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 Gage
(Johnson Hall, Nov. 23, 1763)
Johnson, Sir William in: The
Papers of Sir William
Johnson, vol. 4,
pp. 251-254.
mentioning the report to the lords of trade of November 18th, which with this letter is carried by Mr Croghan, and giving a summary of his views touching the present situation and the true policy; a letter of the 19th from Henry Van Schaack, at Albany, saying that he has paid John Moffat and Joseph Irwin and incloses receipts; a letter of the 19th from John Duncan, at Schenectady, asking advice in regard to becoming a candidate for a seat in the Asembly; a letter of the 20th from Abraham Mortier, at New York, acknowledging the receipt of a warrant for 2064, 1d, and protesting that he has always endeavored to oblige Sir William in the manner of paying warrants; a letter to Mons. Fleurimant about conflicting engagements of le sieur Perthuis, the interpreter, (in French); a letter of the 21st from Colonel John Bradstreet, at Schenectady, about carpenters engaged in his Majesty's work and about repairing bridges at Fort Stanwix; a letter of the 22d from Captain John Glen Junior, at Schenectady, inquiring about the appointment of officers and the obtaining of uniform and equipment for a troop of light horse.
TO THOMAS GAGE
Df.1
|
Johnson- Hall Novr. 23d 1763 |
Dear Sir,
I had the pleasure of writing you a few days ago by Mr Gage wherein I acquainted you that I should speedily transmit you my thoughts on the Subject of our late discourse in Albany- on which head I now write hoping you will consider them as my real Sentiments, & what appear to me best calculated for the public Service.
Th plan on which I have for sometime acted, & think most necessary at present to be continued is that of preserving the fidelity of the Nations hitherto our Friends, as the most effectual measure for ensuring success to the operations of a Campaign, & for enabling us to send up all necessarys to the posts during the Winter. The Mohocks, Oneidas, Onondaga & Cayugas with some of the Senecas are still attached to us, as are several of the Tribes down the Susquehanna so far as Owegy with the (page 252) Indians of Canada. The latter I am of opinion may be well depended upon, & I have little doubt of the fidelity of the others if properly managed, but as they have great apprehensions concerning the resentment of our Enemies, It will be very necessary to remove their fears by promises of assistance and protection, and to keep up their Spirit by favors & notice, by which we may preserve this important communication as well as get up all the necessary Supplys for the service of the next year, when if a body of Troops are destined this way I have not doubt I shall be able to assist therin with many Indians, particularly in any Expedit to ye Country of the Western Indians Delawares or Shawanese ag whom they will proceed with much more alacrity than against the Senecas who are of their own Confederacy and this assistance of Indians will effectually secure our Troops from surprizes obtain proper intelligence and enable them to pursue their destination with small hazard, on which acct our friendly Tribes have been greatly disgusted at their offers of assistce hav been hitherto rejected. If an Expedition be carried on against the Senecas I must beg leave to observe that by dividing the force, (if sufficient) & proceeding in Two bodys from Arundiquat, Niagara or otherwise will if well timed greatly disconcert & divide the Enemy, & enable us to march with a better prospect of succeeding altho' I am of opinion we can never be able to surprize them. The Delawares & Shawanese who have the late War, & during the present shewn themselves to be our most inveterate Enemies (& who lye most convenient for distressing Pensilvania &c) greatly deserve our resentment, the Number of the former is pretty considerable, not less than 700 men, and may I believe best be proceeded against by the Way of Ohio, but having removed lately to places of a more difficult access than those of their former residence it will require Men well used to the Woods accompanied by good Guides & Indns to go against them,- The Western, & indeed the beforementd Indians will probably retire before a considerable force in which case we shall be able to distress them very (page 253) little, as the burning their huts can be but of small consequence but the more effectually to break the friendship subsisting between the Western Inds. & the French, I am of opinion nothing can appear more necessary than the Troops for that Service being accompanied by some Canadians, which at any rate will have the good effect of Lessening their interest, with the Inds and prevent their being regarded for the future, in the light of Friends as they are now considered.
In order to prepare the Indians for Service, the ensueing Spring as well as to prevent any farther defection from our interest I shall do every thing in my power for preserving them in a good humour during the Winter, and as I am just now informed by 4 Onondagaes that a Number of Sachims & Chief Warriors from the Six Nations are on their way hither to have a Conference with me, with the occasion of which I am yet ignorant I shall use every effort on their arrival to settle their minds & remove their apprehensions- as well as make them some present as a Token of our Esteem for the fidelity they have hitherto shewn which will doubtless prove of the highest importance towards encouraging them to a perseverance in their friendship & satisfying them that such behavior will meet with proper rewards, & notice, the necessity of which will I flatter myself make it meet with your approbation.
I have lately wrote pretty fully to the Lords of Trade & sent them a
State of Indn affairs, & of
necessary additions in my departmt
in obedience to their Lordships orders lately signified to me, by command of
his Majesty, but as in the mean time some necessary officers & other
persons will be wanting as well as a proper present prepared, & other
timely measures taken for holding the distant or scattered Tribes in readiness
in case any Indians are to be employed I must beg to be favored with your
Sentiments on that head, & whether you approve thereof that I may take my
measures without loss of time and as I have no provisions for the use of the
Indians now on their way, or who may from time to time resort hither I must
request your orders to Coll Bradstreet for some necessary supplys for
that Service.
________________________
1 In the American Antiquarian Society, Worcester, Mass; in the handwriting of Guy Johnson.
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