that the Outawas Claiming Mr. Welch seised, and murdered him since; and that the said Outawas came this day seised and carried off the said peltry, tole them that the French had no business with any plunder, but that it belong'd entirely to the Indians. The said Informer likewise declared that the said Chain and Godfrey took also four of the said Prisoners along with them, saying that they would take them to the Illinois and make soup of them to spirit up the Indians to War and come against the English, which they now daily expect here. And that the said Chain and Godfrey, proceeding with the same Indians to Miamis, with whom they acted in conjunction to destroy that garrison: Then parted for Ouitanon intending to act the same barbarous part there; being in their way to Illinois.
We then questioned the said Informer if we could depend upon the abovesaid intelligence, or from whence they were derived. Answered, that Niniway a Potewatamis Chief sent for Isedore Chain brother to the said Miny Chain the Evening that he the said Niniway arrived with Ensign Schlosser Commanding Officer of St. Josephs and acquainted him of what his brother Miny had done at Miamis; that the said Isedore in tears replied that he wished to God his Brother might die in that Place, for as soon as he arrived at Detroit he would be hanged. And that the said Informer declares to have been present when all this was told by the said Niniway in the house of the abovesaid Minay Chain.
|
Signed, |
CAESAR CORMICK. |
Witnesses,
|
|
JAMES STERLING, |
|
|
SAMUEL FLEMING. |
EXTRACTED OUT OF A LETTER FROM LIEUT.
EDWARD JENKINS, COMMANDING AT
OUIATINON TO MAJOR HENRY GLADWIN, COMMANDANT OF DETROIT,
DATE FORT OUIATINON, 29 JULY, 1768.
Sir: Two days ago the Bearer arrived from the Illinois, who assures me that the People in that part of the World are for a quiet life, I mean the French; but he says the Indians wanted the Commanding officer to come and attack these Posts, which he refused. The English woman that is along with him, told me that the Canadians were advising the Indians to Murder us, all in these Posts, but that they would not be seen (page 634) in it themselves; but I shall say no more of it, as the woman will acquaint you all she knows about it; She says she heared the bearer talk of; indeed I would have examined him, but the woman was afraid , as she was to go farther with him, & you are in a much better place for it than I.
EXTRACT OF A LETTER FROM LIEUT.
EDWARD JENKINS, COMMANDING AT OUIATINON
DATED 28 MARCH, 1763, TO MAJOR HENRY GLADWIN, COMMANDING AT DETROIT.
Sir: The bearer arrived from the Post last Sunday, with two more Deserters and his wife. They have not heard yet below of the cessation of Arms, and I am acquainted by Monsieur La Bond that we have attacked, or at least blocked up some Place near the Mississippi; indeed I don't well understand him as he has an odd way of talking, but Capt. Campble will understand him better. Mr. Crawford acquainted me this morning that the Canadians that are here are eternally telling lies to the Indians, and tells me likewise that the Interpreter and one La Pointe told the Indians a few days ago that we should all be Prisoners in a short time (showing them when the corn was about a foot high) that there was a great Army to come from the Mississippi; & that they were to have a great number of Indians with them, therefor advised them not to help us; That they would soon take Detroit and these small Posts, and that then they would take Quebec, Montreal & Ca. and go into our country. This I am informed they tell them from one end of the year to the other, with a great deal more that I cannot remember. I am convinced that while they are permitted to trade here that the Indians here never will be in our Interest, for although our Merchants sells them a stroud for three Beaver, they will rather give six to a French man. It is needless inquiring into the affair as the French have so much influence over them, that they will deny what they said, for the other day I had the Express before me for saying we should all be fighting by and by; but could make nothing of it as the Indians were afraid to own it before him, altho the Indians that heared them talk of it stood to it. I am,
Yours, &c.,
EXTRACT OF A LETTER FROM RICHARD
WINSTON, MERCH'T AT ST. JOSEPH'S, TO
THE ENGLISH MERCHANTS AT DETROIT. DATED ST. JOSEPH, 19 JUNE, 1768.
Gentlemen: I address myself to you all, not knowing who is alive or who is dead, I have only to inform you that by the Blessing of the Almighty, & the hell) of Mr. Louison Chevalie I escaped being killed when this unfortunate Garrison was massacred. Mr. Hamback and me being hid in the House of the said Chevalie for four days and nights; Mr. Hamback is brought by the Savages to the Illinois, likewise Mr. Chin, unfortunate me remains here Captive with the Savages. I must say that (page 635) I meet with no bad usage, however I would that I was with some Christian or other, I am quite naked, & Mr. Castacrew who is indebted to Mr. Cole, would not give me an inch to save me from Death, who the day before the massacre here to pay me part of said Debt, but since that denyd in the presnce of Mr. Chevalie, that he owed me anything, untill I produced his note, he then said his note was no order to pay any part of said debt to me, I am informed that Castacrew has information that Mr. Cole was killed on his way from Niagara; I have nothing to say concerning our enemy here but that they recommend to the savages at Detroit to quiet their firing upon the Fort at Detroit, that as the Six Nations began the War they might persist in it. We are informed that at Miamis Mr. Holmes and part of his Garrison were killed, the other part carried down the Wabash to joyn the Garrison of Ouitinon and carried all to the Illinois; At Ouitinon there was not one killed but all taken Prisoners. I am, &c.
EXTRACT OF A LETTER FROM EDMOND
MORAN, MERCHANT AT FORT EDWARD AUGUSTUS,
TO MR. JOSEPH SPEAR AND COMPANY, MERCHANTS,
AT DETROIT, DATED 16 MAY, 1763.
Sir: The Indians would do very well here but for the Canadians; They spirit them up to everything thats bad against the English. I am sure that it will never be worth any English Traders while to follow this Trade unless the French are prohibited to come here.
Yrs, &c.
EXTRACT OF A LETTER FROM LIEUT.
EDWARD JENKINS TO MAJOR HENRY GLADWIN
COMMANDING AT DETROIT, DATED OUITINON, 1 JUNE, 1763.
Sir: I have heared of your situation which gives me much pain, indeed we are not a great deal better, for this morning the Indians sent for me to speak with me, & immediately bound me when I got to their cabbin, & I soon found some of my soldiers in the same situation. They told me Detroit, Miamis and all these Posts were cutt off, and that it was a folly to make any resistance, therefor desired me to make the few soldiers I had in the Fort surrender, otherwise they would put all of us to death in case one man of theirs was killed. They were to have fallen on us and killed us all last Night, but Monsieurs Maisonville & Lorrain, gave them Wampum not to kill us all, and when they told the Interpreter we were all to be killed & he knowing the Canadians of the Fort beged of them to make us Prisoners. They have put us into the French houses and both Indians and French use us very well. All these Nations Say they are very sorry, that they were obliged to do it by the other Nations. The belt did not arrive here till last night about Eight o'clock; Mr. Lorrain can inform you of all. Just now received the news of St. Joseph's being taken, (page 636) eleven were killed and three taken Prisoners with the officer; I have succour, & nothing more to say but that I sincerely wish you a speedy that we may be able to revenge ourselves on them that deserve it. I remain with my sincerest wishes for your safety, &c., N. B. We expect to set off in a day or two for the Illinois.
EXTRACT OF A COURT OF ENQUIRY HELD BY
ORDER OF MAJOR HENRY GLADWIN TO
ENQUIRE INTO THE MANNER OF THE TAKING OF THE FORTS ST. DUSKY, ST.
JOSEPHS, MIAMIS AND PRESQU'ISLE, DETROIT, 6 JULY, 1763.
Captain Hopkins, President.
Lieut. Hay, 60th Regiment, Ensign Perry of the Queen's Rangers, Members.
Ensign Pawlee who commanded at Fort Sandusky informs the Court that on the sixteenth of May he was informed by his Sentry at the Gate, that there were Indians come who wanted to speak to him, upon which he went to see who they were, and finding them to be some of his own Indians who received him very friendly, he permitted seven of them to come in and gave them a little tobaccoe to smoak; in a short time after one of them raised up his head; which he supposes was a signal, upon which the two that sat next him seized and tied him, without saying a word and carried him out of his Room; where he found his sentry Dead in the Gateway with the rest of the Garrison one here and there all massacred, and the Fort surrounded by Indians; His Sergeant who had been planting something in his garden was killed there; who notwithstanding he had given repeated orders that in case any Indians came to the Fort, every man should immediately come in; The Merchants were all killed and everything they had plundered; from whence he was brought to the Indian Camp at this place, where he remained prisoner untill the third instant, when he made his escape into the Fort. The Indians that he permitted to come in were four Hurons, and three Outawas who live near the Fort. Ensign Schlosser who commanded at Fort St. Josephs, informs the Court that on the 25th day of May between 9 & 10 in the morning, he was acquainted that there was a party of Detroit Putawatamis arrived to see their relations there, and who intended to come and wish him a good morning, a few minutes after a Frenchman came and told him that there was some Indians come with an ill design, upon which he run to the Barracks to get the soldiers under Arms, and upon entering found them full of Indians, upon which he ordered his Sergeant to use all his endeavors to get under arms; while he assembled the French and immediately went to speak to them, who were already assembled at his room, and in two or three minutes after he was entered he heard a cry in the Barracks, upon which those Indians that were in the room with him secured him, & those that were without seised the sentry at the Gate, and rushed (page 637) in, in such numbers that they massacred all the Garrison except three in about two minutes & plundered the Fort . . . . . . James Beems, Soldier in the 60th Regiment who was one of the Garrison of Miamis informs the Court that about the 23d May a Frenchman arrived there who informed Ensign Holmes who commanded, that when he left the mouth of the River below Detroit he heard the firing of cannon, which made him believe this Fort was attacked, that Mr. Holmes then ordered the men of the Garrison to remain within the Fort and sett them to make cartridges, that the 27th in the morning a squaw that lived with Mr. Holmes came into the Fort & told him that there was another squaw in a Cabbin about three hundred yards from the Fort that was very ill, and wanted him to bleed her upon which he went out with her and in a short time after they heared two shot fired, upon which the Sergeant went out to see what was the matter, and upon his coming up to two or three Indians that was in sight of the Fort, they took him prisoner, having killed Mr. Holmes before, upon which the men in the Fort shut the Gates, and got upon the pickets to look out, when they saw one Welch who had been taken prisoner some days before, & two Frenchmen, who by evident description must be one Godfrey and Miny Chain that went from this to the Illinois for Pondiac (as the Indians said) for a Commandant for the Place, who called to them to give up the Fort, otherwise they would all be put to Death, but if they would resign their lives should be all saved, upon which the men consulted amongst themselves & thought it best to give it up upon the conditions, as there was but nine of them in the Fort, the three others the remainder of the Garrison having been taken two days before as they were afterwards informed . . . . . . Lieut. Cayler informs the Court that on the 20th of June at about 10 in the morning, he was on board the schooner Huron opposite to Presqu-isle on his return from Niagara to Detroit which place he imagined to be attacked as he saw two swivels fired one after another, that soon after the Schooner came too in the Bay they saw ten Canons & heared a smart firing upon the Fort, which continued till the 21st when he saw the officers house that stood near the Blockhouse on fire which burn'd to the ground without doing any further damage. The firing commenced again and continued till the 22d between twelve and one when he saw the Blockhouse on fire. That he was not able to give them any assistance having nothing but a small Boat to land men in which would not carry above ten at a time, and being two miles from the shore. Since which the officer and Prisoners were brought to the Indian Camp at this Place.
|
JOS. HOPKINS. |
EXTRACT OF A COURT OF ENQUIRY HELD BY
ORDER OF MAJOR GLADWIN TO ENQUIRE
INTO THE MANNER OF THE TAKING OF PRESQU-ISLE, DETROIT. JULY 10, 1763.
Cap. Hopkins, President.
Lieut. Geo. McDougall Ensign Jos. I. Schlosser of 60th Regiment Members.
Ensign John Christie who commanded at Presqu'isle informs the Court that on the 20 June at daybreak in the morning he found that Fort surrounded by about 200 Indians part of four nations; at a quarter of an hour after they began firing upon the Blockhouse and continued all that day pretty smart; they likewise shot fire-arrows into the roof of the Blockhouse by the enemy which set it several times on fire. The Blockhouse was situated on a rising ground, & could be approached at a little distance by two Hills, one ascending from the Lake Eastward, the other ascending from the bottom or Creek Northward from these two places the Indians kept their fire, having made holes in the earth at night to secure themselves, notwithstanding which, two or three of them endeavoring to get into the trench were killed, which made them abate their fire for some hours, at which time they were employed digging a passage through the Earth to get at the body of the House: The 21st they commenced firing as hot as ever with fuses and arrows, which set the house again in flames in several places; the same Day the Barrels of Water he had provided for such emergencies was spent in extinguishing the aforesaid fires, and finding it impossible to get at the Well that was sunk in the parade, was therefor obliged to sink one in the House by very hard labour, while he was digging the well the House was set again on fire, but got it extinguished by driving down the shingles from the roof: At same time they had approached through the Earth as far as the Commanding Officer's room on the Parade, they set it on fire and communicated it to the Fasines around the Fort; he continued firing 'till midnight, when one of them who spoke French called up to him that it was in vain for him to pretend to hold out, for they could set fire to the Blockhouse when they pleased, & if he would not surrender they would burn and torture every man that he had; he finding that they had made the approaches aforesaid, that they could set the house on fire above and below,the men being fatigued to the greatest extremity, & not able to extinguish such a fire and resist the enemy's numbers; he asked them in English if there was any man amongst them that understood that language, they said there was an Englishman now fighting against him who had been their Prisoner seven years. They then desired him to leave off firing & he should speak with him, accordingly they told him that they were of the Huron Nation at Detroit that had been compelled to take up arms against Detroit by the Outawas, that there was part of the other nations there with them, that they only wanted the house & that they (page 639) would have. They told him he might have liberty to go with his Garrison where he pleased. He then desired them to leave off their firing and he would give them an answer in the morning, early: That seeing the vessel during the attack hovering about unable to assist him & considering the situation he was in, & the impossibility of holding out any longer, He sent out two soldiers as if to treat with them that they might find out their disposition & how they had made their approaches, who were to give him a signal if they found what he imagined to be true, that finding what he imagined to be so he then marched out with the Garrison in order to save them having their promise of liberty to go to Fort Pitt, or where they pleased, but were no sooner out than seised, bound & he with four soldiers and a woman carried to the Huron Village, where they were kept Prisoners untill the 9th instant that he, the woman and one soldier were delivered up. That Shelbarger the said Soldier of Capt. Hopkins Company of the Queen's Rangers being examined by the Court declares the same in every particular.
|
JOS. HOPKINS. |
EXTRACT OF A LETTER FROM CAPT. GEORGE
ETHERINGTON TO MAJOR HENRY GLADWIN
COMMANDING AT DETROIT, DATED MICHILIMACKINAC 19 JULY, 1768.
Dear Sir: The Express which I sent off to Lieut. Gorrell at Labay arrived very luckily one day before that Post was to have been cutt off. The Savages of that Post came down the Indian Village where I was Prisoner, & brought with them Lieut. Gorrell and all his Garrison, and they with Mr. Lesley, me and fourteen men that remained of the Garrison of this Place, are just embarking for Montreal under a guard of sixty savages of the Outawa Nation.
I have a thousand things to tell you but I cannot trust them by this conveyance, I have heard nothing of the four men that I sent last May to St. Josephs, there is two of my men yet with the Chippewas. I have prevailed with the savages to permit all the English merchants to carry all the goods to Montreal under the convoy, I have been at a very great expense here but it was all unavoidable. I don't despair of seeing you this Fall at Detroit & am, in the meantime Dear Sir, Yours Sincerely,
|
GEORGE ETHERINGTON. |
PROCEEDINGS OF A COURT OF ENQUIRY
HELD BY ORDER OF MAJOR HENRY GLADWIN,
COMMANDING AT DETROIT, 9TH AUGUST, 1763.
Captain Hopkins, President.
Lieut. Williams, 17th Regt, Ensigns Anderson, 55th Regt, Members.
Mr. Rutherford being sworn informs the Court, that the Night before Capt.
Campble was put to Death, He was sleeping at Monsieur St. Bemands house (who
was always very civil to him) & in the middle of the night he was awakened
by Francois Maloshe & two others whose names (page 640)
he knows not. They took him in a Closet in said House produced him
several letters which had been sent from the Fort to Cap. Campble & obliged
him to read them in order (as they said) to know whether Peace was made with
France or not; among the above mentioned letters this Deponant found one from
Lieut. McDonald which mentioned that Peace was declared in the Fort and read
said letter to them; upon which they scornfully said that peace was declared in
the Fort; But they believed no where else. Several of the above
mentioned letters were sealed when they were delivered to this Deponant and
others open, which Meloshe said were given to him by Cap. Campble to be taken
care of. Upon the Death of Campble (the day following) this Deponant was sent
for to explain (in full Council of French and Indians) the aforesaid letters.
He remembers the following persons that were in the Council, viz., Batist
Campeau, Francois Meloshe, Batist Meloshe, Sancho P. Obain, Louisan Denter
Indian Interpreter, Monsieurs Domelte, Pero Barth, likewise many others he
does not know; Those above mentioned were very eager to find out anything to
tell the Indians that they might not believe that Peace was made with France.
This Deponant further saith that Pero Barth told him that he did not believe
that there was Peace; But that Major Gladwin had made the Declaration himself
to pacify the Indians. Francis Meloshe in the above mentioned Councill, upon reading
the news of Dr. Cuyless being attacked, said aloud let no man speak of them,
they are Dogs. Monsieur Denter has often told this Deponant that he would make
his escape to the Indians, for fear the Major would hang him. Pero Barth has
told him the same. It was generally said among them that if any of the French
were hanged, it would be those that brought Capt. Campble out of the Fort. This
Deponant was used very illy by Monsr. La Tiard (at whose house this Deponant's
Indian master had planted corn & his Cabbin always there & was treated
very well by P. La Tiard). After Lieut. McDougall had made his escape, Mr.
Coulliere told this Deponant, that it was a pity he was saved, as the French
would likely suffer thereby. Farther this Deponant saith not.
Detroit 6 Aug. 1763.
Ensign Poulett says the night before Capt. Campble was killed he was sleeping in the same room with Mr. Rutherford when Francis Maloshe awakened him and took Rutherford into another Room where he heard for sometime whispering and rustling of papers. In the morning he wanted to know what the French had told him; But Rutherford told him they had absolutely forbid him to mention it to him; But on his promising secrecy he told him the same as he has upon oath declared to the Court.
Lieut. McDougall being sworn informs the Court that the Day he and Capt. Campble left the Fort to treat with the Indians for a Peace, they
Return
to TOC, p. 16
Continue to
next part of Miami Collection
[return to Miami
Collection Menu]
[return to Glenn A. Black
Laboratory of Archaeology List of Publications]
[return to Glenn A. Black
Laboratory of Archaeology Home]
Last updated: 23
January 2001
URL: http://www.gbl.indiana.edu/home.html
Comments: webmaster@www.gbl.indiana.edu
Copyright 1996, Glenn Black Laboratory of Archaeology and The Trustees of Indiana University