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.
Aubry's Account of
the Illinois Country
(1763)
Aubry in: Alvord and Carter,
British Series, vol. I,
pp. 1-5.
It is necessary that the Commanding Officer should send to the Inhabitants to acquaint them with his arrival, and to desire them to send 100 of their most Allert people with a few Illinois Indians, to meet him with fresh provisions &c promising them proper payment for the same.
This being the Indians hunting Season, and those that are at War with the English being very distant from the Illinois, makes any Interruption from them less to be suspected.
The Settlements of the Loups and Chaouanons are near Pitsburg, which is near 500 Leagues from the Illinois. The Hurons & Outawawis that are at Detroit, are near 250 Leagues by Land from it.
The Miamis near 200 Leagues, and the Pouxs, Mascoutins, and Ouiatanous (on the Ouabache) are near 160 Leagues by Land.
But as news flys swift amongst the Indians 'twould be proper to desire the Commanding Officer at Illinois to acquaint you if possible with their designs that you may take your measures accordingly.
the greatest danger will be near the Ohio, as the Chiraquis and all the Nations that are at War with you can come down that River therefore the utmost diligence is required for fear of a Surprise.
The Ohio empties itself into the Mississippi 356 leagues from the Illinois.
The Fort Massiac or Assension is on the Left side the River Ohio 13 Leagues from the Mississippi, which I bult in 1757, it is also Two Leagues from the Chiraquis River. It is a Picqueted Fort with four Bastions and eight pieces of Cannon, and Contains about 100 men, 'tis but four days passage by Land from is place to Illinois, and it very necessary to be possessed by us as it keeps up the Communication between that and Pitsburg.
The fort of Vincennes is the last Post in the Department of Louisiana, it is situated on the Oubache 60 Leagues above its entrance into the Ohio, and from the entrance of the Oubache into the Ohio to the Mississippi is 60 Leagues more. It is a small Picqueted Fort, in which may be about Twenty Married Soldiers and some few Inhabitants. The Land is very fertile and produces plenty of Corn and Tobacco. It is about 155 Leagues from the Illinois by water, but one may march it in Six days by Land. The Indians that live near this place are called Peauguicha, they are about 6 Warriors- Tho' we may not have men enough to occupy this Post at present, it is very interesting to us to do it, as the Passage to Canada lies up the Ouabache.
It is 60 Leagues from Vincennes to Ouiatanous, and 60 more up the River Ouabache to Miamis, and from thence a Carrying place (page 4) of Six Leagues to the River of Miamis, and 8 Leagues more down that River to Lake Erie. This was my Rout in 1759, when I went from Illinois to Venango with more than 400 men, and a hundred thousand weight of Flour.
At about 35 Leagues above the entrance of the Ohio into the Mississippi and on the East side is the River Cascaquias, and about Two Leagues up that River on the Left is the Settlement Cascaquias, the most considerable of the Illinois. This Fort has been built since I ther on the heights on the other side of the River Cascaquias. As the River is narrow the Fort can Command the Town and protect it from the Savages. I don't know what number of Cannon ther is, or what Number of men the Fort can contain.
There may be about 400 Inhabitants. The Illinois Indians called Cascaquias live about half a League from the Town; there are 100 Warriors, but they are Idle and very drunken.
Six Leagues above this Place on the side of the Mississippi is Fort Chartres, it is built with Stone and can contain 300 Soldiers. There may be about 20 pieces of Cannon or more, I can't be certain as 'tis four years since I left it. there may be about 100 Inhabitants about the Fort and the Indians which are called Metchis are about forty Warriors.
Between Cascaquias and Fort Charters is a small village call'd Rocky-Meadow [Prairie du Rocher] containing about fifty Inhabitants, but no Indians or Fort.
Near Fort Charters is a small Village of about 20 Inhabitants but neither Indians nor Fort. [St. Philippe]
Fifteen Leagues above Fort Charters is a Village called Casquiar, there is a small Picheted Fort (I don't know if there be Cannon) and about 100 Inhabitants- The Indians near this Village are called Casquiar [Cahokia], and are about 60 Warriors. I immagine there may be about 300 Negroes at Illinois.
The Country is extreamly Fertile, Wheat and Indian Corn grow very well, and all the European Fruits Suceed to a Wonder. They make very passable Wine from the wild Grapes, and their Beer is very good, they make Indian Sugar. There is Mines of Lead, Quarrys of Stone, and plenty of Salt.
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