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, July 5, 1765)
Johnson, Sir William in: The Papers
of Sir William Johnson,
vol. 4, pp. 784-786.
might be of advantage to us, as differences amongst themselves, will always keep those at Variance from giving us any trouble so long as such differences subsist.
I apprehend M. Stuart acted only on a presumption that the Service required the appointments he made, the Lords of Trade sent me a Copy of the Letter they wrote him, which gave him no more Authority at that time than I received.
According to the Plan, My Department was to consist of Three Deputys (who transact business under me, hold Conferences &c) Eleven Commissarys, to inspect into the Trade, remedy abuses, & do the business with the Inds. at their respective Outposts- Eleven Interpreters, & the same Number of Smiths, the Latter must give great Content to the Inds., the Comissy & Interpreter to reside entirely at each post of Consequence can if persons of some Capacity, give a new turn to Affairs in a little time, & the Depys. each in their District are occasionally to inspect therein, to Visit the Sevl. Nats. & be a Check upon the rest. this once settled will I have reason to think be found a good & advantagious System, and what is greatly wanted from the Extent of our Alliances & our Frontiers,- Detroit, seems in an Especial manner to require the Appointments proposed for it, and therefore, If you approve it I shall appoint the Commiss, Interpreter & Smith, as I pitched upon some of the best persons I could find for most of the Offices, that I might be prepared to Execute the purposes of the place immediately on receiving farther Orders. As the Constant residence & Trouble will require a handsome Sallary especially if the persons are of any Capacity or Consequence I have therefore proportioned the Sallary to the buisness of the post, & recommended 200 Str. pr Ann for a Comy at1 Detroit & the Interpreter at & the Smith with his Assists.1 & I know no persons of any Ability will devote themselves to such a Service & act uprightly on easier Terms. I must beg your Thoughts on this Subject.
I have had another Letter from Mr. Croghan Just at his (page 786) setting off, the Shawanese sent 5 of their Nation with Great Chearfullnes to accompany him, delivered up to him 44 Prisoners, and their Depys, consisting of the first men of the Nation arrived here Three days ago, together with the Senecas of Ohio; and sevl. Delaware Chiefs, the Two former to Subscribe to a peace, & the Latter to strengthen that signed by Killbuck &c. I shall make as short work with them as possible, & send them away contented with the Treatment they receive, the Shawanese tho' few in Number have much to say with the rest, & the Mingos of Ohio are likewise people of much Influence.
Teh War belts sent to the Westward are all to be withdrawn as persons are sent from the different Nats. for that purpose.- I Judged it best that Wabbicommicott &c should be accompanied by some proper White Man on his Journey with the Belts & Messages to Pondiac & the Westn. Inds, I have therefore Sent Instructions to DeCouagne the Niagara Interpreter to go with them, as he is a faithfull man & well acquainted that way having lived in the Twightwee Country above 14 Years.
Pondiac might certainly have been brought to terms Last Year, but you know his Belt was cut to pieces, which I hear he highly resents, had anything effectual been prosecuted agt. him the Circumstance of Cutting the belt would have appeared well Enough, but since that was all we did, he must think little of us. I did all in my power last year by sevl. messages to Convene every Nation but the Lyes & Tales of the French & the approach of our Army Alarmed & prevented some from attending, those with Whom I treated, were sent away well satisfied, & have continued peaceable ever Since, and the sevl. appointments whenever they take place, if not too late will I flatter myself not only keep them so but secure ye. fidelity of the rest.
GENL GAGE
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INDORSED: |
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July 5th,
1765 |
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