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.
Johnson to Shelburne
(May 30, 1767)
|
Johnson, Sir William in: Johnson Mss., 14:199, N. Y. D. C. H., 7:928 (original destroyed in the Albany fire) and in Alvord & Carter, British Series, Vol. II, Illinois Historical Collections, Vol. 11, pp. 572-574. |
I am newly returned from a Congress with the Six Nations at the German flatts which was partly convened at the request of the Proprietaries of Pensilvania & Maryland who were to obtain the Indians consent to their Running the Division Line between these Governments over the Allegany Mountains which I have at length effected, and delivered the Indians a present from these Governments. I Judged this a necessary part of my duty for terminating these disputes, but I had a much more material motive in meeting the Indians that of composing their Minds, and satisfying them on the Subject of their Inquietudes of which I had the most particular and alarming accots, and therefore no Time was to be lost.- I had upon this occasion the pleasure to do Justice to his Majestys Clemency by laying before them, and explaining in the strongest Terms, his Royal Intentions, and protection signified to me in your Lordships Letter of February last, and I have the satisfactn to inform you Lordship that the pains I took on that occasion to shew them the real Intentions of Government, added to my Explanatn of the causes of their discontent has produced a very favorable Change in their (page 573) Dispositions, and enabled me to prevail upon them to agree to a Treaty of peace with the Cherokees when their Deputys arrive. This has been hitherto thought a very difficult if not impracticable task and it will cost me much Trouble yet to keep them in the same pacific sentiments towards a people for whom they have so fixed a hatred;- I apprehend I shall have no less difficulty in Continuing them Steady in their friendship to us, should they find the Causes of their discontent Still Subsisting, and I have no reason to Expect the Contrary till Some plan peculiarly adapted for restraining abuses, and Redressing the Indians be enacted by Law, or otherwise Established in such a manner as to afford speedy Justice without Dispute or evasion, for I have repeatedly observed that a Court of Law is not calculated for this purpose, the Laws not having an Eye to their peculiar Circumstances & Situation, and the Jurys being often ignorant, and I may Venture to say Sometimes prejudiced, as are all the Members of the Law on such Trials. I hope I need not to enlarge on this Subject persuaded that your Lordship has it much at heart.
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