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 Guy Johnson
(New York, May 29, 1768)
Gage, Thomas in: The Papers
of Sir William Johnson,
vol. 12, pp. 517-519.
THOMAS GAGE TO GUY JOHNSON
Contemporary Copy1
|
New York May 29th, 1768. |
SIR,
Your Letter of the 20th Instant2 has been duely recieved, and by the same Opportunity I recieved Letters from the Detroit of the same import as those you have recieved from Mr. Hay.
There is the greatest reason to Suspect that the French are Endeavoring to engross the Trade, and that the Indians have acted thro' their Instigation, in the Murders they have committed, and the Resolutions we are told they have taken, to suffer no Englishman to trade with them. And in this they have rather been Assisted by the English Traders, who having no Consideration but that of a present gain, have thro' fear of exposing their own Persons, or hopes of obtaining greater influence with the Indians, continualy employed French Commissarys or Agents, whom they have trusted with Goods for them to Sell at an Advanced price in the Indian Villages. The Commanders of the Posts as well as the Indian Commissary's have seen this, confessed the Impropriety of it, and yet these things have been done, tho' contrary to the Regulation's made, of fixing the Trade at the Posts only. I Apprehend that the Applications made by the Indians to have the Traders in their Villages have been so frequent and so strong, that they have not judged it right to refuse them.
I have sent Orders to Captain Turnbull3 to make it Publickly known amongst the Indians and French, that no Traders whatever will be suffered in any Nation where the English have not an equal Liberty to trade, and the same protection that the French have, and where this is not strictly complied with, no Goods on any Account must be suffered to be sent from any Post. I shall write also to desire, that the Indians on the Miamis may be informed that we expect Satisfaction from them for the Trader's (page 518) Murdered in their Village, and who were under their Protection. And that Mr. Chevalier4 and Beau Soleil if they can be drawn away from St. Joseph's may not be suffered to return, or any Goods sent amongst those Savages, till they give satisfaction for the Murders which their Nation have Committed. These Methods as you observe will be the best to bring the Indians to Terms; And I agree perfectly with you to prohibit absolutely any Traders or other French residing in the Indian Towns, having any Goods consigned or entrusted to them; which may bring many of them in. And tho' we may not be able to root them out entirely, the doing this, and insisting on their Removal, on any future formal Congress with the Indians, may in great measure effect it, and leave but few French amongst them. I understand that you have wrote much to the above purport to Mr. Hay,5 who should act in Conjunction in all these matters with the Commissary of Missilimakinak, as should the Commanders of those two Forts, or the one will undo what the other does. The Murders Committed by the Chippewas of the Saguinam last fall upon the Ohio,6 on the Crews of the two Boats, should not either be overlooked, but Satisfaction demanded. As for Major Rogers his Designs appear more Suspicious, but if we get him fairly out of the Country, I Apprehend he will be of no further Consequence.
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I Am with great Regard |
|
||
|
|
Sir, |
|
|
GUY JOHNSON Esqr.
As Mr.
Croghan has left Fort Pitt, intending to go to Sir William's House across the
Country; I inclose you a Letter for him. Also some Letters for Niagara &c
which last You will please to forward by the first safe Conveyance that Offers
to Niagara or Ontario.
____________________________
1 In William L. Clements Library.
2 Ante pp. 507-11.
3 Captain George Turnbull, of the 60th regiment, at Detroit.
4 Louis Chevallier.
5 Jehu Hay.
6 See Jehu Hay to George Croghan, October 15, 1767, Johnson Papers, 5:728-31, for an account of these murders.
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