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 Gage
(Detroit, Sept. 11, 1768)
Turnbull, George in: William
L. Clements Library, Gage
Papers, American
Series.
Sir
I have just now been favour'd with Two Letters from Cap. Forbes Commandant of Fort Chartres Dated the 6th and 15th of July. He mentions the Potowatemies having brought back the Soldier and his Wife that they had Taken Prisoner.- He Received them very coolly and wou'd not see them or shake hands for a long Time. But at last upon their having asked Pardon Repeatedly, and Promising to Behave well for Time to come He forgave them.
Monsieur St. Ange Commands on the Mississippi and Monsr. D'eu Commands on the Missouri they are Quite Independent of one another. Capt. Forbes Suspects very much that they knew of Major Rogers Plot, but there is one Lucky circumstance- they have very few Troops in that country as yet, but more are Expected dayly.
The Fort on the Missouri is only a Trifling stockade with a handful of men, but they are informed that a stone Fort will Soon be built Sufficient for 3000 men.-
His last Letter contains an acount of a Buffaloe boat with fifteen English men being cut off about Three hundred miles up the Shawnese River which communicates with the ohio, one of the Party who had been out a hunting when the boat was attacked made his Escape and got into Fort Chartres. Capt. Forbes suspects the Ouabache or St. Joseph Indians for this affair, indeed I think it is more than Probable that it was those very Kicapous who brought in the Two white men here Lately, as the Place the Boat was in and the number of men answers Exactly to their story, what a Pity it is we can get no Proof against such Villains. They will not be Quiet untill they are Chastised.
I do not imagine the Potowatemies had any hand in this affair notwithstanding their bad Character, as I had this day a Letter from Detailly who was Interpreter at St. Josephs many years ago, and Lives with them being marry'd to a Sqwa. His Report of them is favorable since their Taking that Soldier and his Wife from Fort Chartres I think he is a man that may be Depended upon, and has been of Service Since our arrivall at this Place.
Capt. Forbes Says He has not heard from your Excellency these six months, that He had no acounts of the Relief.- I inclose a Coppy of Maisonvilles Letter by which you will see that Mr. Cole Continue to give Passes for Merchandise to come both to St. Joseph and Ouyachtanon. Severall of those who sent to St. Joseph last year by Permission of the Commissary of Michilmakina[c] Remain there still as Likewise some who had our Commissarys Pass to go to Fort Chartres, and found means to Remain by the Road. Viz Miamis and ouyachtanon they are loath to Leave it. I am with the utmost Respect
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your most Obedient and |
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Geo: Turnbull |
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Detroit Septr. 11th 1768
To
Major General Gage
Return
to TOC, p. 20
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