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.
Letter to Gladwin
(New York, May 29, 1763)
Amherst, Sir Jeffery in: The
Papers of Sir William
Johnson, vol. 4,
pp. 98-100.
No. 4. Sir Jeffery
Amherst's Answer to Major Gladwin, Dated
New York, 29th May 1763.
It is certainly best to be always on our Guard against any Attempt of the Indians; for my own Opinion, is, that they Never can Hurt Us, unless We are Weak Enough to Put Ourselves in their Power, and I am Convinced they would Shew Us no Mercy, if they thought they could Escape with Impunity: While they Behave themselves peaceably, they are to be Treated as Friends, having an Eye, at all times, to Our Own Security; And if they should be so Rash and Ungratefull as to Murder a Few of our People, which they certainly may Do, they may Depend on Meeting with such a Punishment as shall fall Heavy on the Whole Nation that is Accessary to the Crime.
You did very Right to Transmit me the War Belt, & Ensign Holmes's Letter, &ca; I shall Send the Belt to Sir William Johnson, & Likewise Acquaint him, as well as Mr Croghan, of the Behavior of the Indians, that they may Take such Steps as they think best for Calling the Nations Below (Who seem to be the Chief Instigators of this Mischief) to an Account for such Treacherous Dealings.
Altho' I am always Sorry to Consent to the Sending of any Unhappy Wretch out of this World, yet the Execution of the Panis Woman, who was an Accomplice in the Murder of the Late Mr Clapham, has my Approbation, the Crime for which She Suffered being so very Heinous that Nothing Less than her Life could Atone, and Indeed I Sincerely Wish the Chief Perpetrator of that Murder had not Escaped, but that he might have Shared the same Fate, that the Example might have been the Stronger.
No. 5. Sir Jeffrey Amherst
to Sir Wm Johnson, Dated New
York, 29th May 1763.
By the Albany Post I Had a Letter from Major Gladwin Enclosing One to him from the Commanding Officer at the Miamis, with a War Belt, which had been Sent thither by the (page 99) Shawnese, &ca; but Delivered up by the Chiefs of the Miamis Indians, who, at the same time, made a Speech to the Commanding Officer, Acquainting him of the Evil Intentions of the Several Nations, who were concerned in Forwarding the said Belt-
Altho' I cannot think the Indians have it in their Power to Execute any thing Serious against Us, While We Continue to be on our Guard, Yet I Judge it Necessary to Send you the Belt, which You will Receive herewith, as also Copies of what Major Gladwin has Transmitted to me, regarding this Affair, And I Desire you will make such Use thereof as may Appear most proper for Putting a Stop to such Treacherous Behavior for the Future, and for Shewing the Indians the Contemptible Figure they must make in our Eyes, by Violating the most Solemn Promises of Friendship, without the least Provocation on our Side; I Mention the Contemptible Figure, as it certainly is not in their Power to Effect any thing of Consequence against Us; But if they are so Rash as to make an Attempt, the Mischief they Intend, will certainly Recoil upon themselves.
I Doubt not but M Croghan will be fully Informed, by the Way of Fort Pitt, of this Intelligence; I However shall Acquint him therewith by this Post; And if you should think it Necessary You may send Either Captain Claus, or Lieut. Johnson, with proper Instructions, to call those Nations, who have been Chiefly Concerned in Sending the Belt, to an Account for such Unwarrantable Proceedings; I cannot Omit Observing, that, in all the Mischief that has lately been Broached among the Indians, the Senecas Seem to have a principal Hand, and it is Matter of Suprize to me, to Find that Other Tribes, who have so often Experienced our Bounty, should be Misguided by them, & so readily Enter into Plots against their Benefactors, and Endeavor to Stirr up the Distant Nations, who are Newly become our Friends, against Us: These Last however (If We can Rely on what the Chiefs of the Miamis have Declared to the Commanding Officer at that Post) Seem to be too Sensible of their (page 100) own Interest to Enter into Engagements, which, if pursued, would Inevitably End in their own Destruction.
Major Gladwin Writes me, that before he received my Orders for Trying the Panis Slaves, who Murdered Mr Clapham, the Man had made his Escape, and they since hear that he had got to the Illinois: The Woman was however Tryed Immediately, & being found Guilty, Hanged in the most Publick manner. I am only Sorry the Chief Perpetrator did not meet with the same Punishment, for then the Example would have been Compleat.
|
INDORSED: |
Extracts of Letters,
&ca |
FROM WITHAM MARSH
A. L. S.1
|
Albany 21 stApril 1763. |
SIR,
Had not Jerry Renslaer made a gross mistake about
executing the Mandamus, and sent an Express in my absence to York, I shou'd
have set out from hence on Tuesday, tho' yet very lame. I forgot to acquaint
you in my last, that many things were brought in our Sloop for you, of which I
am taking the greatest Care, as Dr
Stringer is not here, and have wrote to Capt Van Epps for a waggon &c. By Mr McIlworth, I send two keys of Chests, deliver'd me by Mr Darlington for your Use, as it wou'd not be prudent to
trust them with a wagoner. I am fearful, Sir,
_____________
1 Original destroyed by fire.
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