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. Montresor to
Capt. Thomas Basset
(Detroit, Nov. 2, 1763)
Montresor, John in: [B. M., Add. MSS.
21649, f. 434, A. L. S.] and in Stevens
et all. The Papers of Col. Henry
Bouquet, Series 21649, part II,
1942, pp. 121-122.
. . . I suppose you have heard at N York of the different disagreeable circumstances that befell me during my paregrination hither of my being cast away below Presquisle, then attackd by a party of Winadots, which were repulsed they kiled us three men two in the Breastwork & I was attackd on board the Schooner in the River of Detroit in which I lost not a man the Indians had one [Jibb]way kiled & one Powtwattoiny wounded since I arrived which was on the 3d of last month nothing very extraordinary except popping Shots The 11th of Octr the Indians sued for Peace & Major Gladwin was so circumstanced as to be obliged to listen to them, at that time we had but 14 days flour in the Fort & not a stick of wood; the 30th of Octr arrived a Courier from Les Illinois with Letters to Major Gladwin & Col. Bouquet, signed Negon he Also had the impudence to send Belts & Pipes of Peace to all Indians mentioneing that he was obliged to evacuate that Country to us as it pleases the two kings but that they French will never abandon their dear Children the Indians, & that they may be supplied with every thing they want from the opposite side the Mississippi copy of the whole will be sent to Coll Bouquet by this opportunity it was a meer accident that Major Gladwin got it for Pondiac sent it in for him to peruse with a letter from him (Pondiac) hoping forgiveness & praying admittance to plead for himself but Major Gladwin very judiciously refused as he wou'd have been put to death, & if that had been the Case twou'd have occesind a fresh rupture Now Mister Grub I confess tis cruel to bear a beating without resisting it, now suppose as how, do you see [. . .] these Chaps should retire to the Mississippi (when they are invited which must be the Case provided the General will not make peace with them in the Spring, for Gladwin has referr'd them entirely to him) whey if so be it should so happen these gentry are so numerous & so expert in Arms that they'll make it difficult our taking (page 122) post in those parts, these Indians including the Delawares are reckon'd the best Warriors in America how these Indians by abandoning this country will make it seem worth our possessing for the Multiplicity of Arrivals in those parts makes it a most valuable mine & you know they are best calculated for working it again as I was a saying before if these Red Heads should retire they'll become eternal Ennemies to us, corrupt other nations, & instruct them in the Art of War, We lose all this Valuable trade besides the Vast consumption of our Manufactures, particularly that of Rum which we are silly enough to deprive them of. . .
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