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.
Journal of Croghan's
Trip to Detroit
(1767)
Croghan, George in: Peckhan,
Croghan's Journal . . . 1767,
pp. 31-47.
October 16th: 1767
I got to Fort Pitt where I mett several Shawanese, Delawares, and Senecas. I took an Opportunity of speaking to each to them separately, and enquired of them the reason of that great Meeting of the several Nations, which I was informed, was to be held at the lower Shawanese Town this Fall, and what they thought, could be the cause of so many Nations Meeting at that Season, which is they Time they general go a hunting.
Each of them told me, they did not know the true cause of it.- That it was said their Meeting was to settle some disputes, which had happened among the Nations, who were to meet there; And to renew their Ancient Councils; but that their Chiefs certainly knew what the intention of their Meeting was, better than they did.
The Shawanese and Delawares informed me that their Chiefs, this last summer had a private council with the Senecas, to which they called all the principal Warriors but that they knew nothing (page 32) of what was transacted at that Council,- that they heard their Chiefs say, they would inform me of it.
[October] 17th: A Young Shawanese Man, informed me that his Uncle (One of the Chiefs of that Nation) was coming up with him from their Towns, to inform Me of the News, that was passing amongst them. That a Runner had overtaken them, which obliged his Uncle to return to the lower Shawanese Town. Since that he heard there was a second Message sent by the Chipawas, and Ottawas, to acquaint the Delawares and Shawnese, that the Meeting of the several Nations, which was proposed this fall was put off, untill next March, and that the Shawanese and Delawares, might go a hunting for the Winter,- but desired that none of them might go far from their Villages. This Indian further informed me, that his Uncle told him the Night before the Runner overtook them, that the Senecas and Western Nations, was determined to Strike the English in the Spring,- That they had invited the Delawares and Shawanese to Join them, and that he was then coming up to inform Me of their designs, and of the reasons the Senecas, gave for making War on us.
Mr: Maisonville, who is just come from the Ouabache, gives me the following account of the State of the Nations residing on that River. He says- Those Nations expected last Spring a Trading Place would have been fixed in their Country for them to Trade at, which had been promised them. That some of their Chiefs went to Fort Chartres, to enquire why a Place was not fixed agreeable to the promise made them, And was Answered There was no Orders come for that purpose. After that, they went to Detroit, on the same Business, and returned much dissatisfied, having received the same Answer. Since that they behave very Sulky and complain that the English despise them, and say, that is the reason they do not establish a Place of Trade in their Country, as they (page 33) have among all the other Nations round them.- That the French Traders who come into their Country, sell them Goods as Dear as they used in time of War, and that the English even try to prevent them of getting Goods that way,- by Ordering the French Traders to leave their Country.- That if the English did not fix Places of Trade, and open a Trade with them, as they promised and had given to the Nations round them- altho' it was contrary to their inclinations, yet, if forced they would Plunder both the English and French, as they must live and have Cloaths.
Mr: Masonville says, he is certain that the great number of little French Traders, who go amongst these Nations- Spirit them up against the English, by telling them, the English will not suffer them to have any Trade, and if they are catched trading with them, that the English will hang them. by Propagating these and the like Stories- Those Indians have concieved a prejudice against the English, which will be very difficult to remove.
[October] 24th: Sett out from Fort Pitt to Detroit.
[October] 27th: Came to a large hunting Village of the Delawares, where I met some Chiefs and Warriors of that Nation, who pressed me to stay with them that and the day following, which I agreed to.
[October] 28th: In the Morning We met at a fire prepared by the Indians for that purpose. I informed them that I was going to Detroit to restore their Friends the Two Chippawas that had been sent Prisoners to Albany. They Answered, that they were glad to hear it, as the Nations over the Lakes were making a great complaint to their Allies- that every little Crime which any of their People committed in their drink- was taken great Notice of by the English at the same time refused to punish their Negroes (page 34) for Murdering their People before their faces, and that they were not able to obtain Justice from the English for any injuries they did them. The Delawares reply'd We know this to be true; we could never obtain Justice from you, when any of our People were Murdered by Yours; When at the same time, if any of our People took a Horse from Yours, you always followed us, and insisted for Satisfaction. They then said, We do not mention this in Anger, tho' We have suffered, only to let you know, that we are sensible when we are ill treated, and do not forget the injuries done us.
In Answer to this, I used every Argument in my Power to convince them, That every step that was in the Power of the General, and Superintendent; were taken to bring such People as committed Offences in the Indian Country, to Justice. To Which they Answered, "We thought you had Laws for that purpose."
I then delivered them a Belt of Wampum and told them- As I had been some time out of their Country; I should be glad to hear what News was passing among their several Tribes. They told Me, after taking some time to Consider, that I had come from the Country from whence all the News came, and believed I knew it, as well as they did,- but as I desired to hear it from them, they would tell me every thing that came to their knowledge. And say'd that a Party of Senecas who came from the Six Nation's Country called the Shawanese, Delawares, and Senecas who lived at the two Creeks, to a Council. At which time they told them, that the English were Robbing them of a Tract of Country lying between the Ohio River, and the Settlements of (page 35) Virginia, Maryland and Pensilvania, and had made large Settlements thereon, and had killed several of their Warriors passing to and from War against the Southern Indians, calling their Country which they had unjustly taken Possession of, theirs. They said it was true, they had agreed with Sir William Johnson to give up that Tract of Country to the King for a Consideration, but they never had received any, and had been often cheated by the English in the Sale of Lands and were now determined to have Justice therein, or bury every Warrior of their Nations, and desired them to consider well what they had said, and prepare themselves to bring the English to a sence of the Injustice they were doing them, and delivered them several Belts. This Party then sent to Council with the Chipawas and Ottawas. some time afterwards, a Party of Chipawas came to the lower Shawanese Town with Messages to the Shawanese and Delawares, informing them that the Chiefs and Principal Warriors of Twelve different Nations, would collect themselves to a Council in the Shawnese Country, (and that the Senecas would likewise attend) in the Fall of the Year. And that since a Second Message was sent them from the Chipewas letting them know, that this Council would not take Place till the Frog Month (which is March) next. This, They said was every thing, that came to their knowledge worth acquianting me with. That they were sorry things were in such a Situation- for their own parts they wished for Peace, tho' some of their own People had suffered. They then told me I would meet a Number of the Shawanese and some of their People at Muskingham, who would inform me, that every thing they had told me was truth.
[October] 30th: I got to Muskingham where I met a large number of the Shawanese and some Principal Men of the Delawares, who gave me the same Intelligence as I had from the others, and told me, they longed much to see me, and wished that all the Chiefs of their two Nations were together to speak to me.
After Considering the Situation of Affairs I thought it would be for the good of His Majesty's Service to invite the Chiefs of these Two Nations to meet me at Fort Pitt on my Return from Detroit. I delivered these Indians Belts for that purpose to be sent to their several Chiefs.
November 6th: I reached Sanduskey where I met a Number of Weyondotts or Hurons, with a Number of Mohichons, Shawanese and Connewagoe Indians. I asked them what was the meaning of that great meeting of Twelve different Nations of the Western Indians which was proposed to be held in the Shawanese Country. They declared they were not informed what was the intent of it- And desired if I knew the cause of it, that I would acquaint them therewith as they had reason to think it was not intended for any good. That the Messages delivered to the Delawares & Shawanese, were sent from the Western Nations, at the request of the Senecas, that they, the Hurons who had always been in the confidence of the Western Indians, had not been acquainted by any of them, with the design of this meeting. I told them that I was not invited to attend at that meeting, therefore I knew nothing but what I heard on the road, and then informed them of Some part of the Intelligence I had got from the Delawares and Shawnese.
After taking some time to Consider on what I had told them, (page 37) they answered that they had nothing to do with any disputes, and hoped that they might be all settled, and themselves have liberty to pursue their Hunting in peace. And then requested as the Lake was difficult to pass in winter, that some Traders might be sent to reside among them to Supply them with goods. On which they gave a Belt.
November 15th I reached Detroit, where I met Andrew the Huron, who was Sent last Summer to the Ilinois, Oubache & St. Joseph's, to gain Intelligence and pry into the State and disposition of the Several Nations in tat part of the Country. He gave me the following Accounts. That He was Thirty Two Days in the Illinois Country, & Conversed with all the Chiefs, and principal Warriors of the different Tribes and found them well pleased with the English; They acknowledge that they purchase Goods much Cheaper than ever they had done from the French, before the English came into their Country; They Seem inclined to Peace, and wish that the English and French would agree better than they had hitherto done amongst themselves. He Says, the Sioux & Reynard's are carrying on a War against these People. When he came to Post Vincent, he found the Indians there very much Incensed against the English, because they had not established a trading Place in their Country, as well as amongst the (page 38) other Nations near Fort Chartres & Detroit, they Said, they always had a place of Trade, when the French lived in their Country, & that the English had promised it to them, but had not performed their Engagements, and they would break theirs with the English. When he came to Ouitanon, he found the three Nations there in the same temper & when he got to the Miamis, he heard that a party of the Warriors from Post Vincent had met a hunting boat from Fort Chartres with Eight English & French men on Board, who were hunting for Buffaloe meat above the Confluence of the Ohio with the Mississippi, and made the Eight Men Prisoners & plundered them of every thing they had. That after carrying them Prisoners to their Country, they killed two of them and set the other Six at Liberty at the request of their Chiefs. He Says that unless those Nations on the Ouabache be Spoke to Early in the Spring, and allowed an open Trade, as at Detroit & Fort Chartres, he is of Opinion they will Rob and Plunder all the Traders they meet with any where in the Country. From this place he went to St Joseph's where he found the Two (page 39) Tribes who reside there in great Confusion having Quarrelled with each other in their Liquor, by which means twenty Four men were killed; That this difference was not Settled when he left it, and one of the Tribes had gone off from their Village some distance into the Woods.
He Says Pondiac had not been there since his Return from Sir William Johnson's nor delivered any Speeches from him to those Indians.
[November] 16th I Sent off an Express Canoe to Michillimackinac with His Excellency General Gage's Dispatches for that Post.
[November] 17th & 18th Were taken up in holding a Court of Enquiry on Mr Hay Commissary for Indian Affairs, on ac- (page 40) count of Several Complaints against his Conduct, for particulars of which I must referr to the Minutes of the Court.
November 19th & 20th, I had several private meetings with the Chiefs of the Hurons, Ottawas, Poutewatamies & Chippewas, Separately. I made the Strictest Enquiry I could, what was the cause, or what was intended to be transacted at this great meeting of the different nations, who were to assemble next Spring in the Shawnese Country. But I could not obtain one direct answer. The Chiefs of these Nations Said they did not know.
In the Evening of the 20th I Sent for the Chiefs of the Hurons, and desired them to tell me, what they knew of this matter; They answered, they knew nothing of what was intended, for they were not even Envited to attend at it, they desired me to call the Chiefs of the Four Nations together, and they would Convince me they were not in the Secret and that they desired nothing more than to live in Peace.
[November] 21st At nine o'Clock I Assembled the Chiefs of each Nation, delivered them a large Belt, and demanded the reason why they kept the cause of this intended meeting so great a Secret.
I acquainted them, I could not help Suspecting they had Something bad in their hearts; I desired them to Act like men, and tell me what it was that made them uneasie. One of the Chiefs of the Hurons took the belt in his hand, and Spoke to the following Purpose. Father, I told You already I knew nothing of this Council; Our nation has not been invited to Attend it; I now tell You before these Chiefs, that I think as You do, that something bad is intended, or we should have been invited to Attend at it. Here is the man that carried the Belts to the Shawnese, let him Act like a man, and tell us both what he knows of it and then delivered the Belt to an other Chief- (One of the Chippewas from Chagonan Bay) who got up and Said, Father, I will tell (page 41) You all I know of it; Five Indians of Our Nation from Tarunto came to my Village at Chagonan Bay last Summer, & brought with them Several Belts of Wampum with Messages, which they delivered me; They told me they were Sent by the Chiefs of our Nation, that I was ordered to Send them forward immediately to all the Western Nations, and desire a general meeting of the whole in the Shawneses Country this Fall, and that I should go myself and deliver the Belts that were for the Shawnese and Delawares, which I did; and Sent the other Belts as directed. The Intention of this meeting of the Several Nations, is to Settle some disputes Subsisting between the Northern & Western Nations, & Unite the whole as one nation, that we might become as one People for Ever.
At the Time the messenger delivered me these belts, he told me the Six Nations were much displeased with the English on Account of their Settling some part of their Country without their Consent, and that this was to be talked over at this great Council; That the reason of his not telling it to their Brethren the Hurons was, there was no Belt for their Nation.
He then delivered the Belt back, and Said, he had informed me of Every thing he knew relating to the meeting intended in the Spring in the Shawnese Country.
[November] 22d I called a meeting of all the Indians at Detroit & after Captain Turnbull & myself had condoled with them (agreable to an antient custom of theirs) for several of their Chiefs who Died this last Year, I Spoke to them on Several Belts, and pointed out to them particularly every part of their past ill (page 42) Conduct towards His Majesty's Subjects Since the Peace; Let them know, they had Violated all their Engagements to us, that they had from Time to Time been forgiven when they deserved the Severest punishments, and particularized their Cruel and Barbarous treatment of Captain Campbell. I then told them, that to convince them of the Humanity and Clemency of the British Nation, that His Excellency Major General Gage, the Commander in Chief, and the Honorable Sir William Johnson Bart:, had Sent back their Two men who had murthered Captain Sinclair's man, and who ought to have been hanged: I then delivered the two men to their People. I then told them on a large Belt, that they must be convinced, we had it in our Power to punish any Nation who dare Offend us; and tho' we were Slow to anger & loth to take revenge for the Injuries done us, I assured them by that Belt, that for the future we would punish with (page 43) death, every Offender who dared be so hardy as to break their Engagements with us, and Violate the Articles of the Peace.
I then Spoke to the Ottawas on a large Belt, respecting the Murder of Baynton, Wharton & Morgan's People, this Fall on the Ohio; I told them of the Cruelty of their Young Warriors in plundering and Murthering in cool Blood, in the time of profound Peace, and without any provocation, a number of innocent Men carrying Goods into their Country, to Supply them with necessarys they could not live without.
I told them what I then Said was only from myself, that it happened since I parted with the General, and Sir William Johnson; But that I made no doubt, but that the perpetrators of that Bloody Act, would be Demanded of their Nation, in order to be punished, and to deter others from Committing the like Cruelties.
I then delivered a Belt to the Hurons in the presence of the whole, and returned them thanks for their Steady and good behavior since the Peace, as I was informed by Captain Turnbull, & Mr Hay the Commissary of Indian Affairs, that this Nation had behaved themselves remarkably well, and taken care that none of their Young Men behaved ill or broke any part of their Engagements of Us.
Novemr 23d The Indians assembled in Council, & made me the following Answer to what I Said to them Yesterday.
The Chief of the Chippawas Speaker-
He held the Several Belts which I had delivered them in his hand and Said; Father, We have considered of the Several Speeches You made us Yesterday; Every thing You Said to Us is truth, We cannot deny but our Conduct has been very bad. We have lost some of our People by the English which You know as well as ourselves; You have now brought Two of our People of Life, and given them to us, which I hope will learn us to behave better for the future. I Speak to you in behalf of all the Indians present, a great many of our People are out Hunting; I will Call a Council, of all our Nations in the Spring and lay (page 44) before them you Several Speeches; And You may be assured You shall then have our answer to them, as I am Convinced in my own Heart, that we have behaved ill; I will Speak my Sentiments at that Council, and hope our future Conduct will merit the Approbation of Our Father, as well as our Brethren the Hurons has done: He then gave a Belt.
I now Speak in behalf of the Ottawas respecting the Murder & Robbery of your People by a Party of their Warriors; They desire me to tell You, they have nothing to Say in defence of their People's Conduct, it was owing to one bad man, who they believe was tempted by the Evil Spirit. As soon as this Party returned, and told what they had done, the Cheifs brought the whole Party down to Detroit to the Commanding Officer, & Commissary of Indian Affairs, to Relate how this Unlucky Affair happened & begged forgivness. As to what was Said then, they referred me to the Commanding Officer, but assured me that if the General & Sir William Johnson would not forgive them, that such of the Part as were Concerned in the murder, Should be delivered up when Demanded.
The Same Speaker then Spoke on another Belt and Said Father, when the French had this Country, they always kept a Doctor to attend our Sick People at this Place, and for some time after You came here, You did the Same; We are now, and have been this Summer past very Sickly for want of a Doctor to attend us as formerly, We have lost a number of People, We there fore beg You'll let us have a Doctor to attend us when Sick.
[November] 24th: I Set out from Detroit and got to Sandusky the first of December, where a number of Indians Settled (page 45) in that part of the Country Assembled to meet me, I informed them of every thing that had been transacted at Detroit, and then Condoled with them for some of their People who had lately Died, for which they returned thanks; And on the Second of December, I took my leave of them, and Set out for Fort Pitt.
[December] 9th I arrived at Fort Pitt, where I found the Chiefs & Principal Warriors of the Delawares, with Several Senecas from the Two Creeks, and a few Deputys from the Shawnese waiting for me, as Some of their People were out a Hunting, I was obliged to wait four days before I could call them to a meeting.
Decemr 17th, I met them in Council, and informed them of my business at Detroit, & repeated over to them every thing that had passed at the meetings I had with the Indians at Detroit.
After Captain Edmonstone & myself had Condoled with them for such of their People as had Died, or been killed by the Enemy; I Spoke to them on a Large Belt; I told them I had informed them of Every thing that passed between me and the nations at Detroit, that they mus[t] be Sensible, that the meeting of Twelve different Nations of Indians, who were to assemble in their Country in the Spring, must alarm such of the Nations as were not invited to attend it; That it had raised my Curiosity to Enquire what the business was, that were to be transacted at this meeting which they kept so great a Secret from us: I then desired to know from them what was meant by it.
One of the Chiefs took up the Belts in his hand, returned me thanks for the Speeches I had made, & for burying the Bones of their Deceased friends that lay Scattered in the Woods. He then replyed our assembling here at this Time, is to acquaint You with what we know respecting the Meeting of the Different Nations in our Country in the Spring, and tomorrow we will Inform You of every thing that has come to our knowledge.
[December] 15th: At 10 o'Clock We met in Council, when the Indians went thro' the Ceremony of Condoling with Capt (page 46) Edmonstone & myself; And then taking the Belt I had given him Said, Father, You have been informed by Some of our People, as You was on your Journey from here to Detroit, who are now present, of a private meeting we had with Some of the Six Nations last Summer, & of the Messages Sent us by the Chippawas, which must Convince You this Council is not called by us. There has happened Several little differences between the warriors of our different Nations during the last war, all which is intended to be Settled at this meeting; And it is further proposed to unite the Northern & Western Indians so that we become One People, & to renew & Strengthen our antient Friendship with each other which has been neglected for Some Years Past, this is the true intention of this meeting; But at the Same time the Six Nations are to lay before the Council a Complaint against the English for making Settlements in their Country before they have been Paid for their Lands; Have killed & wounded Several of their Warriors last Year, as they were Passing & repassing to & from war against the Southern Indians. All which we know to be true, they seem determined upon having Revenge, and have told our nations, that as we are part of their Confederacy, it concerns us as much as them. That the Country belongs to us all in common, & that they Expect we will assist them in obtaining Justice from the English. The speaker then returned me the Belt, and told me, they had acquainted me with all they knew concerning the Meeting.
He then spoke on another Belt, and said Father, I spoke in behalf of our Nations, and I Assure you by this Belt that it is contrary to our Judgements and inclinations to have any Quarrel (page 47) or difference with the English, and nothing will give us greater pleasure than to hear that the great Men will settle those disputes before they come to an open quarrel that we may enjoy a long and lasting Peace, to follow our hunting for the support of our Family's. He gave the Belt.
I then returned them thanks for the open and free manner in which they had communicated toe the business that was to be transacted at the Meeting intended to be held in the spring. I told them they were sensible every step had been taken by the Commander in Chief and Sir William Johnson to drive those People that had made Settlements in their Country, out of it That they had been driven twice by the Officers and Soldiers sent from Fort Pitt for that purpose, That I thought both the Six Nations and them, were very wrong in attempting to stirr up a quarrel on that Account, when they knew those People were not settled by Any Authority, but were a Sett of poor People who had fled their Country to seek a living in the Woods. That they might be assured, His Majesty wou'd not suffer any of His Subjects to take any part of their Country without his making them Satisfaction for it. That they had often experienced His Majesty's Pity for, and generous disposition towards them and all the Indian Nations by the many Presents that they had, and were daily recieving from His Officers, That their Conduct on this Occasion shewed a want of gratitude, as well as want of understanding in them. On which I gave them a large Belt.
On the 16th and 17th: of December, they took leave of Captain Edmonstone and myself, and returned to their several Villages.
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[Endorsed:] Copy./ |
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of Mr. George
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