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 McKee
(Ouiatanon, July 13, 1765)
Croghan, George in: (Enc. in Reid to Gage,
August 2, 1765), Clements Library,
Gage Papers, American Series,
Vol. 40, Reel #10.
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Ouiatanon July 13th 1765 |
Dr. Sir,
You will have heard from the Six Nation Indians that made their Escape, of my being taken Prisoner & Plundered by a Party of the Kecapoes & Musquetons Nations Eighty in Number the eighth of June at day break they Killed two of my Men & three of the Shawanese, Deputies, The Big Hole, Wapecawpa & another that spoke a little English, called John & Wounded Nimwha in the Thigh, Smallman & I was Wounded, but are now very well, they made Nimwha, Lawoughque, & a Delaware Woman Prisoners with us, but afterwards set them at Liberty, the big Holes Son and Waguethy, I had sent by Land the day before to the Ilinois from Wabash with an account of my being come there.
This Party brought me to this Post where they have a Village and since the return of some of their Chiefs from the Ilinois where they had gone to meet me I have had several Meetings with them, and first I thought this affair would prove very unhappy; but am now persuaded it will turn out well for the good of his Majestys Indian Interest; for there is nothing those Nations dread more than a War with the Six Nations, Delawares & Shawanese which they fear will be the Consequence of their Rashness, they now beg of me in the most abject manner for forgiveness, and Yesterday delivered me in Council four Council Pipes Requesting that I would send them to the Shawanese, Delawares & Six Nations with the enclosed Speeches & use my Interest with those Nations for a Reconciliation & that they would become True and faithfull Allies to the King and his Subjects & has offered to go with me to Fort Pitt & Conduct the Troops to the Ilinois. There is five Nations living on this River the Waweaughtenoes, Piankishaws Twightwees, Kecapoes, and Musquetons, all which are now well Reconciled to us; more thro fear than Love, as they have been taught to hate the English. I set off in two day's for the Ilinois to treat with the Indians there, and hopes to Settle matters with them as those Chiefs goes with me.
At the time I was taken Prisoner there was one Mr. Sinnott a Deputy of Mr Stuarts & one Mr LaGuterie at the Ilinois on the same business I was going on, I had a Letter from Mr Sinnott since I came here & before he knew of my being Prisoner at that time he writes me every thing was doubtfull; but since that I hear from the Chiefs that was there, they made him a favourable Answer as soon as the two Shawanese Arrived, there which I sent from the Wabash; but something happened since which I can't learn for its certain those two Gentlemen has been obliged to make their Escape by Night from the Ilinois.
I send these four Pipes & the Speeches to you by Cornelious the Delaware Indian and desire you will deliver them to some Chief of the Shawanese Explaining the Speeches to him or if there is non there send them that they may be delivered to the Chiefs of that Nation, Delawares, & Six Nations; It will be proper the Shawanese have them first as their people was Killed, & let them acquaint the other Nations, and Keep a Copy of the Speeches to acquaint the other Nations of yourself when you have an Oppertunity. If you find the Shawanese disposed to make War on those people I would have you desuade them from it till their people that is here return with us. You will Pay Cornelious Ten Pound in Goods & give him a hunting Saddle & Bridle, and use him well, but don't believe every thing he say's as he will Stretch upon occasions, And if there be any Letters for me at Fort Pitt that I should have by Express send him back with them to the Miamies or here as I shall return this way as soon as possible.- I have wrote the General and Sir William Johnson, by the way of D'troit, as these Letters will come to hand sooner that way. by the first of Sep. expect to see you at Fort Pitt. till then pray believe me with sincere regard
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Your Friend & Wellwisher |
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A true Copy from the Original
Alexander Mc Kee
To Alexr McKee
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