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.
Courts of Enquiry
(Detroit, March 11, 16, 28
& April 6, 1765)
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In: Clements Library, Gage Papers, American Series, vol. 34, reel 10, (March 11: Enc. in Campbell to Gage, April 28, 1765), (March 28: Enc. in Campbell to Gage, April 20, 1765, Re: Miami hostility), (April 6: Enc. Campbell to Gage, April 20, 1765), and all four are in The Papers of Sir William Johnson, vol. 4, pp. 670-679. |
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COURTS OF INQUIRY
Contemporary Copy1
A Court of Enquiry held by Order of
Lieut. Colo. Campbell. Detroit March 11th,
1765
Capt. Lieut. Rogers President
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Lieut. Carden |
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Lieut. Aylmer |
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Ensign Cargil |
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Ensign Eliot |
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John Babtest [Baptist] Billiond, gave Information that knowing no Officer in the Garrison of Detroit but Capt. Morris, whom he saw at Fort Miamis in his way to the Illinois, and whom he promised to Acquaint if anything passed in that Place prejudicial to His Majesties Service. That having seen a Party of the Miamis (twenty days past) set out to Commit Hostilities at this post, provided they did not get Mr. Sterlings Negroes (who they supposed were Working at a stone Quary 12 Miles from hence) and with whom they were instructed to return did they Succeed. The informant agreeable to his promise wrote two days after they were gone to Capt. Morris, and concealed the Letter in the barrel of a Gun, that in it he advised him of the Indian design. That one Clermont and one St Vincent two Frenchmen, had wrote in the name of Pondiac, to the Chiefs of the Miamis desiring they would prevent the Informant and the two Maisonvilles going to Detroit, at the same time recommended to them to Pillage them, and that Clermont had bought two Barrels of Powder, one of which he promised the Indians at the Miamis, if they would commit Hostilities at Detroit. He further says he gave the Fusee in which the aforesaid Letter was concealed to one La Conte, who in Company with one Boiveres, one Boyme [Boijme] and one Lagonnier were going to Detroit, that Six Leagues from Miamis Lagonnier Said let us look, there (page 671) may be Amongst these things a rod to Whip us when we come to Detroit, that after having searched a Bale of Tobacco belonging to the Informant they threw it into the River, they then examined the Fusee and finding the Letter Lagonnier and Boiveres returned to Miamis, and gave it to Clermont having first thrown the Fusee into the Water. That Clermont having had the Letter read, he sent for the Informant, threw it before him, and desired him to read it, that the Informant took up the Letter, tore it, and threw it into the Fire, as he knew Clermont would make an ill use of it. That after disarming the Informant Clermont went to Ouiattanon but left Instructions behind with one Bartholomew a frenchman to distribute the Effects of the Informant amongst the Indians, should he leave the Miamis before his Return. That three or four days before the party sett out to commit Hostilities, the aforesaid Clermont gave the Indians a Keg with 2 Gallons of Rum which he brought from Ouittanon, telling them it was for their Father, whom he wanted to see, that when he came, and whilst they were drinking the rum, the Party was made up, that when they sett out from Fort Miamis, Clermont exulting said (this is well you see they are going and many others will follow) he further says before the drinking of the rum, the Indians had not the least disposition for War.
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(Signed) |
Jonathan Rogers Presdt. |
A True Copy
John Campbell Lt. Colo. 17th.
Regmt.
At a Court of Enquiry held at Detroit
March 28th, 1765
Captn. Morris President
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Lieut. Schaw |
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Ensign Vander Dusen |
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Ensign Eliot |
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Ensign Howatson |
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Monsr. Potvine declares to the Court, that he beleives the Gentlemen of the Garrison are well Acquainted wth his former (page 672) behaviour, that as he passed by the Miamis, he was told that Lannat the chief of the Wiattanons had sent an Indian to inform the Maligne Bete, that Godfroi and Maisonville were coming to Detroit with Letters from the Illinois, and desired him to leave his Hunting ground and hasten to his Village (the Miamis) to Intercept them, He adds that the Maligna Bete arrived a few hours after Godfroi and Maisonville were sent out, he declares further, that Lesperances Wife assured him that Clermont intended to stop all frenchmen coming to Detroit, and that Clermont had sent one duer and one Beauvert to Detroit to bring him Flower, which Two, they met at Rochedebout, that they had two or three Bags of Flower in their Canoe, that he likewise met Mr. Taddoes party about two Leagues below them, he says likewise that, he saw the English Soldier who had been taken Prisoner by the Miamis, and sold to the Ottowawa, who told him that he was bringing him to Detroit, that the next day they heard the cries of some Indians, and were told afterwards by Lesperances Wife, that the Miamis had repented that they sold him, and had taken him back again. He farther adds that Godfrois Son gave the Prisoner a Shirt, and that St Surin gave him a raccoon Blanket as he was quite Naked.
Monsr St Surin says that he heard at the Miamis that Clermont intended stopping the French Men from coming to Detroit, that he had sent Duer & Beauvert to bring him Flower which two men he met, with two Bags of Flower, and he Confirms Potvines evidence in regard to the English Prisoner.
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(Signed) |
Thos. Morris Capt. Presdt. |
A True Copy
John Campbell Lt. Colo. 17th. Regmt.
At a Court of Enquiry held at Detroit
April 6th, 1765
Capt. Morris 17th: Regimt: President
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Lieut. Aylmer |
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Lieut: Abbot Rl: Arty: |
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Ens. Howatson |
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Ens: Morris 17th Regt: |
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Mr. Tadot Declares That being Arrived within half a mile of the Miamis village he was surrounded by fifty five Sauvages who lay in Ambush and that they desarmed him and his people, and after went and plundered the Canoes.They carried him to the Fort as Prisoner telling him he was an Englishman, that he should not return to Detroit, but that they should Carry him to the Ilinois country, but they would not hurt his Young People, Three Ottawas chiefs came to Question him, they Asked him what he had to say, and he answered them, he had Nothing to say, as they had stole his Speeches. They said they knew he had nothing to say, but that he was come to bring them Poison, as the English had brought to the Ottowas last Autumn by which sixty of them died, and that two Frenchmen had told them to beware of the Deponent as he would be the destruction of them, the two Frenchmen Abovementioned are St. Lewis, and old Le Bot, and that they told him if they did not Kill them one way he would by another for he was much stronger than they, therefore to keep themselves much upon their guard, that that made them Believe he had thrown off the Frenchman and was come as an Englishman, and that he was quite as bad as one. The chiefs left him, and the Miamis came soon after to ask him the same Questions, they asked why he came as such a good for nothing follow upon their grownd? this road is not for Englishmen, it belongs to our Father, and we will not allow an Englishman to pass. The English say this land belongs to them, and that our Father gave it to them, can he give what is not his? Our Father said when he made the Road that it was only for (page 674) him to pass and the Lands belonged to You, why would you that are our Brothers, pretend to take Lands, which our Father did not. The Next day the Ottowas and Miamis came together, the Miamis asked him why he had not been to Speak with them in their Cabbins; they said he knew all the News, but he would not tell them, and they knew It as well as him, Since You wont Tell us the News, will tell it you, all the English are gone from Montreal, to Succour Quebeck, which is besieged by the French. Don;'t you know that the Dutch have declared war against the English- and the Spaniards and French, with the Dutch are joined together against the English. Don't you know that the English are obliged to give up that part of the Mississippi which they possess to the Spaniards. don't you know that the Alibamous have destroyed a Fort where there were Sixty Englishmen. Judge you if we ought not to Fear the English, since all the People from Mobile are come to the Mississippi in order to fight with the English. The Peace that we have made with them, is like that that the French made with them, it is over, and there are more people killed on the other side of the great Lake than here, You must have heard that as well as us, but you pretend to be Deaf. The Nations here that Shake hands with them Every day have not made Peace, it is not that way that Peace is made. They go into the Fort, Shake hands with them and call them Brothers in order to get a little Rum, but if they could catch them out of the Fort they would Scalp them. To make a Peace with us the Nations should see one another, and chuse Each a Chief to Settle the Conditions, and then it would be good. You say the Shawanese and Delawares have made Peace, but I tell you No, if they had made it they would have withdrawn the Belts which they Left here and which we now shew you, there are fourteen of them. It is not us that make the War we are only a handfull of People therefore Incapable of it, 'tis the Shawanese that were the causes of the War. The Chiefs that was sent here last Fall, saw their Belts, If our Father has made Peace with the English, why has he not sent (page 675) a Chief with a Belt to tell us so, and that he has given up his Pretentions to Trade with us, to them, than we should be quiet and stay at home, we have Seen Peace made three Times, at all which times our Father sent a Chief with a Belt, and goods to Inform us of it, And to bid us not Strike the English, at those times we traded with the English, Formerly the English were amongst us at which Our Father was Angry, and sent Mr. Beltri2 with some Indians to Strike Us, And we lost two Chiefs, and I was wounded. We did not know what this Meant till the Ottawas, as the ottawas Chiefs here present can tell You, came and fired upon us, Killed six Men, wounded several others, and took five women prisoners, Pondiac is gone to the Ilinois, If our Father who is there shall bid us Stop up the Road against the English; we will do so. If he shall sent us a Belt to remain Quiet we will obey him. Tell the English all that we say, hide Nothing, Tell them that in case they should Chuse to Seek least they should be tired on their March we will meet them half way, You say Mr. Beltr is at Montreal, when he went away, he said that he went away ashamed, but that we should see him Again. If he is quite fallen, and can't recover himself, why does he Not send us word. You At Detroit in Canada pretend you Know Nothing, but the People who lives where the Sun Sets know well Enough what Passes, and speak of it and tell us we do well. Godfroy and Maisonville did not say that they had been beat by the french at Ilinois because they were English, You see that they do very wrong to serve the English, as the French themselves are Angry with them. The English are angry that we have taken a Scalp at Detroit, they may depend upon seeing us often there, for You we have pity on You, we will let you go back to Detroit, but if You do wrong, Our Father will Punish you when he goes there.3 Mr: De Veyon,4 who loved (page 676) the English as You do, had his Cross of St Lewis taken from him, and they carried him to France to hang him; that is all we have to say to You, tell it to the English, and be sure you hide Nothing.
Mr. Tadot says, that the Miamis had News of his coming Long before his arrival, which was carried there by the Ottawas of Rochedebout as the Miamis told him, the Ottawas of Rochedebout told him that the Miamis were Mad, that they were Old Women and Incapable of making War, that there were no Ottowas, but Pondiac's Tribe, that joined them at the Miamis, that they were Run-aways, they asked him if he thought they might come to the Fort, as the English might be Angry, with what the Other Indians had done.
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(Signed) |
Thomas Morris Presdt. |
A True Copy
John Campbell,
Lt. Col. 17th: Regt.
A Court of Enquiry held by Order of
Lieutenant Colonel Campell
Detroit March 16th 1765
Capt. Lieut. Rogers President
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Lieut. Shaw |
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Lieut. Aylmer |
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Lieut. Abbot |
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Ensn. Vander Dussen |
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John Baptist Beaubien Informed the Court, that being at Fort Miamis he heard that one St Vincent a Frenchman had wrote a Letter in the Name of Pondiac to ye Cross Beast a Chief of the Miamis not to permitt any Frenchmen who were supposed to have English hearts to pass their Nation; That this Letter was delivered the Chief by one Clermont a Frenchman, and that he had heard it Said, it was at said Clermond Instance, a Party of five Indians, had Sett Out from the Miamies, to take (page 677) two Negroes reported to be then at work at the Quary some miles from Detroit, and that they were Instructed to Proceed and Strike at Detroit, if they did not Succeed at the Quary; and further that one Du, a Frenchman was the Person who had Acquainted them of the Negroes being at that Place. That John Baptist Billiond wrote to Capt. Morris of the 17th Regimt: at Detroit to Inform him the Indian's Desseign, and that they were Induced to it by the before mentioned Clermont, which Letter was Intercepted by Du, Boivere, Lugoniere, and Boyme, Four Frenchmen, that Du suspecting Some of the Company with him in the Canoe had Letters for the English, asked the Question, that La Conte (One of the Party) replied he had one in the Barrel of a Fuzee upon which Boivere with his Tomehawk took out the Breech of the Gun and found the Letter, which having read, Du Said it was Necessary they should return with it to the Miamies, that Boyime Endeavoured to prevent their return, and offered Fifty Livres for the Letter and to keep it a Secret, which they having refused, Boivere and Lagoniere returned to Clermont with it, That Clermont sent for Billiond and Shew'd him the Letter, which he (Billiond) took, tore, and threw in to the fire. That Clermont then told Boivere and Lagoniere, they had a Bale of Tobacco belonging to Billiond, which he would give them for their payment. That Clermont was last fall at Ouiatanen and brought hence One hundred pounds of Marchandises, amongst which was some Gun Powder, but does not know the Quantity, nor did he hear that he had given Any to the Indians. That he was Informed Monsr. St. Onge5 commanding Officer at the Ilinois Had Sent a Suit of Cloaths, a Hat and some Vermilion, to Pondiac, who was to go this Spring to the Ilinois to know if he Should make War or Peace, which Determination the Miamies waited for, That Boivere, after he had given the Intercepted Letter to Cler- (page 678) mont, Proceeded to Detroit But hearing Billiond had got there before him, he returned and was met by the Informant twelve Leagues from thence, who having asked him the Cause of his Sudden return, he replied Billiond had got before him,- he further says he had about three or four hundred weight of flour in his Canoe.
Nicholas Le Noir Confirms the above Information, Except that he did not hear it was by Clermont's persuasion the Indians set out from the Miamies to Strike, what he knew of the Matter was from the Contents of the Intercepted Letter.
Peter Boyme Informed the Court Clermont had brought a Kegg of Rum from St. Vincent, which Rum he gave a Chief of the Miamies, that the Rum was drank at different times by the Indians, that on their Second Meeting they sung the War Dance, which they repeated a few Days after, and that Eight days after that, the Party set out for the Quary. That Du was the Person Informed Clermond the Negroes were at the Quary, and that it was Clermont who Acquainted the Indians.- that he was near the canoe when Billionds Letter was Intercepted and Confirms that part of Beaubien's Informations, with this difference, that La Conte (when he was asked) denied having the Letter, that Boiviere damned him and told him, he was a lying son of a Bitch, for he hear Billiond say about a Week before he would write a Letter and put it in the Barrel of a fuzee, that then he Boivere took the Barrel of the fuzee from la Conte, took out the Letter and returned with it to Clermont, tho' the Informant offered him fifty Livres, and did all he could to persuade him Not to go back. he Confirms Monsr. St. Onges having sent Cloaths and Vermill'on to Pondiac, at the same time desiring him to remain quiet, till ordered to do Otherwise. he further says the Motive for coming himself to Detroit is to Ask pardon of the Commanding officer for absenting himself without Leave; and hopes he will now please to forgive him.
Lewis La Conte Confirms the Part of Boyme's Evidence with regard to the Letter that was Intercepted, and also that St Onge had Sent a present to Pondiac to Keep him Quiet.
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(Signed) |
Jonathan Rogers Presdt. |
A true Copy-
Sigd: John Campell
Lt: Col: 17th: Regt:
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The foregoing is a true Copy of the Courts of Enquiry transmitted by Lt C. Campbell to Sir Willm. Johnson.- |
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G. JOHNSON Dep Agent |
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INDORSED: |
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PETITION OF PEQUOT INDIANS IN CONNECTICUT
D. S.
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12 thMarch 1765 |
[ ] of Pequet in Connecticut [ ] this 12th
of March. AD. 1765 [ ]selves Still under Great Difficulty
[ ]croach'd upon by our English Neighbours [ ]
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1 Public Record Office, C. O. 323.23, p. 79, London, England. Inclosed in Johnson to lords of trade, May 24, 1765.
2 (1, p. 675) Picot de Belletre, later commandant at Detroit.
3 (2, p. 675) See Doc. Rel. to Col. Hist. N. Y., 7:715-16, in letter of Johnson to lords of trade.
4 (3, p. 675) Sr. de Neyon, Nyon de Villiers, commander of Fort Chartres in 1764.
5 (1, p. 677) Commanding at Fort Chartres.
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