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, Dec. 18, 1764)
Johnson, Sir William in: The
Papers of Sir William
Johnson, vol. 4,
pp. 623-626.
I mention the rather as you may best Judge what can delay many of your Letters on their Way from Albany here.
Nothing could have given me more Satisfaction than the agreeable news of Colonel Bouquets Success, which comes very opportunely after the failure of the other Expedition, the firmness he has shewn throughout the whole merits much Applause and I perfectly agree with you that nothing less than his penetrating into the Enemys Country could have procured the Terms they have Submitted to, especially after the retreat of the other Army. The papers which you have been pleased to transmit me will Give a proper insight into his Transactions, & Enable me the better to manage matters with the Shawanese & Delawares on their arrival when You may be assured that not only what you have pointed out but also every thing else which may be conducive to render a peace Lasting and honorable to the Crown shall be strictly attended to, without Yielding any points, but such as are in themselves immaterial, and these to be done as Tokens of our Generosity and Compassion,- I shall likewise insist on the return of the Senecas of Ohio & others of the Six Nations to their respective Original Towns, and I shall recommend the same strongly to the Six Nations themselves, these Emigrants by their Outrages often bringing their Characters in Question, as they bear the same names tho' they are not under their direction.
The mouth of the Kanhawa would answer very well as a post of Trade and Communication to the Illinois, it is a very large River but obstructed with falls, however there is no doubt but it may be made use of with Canoes, or as the Virginia Traders do who use a pass thro the Mountains, from whence they proceed with pack horses to the Ohio, the Country being not obstructed with Thick Woods as to the Northward. If you think proper I shall enquire farther about it but a Post there must be with the approbation of the Six Nations, & the Government must likewise be apprized of it that they may make provisions for another Commissary, Interpreter & Smith, which (page 625) according to the plan, are to be fixed at all the posts of Trade,- tho' in my opinion It will be better to deferr any thing of that Kind until we have got possessn of the Illinois, & have removed those Suspicions Which they must as yet entertain on our attempting to Establish additl posts.
Some Steps should certainly be taken without delay for the Gaining possession of the Illinois, without which we shall never be at rest, and the Gaining of Pondiac, and the Twightwee Confederacy is absolutely necessary thereto, for the latter, (be the motives of the French Generosity what they will) must certainly Sustain a great loss by the Exchange and will not only oppose it of themselves but they & all the Neighbourg Natns will be constantly supported by the interested French to prevent us from possessing it, unless we first Satisfy the Inds & obtain their Consent to which End I have been thinking that as the Country from Ohio to the Miamis, & from thence by Wawiaghtono to the Illinois, is very passable & most Eligible for travelling during the Winter, a Scheme might be set on foot for that purpose without much delay, & with a prospect of Success beyond any we can otherwise hope for. That is, That I should order Mr Croghan, imediately here, whose influence with the Shawanese & Delawares & even with the Twightwees is really very Considerable, that he may be prest at the peace, & then settle with these people a plan for proceeding with some of their Chiefs & 2 or 3 Companys of troops or wt ever Number you may Judge proper to Sandosky from whence he with the Inds might proceed to the Miamis, & bring over Pondiac which I am persuaded he could easily do & then in Conjunction with him, the Shawanese Chiefs, & those of the Wawiaghtonos proceed to the Illinois with pack horses loaded with presents in the name of his Majesty & with proper persons to reside at that place, acquainting the Inds that the King being desirous to Cultivate their friendship, had sent him to pave the Way for that purpose & that the Garrisons for the Posts there (which might follow in Security) was near at hand after whose arrival they might Expect Considerable & (page 626) Extensive Trade would be imediately opened, and I am fully of opinion that by taking these previous Steps with the Inds, and the latter engaging in the affair, the whole might be speedily accomplished, Whereas if it is delayed the French (who together with the Indians must lose considerably by the Change) will undoubtedly Stir up a Spirit of Discontent amongst the Nations for their own private advantage, which may tend to a renewal of hostilitys in the Spring, or at least render the possessing of that Country a Work of Still greater difficulty than it has hitherto appeared.
In my last I absolutely forgot to acquaint you that I had caused strict Enquiry to be made concerning the affair of the Sheep taken at Oneida Lake, those of that Nation whom I have since seen deny their having any concern, in it but Say that Some of their people had demanded a Reward for some Sheep wch had Strayed, & which they say was often given them on the like occasions, & I am likewise informed by one of my Officers lately there, that as he passed the Encampments of some Battoemen at that time he found them Stored with Carcasses of Mutton, however on the Arrival of the Oneidas wch I shortly Expect I shall speak to them very Severely on that head for altho' I know they have been often wrongfully accused, yet a Suspicion of that Nature should not escape Censure.
I have at present her a great Many Indians, chiefly of those who accompanied the Army, with their familys, full of Complaints & Wants, many of them half Starved, & all naked near upon 100 with some of my Officers yet behind, & all Expectg something particularly those who lost their Effects when the Vessells &c were cast away.
Since Writing I find by the Govrs Letter that
his Majesty has been pleased to appoint you
in the room of Sr Jeff. Amherst. Give me leave
most Sincerely to Congratulate you upon the occasion
& be Assured that no person can have more Satisfaction at your
Appointmt than myself.
GENL GAGE
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